The Local Ward When Tragedy Strikes | A Conversation with Dan Duckworth

In this podcast episode, Kurt Francom and Dan Duckworth discuss the importance of addressing community tragedies within Latter-day Saint congregations. They explore how leaders can create spaces for healing and connection during difficult times, emphasizing the role of vulnerability and unity in fostering a supportive church environment. Dan Duckworth speaks, teaches, and writes on leadership, power, and systemic change. His forthcoming book, The Leader in Chains (spring 2026), challenges conventional ideas and calls for a radical rethinking of leadership—and how it is developed. Links Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Overview Perception of Community Needs: Leaders should be attuned to the emotional climate of their congregations, recognizing when community tragedies impact members. This awareness can guide appropriate responses. Risk of Vulnerability: Addressing difficult topics in church settings can feel risky, but it is essential for fostering genuine connections and healing. Leaders should embrace this risk to create a supportive environment. Purpose of Church: The church serves not only as a place for learning doctrine but also as a community for healing and support. Engaging in open discussions about current events can strengthen faith and unity. Creating Safe Spaces: Leaders can facilitate discussions that allow members to express their feelings and experiences, promoting emotional processing and community bonding. Driving the Hope Train: Leaders should focus on instilling hope and directing conversations toward Christ's teachings, using scriptural stories to provide comfort and guidance during challenging times. Leadership Applications Fostering Open Dialogue: Leaders can initiate conversations about current events or tragedies, encouraging members to share their feelings and experiences. This can be done through structured discussions or informal check-ins. Building Trust and Safety: By consistently creating a culture of vulnerability and support, leaders can ensure that members feel safe to express their emotions and seek help when needed. Integrating Healing into Meetings: Leaders can incorporate discussions of community challenges into regular meetings, ensuring that spiritual teachings are connected to real-life experiences, thus reinforcing the church's role as a healing community. Highlights 06:16 - Institutional vs. Leadership Responses 08:13 - Personal Experience of Grief 10:10 - The Purpose of Church in Times of Crisis 12:32 - The Role of Perception in Leadership 14:01 - A Personal Story of Compassion 16:17 - The Risk of Addressing Difficult Topics 17:41 - The Importance of Community Healing 19:12 - Audience Engagement and Reactions 20:00 - Navigating Political Sensitivities 22:08 - Creating a Safe Space for Discussion 23:37 - The Role of Vulnerability in Unity 25:32 - Addressing the Fear of Group Therapy 27:30 - Driving the Hope Train 30:06 - Preparing the Elders Quorum for Discussion 31:15 - The Impact of Leadership Culture 33:11 - Fulfilling the Purpose of Elders Quorum 38:14 - The Value of Risk in Leadership 40:00 - Living Life Together in Church 42:43 - The Dangers of Hypocrisy in Worship 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.