Divorced in a Family-Centered Church

Today we’re excited to share our conversation with Anna Lott, and we’re especially thinking of those who are walking—or have walked—the path of divorce. Anna is the host of the Solo Saints podcast and retreats, and she’s become a thoughtful and compassionate voice in our community—especially for those who often feel like their experiences don’t quite fit the mold. As a divorced mother of four, Anna brings honesty, heart, and hard-won wisdom to conversations about faith, family, and belonging.Today’s episode is for everyone though—whether you’ve experienced divorce yourself or love someone who has, we talk with Anna about what it feels like to show up at church when your life no longer fits the picture of how you thought things were “supposed” to look. She speaks candidly about the stigma and shame that so many experience around divorce in a family-centered church, —and about how we, as a community, can do better to create a softer place to land.Anna also invites us to rethink and let go of some of the painful narratives many of us have inherited around marriage—that it should be preserved at all costs, or that staying married is always the most right choice. She shares the both-ands of her own story—the grief and the growth, the costs and the clarity—and how reclaiming and recentering her identity as a daughter of God has led to deeper joy, belonging, and renewed faith.We’re so grateful to the many of you who shared your stories and questions ahead of this episode. Your voices shaped this conversation in meaningful ways. We’re grateful for your honesty and vulnerability and we hope you feel heard here.And with that, here’s our conversation with Anna Lott.

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C.S. Lewis Book Club Extended Interview

Steve and Ashton from the IGF team are joined by BYU English professor Paul Westover and student Ruth Thomas. Together, they discuss C.S. Lewis' "A Grief Observed." In this book, C.S. Lewis openly reflects on the reality of life and death in the wake of his wife's tragic death. This book provides an honest account of the whirlwind that follows a loss—sometimes causing even the strongest believers to waver—and how one can regain their bearings after such disruption. Paul Westover joined the BYU faculty in 2008. His specialties are Romantic-era British literature and cultural history. Westover is co-editor of the Romantic Circles electronic critical edition of "William Wordsworth’s Guide to the Lakes" (2015) and of a volume called "Transatlantic Literature and Author-Love in the Nineteenth Century" (2016). He currently serves as Book Review Editor for the Journal of British Studies and as Graduate Coordinator for the English Department.

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Listening to Women: Jared Halverson hosts

Today we’re bringing you a special conversation hosted by Jared Halverson, who’s joined by three women—Bethany Brady Spalding, Kathryn Knight Sonntag, and me—who’ve been part of a larger, ongoing conversation sparked by one of Jared’s recent videos on social media.If you haven’t seen the video, here’s the context: Jared highlighted the recent trend of women leaving the Church in greater numbers than men and encouraged women to stay, he connects this to D&C 25, highlighting how much depends on them.

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The Path of Descent

This week, we’re joined by Mike Petrow, who serves as the Director of Formation, Faculty Relations, and Theological Foundations at the Center for Action and Contemplation. The CAC is a nonprofit founded by Father Richard Rohr that introduces seekers to the contemplative Christian path of transformation.Mike is intimately involved with the CAC’s Living School, a core educational offering from the CAC that last year offered a course called Essentials of Engaged Contemplation that Tim and I participated in.

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What to Say When the People You Love are Grieving

We're often at a loss for words when speaking to someone who is grieving. We want to say the right thing, but we often end up feeling like we just put our foot in our mouth. And sometimes, we just avoid saying anything at all to avoid any awkwardness. Leanne Friesen, author of "Grieving Room: Making Space for All the Hard Things After Death and Loss," shares several easy, compassionate, and helpful things we can say to people—and to ourselves—when in the throes of grief.

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Jesus Waits Before He Works Miracles

Have you ever begged God for a miracle, only to hear silence? This stunning poem about Jairus reveals a truth we often forget—sometimes, Christ waits before He heals. Not because He isn’t listening, but because His timing is perfect. If you’re in a season of waiting, don’t lose hope. The miracle is coming. And when it does, you’ll understand why it had to happen His way, in His time.

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From Despair & Addiction to Faith, Hope & Empowerment

What if your darkest trials could ultimately become your brightest testimony? In this powerful episode of Latter-Day Lights, we hear the incredible story of Jenna Frandsen—a woman who transformed her life from the depths of addiction, grief, and trauma to becoming a light for others. From losing her husband and battling substance abuse to discovering her divine purpose, Jenna's journey is a testament to the healing power of Christ and the strength found in remembering who we truly are.

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