1506: Cody Alan’s Mormon Story

John and Carah are honored to sit down with Cody Alan, host and producer of CMT Radio in Nashville. In this fun and heartfelt interview, we discuss Cody's conversion to the LDS Church, as well as his suppression and eventual acceptance of his gay identity.
Cody shares so much wisdom through stories about his life in country radio and the musical artists who have supported him through his long and difficult journey coming out.

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Show Notes:

Hear's the Thing: Lessons on Listening, Life, and Love by Cody Alan
https://amzn.to/3MoUAKX

Cody on CMT Radio
https://bit.ly/38poeRK

Cody's appearance on Good Morning America
https://gma.abc/39Xjpzf

Cody's appearance on the Today show
https://on.today.com/3wgwQTv

In Quiet Desperation: Understanding the Challenge of Same-Sex Attraction by Ty Mansfield
https://amzn.to/3Nl35a7

The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer W. Kimball
https://amzn.to/3NgoNMq

The Godmakers film
https://bit.ly/3wz7dwt

"Ex-Mormon, Evangelical Christian, Career 'Anti-Mormon,' and Creator of The Godmakers," Ed Decker on Mormon Stories
https://bit.ly/3sBZPPq

"Responding to David Archuleta's Interview with Mayim Bialik" on Mormon Stories
https://bit.ly/39klwNj

David Archuleta comes out as LGBTQ+ in a January 2022 Instagram video
https://bit.ly/3LhCdpZ

Jared Hess and and Tyler Measom on Mormon Stories
https://bit.ly/39ptKUe

Cody's interview with Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton on Cody Cast
https://ihr.fm/3lg0UZm

Cody's interview with Blake Shelton on iHeart Radio
https://ihr.fm/3ll18hD

Ellen Degeneres' coming out on the 1997 "Puppy Episode" of her sitcom Ellen
https://bit.ly/3yBT0Bh

Cody Alan covering the Ellen Degeneres controversy for CMT
https://ihr.fm/3wfWjwq

Cody meets Ellen Degeneres at a "Second Responders" benefit
https://bit.ly/38tCUPu

Like Me: Confessions of a Heartland Country Singer by Chely Wright
https://amzn.to/3Nc7ITE

"A Mormon Lesbian Love Story," Lena Schwen and Sal Osborne on Mormon Stories
https://bit.ly/3FSU6dx

Cody's Instagram
https://bit.ly/3Nzd0ZR

Cody's Twitter
https://bit.ly/3Lcl692

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Timecodes:
00:00:00 Introduction and opening remarks
00:06:57 Growing up in the South with a passion for country music
00:13:52 Realizing he was "different," but not understanding how because there was no gay representation in media
00:17:03 Conversion to Mormonism at 18; his Southern Baptist family was concerned, but supportive
00:24:28 On his mission in Seattle, his faith faltered when he learned about polygamy ("I knew by then I was gay. I couldn't imagine being with ONE woman, let alone more!")
00:28:53 Considered going home early, but his Mission President offered him unconditional love no matter what he chose; he decided to finish his mission
00:35:38 Began his country music career and entered a mixed-orientation marriage with a non-Mormon woman who later converted
00:45:35 Although he loved his wife and didn't experience sexual aversion, he felt like a constant fraud
00:49:34 Moved to Utah to raise their kids in a Mormon environment; met David Archuleta and then-President Thomas S. Monson
00:58:53 Recommitted to the Church and to his marriage, but started meeting other gay people and realized he couldn't change his sexuality
01:10:44 By the time he came out, Cody was a country music celebrity, rubbing shoulders with Dolly Parton, Blake Shelton, and Garth Brooks; he once gave Taylor Swift a crockpot as a housewarming gift
01:17:32 The impact of Ellen Degeneres coming out in 1997, and the discomfort of having to take the "anti-Ellen" position on CMT; they later met when Cody was covering a fundraiser
01:22:37 Increasing acceptance of being gay in the country music industry: "You used to have to have a hit first, and then you could come out. Now, you can be who you are while you're still trying to sell a song."
01:30:29 Cody is called as Gospel Doctrine teacher, and he comes out to his bishop; his faith begins to unravel
01:47:52 Cody is excommunicated; he didn't attend the disciplinary council, but was told "there was nothing but love for you in that room"
01:54:51 Happily Ever After: Amicably divorced, both have new partners and are co-parenting; the two couples and their kids all spend the holidays together
02:08:28 Cody's advice to struggling LGBTQ+ Mormons
02:16:03 Closing remarks

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