Leading Saints Podcast

Dan Duckworth, a speaker and writer on leadership, dives into navigating community tragedies within Latter-day Saint congregations. He emphasizes the need for leaders to recognize emotional climates and engage in vulnerable discussions to foster healing. Duckworth shares practical examples of facilitating emotional processing, stressing the importance of creating safe spaces for members. He advocates for a church that supports real-life suffering while framing community unity as an essential aspect of leadership. Together, they explore how genuine connections can rekindle faith in difficult times.

Golden Lund, a former bishop and music instructor from Iowa, shares his journey navigating church leadership amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. He opens up about his struggles with mental health, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and the role of community support. Lund discusses the unique challenges faced during his tenure, including the emotional toll of burnout and how vulnerability can strengthen leadership. His insights into ADHD and personal growth highlight the significance of self-care in fostering resilience within faith communities.

In this engaging discussion, Curtis Morley, an 'emotionologist' and author, dismantles myths surrounding pornography recovery. He emphasizes the crucial difference between sobriety—simply abstaining from pornography—and true recovery, which requires understanding and processing underlying emotions. Morley shares insights on overcoming victimhood through emotional empowerment and the importance of community support. He encourages listeners to reframe setbacks as growth opportunities and highlights the journey of breaking free from shame and cultivating authentic emotions.

In this engaging discussion, Jeff Burningham, an accomplished entrepreneur and author of *The Last Book Written by a Human*, dives into the intricate dance between humanity and AI. He argues that while AI enhances efficiency, it can’t replicate human connection, urging church leaders to prioritize genuine relationships. Jeff shares insights on navigating disruption with love and fostering authentic leadership. He emphasizes reflection and personal growth as keys to thriving in a tech-driven world, illustrating the transformative power of compassion and community.

Matt Miles is a Political Science professor at Brigham Young University–Idaho and a co-host of This Week in Mormons and the Latter-day Lens podcasts. Links Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community The Latter-day Lens podcast This Week in Mormons The Metrics of Faith: Rethinking Religion’s Role in US Politics Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Highlights This discussion centers on a research-backed framework for measuring religiosity, moving beyond traditional metrics to focus on the transformative effects of faith on an individual’s life. Beyond the Three B’s: Traditionally, religiosity has been measured by “the three B’s”: Behavior (what a person does), Belonging (their social connections), and Belief (their convictions). Matt Miles argues that these are insufficient measures of genuine faith. The Fourth B: Becoming: A more accurate measure is “religious becoming”—the extent to which a person has been transformed by their faith. This concept suggests that true religiosity is not just about actions but about internal change. Four Aspects of Transformation: Based on his research, Miles identified four universal traits that indicate “religious becoming”: Transcendence (a connection to the divine), Humanity (love for others), Justice (a belief in fairness), and Temperance (humility). Faith and Political Tolerance: The research shows that individuals with higher scores in “religious becoming” are more politically tolerant. They are less likely to view those with opposing political views as a threat, in contrast to those whose faith is measured only by the “three B’s.” Challenges of Genuine Change: The episode highlights the difficulty for leaders and parents in discerning whether someone has truly been transformed by the gospel or is simply going through the motions. Leadership Applications Leaders should focus on teaching a “holistic gospel” that emphasizes the principles of “becoming,” rather than just providing a checklist of behaviors. This encourages genuine internal change over external compliance. The discussion suggests that the Church is effective at teaching “transcendence” (connection to God) but could improve at teaching “humanity” (love for others) and “temperance” (humility). Leaders can apply this insight by creating more opportunities for members to serve others and develop empathy. The research on political tolerance can help leaders foster more charitable and understanding discussions within their wards and stakes, particularly on sensitive topics. 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. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.

Blair Treu, an award-winning director known for his films like Sharing Aloha and Meet the Mormons, shares fascinating insights from his career. He discusses inspiring stories from students at the Polynesian Cultural Center, focusing on their resilience and the educational opportunities they receive. Blair emphasizes the importance of appreciation and compassion in leadership, drawing connections to principles learned through film and faith. His reflections highlight the transformative power of community and the unique challenges faced in storytelling.

Dive into the dynamics of delegation in bishoprics and youth leadership, uncovering the pressures and anxieties faced by bishops. The importance of clear communication and setting expectations shines through as leaders share strategies for effective delegation. Discover how positive reinforcement and a council model empower youth to engage in meaningful discussions. The conversation also highlights the collaborative role of parents and leaders, reminding us that despite the messiness in leadership, grace and understanding are vital in the community.

Skylar Haws, an experienced youth leader and passionate advocate for young men's spiritual growth, shares his insights on effective youth leadership. He underscores the importance of meeting young men where they are and fostering relationships through adventure activities. Skylar discusses how challenges can strengthen faith and emphasizes the role of parents in supporting youth initiatives. He also reflects on his personal experiences of sacrifice in service, illustrating how these moments can lead to profound personal development for both leaders and youth.

Dive into a lively discussion focused on transforming Sunday School experiences! Discover strategies for fostering collaboration among educators and engaging parents in religious education. Learn about the challenges and successes of teacher council meetings, and how tools like Slido can enhance participation. Hear personal insights on creating open environments for spiritual discussions. Plus, explore the vital role of parents in teaching the gospel at home and the resources that can support them in this important work.

Allison Schreiber, an early morning seminary teacher from New Braunfels, Texas, shares her passion for making seminary dynamic and engaging. With a diverse background in leadership and community service, she discusses innovative teaching strategies, like blending fun activities with meaningful lessons to captivate students. Allison emphasizes empowering youth by fostering a collaborative learning environment and connects spirituality with real-life experiences through interactive methods. Her insights on creating a positive classroom culture make religious education a transformative journey.