Best Signature Books Podcasts (2024)

1
Writing Mormon History 2: Authors' Stories Behind Their Works 1:00:49

4h ago1:00:49

1:00:49

Dive into the stories behind Mormonism’s best-known histories with Signature’s soon-to-be released anthology, Writing Mormon History 2. Authors and contributors Joe Geisner, Elisa Eastwood Pulido, Roger D. Launius, and Konden R. Smith Hansen join Signature editorial manager John Hatch for a lively discussion of their work behind their books that ma…

1
"Fifty Years of Exponent II" Authors & Contributors Discuss Feminism and Mormonism 55:06

15d ago55:06

55:06

Authors Katie Ludlow Rich and Heather Sundahl, along with contributors Kalani Tonga, Linda Hoffman Kimball, and Amy McPhie Allebest, discuss the background behind Fifty Years of Exponent II with Signature Books director Barbara Jones Brown. Covering topics from origins of the book to the intersection of Mormonism and feminism, you will love hearing…

1
To Be a Friend of Christ: The Life of Marion D. Hanks 48:26

30d ago48:26

48:26

Marketing specialist Beth Brumer-Reeve talks with author Richard D. Hanks about his new book, To Be a Friend of Christ: The Life of Marion D. Hanks, just released by Signature Books. In this discussion, Richard shares how his father, Marion, was always willing to champion the underdog while a prominent leader within the Church of Jesus Christ of La…

1
Fifty Years of Exponent II 1:02:39

3M ago1:02:39

1:02:39

Join special guest host Rachel Rueckert, editor-in-chief of Exponent II magazine, for an insightful conversation with Katie Ludlow Rich and Heather Sundahl about their soon-to-be-released book, Fifty Years of Exponent II. They explore the common themes that feminist women have been facing since the inception of the Exponent II in 1974. Katie Ludlow…

1
Scholars Share New Insights on Early Mormon Polygamy 54:49

5M ago54:49

54:49

Listen as contributors to the new volume, Secret Covenants: New Insights on Early Mormon Polygamy, delve into the complex history of early Mormon polygamy. The discussion covers Joseph Smith's controversial marriage proposals, the enduring fascination with the practice, and the pivotal role of Fanny Alger in the narrative. The guests emphasize the …

1
The Book of Queer Mormon Joy 27:42

6M ago27:42

27:42

Marketing specialist Beth Brumer-Reeve is joined by Kerry Spencer Pray, editor and one of more than thirty essayists in The Book of Queer Mormon Joy, just released by Signature Books. In this discussion, Kerry addresses how this book came to life, the importance of focusing on joy in the queer community, and why everyone should read it. Kerry Spenc…

1
An Evening with Signature Poets 2024 51:12

6M ago51:12

51:12

Signature Books held a captivating evening of poetry to celebrate National Poetry Month with our amazing authors. Utah Poet Laureate Lisa Bickmore emceed the event and introduced our two most recently published poets, Maureen Clark, author of This Insatiable August, and Darlene Clark, author of Count Me In. Other poets who read include Marilyn Bush…

1
Author Darlene Young discusses her latest poetry collection "Count Me In" 29:21

7M ago29:21

29:21

Poet Darlene Young talks with Signature marketing specialist Beth Brumer Reeve about her latest book, Count Me In, and how it is a testament to showing up within her faith community and in life. Aubrey Chaves, co-host of the Faith Matters podcast, says Darlene “does the soul work of connecting us to the divinity and richness of the everyday.” Count…

1
Featuring Signature’s Women Authors and Subjects 1:20:20

7M ago1:20:20

1:20:20

In honor of Women’s History Month, Signature Books director Barbara Jones Brown talks with just some of the many women authors and editors who are soon-to-publish their books with Signature, including: Cheryl L. Bruno, editor of Secret Covenants: New Insights on Early Mormon Polygamy Katie Ludlow Rich & Heather Sundahl, authors and editors of a 50-…

1
Michael Quinn's daughters, "Chosen Path" annotators discuss his new memoir 1:07:20

8M ago1:07:20

1:07:20

At this recent event at Signature Books, D. Michael Quinn’s two daughters and the annotators of Quinn’s posthumously published book, Chosen Path, shared what they learned about this enigmatic historian and father—and about twentieth-century Mormonism—through reading his remarkable new memoir. Listen in to this candid conversation as Mary Quinn, Lis…

