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Architecture of Abuse explores the widespread issue of child sexual abuse in Utah, with a particular focus on how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has historically responded to reports of abuse within its community. Hosted by Alyssa Grenfell, through the lens of veteran attorney and co-host Tim Kosnoff’s decades-long career representing survivors, and in conversation with clinical therapists, sociologists, historians, journalists, and researchers, some of whom are active LDS members, we examine the cultural, institutional, and historical forces that enable silence and protect abusers.
We aim to equip listeners with a deeper understanding of the scope of this issue, and how abuse can be properly prevented and addressed, while offering support and resources for survivors—including information about legal representation. Rooted in compassion and a call for accountability, this podcast invites listeners—especially members of the LDS Church—to be part of the movement for meaningful change.
⚠️ This podcast contains discussions about child sexual abuse. Please listen with care.
💡 All views expressed are opinions only and do not constitute legal advice.
Hosts | Alyssa Grenfell & Tim Kosnoff
Executive Producers | Lindsay Hansen Park & Eric W. Phillips
Producer | Lizzy Bean
Researcher | Emily Sellers
In this update, co-host and attorney Tim Kosnoff reflects on the impact of Architecture of Abuse’s first season. With tens of thousands of downloads and an outpouring of listener responses, the series has become a powerful resource for survivors of child sexual abuse—helping many find the language, courage, and support to take their first steps in speaking out.
Tim shares insights from the feedback he and the team have received, including how the series is resonating both inside and outside the LDS community. He recounts his experience presenting at the Sunstone Conference, where conversations highlighted the urgent need for broader awareness and education.
This update also addresses one of the most pressing listener questions: the existence of a proprietary database of abusers within the LDS Church. Tim explains why it has been kept private, how survivors can inquire about their abuser, and what’s next for the podcast.
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Episode Transcript:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aq8dt93dxnHEfiXX9OGE3wN1auSqxe50/view
Additional resources, and a contact form are available at ArchitectureOfAbuse.com
Contribute to the conversation:
➡️ Follow & subscribe to the podcast
➡️ Leave a review & rating
➡️ Follow https://instagram.com/architectureofabuse and https://tiktok.com/@architectureofabuse
➡️ Share the podcast with someone who might benefit from these discussions
All views expressed are opinions only and do not constitute legal advice.
Every case is unique and should be considered and handled on a case-by-case basis. Under current law, and after decades of experience bringing cases against institutions like the LDS Church, it is our professional opinion that there is no mechanism to handle CSA-related claims other than individually. Under current law we do not anticipate that, without substantial changes to the law, there will be a mechanism—class action, consolidated cases, federal multi-district actions, or anything else—that will allow these claims to proceed on anything other than an individual basis. They are all simply too fact dependent. For inquiries about legal representation, visit kosnoff.com
22 Jul 2025
Episode 7: Justice
When abuse was enabled or hidden by religious institutions, the idea of justice can take on many forms. In this powerful final episode of Season 1, attorney and co-host Tim Kosnoff and legal scholar Marci Hamilton join host Alyssa Grenfell to unpack the legal, cultural, and institutional obstacles survivors face when seeking accountability from the organizations society deems to be the most moral. Together, they explore the heartbreaking realities of delayed disclosure, the role of statute of limitations laws, and the entrenched systems that protect abusers, and Marci shares her experience challenging unconstitutional religious exemptions and leading the national fight to reform child sex abuse laws.
⚠️ This podcast contains discussions about child sexual abuse. Please listen with care.
Episode Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bv-uomyIdCeC9l-IHqLKXWwTGq0epZiD/view
Additional resources, and a contact form are available at ArchitectureOfAbuse.com
Visit CHILD USA’s website: https://childusa.org
God vs. the Gavel: Religion and the Rule of Law by Marci A. Hamilton. Cambridge University Press, June 2005.
Justice Denied: What America Must Do to Protect Its Children by Marci A. Hamilton. Cambridge University Press, April 2012.
Contribute to the conversation by:➡️ Following/subscribing to the podcast➡️ Leaving a review/rating➡️ Following https://instagram.com/architectureofabuse and https://tiktok.com/@architectureofabuse➡️ Sharing the podcast with someone who might benefit from these discussions
All views expressed are opinions only and do not constitute legal advice.
