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Leading Saints Podcast

Latest episodes

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Apr 3, 2024 • 43min

Becoming an Influencer Instead of a Consumer | An Interview with Kempe Nicoll

Campus director Kempe Nicoll shares insights on social media impact, engaging youth, and spreading uplifting messages. He discusses leveraging social media for gospel sharing, transitioning to bishop, and reflecting on challenges in Latter-day Saint communities. The podcast delves into engaging youth, utilizing technology for gospel declaration, and discovering leadership's role in spiritual growth.
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Mar 30, 2024 • 50min

The Silent Burdens of Men in Elders Quorum | An Interview with Joe Speredon

Joe Speredon, experienced leader in men's work, discusses the silent burdens men carry and the importance of vulnerability. He emphasizes the need for men to open up and support each other in the Elders Quorum. Joe explores the concept of brotherhood, authenticity, and creating safe spaces for men to reflect and connect. He also delves into the effects of unrighteous dominion and the role of masculinity in spiritual growth.
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Mar 27, 2024 • 1h 4min

Bearded Bishops, Rated-R Movies, & the Honor Code | An Interview with John Hilton III

John Hilton III, an expert in religious studies, discusses the significance of 'Fence Laws' in church leadership, navigating legalistic burdens, and the personalized approach to doctrine engagement. The podcast explores the complexities of religious rules, the perils of judgment, and the importance of following prophetic guidance with empathy.
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Mar 23, 2024 • 51min

Part 1: Changing Church Culture by Gathering the Saints | An Interview with Jacob Hansen

Learn from expert Jacob Hansen about changing church culture by gathering the saints based on shared interests and values. Explore building community through engaging activities and revitalizing elders quorum culture. Emphasizes the importance of human connections and civil discourse in shaping a positive church environment.
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Mar 20, 2024 • 59min

From Stake President to Regional Rep | An Interview with Douglas McKinlay

Douglas McKinlay discusses his journey from stake president to regional representative, sharing insights on motivating missionaries, leading diverse programs, and transitioning to a mission president role. He also talks about the challenges faced during military service, marriage, and temple locations decisions. The conversation highlights the importance of visual aids in teaching complex concepts and the significance of leading with love in spiritual growth.
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Mar 16, 2024 • 1h 2min

What Every Bishop Needs to Understand About Betrayal Trauma | An Interview with Ashly Leavitt

Ashly Leavitt has an associate degree in theatre and music, a bachelor's degree in broadcast communications, and a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling. After a 10-year career as an educator, Heavenly Father made it clear that He wanted her to shift to counseling and specialize in betrayal trauma recovery, relationship repair, and divorce recovery. Ashly loves helping those who have experienced betrayal trauma to discover and reconnect with themselves again. As a co-founder of Rejoice! Recovery, she enjoys using her educator and counselor experiences together to create classes on healing and relationships, leading discussions on boundaries, and co-hosting the podcast, Phoenix Forte: Connecting to Healing and Joy After Divorce. You can catch Ashly presenting at conferences and retreats. On Sunday, you'll find her serving in her all-time-favorite calling as a Relief Society instructor. Ashly has previously served in Primary and Young Women's Presidencies, but she's been honored to serve by teaching Relief Society in multiple wards over the last 12 years. However, Ashly’s biggest accomplishment is managing to survive as a single mom of two. During her free time (if such a thing exists) you would find Ashly supporting the local theatre scene, playing board games with friends and family, participating in the Lamb of God Easter production on Temple Square, and laughing with her kids while they dance in the kitchen together. Links The Choice to Leave Abuse, by Ryan Anderson PsychologyToday.com There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts here. Watch on YouTube Read the transcript of this podcast Highlights 2:10 What is betrayal trauma? Why do church leaders need to understand it? 4:10 Ashly explains betrayal trauma and the sub-behaviors that come along with it. Betrayal trauma has lots of side effects on your health. 7:45 A common source of betrayal trauma is sexual infidelity. 9:00 The "hit by a truck" analogy. The importance of focusing on the person that was betrayed or wounded. Too often we focus on fixing the person that is looking at pornography or being unfaithful. 13:15 The other behaviors that normally come with cheating or viewing pornography. There are abuse tactics, such as lying, gaslighting, blaming, and defensiveness. 15:30 What is gaslighting? Making someone question the truth and their own sanity. Making them second guess themselves. A lot of women have their intuition saying that something is off but their husband makes them feel like they are crazy. 18:00 Often the shame spiral keeps people from telling the whole truth. They are scared of what people will think if they share everything that is going on. In cheating scenarios the wife feels something off but the husband says they are fine. 18:50 Bishops should work with the individuals instead of the marriage. Talk to the husband and wife separately so that they can speak their truth and get validation. 19:45 Everybody in the relationship is trying to maintain control. Wives try to control the behaviors and situations to feel safe and stop from getting hurt again. 22:20 The bishop isn’t supposed to be the one healing everyone. Don’t take on roles that aren’t yours. 23:30 What should leaders and couples consider when the betrayal bomb goes off? 25:20 A great question that a bishop can ask is, "How can I help you feel safe?" Prioritize safety and not the emotions of the betrayer. 28:30 The push from the wife to "punish" their husband by taking away the sacrament or membership council. They are trying to fix the problem but it’s not theirs to fix. 31:30 Shame makes people want to hide and not tell anyone so finding a safe place to share and a support group for those in recovery is important. 35:20 What can we do to help the children in these situations? 38:10 The importance of boundaries and the process of forgiveness 44:30 Appropriate disclosure and things leaders should keep in mind 46:00 Leaders want to sav...
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Mar 14, 2024 • 39min