1
Sneak Peak at Signature’s Forthcoming Books 42:30

9M ago42:30

42:30

In this episode, Signature marketing manager Devery Anderson talks with director Barbara Jones Brown and marketing specialist Beth Brumer-Reeve about our forthcoming titles over the next several months. Seven books will be released during the first half of 2024. First are two volumes of poetry, Maurine Clark’s This Insatiable August and Darlene You…

1
Author Maureen Clark on This Insatiable August 42:33

10M ago42:33

42:33

In this episode, we talk with Maureen Clark about her collection of poetry, This Insatiable August, which releases in February 2024 wherever Signature Books are sold. Clark, a writer and poet living in Bountiful, Utah, redefines her voice in what poet Dayna Patterson calls "a tender miracle of a book." Listen in as she speaks about growing up Mormo…

1
Panelists discuss D. Michael Quinn's new memoir, Chosen Path 43:26

10M ago43:26

43:26

In this episode, D. Michael Quinn’s son, Moshe; Equality Utah executive director Troy Williams; and historian Sara M. Patterson join Signature Books director Barbara Jones Brown for a compelling conversation on Mike Quinn’s remarkable new memoir, Chosen Path, newly published by Signature Books. D. Michael Quinn will long be remembered as one of the…

1
Tribute Event for Lavina Fielding Anderson 1:19:19

11M ago1:19:19

1:19:19

The Mormon Studies community lost an icon in October with the death of Lavina Fielding Anderson. She was an important presence and voice for decades as an editor at the Ensign magazine, as an associate editor of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, editor of the Journal of Mormon History, as a professional editor who helped shape numerous article…

1
Alex Douglas on The Old Testament for Latter-day Saints 49:57

11M ago49:57

49:57

This episode features Alex Douglas, author of the new book, The Old Testament for Latter-day Saints. He and Signature marketing manager Devery Anderson discuss how biblical scholarship has enriched our understanding of the Hebrew Bible and specifically what this means for LDS Church members. How should they view statements in the Book of Mormon tha…

1
Thomas G. Alexander on John A. Widtsoe: Scientist and Theologian 28:52

12M ago28:52

28:52

Today we talk with historian Thomas G. Alexander, author of John A. Widtsoe: Scientist and Theologian 1872-1952, a new biography in Signature’s Brief Biography series. Widtsoe (1872–1952) served as an LDS apostle for over thirty years and came to this position as an established author, scientist, and administrator, who believed science and religion…

1
Noel Carmack on Useful to the Church and Kingdom: The Journals of James H. Martineau, Pioneer and Patriarch, 1850-1918 59:11

1y ago59:11

59:11

On this episode we talk to Noel Carmack, co-editor with Charles M. Hatch of the new two-volume work to be released in early November, Useful to the Church and Kingdom: The Journals of James H. Martineau, Pioneer and Patriarch, 1850-1918. Martineau converted to Mormonism in 1850 and spent his life as a surveyor, mapmaker, civil engineer, and leader …

1
The Path and the Gate: A Look at Contemporary Mormon Fiction 39:43

1y ago39:43

39:43

In today’s podcast, we talk with Andrew Hall, associate professor of East Asian History at Kyushu University, and Robert Raleigh, editor of In Our Lovely Deseret: Mormon Fictions, published by Signature Books. Their current book, The Path and the Gate: Mormon Short Fiction, is a collection of twenty-three short stories stemming from the prompt, “Th…

1
The September Six and The Struggle for the Soul of Mormonism 38:05

1y ago38:05

38:05

September 2023 marks the thirtieth anniversary of what came to be dubbed “The September Six,” in which the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints excommunicated or disciplined six intellectuals and activists. Today’s guest is Professor Sara M. Patterson, speaking about her just-released book on the subject, The September Six and The Struggle f…

