A Former Mormon Wife Has Thoughts on ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’

If you thought The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City was peak LDS reality drama, you were wrong. Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has kicked the beehive, and honey, the ex-Mormons are buzzing. Season two dropped on May 15, and Madi Murphy from The Bad Broadcast, a former Mormon wife herself, has a lot to say.

She binged all 10 episodes in one sitting and lived to tell about it. The girl was spiritually wrecked and running on very little sleep, but she showed up to break it all down, Utah-style—with a Diet Dr. Pepper and a soft “bless your heart.”

What is The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives?

Let’s just say it’s not your typical reality fare. This series is what happens when pastel-wearing, TikTok-famous Utah moms swap missionary tales for soft-swinging scandals. It’s based in a world where MLMs, mommy blogs, and Mormon guilt swirl together in a Stanley Cup cocktail of chaos.

And according to Madi, it’s not just adjacent to Mormonism—it’s steeped in it. “Maybe they’re not going to church anymore,” she said, “but the dynamics between people and families and boyfriends and kids—it’s all very deeply Mormon.”

The ex-Mormon POV: Not all spiritual trauma is created equal

Madi, who spent 25 years in the LDS Church, is no stranger to spiritual whiplash. But she makes it clear—her experience isn’t everyone’s: “I always get messages saying, ‘Well, that wasn’t my experience.’ And I say, that’s amazing! I’m glad it wasn’t. But don’t discredit mine either.”

She also hit back at people who get caught up in semantics. “Yes, I know it’s technically The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” she said. “But for the first 25 years of my life, it was Mormon. Tomato, to-mah-to.”

On reality TV, religion, and radical transparency

Madi Murphy’s biggest takeaway from the show? It’s not just drama—it’s therapy for viewers and cast members alike.

“This show got huge, and we’re watching these women navigate sudden fame, mental health issues, and Internet hate in real time,” she observed. “They’re not Real Housewives veterans. They’re new to this—and it shows, in both good and bad ways.”

She also acknowledged the filter we’re all watching through: “This is the edit we got. We’ll never know the full story. Reality TV is real—but only as real as a producer’s cut.”

Ketamine, coffee, and those murky Mormon rules

One of Madi’s most fascinating breakdowns centers around ketamine and the Mormon rules around substances.

“People ask, how can Mormons do ketamine therapy but not drink coffee?” she said. “Well, that’s Mormonism for you. The rules are muddy. There’s no black and white. A bishop might let someone smoke a pack a day and still go to the temple. But drink a latte? You’re out.”

As for garments, cannabis, and other “sins,” Madi summed it up like only an ex-Mormon could: “If Mormons love one thing, it’s a loophole. And I spent 25 years hunting for the best ones.”

Chase and the Halloween party

One of Madi’s favorite moments was the unhinged Halloween party showdown featuring Chase, the ex-husband with big villain energy and even bigger podcast flops.

“Chase has been waiting for this moment for three years,” she said. “I don’t like him. I don’t like how he talks to women. And when your ex-wife and your current girlfriend are hugging each other for comfort about your behavior? You’re the problem.”

She gave props to Jordan for getting in his face, and yes, she cackled along with the rest of us when Brett sprinted out of the house in a Chippendales costume. 

Why this show matters—even beyond the mess

Beneath the drama, Madi sees something bigger brewing. “Utah is perfect for reality TV,” she said. “The church connects everyone. Everyone’s served a mission, dated the same guy, or went to the same high school. And yet, everyone thinks they have the authority to say who these women really are.”

Her point? You don’t. “Your ex-roommate’s sister’s fiancé’s cousin being their bishop’s nephew doesn’t mean you know these people. These women deserve the benefit of the doubt.”

Final thoughts from one who’s lived it

Madi wrapped the episode with a dose of ex-Mormon wisdom: “I know I can’t be unbiased. I’m coming at you from the depths of Salt Lake City. But what I see are women trying to be honest, trying to figure it out, and putting themselves on the line for national criticism. That takes guts.”

So, whether you’re tuning in for the soft-swinging scandals, the Utah mom drama, or the sacred soda-fueled chaos, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is more than just your average reality binge. It’s a cultural reckoning in a feathered headband and a temple recommend.

And if you ask Madi? “Those are some bad bitches. And I respect them.”