Leading Saints Podcast

Leading Saints
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Leading Saints Podcast

Leading Saints is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help Latter-day Saints (LDS, Mormon) be better prepared to lead. Here are 4 ways Leading Saints accomplishes the above mission statement: 1. Connect Latter-day Saint Leaders 2. Enhance Leadership Ability 3. Present Leadership Scholarship & Research 4. Celebrate Divine Guidance Podcast Host: Kurt Francom is the founder and executive director of Leading Saints, a nonprofit organization helping Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. He manages the day-to-day efforts of Leading Saints and is the host of the podcast by the same name. Leading Saints has reached individuals internationally and has received over 2 million downloads. Kurt currently lives in Utah with his lovely wife Alanna. They are blessed to have three children. He enjoys drawing caricatures, playing basketball, reading, and watching college football. Kurt has served as a full-time missionary (California Sacramento), as a bishop, 1st counselor in a stake presidency, and elders quorum president.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Inviting the Ward to Sing in the Choir | A How I Lead Interview with ToriAnn Perkey

    ToriAnn Perkey has served as ward or stake choir director, as well as ward or stake music coordinator for most of her adult life in the Church. She has also served as a Primary counselor and a Young Women secretary. ToriAnn earned a bachelor's degree in Classical Studies with History and Editing minors from Brigham Young University. In addition to raising four kids and homeschooling them for their entire education, she has also owned an online recruiting company and worked as an online business manager. She is now the executive director and English program director for a private educational company that provides a la carte classes for secondary homeschool students. ToriAnn has been happily married to her husband for 27 years and lives in Orem, Utah. Links SacredSheetMusic.org (not sacredsheetmusic.com) Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community Read the transcript of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights ToriAnn shares her insights and experiences in leading ward and stake choirs and emphasizes the need for effective leadership in choir settings, particularly in revitalizing choirs that may have dwindled in participation. Throughout the episode, she outlines several key principles for successfully leading a choir. She stresses the importance of asking questions and gathering feedback from potential participants to understand their hesitations and preferences. This approach not only helps in addressing concerns but also fosters a sense of community and involvement. She advocates for proactive marketing strategies to ensure that choir activities are well-publicized and that members feel invited and excited to participate. ToriAnn also emphasizes the necessity of making participation easy and straightforward, ensuring that logistical details are well-organized to minimize barriers to attendance. Moreover, she discusses the significance of making choir practices spiritually enriching, suggesting that each session should include moments of reflection and testimony sharing to enhance the overall experience. ToriAnn shares personal anecdotes that illustrate the profound impact choir participation can have on individuals, including fostering connections and providing a sense of belonging. The episode concludes with ToriAnn encouraging choir directors to seek inspiration and guidance from their leadership, ensuring that the choir aligns with the broader goals of the ward or stake. Overall, this episode serves as a valuable resource for choir directors and leaders, offering practical advice and heartfelt insights into the transformative power of music and community within the church. 05:37 - Tori Ann's Background in Choir Directing 06:55 - Demographics and Dynamics of Choir in Different Areas 09:02 - Initial Challenges and Leadership Expectations 11:34 - Principle 1: Ask Questions and Get Feedback 14:10 - Importance of Feedback in Leadership 15:37 - Principle 2: Market Like Crazy 18:32 - Engaging New Members and Building Interest 20:03 - Principle 3: Make It Easy and Simple to Participate 23:14 - Reducing Barriers to Participation 23:45 - Principle 4: Make It Worth Their Time

    44 min

  2. 6 DAYS AGO

    The Leadership of Marion D. Hanks | An Interview with Richard Hanks

    Rich Hanks is an author, investor, and adviser to both start-ups and established businesses. He has served as a board director of numerous profit and non-profit companies and organizations, and as a mission president in Birmingham, Alabama. His book, To Be a Friend of Christ, draws on previously unavailable primary sources—journals, correspondence, notebooks, and recordings—to share the first and only authorized biography of his father, Marion D. Hanks, who served for nearly 40 years as a General Authority. Links To Be a Friend of Christ: The Life of Marion D. Hanks Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community. Read the transcript of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights Rich shares personal anecdotes about his father, highlighting his early calling as a General Authority at just 31 years old and the unique challenges that came with it, including the absence of an emeritus status at the time. Rich elaborates on Marion D. Hanks' contributions to early morning seminary programs and the establishment of the Christus as a symbol of the Church, emphasizing his efforts to make the Church more relatable and accessible to the public. The discussion also touches on Elder Hanks' mission presidency in England, where he worked to reform the culture of missionary work, focusing on genuine conversion rather than mere numbers. Rich recounts how his father prioritized the spiritual well-being of missionaries and the importance of service, drawing parallels to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Throughout the episode, Rich reflects on the leadership principles exemplified by his father, including the importance of being a voice for change while maintaining respect for Church authority. The conversation concludes with Rich sharing how his father's legacy has influenced his own approach to leadership as a mission president, emphasizing the need to focus on the individuals being served rather than solely on baptism numbers. Overall, the episode provides a rich exploration of Marion D. Hanks' life and the enduring impact of his leadership philosophy within the Church. 02:05 - Who Was Marion D. Hanks? 02:52 - Elder Hanks' Influence and Legacy 03:42 - Rich Hanks' Personal Connection to His Father 04:05 - Marion D. Hanks as a General Authority 05:39 - The Emeritus Status and Its Impact 07:25 - Growing Up with a General Authority Father 08:56 - Marion D. Hanks' Teaching Innovations 10:51 - The Christus Symbol and Its Origins 12:47 - Elder Hanks as Mission President 16:55 - Addressing the Baptism Culture in England 20:55 - Leadership Principles from Elder Hanks 22:15 - The Importance of Service in Leadership 25:01 - The Dynamics of Being a General Authority 27:40 - Navigating Leadership Disagreements 30:12 - The Role of Revelation in Leadership 32:37 - The Legacy of Service and Community Engagement 39:09 - Personal Reflections on Leadership Principles 43:24 - Applying Elder Hanks' Principles in Modern Leadership The 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 a href="https://leadingsaints.

