Leading Saints Podcast

This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in June 2019. We are instructed in the General Handbook (8.1.1) that “Members of the elders quorum work together to help accomplish the work of salvation and exaltation. They serve others, fulfill priesthood duties, build unity, and learn and live doctrine.” How effective is your quorum at succeeding in this purpose? Is there more that can be done to leverage the inspired quorum structure that has been restored in these latter days? The reality is, men live lives of quiet desperation even while attending elders quorum once a week. They attend elders quorum with the hope of brotherhood, unity, and a restoration of their heart. Every man is striving to answer one question, “Do I have what it takes?” They wonder if they have what it takes to support a family, keep their job, overcome addiction, maintain their worthiness. They know the restored gospel can help them answer that question but they don’t know where to find the answer. In this episode, Kurt Francom dis

Bonnie Lyman has a BA in Elementary Education, is the parent of five "grown up kids", and a certified life coach. She has served as a ward Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women president, as a stake Young Women president and Primary counselor, a youth Sunday School, Primary, and Relief Society teacher, and as a mission medical coordinator and a music coordinator. Bonnie and her husband served in the Kenya Nairobi Mission as service missionaries before she launched her coaching business in 2019, and she now works with women struggling in their relationships with their adult children. Highlights 02:15 Introduction to Bonnie and her mission with her husband. 04:30 Bonnie talks about what she does and navigating life with adult children. 08:15 Bonnie talks about the biggest concerns that parents have with adult children. Most parents are concerned about their children leaving the Church and how to deal with it. 11:45 As parents to adult children remember that your only job is to love them. 12:15 One of the bi

Gregory K. Stapley is the executive chairman and recently-retired chief executive officer of CareTrust REIT, a real estate investment trust investing in healthcare real estate. He received his J.D. from the University of Arizona and his B.A. in Humanities from Brigham Young University. He is a stake president and former high councilor, bishop, bishopric counselor, Gospel Doctrine teacher and missionary in the Spain Seville Mission. Deborah E. Stapley got her start in television in the late 80’s after winning a nationwide how-to video competition on ABC’s The Home Show. She spent the next 15 years appearing on The Home Show, Good Morning America, The Leeza Show, and The Better Homes and Gardens Network. She eventually hosted several craft shows on the DIY network and The Learning Channel and served as a spokesperson for Department 56 and Charles Craft. She is a Relief Society teacher and former stake Relief Society president, stake Relief Society presidency counselor, stake music chair, stake temple youth cele

Dennis R. Deaton is co-founder of Quma Learning Systems and a nationally known corporate educator and popular convention speaker on Mind Management, Human Productivity, Visioneering and The Ownership Spirit. He has taught numerous adult education classes for the Church Education System and was a regular speaker at BYU Campus Education Week for 22 years. Dennis received his BA degree from the University of Utah and his doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis, and has authored several books including his capstone work, Looking Unto Christ in Every Thought: Defeating Fear, Doubt and Discouragement, which was released this year. Dennis served a full-time mission to Italy and has held numerous leadership positions in the Church: elders quorum president, branch president, bishop, high councilor, stake Young Men president, and counselor in a stake presidency. He and his wife, Susan, reside in Queen Creek, Arizona, and are the parents of nine children and thirty grandchildren. He currently serves as stake p

Tim Welch currently serves as second counselor in the Provo Missionary Training Center presidency. He previously presided over the Ohio Cincinnati Mission and has served as a stake president, bishop, high councilor, MTC branch presidency counselor, ward Young Men president, elders quorum president and missionary in the Michigan Lansing Mission. Professionally, he was vice president of sales for Won-Door Corporation. He and his wife Michele have five children and live in Highland, Utah. Highlights 01:30 President Welch’s background and callings 03:15 President Welch talks about his experience so far in the MTC 06:40 Current plan for missionaries entering the MTC 09:45 How should missionaries prepare for the mission? President Welch gives his advice from his experience as a Mission President and MTC Counselor 14:20 When everything is important then nothing is important. Simplify and find a place to focus. The central message is to be holy and clean and everything that is taught should stay close to that cen