1
Sneak peak of 50 Years of Exponent II 17:19

1y ago17:19

17:19

From 1872–1914, Latter-day Saint suffragists in Utah published a women’s rights newspaper called the Woman’s Exponent. In 1974, a group of Boston women that included historians Laurel Thatcher Ulrich and Claudia Bushman began publishing Exponent II, a quarterly periodical that they called a “spiritual descendant” of the original Exponent. Exponent …

1
The Mormon Lives Series: From Apostles to Apostates 52:59

1y ago52:59

52:59

This episode is from the 2023 Sunstone Symposium, Session 173, held on July 28, and features a panel of five authors of Signature's Mormon Lives series: Gary Topping, Constance Lieber, Newell Bringhurst, Stephen Carter, and Kenneth L. Cannon II. Signature Books publishes brief biographies about historical Mormon figures from across the belief spect…

1
The Spiritual Paths of the September Six 1:01:10

1y ago1:01:10

1:01:10

In September 1993, six LDS scholars were disciplined by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, part of a larger purge that affected many more people long before and after September 1993. In a session titled “Spiritual Paths of the September Six Thirty Years Later,” at the July 2023 Sunstone Symposium, members of the September Six and othe…

1
Interview with Kenneth L. Cannon II about his book, "George Q. Cannon" 58:13

1+ y ago58:13

58:13

Listen as Signature Marketing Manager Devery Anderson interviews Ken Cannon about his new book, "George Q. Cannon: Politician, Publisher, Apostle of Polygamy." George Q. Cannon is generally acknowledged as second only to Brigham Young as the most visible leader of Mormonism in the mid- to late-nineteenth century. He became Young’s protégé and was a…

1
Interview with Robert A. Rees About “Why I Stay” and other Items 42:38

1+ y ago42:38

42:38

For episode twenty-six, Signature marketing manager Devery Anderson talks with Robert A. Rees. Bob has been a prominent and thoughtful presence in Mormon Studies for decades. With the Sunstone Symposium coming up later this month, and Bob having edited two books with Signature with essays taken from the popular “Why I Stay” session of the symposium…

1
Dan Vogel on “Charisma under Pressure: Joseph Smith, American Prophet, 1831–1839” 1:07:39

1+ y ago1:07:39

1:07:39

For episode twenty-five, Signature marketing manager Devery Anderson talks with Dan Vogel about his new book, Charisma under Pressure: Joseph Smith, American Prophet, 1831–1839, which deals with Joseph Smith’s middle years while he directed the Latter-day Saint movement from Kirtland, Ohio, and Far West, Missouri. Vogel focuses on the word “charism…

1
Author Night at Signature Books: Brief Mormon Lives Series 1:00:19

1+ y ago1:00:19

1:00:19

On Tuesday, May 23, Signature Books held an evening with four authors of our Brief Biography Series. Begun in 2021, this ongoing series has produced four titles with two more coming this year. Each biography offers a brief and enlightening overview into the lives of significant people of the Latter-day Saint tradition. The authors talked about thei…

1
Gary Bergera on Richard S. Van Wagoner’s Natural Born Seer 32:30

1+ y ago32:30

32:30

For episode 23, Signature marketing manager Devery Anderson talks with Gary Bergera about the three-volume Joseph Smith biography project that Bergera commissioned back in the early 2000s, which has just been completed. More particularly, they discuss the first book in the chronology, Richard S. Van Wagoner’s Natural Born Seer: Joseph Smith, Americ…

1
Celebrate National Poetry Month with Signature Poets 1:21:47

1+ y ago1:21:47

1:21:47

In honor of National Poetry Month, we gathered Signature poets from the past four decades to read from their published collections. Listen in as we celebrate these wonderful wordsmiths, beginning with Dayna Patterson sharing from her recently released O Lady, Speak Again, and finishing with Utah Poet Laureate Lisa Bickmore reminiscing with us from …

1
What’s Cooking at Signature Books in 2023? 43:21

1+ y ago43:21

43:21

In this episode, marketing manager Devery Anderson discusses with company director Barbara Jones Brown and managing editor John Hatch a few of Signature’s forthcoming titles . This episode is sure to whet your appetite for some great books in biography, documentary history, contemporary issues, and memoir. Just released, Dan Vogel’s magisterial Cha…

