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Artwork for Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler

Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler

Richard Ostler
Mental Health
Latter-Day Saints
Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints
LDS Church
LGBTQ
LGBTQ+ Issues
LGBTQ Community
Suicide Prevention
LGBTQ+ Community
LGBTQ Inclusion
Faith
Community Support
Pornography
Family Dynamics
LGBTQ Latter-Day Saints
Parenting
Therapy
Faith and Religion
Faith and Spirituality
Suicide

Welcome to our podcast! My name is Richard H. Ostler and I am a native of Salt Lake City, small business owner, married father of six with several grandchildren. I believe in and am deeply committed to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and want it to work for a wider group. I am the author of three books: “Listen Learn and Love: Embracing LGBTQ Latter-day Saints” published in 2020 av... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes533Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Religion & Spirituality

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler

Latest Episodes

My friend Dr. Paul McDonugh (spine surgeon, married father of 4, Active LDS, Lives in Texas) joins us to talk about his insightful new book. Paul discusses why does Scripture present truths that contradict each other? For example: If God is perfectly... more

** This episode talks about suicide. If you are suicidal, please call, text 988 ** My friend JaQuavious Harris (late 20s, lives in Utah, world class runner including a 2:13 marathon finish) joins us to share his story about Jesus being the center of ... more

My friends Patrick Mason (Holds the Leonard J. Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture at Utah State University) and Melissa Mason (Clinical Social Worker, Master of Social Work, Utah State University) join us to talk about their new book calle... more

My friend Thomas Hostetter (mid-30s, lives in southern Colorado, engaged to be married to his future husband, deep testimony of the Church) joins us to share his remarkable story, including: - Growing up and having an interest in men—but never realiz... more

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Recent Guests

JaQuavious Harris
Latter-day Saint, LGBTQ advocate, and world-class distance runner.
Episode: Episode 949: JaQuavious Harris, Gay, Active LDS, World Class Runner, Black/Native American
Melissa Mason
Licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and modern quilting teacher
Utah State University
Episode: Episode 948: Patrick and Melissa Mason New Book: “Rooted: Centering Christ in Everything”
Patrick Mason
Leonard J. Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture at Utah State University
Utah State University
Episode: Episode 948: Patrick and Melissa Mason New Book: “Rooted: Centering Christ in Everything”
Thomas Hostetter
Gay Latter-day Saint, title examiner, and author of *Grammar of the Scar*
Episode: Episode 947: Thomas Hostetter, Gay Latter-day Saint, New Book, Super Powerful Story
Jess Porter
Gay Latter-day Saint who returned to church after years away and is married to Alex
Episode: Episode 946: Jess Porter, Gay Latter-day Saint, Same-Sex Marriage, Reconnecting with God/Church
Heidi Applegarth
Marriage and family therapist, licensed in Nebraska
Applegarth family/therapy practice
Episode: Episode 945: Heidi and Daniel Applegarth Sharing About Their Mixed-Orientation Marriage
Daniel Applegarth
Financial advisor, CFO of a financial advisory practice
Applegarth family/financial planning
Episode: Episode 945: Heidi and Daniel Applegarth Sharing About Their Mixed-Orientation Marriage
Angela Baerwolf
Dr. Angela Baerwolf, University of Wisconsin–Green Bay; co-author of the study
University of Wisconsin–Green Bay
Episode: Episode 944: Dr. Lance Peterson and Dr. Angela Baerwolf, Insightful New LGB Research
Lance Peterson
Dr. Lance Peterson, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota; research lead on the LGBTQ families study
University of St. Thomas
Episode: Episode 944: Dr. Lance Peterson and Dr. Angela Baerwolf, Insightful New LGB Research

Host

Richard Ostler
Host of Listen, Learn & Love

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1k ratings
  • Christlike Podcast

    Richard- thank you for providing a safe place for our LGBTQ loved ones and family members to share their stories.

