Blonde Apologist

Lauren Yarro

Dive into the richness and complexity of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints with Lauren Yarro. Through engaging discussions, I take on the taboo and address both the positive and negative aspects of our Mormon culture while firmly rooted in our shared beliefs of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Whether you're deep-rooted in faith, a dissenting voice, or just starting your journey as a member, join me every Thursday on Blonde Apologist!

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20 episodes
Avg 55 min
English

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May 21 · 58 min
Temple Prep Crash Course ft Jasmin Rappleye
In this episode, Jasmin Rappleye and I dive into the purpose and meaning behind the temple endowment and initiatory. We discuss why God uses symbolism, what ancient ritual teaches us about temple worship, the covenants we make, and why spiritual preparation matters before entering the temple. Whether you’re preparing to go for the first time or simply wanting a deeper understanding of temple worship, this conversation is meant to bring more context, clarity, and appreciation to something deeply sacred. Resources for preparation: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/what-is-temple-endowment?lang=eng https://youtu.be/XBRMxYiwx_g?si=74nekokxNXt9CLBE https://youtu.be/0tkK7pOLn5c?si=Q3vmFR5vkK0aURpt
May 14 · 56 min
Growth Without the Perfectionism
What does it look like to grow, dream, and build a beautiful life with God… without getting trapped in toxic perfectionism? This week, I’m joined by Lizzy Jensen for an honest conversation about personal growth, goal setting, and learning how to catch God’s vision for your life. We talk about aligning your ambitions with Christ, creating systems that actually help you grow, and why the gospel of Jesus Christ doesn’t hold women back but it equips us to become! If you’ve been craving more purpose, more direction, or more confidence in the season you’re in, this episode will leave you feeling inspired to grow with God.
May 7 · 1 hr 4 min
What Have We Gotten Wrong About Gender Roles? ft. Jenet Erickson
In today’s episode, I sit down with Jenet Erickson, BYU professor and researcher whose work on family, motherhood, and child wellbeing has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Today Show, to have a deeper conversation about the doctrine, culture, and research surrounding gender roles. Is there room for the career-driven woman in the gospel? What does “presiding” actually mean? Are men and women truly equal in the Church? And why do prophetic messages surrounding men and women sometimes sound different across generations? Truly, this became one of my favorite episodes I’ve ever recorded. No matter your gender, season of life, or circumstance, I promise this conversation will leave you thinking more deeply about your divine role and identity.
April 30 · 59 min
If I Can’t Do It Perfectly, Do I Even Belong?
This week’s episode is a raw and honest conversation about believing in the gospel while struggling to live it. My friend shares her journey through pain, depression, addiction, and a suicide attempt, all while never fully losing her testimony. Her story is a powerful reminder that God does not walk away from us, even when we feel far from Him. We also talk about the pressure to be the “perfect” member and what it looks like to keep showing up spiritually when you do not feel worthy. If you have ever wondered, “If I can’t do it perfectly, do I even belong?” this episode is for you.
April 23 · 58 min
When a Spouse Leaves the Church
When a spouse leaves the Church, it can feel like everything in your marriage shifts overnight. In this episode, I sit down with Iuri Melo, a licensed therapist with over 20 years of experience, to talk about what this actually looks and feels like for both people; the believing spouse and the one stepping away. We get into the emotions, the mistakes that can create more distance, and what actually helps couples stay connected. We also talk about therapy, what a healthy mixed-faith marriage can look like, and how to navigate raising kids when beliefs differ.
April 16 · 57 min
Chastity Is More Than Avoiding Sex
My husband’s back to join me in a discussion on the law of chastity. What actually counts as breaking the law of chastity? What’s “on and off limits” according to For the Strength of Youth? And how does this commandment look different in dating vs. marriage? In this episode we share our experience trying to live this imperfectly, talk about things like pornography and share our plans for teaching this important commandment to our kids. Episode on LDS sexual theology and where our culture gets it wrong: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0gjGqnhRCF7EPlccYSoTAA?si=7hnwld_BS6G8k2hR_mRycg Episode that is essentially sex ed but with a therapist: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3HM2BSr7jTSbSbp8ayHUjA?si=9IGGRqXIReyp4IIjD5ztvw Episode on pornography with a therapist: https://open.spotify.com/episode/20YbQhpKjRAn6A2vr3eQ8N?si=SBIvw_TJRdyu6V4CKoTjRg
