Oh what a fun video! Jubilee recently posted an episode on Mormons vs. Ex-Mormons—this is me reacting to that video. I of course grew up Fundamentalist Mormon, so I will also share additional historical context from a Fundamentalist Mormon perspective. LINKS 1) Original Jubilee Video: https://youtu.be/Run1f29po8g?si=UbPR9Jmi82ZckQHX 2) When I was on Jubilee: https://youtu.be/6p1nWGmdEUM?si=a0yrYReXVSb0_6uv 3) Cultured Episode on Masturbation: https://youtu.be/7aqXnhCsyI8 4) Episode with Johnny Harris: https://youtu.be/TDp0oh4qrzA 5) The Anthony Padilla Episode: https://youtu.be/I_rF4qkEFys?si=shsq9MS3WeewOfN1 TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 Teaser 00:00:54 Podcast Intro 00:01:52 Who is Calvin Wayman and why this video? 00:07:56 Reaction starts -- “Mormonism is a cult.” 00:16:03 Mormon Obama?! 00:28:11 "The Mormon Church Welcomes the LGBTQ Community.” 00:32:48 The silliest moment in the entire Jubilee episode *face palm* 00:43:52 The LDS Church is constantly changing 00:47:37 “Masturbation is sinful.” 00:48:45 “Women and men are equal in the Church.” 00:55:35 Tember makes a slip! 00:58:14 Even the Pro-Mormon Woman Says This! 01:12:01 "It's okay for doctrine to change.” 01:17:05 The most racist belief in Mormonism. 01:19:37 How Mormon Leadership Hides History from Members. 01:12:19 Mormon leaders hide their roots to polygamy. 01:24:14 How Barrack Obama broken the Mormon Mind. 01:31:25 The origin story that led to racism in the LDS Church. 01:40:08 The LDS Church's secret curse: "the skin of blackness.” 01:47:34 Mormon leaders switching stances 01:51:44 “The Mormon Church has done good in the world.” 01:58:42 Ending the Jubilee Vid. 01:59:44 My final takeway message.

What a fun, full-circle moment this episode is for me. A few years ago when I had almost no money and I was still living in a small town, I wanted to make living in New York feel possible, more normal. So I would go to YouTube and search “Day in the life of a New Yorker.” 

And whose videos popped up? Today’s guest, Brett Conti. 

We dive into the life of a YouTuber, and also talk about different cultures, including what it was like for me growing up in polygamy with 4 moms and 44 siblings. 

Can anyone imagine if Joe Biden came out and said that he was going to be a polygamist like that was just normal? 

Anyways, I dive into that and more on this episode. Please comment to let me know what you think! (Also, I like your curiosity—it shapes future episodes. Questions are entirely welcomed)

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 Teaser and intro 

00:01:57 Special message from Calvin

00:03:26 “Can being a content creator make you more self-aware?” (Plus, how New Yorkers say “coffee.”)

00:05:52 “I’m getting goosebumps” (Calvin shares how Brett inspired him to move to New York City).

00:09:25 How growing up in New York City fostered open-mindedness in Brett.

00:14:10 “Brett, how did you get into YouTube?”

00:19:49 How Brett used his clothing business to make YouTube videos.

00:21:03 “"How do you know what type of content to make?" (The importance of leading with self-discovery).

00:23:04 “How did you make your first $1000 on YouTube?"

00:27:44 "What was the 1 video that changed everything?"

00:29:31 “Did Brett believe in himself in the beginning?”

00:30:00 Why Calvin got into content—the most “impossible” thing at the time. 

00:34:22 The moment Brett realized this YouTube dream was working.

00:38:03 Thailand.

00:48:18 “Did you know which one was your mom?” Calvin shares what it was like growing up in polygamy.

00:53:16 Arranged Marriages in Fundamentalist Mormonism.

01:01:33 "Are you still close with any of your family now?” (Brett asks Calvin about the family dynamics).

01:04:21 How New York City actually reminds Calvin of growing up in polygamy.

01:06:25 What’s next for Brett?

01:09:26 Ending on the Deep End

01:14:07 Thank you for watching! Please subscribe!

