Shows
Blame it on MelCelia LeBaron-PART 1Celia LeBaron—Daughters of a CultThis episode is not just a story… it’s a reality most people wouldn’t survive.We’re diving into the terrifying world of the LeBaron polygamist cult, led by Ervil LeBaron and Joel LeBaron—where power, control, and so-called “revelation” justified manipulation, child marriage, and murder.From the doctrine of blood atonement to ordered killings, this is what happens when religion is weaponized.Inside this episode:* How Ervil took multi...
2026-04-241h 30Blame it on MelBecky Bird: Parental Alienation & Emotional Abuse PART 2What happens when you’re still alive… but your children are gone?In this raw, unfiltered episode of Blame It on Mel, we sit down with a mother who shares the unthinkable—being cut off from her own children. Not by distance. Not by death. But by lies, silence, control, and a patriarchy that shaped the narrative without her voice.We dive into the reality of parental alienation, religious control, emotional abuse, and what it actually looks like to deconstruct your life while everything around you is falling apart.This isn’t just a story about estrangement. It’s about: ...
2026-04-1741 minBlame it on MelBecky Bird: Parental Alienation & Emotional AbuseWhat happens when you’re still alive… but your children are gone?In this raw, unfiltered episode of Blame It on Mel, we sit down with a mother who shares the unthinkable—being cut off from her own children. Not by distance. Not by death. But by lies, silence, control, and a patriarchy that shaped the narrative without her voice.We dive into the reality of parental alienation, religious control, emotional abuse, and what it actually looks like to deconstruct your life while everything around you is falling apart.This isn’t just a story...
2026-04-1046 minBlame it on MelJosh Benson Roasted My Religion… So I Put On the Temple Outfit Part 2What happens when you hand religion to a comedian and say nothing is off limits?Comedian Josh Benson joins me to break down controversial beliefs-especially inside LDS / Mormon culture-from multiple heavens and becoming gods to temple rituals, sacred garments, and evolving doctrine.And yes… I even put on temple ceremony clothes for Josh’s entertainment 😳We also get into: • Fear-based vs. faith-based religion • Online backlash and “religious defenders” • What happens when you start questioning everythingThis episode is funny, bold, and com...
2026-03-2753 minBlame it on MelJosh Benson Roasted My Religion… So I Put On the Temple Outfit-Part 1What happens when you hand religion to a comedian and say nothing is off limits?Comedian Josh Benson joins me to break down controversial beliefs-especially inside LDS / Mormon culture-from multiple heavens and becoming gods to temple rituals, sacred garments, and evolving doctrine.And yes… I even put on temple ceremony clothes for Josh’s entertainment 😳We also get into: • Fear-based vs. faith-based religion • Online backlash and “religious defenders” • What happens when you start questioning everythingThis episode is funny, bold, and completely unfiltered.Hot Topics...
2026-03-2757 minBlame it on MelJeanette Griggs-When a Mormon Woman Falls in Love With Her Best Friend-Part 2What happens when the life you were taught to live doesn’t match who you truly are?In this powerful episode of Blame It on Mel, Amazon #1 bestselling author Jeanette Griggs shares her deeply personal journey growing up in the LDS (Mormon) church, where she spent years believing something was wrong with her for having feelings for another woman.Jeanette did everything she was taught to do.She served faithfully, became a Relief Society President, confessed her feelings to her bishop, dated men, and tried to pray the feelings away.But when she fell in love with Molly, the co...
2026-03-201h 02Blame it on MelJeanette Griggs-When a Mormon Woman Falls in Love With Her Best Friend-Part 1What happens when the life you were taught to live doesn’t match who you truly are?In this powerful episode of Blame It on Mel, Amazon #1 bestselling author Jeanette Griggs shares her deeply personal journey growing up in the LDS (Mormon) church, where she spent years believing something was wrong with her for having feelings for another woman.Jeanette did everything she was taught to do.She served faithfully, became a Relief Society President, confessed her feelings to her bishop, dated men, and tried to pray th...
