Tony Martin, a Nashville songwriter who has written 16 #1 country music hits, is a believer as a songwriter that anything you’re immersed in will show up in your writing. So, when you know that Martin has been called to be a seminary teacher three times and has taught Sunday School, it comes as no surprise that religious themes have, at times, snuck into the country songs he writes for a living. But on this week’s episode, Martin talks about writing deliberately spiritual songs for the first time. 2:55- ‘Just What My Dad Did’  6:37- A Songwriter’s Process 12:40- Writing From Experience and Imagination 15:40- Criticisms and Evolution of Country Music 20:37- ‘I Believe Him’  23:47- The Book of Mormon—An Addition 25:18- ‘Old Man Said He Saw a Tree’ 29:36- Jacob’s Ladder and Working Out Your Own Salvation 33:03- The Horn Player 35:05- God Needs Drummers 38:56- The Lord Speaks To Everyone Differently 41:30- Giving Something Away For Nothing 45:31- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  “The Lord…wants good people to make music, the Devil doesn’t need to have all the good things.” —Tony Martin Witness: A Nashville Tribute to The Book of Mormon Spotify Deseret Book “Just to See Your Smile” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BYU Marriott School Dean, Brigitte Madrian, has loved learning her entire life. In fact, she was in the 8th grade when she decided she wanted to get a PhD. Since then, she has worked at some of the most prestigious institutions of learning in the country. Still, she recognizes that this love for learning at such a young age is unique and knowing what you want to do with your life in the 8th grade? Even more rare. Perhaps that is why she is so passionate about helping others discover their own thirst for knowledge. 2:44- An 8th Grader’s Dream 6:47- Using Research To Serve 12:04- 1989 BYU Commencement Address 18:53- Approaching Big Decisions 28:04- A Healthy Approach to Strengths and Weaknesses 36:44- ‘For Such A Time As This’ 44:44- Spiritual Component to Secular Learning 50:46- Lifelong Learning 53:16- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  “The Holy Ghost teaches us and testifies of truth—all truth—not just the truth that’s in the scriptures that we recognize but all truth, truths about running a business, truths about being a good leader…whatever the truths are, the Holy Ghost can testify of truth.” —Brigitte Madrian  Alice in Wonderland quote - “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.” President Kimball talk See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a man whose love inspires people during this time of year. Some might say it’s a man with a white beard who delivers Christmas presents to children around the world on a sleigh pulled by reindeer. But renowned Latter-day Saint painter Greg Olsen believes it is actually the Savior of the world who inspires Santa Claus himself. On this week’s episode, we talk with the artist about how he began painting in the first place but then why he chose to paint Santa Claus in addition to his many well-known paintings of Jesus Christ.  “Done in the right way, seen from the right perspective, Santa—that tradition—does carry on the mission of Jesus. Doing unto others, giving, serving, spreading love and cheer…it’s hard to separate those two.” —Greg Olsen  Show Notes 2:09- It Takes a Village To Raise an Artist 5:24- A Prophetic Statement 20:37- A Branch Full of Good Things 23:10- Reaching Outside of the Latter-day Saint World 28:57- Santa and the Savior 32:49- We Follow What Is Good 37:13- Lost and Found 42:02- Everyone’s an Artist 45:54- What Does It Mean to Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  Greg’s website Paintings referenced in the episode: The Spirit of Christmas Story of Christmas The Nativity Lost and Found See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chad Truman recalls a specific moment on his mission where he had questions—not a faith crisis, just questions. He remembers hearing the words: “After your faith comes the witness.” Truman Brothers now sing songs of faith—songs that make a deliberate effort to represent a real faith journey. On this week’s episode, we discuss music’s ability to testify of Christ while acknowledging that our testimonies rarely grow linearly. Show Notes 2:00- Sons of Dan Truman of Diamond Rio 6:51- Motivation 9:00- Uplifting Without Being Cheesy 12:09- The Power of Music 17:25- Husbands and Fathers 24:18- Atonement in Music 27:31- Not a Faith Crisis 32:30- Witness: A Nashville Tribute to the Book of Mormon 33:40- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? “I will ebb and flow on opinions, I will ebb and flow on confidence in certain pieces of testimony but the rod is just going to remain in my hands and that’s what all in is for me. I will go through this experience committed and I will respond to things as I do but nothing will row the boat enough to toss me.” —Ben Truman Truman Brothers - “Sounding Joy” “Oh Child” music video “Before the Calm” music video See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recent years, Michael McLean has encountered profound lessons about a father’s love. Although seemingly a shining light of optimism and success known for his work in the Latter-day Saint film and music space, McLean grappled with chronic depression, fostering self-doubt for an extended period. Nearly two decades ago, when his son came out and conveyed discontent about his upbringing, McLean's deepest insecurities seemed validated. Moreover, the silence from a perceived absence of God amplified his distress. On this week’s episode, we discuss McLean’s Forgotten Carols but, more importantly, how a loving Father never forgets His son. “The Atonement is not some cool thing that happened back in Gethsemane. It’s ongoing. He’s not stopping His work until He’s got us all healed—until He’s brought us all home.” —Michael McLean Show Notes 2:10- What Could’ve Been the