Leading Saints Podcast

Katherine Herrmann lists all things Apple, new wave/alternative music, and fantasy/science fiction among her fandoms. She works as a principal software engineer/architect for a video streaming company, and recently published TransLucent: How I put off my natural man and found a spiritual woman. At church, she has served as secretary for deacons, teachers, and priests quorums, as a Sunday School and elders quorum teacher, elders quorum secretary, ward executive secretary, newsletter editor, and assistant ward clerk—historian. She has also hugged a lot of people at general conference, and bore her testimony in over 40 wards in three years. This is Part 1 of a 2-part conversation. Listen to Part 2 here. Highlights 02:00 Kurt introduces the topic of transgenderism and what people can expect from this podcast episode. 05:30 Katherine is introduced and she shares her experience with church leaders. 09:15 Katherine shares her background and the beginning of her story. She was born biologically male but since she was

Ashley Smith is serving her second term as mayor of Cañon City, Colorado, after serving on the city council four years prior. Ashley serves on the Region 15 Opioid Governance Committee, Cañon City Schools Compass Advisory Committee, Cañon City Urban Renewal Authority, Community Solutions for Homelessness, and Fremont’s Exceptional Women Board. She is a member of her local Lion’s and Rotary clubs, has a black belt in women’s self defense, and is a graduate of Brigham Young University. Her current church calling allows her to hang out with her favorite constituents of all time, the 9-11-year-old Primary children. She and her husband, Dr. David Smith, have six children and two grandchildren and enjoy skiing and hiking the Colorado mountains together. Highlights 01:45 Kurt introduces Ashley and the topics of the episode. 03:00 The stake president and Ashley agreed that her calling was to serve in the community and that was just as important as having a calling inside the Church. 07:00 Ashley speaks to being a wom

Although Riley Jensen enjoys the arts, music, and a good, sappy romantic comedy, he is usually mistaken for a jock. Riley started as a quarterback at Utah State University and currently works full time as a sport psychology consultant, or mental performance coach, addressing the innermost fears of most athletes: failure. He enjoys giving athletes, corporate employees, and young people the tools to handle a stressful and frightening world. Riley went back to school at the over-the-hill age of 40 (it’s the new the new 30, right?) to get his MS in Sport and Performance Psychology at the University of Utah. He is married to the wonderful and talented Georgann Manolis Jensen and they have three beautiful children. Riley served his mission in Marseille, France, and his dream is to serve another mission in France one day, and to enjoy laughing and watching his children make some of the mistakes he made. Highlights 02:20 Kurt introduces Riley and his work. 04:00 Riley shares his background of playing football and ser

This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in January 2020. Kim Partridge is originally from West Valley City, Utah, and has lived in Phoenix, Arizona for 20 years. She is a nurse and a life coach for teenage girls, and has served as a Young Women president in her stake Young Women presidency. Kim and her husband are the parents of four children. Since this podcast was originally broadcast, Kim has changed the hike for the young women to be statewide and include the young men as well. She also speaks more in depth with the youth now about how the hike is like the Plan of Salvation, how we are disciples of Christ as we are hiking in the Grand Canyon, and about the names of Christ that we either take upon us as we hike or that we see in the Grand Canyon. Learn more HERE. Highlights 7:40 Young Women are all about relationships 9:50 Conflicts within relationships can play out in the church setting 12:00 Micromanaging relationships seldom works out well; story of two Laurels 17:30 Story of young woman

Tyler Bastian is an educator, filmmaker, father, and founder of Roots Charter High School. Tyler loves to teach and has a passion for discovering and developing potential in everything around him. For four years, Tyler taught Character Education at a local high school and believes positive character is the greatest indicator of success. In 2012, Tyler began to develop the concepts that have become Roots—Utah’s first farm-based charter high school—where educators work with students who come from risky environments, helping them find and reach their potential. Highlights 02:00 Kurt introduces Tyler Bastian. 03:45 Tyler talks about why started the charter school and his backstory. 08:00 How do you begin to teach character development? 09:30 How Tyler was able to start a charter school 11:20 Tyler shares the mission that he has with Roots. 12:50 The type of students Roots charter school aims to help. Most of the kids are there because their previous school wasn’t working for them. 14:00 How do you run an organiz

Originally from Eagle, Idaho, Eric Jenson earned an MBA from Brigham Young University and has built a successful financial services business that has grown to over 100 financial professionals and more than $1 billion in assets placed under management. He now lives in Denver, Colorado, and works as a father-son team with his two oldest sons. Eric served a mission in Santa Rosa, California, and has served as an early morning seminary teacher, a Gospel Doctrine instructor, and in the elders quorum presidency, but his favorite calling was as the priest quorum advisor. He loves to swim with sharks, ski, surf, mountain bike, hike, travel, play tennis and pickleball—but most of all spend time with family creating once-in-a-lifetime memories over and over again. Highlights 02:30 Introduction to Eric Jenson 08:00 Don’t sit around waiting to be picked to be a leader. You are a leader now. Heavenly Father picked you. You were born to lead. 10:00 Eric shares his background. He has had leadership opportunities in his job

