Leading Saints Podcast

Expect the Unexpected as You Lead | A How I Lead Interview with Calvin Griffin

May 14, 2025

Calvin Griffin, president of the Denton, Texas stake, shares his inspiring conversion story and extensive leadership journey. He emphasizes the importance of aligning with prophetic keys and staying attuned to the Spirit in leadership roles. Griffin discusses the unexpected challenges leaders face and the power of commitment in faith. He also reflects on personal integrity and the significance of nurturing relationships within the church community, urging listeners to embrace vulnerability as a source of spiritual growth.

01:08:43

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Episode guests

Calvin Griffin

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Calvin Griffin emphasizes the importance of aligning leadership practices with spiritual principles and maintaining a close relationship with God.

He highlights the necessity of compassion in leadership and the significance of being attentive to ward members' needs.

Griffin discusses the need for leaders to rely on divine guidance for decision-making, illustrating this with a personal inspirational experience.

Deep dives

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Intro

5min

A Journey of Faith and Leadership in Texas

2min

A Journey of Faith and Commitment

4min

A Journey of Honesty and Faith

19min

Journey of Faith and Leadership

30min

Navigating Connections in Leadership

7min

The Power of Sharing Leadership Experiences

2min

Calvin Griffin was born in Northern Mississippi, where he grew up and attended high school and college. After graduation he became a franchisee of a successful national pizza chain in New Orleans, and also became engaged to Avemaria Champagne. President and Sister Griffin joined The Church one month apart from each other and have been faithful members for 37 years. They were both professionals in the pharmaceutical industry, and President Griffin worked as a senior category manager for a national pharmaceutical wholesale company. They have five children, ages 24 to 34 years.

President Griffin has a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and His role as Savior & Redeemer. He has served in a stake mission presidency, as a ward mission leader, Sunday School teacher, Young Men basketball coach, in an elders quorum presidency and high priest group leadership, as a bishop and stake high councilor, and as a stake presidency counselor. He currently serves as president of the Denton, Texas stake, loves the gospel, and extends an invitation to all to come unto Christ.

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Highlights

President Griffin shares his conversion story and leadership journey. He discusses his experiences as a leader and emphasizes the importance of aligning oneself with prophetic keys and the Spirit. President Griffin highlights the need to expect the unexpected in leadership. He also shares how he connects with and cares for his ward members, despite his busy calling.

Highlights coming soon

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. 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, 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 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.