End 12:59- Depression and the Forgotten Carols 18:44- Mr. Krueger’s Christmas 31:57- When God Seems Quiet 36:34- Two Fathers 48:42- “Let Him In” 51:51- What Does It Mean To Be All In? Links: The Forgotten Carols Michael’s video for the Church “Let Him In” “Mr. Krueger’s Christmas” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was considered one of the biggest snubs of the Women’s World Cup in 2023. Ashley Hatch has been around the United States Women’s National Team since 2016, and even played in multiple games for the national team in 2023. And yet, when the roster for the Women’s World Cup team was released, Ashley’s name wasn’t on it. The tough thing is that, like many disappointments in life, Ashley doesn’t really have an answer for why it didn’t work out the way she’d hoped. She does, however, recognize that she has the power to choose how she responds to that disappointment. “It’s an opportunity to either lean into your faith, lean into your testimony, or it’s an opportunity to lean away or push it away.” —Ashley Hatch Links & References: World Cup snubs The latest on Ashley’s Olympic hopes Temple open house story See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chad and Cherisse Lunt’s life took an unexpected turn when they welcomed their third child, Lucy, into the world. Unbeknownst to her parents, Lucy was born with a severe neuromuscular condition known as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). At the time of her diagnosis, Lucy wasn’t expected to live beyond her second birthday but just last month, she ordered all the supplies, sent all the invites, and threw her own 15th birthday party. “Weirdly enough, I’ll be a little sad [in the resurrection] because I won’t have my girl to hold or take care of.” —Chad Lunt Show Notes  1:56- Diagnosis and Prognosis 8:00- Why Not Us? 12:13- A Mother’s Care 15:10- Lucy Today 21:31- Advocating For Another 23:08- Quality of Life 25:35- Ministering in the Savior’s Way 33:42- Siblings Who Know the Plan 38:30 Why Serve Outside the Home? 41:55- Hope of a Resurrection 46:07- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Links & References:  Cherisse’s Instagram documents the Lunts’ journey with Lucy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Remembering those who have gone before us and recognizing that death is not the end—these are critical aspects of our faith as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are also at the core of the celebration known in Hispanic culture as Día de los Muertos. On this week’s episode, we learn more about how this celebration intersects with faith and tradition, and reminds us of the eternal nature of our family bonds. “If we were just to learn about all of the experiences that the Nephites had with our Savior Jesus Christ—if we were to pass that down and we were to believe it and put it into action in our lives, we would be better people and we would have a better connection with our Savior so that’s why I think our ancestors are so important to celebrate.” —Shiegrid Hernandez Show Notes 1:47- Growing Up in Mexico 6:13- Challenges of Coming to America 8:44- Embracing Latino Culture 10:37- A Recognizable Book 14:32- Honoring Ancestors 18:52- What Is Dia De Los Muertos? 22:24- Why the Skulls and Skeletons? 25:48- Symbolism in the Ofrenda 33:12- The Temple as a Latina Latter-day Saint 36:37- What Does It Mean to Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

McKay Coppins began covering Mitt Romney during the 2012 presidential race and because the two shared a common faith as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, other reporters often looked to McKay, a very young journalist at the time, as a source on Romney’s religion. Over a decade later, Coppins’ new biography profiles the Latter-day Saints’ life and career in the public sphere. In anticipation of the book’s release, we talk with Coppins on today’s episode about the faith that is deeply embedded into both he and Romney’s lives.  Show Notes  2:08- Varied Latter-day Saint Characters 5:04- “I’m Actually a Member of This Church” 7:27- Folding Into Faith 11:27- The Latter-day Saint on the Campaign Trail 16:22- Sharing Faith in a Secular Biography 22:24- Refusal to Denounce Faith 28:50- A Young Missionary in France 35:24- More To Your Life Than Making Money 40:38- The Worth of Integrity 45:21- By Their Fruits 49:10- Legacy 53:03- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  “I realized in that moment that I could do both. I didn’t have to pretend like I wasn’t a Latter-day Saint to be a good reporter and I didn’t have to be a bad reporter to be a good Latter-day Saint. I could do all of it and I wasn’t going to set aside my faith.” —McKay Coppins  Links & References:  Romney: A Reckoning biography  Romney on CBS News See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Osmonds reached what was arguably the peak of their fame in 1973. That year, the band made what many considered an interesting decision and released The Plan, a landmark album that explored the eternal nature of God’s plan and the role of Jesus Christ in salvation. Alan Osmond almost always sang backup vocals but, as the oldest of the Osmond brothers, was in many ways the leader of the brothers’ group and the writer of many of the Osmonds’ songs. In this episode, Alan shares the inspiration behind The Plan as we celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the album.  “We’re not ashamed of the gospel and that’s why I just can’t be quiet about it.”  Show Notes 1:46- Beginnings 8:10- Sharing the Gospel Through Music 14:31- A Rock Opera  28:06- Osmondmania 34:59- Support of the Church 41:48- Multiple Sclerosis 47:51- Elvis and the Queen 49:57- What Does It Mean to Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  Links & References: Listen to “The Plan” album in full The Plan Promo video LDS Living stories about The Osmonds See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.