1
Signature's Staff Are Authors Themselves 54:46

1+ y ago54:46

54:46

Did you know that Signature staff members are also book authors? In this episode, marketing specialist Beth Brumer Reeve talks with marketing manager Devery Anderson, company director Barbara Jones Brown, and editorial manager John Hatch about the books they’ve recently authored–all coincidentally released in 2023–and how being authors informs thei…

1
Unveiling "Dr. Clandestine" 1:14:50

1+ y ago1:14:50

1:14:50

This episode is a panel discussion about a mysterious incident in 1977, in which an anonymous writer printed hundreds of pamphlets refuting Jerald and Sandra Tanner’s Mormonism—Shadow or Reality?, placed them in a storage locker, then mailed the key and a letter to bookseller Sam Weller, asking him to distribute them. The story of what happened nex…

1
18. Virginia Sorensen biographer Stephen Carter 55:42

1+ y ago55:42

55:42

In honor of Women's History Month, in this episode we discuss the life of Virginia Sorensen: Pioneering Mormon Author, with her biographer, Steven Carter. Though Sorensen was a New York Times bestselling author and winner of the prestigious Newbery Medal, this is the first biography written about her fascinating life and work. Carter contextualizes…

1
Interview with Lisa Bickmore about her re-released book of poetry "Haste." 55:34

1+ y ago55:34

55:34

For episode 17, we talk with writer Lisa Bickmore about her re-released book of poetry "Haste." Originally published by Signature Books in 1994, it is now back in print to commemorate Lisa's appointment as Utah Poet Laureate. In this interview, we delve into what it's like for Lisa to revisit her words almost 30 years later, and how poetry can prov…

1
Interview with Dayna Patterson, author of “O Lady, Speak Again" 45:34

1+ y ago45:34

45:34

For episode 16, we talk with Dayna Patterson about her newly released collection of poetry, O Lady, Speak Again. Patterson engages with her faith crisis in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, her "ladylike rage" with the patriarchy, and how writing poetry has been a safe way to speak her truth. She also reads two poems from her book th…

1
Panel Discussion with Contributors of DNA Mormon: Perspectives on the Legacy of Historian D. Michael Quinn 54:23

2y ago54:23

54:23

Episode 15 is a recording of a panel discussion held at the Signature Books offices on Thursday, January 19, 2023, moderated by Benjamin E. Park, editor of the new book, DNA Mormon: Perspectives on the Legacy of Historian D. Michael Quinn. Seven of the contributors to the book joined Park for the discussion: Maxine Hanks, Patrick Q. Mason, Gary Jam…

1
Interview with Wineskin: Freakin’ Jesus in the ‘60s and ‘70s Memoirist, Michael Hicks 1:02:47

2y ago1:02:47

1:02:47

For episode 14, we talk with Michael Hicks, author of the new memoir Wineskin: Freakin’ Jesus in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Although we know Hicks as a scholar who writes on Mormonism and music and taught at Brigham Young University for thirty-five years, his background was anything but a conventional LDS upbringing. For the first seventeen and a half year…

1
Interview with Dr. Martha Hughes Cannon author, Constance Lieber 30:19

2y ago30:19

30:19

Utah’s legislature recently voted to send a statue of Dr. Martha Hughes Cannon to represent the state in the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall. Just who was Mattie Cannon, as she was known, and why does she matter today? Defeating her own husband in an election, Cannon became the first female state senator in the nation a quarter-century before most U.S…

1
2022 Sunstone Symposium Session with In Sacred Loneliness author, Todd Compton 48:56

2y ago48:56

48:56

For episode 12, we present a session of the 2022 Salt Lake Sunstone Symposium held on Saturday, July 30, titled, “In Sacred Loneliness: The Documents––An Introduction and a Reading.” Here, historian Todd Compton discusses his new book; the session also includes six women who read the words of some of the women who married Joseph Smith in…

1
Interview with Eight Myths of the Great Apostasy author, Gregor McHardy 39:56

2y ago39:56

39:56

For Episode 11, we interview Gregor McHardy, author of Eight Myths of the Great Apostasy. Latter-day Saints have long taught that for there to have been a Restoration, the original church led by Jesus and his apostles had to have been taken from the earth due to falsehoods creeping in, which then led to authority to govern the church being lost. Fr…