    1h 8m

  3. OCT 16

    Be Zealous About Sunday School | A How I Lead Interview with Mark Castillo

    Mark Castillo was raised in Honolulu, Hawaii and baptized at age 10. He attended Brigham Young University, served a mission in Venezuela, and has had a career in business and human resources. Mark lives in Highland, Utah, with his wife and three sons, and currently serves as a Sunday School president. Links Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community. Read the transcript of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights Mark emphasizes key leadership principles such as conversion, embracing one's teaching style, and the importance of personal stories in teaching. He highlights the need for consistent effort in spiritual growth and the significance of inviting others to act on what they learn. 02:41 - Mark's Background and Church Journey 06:39 - The "Sunday School Zealot" Nickname 09:02 - Tips for Ward Librarians 12:14 - Insights on a Typical Utah Ward 13:41 - Sunday School Structure in Highland Ward 16:07 - Teacher Council Meetings Overview 19:45 - Importance of Conversion in Leadership 24:18 - Embracing Your Teaching Style 27:21 - Choosing to Put Heavenly Father First 29:51 - Practical Tools for Teaching 31:06 - The Impact of Personal Stories in Teaching The 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, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, a href="https://leadingsaints.org/leading-people-to-do-and-be-like-jesus-christ-an-in...

    35 min

  4. OCT 12

    How Does the Atonement of Jesus Christ Help Those I Lead Today? | An Interview with B.J. Allen

    BJ Allen is an associate professor of Marketing at Brigham Young University. He received a bachelor's degree from BYU and a PhD in Business Administration from University of Texas-San Antonio. He is the author of two textbooks and gives sales and marketing trainings to corporations. BJ is also the author of the newly-released book, The Compensating Power of Christ, which is about how Jesus makes right the unfairness of life and how Christ compensates for our personal weaknesses. He lives in Provo, Utah, with his wife Angie and their six kids. He is currently serving as a bishop. Links The Compensating Power of Christ There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts. Read the transcript of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights B.J. shares his journey of exploring the Atonement of Jesus Christ, emphasizing its practical applications in daily life, particularly during difficult times. He highlights the importance of recognizing how Christ compensates for life's unfairness, bridging the gap between the beauty of the gospel and the harsh realities of mortality. Throughout the conversation, B.J. discusses the various ways Christ's Atonement can be understood, including its compensating power, which helps individuals overcome personal weaknesses, compensates for the imperfections of others, and addresses the random unfairness of life. He also delves into the role of church leaders, particularly bishops, in guiding individuals through repentance, emphasizing that the Atonement is not merely about forgiveness but also about personal growth and becoming more like Heavenly Father. B.J. encourages listeners to understand that their efforts, no matter how small, are sufficient when coupled with Christ's grace, reinforcing the idea that the Atonement is a dynamic and integral part of everyday life. He reminds us that Christ is always present, ready to help individuals navigate their challenges and find beauty in their struggles. 03:00 - The Concept of Christ's Atonement 05:00 - B.J. Allen's Personal Journey to Writing the Book 06:00 - Understanding the Atonement in Daily Life 08:00 - The Role of Christ in Our Imperfections 09:00 - The Importance of Compensating Power 10:00 - Addressing Faith Crises and Doubts 12:00 - The Atonement as a Concrete Concept 14:00 - Application of the Atonement in Leadership 15:00 - The Role of Witnessing in Healing 16:00 - The Paradox of Life's Unfairness 18:00 - C.S. Lewis's Chess Game Analogy 20:00 - Compensatory Blessings and Merciful Judgment 22:00 - The Role of Christ in Parenting 24:00 - The Importance of Faith in Difficult Times 26:00 - The Process of Repentance 28:00 - The Role of the Atonement in Repentance 30:00 - The Balance of Justice and Mercy 32:00 - The Impact of Mother's Day Talks 34:00 - The Role of Effort in Parenting 36:00 - The Nature of Repentance and Forgiveness 38:00 - Encouragement to Move Forward After Sin 40:00 - The Role of Christ in Our Weaknesses 42:00 - Final Thoughts on the Atonement and Repentance The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top in...