Sons of Thunder in Elders Quorum | An Interview with Aaron Jaussi

Discover the journey of Aaron Jaussi's leadership in the church, his passion for positive masculinity and adventure. Explore the Sons of Thunder project promoting brotherhood and masculinity within the community. Learn about the impact of efficient group messaging in Elder's Quorum success and the transformative resources for personal growth.
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Mar 9, 2024 • 27min

So You’ve Been Called as Stake President: Now What?

In this solo episode, Kurt reflects on his suggestions from a series of newsletter messages for stake presidents. Links Read the newsletter messages related to this episode How I Lead as the Bishop’s Wife | An Interview with Alanna Francom Join the Leading Saints Community Watch on YouTube There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts . Read the transcript of this podcast Highlights 3:00 Be intentional about your leadership and it will reach more people. 4:00 Kurt served as a bishop and then served in a stake presidency. 5:40 Principle one - Lead the leaders NOT the stake 9:05 Principle two - Consider mandatory stake programs and themes 11:40 Principle three - How to lighten the load through overcommunication 13:45 Principle four - Minimizing targets 16:00 Principle five - Shepherding the lost 19:00 Principle six- Empower the stake Relief Society president 20:30 Principle seven - Being a stake president also has to do with the president’s wife. Invite her into the experience. 22:30 Principle eight - Take a three year reset 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, 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.
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Mar 6, 2024 • 42min