Emily Belle Freeman is a best-selling author and popular inspirational speaker. She has a deep love of the scriptures, which comes from a desire to find their application in everyday life. She is the author of numerous books, a favorite speaker at Time Out for Women, and cohosts with David Butler Don't Miss This, a "Come, Follow Me" study channel on YouTube. Emily has served in numerous callings in the Church, including in Young Women, Sunday School, Relief Society, and fourteen times as girls camp director. Her greatest joy comes from spending time with her family. Highlights 1:15 Introduction to Emily Belle Freeman 3:15 Emily’s calling experience 4:00 What Emily learned as a girls camp director. She has been Girls Camp Director about 14 times. She explains how she let the girls lead girls camp. 10:15 Emily gives tips to structure girls camp. She involves the girls and they brainstorm all the activities, food, and ect all together. 12:00 One thing Emily learned as a Relief Society President 14:40 What

Barton Stuart Sloat was born in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, the youngest of four children. He attended BYU before serving a mission in the Nevada Las Vegas Mission, and later attended the University of Utah, graduating in Political Science and receiving a commission as a 2d Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He served as an Infantry Officer and commanded at the platoon, company, battalion and regimental level. He also served in numerous staff positions, including the faculty at the Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia, and on several combat tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He retired as a Colonel with 32 years of active duty in 2012. Bart’s church service has included serving as a counselor in four bishoprics, a member of the high council, and in numerous teaching callings. He served as bishop and then stake president, and he and his wife, Anne, have been called to serve as mission leaders in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission beginning in July of 2022. The Sloats have five children and 19+ grandchildren. Hi

Michele Portlock is a mother of four children living in Parker, Colorado. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Brigham Young University and worked as an elementary school teacher for two years before taking an extended sabbatical to raise her family. Michele recently completed a master’s degree in behavior therapy from Arizona State University where she developed skills which enable her to help others navigate the autism experience. Michele has three neurodivergent children, and has spent countless hours researching and studying how to best provide necessary and adequate resources for her children. This learning sparked a desire in Michele to reach out and help other parents navigate the autism spectrum in a meaningful way. At church, Michele has served as a stake public affairs assistant director, in a Primary presidency and a Relief Society presidency, and as a teacher. She currently serves as the Relief Society president in her ward. Highlights 3:45 What does spectrum mean in the wor

This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in August 2020.  Blake works in the Brigham Young University Office of Success and Inclusion, offering confidential support to people who, for various reasons, feel marginalized. The goal is to help student body members feel unity. Previously he worked in the BYU University Relations office. One of his main areas of focus is helping LGBT students. He is a returned missionary. Highlights 3:24 Blake’s personal experience helps him relate. How he has navigated that journey before, during and since his mission. Positive things Church leaders, family and friends have done to support him and help him feel valued and loved. Dealing with feelings of denial/shame/perfectionism. 10:50 Learning to value certain life challenges and feeling unconditional love from God and others. 12:00 The Success and Inclusion office provides support for individuals on campus facing challenges re: race, religion, gender, sexuality. Their support group may be otherwise small. How stud

David P. Kasperson has been building high-trust partnerships and innovative solutions for clients of FranklinCovey’s Global Trust Practice for more than 15 years. Most of that time has been spent in collaboration with Stephen M. R. Covey, managing his speaking business, and custom client solutions as the Director of Business Development. An expert on trust, he has served clients via consulting, coaching, program design, and keynote speaking in more than twenty countries. He is co-author of the bestseller, Trust & Inspire: How Truly Great Leaders Unleash Greatness in Others. Kurt and David served together in the Sacramento, California mission. David has twice served as an elders quorum president and as a counselor, in a Young Men presidency, and as a teacher in Sunday School and Primary. Highlights 01:45 Introduction to David Kasperson and the book he co-authored with Steven M. R. Covey 04:30 Two styles of leadership Command and control Trust and inspire 05:00 David breaks down the command and control s

