Episodes

Oct. 21, 2026

The Leadership Shift Every Bishop Needs Now | An Interview with James Fletcher

James Fletcher is the founder and chief investment officer of Ethos Investment Management, and has been investing professionally in emerging markets for 20 years. He is also the founder of the global non-profit Young Investors Society, which provides lessons to teens on investing and financial literacy in over 3,000 high schools and 80 countries around the world. James has a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Brigham Young University and also teaches as a BYU adjunct professor in Finance. He has ...
Sept. 26, 2026

Second-Guessing Someone Else’s Revelation | An Interview with Christopher Blythe

Brigham Young University professor and religious folklorist Christopher Blythe discusses the nature of revelation, spiritual manifestations, and claims to mysticism within Latter-day Saint history and culture. The conversation examines how members and leaders can evaluate personal spiritual experiences, navigate claims of revelation that exceed proper authority, and guard against deceptive influences or speculative practices. Dr. Christopher Blythe is an assistant professor of English at BYU, w...
Sept. 18, 2026

How Leaders Eliminate Distraction | An Interview with Shawn Vanderhoven

Shawn Vanderhoven is the author of the USA Today bestseller Pause: How to Lead Brilliant Work in a Busy World and a Partner at The Wiseman Group, where he leads the executive development practice for senior leaders and rising talent. A collaborator on the New York Times bestseller Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter (Second Edition), Shawn co-designs strategies that help organizations amplify their people, advising leaders at companies like Amazon, Alphabet, Adobe, Microsoft,...
Sept. 12, 2026

Encouraging Returned Missionaries for the Next 10 Years | An Interview with Davis Smith

Davis Smith is the founder, chairman, and emeritus CEO of Cotopaxi, a Salt Lake City–based outdoor gear brand dedicated to poverty alleviation. Raised throughout Latin America, he developed a lifelong commitment to social impact after witnessing economic inequality firsthand. A serial e-commerce entrepreneur, Davis founded several successful ventures, including Brazil’s 2012 “Startup of the Year,” before building Cotopaxi into a global brand that has assisted millions living in poverty. He has s...
Sept. 8, 2026

The Leadership of LaVell Edwards | An Interview with Dave McCann & Mark Ogletree

Dave McCann is a veteran sportscaster, play-by-play announcer, and television anchor with decades of broadcasting experience across regional and national media. After graduating from Brigham Young University with a degree in broadcasting, he began his career as a college sports reporter for ABC’s Good Morning America before anchoring sports in Las Vegas for nearly 20 years. He later served as an evening news co-anchor for KSL-TV in Salt Lake City and became a prominent media personality for BYUt...
Sept. 1, 2026

Creating an Easter Walk with Jesus Experience | An Interview with Heidi Lee

Heidi Lee serves as a stake communication director in the Mountain’s Edge area of Southwest Las Vegas, as well as in the Las Vegas West Mission office. Over the past 20 years, her Church service has including serving in four stake Relief Society presidencies as secretary, counselor, and president. Her wide-ranging calling experience spans serving as a Stake JustServe Specialist, Young Women presidency member, ward camp director, Relief Society teacher, and Primary music leader. Most recently, H...
Aug. 23, 2026

The Mid-Singles (35-50) Church Experience | An Interview with Robert Cornilles

Robert Cornilles is an executive, author, and educator with a background in business leadership and community engagement. He serves as the Founder and CEO of Game Face, Inc., an executive training firm that has advised over 400 global brands, including more than 200 professional sports franchises. A bestselling author, he published The Sales Game Changer: How to Become the Salesperson People Love and Preparing Tomorrow’s Missionaries Today. He also shares his expertise as an adjunct professor te...
Aug. 15, 2026

Building Zion Thru Mentors | An Interview with Mark and Adrienne Beck

Mark A. Beck earned a BA in Business and Japanese Language from Pacific University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Over his three-decade corporate career, he served in executive leadership at Corning Incorporated, as Executive Vice President at Danaher Corporation, and as President and CEO of JELD-WEN, guiding the company through its IPO. Today, Mark owns three manufacturing companies, co-chairs KDC/ONE, and serves as board chair for Accendra Health (formerly Owens & Minor) and IDEX Cor...
Aug. 13, 2026

YSA Marriage, Unity, and 25-Minute Sundays [August Zion Lab Live]

This is a recording of the monthly Zion Lab Live where Kurt Francom explores various topics discussed in the Zion Lab online community. Links Join the conversation in Zion Lab Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Highlights 00:01:12 – Adjusting the Schedule 00:02:06 – Importance of Participation 00:03:29 – Changes in Zion Lab Experience 00:04:12 – Membership Options and Sponsorship 00:06:51 – Involving Core Members in Primary and Young Men’s 00:10:58 – Communicat...
Aug. 8, 2026

A Latter-day Saint Identity Crisis, Now What? | An Interview with Alan & Marianne Downing

