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Talmage sits down with Maddy Packer, a passionate LDS apologist and history buff, for an insightful episode. Maddy grew up in New Mexico, attending Catholic school from seventh through twelfth grade, and later studying archaeology and history in college. Using both formal education and self-study, Maddy has become well-versed in several historical topics that they discussed today.

They talked about:

1. Disgruntled ex-members who paint the church as tyranical patriarchy
2. Non-LDS christians who demonize the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. And why they’re wrong when they say we’re not christian.
3. Evidence/Arguements of the Book of Mormon’s Authenticity

This Episode was recorded on November 5th, 2025

Timestamps:

00:00 Mormonism: Faith, Criticism, Misconceptions

06:20 "Faithful Choices and Ridicule"

12:22 Questioning Faith and Belief

15:31 "Questioning Doctrine's Significance"

25:42 God's Gender Discussion Tactics

27:39 "Questioning Christ's Physicality"

34:42 Social Media: Anxiety and Escape

39:52 "Personal Life and Opposition Insight"

42:47 "Equality: Equal, Not Identical"

51:03 "Marriage, Culture, and Gospel Values"

53:54 Defending Public Perception of Faith

59:07 "Debating Trinity's Biblical Basis"

01:06:19 Defining Official Doctrine Challenges

01:08:23 "Debating Jesus' Resurrection Accounts"

01:14:34 Joseph Smith: Genius or Inspired?

01:22:42 "Choosing to Be Like God"

01:24:39 "Renewing Faith and Testimony"

Maddy’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/thesurefoundation/

https://www.tiktok.com/@thesurefoundation?_r=1&_t=ZT-91IfGXMd3hF

Talmage/Released’s Links:
https://www.instagram.com/talmagethayne/
https://www.instagram.com/released_thepodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/@talmagethayne21
https://www.tiktok.com/@talmagethayne

Remember, God is good and is planning on your success. And though you've been released from your mission, you haven't been released from your ministry.

Send us a text

In this episode (Sz4 Ep5), Talmage sits down with his wife, Mary Thayne, for a vulnerable and inspiring conversation. Taken from a larger interview, this segment explores why Mary chose to move forward in their relationship, even knowing about Talmage’s past struggles with pornography. Together, they discuss how faith, family support, and honest communication shaped their journey through addiction and recovery. Mary shares her powerful insights, addressing doubt, resilience, and the healing power of Christ.

This is the first time Mary and Talmage open up together about addiction, recovery, and faith—offering hope, perspective, and concrete advice for anyone navigating similar challenges.

Timestamps:

00:00 Doubt, Frustration, and Light
04:48 "Asking for Roses"
07:30 Faith, Family, and Resilience
11:33 "Challenges Strengthen Relationships"
14:27 "Misjudging Porn Through Ignorance"
18:56 Hope and Healing Through Christ
20:48 "Growth Through Imperfection"
24:56 Healing, Perspective, Faith, and Recovery

Talmage/Released’s Links:
https://www.instagram.com/talmagethayne/
https://www.instagram.com/released_thepodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/@talmagethayne21
https://www.tiktok.com/@talmagethayne

Remember, God is good and is planning on your success. And though you've been released from your mission, you haven't been released from your ministry.

Send us a text

This episode is the hard launch of season 4. Yes, yes, it came out after 3 episodes were already posted. But there's a good reason.

Talmage talks about the need to DO "the thing" being greater than PERFECTING "the thing." If you don't get started on the mission laid before you, it could pass you by and never return.

Carpe diem, brethren, carpe diem.

0:00 Intro

4:03 Why I haven't posted

8:18 Don't miss opportunities

11:22 God's anxious to bless you

13:24 Future of Released

Remember, God is good and is planning on your success. And though you've been released from your mission, you haven't been released from your ministry.

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In this episode Talmage interviews his first non Latter-day Saint. Jim Tart is a colleg football national champion, former alcoholic, entrepreneur, family man, and Christian. They talk about his experience when his football career ended and how he had to go back to normal life and live as a normal guy. They discussed his addiction to alcohol and the affect it had on his family. But most importantly Jim shares his experience of how God literally took away his addiction when he gave himself to Christ. Now Jim and his family travel all around the USA selling their famous Sopchoppy Sauce and spreading the good word.

Go support Jim and check out his Sopchoppy Sauce website.