2026-03-141h 08Blame it on MelCan't Pray the Gay Away-Jamison Manwaring-PART 2What happens when your last name is on a building at BYU-Idaho… and you’re gay?In this raw, unfiltered episode of Blame It on Mel, Jamison Manwaring opens up about growing up in a prominent LDS family, serving a mission, and silently battling the belief that being gay was something he could fix, pray away, or outgrow.Did he bargain with God?Did the mission help—or make the internal conflict worse?What happens when you realize you’re still gay… after doing everything the LDS church teaches is “right”?We talk about: • Mission culture and internalized shame • Suicidal thoughts and silent suffe...
2026-03-071h 12Blame it on MelCan't Pray the Gay Away-Jamison Manwaring-PART 1What happens when your last name is on a building at BYU-Idaho… and you’re gay?In this raw, unfiltered episode of Blame It on Mel, Jamison Manwaring opens up about growing up in a prominent LDS family, serving a mission, and silently battling the belief that being gay was something he could fix, pray away, or outgrow.Did he bargain with God?Did the mission help—or make the internal conflict worse?What happens when you realize you’re still gay… after doing everything the LDS ch...
2026-02-271h 12Blame it on MelSilence Doesn’t Heal — It Protects Abusers | Michelle Dunn-PART 2Michelle Dunn grew up in a deeply religious Mormon family where abuse was protected and silence was expected. For years, she carried a secret that was never hers to hold. As a child, she was abused by her grandfather — a respected bishop in the LDS church — who had also abused his own daughters, granddaughters, and countless others. He never faced jail time. The family kept it quiet.Until Michelle didn’t.In a moment of unimaginable courage, she exposed the truth at Thanksgiving as an adult, knowing he was still harming others. This episode is about...
2026-02-201h 17Blame it on MelSilence Doesn’t Heal — It Protects Abusers | Michelle Dunn-PART 1Michelle Dunn grew up in a deeply religious Mormon family where abuse was protected and silence was expected. For years, she carried a secret that was never hers to hold. As a child, she was abused by her grandfather — a respected bishop in the LDS church — who had also abused his own daughters, granddaughters, and countless others. He never faced jail time. The family kept it quiet.Until Michelle didn’t.In a moment of unimaginable courage, she exposed the truth at Thanksgiving as an adult, knowing he was still...
2026-02-131h 17Blame it on MelBraadyn: When the Body Knows Before the Mind-Part 2Trigger warning: This episode speaks about self harm and suicidal ideation. What happens when the life you were promised starts hurting your body?In this episode, Braadyn — creator, photographer, wife, mother, and survivor of religious conditioning — shares her story of growing up Mormon, internalizing the “temple dream,” and realizing that worth, happiness, and belonging were tied to obedience instead of choice.Her husband Bryce joins the conversation to share his perspective as a convert — entering the church without the lifelong conditioning she carried — and what it was like to witness the imbalanc...
2026-02-061h 14Blame it on MelBraadyn: When the Body Knows Before the Mind-Part 1Trigger warning: This episode speaks about self harm and suicidal ideation. What happens when the life you were promised starts hurting your body?In this episode, Braadyn — creator, photographer, wife, mother, and survivor of religious conditioning — shares her story of growing up Mormon, internalizing the “temple dream,” and realizing that worth, happiness, and belonging were tied to obedience instead of choice.Her husband Bryce joins the conversation to share his perspective as a convert — entering the church without the lifelong conditioning she carried — and what it was like to witness the imbalanc...
2026-01-301h 33Blame it on MelSuzanne Hobbs: When a Bishop Chose Her HusbandAfter surviving an arranged marriage orchestrated by her bishop, Suzanne Hobbs refused to let that chapter define the rest of her life.Suzanne served a mission, returned home, and began pursuing her education and a career in broadcasting—only to be told by her bishop that she was setting a poor example for young women by choosing ambition over marriage and motherhood. He informed her that a man in the ward would be picking her up twice a week and that she would be married in the temple on Valentine’s Day. No consent. No d...
