Faith Matters

In a vibrant conversation, Steven Sharp Nelson, known as “The Cello Guy” from The Piano Guys, shares how his journey with ADHD transformed from confusion to a spiritual gift. He highlights the energy and sensitivity that comes with ADHD and how it fuels his creativity and connection to God. With personal anecdotes, he emphasizes viewing ADHD as a 'superpower' and discusses the importance of embracing both challenges and joys. Steve also offers insights on nurturing creativity and the role of faith in transforming perceived weaknesses into blessings.

Phil Barlow, author of 'A Thoughtful Faith for the 21st Century' and a prominent scholar on faith and intellect within the Latter-day Saint tradition, shares insights from his new book. He discusses the evolution of faith since 1986, emphasizing inclusivity and community. Reflecting on personal faith journeys, he addresses the importance of embracing uncertainty and confronting historical truths. Barlow advocates for compassion in navigating differing perspectives and highlights how love and creativity can connect human experiences to the divine.

Jared Halverson, a scholar adept at navigating faith challenges, and Terryl Givens, a noted religious scholar, engage in a thought-provoking discussion on whether doubt can serve as a spiritual gift. They propose that faith and doubt are not opposites, but rather coexist to foster deeper spiritual growth. The conversation highlights the importance of embracing uncertainties and the evolution of personal spirituality in today's context. Ultimately, they argue that the journey of belief should embrace both faith and doubt as allies in spiritual development.

With Mother’s Day coming up, we’re so honored to bring you this conversation with McArthur Krishna about her new book, Mother in Heaven: A Gospel Topics Essay Study Guide.The doctrine of Heavenly Mother is one of the most beautiful and distinctive Latter-Day Saint teachings—but for many, it’s still unfamiliar territory. McArthur and her co-authors created this study guide as an invitation to engage with this doctrine more deeply. Drawing on the church’s Gospel Topics essay, the book explores each point through art, rich personal reflections, and theological insights with contributions from many people whose names you may recognize- Patrick and Melissa Mason, Tom Christofferson, and Bethany Brady Spalding to name a few. What emerges is a beautiful tapestry of reverence, curiosity, and lived faith.In this conversation, we explore how the simple truth that we are “beloved spirit children of Heavenly Parents” carries profound implications for how we understand the nature of God. It suggests that divinity isn’t solitary or hierarchical—it’s relational, that we’re not subjects of a distant king but members of a divine family. And that shift transforms the way we see God, one another, and ourselves.McArthur highlights how essential it is for women to have a divine role model and that becoming like Her means learning to use our agency with wisdom and courage. It means aligning with God, trusting the revelation we receive, and standing by it—even when it’s hard. As McArthur puts it, “sovereignty is how we begin to practice godhood.”We hope that as you celebrate Mother’s Day this year, this conversation invites you to remember and honor our Heavenly Mother and embrace the truth that we are Her daughters and sons too, born with the divine potential to become like Her.We’re so grateful to McArthur for her courage, vision, and voice. And with that, here’s our conversation with McArthur Krishna.https://bookshop.org/a/108982/9781734228724https://amzn.to/3RG0USG 

This week, we’re so glad to be sharing a conversation with our friend Chad Ford.Chad is a conflict mediator, peace educator, and associate professor of religious studies at Utah State University. He’s spent decades working in some of the most entrenched conflict zones in the world—from the Middle East to South Africa to Northern Ireland. He’s also the author of a new book called Seventy Times Seven: Jesus’s Path to Conflict Transformation, published by Deseret Book. The book explores a question that feels more urgent than ever: how do we follow Jesus as peacemakers in a world so often shaped by fear, division, and violence?Our conversation with Chad moved from the personal to the global—from tensions in families and faith communities to the devastating conflicts we see on the world stage. And through all of it, Chad points back to Jesus as a radical model for how to live, engage, and help transform the world around us.Chad reminds us that Jesus’s path is anything but passive. It doesn’t mean disengaging or avoiding hard conversations. It means choosing to engage with both courage and compassion. It means refusing to meet harm with more harm, and instead walking a path that invites healing, reconciliation, and transformation.That kind of peace doesn’t come quickly—or easily—but it’s the kind of peace that can change lives and communities. Chad offers a vision of Christianity rooted in Jesus’ ministry of reconciliation—not in dominance or defensiveness, but in the slow, often difficult work of restoring wholeness.He helped us see that the peace Jesus offers isn’t always the peace we want—but it’s the peace we need. And when the way forward feels impossible, he reminds us that part of discipleship is learning to make a way out of no way.And with that, here’s our conversation with ChadSeventy Time Seven

Amanda Suarez, a school psychologist and conscious parenting coach, and Jon Ogden, a writer and author, co-founded Uplift Kids to help families explore spirituality and emotional health. They share a refreshing view of Easter, intertwining the resurrection story with chocolate bunnies and deep questions. Their approach honors each child's stage and invites diverse family beliefs, promoting open dialogue and connection. Through relatable analogies, they emphasize hope and transformation, encouraging families to embrace all layers of the Easter narrative.

Adam Miller, a philosopher, and Rosalynde Welch, a scholar of Mormon studies, team up to explore their new book, 'Seven Visions.' They discuss how revelation acts as an evolving conversation, shaped by our relationships and life experiences. The pair delves into the importance of discomfort in scripture interpretation, suggesting that questioning can enhance understanding. They also highlight how genuine visions lead to positive transformations, and intimate relationships challenge spiritual growth, inviting us to engage deeply with both scripture and community.

Join McArthur Krishna, an acclaimed author of children's literature, and Anne Pimentel, founder of Meetinghouse Mosaic, as they celebrate women who have shaped the Church through their impactful stories. They discuss the transformative role of grassroots movements in faith communities, the importance of embracing imperfections, and how personal pain can catalyze growth. The conversation highlights women's leadership in both religion and business while advocating for inclusivity and creativity, reminding us that every voice plays a crucial part in driving meaningful change.

Join hosts Jared Halverson and a trio of insightful guests: Aubrey Chaves, a regular co-host focused on women's experiences; Bethany Brady Spalding, who shares her personal insights on women's roles; and Kathryn Knight Sonntag, discussing the dynamics of gender in the church. They delve into the conversations sparked by a viral video on women leaving the church, the need for spiritual collaboration, and the significance of being heard. Their discussion provides a heartfelt call for inclusivity, vulnerability, and the reimagining of women's roles in faith contexts.

Join James Goldberg, author of Tales of the Chelm First Ward, as he explores the whimsical side of Latter-day Saint culture. He delves into the idea of a 'theology of humor,' discussing how laughter fosters connection and softens serious church culture. James highlights the importance of community support over alignment in beliefs, revealing that shared imperfections and love are what truly unite us. With personal anecdotes and a nod to Jewish folklore, his insights remind us that joy can be a powerful aspect of faith.