BYU President Shane Reese has been in his role for a year now. We had a lot of questions for him. Is there anything he’d do differently? What is BYU's "divinely established" mission? What's at stake if BYU doesn't fulfill its mission? What is the current student experience, and how can we improve it? We discuss President Reese’s hard time acclimating as a new student at BYU, what it’s like to report to General Authorities, and his hopes for the future of BYU. If you enjoyed this episode,...

For episode 18, I get real with Grammy Award-winning vocal director Mauli Bonner.  After uncovering controversial and lesser-known stories about Black pioneers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mauli, feeling embarrassed about his ignorance, is inspired to become a film writer and director. His mission: To craft an enlightening film that breaks the silence. Despite facing societal hesitation to confront painful, controversial histories, Mauli aims to use the film's proceeds...

In E17 of Let's Get Real with Stephen Jones, Dr. John Thompson tackles a topic that's often misunderstood: the concept of "curses" within sacred texts, especially regarding Latter-day Saint teachings. He explains that what some might interpret as racial curses in scripture, like those mentioned in the Book of Abraham, is about something entirely different. John S. Thompson is an acclaimed Egyptologist with a rich background in ancient scriptures and modern religious studies, including a Ph.D....

I sat down with Dr. John Hilton III and discussed the FBI investigation that proves Joseph Smith DIDN'T write the Book of Mormon. From this episode, you will learn how stylometry, the same method that unmasked the Unabomber, unveils the complex tapestry of voices within the BOM, suggesting a divine collaboration beyond Joseph Smith's capacity. You will learn of Joseph Smith's translation process, highlighting his divine gift and the remarkable efficiency with which the BOM was translated,...

On this episode of Let's Get Real with Stephen Jones, I sat down with Jennifer Roach, a licensed mental health Therapist and Senior Research Associate at FAIR Latter-day Saints.  From an ordained Anglican Pastor to a passionate mental health therapist in the LDS community. Overcoming her own traumatic experiences in high school at the hands of her church pastor, Jennifer now offers her expertise to support trauma survivors. She shares her personal story and research, providing invaluable...

E0014 of Let's Get Real with Stephen Jones features Brother Bradley Wilcox, First Counselor in the General Young Men's Presidency, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Brother Wilcox shares how his early life experiences, including his childhood in Ethiopia, have shaped his unique perspective on life's most challenging questions.In this thought-provoking episode, Brother Wilcox takes us through his journey from his early days in EFY to his role in the General Young Men...

Don Bradley speaks candidly about why he left and came back to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

In this episode, Stephen talks to LDS Polygamy and Joseph Smith Historian, Don Bradley, and discusses why he left and came back to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Stephen sits down with Dr. John S.K. Kauwe III and discusses his unique path to becoming BYU–Hawaii's youngest president while balancing faith, science, and service at the same time.

If you ever feel hopeless, watch until Elder Bednar gives his advice about hope and how to find it. The conversation gets really deep. Elder Bednar, an apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, previously never imagined there would be a temple in Bentonville, Arkansas, in his lifetime. Elder Bednar answers questions about the special significance of the Bentonville, Arkansas Temple to him and his family, what he hopes people understand about worshiping in temples, what...

We connect with @AshleyHessMusic of @thekingwillcome and a memorable finalist from American Idol 2019. Discover Ashley's unique journey, from her transition from being a dental hygienist to a recognized performer, and the unexpected path she treads after leaving the American Idol stage. Post-Idol, Ashley's experience was not just about the music. She opens up about feeling isolated, the challenges she faced, and the spiritual transformation she underwent. Hear her candid account of wrestling...

Controversial Allegations Against the "Mormon" Church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints): Exploring the Truth Behind the Headlines This episode is an analysis and discussion with Aaron Miller, an expert in non-profit management and ethics. He is a professor at Brigham Young University and co-author of The Business Ethics Field Guide and The $100 Billion ‘Mormon Church’ Story: A Contextual Analysis.

Jackson VanDerweken, the actor who portrayed Nephi in the Book of Mormon videos, opens up about his spiritual and physical transformation journey in this episode. Learn how Jackson prepared for the iconic role by overcoming obstacles, deepening his faith, and gaining 15 pounds of muscle in just 1.5 months. Insights on connecting with the prophets, becoming more like Jesus, and playing Nephi changed his life forever. Jackson shares the impact of an apostolic blessing on his portrayal of the...

In this episode, Matt Townsend talks about how he believes effective communication is critical to building healthy relationships and can help resolve even the most complex issues. In Part One, Matt shared his insights on "Real Communication," a concept he discovered while reading 3 Nephi 11-17 in the Book of Mormon. In addition, he revealed the four skills he learned from the Savior's visit to the Americas after His crucifixion and resurrection, which can help anyone communicate and connect...

In this episode, we have the pleasure of interviewing Matt Townsend, a renowned relationship expert who has helped thousands of people worldwide. Matt believes effective communication is critical to building healthy relationships and can help resolve even the most complex issues. During our conversation, Matt shared his insights on "Real Communication," a concept he discovered while reading 3 Nephi 11-17 in the Book of Mormon. In addition, he reveals the four skills he learned from the...

This episode discusses the sensitive topic of prophetic error and the Church’s black African priesthood & temple restriction that was in place more or less for over 100 years. As the history is discussed, it may be helpful for viewers to remember the following crucial statement made in the Church’s 2013 Race & Priesthood essay: “Today, the Church disavows the theories advanced in the past that black skin is a sign of divine disfavor or curse, or that it reflects unrighteous actions in...

In this episode, we sit down with Scott Woodward, a passionate educator and devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to discuss some of the most challenging topics related to LDS Church history and doctrine. We discuss complex issues associated with LDS Church history and doctrine, including plural marriage, uncomfortable truths, and the myth of a prophet's infallibility. Whether you're a young adult in the Church or interested in learning more, this thought-provoking...

This episode includes the life and lessons of Parker Walbeck, a renowned online educator and successful entrepreneur. Discover the principles he put into action to achieve success while staying true to his beliefs. From working with Devan SuperTramp to going out on his own, Parker reveals the challenges he's faced and how he's managed to balance his spiritual life with his thriving career. Throughout this episode, you'll uncover valuable insights on redefining success, embracing hardship, and...

Why does God allow hard things to happen to good people? When Chad Lewis was 19, he experienced one of the heaviest trials ever—his dad's fight for life. In this episode, Chad also reveals how he stays connected to God, why he reads the Book of Mormon every day, how he kept the Sabbath Day holy as a professional football player, and what it was like having Andy Reid as a coach.