2026-01-231h 52Blame it on MelEscaping Polygamy: Amanda Rae’s Story Inside Mormon Fundamentalism (Part 2)Amanda grew up inside a modern polygamist group rooted in early Mormon fundamentalism — where obedience meant survival, purity culture controlled bodies, and questioning authority came at a devastating cost.In Part 1 of this raw and unfiltered conversation, Amanda exposes what life was really like inside polygamy and a high-control religious system. She shares the truth about her family structure, including discovering that her father was married to his own half-sister — and that she was being pressured to marry her first cousin as part of the order’s expectations.This episode covers:• Polygamy and its roots in early LDS / Mormon fundamen...
2026-01-152h 14Blame it on MelEscaping Polygamy: Amanda Rae’s Story Inside Mormon Fundamentalism (Part 1)Amanda grew up inside a modern polygamist group rooted in early Mormon fundamentalism — where obedience meant survival, purity culture controlled bodies, and questioning authority came at a devastating cost.In Part 1 of this raw and unfiltered conversation, Amanda exposes what life was really like inside polygamy and a high-control religious system. She shares the truth about her family structure, including discovering that her father was married to his own half-sister — and that she was being pressured to marry her first cousin as part of the order’s expectations.This episod...
2026-01-091h 20Blame it on MelHeather Conger: Obedience Over Desire-Part 2Heather did everything right… according to the Mormon (LDS) church.She grew up Mormon, followed all the rules, attended BYU-Idaho, internalized purity culture, and married at just 19 years old—partly because waiting to have sex wasn’t an option she could survive in that system. The night before her temple sealing, she cried and begged God to stop the marriage. He didn’t.Heather went on to have four kids with a man she wasn’t sexually attracted to, stayed faithful to the rules she was taught, and slowly realized that obedience wasn’t the same as happ...
2025-12-271h 12Blame it on MelHeather Conger: Obedience Over DesireHeather did everything right… according to the Mormon (LDS) church.She grew up Mormon, followed all the rules, attended BYU-Idaho, internalized purity culture, and married at just 19 years old—partly because waiting to have sex wasn’t an option she could survive in that system. The night before her temple sealing, she cried and begged God to stop the marriage. He didn’t.Heather went on to have four kids with a man she wasn’t sexually attracted to, stayed faithful to the rules she was taught, and slowly realized that obedience wasn’t the same as happ...
2025-12-1958 minBlame it on MelJen Turner: Her Story Of Being Groomed, Shamed & Excommunicated Through Mormon Marriage PART 2This week on Blame It On Mel, we sit down for part two with Jen Turner, whose entire relationship history was shaped—and shattered—by Mormon culture. From being groomed by a missionary at 16, to bishops blaming her for her husband’s abusive violence that almost took her life, to being excommunicated after reporting sexual abuse, her story exposes the patterns the LDS/Mormon Church works hard to hide.She experienced grooming, purity culture, bishopric abuse, spiritual manipulation, and the double standards that punish women while protecting men in authority. She was told her “sins” ruined her future, pressured into marri...
2025-12-111h 04Blame it on MelJenn Turner: Her Story Of Being Groomed, Shamed & Excommunicated Through Mormon Marriage Part 1This week on Blame It On Mel, we sit down with Jen Turner, whose entire relationship history was shaped—and shattered—by Mormon culture. From being groomed by a missionary at 16, to bishops blaming her for her husband’s abusive violence that almost took her life, to being excommunicated after reporting sexual abuse, her story exposes the patterns the LDS/Mormon Church works hard to hide.She experienced grooming, purity culture, bishopric abuse, spiritual manipulation, and the double standards that punish women while protecting men in authority. She was told her “sins” ruined her future, pressured into marriages...
2025-12-041h 00Blame it on MelNot Everyone Deserves a Seat at Your Thanksgiving TableThis Thanksgiving episode is your annual reminder that peace is a privilege—and not everyone qualifies. Today I’m talking about closing your circle, protecting your energy, and why the loudest people talking ABOUT you are always the ones who’ve never spoken TO you.We’re unpacking jealousy, insecurity, fake friends, family drama, and the wild expectation that you should keep making room for people who wouldn’t even bring a dish.If someone has spent all year tearing you down, gossiping, twisting stories, or projecting their own misery ont...
