The Next Mormons - Dr. Jana Riess

Opinions Issues & Entertainment Interview Series

Welcome to The Not Old Better Show. I'm Paul Vogelzang, and this is episode #333.

As part of our continuing series on opinion and issues facing families today, we're talking religion.

Yes, religion.

We've talked a lot about it before, and you can be assured, we'll talk about it again.

No "redirecting the topic here, to be subtly polite." You know what I mean, if someone brings it up, we're taught to be polite by shifting the conversation to something unrelated, without being too obvious. Only, I tend to think it's VERY OBVIOUS.

For example, imagine Uncle Bob says something like, "kids these days just aren't going to church. It's all that rock n' roll they're listening to. Right?" And, you might follow up with "speaking of kids, I've been meaning to ask: how's your son doing at college?"  Sheesh…not subtle at all.

So, we'll dispense with that for today, and we'll dispense with any "boomer vs millennial" myths, and talk about real research.

Today, my guest is a research scientist, Dr. Jana Riess. Dr. Riess is the author of the new book "The Next Mormons: How Millennials Are Changing the LDS Church."

Religion, often divisive, and polarizing, but important to us, important to families, and important to you, The Not Old Better Show audience. I will say, this is an important subject to me and my family. I don't typically discuss, as I prefer these shows to be about the guests, but I, personally, am more than just a bit "bought in." How so? Well, I'm the husband to a late in life convert to the Church, I'm the father to a gay man, and I'm the father of a current LDS Church missionary. Plus, of course, I'm a boomer. I truly hit the sweet spot, and feel this subject daily, need to know more about it, living it, and loving my Church. 

What will come in the days ahead for the Church, knowing of these questions, and how best to answer young people, is what we'll learn today from Dr. Riess.

That, of course, is our guest today, Dr. Jana Riess. Dr. Riess' new book, The Next Mormons: How Millennials Are Changing The LDS Church, is based on Dr. Riess' major national study which shows how millennial Mormons are changing, even leaving, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Dr. Jana Riess is a columnist and former Publisher's Weekly religion reviews editor and let's welcome her to The Not Old Better Show, via internet phone.

The book is available starting today at Amazon (

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