**Listener Discretion is Advised** - This episode contains very sensitive and mature topics including conversion therapy, suicidal ideation, abuse, alcoholism, and potentially other sensitive topics.

This episode is divided into two parts. This episode is Part 1 of 2.

Adam, the newest cousin to join the family, joins Devin for the Podcast when he comes to visit the Glen Lee and Phyllis Andersen family in Utah.

Adam was a big inspiration for Devin to start this podcast, and Devin quickly starts the episode by telling Adam why that was.

Adam begins telling his story by explaining his difficult family situation growing up, how biological family moved around a lot when he was young, that there was abuse at home accompanied with alcohol, and how his family, while they were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, had many problems at home that made Adam feel unsafe.

Adam shares how he met the Glen Lee and Phyllis Andersen family in Elko, Nevada, how they grew very close, and witnessed what a family could be when it followed the teachings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. After only a few years, Adam moved to Florida with his family, and away from the Andersen family.

Adam shares his experience of coming out as gay to his bishop, wanting to serve a mission, and starting the terrible process of conversion therapy that the church still condoned at the time.

Adam talks about the difficulty of his mission in the midst of that, and what happened after returning home from his mission. He talks about confronting his bishop about the plan that was laid out for him that he didn't agree with, and his plan to take his own life, but how deciding to keep the sabbath day holy by not purchasing anything on that day helped preserve his life.

Adam continues his story with how he decided to start his life over by moving away to Atlanta, how he met his husband, Allen, and how they were eventually able to be married many years later when it became legal in the United States.

Part 1 ends with explaining how he re-united with the Andersen family and how he began attending church again.

Devin, Sarah, and Tim visit the Excell family in Cedar City. Celeste and Brian have them over for dinner before their interview.

Buckle up for the exciting Hallmark story of how Celeste and Brian rekindled a long awaited relationship one Thanksgiving Weekend 15 years ago.

Listen in to the hilarious stories of how Celeste's older brothers teased her when she was a little girl. Stories of cousins in Utah, and stories of Brian's mission.

Hear the miraculous and incredible story of how faith and the atonement helped Celeste overcome some difficult health and mental challenges and Celeste's final topic on using the atonement to enact change in our lives.

Devin and Sarah finish up their trip in Texas by visiting the 100th grandchild to be born in the family, Sarah Andersen Kraus and her husband Derien.

Sarah and Derien are new parents because Sarah recently gave birth to two beautiful little girls, and throughout the interview, you can hear them softly in the background. Devin's wife, Sarah, was so happy to be able to hold and help take care of them, so she didn't speak nearly as much in this episode.

Sarah shares memories of her childhood, being the 100th grandchild, and even some funny memories she had of Devin. She shares a memory of Grandma Andersen, growing up in Texas, and some personal health challenges she had as a child. Devin shares a few memories he gathered from Sarah's family, and then Sarah talks about her mission.

Derien and Sarah share the story of how they met and how they both love to quote famous videos, movies, tv shows, and memes.

Sarah shares heartfelt advice and a moment of vulnerability about the importance of staying close with one's family, especially siblings. Derien talks about the importance of being yourself and following Christ's example.

For the final topic, they discuss the benefits of social media, and how, even though it gets a bad wrap sometimes, it's an incredibly useful tool for learning, communicating, and even sharing the gospel.

Devin and Sarah continue their visits in Houston Texas and visit cousin Maryelle and her family. She and Brad have 6 amazing children, and after getting to know them over a delicious dinner, The Andersens sit down with the Rippa's for the episode.

Maryelle reveals the history of her name as well as other nick names she received over the years from her family. She shares memories of aunts and uncles, cousins, and of her youth. Devin shares stories that he heard from Maryelle's family - surgeries that she had in her youth and having to stay in the hospital and miss mother's day. Going on road trips with her family, stories of family reunions, and learning to cook.

Brad tells his story of living in England in his youth, going on a mission to the Dominican Republic, and how he met and proposed to Maryelle.

For the final topic, Maryelle chose "The Gut" and the importance of "The second brain" and how it affects our every day lives.

The interview with Tim continues into part 2. In Part 2 we learn more about Lauren, how she and Tim met, began dating, got engaged, and eventually got married, as well as their 2 children.

Lauren tells how she didn't like Tim at first, but how she was able to see him in a different light after a while. Tim shares how he was humbled in high school after being injured his Sophomore year of High School

Tim talks about the unique dating situation with Lauren because of a rule that Tim's parent's had in place that Tim couldn't go out on a two consecutive dates with the same girl.