Jim’s Links:

https://sopchoppysauce.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jbs_sopchoppy_sauce/

Talmage's Links:

https://www.instagram.com/talmagethayne/

https://www.youtube.com/@talmagethayne21

https://www.tiktok.com/@talmagethayne

TimeStamps:

0:00 Intro: Jim's background and football career

5:27 Turning point: Praying for God to take addiction

9:49 Overcoming alcoholism through faith in Christ

15:38 The power of scripture in daily life

18:41 How sobriety improved family relationships

22:55 Uprooting family to travel and sell sauce

28:50 Homeschooling and unique educational experiences

34:30 Parallels between football and missionary routines

38:16 Challenges for athletes transitioning after college

41:59 Advice for returning missionaries: Focus on Jesus

Remember, God is good and is planning on your success. And though you've been released from your mission, you haven't been released from your ministry.

Send us a text

In this episode (Sz4 Ep2) Colton Miller came on. Colton is a family man, an entrepreneur, a recovered porn abuser, and a defender of the faith.

In this episode, Talmage and Colton talk about: The power of the priesthood to heal, Colton’s story of finding porn so young, how porn has affected his life and marriage, his faith crisis, therapy techniques like EMDR and internal family systems, studying The Book of Mormon, and defending the gospel against hate online.

Colton’s Links:

https://www.instagram.com/colton_b_miller/

https://www.tiktok.com/@brother_miller

Talmage/Released’s Links

https://www.instagram.com/talmagethayne/

https://www.instagram.com/released_thepodcast/

https://www.youtube.com/@talmagethayne21

https://www.tiktok.com/@talmagethayne

Timecode:

0:00 Introduction and Colton Miller's Childhood

16:48 Mission Experiences and Post-Mission Challenges

28:38 Battling Feelings of Unworthiness

37:50 Inner Child Healing and Identity Formation

47:30 Navigating Relationships and Addiction

54:35 Personal Faith Journey and Doctrinal Understanding

1:03:13 Examining Controversial Church History Topics

1:13:54 Prophetic Fallibility and Modern Faith

1:18:26 Spiritual Experiences with the Book of Mormon

1:23:12 Defending and Living Faith in the Modern World

Remember, God is good and is planning on your success. And though you've been released from your mission, you haven't been released from your ministry.

Send us a text

In the first episode to launch season 4, we had Wes Wright on. Wes is a former BYU football player, avid golfer, gunshot survivor, and evangelist for Christ. In this episode, Talmage and Wes talk about: Casual discipleship, how the crime doesn't always fit the punishment with repentance, caring more about your standing with God than your standing with girls, and Wes's suicide attempt and his 2nd chance. This was an awesome episode to start of this new season.

Wes' Links

https://www.instagram.com/wesfunbro/

https://www.tiktok.com/@wesfunbro

Talmage's Links

https://www.instagram.com/talmagethayne/

https://www.youtube.com/@talmagethayne21

https://www.tiktok.com/@talmagethayne

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

5:09 Growing up with limited church involvement

16:18 Mission Experience andBible bashing

29:24 Returning home and struggling with faith

41:35 Breaking up and prioritizing spiritual growth

57:55 Wes's suicide attempt and miraculous survival

1:08:27 Finding purpose after surviving suicide attempt

1:13:35 Where to follow Wes's story online

1:17:54 Advice for returning missionaries

Remember, God is good and is planning on your success. And though you've been released from your mission, you haven't been released from your ministry.

Send us a text

Talmage Interviews TJ Faamausili about the three pillars of a successful return home. Order, Purpose and relationships helped TJ in his RELEASED STORY.

TJ is a Cohost of the popular podcast This Is Kingdom, he's a seminary teacher, is married to his wonderful wife lora and has a little boy. His post mission life has been blessed by the gospel and implementing these three pillars. But in spite of the blessings, lessons have had to be learned through hardship and hard work.

Join us as we discuss these pillars looked like in both Talmage and TJ's life.

You can find TJ on IG at
@tjfaamausili and @this.is.kingdom

If you want to watch the episode on Youtube subscribe to
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8EZ-7YBnrwt05tMnJhG3BQ

TalmageThayne
Released_thepodcast

Remember, God is good and is planning on your success. And though you've been released from your mission, you haven't been released from your ministry.

Send us a text

Talmage got to ask Connor Benich about his experience coming home from the mission. Connor's story goes through heart break, God's radio silence, Tiktok, dating, and a conversation you wouldn't think someone would have with God.

Season Three will be wrapping up after a few more episodes. We recorded them in the beginning of the year and we're excited to get these episodes out to everyone.

Please rate and review the podcast. It really helps us know what you want to hear more of. Thank you for listening.

Remember, God is good and is planning on your success. And though you've been released from your mission, you haven't been released from your ministry.