Golden Fractures

Nicole Nicholls
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Golden Fractures is a podcast that was created to remind you that you are loved. You are loved and you can feel joy. True joy comes from knowing who you really are. We get to know ourselves better by getting to know our Savior, Jesus Christ, better. Christ can make beauty out of our imperfections. We can use our shortcomings to show love to others in our lives--including ourselves. We each have our strengths, but are sometimes blinded by our insecurities. Together, let's discover how we can make beauty from the cracks in our lives through our Savior.

  1. Sep 24

    STUDY WITH ME: What Happens When You Trust God Without Understanding - Jesus the Christ, Chapter 7

    This episode is a little different—and honestly, a little bittersweet. I’m sharing a decision I didn’t expect to make: I feel like it’s time for me to step away from Golden Fractures, at least for now. I’m not done studying, though. I still plan to keep working my way through Jesus the Christ, sharing what I’m learning on social media, and creating the study guides I’ve loved putting together. I’m just changing what that looks like. And it felt fitting that this episode brought me back to one of the things I’ve loved most about this podcast—opening the scriptures and noticing things I hadn’t noticed before. This week, I’m studying Luke 1 and the story of Mary. I kept coming back to one question: Why Mary? What was it about this young woman that made God trust her with such an enormous responsibility? We talk about Mary’s incredible response to Gabriel—“Be it unto me according to thy word”—and how much faith must have been behind those words. I also share some things I noticed about Elizabeth’s role in Mary’s story, Joseph’s quiet response to something he couldn’t possibly understand, and the ways God seems to place people around us when He asks us to do hard things. More than anything, Mary’s story has made me think about what it means to simply be available to God. So my invitation this week is to pray and ask Heavenly Father to help you recognize one invitation He is extending to you right now. And when you recognize it, try to respond with faith instead of fear—even if you don’t understand exactly where it will lead. Maybe that’s one of the things I’m learning in this season of my own life too. Sometimes following God means saying yes to something new. And sometimes it means being willing to let go. Study with me: https://instagram.com/_nicolenicholls Free study guides: https://goldenfractures.blogspot.com

  2. Sep 17

    STUDY WITH ME: Why Did Jesus Come When He Did? - Jesus the Christ, Chapter 6

    What if the things in your life that feel delayed or completely random are actually part of a much bigger picture? That’s something I kept thinking about as I studied the first few chapters of Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage. Jesus didn’t just happen to be born in Bethlehem at a random point in history. So many things had been prepared beforehand—and He came at exactly the right time. In this episode, I’m looking at the circumstances surrounding Christ’s birth, from the prophecy in Micah about Bethlehem to the political and spiritual climate of the Roman Empire. And the more I studied it, the more I started thinking about how often God works this way in our own lives. Sometimes we’re waiting for something to happen and wondering why it hasn’t happened yet. Sometimes what looks like a setback or a completely random turn in the road ends up being part of something we couldn’t see coming. I also share a really personal story from my own life involving an unexpected internship, a painful breakup, and a series of decisions that seemed pretty insignificant at the time—but eventually led me to Jeremy. A few things I’m thinking about in this episode: ​ Why Bethlehem mattered long before Jesus was born• How the world Jesus was born into was being prepared for His ministry• Why humility and uncomfortable seasons might be part of our preparation• What the Star of Bethlehem can teach us about God’s timing• And what my own story taught me about trusting God when I couldn’t see what He was doingI don’t think waiting is easy. I definitely haven’t always been good at it. But studying the Savior’s birth reminded me that just because I can’t see what God is doing doesn’t mean nothing is happening. So if you’re in a season where you’re asking, “Why isn’t this happening yet?” or “Why did my life have to take this weird detour?”—this one is for you. Maybe God sees the whole picture when all we can see is the next step. Study Guide: https://goldenfractures.blogspot.com/2026/08/season-3-episode-6-why-did-jesus-come.html?m=1

  3. Sep 10

    STUDY WITH ME: Understanding God's Timing - Jesus the Christ, Chapter 5 with Shalyn Back

    God’s timing is never random, even when it feels like we’ve been waiting forever. In this episode, I’m talking about prophecy, preparation, faith, and what it means to trust God when His promises don’t happen on our timeline. I’m continuing our study of Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage with chapter 5, which focuses on the prophecies surrounding Christ’s birth. One of the things I love about studying these prophecies is seeing how much they teach us about who God is. He is intentional. He is patient. And He keeps His promises — even when the waiting is longer than we expected. We also talk about how the Nephites experienced that waiting for Christ’s birth and how much their experience can actually mirror our own. We may not be waiting for the Savior’s first coming, but we are waiting for His Second Coming, and I think there is a lot we can learn from the way they prepared. In this episode, we talk about: • Why the prophecies of Christ’s birth still matter to us, even though they’ve already been fulfilled
• How the Nephites’ experience of waiting for Christ can mirror our own spiritual waiting
• What it actually looks like to prepare for the Second Coming without becoming overwhelmed
• Why “filling your lamp” is about spiritual readiness, not checking every box perfectly
• How God can stretch our faith while we’re waiting for a promise to be fulfilled
• Why studying both a prophecy and its fulfillment can strengthen our confidence in God I also share some personal experiences about how God has softened my heart through unexpected callings and how different seasons of life have changed the way I study and see His hand in my life. Trusting God’s timing is something I feel like I keep coming back to again and again. More than anything, this chapter reminded me that God sees the whole picture when I can only see the part I’m currently living. His promises don’t fail just because they take longer than I hoped they would. If you’ve ever found yourself waiting on God, wondering what you’re supposed to be doing in the meantime, or thinking about how to prepare for the Savior’s return without getting overwhelmed, I think you’ll really enjoy this conversation. And if you want to take the study a little further, the study guide invites us to choose one prophecy about Jesus Christ and study both the prophecy and its fulfillment. I love this idea because the more we see how faithfully God has kept His promises in the past, the more confidence we can have that He will keep the ones we’re still waiting on. You can find the study guide here: https://goldenfractures.blogspot.com

