Leading Saints Podcast

Blair Treu, an award-winning director known for his films like Sharing Aloha and Meet the Mormons, shares fascinating insights from his career. He discusses inspiring stories from students at the Polynesian Cultural Center, focusing on their resilience and the educational opportunities they receive. Blair emphasizes the importance of appreciation and compassion in leadership, drawing connections to principles learned through film and faith. His reflections highlight the transformative power of community and the unique challenges faced in storytelling.

Dive into the dynamics of delegation in bishoprics and youth leadership, uncovering the pressures and anxieties faced by bishops. The importance of clear communication and setting expectations shines through as leaders share strategies for effective delegation. Discover how positive reinforcement and a council model empower youth to engage in meaningful discussions. The conversation also highlights the collaborative role of parents and leaders, reminding us that despite the messiness in leadership, grace and understanding are vital in the community.

Skylar Haws, an experienced youth leader and passionate advocate for young men's spiritual growth, shares his insights on effective youth leadership. He underscores the importance of meeting young men where they are and fostering relationships through adventure activities. Skylar discusses how challenges can strengthen faith and emphasizes the role of parents in supporting youth initiatives. He also reflects on his personal experiences of sacrifice in service, illustrating how these moments can lead to profound personal development for both leaders and youth.

Dive into a lively discussion focused on transforming Sunday School experiences! Discover strategies for fostering collaboration among educators and engaging parents in religious education. Learn about the challenges and successes of teacher council meetings, and how tools like Slido can enhance participation. Hear personal insights on creating open environments for spiritual discussions. Plus, explore the vital role of parents in teaching the gospel at home and the resources that can support them in this important work.

Allison Schreiber, an early morning seminary teacher from New Braunfels, Texas, shares her passion for making seminary dynamic and engaging. With a diverse background in leadership and community service, she discusses innovative teaching strategies, like blending fun activities with meaningful lessons to captivate students. Allison emphasizes empowering youth by fostering a collaborative learning environment and connects spirituality with real-life experiences through interactive methods. Her insights on creating a positive classroom culture make religious education a transformative journey.

This is a follow-up conversation. Listen to the first episode here. Jeff Strong worked nearly 30 years in the consumer products industry as a senior executive at Procter & Gamble and global president and chief customer officer at Johnson & Johnson. He then taught in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University and worked as an advisor to the Church before serving as a mission leader in the Arkansas Bentonville Mission. Jeff has since spent several years doing research on why people are leaving the Church. While not a professional researcher, his career involved a large amount of research and the research he shares in this podcast was done with the help of some of the top Latter-day Saint researchers in the world. Today, Jeff lives in Midway, Utah, and stays busy with a little lavender farm, some business consulting, and enjoying family. Links Slides: Tension From Our Differences When Clapping Happens at Church | A How I Lead Interview with Devin Pope Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Highlights Jeff Strong dives deeper into the complexities of faith and community. He explores the idea that while many church leaders may come from a similar mindset, the diversity of perspectives within the congregation is essential for a healthy community. Jeff shares insights from a comprehensive study on disaffiliation and church experiences, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the church culture. He notes that while many members appreciate the community, service, and spiritual growth offered by the church, there are significant concerns about judgment, conformity, and exclusivity that can alienate individuals with differing beliefs or backgrounds. Jeff and Kurt talk about the tension caused by differences, and Jeff illustrates how the natural human response to perceived threats often leads to conformity and exclusion. He discusses the importance of yielding to the Holy Spirit to navigate these tensions, rather than allowing fear to dictate responses. A key part of the episode is the introduction of a segmentation model that categorizes Latter-day Saints into six belief mindsets: Seekers, Cultivators, Protectors, Avoiders, Connectors, and Explorers. Each segment is defined by its unique values and priorities, with Protectors making up a significant portion of church leadership. Jeff and Kurt discuss the implications of this model, emphasizing that a church comprised solely of one segment would lack the richness and diversity necessary for a thriving community. Understanding these different mindsets can help church leaders foster a more inclusive environment that accommodates a broader range of beliefs and experiences. Jeff encourages listeners to embrace the complexities of faith and community, recognizing that the presence of tension can lead to growth and deeper understanding. 00:02:00 – Discussion on disaffiliation from the church 00:02:00 – Tension caused by differences 00:09:00 – Story of the kingfisher and magpies 00:12:00 – Strengths of church culture 00:14:00 – Weaknesses of church culture 00:21:00 – The concept of the “natural man” 00:26:00 – The role of a leader in navigating tension 00:30:00 – Introduction of six mindsets or “segments” 00:36:00 – The “Seekers” segment 00:37:00 – The “Cultivators” segment 00:38:00 – The “Protectors” segment 00:39:00 – The “Avoiders” segment 00:40:00 – The “Connectors” segment 00:42:00 – The “Explorers” segment 00:44:00 – The value of different segments 00:46:00 – Disconnect in leadership 00:48:00 – Historical context of leadership 00:52:00 – Blending leadership styles 01:04:00 – Jesus and Joseph Smith as examples of different mindsets 01:13:00 – Discussion of the Body of Christ from 1 Corinthians 12 01:23:00 – Story of a 100-year-old runner 01:33:00 – Concluding thoughts on a thriving church The award-winning 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, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, 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, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, 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 800 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.

