Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones

Is fatherhood just underappreciated, or is it under attack?

Thirty years ago, The Family: A Proclamation to the World declared that fathers are to preside, provide, and protect. Today, fatherhood is mocked, minimized, or erased altogether.

We’ve gone quiet—afraid the truth is too controversial, the standard too high, the damage already done.

But Dr. Tim Rarick makes a powerful case: the world doesn’t need perfect dads—it needs pres...

In a culture that’s delaying, rejecting, and redefining marriage, what’s keeping young people from the relationships they deeply want?

BYU professor Dr. Brian Willoughby breaks down the hidden fears, mixed messages, and spiritual confusion behind modern dating and what the restored gospel can uniquely offer.

We discuss:

• Why marriage and family are being dela...

What if the very thing you prayed would go away… is actually God’s invitation to know Him better?

Ron Squire was living the life he planned, until a fall left him paralyzed and full of doubt. His faith didn’t feel like enough.

But through the unlikely lens of Viktor Frankl, and a God who doesn’t waste suffering, Ron discovered something deeper: Pain isn’t punishment. It’s a privilege.

And when you stop running from it… You might ju...

Why do people lose their faith?

Psychologist and BYU-I professor, Dr. Jeffrey Thayne, uncovers the deeper desires shaping our beliefs.

Challenging the assumption that logic alone drives our convictions, Jeffrey reveals how moral intuitions, molded by our communities and culture, hold the key to navigating faith and doubt. Unlocking these answers can strengthen our own faith and help us better navigate relationships with those who h...

What happens when everything you believe suddenly unravels?

Austin Fife (Light and Truth Letter) shares his deeply personal journey through faith, doubt, and rediscovery. From powerful spiritual experiences to moments of uncertainty, Austin opens up about what led him to question his beliefs—and what ultimately brought him back.

Austin shares the moment he realized he no longer believed in God, his wife’s unexpected response to tha...

What happens when faith and Hollywood collide?

Early in his career, actor Scott Christopher promised the Lord that he would be open about his faith at all times and in all circumstances. Keeping that promise opened up conversations and opportunities he never expected.

In this episode of Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones, Scott Christopher shares his incredible journey—from childhood dreams ...

Did the Book of Mormon Witnesses Really See the Gold Plates? What if the most controversial testimonies in Latter-day Saint history weren’t just words—but undeniable evidence of something far bigger?

In this episode of Let's Get Real, historian Don Bradley—who once left his faith but later returned—tackles the hardest, most controversial questions head-on: Were the Three and Eight Witnesses deceived? Were they part of a fabrication...

What lies behind the financial success of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Church Historian Casey Griffiths seeks to challenge common assumptions—that the Church's wealth is secretive, excessive, and mismanaged. He helps us understand that the Law of Consecration, a principle rooted in unity and faith, is the cornerstone of its financial practices, guiding its mission and humanitarian efforts worldwide.

We discuss c...

Pres. Nelson’s Call to Women About Priesthood Power Is More Urgent Than Ever, Dr. Barbara Gardner | E0026

Let’s be real: there’s a lot of confusion when it comes to women and priesthood power. And that confusion? It’s holding way too many women back from fully stepping into their divine potential. In this episode, Dr. Barbara Morgan Gardner, BYU Religion Professor, is here to cut through the misconceptions and get to the heart of w...

Can Horror Bring Us Closer to God? Michaelbrent Collings on Heretic and Redemption | E0025

On this episode of Let's Get Real with Stephen Jones, Bestselling Latter-day Saint author Michaelbrent Collings joins us to explore the bold intersection of belief and fear. Micahelbrent gives his take on the horror film Heretic with Hugh Grant, challenges societal stigmas, unravels the complexities of storytelling, and reveals how horror ca...

Why These 3 Worldviews Are Leading People Away from God and Faith | Jeffery Thayne, Latter-day Saint E0024

On this episode of Let's Get Real with Stephen Jones, join our conversation with Psychology Professor Dr. Jeffery Thayne, who believes, "We often have very little idea what various world views are shaping our faith, our questions, our doubts, our convictions. These worldviews invariably frame the questions that we ask."

Does t...

Why are Latter-day Saints often portrayed so negatively in pop culture? We sat down with Jasmin Rappleye from Scripture Plus to uncover why that may be and determine what we can do about it.

A few years ago, Jasmin noticed an influx of negative content about the church on platforms like TikTok. Seeing this rise in critical content galvanized her to do what she could to add more positive messages to the conversation.

With the suppor...

What is the ideal family? How can we shoot for the ideal while leaving room for those who can’t meet it?

Jenet Erickson is a BYU professor and researcher. She walks us through the unique roles mothers and fathers play in shaping their children’s lives. Jenet shares how these eternal roles stem from something deeper than tradition.

We also talk about the effects of fragmented families and what we can do to create stronger, more conn...

If you, or someone you love, has struggled to reconcile complex church history, join us in our conversation with Dr. Steven C Harper.

Exploring the mystery of multiple First Vision accounts, Stephen Jones sits down with BYU Professor Dr. Steven Harper, a renowned historian and expert on Latter-day Saint history.

They unravel the reasons behind the discrepancies and shed light on the broader implications for faith and history, guidi...

BYU President Shane Reese has been in his role for a year now. We had a lot of questions for him.

Is there anything he’d do differently? What is BYU's "divinely established" mission? What's at stake if BYU doesn't fulfill its mission? What is the current student experience, and how can we improve it?

We discuss President Reese’s hard time acclimating as a new student at BYU, what it’s like to report to General Authorities, and his ...

For episode 18, I get real with Grammy Award-winning vocal director Mauli Bonner.  After uncovering controversial and lesser-known stories about Black pioneers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mauli, feeling embarrassed about his ignorance, is inspired to become a film writer and director. His mission: To craft an enlightening film that breaks the silence. Despite facing societal hesitation to confront painful, c...

In E17 of Let's Get Real with Stephen Jones, Dr. John Thompson tackles a topic that's often misunderstood: the concept of "curses" within sacred texts, especially regarding Latter-day Saint teachings. He explains that what some might interpret as racial curses in scripture, like those mentioned in the Book of Abraham, is about something entirely different.

John S. Thompson is an acclaimed Egyptologist with...