1
Interview with Memoirist Laurie Lee Hall 46:44

2y ago46:44

46:44

If you’ve ever seen Salt Lake City’s Church History Library, Provo’s new Missionary Training Center, or many of the modern temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you’ve likely appreciated the beauty of these structures. What you may not know is that these iconic buildings were designed by a transgender woman. In this episode, S…

1
Interview with In Sacred Loneliness author, Todd Compton 36:26

2y ago36:26

36:26

Twenty-five years ago, Todd Compton broke new ground with In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith, each chapter containing biographies of the thirty-three women Compton identified as having married the Mormon prophet. This new volume, In Sacred Loneliness: The Documents, contains the primary source material created by these women, wh…

1
Interview with Susa Young Gates author, Romney Burke 32:07

2y ago32:07

32:07

In episode 8, Signature Books director Barbara Jones Brown talks with Romney Burke about his new biography of Susa Young Gates, the most famous and accomplished of Brigham Young’s fifty-six children. She was loyal to her father and her church, founded the Young Woman’s Journal and Relief Society Magazine, and was an author of poetry, fiction, and b…

1
2022 Sunstone Symposium Session with Lighthouse author, Ron Huggins, and Sandra Tanner 45:12

2y ago45:12

45:12

In episode 7, author Ron Huggins and Sandra Tanner return to talk further about Ron’s new book, Lighthouse: Jerald and Sandra Tanner, Despised and Beloved Critics of Mormonism. This episode was a session of the Sunstone Symposium that took place in Sandy, Utah, at the Mountain America Expo Center, on Saturday, July 30, 2022. It is a discussion mode…

1
Interview with Lighthouse author, Ron Huggins, and Sandra Tanner 1:03:07

2+ y ago1:03:07

1:03:07

In episode 6, author Ron Huggins and Sandra Tanner join us to discuss Ron’s new book, Lighthouse: Jerald and Sandra Tanner, Despised and Beloved critics of Mormonism. For years the Tanners together ran—and today Sandra still runs—the Utah Lighthouse Ministry. Living and operating just blocks from the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of La…

1
Interview with Barbara Jones Brown, Signature Books Company Director 18:24

2+ y ago18:24

18:24

In episode 5, Barbara Jones Brown, new company director of Signature Books, and the first woman to hold this position, introduces herself to listeners and shares her thoughts about the company and her vision for its future. She also discusses her background and her own work in Mormon history. Not only is she co-author of a forthcoming book on the M…

1
Interview with The Year They Gave Women the Priesthood author, Michael Fillerup 44:21

2+ y ago44:21

44:21

In episode 4, author Michael Fillerup talks about his new collection, The Year They Gave Women the Priesthood and Other Stories. The lead story under the same title opens this spectacular volume of thoughtful, disturbing, enlightening, and brilliant essays. What would it be like in the LDS Church if it were led by women? Could the men handle it? Co…

1
Interview with Harold B. Lee author, Newell Bringhurst 58:18

2+ y ago58:18

58:18

In episode 3, historian and professor emeritus Newell G. Bringhurst and I discuss his new book Harold B. Lee: Life and Thought. Lee’s tenure as LDS Church president was short—less than eighteen months, but his influence upon Mormon practice and policy spanned the 1930s and into the 1970s. Anyone who knew him had an opinion about him. He was strong-…

1
Interview with D. Michael Quinn author, Gary Topping 40:14

2+ y ago40:14

40:14

In episode 2, retired archivist and writer Gary Topping sits down with me to talk about his new biography, D. Michael Quinn: Mormon Historian, newly published by Signature Books. We discuss Quinn’s early life, the influences that led him to research and write Mormon history, as well as some insight into the man himself. His was not the typical Morm…

1
Interview with B. H. Roberts author, John Sillito 1:06:17

2+ y ago1:06:17

1:06:17

In Episode 1, historian and archivist John Sillito discusses his new book, B. H. Roberts: A Life in the Public Arena, published by Signature Books. We talk about Roberts’s life as a young Mormon convert, born in England and raised in Utah, and what led to his becoming perhaps the most prominent intellectual in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-d…

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