April 9 · 1 hr 23 min
The Polygamy Conversation We Avoid
After receiving hundreds of your questions and concerns, I sat down with Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat and Dr. Richard LeDuc from The Standard of Truth Podcast to have an honest, thoughtful conversation about one of the most complex topics in Church history: polygamy. This episode doesn’t attempt to answer every question, but the Spirit was strongly present throughout the conversation. It explores how early Saints responded to practicing polygamy, possible reasons God commanded it, and offers a closer look at complex aspects of the history; including Joseph Smith being sealed to a 14-year-old girl and Emma Smith’s experience. It also addresses what this practice could mean for eternity and the challenge of reconciling something that may feel uncomfortable while continuing to hold onto faith. Resources for further study: Book Recommendation https://a.co/d/0ethk4qr Plural Marriage in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints?lang=eng This overview essay establishes that monogamy is the church’s standing law of marriage but acknowledges God commanded plural marriage in biblical times and again through Joseph Smith. It covers D&C 132, the purposes of plural marriage, and the eventual cessation of the practice. Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo?lang=eng Focuses on the origins under Joseph Smith in the 1830s–1840s. Discusses the angel with a drawn sword, Joseph’s multiple wives (including polyandrous marriages to women already married to other men), the secrecy surrounding early practice, and Emma Smith’s reactions. Plural Marriage and Families in Early Utah https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-and-families-in-early-utah?lang=eng Covers the 1847–1890 period. Addresses demographics (20–30% of Latter-day Saint families practiced it), daily life in plural families, financial and interpersonal challenges, women’s agency, and U.S. government anti-polygamy legislation. The Manifesto and the End of Plural Marriage: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/the-manifesto-and-the-end-of-plural-marriage?lang=eng
April 2 · 32 min
I'm Over The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
In this episode, I share my thoughts on the new season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and why I’ve decided I won’t be watching anymore. I talk about the sadness I feel for the families and children affected, the uncomfortable feelings the show stirred for me, and some common online reactions about gospel living, family roles, and media portrayals of our faith. I end with a reminder this Easter season of the hope and peace we can find in our Savior, who lives!!
March 19 · 47 min
Growing Through Motherhood with Christ
Is it possible to grow while raising kids? In this episode, Montana Coles and I talk about developing ourselves in motherhood, avoiding comparison, making mom friends, and partnering with Christ through the highs and the lows.
March 12 · 58 min
Dear Mormon Men
In 2016, Amy Allebest’s essay Dear Mormon Men sparked a lot of conversation inside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For many members, the essay feels uncomfortable—or even threatening—because it raises questions about gender, authority, and women’s experiences in the Church. In this episode, I sit down with Amy Watkins Jensen, the voice behind Women on the Stand, to talk through some of the ideas raised in Dear Mormon Men and the real experiences of women in the Church that often sit underneath conversations like this. We discuss why women sharing their experiences matters, how culture and doctrine sometimes get tangled together, and how we can wrestle with difficult topics while staying rooted in faith in Jesus Christ.
January 29 · 56 min
Growing Up Gay in Our Faith
What does it look like to stay in the Church while carrying experiences that are often misunderstood? In this episode my guest, Trevor Schoeny, shares his story of growing up gay in the Church, navigating scrupulosity and trauma, sustaining Church leadership, and discerning how he would raise his future children in the faith. My hope is that conversations like this help us build more understanding, more compassion, and stronger unity as we strive to follow Christ together.
January 8 · 57 min
The Priesthood Power of Women ft. Barbara Morgan Gardner
What does it actually mean for women to have priesthood power? Today I’m joined by Dr. Barbara Morgan Gardner to dig into priesthood power, women’s roles, and how the Church talks about both. Together, we address common misconceptions, challenge oversimplified narratives, and share personal experiences of how women access, exercise, and recognize priesthood power in their everyday lives. If you’ve ever felt confused, curious, or even quietly frustrated by conversations around women and the priesthood….this episode is for you!