After Tim returns from his mission, Tim tells how his mother schemed to keep Tim and Lauren together by having Jeff room with Lauren's brother, and had Lauren come to the airport and Tim's homecoming, reflecting a similar story to what Tim and Devin's Grandma Andersen did to keep Tim's mom and dad together after Tim's father, Dean, came home from his mission.

Devin and Sarah discover that they had unknowingly visited the Andersens on their ten year wedding anniversary, but fittingly are able to talk about their wedding reception, and share a crazy story that happened to them 10 years ago from that very evening after Tim and Lauren's wedding reception.

Tim gives advice on how to become the favorite aunt or uncle in the family, and Tim and Lauren share the advice that they would give their posterity, and then Lauren shares a funny story of Tim giving a talk in church.

They discuss the importance of not judging others before moving onto the final topic - Time Management. They discuss books that they've read on the topic, what and how to prioritize the most important things in life, as well as specific methods in staying focused and on task, as well as methods on completing tasks.

After the song, there's a fun easter egg recording bit as well.

Part 1 of a 2 Part episode. Devin and Sarah visit Houston Texas to complete the interviews of all of the rest of Devin's cousins in Texas.

Devin and Sarah visit Tim and Lauren Andersen for dinner before sitting down for their interview.

Tim shares memories of Grandma Andersen, Aunts and Uncles, and especially their cousins. He shares a crazy story of Ethan Kartchner getting stepped on by a horse and breaking his leg. He shares another story of getting revenge for his sister Sarah who was injured by a neighbor friend, and also a memory of Devin going full ninja and hurting Tim while on the trampoline.

Devin shares his memory of staying at Tim's home while dating Sarah soon after his mission, and then Tim shares the memory of going to Grandma's funeral.

Devin then shares stories he gathered from Tim's family, including Tim's birth in France with "really big feet", almost dying from an end table in Australia, urinating off 8 pounds over the space of several hours, wrestling and injuring his older brother Jeff the day before his wedding, missing a goal in a soccer shoot out, missing a field goal in football, regretting not listening to his father as a high school student in investing 1,000 in the stock market as a learning experience, Moving to a smaller town and smaller high school his senior year, and finally serving his mission in France.

Look Forward to Part 2 where Tim and Lauren talk more about how they met, got engaged, got married, and some incredible stories about the day of their wedding.

Devin and cousin Jacob visit Aaron Lewis and his parents at the Farm. Aaron lives in Texas, but was in Utah visiting and so Devin couldn't pass up the chance to interview him.

Aaron talks about memories with cousins at reunions, as well as visiting the Kartchners in Idaho and other family at the farm.

Devin then shares memories about Aaron he gathered from the Lewis family and asks questions about them. Aaron was the 10th child of 14 children and had great experiences with his siblings growing up in Oregon. He came home in a stocking from the hospital.

Some memories include: fighting with siblings over what to watch on TV on Saturday mornings, attending sporting events with siblings, and fighting over settlers of Zarahemla.

Aaron served his mission in Colorado Springs and sang a lot on his mission. He attended BYU and later Harvard and met his wife, Rachel, while attending an event on the campaign trail of Mitt Romney in 2011.

He and Rachel have 5 rambunctious, wonderful children who were quite a handful when they each were young.

Aaron, Devin, and Jacob then talk about the wonders of Artificial Intelligence and how they each use it in their daily lives and where they see it going and being used in the future.

Aaron and his family are grounded in Jesus Christ and through following the gospel, despite whaat happens with AI in the future, through him, everything will be alright.

In this episode, Devin and his wife Sarah sit down with cousin Taylor Kartchner and his wife, Wendy (“Saint Wendy”), to explore a life full of faith, family, and unforgettable stories. Taylor, the third of nine children, shares memories ranging from winning an “ugliest driver’s license” contest to serving a mission in St. Petersburg, Russia, climbing the pyramids of Egypt, and even saving his sister Kelly from a dangerous fall while mountain climbing. We also hear about his entrepreneurial journey running a window-washing business and his unexpected love for speed golf, which once took him all the way to Europe to represent the United States.

Taylor and Wendy also open up about the love story that began in a Boise State ballroom dance class, a playful Red Riding Hood–style proposal, and the family life they’ve built with their five children. From ukulele bedtime routines to their deeply held belief in trusting Christ’s plan, Taylor and Wendy offer heartfelt advice to future generations: no matter what happens, the Savior already knew and He is okay with it.

Finally, Taylor shares his passion for speed golf, a sport he often plays early in the morning to stay in shape and fit in a full round in just about an hour. He describes what it was like to represent the U.S. in a European tournament while traveling with his family, and answers questions about how speed golf differs from traditional golf. It’s a look into both the discipline and the joy of a game that combines endurance with precision — and why it’s become one of his favorite pursuits.