Leading Saints in 2026
Leading Saints Podcast
Avoiding Cynicism and Staying Constructive
Kurt explains his editorial stance: address tough issues without cynicism and remain the church's advocate.
Where is Leading Saints going in 2026? Listen in to find out!
Links
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
Become a Zion Builder
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
Highlights
In this episode, Kurt Francom discusses the evolution of Leading Saints and the introduction of Zion Lab, an online community aimed at fostering leadership and cultural development among Latter-day Saints.
00:03:04 – Introducing Adam Treadwell
Introduction of Adam Treadwell and his connection to Leading Saints.
00:04:03 – North Star Conference
Promotion of the North Star Conference and its relevance to church leaders.
00:06:01 – Adam’s Journey with Leading Saints
Adam shares his experience and history with Leading Saints.
00:07:01 – Key Accomplishments of 2025
Summary of key achievements and insights from Leading Saints in 2025.
00:10:57 – Zion Lab Progress
Discussion on the development and functionality of Zion Lab as a community platform.
00:11:57 – In-Person Leadership Gatherings
Exploration of the impact of in-person leadership workshops and conferences.
00:12:28 – Understanding Zion Lab
Description of Zion Lab as a social media platform for church leaders.
00:16:06 – Personal Insights from 2025
Kurt shares personal reflections and insights gained throughout the year.
00:19:29 – Cultural Development in Leadership
Discussion on the importance of culture development in church leadership.
00:22:03 – Future of Leading Saints in 2026
Exploration of content distribution and future plans for Leading Saints.
00:25:23 – Expanding Language Resources
Discussion on the need for Spanish and other language podcasts.
00:27:53 – Importance of Zion Lab
Jared’s question about the significance of Zion Lab in the evolution of Leading Saints.
00:30:32 – Moderation in Zion Lab
Addressing concerns about moderating discussions and ensuring a safe community.
00:34:59 – Inclusivity in Discussions
Discussion on ensuring diverse voices are heard in Zion Lab.
00:35:38 – Eliminating Borders with Zion Lab
How Zion Lab can connect church leaders beyond geographical boundaries.
00:39:39 – Content Creation Process
Kurt explains his approach to finding and creating content for Leading Saints.
00:44:02 – Emerging Themes and Trends
Discussion on potential themes and trends for future content.
00:48:05 – Navigating Difficult Topics
Kurt shares his thoughts on addressing challenging subjects in church leadership.
Key Insights
Shift to Community Focus: Leading Saints is transitioning from being solely a podcast to a community-driven platform through Zion Lab, where leaders can share ideas and best practices.
Grassroots Leadership: Significant cultural shifts within the church will come from lay members rather than institutional changes, highlighting the role of individual initiative in building Zion.
Content Creation and Curation: The podcast will continue, but the emphasis will be on community-generated content, allowing for a broader range of voices and experiences to be shared.
Diversity of Perspectives: Zion Lab aims to create a safe space for discussions on various topics, including controversial issues, while ensuring that all voices are heard and respected.
Language Expansion: There are plans to expand content into other languages, recognizing the diverse experiences of Latter-day Saints worldwide.
Leadership Applications
Encouraging Participation: Leaders are encouraged to actively participate in Zion Lab, sharing their experiences and insights, which can help others in similar situations.
Fostering Community: By connecting with others in their local areas and beyond, leaders can find support and inspiration, reinforcing the idea that they are not alone in their challenges.
Embracing Change: Leaders should be open to new ideas and approaches, understanding that effective leadership often requires adapting to the unique needs of their communities rather than relying solely on institutional directives.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
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