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 lived in a variety of places, from Boston to Brazil and Los Angeles to Hong Kong, and currently lives in Springville, Utah, with his wife and five children, where he serves as a bishop in the Hobble Creek Springville Utah Stake. Links Young Investors Society: YIS.org Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Highlights James Fletcher shares his insights and experiences as a bishop and youth leader. He shares his approach to engaging with youth, highlighting the advice he received to focus on them while allowing other leaders to manage adult responsibilities. He discusses his passion for working with young people, which has been shaped by his background in youth mentorship and his founding of the Young Investor Society, an organization that teaches financial literacy and investment principles to high school students. James emphasizes the importance of setting high expectations for youth while providing the necessary support and mentorship. He also discusses the significance of creating engaging and interactive experiences for youth, rather than simply delivering lessons. He shares how challenging youth with high expectations can lead to remarkable growth and engagement, citing examples from both his church leadership and his work with the Young Investor Society. 00:04:04 – First Impressions of Being a Bishop James shares his experiences and feelings during the first months of his calling as bishop. 00:05:16 – Unique Ward Dynamics Discussion about the unique characteristics of James’s ward in Springville, Utah, including its diverse community. 00:06:57 – Approach to Engaging Youth James explains his focus on youth and how he prioritizes their needs in his leadership role. 00:07:54 – Background in Youth Engagement James discusses his history of working with youth and the founding of the Young Investor Society. 00:09:37 – Weekly Engagement with Youth Insights into James’s weekly activities and how he applies principles of mentorship and engagement with youth. 00:11:06 – Measuring Success as a Bishop James shares advice on how to judge success in his role, emphasizing spiritual guidance. 00:12:00 – Personal Story of Mentorship James recounts a meaningful experience with a young man named Zach and the impact of mentorship. 00:14:23 – Principles for Working with Youth James discusses key principles for engaging and inspiring youth, including setting high expectations. 00:18:47 – Interactive Learning Experiences The importance of interactive and challenging experiences for youth to keep them engaged. 00:21:10 – High Expectations and Support James elaborates on the balance of high expectations and providing support to youth. 00:23:01 – Recognizing and Nurturing Gifts The significance of helping youth recognize their gifts and potential. 00:30:54 – Real Love and Genuine Support James emphasizes the importance of showing genuine love and support to youth in leadership. 00:36:21 – Young Investor Society Overview Information about the Young Investor Society and how it supports youth in financial literacy. The award-winning 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, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, 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, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, 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 800 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.

Dr. Benjamin Hardy, organizational psychologist and bestselling author focused on exponential growth, explains how audacious 10x goals force simplification. He discusses using bold numeric targets to filter decisions, “raising the floor” of standards, and reshaping systems like missionary work to enable rapid scaling. Short, strategic, and provocative ideas on transforming organizations for big growth.

This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally aired in March 2021. Clint Pulver is an Emmy Award-winning, motivational keynote speaker, author, musician, and workforce expert. The president and founder of The Center for Employee Retention, Clint has transformed how corporations create lasting loyalty through his work and research as “The Undercover Millennial”. His book I Love It Here shares how extraordinary leaders create companies their people never want to leave, and in this interview he helps translate some of that wisdom into local leadership in the Church. Clint is currently serving as a bishop. Links I Love It Here: How Great Leaders Create Organizations Their People Never Want to Leave clintpulver.com Instagram @clintpulver Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Highlights 4:40 Writing a book with lots of research was a difficult project 7:35 Culture changes in different wards come down to leadership 9:00 Engagement is low due to the pandemic but we can change some things even now 10:20 “Let me know when it gets to the part about me”: getting to the people in the gospel is what builds a stronger culture 13:25 Give them a reason to connect with you; make the little efforts to connect with people 15:30 “Who said the guy wanted a fish?” Ask people what they want; do more listening than talking 17:30 Traditional leadership vs. mentorship and personal connection 19:30 Four types of leaders The leader who is removed The buddy The controller The mentor 24:15 Do you have the right people in the right places? 27:25 When inviting someone to a calling, make an invitation, talk about the expectations, and look for some buy-in 31:10 Status interviews and the power of meeting regularly Not a performance review Three questions: What can we do to keep you more engaged? What’s getting in the way of your success? What can I do to help you get there? 35:15 Start with a check-in and vocal praise 37:00 Repeat back so they know they were heard and understood Follow up on what you said you would do Create a growth development plan with them Invoke the help of other people and make it simpler for you 40:00 Core values and a vision: keep it simple and memorable 42:30 Reflective questions Be open to feedback The to-don’t list 47:35 Story of the business leader who was open and vulnerable, leading to a sense of ownership for her employees 51:00 Look for inspiration through association and connection with other people 53:00 What do you offer that Google can’t? 54:20 “I love who I am when I’m here” The award-winning 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, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, 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, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, 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 800 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.

Monica Tanner, an RLT-trained relationship coach and host of the 'Secrets of Happily Ever After' podcast, shares powerful insights to transform marriages. She emphasizes the crucial role of communication, dispelling myths like 'happy couples never fight.' The conversation explores the stigma around seeking help, especially in the Latter-day Saint community, and challenges outdated marriage advice. Monica advocates for conflict resolution and understanding the dynamics of relationships, equipping couples with tools for greater connection and satisfaction.