In this edition of Mormon Stories Podcast, Margi Dehlin turns the tables and asks John all the questions—focusing on what surprised John about his excommunication process, what the best and most difficult parts of running Mormon Stories and The Open Stories Foundation are, what are some regrets he has, what keeps him up at night, what his motivations are behind his parenting and relationships, along with much more!
Host Margi Dehlin
Guest John Dehlin
Show Notes:
You can't take it with you:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Can%27t_Take_It_with_You_(film)
Stephen Veazey interview: https://mormonstories.org/podcast/stephen-m-veazey-prophet-president-of-community-of-christ-formerly-rlds-church/
Three interfaith amigos: https://mormonstories.org/podcast/three-interfaith-amigos-on-the-past-present-and-future-of-religion/
00:00 Introduction & Announcements
08:01 Turning over to Margi
11:11 What was most surprising about the process of being excommunicated?
18:57 What do you love most about your job? Movie "You can't take it with you."
22:47 What's next? Has to be more important than awakening people, as they would have woken up too otherwise. How to build community?
25:45 What Margi really loves about what John does. Stories, knowing you're not alone
27:27 What can be really difficult about the job? Forming and running a non profit. MSP donation history. Livelihood based on a non-profit makes you fearful. Scrutiny, enemies, religion a contentious space, plus fighting a wealthy & powerful organization.
39:05 What were interviews you've done that were pivotal to your own process?
39:38 Stephen Veazy, Three interfaith amigos, Carolyn Pearson too.
40:34 How would you describe what you felt? Several other examples John interviewed
41:34 What has been the cost? Being focused on surviving with MSP. Not letting the warmth in. Always working hard is a way to not unravel. It brings gratification, gives a cause. Comes at a cost of personal growth. Never allows you to heal. John being very vulnerable, Margi tearing up
45:36 It caught up to you. How aware are you this is a way to cope? Always there. Personal work to do. Having hurt people, burning bridges.
48:21 We did a lot of good things too. Learning to live with the failures. You are a builder of bridges. Love connecting people. But sometimes feeling really disconnected.
50:05 You carry not just our story, but you carry 1000s of them
51:18 What inspires you in life? People you admire? Social justice stuff. Feeling inspired to try to help and feeling inspired by people who do.
54:43 What's most difficult? Doing the three is almost impossible: social justice, family relations, providing for family. Having to adjust and learn as we go. Taking it outside the home was a huge gift to the family.
58:54 What is something you like about yourself? Helping others, good intentions. Trying to keep his heart in the right place.
1:01:06 What is something you struggle with? Wanting to be more conscious and non-reactive, teaching others in coaching. Some people express they enjoyed MSP when it was more objective and think it has lost some of it.
1:04:41 What's a perfect day for you? John describing. John a very devoted son and brother. Loving connecting with friends.
1:09:22 Three people you would want to interview for MSP: Q15, Joseph Smith, or even Jesus! Celebrity mormons. And Leah Remini! Chaim Potok, Oprah, Brené Brown. MLK, Ghandi, Jim Henson, Sam Harris, Alain de Boton would be fascinating. Beyond mormonism and religion
1:15:41 What are your favorite ways to decompress?
Mormon Stories #1096: One-on-One with John Dehlin, by Margi Dehlin Pt. 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HANgxRAAjDU