Never-Mormon Obsessed with Mormonism? - KB Olsen | Ep. 2022

Katherine Bernard (KB) Olsen is a never-mo (never Mormon) — but also one of the most devoted fans of Mormon Stories Podcast. A queer, secular journalist with deep Jewish roots and a high-fashion pedigree, Katherine has spent over 20 years captivated by the LDS Church — despite never being religious herself. In her first-ever full-length interview about her life story, she opens up about her lifelong curiosity with Mormonism, identity, belief, and American culture. KB's impressive journalism career includes work at Vogue, New York Times, and other top-tier New York publications. After moving from Maryland to attend NYU for journalism, she found herself drawn not only to art and culture — but also to spirituality, history, and the paradoxes of organized religion. Over the years, her interest in Mormonism became a deep and serious intellectual pursuit. What You'll Hear in This Interview: -Her upbringing in a secular household in Maryland -Her exploration of Jewish identity and eventual conversion -Her first exposure to Mormonism through South Park, Big Love, and The Book of Mormon musical -Her emotional journey coming out as gay in a non-supportive environment -Her reflections on shame, logic, identity, and community -Her nuanced take on Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and Mormon reality TV -Her insights into conditioning, religious extremism, and spiritual seeking This episode is a masterclass in curiosity — how someone with no personal ties to the LDS Church became one of its most thoughtful outside observers. KB explores Mormonism not as a critic or a believer, but as a seeker with a journalist’s eye. Show Notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here: https://www.mormonstories.org/secular... Timecodes: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:06:10 Where does her “non-Mormon” story begin? 00:26:15 Discussing where she grew up in Maryland 00:34:05 Felt that she did not have a religious identity 00:45:11 Was baptized in the Episcipalian church 00:50:56 When did she become aware of her sexuality? 01:16:30 Attended NYU 01:30:10 She begins to be interested in researching Mormonism 01:40:56 Began working at Vogue Magazine in 2010 01:53:13 When did she first discover Mormon Stories Podcast? 01:59:18 Lightning round questions for Katherine 02:16:22 Discussion of worthiness, morality, and love 02:26:55 Her Jewish conversion 02:43:31 Her thoughts on the Book of Mormon 03:28:22 What were her favorite episodes or themes on Mormon Stories? 03:43:04 Her own personal conditioning 04:03:45 Finding a “Blueprint a love” - What does “good love” feel like to her now? 04:14:44 Conclusion - Please like, comment, and subscribe! ___________________ At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology 2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis 3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions 🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today One-time or recurring donations: https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?d... Patreon: Patreon: mormonstories Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonsto... Paypal: https://paypal.me/mormonstories Join this channel to get access to perks: @mormonstories Our Platforms: 🌐Mormon Stories Blog: https://www.mormonstories.org/episodes 🎙️Patreon: Patreon: mormonstories ✳️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7d... 🍎Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 🖼️Instagram: Instagram: mormstories 📱TikTok: TikTok: mormonstoriespodcast 🎮Discord: Discord: discord Contact us: 📧 [email protected] 📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117