HOORAY! We made it to March and part two of Theron Olivar’s marvelously encouraging story. In this week’s episode, Theron revisits his “Gold Star” Mormon mission, how coming out led to the loss of community and friendships and discovered that when allowing ourselves to let our deepest desires lead, we beautifully impact everything around us; love and support spreads through our family and community. We also discuss interesting post Mormon shenanigans and his decision to run for tribal council.

Theron’s story is definitely one for the books and too fascinating and hilarious and to cut short. You can listen to the first part of our conversation here:

https://leaving-in-color.captivate.fm/episode/returning-home-to-yourself-with-theron-olivar-part-1

About our guest:

Theron Olivar is an Arizona Native (Apache) who was raised Lutheran and converted to the LDS faith at the age of 18. He volunteers his time to support ALL (Arizona LDS LGBT), a cause that speaks to his heart. He works in compliance and has a long career in the world of finance. Theron now believes that he is who he's meant to be, that life is too short to over analyze everything and is excited to see what the future holds. He currently lives in Arizona with his long-time love and partner.

Mentioned:

ALL: Arizona LDS LGBT https://www.allarizona.org/

LDS Mission Training Center https://provo.mtc.byu.edu/

Connect with Leaving in Color:

Instagram - @leavingincolor.pod

Email - leavingincolorpod@gmail.com

Music by Tucker Winters

Art by Jen Cagle Gilmore

Editing by Particulate Media

My conversation with today’s guest has been in the works for some time and I am more than elated to FINALLY share it. Theron is someone who you meet once, immediately feel like he’s your best friend and this conversation definitely evokes that. In part one of this conversation, we’ll talk about growing up as a Methodist Apache kid who converts to Mormonism as a way to have more structure to avoid his inner knowing. The awakening that happens as Theron searches for his “people” is inspiring and brave. 

Theron is absolutely charming and hilarious, so much so that we will have part TWO of this conversation for you in a few weeks. 

About our guest:

Theron Olivar is an Arizona Native (Apache) who was raised Lutheran and converted to the LDS faith at the age of 18. He volunteers his time to support ALL (Arizona LDS LGBT), a cause that speaks to his heart. He works in compliance and has a long career in the world of finance. Theron now believes that he is who he's meant to be, that life is too short to over analyze everything and is excited to see what the future holds. He currently lives in Arizona with his long-time love and partner. 

Mentioned:

The Amazing Race https://www.cbs.com/shows/amazing_race/

LDS Mission Training Center https://provo.mtc.byu.edu/

Connect with Leaving in Color:

Instagram - @leavingincolor.pod 

Email - leavingincolorpod@gmail.com.

Music by Tucker Winters

Art by Jen Cagle Gilmore

Editing by Particulate Media

We are well into 2024, and I’m excited to share a new series with you, called “Coloring Outside the Lines.” This series will highlight conversations with some fantastic guests about fascinating and intriguing topics regarding high-demand belief systems. Our first guest in this series is Alex Caiola, an intuitive business and executive coach and a true blue Real Housewives expert and fan. With Alex, we discuss the book, “Bad Mormon” by Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (RHOSLC) cast member, Heather Gay. Alex also gets a deeper look into Mormonism beyond what Heather details in her best-selling book.

About Our Guest:

Alex Caiola is an intuitive business and executive coach.  She is also a 3rd generation entrepreneur. Her website is https://www.capricornrisinginc.com and she’s on Instagram @capirocornrisinginc and @highpriestessofbrooklyn. Her business podcast is also Capricorn Rising Inc, found wherever you listen to podcasts.  

Mentioned: 

The Bravostrologer, Alyssa Polinsky @starsxalyssa

Journey of Souls  by Michael Newton

https://www.newtoninstitute.org/publication/journey-of-the-souls/ 

Guerilla videographer, documentary filmmaker, and constitutional activist, New Name Noah aka Mike Norton

https://www.instagram.com/newnamenoah/

Lisa Barlow, owner of Vida Tequila and cast member of Real Housewives of SLC https://vidatequila.com/  

Multi-business owner and cast member of Real Housewives of SLC, Whitney Rose https://wildrosebeauty.com/  https://prismlifestyle.co/ 

Connect with Leaving in Color:

Instagram - @leavingincolor.pod 

Email - leavingincolorpod@gmail.com

Music by Tucker Winters

Art by Jen Cagle Gilmore

Editing by Particulate Media

Welcome to 2024, and part two of my conversation with Kaide Solano. This time, we’ll dive deeper into the transitions that Kaide has experienced as she worked toward being her authentic self and moved away from her strict Catholic upbringing. Getting to her current, more genuine state of being has transformed her, body and soul. It required a drastic physical relocation and a far-reaching reimagining of her relationship with her intuition and insight. We’ll talk about how that has changed her career path, her priorities and values, and her understanding of how she relates to the universe around her.

Kaide’s story was so fascinating yet relatable that I couldn’t bring myself to cut it short. You can listen to the first half of our conversation at https://leaving-in-color.captivate.fm/episode/intuitively-creating-heaven-on-earth-part-1

About Our Guest:

Kaide Solano is a professional intuitive energy healer, reader, and channeler. She’s also a Reiki practitioner, herbalist, and tarot reader, and has been a pediatric nurse for over 5 years. Her website is https://www.thehealingpathways.co and she’s on Instagram @kaidesolano_.