YouTuber Johnny Harris grew up in Mormonism (LDS), and YouTuber Calvin Wayman, also grew up in Mormonism—but a different branch known as Fundamentalist Mormonism. In this episode, they explore the shared history of the Church. 

Inquiry and curiosity led both of them out. In this episode, Calvin and Johnny compare and contrast their journeys, while also sharing some key moments in Mormon history that aren’t often talked about. 

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 Teaser and intro 

00:02:27 Special message from Calvin

00:03:31 “There’s a level of stress that just doesn’t go away, you can’t escape it!” Calvin talks Johnny Harris about his successful YouTube career (Episode begins)

00:05:19 “What would you do differently?” (Calvin asks Johnny for creator-advice)

00:06:47 Johnny and Calvin were both terrible employees.

00:08:57 “I was in two different worlds” (Johnny explains living in Mormonism in Oregon)

00:09:59 Swapping “crack” stories—when Calvin and Johnny started to realize that Mormonism didn’t have a monopoly on Truth. 

00:13:19 “It’s when I had a kid!” (How becoming a dad made Johnny start to doubt Mormonism)

00:15:24 “I forced myself to have mystical experiences.” (Johnny explains who he was in Mormonism and how began to be more true to his nature)

00:17:07 “I knew in my body that this wasn’t working. There was a deep tension. I can’t bull-shit with myself anymore.”

00:18:05 Calvin shares one of his choice points for leaving

00:18:33 The “Mormon” Shelf (explaining mental thought-traps)

00:20:50 Johnny's “big critique” with the Mormon Church 

00:22:48 “Everything crumbled for me.” (The moment Johnny left.)

00:23:59 Introducing our shared fore-father—Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism

00:24:44 Johnny becoming an apologist.

00:25:49 The shared history (and “secret conflict”) of Fundamentalist Mormons and “Regular” Mormons

00:26:35 How polygamy “really” ended in Mormonism (Not what you've heard)

00:28:03 Mass ex-communications on a significant minority in the LDS Church (Learning "the Truth")

00:29:07 External motivations the Church had to end polygamy.

00:30:42 The LDS Church becoming more "palatable" 

00:33:11 “I did not know about this, this is really juicy stuff!” (Calvin shares "proof" why Fundamentalists are right and the LDS Church is wrong)

00:38:47 “The best story wins.” (How Mormon beliefs have persisted)

00:40:28 “I feel the spirit right now talking about it.” (The good parts of Mormonism)

00:45:56 The different experiences between men and women in Mormonism (and best part about being ex-mormon)

00:49:15 After leaving: “It’s a reclaiming” of your story.

00:50:26 “Red lines” — knowing how to talk about our stories without being disrespectful to those who still believe. 

00:53:26 Choosing how to discuss hot-button history.

00:56:43 “I was washed over with a genuine sense of thrill.” (Embracing uncertainty in a post-Mormon world)

00:59:29 Calvin shares his new-found joy in the simple things

01:00:14 Ending on the deep end—Calvin asks Johnny “What are you most proud of?”

01:01:56 “What in your 20s built the most self-respect?” 

01:03:11 “What are you most grateful for about life now?”

01:04:39 Final thoughts

About Johnny Harris:

Johnny Harris is an American filmmaker, journalist, and YouTube. To learn more about him and his experience with the LDS Church, go to one of the videos below:

1. “Why I Left the Mormon Church” - https://youtu.be/aTMsfOcHiJg?si=ZpeoLkXSE6jrYTPt
2. “The REAL Story of the Mormon Church.” - https://youtu.be/hUW7j9GmXjI?si=_0UsCclKEnBgYq8r

About Calvin Wayman: 

Hey I’m Calvin. I grew up in a Fundamentalist Mormon cult that practices polygamy, known as “The Work of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” I have 1 dad, 4 moms, and 44 siblings. Yup. That’s not a typo—forty plus four. All in one house.

The last few years have been me getting my feet under me, and today I live in New York City.

Catch more of my story here: “What Was It Like Growing Up in a Cult?” - https://youtu.be/kBlQ22wIbnA?si=0QNw_e_S1ZZXZ5m9