Marianne Downing has a master’s degree in Education (counseling) and began her career as a therapist before combining it with various roles within the nonprofit sector. She has been an entrepreneur since 2002. Since becoming a Latter-day Saint, Marianne served in the New Zealand Auckland mission, and as Relief Society president, counselor in her stake Primary presidency, stake Relief Society president, early morning Seminary teacher, and Young Women president. While living in Paris, France, she ...
Aug. 5, 2026

How the Youth Can Save Sacrament Meeting

Todd Hillyard, a bishop in Vancouver, Washington, shares a variety of ideas about how he involves the youth to improve sacrament meeting. You can listen to the full interview here: https://app.leadingsaints.org/c/livestream-recordings/letting-youth-lead-in-sunday-worship Want to hire an international returned missionary who attended BYU Pathway? Check out https://leadingsaints.org/fullpond
Aug. 2, 2026

Brain Science: How to Build Belonging and Inspire Your Ward | An Interview with Scott Taylor

Elder Scott N. Taylor is a professor of Organizational Behavior holding the Arthur M. Blank Endowed Chair for Values-Based Leadership at Babson College, having previously taught at Boston University and the University of New Mexico. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Brigham Young University as well as an MBA and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from Case Western Reserve University. An award-winning educator and researcher whose work centers on leader assessment, executive coaching, ...
July 25, 2026

Supporting a Spouse in Church Service | An Interview with JeaNette Smith

JeaNette Smith is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who authored Side by Side: Supporting a Spouse in Church Service to help couples keep their relationships strong and connected amidst demanding Church callings or busy careers. Her inspiration for the book came early in her career while her husband, Bret, was serving as a bishop, leading her to study how couples can actively grow closer rather than drift apart during intense seasons of service. Over their years together, JeaNette and Br...
July 22, 2026

Ward Councils Need This 360° Perspective Shift

Register for the Meetings with Saints Virtual Summit: https://app.leadingsaints.org/mws-reg
July 18, 2026

Covenant Discipleship Without a Calling | An Interview with Tesiah Frame

Tesiah “Tess” Frame is a Latter-day Saint digital content creator, author, and podcaster based in Southern California. Focusing on motherhood, practical scripture study, and active discipleship, she aims to bring optimism, authenticity, and joy to the online conversation surrounding Latter-day Saint women. Alongside Becky Squire, she co-hosts the Certain Women Podcast, a Come, Follow Me scripture study program specifically geared toward women, and is the co-owner of the children’s faith brand Ha...
July 12, 2026

The Arc of Intentional and Self-driven Leadership | An Interview with Shawn Moon

For over thirty years, Shawn D. Moon has worked with global clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to government organizations. He currently serves as Chairman and CEO of Zerorez. Previously, Shawn was an Executive Vice President at FranklinCovey, a former principal at Mellon Financial Corporation, and was named a 2024 finalist for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. A Wall Street Journal best-selling author, Shawn has published books in multiple languages and frequently speaks to senio...
July 10, 2026

Can Local Leadership Transform Ward Culture? [July Zion Lab Live]

In this “Zion Lab Live” episode, Kurt Francom facilitates a live community discussion analyzing recent topics in Zion Lab. The conversation focuses on improving the Sunday meeting experience, addressing the unique cultural and social needs of men in the church, and managing the mental capacity of local leaders. Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Highlights Key Insights US Constitution Fifth Sunday Les...
July 6, 2026

Zion Building at Southern Virginia University | An Interview with Aaron Hale

Aaron Hale is an educational leader and entrepreneur originally from Arizona, where he raised his family before transitioning to his current role as the president of Southern Virginia University (SVU). He holds an MBA and co-founded Legacy Traditional School, growing it from a single campus of 400 children to a massive organization spanning 30 campuses serving nearly 30,000 students, alongside a back-office support network assisting hundreds of other charter schools nationwide. Aaron has served...
June 27, 2026

Why is Porn so Addictive?

Join us for Dan Oakes’ full presentation during the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit. Grab your free seat here: https://leadingsaints.org/liberating
June 26, 2026

Why do Some Struggle with Porn and Others Don’t?

To hear the full presentation, grab your free spot for the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit: LeadingSaints.org/liberating
June 25, 2026

Why Do Kids & Teens Use Porn?

Some fascinating research related to why children and teens turn to porn. What “job” are they hiring? Kristen Jenson gives the details in this clip from the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit. See the Speakers and Register here: https://leadingsaints.org/liberating
June 24, 2026

Should People Feel Unworthy When They Seek Out Porn?

Sam Tielemans, a therapist from Las Vegas, NV, nails this concept and offers a practical approach to overcoming shame, porn, and sin. To see the entire presentation (and some of the other speakers) at the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit, visit: https://leadingsaints.org/liberating
June 23, 2026

The Church Leaders Role When Someone Struggles with Pornography

A thoughtful perspective and encouragement for church leaders when someone is struggling with pornography. This is just a clip of one of the 15+ presentations that will be shown during the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit, starting June 30. See the speakers & Register at https://leadingsaints.org/liberating
June 22, 2026

Leading Saints Got Hacked!?!?

While we beg and plead to Meta to give us back our accounts, help us promote this incredible Liberating Saints Virtual Summit. See Speakers & Register Free: https://app.leadingsaints.org/opt-in