  4. Sep 3

    STUDY WITH ME: Is Jesus God? - Jesus the Christ, Chapter 4

    Is Jesus God? I think this is one of the most important questions we can ask about Jesus Christ—not just because of what it teaches us about Him, but because of what it changes about the way we understand scripture, the Godhead, and our relationship with our Savior. In this episode, I dive into John 8, John 4, John 18, Mosiah 15, and 3 Nephi 9 to look at something I’ve found incredibly powerful: Jesus Christ repeatedly identifies Himself in ways that connect Him directly to Jehovah of the Old Testament. When He says, “I am,” when He tells the woman at the well who He is, and when He declares “I am he” in the Garden of Gethsemane, there is so much more happening than we might realize at first glance. I also spend some time in James E. Talmage’s Jesus the Christ looking at the relationship between the Father and the Son and what it means to understand Jesus as Jehovah. We’ll explore: • Why Jesus saying “I am” in John 8 was such a powerful declaration
• What the conversation with the woman at the well teaches us about Christ’s identity
• Why the guards fell backward when Jesus said, “I am he” in the Garden
• How Elder Talmage explains the distinction between the Father and the Son
• What the Book of Mormon teaches about Jesus Christ as the God of the Old Testament
• And ultimately, why knowing that Jesus is Jehovah matters to us personally For me, this isn’t just a theological question or an interesting connection between Old and New Testament scripture. It changes the way I see Jesus. He isn’t simply someone who came into the world two thousand years ago to teach us how to live. He is the same God who created the earth, who spoke to prophets, who covenanted with His people, and who has been working to redeem His children from the beginning. He is Jehovah. He is the Creator. He is the Redeemer. And He knows us. I hope this episode helps you see Jesus Christ a little more clearly—not just as the Savior who came to earth, but as the divine Son of God who has always been at the center of the Father’s plan to bring us home.

  5. Aug 27

    STUDY WITH ME: Why Can't We Save Ourselves? - Jesus the Christ, Chapter 3

    The Atonement of Jesus Christ is one of those things I feel like I can study over and over and still discover something new. In this episode, I’m continuing through James E. Talmage’s Jesus the Christ and digging into why the Atonement was necessary in the first place—and how agency, the Fall, God’s foreknowledge, and the role of Jesus Christ all fit together. One question that really stood out to me was this: How can our agency be completely real if God already knows the end from the beginning? And as I studied, I found myself seeing the Fall of Adam and Eve in a different way—not as a mistake that needed to be fixed, but as an essential part of the plan that made our need for a Redeemer possible. I also talk about Christ’s suffering in Gethsemane and one of the things I find most incredible about the Atonement: Jesus Christ doesn’t just know about our pain. He knows it personally. He understands our weaknesses, our circumstances, our struggles, and everything that makes our experience uniquely ours. In this episode, I explore: • Why agency had to be given to us rather than simply assumed
• How God’s foreknowledge can coexist with our ability to choose
• Why the Fall made the Atonement necessary
• What Talmage teaches about Christ’s foreordained role as our Redeemer
• Why God’s judgment can actually be a source of hope when we understand that He knows every circumstance of our lives
• And a question about whether the effects of Adam’s transgression extend beyond this life As always, I’m not sharing these ideas because I have everything figured out. I’m sharing what I’m learning and the questions that have come up for me as I study. I hope this episode encourages you to do the same—to question, study, test what you hear, and take your own testimony of Jesus Christ into your own hands. More than anything, this study has reminded me that the Atonement isn’t just some abstract part of the plan of salvation. It is personal. Jesus Christ knew what we would need before we ever experienced it, and He willingly prepared the way for each of us to return to God. If you’re studying the Atonement, trying to understand the plan of salvation more deeply, or simply need a reminder that the Savior sees you, knows you, and understands you completely, I hope this conversation gives you something to think about.