    You show such grace, such compassion, such understanding - to people who are different than most. It must be terribly tiring at times. You have made a difference in my life. You have made a difference in millions of lives. Please know the difference you’re making in this world. Someday, when you get to meet the savior, I have no doubt that he will give you a big hug and tell you how ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Smarty__Marty
    United States4 months ago
  • Richard Ostler is a gem and I appreciate his honesty about his past beliefs and struggles and how he has changed his views over time. I love hearing from all the great guests with a huge array of backgrounds

    Podcast Addict
    5
    keiri128
    5 months ago
  • love love love!

    I recently discovered this podcast and I can’t stop listening to episodes! As a young adult who has been questioning her sexuality for a few years now this is a resource that feels incredibly comforting and is bringing me so much hope as I figure everything out. Thank you to everyone who has shared your story <3

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    loaf_ofbread3
    United States5 months ago
  • Highly Recommended Podcast!

    Richard was amazing to work with! He was kind, inviting, and is a really great listener. I could tell he was understanding my story by the way he took notes and summarized my main points. Great content on his podcast because he really creates a safe space to share.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Josh Otani
    United States7 months ago
  • Kindness embodied

    For anyone who has been wounded, this is a place of healing. Richard celebrates kindness and gentleness. He invites compassion. He facilitates understanding. His guests feel SEEN which is what we all desire. That ability to SEE people translates into the healing kind of Love that feels holy.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rebecca Mullen Coaching
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are consistently described as thoughtful and the host as a compassionate listener who fosters meaningful dialogue.
Critiques often center on traditional beliefs interplaying with LGBTQ topics, with some listeners feeling the approach is too permissive or deviates from church teachings.
Listeners praise the show for offering empathy, safety, and a space to understand LGBTQ+ experiences within faith communities.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 948: Patrick and Melissa Mason New Book: “Rooted: Centering Christ in Everything”
Q: Give us like three or four or five tools or one or two, just suggestions when people reach out with questions about the church.
Melissa recommends listening with curiosity instead of rushing to offer prescriptions. Patrick adds that leaders should trust people's spiritual insight and honestly acknowledge real problems and pain.
Episode 948: Patrick and Melissa Mason New Book: “Rooted: Centering Christ in Everything”
Q: Can you give us an example of a subject that we traditionally talk about where we can do better and focus that subject on Christ?
Melissa uses food storage as an example, suggesting that a Christ-centered approach asks how preparedness can support neighbors and the wider community rather than protect only oneself.
Episode 949: JaQuavious Harris, Gay, Active LDS, World Class Runner, Black/Native American
Q: Tell us the name of the marathon and when it is.
Harris says he is racing the California International Marathon on December 6, 2026, with a goal of running 2:09:59 or faster.
Episode 949: JaQuavious Harris, Gay, Active LDS, World Class Runner, Black/Native American
Q: How do you handle all the advice you get?
Harris says he tries to quiet outside opinions, take breaks from social media when needed, and seek comfort and guidance through his relationship with Christ.
Episode 946: Jess Porter, Gay Latter-day Saint, Same-Sex Marriage, Reconnecting with God/Church
Q: What helped you come back to the Church?
Porter describes reconnecting with family, spiritual experiences, reading the Book of Mormon, and being welcomed by his San Diego ward. He says the ward's care for both him and Alex helped him feel there was a place for them.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on lived experiences at the intersection of faith, LGBTQ identities, and belonging within religious communities. Conversations often feature LGBTQ+ activists, faith leaders, authors, and artists who navigate topics like coming out, faith crises, reconciliation with church teachings, parenting, and building inclusive faith spaces. Episodes tend to emphasize empathy, non-judgment, and practical paths toward belonging, while exploring personal journeys, family dynamics, and systemic change within religious contexts. A notable strength is the host's focus on compassionate listening and actionable guidance for creating safer, more inclusive communities, making it especially helpful for listeners seeking understanding, or for gue... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Faith Matters
2. At Last She Said It
3. Come Back Podcast
4. Mormon Land
5. All In

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 9 years ago and published 533 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. JaQuavious Harris
2. Melissa Mason
3. Patrick Mason
4. Thomas Hostetter
5. Jess Porter
6. Heidi Applegarth
7. Daniel Applegarth
8. Angela Baerwolf

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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