Dec 4, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
You Might Have Religious OCD
More Latter-day Saints struggle with religious OCD, or scrupulosity, than we often realize. For those who face it, obsessive anxiety can twist gospel living into a cycle of fear and toxic guilt, and many even mistake that guilt for promptings from the Spirit. In this episode, therapist Annabella Hagen helps us understand what scrupulosity is, how it shows up in our culture, and how we can stay connected to God without letting fear take over. We also talk about how families and leaders can offer better support, when it may be time to seek professional help, and how to discern between the Spirit and anxiety. For anyone interested in joining Annabella’s FREE Online OCD Support Group for Members of the Church or the one for All Faiths, they can request to be added to the email list by contacting hope@mindsetfamilytherapy.com The Faith Leaders’ Guide to Scrupulosity OCD pamphlet (PDF): https://mindsetfamilytherapy.com/books/downloads
Nov 20, 2025 · 35 min
A Mormon Wife’s Honest Takes on SLOMW Season 3
Today we’re going through all the claims made about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the newest season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Season 3 gives us plenty to unpack! We’re going to discuss m the Book of Mormon’s racial history, how Latter-day Saints view the LGBTQ community, if we can “earn” God’s love, and what “fighting the patriarchy” doesn’t look like as a Mormon woman in 2025. Let’s talk about what they got right, what they missed, and everything in between.
Nov 13, 2025 · 44 min
Judgment, Offense, and a Little Perspective
Mary Alice from the What Now podcast is basically the OG “blonde apologist,” and I adore her. She’s been tackling hard gospel topics from a place of deep faith for years, and this conversation left me thinking long after we stopped recording. We talked about how she felt called to start her podcast, the shifts she hopes to see in our Church culture, and how we can build better bridges with those who have stepped away from the Church. Checkout her podcasts (Apple podcast) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-now/id1474476293 Checkout her podcast (Spotify) https://open.spotify.com/show/2zY4GanR2iYfVgRyabNvbI?si=U6Fcg600RKm9E85A15F9qw
Oct 30, 2025 · 43 min
Healing and Holding On After Infant Loss
After losing her baby boy just one day after birth, my guest shares how she found strength, faith, and healing through unimaginable heartbreak. Together we talk about the tender mercies that carried her, how she’s learned to reconcile loss through the gospel, and the quiet ways she still feels connected to her son in heaven.
Oct 23, 2025 · 53 min
Honest Conversations About the Faith We Love
You guys sent in some deep questions, and we’re diving into all of it: navigating confusing parts of Church history, how to handle doubts when faith feels shaky, frustrations with garments, and finding your spark again in marriage. We also talk about judgmental family dynamics, forgiveness, and staying connected when a spouse leaves the Church. Thanks for being here, now let’s dive in!
Oct 16, 2025 · 38 min
Truth and Treason: The Courage of Helmuth Hübener
Today I’m joined by Matt Whitaker, director of the new film Truth and Treason, which tells the remarkable true story of Helmuth Hübener, a teenage Latter-day Saint who stood up to Hitler’s regime and paid the ultimate price for speaking truth. We talk about what drew Matt to Helmuth’s story, how faith shaped this young man’s courage, and what his example can teach us about standing for truth in our own day. Get your tickets here: https://www.angel.com/tickets/truth-and-treason
Oct 9, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Letting Christ Author Your Story ft. Shima Baughman
This conversation with Shima Baughman hits so many of the things I feel like women of our faith wrestle with: career, motherhood, timing, guilt, and how to actually let God lead without losing yourself in the process. We talk about what it looks like to make big life decisions without the social or church pressure, how to stop comparing your timeline to everyone else’s, and how confidence shows up when you let Christ author your story. Inspired by this message by President Camille Johnson: https://www.youtube.com/live/pulAR6uRP6Y?si=ZlPib1IwpRGOysiH
Sep 25, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Navigating Dating: A Big Sis Chat w/ Sarah Sweeten
Dating can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. In this fun, big-sis-style episode, I sit down with Sarah Sweeten to talk all things dating—navigating today’s culture, waiting for missionaries, boosting confidence in your single season, and spotting the red and green flags that matter most.

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