2025-11-2711 minBlame it on MelInside Mormon Trauma: A Therapist's Perspective--Part TwoIn Part Two of this two-episode series, therapist Ashley joins me to break down the psychology of growing up in a high-control religion and what religious trauma really looks like beneath the surface. We dig into the emotional patterns so many former Mormons carry — the fear-based decision making, worthiness culture, obedience conditioning, purity rules, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the constant pressure to “be good enough.”Ashley explains how trauma can come not just from dramatic events, but from long-term spiritual pressure, guilt, shame, and the way institutions shape your identity, relationships, and sense of self. We talk about why leaving the ch...
2025-11-2054 minBlame it on MelInside Mormon Trauma: A Therapist's Perspective--Part OneIn Part One of this two-episode series, therapist Ashley joins me to break down the psychology of growing up in a high-control religion and what religious trauma really looks like beneath the surface. We dig into the emotional patterns so many former Mormons carry — the fear-based decision making, worthiness culture, obedience conditioning, purity rules, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the constant pressure to “be good enough.”Ashley explains how trauma can come not just from dramatic events, but from long-term spiritual pressure, guilt, shame, and the way institutions shape your identity, relationships, and sense of self. We tal...
2025-11-1346 minBlame it on MelCollege RecruitingThink your kid isn’t getting recruited because of politics or bad luck? Think again. Coaches don’t recruit parents—they recruit players. If you’re texting every week, shagging balls at practice, hanging around every huddle, or buying the coach beers, you’re that parent. In this episode, Mel breaks down how to actually get recruited, what college coaches are really looking for, and how to let your athlete take control of their own journey.💋Hot topics: college recruiting, sports parenting, athlete exposure, club sports, youth sports, helicopter parents, athlete mindset, coaches, D1
2025-11-0658 minBlame it on MelFrom All-American to Elder: The Mission That Killed the DreamAt 18, my husband was an All-American water polo player recruited by UCLA and top Division 1 programs. But in Mormon culture, college dreams get replaced by mission calls.Instead of dorms and D1 competition, he spent two years in Nova Scotia, Canada as an LDS missionary—baptizing strangers in freezing water and wondering how faith could cost so much.When he came home, everything had changed: the scholarship was gone, the body was gone, and the dream was gone. Then he found out why he wasn't sent out North America. His mom had secretly edited his mi...
2025-10-301h 16Blame it on MelSister Wife to Solo Wife-Part 2Okay, real talk—what makes someone sign up to be the second wife? This isn’t Sister Wives—it’s Amy’s real life, complete with faith, polygamy, infertility, and way too many feelings.Amy opens up about her time in a polygamist marriage, life inside Mormon fundamentalism (FLDS), and what happens when you realize the “forever family plan” comes with fine print. We talk PCOS, infertility, IVF, miscarriages,faith shifts, and the art of going from sister wife to solo queen without losing your sense of humor. Now Amy’s rewriting the playbook—teaching fertility awareness, owning her story...
2025-10-231h 20Blame it on MelSister Wife to Solo Wife -PART 1Okay, real talk—what makes someone sign up to be the second wife? This isn’t Sister Wives—it’s Amy’s real life, complete with faith, polygamy, infertility, and way too many feelings.Amy opens up about her time in a polygamist marriage, life inside Mormon fundamentalism (FLDS), and what happens when you realize the “forever family plan” comes with fine print. We talk PCOS, infertility, IVF, miscarriages,faith shifts, and the art of going from sister wife to solo queen without losing your sense of humor. Now Amy’s rewriting the playbook—teaching fertility awareness, owning her story...
2025-10-1648 minBlame it on MelFrankly Speaking: Pastors Kid Gone RogueFrank grew up as a pastor’s kid — no drinking, no swearing, no sex until marriage. Fast-forward to now: he’s a Marine veteran who drinks, swears, and lives unapologetically real.From holding high school track records to serving in the U.S. Marines, to watching his wife battle cancer and lose her chance at motherhood, Frank’s story is one of faith, loss, grit, and growth.We dig into men’s mental health, faith deconstruction, and how trauma reshapes identity. Plus, he opens up about his Flinders cocktail, weight los...
