(CW: SI, SA) Join our conversation with Jaxon and his experience growing up in a traditional LDS family and attending BYU before coming out as transgender. (Topics include: transgender, LGBTQ+, trans panic, deconstructing religion, LDS (Mormon) church, BYU, patriarchal blessing, suicidal ideation, body dysmorphia, sexual abuse, depression, anxiety, and lacrosse.)

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Every week we pass by hundreds of people we don't know. Complete strangers.

Some of them. We barely notice the guy at the ATM or the woman driving the BMW. Some we may see on a more regular basis. The clerk at the local convenience store, that one ref that shows up at every lacrosse game. Some people really catch our attention like that saxophone player in the park last Saturday.

What would it take to turn a casual acquaintance into a friend, a mentor, or even a new best friend? Another conversation, maybe a series of conversations. Maybe just one vulnerable conversation about something that truly matters. A shared moment that touches us once and changes us forever.

Each episode of "Strangers, You Know" is a conversation with a wonderful human you've never met. On the surface, some of them may really stand out. Others you may not even notice as you pass on the street. Each of them is unique and very real.

They may have radically different opinions, religions, or lifestyles than you. But I promise you, if you're willing to spend the time with them, their honesty, vulnerability and bold conversations will convince you we all have more in common than we might expect.

Our conversations will bring you to tears, challenge your current worldviews, and occasionally make you laugh your a** off.

But I promise you, if you are willing to spend time with them, their honesty, vulnerability and bold conversations will convince you we all have more in common than we might expect.

So follow, like, subscribe, support, contribute and enjoy as I proudly introduce you to "Strangers, You Know."

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Originally intended to be only a test of sound equipment, my friend Neil got a jumpstart on the podcast by turning the tables and interviewing me. There will be a follow-up interview with Neil where I return the favor but I wanted to share this conversation with you as we discuss what it means to be vulnerable and the risk of belonging vs. the reward of being true to yourself.

Other topics include: the origins of this podcast, tattoos, culture and community, pandemic, swearing, learning about privilege, and the challenge of changing, learning, and being a better person.

CW - Foul Language

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(CW: SI) Leaving the LDS church can cost people many valuable relationships, including family. Today's guest was actually "excommunicated from her family," which then led to a faith crisis, deconstruction, and her leaving the church, all within a very short period of time. She prefers to remain anonymous but has bravely and beautifully shared her story with others on her Instagram account, Her.Truth.Be.Told and I encourage all listeners to follow her there. (Today's Topics include: Enmeshed family, narcissism, abusive relationships, indoctrination, gaslighting, purity culture, suicide, tattoos, community, love bombing, and deconstruction.)

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Amanda joins our conversation from her new home in Argentina. Originally from a small town in Utah, she grew up driven to be the "perfect girl." Devout Mormon, straight A's, and a self-proclaimed tomboy. She tells how a single question changed her life forever, opening her eyes to a world of possibilities, and instilling a strong desire to live and work abroad. After a decade of working for United Nations with UNICEF and the World Food Programme, her work has taken her to dozens of countries. Her story includes topics of: certainty, self-doubt, poverty, open-mindedness, critical thinking, education, colonialization, life, death, news, social media, culture, communication, politics, international relations, the importance of cursing, and finding beauty in your daily life.

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How did you discover who you really are and who you really want to be? Or maybe the jury is still out and you are still exploring with an open mind. It's one thing to talk about one's journey from the perspective of the finish line - quite another to share your struggles, fears, and failures when you're still in the thick of things. Join my conversation with Keegan, a former hockey player as he talks about his experiences with ice hockey, meditation, personal change, hydration, gratitude, and psychedelics.

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Charlie is an accomplished actor with an impressive list of accomplishments. He currently plays the role of Roger Davies in "Tina" on Broadway and his previous credits include: The Bridges of Madison County (Original Broadway Cast), Parade (Lincoln Center). TV credits include Shades of Blue, The Loudest Voice. But I wanted to talk with him about the time he spent in his Broadway role in The Book of Mormon (Broadway).

I had a blast with this conversation and we talked about religion, acting, fears and our inner critic, banned books, taking offense and being offensive, self reflection, and the importance of theater and the arts. This is one you're going to love!

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Today, Strangers You Know goes International with my conversation with Santiago García. I spoke with him from the small city of Pergamino, Argentina, where he was raised (about two hours from Buenos Aires). Santiago attended a progressive Catholic school that, although not in favor of abortion rights, the main bishop still believed that “Abortion is a way of controlling the birth rate from poorer countries”.

Join us as we discuss philosophy, politics, existential crisis, religion, expressions of God, worldviews, power, friends, family, and machismo.

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