Sexual Shame in Mormon Land
About this Podcast:
Colleen Johnston joins Natasha on this episode of The Natasha Helfer Podcast.
Colleen Johnston is a mother of nine whose life journey spans the extremes of Mormon orthodoxy and radical self-liberation. Raised in both conservative Utah and rural Maine, Colleen was shaped by the rigid expectations of purity culture and the deep shame often instilled by religious teachings around sexuality. After surviving public shaming, sexual trauma, addiction, homelessness, and incarceration, she returned to the Church and immersed herself in its teachings—only to later confront disturbing truths about its history and leave it behind for good. For nearly two decades, she facilitated addiction recovery meetings and lived with unrelenting devotion to Church doctrine.
Today, Colleen has left the Mormon church and is an advocate for body autonomy, open sexual education, and parenting without shame. Her story is one of painful transformation, reclamation of self, and fierce love for her queer, gender-fluid, and unapologetically authentic children.
About the Guest:
Colleen Johnston is a mother of nine whose life journey spans the extremes of Mormon orthodoxy and radical self-liberation. Raised in both conservative Utah and rural Maine, Colleen was shaped by the rigid expectations of purity culture and the deep shame often instilled by religious teachings around sexuality. After surviving public shaming, sexual trauma, addiction, homelessness, and incarceration, she returned to the Church and immersed herself in its teachings—only to later confront disturbing truths about its history and leave it behind for good. For nearly two decades, she facilitated addiction recovery meetings and lived with unrelenting devotion to Church doctrine. Today, Colleen has left the Mormon church and is an advocate for body autonomy, open sexual education, and parenting without shame. Her story is one of painful transformation, reclamation of self, and fierce love for her queer, gender-fluid, and unapologetically authentic children.
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The information shared on this program is informational and should not be considered therapy.
This podcast addresses many topics around mental health and sexuality and may not be suitable for minors. Some topics may elicit a trigger or emotional response so please care for yourself accordingly.
The views, thoughts and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or feelings of Natasha Helfer or the Natasha Helfer Podcast. We provide a platform for open and diverse discussions, and it is important to recognize that different perspectives may be shared. We encourage our listeners to engage in critical thinking and form their own opinions.
Intro ("Fisher's Hornpipe") and outro music by Otter Creek.
Podcast edited by: Ashley Pacini