In this short interview, Kurt talks with Brent & Courtney Ebmeyer about the upcoming North Star Conference. The 2022 conference is June 9-11 both in-person and streaming online. Learn more about NorthStarLDS.org Listen to the podcast with Brent & Bruce Ebmeyer, Learning to Lead SSA Saints Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast The Leading Saints Podcast gets over 300,000 listens each month and has nearly 10 million total downloads 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, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler a

Greg Matsen is the founder of Cwic Media and the host of its primary show called Cwic Show, which focuses on cultural issues affecting the restored church. He ran a large web development and marketing firm representing the vast majority of the sporting goods industry and some of the auto industry in Newport Beach, California in the 1990s, then built a wealth management firm in Scottsdale, Arizona, which he sold in early 2020. Greg has studied the scriptures and history almost daily since his mission, seeks and develops interfaith relationships, and diligently seeks to help others learn what he has learned through lenses he developed called Cwic Interpreters. He also does a weekly Come Follow Me podcast. Greg has served as an elders quorum president, Gospel Doctrine teacher, Young Men president, in a stake Young Men presidency, and currently serves in a bishopric. Highlights 01:00 Introduction to Greg 06:45 The church and politics. Why are most members so conservative? 08:40 Greg’s message to conservative

Tyler Lefevor, PhD, is an assistant professor of psychology at Utah State University where his research focuses on understanding how LGBTQ+ latter-day saints can flourish. He was raised LDS, served a mission in the New Jersey, Cherry Hills mission, and served as an Elders quorum president for 4 years. Tyler has since left the church to marry his husband, Brock. He also operates a small therapy practice. Sam Skidmore, MS, is a third-year doctoral student of clinical/counseling psychology at Utah State University. He was raised in the church and served a mission in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Sam’s research and clinical focuses include understanding the experiences of LGBTQ+ members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and ways in which LGBTQ+ mental health can be improved. Sam and Tyler are researching the experiences of LGBTQ+ latter-day saints with their church leaders. Their goal is to help leaders improve how they minister and interact with LGBTQ+ individuals. Tyler Lefevor Sam Skidmore High

Sharon Kaye Fisher has been a president of ward Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society organizations. She served as stake Primary president with one branch 800 miles away and one branch covering remote villages throughout Alaska. Sharon Kaye was raised in southern California and met her husband, Brent, at Brigham Young University where she received her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. She taught elementary school for a short time at the beginning of their marriage and then devoted her time as a stay-at-home mother to their four daughters and one son. Although she has mostly served in leadership callings, her love is teaching in the classroom with any age group. Sharon Kaye and Brent currently live in Anchorage, Alaska where she serves as the stake JustServe specialist. Highlights 01:30 Sharon’s background 03:00 Getting called as a Relief Society President and her experience calling counselors 06:30 Sharon shares her approach to ministering as a Relief Society president 09:00 Sharon breaks

This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in August 2016. Greg McKeown has dedicated his career to discovering why some people and teams break through to the next level—and others don’t. The definitive treatment of this issue is addressed in his New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. Greg hosts The Essentialism Podcast and is the CEO of McKeown Inc., with clients including Adobe, Apple, Google, Facebook, Pixar, Salesforce.com, Symantec, Twitter, VMware, and Yahoo!. Originally from London, England, Greg now lives near Phoenix, Arizona, with his wife Anna and their family. In this interview Greg and Kurt talk about how the principle of Essentialism applies to his calling as bishop and the culture at-large in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At the time of this recording, Greg was serving as bishop of his ward in California. Highlights 1:30 Introduction and Greg’s background and how he ended up in America 9:00 Greg’s testimony

