Advertise on podcast: All Out in the Open

This month on All Out in the Open, Ben Schilaty, Sarah Langford, and guest Tegan Zelano “Z” Blanchard answer the question, "How do I create the community I wish I had?" Z shares how his social circle grew from a small group chat to a WhatsApp group of over one hundred LGBTQ+ young adults across Utah. Their efforts to create opportunities for queer joy culminated in a successful queer prom, which will soon be followed by queer homecoming. This episode discusses the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in forming connections. Ben, Sarah, and Z remind us that community building starts by ministering to the one, and God will inspire us to know who to reach out to first. #AllOutInTheOpen #LGBTQ #ReligiousPodcast #Community #ChurchOfJesusChristLatterDaySaints

All Out in the Open is back with a brand new episode! Ben Schilaty, Charlie Bird, and new co-host Sarah Kellar Langford Sifuentes answer the question, “Is My Orientation an Essential Part of My Identity?” In this episode, they share personal experiences that have shaped their identities, how people’s reactions can feel invalidating, and how God has been alongside them throughout the process. Stay tuned for new episodes each month! #AllOutInTheOpen #LGBTQ #ReligiousPodcast #Identity #ChurchOfJesusChristLatterDaySaints

Join us for a free writing workshop in Orem, UT on January 24th and February. Register for the workshop here: https://forms.gle/wVN3dPdythPEbywSA

To celebrate one year of All Out in the Open, hosts Charlie Bird, Ben Schilaty, Liz Macdonald, Michael Soto, Iese Wilson and Clare Dalton reflect on their favorite episodes and biggest takeaways. We’ll be taking a break from the podcast to assess the best way to meet the needs of the community moving forward. Thank you for tuning in each week—your support means the world to us. We’ll be sharing more resources, events and opportunities to get involved soon.

We’re excited to have Molly and Ruth join us in this week’s IN the Scriptures episode. Molly, an Arizona native, is a choir teacher with a passion for building community, and Ruth, originally from New York, works as an engineer who loves solving complex problems. The couple met and married in Utah before relocating to Indiana last year. Together with host Clare Dalton, they explore how cultural misunderstandings of doctrine and policy can cause real harm—and why acknowledging that harm is the first step toward healing.

OUT and About: Iese Wilson takes us to New Zealand where Shaquaila Uelese opens up about growing up, discovering her identity, and embracing the Māori term Takatapui. While her family initially struggled with her coming out, their love helped her reconnect with God and heal her testimony. Shaq also shares the inspiration behind her nonprofit, Nevertheless, which helps people heal from shame, and offers powerful advice to anyone who feels different.

In this week’s ALL Together episode, Liz Macdonald and Michael Soto sit down with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz. Growing up in an interfaith home, he felt called to Judaism and a life of activism. Rabbi Yanklowitz has founded organizations that serve foster children, immigrants, unsheltered individuals, and animals. Through his leadership and faith, he has also been a steadfast ally to the LGBTQ+ community. Rabbi Yanklowitz invites listeners to reinterpret exclusive teachings, live joyfully as an act of resistance, and practice small acts of kindness to help heal ourselves, our families, and our world.

In this week’s episode, Charlie and Ben share their experiences watching the October 2025 General Conference. They discuss which messages stood out to them and how we can apply those principles in our daily efforts to become better disciples of Christ.

This week our IN the Scriptures episode features Jeremy and Sara Kerrigan. After nearly two decades of marriage, Jeremy came out as gay. Though the couple later divorced, they continue to share deep friendship, faith, and love for each other and their five children. Together with host Clare Dalton, they discuss Doctrine & Covenants 124-136, exploring temple covenants, eternal relationships, and how our understanding of God grows through lived experience. #AllOutInTheOpen #INtheScriptures #DoctrineAndCovenants #FaithJourney #LGBTQ #Marriage #EternalFamilies

This week in our ALL Together episode, Bishop Karen Oliveto shares her experiences as the first openly lesbian bishop in The United Methodist Church and what it means to bring ministry to the margins. Drawing on insights from her book “Together at the Table,” Bishop Oliveto discusses the power of gathering to find common ground. Her story reminds us that inclusion and understanding are everyday expressions of faith.

This week’s OPEN Up episode features one of our very own editors, Mike Poret—better known as “Sound Guy Mike.” Mike first discovered Questions from the Closet while he was in the process of coming out. Reaching out to Charlie and Ben, he offered his technical skills, which have supported our guests and listeners for the past five years. In this episode, Mike shares what happens behind the scenes, his favorite episodes, and how the podcast has impacted his own journey.

This week in our IN the Scriptures episode, Michael Soto joins Clare Dalton to discuss Doctrine & Covenants 109-123. Together they explore the importance of names, boundaries, and chosen families.

This week in our OUT and About episode, VJ Aguilar shares his journey growing up in Mexico, immigrating to the U.S., and coming out as bisexual amid cultural pressures and familial expectations. From hiding his identity to proudly leading a Pride parade, VJ’s story inspires us to be brave.

This week in our ALL Together episode, Liz Macdonald and Michael Soto sit down with Sara Burlingame, former Wyoming state legislator and current Executive Director of Wyoming Equality. Sara shares what it’s like to live and work as an LGBTQ+ advocate in Wyoming, drawing from her experiences in both nonprofit and government spaces. She reflects on the importance of protecting rights, reaching across the aisle, and meeting people where they are to build meaningful bridges. With a background in faith organizing and a deep commitment to justice, Sara offers insight into how partnerships with faith communities and neighbors of all perspectives can create lasting change.

We’re hosting a morning gathering for LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saints and those who love them! Think light breakfast, good conversation, a few connection activities, and a short devotional. 📅 Saturday, September 13 🕙 10:00am – 12:00pm 📍 Private residence in Provo, UT (address shared after RSVP) RSVP using the link in our Instagram bio! Would love to see you there.