Laauli Faamausili serves as bishop in his ward in southeastern Washington state, and has previously served as a Sunday School and Primary teacher. He has a bachelor's degree from Eastern Washington University and works in agriculture. He is a big fan of how Leading Saints has helped him in family, church, employment, and civic service. Highlights 03:10 Introduction to Laauli and his background 05:30 Demographics of the ward Laauli leads 07:15 Getting called as bishop and starting out 10:00 Things he has learned in the last five years of being bishop 12:30 Principle one - Jesus is love 16:10 Balancing administration and ministering 18:45 Principle two - Grace. As leaders we need to ask for grace and give others grace. 24:00 Principle three - The Elias principle. Being a forerunner. You are preparing the way for future leaders. 28:48 Focusing on the youth of the ward 33:00 Using technology and apps as leaders 37:00 Laauli’s testimony Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Watch on YouTube Get 14

Casey Paul Griffiths is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University. He served a mission in Fort Lauderdale, Florida before returning home to complete a B.A. degree in History at BYU, an M.A. in Religious Education, and a PhD in Educational Leadership and Foundations. Casey served in Seminaries and Institutes for eleven years as a teacher and a curriculum writer. Casey's research focuses on the history of religious education among Latter-day Saints, the history of the Church in the Pacific, and diverse movements associated with the Restoration. He is the author of numerous books and articles on Latter-day Saint history, including Truth Seeker: The Life of Joseph F. Merrill, Scientist, Educator, and Apostle. He is married to Elizabeth Ottley Griffiths and they live in Saratoga Springs with their three children. Highlights 2:00 Introduction to Casey and his new book 5:10 The background of Joseph Merrill 8:50 Joseph Merrill’s faith journey 19:00 Joseph’s wife

Skyler Droubay has a bachelors degree in Civil Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration from Utah State University, and works at a trucking company, Double D Distribution. He is currently a counselor in his bishopric and has previously served as elders quorum secretary and counselor, Cub Scout leader, and teacher in Sunday School, elders quorum, and Primary (including nursery). Skyler and his wife live in Lehi, Utah, with their two daughters, ages 10 and 8. Highlights 02:30 Introduction to Skyler, former elders quorum secretary 06:30 Skyler shares an experience he had as a youth with an executive secretary that has influenced his time as a secretary. 12:30. The secretary takes care of the clerical and administrative aspects of the quorum to help enable the other members of the presidency to focus on ministering and the more spiritual aspects of the quorum. 14:50 The admin and clerical work is a very important part of the church too. There are many working pieces that go into making a meeting happe

This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in July 2019. Matthew Dicks is an author, columnist, teacher, storyteller, podcaster, blogger, playwright, and more. He is the co-founder and artistic director of Speak Up, a storytelling organization that produces shows throughout New England as well as a weekly podcast, and the author of Storyworthy. He's also the CEO of StoryworthyMD, where he teaches storytelling online. He consults with Fortune 500 companies, universities, attorneys, entrepreneurs, the clergy, and many more on storytelling and communication. Matthew is a 58-time Moth StorySLAM champion and 9-time GrandSLAM champion and has told stories for a wide range of events, radio shows, and performance venues. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, Elysha, and their two children. Highlights 07:26 With his wife runs an organization called “Speak Up” which puts on storytelling events 08:13 The science of telling a good story, i.e., public speaking in an engaging way 10:15 Basic storytelling princip

Shannon Foster taught seminary full time for thirteen years in the Salt Lake area. Shannon has a passion for the scriptures and for discovering the best ways for children and youth to learn the gospel. She has written over twenty books to help people study the scriptures and creates helps for people to study and teach the Come, Follow Me chapters in their homes. Shannon and her husband Tyson have two amazing children and she is currently a Relief Society teacher. Highlights 02:00 Introduction to Shannon Foster. Shannon provides resources for Come Follow Me and teaching our families. 03:40 Shannon is also known as The Red Headed Hostess. 05:00 Best advice for gathering people What will make this feel special? What will help people feel comfortable? 07:00 If the youth feel like you strengthen them and that you care about them they will return again and again. 08:00 Shannon shares her story and how she started teaching. 13:30 The classroom is not the ideal learning circumstance. While it's a good pl

Eli Nelson is originally from Seattle, Washington and is studying business at Brigham Young University. He has served as a counselor in an elders quorum presidency, ward temple and family history leader, and as a full time missionary in the Trinidad, Port of Spain Mission. He currently serves as elders quorum president in his young single adult ward in Provo, Utah, and is the soon-to-be husband to Claire Darby. Highlights 02:20 Eli’s background and mission experience 06:10 Getting called as elders quorum president in a YSA BYU ward 10:10 Principle one: Loving the handbook 12:15 Principle two: Finding the balance between magnifying your calling while also being a good peer 16:00 Principle three: Fostering active leadership in the quorum and ward 17:20 Principle four: The oxygen mask analogy. In order to serve others you have to have something to give. You have to take care of yourself first. 22:00 Time management is very important to taking care of yourself. Eli explains what time boxing is and how he uses it

