Apr 11, 2012

23: The Festi Family

Together a family, James, Jennifer, and Loralei discuss their departure from the church.

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By Heather C. Podcast 11 Comments

Nate Koch

Beautiful story. My favorite voices episode ever. Thanks so much for sharing. My favorite part was when Jennifer said she chose her family over the Celestial Kingdom. What a beautiful irony. Thanks again that made my morning.
Nate Koch

And the fairy at burning man was pretty great, too, and I absolutely loved the poem at the end
Nate Koch

So James, I have to know, what was it that made you call bullshit in church? I would have loved to have seen that.

jamesfesti

Not sure exactly what it was that I said, Nate. I said it often back then (under my breath), but that time I said it a bit too loud. The people two pews in front of us turned around and gave me the stink-eye.

http://profile.yahoo.com/XC6HV4KG4HPDH6MPA2YOORLXTE Cindy

“You have a beautiful brain Loralei” My favorite line of the podcast.
trinkle

Interesting podcast. The Festi’s seem like wonderful people, and I enjoyed hearing their story, but I wasn’t crazy about the format. I like the fact that ME voices is experimenting with different formats and trying new things, but in this case I think the podcast might’ve gone better had there been an outside interviewer present to direct the discussion and ensure everyone participated. For instance, Jennifer mentioned that she felt she didn’t connect with other women in the ward, and I would’ve liked to hear James and Loralei relate their experiences in this regard. Also, I wondered if Loralei had felt ostracized from her peers as a result of leaving the church, especially in the fishbowl of Utah County. She mentioned being love-bombed, but has she encountered any overt hostility or bullying? How about the other children? What do they think about all of this?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Megan-von-Ackermann/100000167835734 Megan von Ackermann

It’s great to hear from a family, and from people who went through this at different times and in different ways.

James – you’re the first John Donne fan I’ve met in ages, and I work at a university! I discovered the metaphysical poets as I was leaving the church and one of my ‘moments’ was realizing that I found far more beauty and wonder and inspiration in their poetry than I did in the Book of Mormon.
shane hillyer

I was hooked as soon as Loralei said “sup” as an introduction. Great Podcast.
Michael Carpenter

Fantastic discussion. Sounds like you are a great family.

I was laughing about taking a journal, garments and a Book of Mormon to Burning Man! Anything that would cover temple garments would make you the most overdressed person at Burning Man.
alancrist

Too much to love about this podcast to pick one thing out. Three great stories in one family. I love how each person’s experience was so different and distinct.
simplysarah

One of my absolute favorite episodes. Loved Loralei’s poem at the end!

23: The Festi Family

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