Born to Lead

BTL

Born to Lead is a Christ-centered leadership podcast dedicated to helping young adults rise with confidence, purpose, and spiritual conviction. Inspired by the mission of our Born to Lead organization, this podcast highlights leaders who model discipleship in the way they speak, serve, and influence the world around them. Each episode features interviews with men and women who honor Jesus Christ through their leadership—individuals who use their voices with intention, compassion, and courage, striving to lead as He would lead. These conversations are designed to uplift, train, and inspire the next generation of Christ-centered leaders to step forward and speak with power and purpose.

Episodes

  1. FEB 17

    S1 E4: Leading with Joy Through Life’s Hardest Seasons | Lisa Valentine Clark

    In this heartfelt and deeply inspiring episode of Born to Lead, Connie Sokol and Madison Lattin sit down with actor, comedian, writer, and podcast host Lisa Valentine Clark to explore what it truly means to choose leadership through creativity, humor, and faith—especially in life’s hardest moments. Drawing from her background in improvisational theater, Lisa introduces the powerful principle of “Yes, And” as a leadership mindset—being fully present, honoring reality as it is, and collaboratively building something meaningful together. She shares how creativity isn’t just for artists, but a vital skill for leaders, parents, and anyone navigating the unknown. Lisa opens up about: How improv taught her to lead with presence and purposeWhy creativity requires flexibility, play, and collaborationUsing humor to navigate grief, hardship, and uncertaintyLeading with faith while collaborating with God and Jesus ChristChoosing how we respond when life doesn’t go as plannedIn a moving portion of the conversation, Lisa reflects on her late husband, Dr. Christopher Clark, and how humor, courage, and intentional living became acts of leadership during his battle with ALS. Her perspective reframes leadership not as control or position—but as choice, service, and influence rooted in love. This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership is not about having all the answers—it’s about choosing how you show up, inviting others into the process, and trusting God as you create something meaningful together.  Whether you’re leading in your family, your work, your faith, or your personal healing, this conversation will leave you inspired to lead with joy, creativity, and courage.

    29 min
  2. FEB 3

    S1 E3: Seeing the One: Christ-Centered Leadership from the Edge of the Mountain | Dr. Stacy Taniguchi

    In this powerful episode of Born to Lead, Connie Sokol and Madison Latin sit down with world-renowned mountaineer, educator, and author Dr. Stacy Taniguchi to explore what Christ-centered leadership looks like far beyond the boardroom—on glaciers, high-altitude peaks, and in life-or-death moments. Drawing from decades of guiding climbers through some of the most extreme environments on earth, Dr. Taniguchi shares unforgettable stories that reveal a profound leadership truth: every individual matters—especially “the one.” One story from a Denali expedition reframes what it truly means to lead with compassion, integrity, and awareness of another person’s unseen battles. Dr. Taniguchi also opens up about: Leading when someone is falling behind—and why you never leave them behindThe sacred role of keeping promises as a Christlike leadership principleA miraculous rescue that became a defining moment in his testimony of prayer and divine interventionBeing "Born to Lead" can also mean "Born to Follow Christ"How reflection, humility, and inner stillness reveal our divine potentialThis episode is a masterclass in leadership rooted in discipleship, showing that true influence comes not from power or position, but from integrity, faith, and care for the individual soul.  Whether you’re a leader, mentor, parent, or simply navigating your own climb, this conversation will change how you see leadership—and yourself. @StacyTaniguchi

    32 min
  3. JAN 19

    S1 E2: When Leadership Finds You: Eva Witesman on Calling, Stewardship, and Christ-Led Work

    In this episode of Born to Lead, hosts Connie Sokol and Madison Lattin sit down with Eva Witesman, Director of the Ballard Center for Social Impact at Brigham Young University, to explore what it truly means to recognize yourself as a leader and lead in Christ’s way. Eva shares the pivotal moment when she first identified as a leader — and how that realization transformed the way she approached her work, stewardship, and purpose. Eva offers thoughtful insights on young adults and leadership, spiritual gifts, and the principle of “lift where you stand.” Through personal stories, including her viral BYU devotional and her work mentoring students, she reminds us that leadership is not about titles or hierarchy, but about stewardship, collaboration, and being led by Jesus Christ in everyday decisions. Together, we talk about: • What it means to become a leader once you recognize yourself as one  • Why leadership begins with stewardship, not position  • How the principle “lift where you stand” changes the way we lead together  • The difference between being Christ-like, Christ-centered, and Christ-led  • How identifying and developing your spiritual gifts strengthens your leadership  • Why women are called to lead in families, communities, church, and beyond This conversation is filled with wisdom, faith, and practical insight for anyone seeking to lead with purpose, humility, and courage — whether in professional roles, service, or quiet moments of influence. You were born to lead. The question is, how will you live as a leader for Him? @EvaWitesman 00:00 Eva Witesman Bio 01:20 How Eva developed as a leader at Brigham Young University 04:12 The miraculous backstory to Eva’s viral BYU devotional 07:25 How Eva would build on her original devotional 08:48 Lift where you stand 11:05 Where the “lift where you stand” motto showed up in Eva’s life 12:52 What students are doing at the Ballard Center for Social Impact 16:05 What does it mean to be Christ-led? 19:32 Personal Christ-led leadership skills 23:35 What Born to Lead means to Eva Witesman

    25 min
  4. JAN 6

    S1 E1: Michelle Craig on Living Who You Were Meant to Be

    In this powerful episode of Born to Lead, we sit down with Michelle Craig, former First Counselor in the General Young Women Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to explore what Christ-centered leadership really looks like in everyday life. Michelle shares tender insights on identity, purpose, and taking the next right step, especially for young adults who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of where they are headed. Through personal stories, including the experience behind the beloved Eyes to See message, she reminds us that leadership is not about titles or positions but about seeing others, acting with faith, and living who you truly are. Together, we talk about: --Why your purpose does not have to be fully figured out to move forward --How God finds us as we faithfully do our duty, right where we are --What Christlike leadership looks like in small, ordinary moments --Lessons learned from working closely with youth, young adults, and Church leaders --How knowing your divine identity changes the way you lead and serve This conversation is filled with hope, clarity, and encouragement for anyone striving to lead with courage, compassion, and conviction, whether in classrooms, homes, communities, or quiet moments that matter most. You were born to lead. The question is, how will you live it? @michelledcraig 0:00 Michelle Craig bio 0:39 Welcome to Born to Lead 1:10 How can someone find their purpose? 4:15 What prepared Michelle to be a leader? 6:55 Developing Christ-centered leadership skills 11:20 Michelle's Eyes to See experience 16:19 What Michelle has learned from young adults 21:05 Leadership lesson Michelle wishes she learned earlier 24:46 What Michelle gained from working with the First Presidency and Apostles 28:53 What Born to Lead means to Michelle 31:48 Thank you, Michelle

    33 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Born to Lead is a Christ-centered leadership podcast dedicated to helping young adults rise with confidence, purpose, and spiritual conviction. Inspired by the mission of our Born to Lead organization, this podcast highlights leaders who model discipleship in the way they speak, serve, and influence the world around them. Each episode features interviews with men and women who honor Jesus Christ through their leadership—individuals who use their voices with intention, compassion, and courage, striving to lead as He would lead. These conversations are designed to uplift, train, and inspire the next generation of Christ-centered leaders to step forward and speak with power and purpose.