2025-10-091h 19Blame it on MelMini Chaos: Friendship Audit💥Blamers — stay ‘til the end for the extras… that’s where the real tea spills.This week, I walked into dinner with friends and walked out with “f*** you,” “f*** off,” and a full-blown friendship audit. Boundaries were set, receipts were pulled, and I learned exactly who’s sitting at my table — and who’s not.But the chaos didn’t stop there. My son’s been raising havoc, my daughter tore her ACL and meniscus, and just like that, her D1 basketball dream of playing as a freshman was gone. Parenting throug...
2025-10-0729 minBlame it on MelWhen Implants Attack: Tawny’s Survival StoryTawny opens up about her fight with Breast Implant Illness (BII) — from the first red flags doctors ignored to the $17,000 explant surgery that finally gave her life back.We talk about women’s health, body image, and the moment she realized healing meant taking her power back. If you’ve ever battled chronic fatigue, unexplained symptoms, or regret after cosmetic surgery, this episode is for you.Raw, funny, and unfiltered, this story dives into self-acceptance, female empowerment, and trusting your body when the medical world doesn’t. Because you’re always...
2025-09-301h 04Blame it on MelMormon Ken Barbie: Mormon Q&ADiet Coke, cheating, and celestial loopholes — welcome to Mormon Ken Barbie.In this episode, I sit down with my husband — a returned missionary, bishopric member, Young Men’s President, seminary grad, and Eagle Scout — for an unfiltered dive into Mormon culture, temple life, and church leadership.We tackle the questions you’ve always wanted answered:• What are the 3 kingdoms of heaven?• What’s the church’s stance on LGBTQ+ members?• How does Jesus actually fit into the Mormon church?It’s raw, funny, a...
2025-09-2359 minBlame it on MelPeptides, Orgasms, Vaccines & the Secrets Doctors Hide-Dr. Craig FlindersYour doctor says your labs are “normal,” but you still feel off.In this episode, we dive into the truth about hormones, peptides, stem cells, and all the wellness hacks traditional medicine doesn’t want you talking about. From testosterone therapy and thyroid balance to semaglutide injections, the O-shot, and yes—amazing orgasms—this is your unfiltered guide to taking your health, hormones, and sex life back.We talk about women’s health, hormone replacement therapy, anti-aging, sexual wellness, and what doctors often overlook when your body’s screaming that something...
2025-09-161h 00Blame it on MelKatie Burned the Mormon Playbook🔥Katie never fit the mold of the “typical Mormon housewife” — and this episode proves she never tried to. From temple marriage and infertility struggles to religious pressure, sexual double standards, and the quiet expectations that break women down, Katie’s story flips the script on faith and femininity.She put her husband through dental school, worked to support their family, and once he became a dentist, he told her it was time to “know your role” as a Mormon housewife and stay home with the kids. That moment became her breaking point.
2025-09-091h 42Blame it on MelTrailerI was the picture-perfect Mormon housewife — temple marriage, five kids, and a husband in the bishopric.But behind the façade were secrets, scandals, and cover-ups I was told to protect in the name of faith. Until I didn’t.I gave the bishop the middle finger, lit a match, and walked away from the perfect Mormon life everyone thought I had. I really am to blame — and I’ll take all the blame.This is the unfiltered story of a woman breaking free from reli...
2025-09-0301 minBlame it on MelTrailerI was the picture-perfect Mormon housewife — temple marriage, five kids, and a husband in the bishopric.But behind the façade were secrets, scandals, and cover-ups I was told to protect in the name of faith. Until I didn’t.I gave the bishop the middle finger, lit a match, and walked away from the perfect Mormon life everyone thought I had. I really am to blame — and I’ll take all the blame.This is the unfiltered story of a woman breaking free from reli...
2025-09-0100 min