Richard Nash spent his career as a writer and a speaker (not always by choice). He worked in management and marketing for Intermountain Healthcare for 35 years and previously served as a speechwriter and jokewriter for political and corporate leaders. He’s a former bishop and has also served as stake Young Men president, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and nursery leader. Most recently he is the author of 3 Keys to Help You Give a Better Talk. His previous book, Lengthen Your Smile, is a best-selling collection of brief stories (most of them funny) that illustrate faith-based ideals. Richard and his wife, Laurie, have three children and four grandchildren. Highlights 02:10 Introduction to Richard and his book, 3 Keys to Help You Give a Better Talk 07:50 Richard’s book was inspired by David O. McKay. 10:40 Principle 1: Have an objective The objective is the message you want listeners to take away from your talk. Keep your objective to one sentence. You are normally assigned the topic but take the time to pray a

Sharla Dance was finishing her degree in Music Education at Brigham Young University when she took a children’s music class from Susan Kenney. The principles and methods used in that class changed the way she wanted to teach music. When her daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age seven, Sharla delved into research about how the brain learns, Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences, and the body's role in learning as taught by neurologist Carla Hannaford. Since then, some of her research and experience has centered around music in a group setting for special needs children. She also started applying her research to Primary music and has continued to learn and teach workshops, helping church music leaders learn principles and brain research that can make them more effective in teaching children. Sharla has taught piano and voice lessons, group preschool, and school age music classes in her studio, Dance Sing and Play, for twenty five years. She has served as ward or stake Primary music leader

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Glenn R. Schiraldi, Ph.D., Lt. Colonel (US Army Reserve, Retired), is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, and a Vietnam-era veteran. He holds graduate degrees from Brigham Young University and the University of Maryland, and has served on the stress management faculties at the Pentagon, the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, and the University of Maryland School of Public Health. He has trained mental health professionals and laypersons—including high-risk groups such as the military, police, and firefighters—on stress, trauma, and resilience. Glenn is the founder of Resilience Training International, which teaches how to prevent and recover from stress-related conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety, while optimizing mental health and performance under pressure. An eternally-grateful convert of 47 years, Glenn serves in a young single adult branch presidency and, with his wife, leads the Addiction Recovery Program in his stake in Florida. Highlights 02:40 Kurt intro

Sara Payne is currently serving as the stake Relief Society president in Billings, Montana, and previously served as a branch Relief Society president in rural Maine. She loves Relief Society and considers it one of her purposes to help women in the Church understand that they belong and are wanted and needed in this great organization. Sara is a relationship coach and spends her days helping women who are married to physicians to create thriving marriages. Dale Williams has served in elders quorum, as a bishop and bishop's counselor, and in a stake presidency. He is currently a stake president in Billings, Montana. Dale is a business owner and practices as a chiropractor. Highlights 02:30 Introduction to Stake President Dale Williams and Stake Relief Society President Sara Payne in Billings, Montana. 04:45 Sara’s past experience and getting called as stake Relief Society president. 06:20 Dale shares his experience extending callings. He called Sara because she is a person who thinks outside the box. 0

Emily Robison Adams is married with three children and is a practicing appellate attorney. She received her undergraduate degree in linguistics from Brigham Young University and her JD from the University of Minnesota Law School. She worked for judges on the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the Federal District Court for the District of Minnesota before returning to Utah. She is a partner at The Appellate Group, a boutique law firm focusing on appeals. Emily has served in Relief Society and Young Women presidencies, taught Relief Society, and currently serves as the Primary chorister. Highlights 02:00 Kurt introduces Emily and her story. 04:00 Emily shares her background. 06:00 Emily’s faith crisis. She felt like she couldn’t get answers from God. 09:10 A crisis dismantles your framework and the story you’ve built your life on. 11:20 The shame that comes from feeling like you can’t connect with the divine. 15:25 How leaders can help with a faith crisis. 17:50 Emily shares that she dealt with bitterne

In this How I Lead podcast, Kurt speaks with Judy Clemens, who felt inspired to go to her stake president with some ideas, and was called to lead quarterly stake devotionals that have been very successful. Highlights 02:30 Introduction to Judy Clemans 04:30 Kurt reads his newsletter inspired by Judy. 06:30 Judy felt the call to serve but didn’t have an official calling. She stepped up anyway because she had lots of ideas. 07:50 If people could hear other people that are different from themselves, there could be so many opportunities to grow and expand. 09:00 Judy had so many ideas in her heart that could be helpful for the stake. She emailed her stake president and they had a meeting to discuss them. 12:40 After sharing her ideas with the stake president he took time to think about it and counsel with others and he ended up creating a special calling for Judy to implement her ideas. The calling is stake devotional coordinator. 14:30 Judy’s calling includes doing informal devotionals. A place to talk