  6. Aug 20

    STUDY WITH ME: Jesus Knew You Before You Were Born | Jesus the Christ, Chapter 2 with Shalyn Back

    What if remembering that you lived with Heavenly Father before this life could change the way you see yourself, your purpose, and even the people around you? In this episode, Shalyn and I dive into a powerful chapter of Jesus the Christ and Abraham 3 as we talk about the premortal life, foreordination, agency, and the role Jesus Christ played in the plan of salvation from the very beginning. One of the things that stood out to me most was the idea that Christ was “with thee before the world was.” He knew us. He knew the Father’s plan. And He willingly chose to follow that plan—not because He was forced to, but because He trusted the Father completely. We talk about what that means for us, too. What does it mean to know that we existed before this life? How does foreordination change the way we think about our purpose? And how does understanding agency help us better understand both Heavenly Father and ourselves? Shalyn shares some really thoughtful connections between these ideas and parenting, especially when it comes to allowing our children to make their own choices and learn through those choices. We also talk about how remembering our eternal identity can change the way we see other people—not simply as “good” or “bad,” but as children of God who chose Him before this life just like we did. And, as always, we try to take the doctrine a step further and make it personal. Because studying these things isn’t just about knowing more. It’s about letting what we learn change the way we live. If you’ve ever wondered who you really are, why you’re here, or what your relationship with Heavenly Father looked like before this life, I think you’ll really enjoy this conversation. So grab your scriptures, open up Jesus the Christ, and study with us this week. Study Guide & Show Notes: https://goldenfractures.blogspot.com

  7. Aug 13

    STUDY WITH ME: Who is Jesus, Really? | Jesus the Christ, Chapter 1

    Jesus Christ isn’t just the centerpiece of history—He is the answer to the questions shaping our lives right now. In this season opener, I’m inviting you into a 42-week study of Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage. But more than that, I want to invite you to study differently. To stop treating scripture study like a checkbox and start letting it change you. I’m sharing why personal study matters, why spiritual learning can’t be outsourced, and why knowing about Jesus isn’t the same as knowing Him. If you’ve felt stuck, distracted, or disconnected in your scripture study, I hope this episode feels like a reset—and a reminder of why coming back to the scriptures matters. In this episode, I talk about: • Why Jesus the Christ is both challenging and deeply rewarding
• How the study guides are designed to help you learn, even if you don’t read every chapter
• The difference between reading scripture for information and studying it for transformation
• Why faith grows when we let the Holy Ghost lead our learning
• What chapter one teaches us about Christ’s humility, divinity, Atonement, and Resurrection I also walk through the major teachings from chapter one in plain language, including Christ’s premortal identity, His mortal birth, His death and Resurrection, the Restoration of His Church, and His promised return. Along the way, I draw from John 17:3, John 20:31, and The Living Christ to anchor this season in scripture and testimony. Because I really believe the way we study changes the way we believe. If you want a deeper relationship with the Savior, a stronger testimony, and a more intentional spiritual rhythm, this is where we begin. Whether you’re restarting your scripture study, looking to strengthen your testimony, or simply want to spend the next 42 weeks getting to know Jesus Christ more personally, I’m so glad you’re here. Study Guide & Show Notes: https://goldenfractures.blogspot.com

  8. May 29

    Christlike Attribute: Godliness

    Most of us don’t think much about the Christlike attribute of godliness. It can almost feel like one of those spiritual words we hear in church but don’t fully understand. But as I’ve studied it, I’ve realized godliness is so much more personal—and so much more attainable—than I ever imagined. In this episode, I’m sharing what surprised me most during my study of godliness and how this divine attribute isn’t reserved for people who are spiritually “perfect.” Godliness is something God invites all of us into right now, even in the middle of our weaknesses, struggles, and imperfect lives. I talk about how ordinances and covenants aren’t just symbolic traditions—they are actual channels of divine power. Through ordinances like baptism, we’re connected to heaven in a very real way, and little by little, we can begin to take on the nature of Jesus Christ. I also share why I’ve come to see baptism differently—not just as a one-time event, but as an entrance into the kingdom of God and a life connected to heavenly power. In this episode, we’ll talk about: • What godliness really means and how it’s connected to becoming more like God • How divine power is available to you right now, no matter where you are spiritually • Why ordinances matter so much more than we sometimes realize • How covenants and obedience open the door for spiritual strength and transformation • Practical ways to invite the Holy Ghost more fully into everyday life I truly believe understanding godliness changes the way we see our relationship with God. It reminds us that spiritual growth is possible now—not someday when we’re perfect, but today, as we keep turning toward Christ. If you’ve been longing to feel closer to God, understand the power of ordinances more deeply, or become more like Christ in your daily life, I hope this episode encourages you and helps you see the divine potential already within you.

See All (80)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Golden Fractures is a podcast that was created to remind you that you are loved. You are loved and you can feel joy. True joy comes from knowing who you really are. We get to know ourselves better by getting to know our Savior, Jesus Christ, better. Christ can make beauty out of our imperfections. We can use our shortcomings to show love to others in our lives--including ourselves. We each have our strengths, but are sometimes blinded by our insecurities. Together, let's discover how we can make beauty from the cracks in our lives through our Savior.

Information

  • Creator
    Nicole Nicholls
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    80
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Nicole Nicholls
  • Show Website
    Golden Fractures

You Might Also Like