John Hilton III was born in San Francisco and grew up in Seattle. He served a mission in Denver, and got a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University. While there he met his wife Lani and they have six children. They have lived in Boise, Boston, Miami, Mexico, Jerusalem and China. John has a master's degree from Harvard and a Ph.D from BYU, both in Education. John is a professor of Religious Education at BYU. John has published several books with Deseret Book, including Considering the Cross: How Calvary Connects Us with Christ. He is also the author of the video course and podcast “Seeking Jesus.” John loves teaching, reading and spending time with his family. Highlights 3:30 Kurt and John talk about John's new course, Seeking Jesus. 5:30 Jesus should be at the center of our lives. Sometimes we focus on other parts of the gospel and forget that He comes first. 9:40 How do we make sure that Christ is at the center? 16:00 What if we didn’t just focus on scripture study but Christ study? What if we di

After years of struggling in isolation to overcome pornography, Chandler founded Relay—an app that helps people stay connected and accountable along the road to recovery. It makes it easy to find and maintain tight-knit support in a team-based environment. Chandler served a Spanish-speaking mission in New York City and is graduating this spring from Brigham Young University in Strategy and Computer Science. Highlights 2:00 Chandler’s background and why he started his app 6:00 Chandler talks about his teenage years and dealing with pornography. He was able to open up to his bishop and his parents. 8:10 Finding connection and community 9:15 Chandler explains why he started the app. 10:45 How the app works and what you can do on it Track your personal journey Daily check-ins Give and get support through conversation 16:45 How are people using the app and who is it for? It’s not an app just for pornography or just for guys You can get matched into a group with people with similar problems Great for addi

Anthony Sweat is an Associate Professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University, and previously taught Seminary and Institute for 13 years. With an early interest in art he obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts before pursuing religious education, earning a Ph.D in curriculum and instruction from Utah State University. He is the author of several articles and books dealing with the teachings and history of the Church, and a regular speaker at Latter-day Saint events and conferences. As a practicing artist his paintings center on religious themes, including underrepresented events in Church history. Anthony and his wife Cindy are the parents of seven children. He is currently serving as bishop of his ward. Highlights 1:45 Kurt and Anthony discuss his books about the temple and covenants 4:15 What can we talk about outside the temple? Most members are scared to talk about what goes on inside the temple because they don’t know what’s appropriate. 8:30 Anthony talks about what he does as a bishop to

Neil Henderson serves as bishop in his ward in Gorleston, England. He has previously served as a Young Men president and 1st counselor, counselor in numerous bishoprics, high councilor, and in the stake Young Men presidency. As a student he studied carpentry and joinery and also served in the British Army infantry RSV for around 10 years before joining the Fire and Rescue service in 1997, where he currently serves as a Watch Manager. Neil is a convert and the only member of the Church on his side of the family. His wife Carolyn (née Bone) served in the Canada Toronto mission, and they have two sons who served missions in Ghana and South Africa. Highlights 02:15 Neil’s story of conversion and how he got connected to the missionaries 18:15 Demographics of Neil’s area 20:20 Getting called as Bishop 23:00 Neil’s 1st principle of leadership: You aren’t going to fix everything 27:00 Principle 2: Don’t try to do everything yourself 29:00 Tips for one-on-one meetings with leaders; they create improvement plans 33:20

Elder Don R. Clarke served as a General Authority from 2006 to 2015, first in the Second Quorum of the Seventy and as president and a counselor in the Central America Area, later in the First Quorum of the Seventy. He was assistant Executive Director in the Missionary Department and Area Assistant for the Utah North, Utah Salt Lake City, and Utah South Areas. He also served as Director of Church Hosting and currently serves as an emeritus General Authority and President of the Great Salt Lake Utah District (Correctional Facility). Elder Clarke earned an associate’s degree from Ricks College and a bachelor’s degree in business from Brigham Young University. He completed a master’s degree in business administration from Washington State University. His career included senior executive positions in several retailing companies. He also served as a volunteer professor of business at Southern Virginia University and was involved with Ascend Humanitarian Alliance in beginning microcredit operations in Bolivia. He ha