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Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler

Episode 770: Lori LeVar Pierce, President Exponent II, LGBTQ Ally, Feminist, Active LDS

Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler

Richard Ostler

Religion & Spirituality

4.8 • 839 Ratings

🗓️ 7 August 2024

⏱️ 72 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

My friend Lori LeVar Pierce (grew up in the South, BA and MBA from BYU, corporate executive, married mother of three, teacher, lives in Columbus, Mississippi) joins us to introduce listeners to Exponent II—which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Lori talks about the purpose of Exponent II (including a quarterly magazine, a blog, annual retreat) as it supports Mormon women and gender minorities. Lori also shares insights for other Latter-day Saints who are navigating the sometimes-complex road of career, family, marriage, and church participation—including where women’s voices sometimes are not fully sought after or valued. Lori also talks about how to best support her three children—all of which are queer—including a transgender (they/them) child, and two bisexual children. I was so moved with Lori’s perspective and principals to help other parents support their queer kids. This family story is a beautiful love story. Thank you, Lori, for being on the podcast. Your mature and thoughtful voice and perspective is needed. I learned so much from you. I’m grateful for your work (and many others) at Exponent II as we work to expand the borders of Zion where more feel welcome, needed and a greater sense of belonging. I encourage everyone to listen to this episode and check out Exponent II. Links: Exponent II: exponentii.org/ Exponent II fundraiser: exponentii.org/support/ Subscribe to the Exponent II Magazine: exponentii.org/product/subscription/ Lori’s e-mail: [email protected] Lori’s blog post mentioned in the podcast: exponentii.org/blog/guest-post-what-i-wanted-to-say-today-in-testimony-meeting/ Candice Wendt blog post mentioned in the podcast: exponentii.org/blog/guest-post-the-insidious-exchange-of-community-for-covenants/

Transcript

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0:00.0

Welcome listeners to another episode of Listen, Learn, and Love hosted by Richard Osler.

0:10.7

My guest on today's podcast is my new friend Lori LaVar Pierce.

0:15.0

Welcome to the podcast.

0:17.1

Thank you, Richard.

0:18.0

I'm glad to be here.

0:20.4

One of a volunteer at Exponent 2 reached out to me

0:24.9

named Rosie and just mentioned to me that Exponent 2 is celebrating 50 years as a publication.

0:32.7

And since that message, I've tried to learn more about Exponent 2. I've been aware of Exponent 2 and their great work.

0:40.8

But I just thought it would be great for our listeners to understand more about Exponent 2.

0:46.5

And Laurie LeVar Pierce is the president of Exponent 2 and has agreed to come on the podcast

0:51.3

to talk about Exponent 2. But just a little bit about Lori, I'll give you a little bit of bio.

0:57.5

And I might not get this exactly right, listeners.

0:59.9

So Lori will kind of patch up any holes.

1:04.0

She grew up in the South, like my wife.

1:07.9

People that grow up in the South love the South.

1:10.8

It doesn't ever seem to leave them.

1:12.8

So she's lived in Florida and Arkansas and a couple other states. And she came like my wife to

1:19.6

BYU and got an undergraduate degree in French and German teaching and then got an MBA from

1:26.2

BYU with then focus in international marketing. I also have got an MBA from BYU with then Focus and International

1:28.1

Marketing. I also have that same degree from BYU, although I'm probably a lot older.

1:34.6

And then you had a corporate career marketing research, which is something I really love.

1:39.6

I love sort of the analytical side of understanding things, and I'm very much drawn to numbers and

...

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