Interviews with brilliant people to fan the flames of your curiosity.
The path to becoming a parent is complicated for LGBTQ people. Dr. Abbie E. Goldberg has evidence-based advice to help make it happen, debunking stereotypes and increasing the visibility of queer families. Her work can benefit all families. Including yours.
Divorce can be difficult today, but wait until you hear what it was like at the turn of the century. April White introduces us to the women who changed divorce in the United States.
As an adoptee, Angela Tucker invites us to consider the impacts of transracial adoption.
When Jessi Hempel came out of the closet she had no idea her whole family had been hiding in there with her.
Adam Benforado says expanding children’s rights will benefit everyone.
Mariel Buqué invites us to heal from our family traumas.
Cat Bohannon puts women back into the story of human evolution.
Tara Boyce says parenting with hope is more complicated than she anticipated.
Ross Gay says joy is something like what we feel like when we help each other carry our sorrows.
As a silent epidemic of chronic illnesses afflicts tens of millions of Americans, Meghan O’Rourke calls for revolution.
A transgender scholar makes history writing about transgender history.
The word “heathen” has fallen out of use, but the racist ideas behind it persist in the White American imagination.
A Métis woman reflects on the violence enacted on the bodies and lands of Indigenous people, especially women, in the United States.
A philosopher and prospective father wonders if things in the world are hopeful enough to bring children into it.
An immigrant falls back in love with her culture and yearns to pass it along to her children.
Reading scripture from the margins can change everything.
Vanessa Zoltan wanted to know if her childhood favorite ‘Jane Eyre’ stands the test of time. What she found can breathe new life into our favorite books.
Alex Zamalin shows how civility has been used to perpetuate oppression in the United States.
Ayala Fader examines the lives of hidden heretics within ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities.
Anna Sale knows how to talk about hard things like death, sex, money, family, and identity.
Taylor Petrey traces the development of doctrine about gender and sexuality within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Lauren Sandler shines a light on homelessness in America through the experience of a young pregnant mother in New York City.
John Swinton invites us to slow down and rethink what we think about time, especially in light of people with intellectual disabilities.
Anthea Butler says conservative Christianity in America has scored big victories in American politics, but not without significant cost.
David Dark explains why he thinks ‘Life’s Too Short to Pretend You’re Not Religious.’
Her research shook up Christian history even while, behind the scenes, her life was being turned upside-down.
Hosted by Blair Hodges
Generously co-sponsored by the Howard W. Hunter Foundation, the Mormon Studies program at Claremont Graduate University, and the Dialogue Foundation.
What People Are Saying
Blair is back!
“Fireside has turned podcasting into an art form that elevates and touches the soul. The interviews leave the listener with much to reflect upon days and weeks later. Highly recommend this podcast to all who enjoy thinking deeply about life’s multi-faceted relationships, and want a respite from the pell-mell functions of daily life.” — CC Music Bunny, Apple Podcasts
Exceptional
“Phenomenal. These thought-provoking interviews leave me mulling for days. I probably have an entire bookshelf full of books both read and to-be-read thanks to my introduction to them via Blair’s work. Looking forward to each new episode!” — JudgeRee, Apple Podcasts
Inspirational
“Blair is a master interviewer who has a gift for asking questions and starting conversations that are desperately needed if we’re to learn how to better understand, live with, and love each other. These challenging and enriching interactions have left me a better person spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally.” — DadBodice, Apple Podcasts
Attentive Listening, Deep Dialogue
“Blair offers his audience a cozy seat at his side as he engages his reflective guests in refreshingly generous and deep dialogue. Step away from the false flurry of our Twitter-paced public discourse and take a seat next to Blair.” — jamesremains, Apple Podcasts
Excellent host and cutting edge topics
“Great podcasts have one thing in common: a great host. Blair Hodges is a gifted interviewer and conversationalist. He asks the right questions and allows the guests space to expound on their writings. You’ll enjoy his dry wit humor as much as his theological exploration.” — TBlack99, Apple Podcasts
Expansive and Thoughtful
“Not only do I love Blair Hodges’ gracious interviewing style, but I thrill at the interplay between guest and host. Blair is a prepared host, who has a sincere fascination and appreciation for the wayfarer’s journey.” — Tishbw, Apple Podcasts
Caregiving for aging and dying parents can be tough for anyone—tougher still when it forces you to confront longtime family dynamics of abuse. Sociologist Deborah Cohan blurs the lines between academic research on family caregiving and violence, and her own personal story about a father she calls both adoring and abusive.