Every case is unique and should be considered and handled on a case-by-case basis. Under current law, and after decades of experience bringing cases against institutions like the LDS Church, it is our professional opinion that there is no mechanism to handle CSA-related claims other than individually. Under current law we do not anticipate that, without substantial changes to the law, there will be a mechanism—class action, consolidated cases, federal multi-district actions, or anything else—that will allow these claims to proceed on anything other than an individual basis. They are all simply too fact dependent. For inquiries about legal representation, visit kosnoff.com
Hosts | Alyssa Grenfell & Tim Kosnoff|Executive Producers | Lindsay Hansen Park & Eric W. PhillipsProducer | Lizzy BeanResearcher | Emily Sellers
18 Jul 2025
Deep Dive 6: A Survivor's Legal Guide
Attorney Tim Kosnoff breaks down what it means to file a legal claim as a survivor of abuse. With over four decades of experience representing victims within institutions like the LDS Church, Tim offers a concrete and reassuring look at what to expect, from overcoming the fear of making the first phone call to the possibility of a settlement. He addresses common myths and fears, explains key legal terms, and clarifies questions around confidentiality, privacy, and control. Most importantly, he emphasizes that you remain in charge—of the pace, the details you share, and the path forward. If you’ve ever considered taking legal action but felt overwhelmed, this episode is a powerful starting point to reclaim your voice, understand your options, and know you’re not alone.
Episode Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h9c5zyqxSeb8DbJ9Rn-D8tMF5Z-DU9vo/view
Additional resources, and a contact form are available at https://architectureofabuse.com
To discuss a potential claim with Tim, visit https://kosnoff.com
Contribute to the conversation by:
➡️ Following/subscribing to the podcast➡️ Leaving a review/rating➡️ Following https://instagram.com/architectureofabuse and https://tiktok.com/@architectureofabuse➡️ Sharing the podcast with someone who might benefit from these discussions
All views expressed are opinions only and do not constitute legal advice.
Every case is unique and should be considered and handled on a case-by-case basis. Under current law, and after decades of experience bringing cases against institutions like the LDS Church, it is our professional opinion that there is no mechanism to handle CSA-related claims other than individually. Under current law we do not anticipate that, without substantial changes to the law, there will be a mechanism—class action, consolidated cases, federal multi-district actions, or anything else—that will allow these claims to proceed on anything other than an individual basis. They are all simply too fact dependent. For inquiries about legal representation, visit https://kosnoff.com
Hosts | Alyssa Grenfell & Tim KosnoffExecutive Producers | Lindsay Hansen Park & Eric W. PhillipsProducer | Lizzy BeanResearcher | Emily Sellers
15 Jul 2025
Episode 6: Healing
What does healing look like after childhood sexual abuse, especially within systems that have long minimized, moralized, or silenced it? In this episode, we hear from LCSW Malia Burgess, alongside Dr. Julie Hanks and LMFT Natasha Helfer, as well as constitutional law professor, Marci Hamilton, as they unpack the messy, nonlinear, and deeply personal process of healing. From therapy access and cultural shame to Church-imposed repentance and systemic betrayal, this episode names the barriers survivors face, and the hope and power found in reclaiming your story. Hosted by Alyssa Grenfell and Tim Kosnoff.
⚠️ This podcast contains discussions about child sexual abuse. Please listen with care.
Episode Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D8KnbLOe2GaofaaFQJrR6bRg76_6U1TM/view
Additional resources, and a contact form are available at ArchitectureOfAbuse.com
Learn more about Encircle at https://encircletogether.orgLearn more about Malia Burgess at https://encircletogether.org/therapy/therapistsLearn more about Natasha Helfer at https://www.natashahelfer.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://instagram.com/natashahelfermft
Contribute to the conversation by:
➡️ Following/subscribing to the podcast➡️ Leaving a review/rating➡️ Following https://instagram.com/architectureofabuse and https://tiktok.com/@architectureofabuse➡️ Sharing the podcast with someone who might benefit from these discussions
All views expressed are opinions only and do not constitute legal advice.
Every case is unique and should be considered and handled on a case-by-case basis. Under current law, and after decades of experience bringing cases against institutions like the LDS Church, it is our professional opinion that there is no mechanism to handle CSA-related claims other than individually. Under current law we do not anticipate that, without substantial changes to the law, there will be a mechanism—class action, consolidated cases, federal multi-district actions, or anything else—that will allow these claims to proceed on anything other than an individual basis. They are all simply too fact dependent. For inquiries about legal representation, visit kosnoff.com
Hosts | Alyssa Grenfell & Tim KosnoffExecutive Producers | Lindsay Hansen Park & Eric W. PhillipsProducer | Lizzy BeanResearcher | Emily Sellers
11 Jul 2025
Deep Dive 5: A Guide for Parents
This candid Deep Dive with therapist and Encircle’s Director of Clinical Operations, Malia Burgess, takes us on a three-part journey: into the past that shaped us, the present we must reckon with, and the future we’re responsible for building. She begins by unpacking the generational trauma rooted in LDS pioneer mythology and how it impacts the behavior of children and youth in a culture that rewards long-suffering silence. For the present, she offers trauma-informed guidance for parents navigating conversations about bodies, boundaries, and what to do if a child discloses abuse or discomfort. Looking to the future, Malia shares advice on raising resilient children who trust their instincts and know how to say no when it matters. And for both survivors and their caregivers, she discusses what healing can look like across different therapeutic modalities.