How I Lead as a Digital Missionary | An Interview with Clint Argyle

Clint Argyle has served in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since his youth, in several quorum presidencies. He served a mission in Calgary, Canada, and more recently he and his wife served as full-time senior missionaries and director at the Oakland California Temple Visitors' Center. He has also served as first counselor in a stake presidency, on stake high council, as a bishop, and scoutmaster/NYLT leader. Clint received his associates degree from Utah Valley University, bachelors from Brigham Young University's Marriot School of Business, and is a humanitarian, investor, and entrepreneur, and enjoys doing good. He and his wife have four children and seven grandchildren and enjoy spending time with family and friends. Links There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE. Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Highlights 3:15 Clint’s background and his senior mission in Oakland, California. He and his wife served as visitor center directors for the Oakland temple. 7:00 The responsibilities of a visitors center director. Be full time missionaries Keep the operation running Train other missionaries Promote and market the visitors center to the local community 7:40 Clint has a background in business and marketing that he was able to use to help him know how to market the visitor center. He also got help from a friend to do digital marketing. He worked on creating a digital presence for the center. 12:00 When covid hit they went home and focused solely on digital marketing. They figured out how to do virtual tours on Zoom and were able to do 900 virtual tours. People were still able to have a spiritual experience online. 14:00 You can be a digital missionary wherever you are. 14:40 Something that is important to consider is that people are always looking for reviews. The three main places people look are Google Reviews, Yelp, and Trip Advisor. As members we can leave reviews for the temple, church building, and visitors center. They asked everyone who visited the visitors center to leave a review. 19:00 There are so many ways to do missionary work without having to awkwardly go talk to your neighbor. You never know if just leaving a review can help someone. 19:00 It’s powerful when members and missionaries work together as digital missionaries. The Idaho Falls and Oakland Visitors' Centers took off thanks to reviews. 22:30 If you go to a church history site on vacation you can leave a review and that is your digital missionary work. Where else could you post about your experience? 26:30 Temple open houses are great opportunities for missionary work. Even before it’s dedicated you can help the google algorithm by driving over to the site using maps. Take pictures and upload them. 30:30 Does digital missionary work and marketing really work? Clint shares some of the results they have seen from just leaving reviews on Tripadvisor and Google. 35:50 Rules on creating websites and doing digital marketing. It has to be in conjunction with the church. 37:20 As a leader you can influence those you lead to leave reviews. You don’t have to limit yourself to one. You can be a light online. 38:40 Clint’s final thoughts on leadership 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,
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Mar 3, 2024 • 1h 1min

Allowing Our Pain to Turn Us to Christ | An Interview with Joy McCullough

Joy McCullough is a Protestant, Evangelical with a background in professional counseling. She is the wife of Pastor Jeff McCullough, the creator of the YouTube channel Hello Saints. She has four children and recently relocated to Utah from St. Louis. Joy spends a lot of time doing photography, thrifting, and playing violin, along with staring at the Wasatch Mountains. She completed her undergraduate degree in speech communication from Greenville University and received a Masters in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in Virginia. Joy is not afraid of her own or other people’s brokenness. She has a heart for creating space for people to come as they are and to find true healing and hope through authenticity and honesty, free from shame. Her faith in Jesus informs this passion and approach. Links YouTube @HelloSaints There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE. Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Highlights 3:50 Introduction to Joy, a therapist and wife of Pastor Jeff from Hello Saints 4:50 What moving to Utah has been like as someone that isn’t LDS 6:30 Joy’s faith development and journey 10:00 The stigma of being a pastor’s wife and high expectations of other people 11:10 Advice to a pastor’s or bishop’s wife 14:15 Journey to becoming a therapist 17:00 Religion and shame. We don’t experience God’s love and grace through shame. 21:40 Helping someone through their shame 26:40 There is no shame in having a need or desire. You deserve to have your needs met and don’t need to feel shame. 28:30 When we feel broken we often feel shame. When people feel shame it’s because they have some sort of need. However, brokenness is an opportunity to receive and feel God’s love and grace. 32:30 How can a bishop help someone buried in shame? 34:00 Joy shares an experience she had as a teen with an abusive pastor. She carried shame from the experience for many years. However, she was able to heal by instead of saying what is wrong with me? But what happened to me? 36:00 We focus so much on the sin and behavior but we should ask what happened? Why are we going towards sin? What led to the addiction? 38:00 Sin destroys our identity. Knowing and feeling the love of God. Do you understand and feel your belovedness? 39:45 Even with grace our lives will not be pain free. We can experience grace but we are going to have to experience grief and sorrow. 41:00 Wounding and brokenness. We have to allow our pain to lead us to Jesus and not sinful behavior. 44:00 When we hyperfocus on the behaviors we bypass our hearts, we bypass our feelings and our emotions and try to achieve certain behaviors and what looks good on the outside but inside we are still a mess. We haven’t truly healed. 51:00 Showing up for people and lamenting with them. How can we do that when we haven’t experienced what they have experienced? 53:30 We shouldn’t try to pull people out of their pain but sit with them in their pain. We have to feel discomfort in order to heal. 54:30 Where there is shame there is also self hatred or contempt for others. One thing that transforms shame is compassion. 57:00 Joy shares how she has experienced Jesus in her life through trauma, wounding, and healing. “Jesus has held me together.” 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,

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