An Undefended Heart - Bishop Karen P. Oliveto - Gather Conference 2025 - Lift+Love Podcast episode 87

On the mainstage of the 3rd annual Gather Conference, a live recording of Aubrey & Tim Chaves’ interview with Bishop Karen P. Oliveto. Tim and Aubrey Chaves grew up near Salt Lake City, Utah — and went to both high school and middle school together. Tim served a mission in Montevideo, Uruguay, before earning his undergraduate degree from BYU and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He is now an entrepreneur. Aubrey studied Elementary Education at Utah State and taught fourth grade before starting a cake decorating business. They are the parents of four children and serve on the executive board of _Faith Matters Foundation._ As co-hosts of the _Faith Matters_ podcast, Aubrey and Tim are passionate about creating honest, expansive, and thoughtful conversations around faith. Their LGBTQ+ allyship is at the heart of their commitment to cultivating spaces of deeper understanding, belonging, and love in their community. We are thrilled to welcome Bishop Karen Oliveto to Gather Conference! Through her life and writings, Bishop Oliveto offers grace-filled insights on how our shared commitment to following Jesus Christ can remain at the center of our relationships—even in the face of deep theological differences. Bishop Oliveto, now retired, served as a bishop of The United Methodist Church from 2016 to 2024, making history as the first openly LGBTQ+ bishop in the denomination. Previously, she was also the first woman to serve as senior pastor of one of the UMC’s 100 largest congregations. Her leadership and advocacy have earned national recognition. NBC named her one of 30 contemporary LGBTQ+ change-makers as part of their #Pride50 series, and the Center for American Progress recognized her as one of the Faith Leaders to Watch in 2021. She and her wife, Robin Ridenour, have been together for 25 years.

Video version of this interview is available here: https://youtu.be/qK6UtFu7jb8

The Gather Conference (a Lift+Love event) is an annual conference held in Provo, Utah. Gather Conference is a Christ-centered gathering for LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saints and those who love them. Join us for Gather Conference 2026 November 13-14th in Provo, Utah. Learn more about the Gather Conference here: www.liftandlove.org/gather

Lift+Love provides faith-affirming and identity-affirming support and resources for Latter-day Saint individuals and their families, friends, leaders, and allies. Learn more about the Lift+Love Organization here: www.liftandlove.org/about

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