Episode Transcript:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T7KO9o_N3masu9PQF9cMfIPmGUrWTuUj/view
Additional resources, and a contact form are available at ArchitectureOfAbuse.com
Learn more about Encircle at https://encircletogether.org
Learn more about Malia at https://encircletogether.org/therapy/therapists
Contribute to the conversation by:
➡️ Following/subscribing to the podcast
➡️ Leaving a review/rating
➡️ Following https://instagram.com/architectureofabuse and https://tiktok.com/@architectureofabuse
➡️ Sharing the podcast with someone who might benefit from these discussions
All views expressed are opinions only and do not constitute legal advice.
Every case is unique and should be considered and handled on a case-by-case basis. Under current law, and after decades of experience bringing cases against institutions like the LDS Church, it is our professional opinion that there is no mechanism to handle CSA-related claims other than individually. Under current law we do not anticipate that, without substantial changes to the law, there will be a mechanism—class action, consolidated cases, federal multi-district actions, or anything else—that will allow these claims to proceed on anything other than an individual basis. They are all simply too fact dependent. For inquiries about legal representation, visit kosnoff.com
Hosts | Alyssa Grenfell & Tim KosnoffExecutive Producers | Lindsay Hansen Park & Eric W. PhillipsProducer | Lizzy BeanResearcher | Emily Sellers
9 Jul 2025
Episode 5: Repression
Hosts Alyssa Grenfell and Tim Kosnoff interview sex therapist Natasha Helfer and undue influence expert Dr. Steven Hassan, who examine how the LDS Church's teachings on sexuality can foster silence and abuse by conditioning members to ignore discomfort and blurring lines between sin and justice.
4 Jul 2025
Deep Dive 4: Utah's Accident & Design
Attorney Tim Kosnoff and author Alyssa Grenfell analyze the historical rise and influence of the LDS Church in Utah, revealing how its power complicates accountability for abuse in this interview episode.
1 Jul 2025
Episode 4: The History
Historian Lindsay Hansen Park joins hosts Alyssa Grenfell and Tim Kosnoff in an interview to dissect the LDS Church's origins, revealing how secrecy and institutional power shaped its response to abuse.
27 Jun 2025
Deep Dive 3: "Be Ye Therefore Perfect"
Co-host Alyssa Grenfell explores the LDS Church's focus on outward righteousness and how it cultivates a culture that silences victims and enables abuse, featuring insights from Dr. Julie Hanks, Natasha Helfer, and Dr. Steven Hassan in this interview.
26 Jun 2025
Episode 3: Update with Dr. Julie Hanks
Dr. Julie Hanks discusses her departure from the LDS Church due to increasing scrutiny and feeling unsupported, highlighting the challenges of critiquing institutions in this interview with Tim Kosnoff.
24 Jun 2025
Episode 3: The Culture
Co-hosts Alyssa Grenfell and Tim Kosnoff, along with Dr. Julie Hanks and Dr. Steven Hassan, examine how LDS Church culture shapes beliefs and silences dissent, leaving children at risk in this interview episode.
20 Jun 2025
Deep Dive 2: The Boy Scouts of America
Attorney Tim Kosnoff discusses the history between the Boy Scouts of America and the LDS Church with host Alyssa Grenfell, revealing details of abuse claims and the organization's bankruptcy maneuver in this interview.
17 Jun 2025
Episode 2: The Response
Host Alyssa Grenfell, attorney Tim Kosnoff, and journalist Murray Jones analyze the LDS Church's financial resources and legal strategies to protect itself from liability, revealing the human cost of prioritizing the Church's reputation.
13 Jun 2025
Deep Dive 1: Church Reporting & Discipline
Co-hosts Tim Kosnoff and Alyssa Grenfell dissect the LDS Church's internal reporting and disciplinary processes, revealing how these systems can perpetuate silence and control regarding abuse allegations.
10 Jun 2025
Episode 1: The Problem
Co-hosts Alyssa Grenfell and Tim Kosnoff interview journalist Lisa Davis about institutional systems that perpetuate child sexual abuse within organizations, revealing how silence and deference enable harm.
23 May 2025
Trailer: Architecture of Abuse
Hosts Alyssa Grenfell and Tim Kosnoff preview their seven-episode podcast, Architecture of Abuse, which examines power structures within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that have enabled child sexual abuse.
Who has been a guest on Architecture of Abuse
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Natasha Helfer
Dr Steven Hassan
Lindsay Hansen Park
Dr Julie Hanks
Murray Jones
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
257,752,951
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
108 ratings
Spotify
4.9 / 5
52 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 81 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
89
Social presence
0
YouTube
93
Engagement
91
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