Mentioned: 

The Universe Has Your Back, by Gabrielle Bernstein https://gabbybernstein.com/book/the-universe-has-your-back/

Author and podcaster Glennon Doyle https://momastery.com/

Susanna Merrick, coach and creator of Aura Wear https://aurawearnyc.com/about 

Connect with Leaving in Color:

Instagram - @leavingincolor.pod 

Email - leavingincolorpod@gmail.com

Music by Tucker Winters

Art by Jen Cagle Gilmore

Editing by Particulate Media

I’m so excited to introduce you to my friend Kaide Solano. Kaide is the daughter of Central American immigrants. Her parents’ Catholic faith helped them survive the horrors of civil war in their native Nicaragua, and the hardships of trying to build a life in a new country. Kaide grew up as a Catholic, but as she neared adulthood she began to feel restricted by the moral teachings of the church. Her cross-country journey of self-discovery has resulted in a blossoming of her intuitive gifts, her queerness, and her commitment to living as her full, proud self.

Kaide’s story was so fascinating yet relatable that I couldn’t bring myself to cut it short. This is part one of our conversation. Look for part two after the 2023 holidays.

About Our Guest:

Kaide Solano is a professional intuitive energy healer, reader, and channeler. She’s also a Reiki practitioner, herbalist, and tarot reader, and has been a pediatric nurse for over 5 years. Her website is https://www.thehealingpathways.co and she’s on Instagram @kaidesolano_.

Mentioned: 

Susanna Merrick, coach and creator of Aura Wear https://aurawearnyc.com/about 

The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage into Self-Mastery, by Brianna Wiest https://shopcatalog.com/collections/books-by-brianna-wiest/products/the-mountain-is-you 

A Course in Miracles https://acim.org/ 

Rev. Dr. Bonnie M. Russell https://linktr.ee/BonnieMRussell 

Connect with Leaving in Color:

Instagram - @leavingincolor.pod 

Email - leavingincolorpod@gmail.com

Music by Tucker Winters

Art by Jen Cagle Gilmore

Editing by Particulate Media

I can’t wait for you to hear the rest of my conversation with my dear friend Marcos. This time, we get into how Marcos’ life has blossomed since he made the decision to honor his true self, even when that self conflicted with the teachings of his faith. In the second half of our dialog, we discuss what’s happened since Marcos left the LDS church. We’ll learn about the journey toward embracing his full self, how his relationship with faith and spirituality has changed, and the lessons he’d share with his younger self if he could. It’s a moving story that you’re sure to find inspiring.

Our conversation was too important to cut short, and too big for just one episode. If you haven’t already, check out the first half of our discussion at https://leaving-in-color.captivate.fm/episode/finding-truth-in-yourself

About Our Guest:

Marcos is a born and bred Californian who is proud of his multiple identities as a Chicano, gay man. His life experience and education has shaped his passion for social justice and care for marginalized communities. Marcos enjoys working in higher education to serve students, provide support, and pay it forward based on his own experiences as a first-gen college student navigating academia. He is an avid animal lover who also enjoys concerts, live theater, and the beach.

Connect with Leaving in Color:

Instagram - @leavingincolor.pod 

Email - leavingincolorpod@gmail.com.

Music by Tucker Winters

Art by Jen Cagle Gilmore

Editing by Particulate Media

I’m so excited you’re here to experience the first episode of Leaving In Color. My dear friend Marcos joins me for a raw, real conversation about growing up in the Mormon church as a queer person of color. We’ll talk about grappling with your identity, and how painful it can be when being true to yourself conflicts with the faith that’s bound your family for generations. 

Our conversation was too important to cut short, and too big for just one episode. Look for the second half of this engrossing discussion in two weeks.

About Our Guest:

Marcos is a born and bred Californian who is proud of his multiple identities as a Chicano, gay man. His life experience and education has shaped his passion for social justice and care for marginalized communities. Marcos enjoys working in higher education to serve students, provide support, and pay it forward based on his own experiences as a first-gen college student navigating academia. He is an avid animal lover who also enjoys concerts, live theater, and the beach.

Mentioned: 

The Book of Laman by Mette Ivie Harrison https://www.amazon.com/Book-Laman-Mette-Ivie-Harrison/dp/0998605247 

Connect with Leaving in Color:

Instagram - @leavingincolor.pod 

Email - leavingincolorpod@gmail.com.

Music by Tucker Winters

Art by Jen Cagle Gilmore

Editing by Particulate Media

Leaving in Color is a new podcast that shares the compelling stories of people who have made the difficult choice to leave high-demand religious groups. We’ll explore the challenges and triumphs they’ve experienced on their journeys of self-discovery, liberation, and healing.

I’m Christina Elmer. I’m a Martha Beck Wayfinder-trained life coach, and I’m also a recovering Mormon. I’m excited to celebrate the resilience, strength, and vibrant experiences of people of color.

Subscribe to Leaving In Color wherever you get podcasts, and don’t miss a minute of these thought-provoking conversations. Together, we’ll reflect on the power of authenticity, the beauty of diversity, and the limitless possibilities that unfold when we embrace our true selves beyond the confines of tradition.