Leading Saints Podcast

Trevor Farnes, author of "The Conquer Code" and CEO of MTN OPS, shares his journey of faith and leadership. He discusses innovative strategies for engaging youth in spiritual growth and emphasizes grounding leadership in core values. Trevor reveals how community support and accountability partnerships can foster resilience through life's challenges. His personal story about founding Operation Conquer Hunger highlights the impact of transformative experiences in both business and personal life while offering insights into youth development in the church.

ToriAnn Perkey, an experienced choir director and executive director of a private educational company, shares her journey in church music leadership. She emphasizes the importance of effective leadership in revitalizing choir participation through gathering feedback and fostering community. ToriAnn discusses the emotional and spiritual impact choir directors have, highlighting the significance of personal connections and an inviting atmosphere. Her insights on enhancing engagement and the transformative role of music in spiritual leadership are particularly inspiring.

Richard Hanks, an author and business adviser, shares insightful stories about his father, Marion D. Hanks, who served as a General Authority for nearly 40 years. They discuss Marion's early calling at just 31 and his role in establishing early morning seminary programs. Rich highlights Marion's mission presidency in England, emphasizing the shift from numerical goals to genuine conversions. He also elaborates on the introduction of the Christus statue, showcasing how it became a significant symbol of the Church, reflecting its Christian identity.

Mark Castillo, the Sunday School president in Highland, Utah, brings a wealth of experience from his background in business and human resources. He emphasizes essential leadership principles like the significance of personal conversion and the power of teaching in one's unique style. Mark discusses the importance of personal stories in education and the impact of consistent spiritual growth. He also shares insights on fostering community connections in Sunday School and practical tools for effective teaching.

B.J. Allen, an associate professor of Marketing at Brigham Young University and bishop, shares insights from his new book, "The Compensating Power of Christ." He explores how the Atonement of Jesus Christ helps navigate life's unfairness and personal weaknesses. B.J. emphasizes the significance of faith during trials and the comforting power of Christ in leadership roles. Listeners will discover how atonement fosters personal growth, guides individuals through repentance, and transforms experiences of suffering into opportunities for healing.

Jay Timms, an experienced organizational psychologist and current bishop, shares insights on motivating individuals in both organizational and church settings. He emphasizes the importance of understanding personal values to foster engagement. Jay discusses strategies like personalized leadership, regular check-ins, and celebrating achievements to enhance community involvement. He illustrates how empathy and collaboration can inspire growth, and he encourages self-awareness in leadership to create a positive culture.

Beth Zeleny, a ward history specialist with extensive church and educational experience, discusses the transformative unit history website that modernizes documenting congregational stories. She highlights how the tool makes sharing personal and communal experiences engaging for everyone. Beth emphasizes the importance of storytelling in strengthening community ties and archiving cherished memories for future generations. She also shares strategies for capturing meaningful moments through photography, making the ward's history accessible and inclusive.

Dr. Brett Stewart is a conductor, composer, pianist, and vocalist. He has taught music to youth and adults for nearly three decades and—together with his brother—founded Millennial Choirs & Orchestras. He is also a composer-in-residence for MCO, having composed and arranged well over one hundred works for the organization, including the full-length oratorio Messiah in America, and the full-length patriotic work To Be American. Brett received a doctorate degree in Choral Conducting with cognate studies in Composition from the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music, a master’s degree in Choral Conducting from California State University, Long Beach, and a bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from Brigham Young University. Extremely active and busy with his family and religious life, Stewart devotes his career time exclusively to MCO and other composing projects. Brett and his wife, Mindy, are the parents of seven children and live in northeast Texas. Links Millennial Choirs and Orchestras MCO on YouTube Messiah in America on YouTube "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul" There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts. Transcript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights Coming soon The 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, 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, 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, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 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.

DeAnna Murphy, a former stake Relief Society president and Chief People and Culture Officer, brings her expertise in organizational psychology to the discussion. She emphasizes the importance of establishing a clear purpose at the start of meetings to ignite engagement and unity. DeAnna shares personal insights on how her journey as a mother has shaped her leadership philosophy, advocating for empathy and collaboration. She also discusses transforming fears into empowerment, encouraging listeners to embrace self-reflection and meaningful connections in both personal and community settings.

Meagan Kohler, a Latter-day Saint convert and writer for Deseret News, dives into the engaging topic of entertainment in church. She discusses the delicate balance between production quality and genuine worship experiences, advocating for sincere, low-energy services that promote deeper faith. Kohler highlights the importance of covenants in discipleship and reframes 'high demand religion' as a transformative approach to spiritual growth. Throughout, she emphasizes community support and the joy that comes from doctrinal understanding.