    51 min

  5. OCT 9

    Motivating Your Ward to Engage in the Work | A How I Lead Interview with Jay Timms

    Jay Timms is an organizational psychologist who blends over two decades of professional speaking experience with extensive hands-on executive leadership experience. Jay has provided leadership training, consulted for, and been a keynote speaker for Fortune 500 companies and improved the performance of businesses, teams, and individuals in a wide range of industries. He is an expert in engaging learners at all levels, leading them to become better leaders. Jay has served in multiple church leadership callings and currently is a bishop in Langley, British Columbia. Links There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts. Read the transcript of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights This discussion centers around the complexities of motivating individuals within both organizational and church settings, particularly in volunteer-based environments where traditional incentives are absent. Jay shares his background in psychology and leadership, emphasizing the importance of understanding the values and motivations of individuals to foster engagement and productivity. He highlights the necessity of clear communication regarding organizational vision and the significance of personalizing leadership approaches to meet individuals where they are in their spiritual and personal journeys. Throughout the conversation, Jay offers practical strategies for leaders, such as conducting regular one-on-one check-ins with members to understand their goals and how to support them. He stresses the importance of creating buy-in by involving members in decision-making processes, thereby enhancing their commitment to shared objectives. Jay also addresses the challenge of balancing church traditions with the core principles of the gospel, advocating for a focus on love and personal growth rather than guilt or comparison. 04:57 - Jay Timms' Background and Leadership Experience 06:37 - Understanding Motivation in Leadership 10:33 - Key Factors Affecting Employee Motivation 13:31 - Steps to Discover What Drives People 15:45 - Meeting People Where They're At 18:44 - The Importance of Personalization in Leadership 22:13 - Engaging Ward Members in Vision and Mission 25:27 - The Role of Tradition vs. Gospel 29:11 - Practical Applications of Leadership Principles 32:40 - The Importance of Not Having All the Answers 39:12 - Self-Awareness in Leadership 43:44 - Utilizing Feedback for Personal Growth The 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,

    49 min

  6. OCT 2

    Why Your Ward Should Be Using the Ward History Tool | A How I Lead Interview with Beth Zeleny

    Beth Zeleny has pretty much done whatever church callings needed to be done: teaching in Primary, Young Women, Relief Society, early morning Seminary, Gospel Doctrine, and Gospel Principles; serving in Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women ward and stake presidencies; serving as a temple ordinance worker, Relief Society compassionate service leader, and provident living specialist. Just when she thought she had done everything, she was called to be ward history specialist. Beth has a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's and PhD in Geography. She taught middle school math and science before grad school, then taught geography courses in university for a few years before switching to a career in intelligence. She retired seven years ago but enjoys research, analysis, and writing so much that she would like to go back to work and do it some more. Links Ward History: unithistory.churchofjesuschrist.org There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts. Read the transcript of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights This discussion centers around the innovative unit history website, which simplifies the process of recording and sharing ward histories. Beth shares how the introduction of the unit history site transformed her experience as ward history specialist, making ward history engaging and accessible for all ward members. Beth elaborates on how the website allows leaders to document experiences and activities throughout the year. This fosters a sense of community and connection, as members can share personal stories that reflect their faith journeys. Beth emphasizes the importance of capturing these narratives, highlighting various stories from her ward that showcase the diverse experiences of its members, from missionary efforts to personal testimonies. Kurt and Beth discuss strategies for encouraging ward engagement with the history site, including proactive outreach to members. Beth shares her methods for collecting stories, such as approaching individuals after sacrament meetings and inviting them to contribute their experiences. 02:09 - Introduction to Beth Zeleny 02:43 - Beth's Background and Calling 04:01 - The Church's New Ward History Tool 05:18 - How the Unit History Website Works 09:39 - Accessing the Unit History Site 11:00 - Member Contributions to Ward History 12:45 - Navigating the Unit History Site 16:36 - Gathering Stories from Ward Members 20:58 - Importance of Personal Stories 23:27 - The Value of Recording Ward History 26:00 - Engagement and Participation in Ward History 30:45 - Encouraging Story Submissions 35:13 - The Impact of Sharing First Experiences 37:17 - Conclusion and Call to Action The 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 a href="https://leadingsaints.

    40 min

  7. SEP 28

    Prioritizing Music in our Worship | An Interview with Brett Stewart

    Dr. Brett Stewart is a conductor, composer, pianist, and vocalist. He has taught music to youth and adults for nearly three decades and—together with his brother—founded Millennial Choirs & Orchestras. He is also a composer-in-residence for MCO, having composed and arranged well over one hundred works for the organization, including the full-length oratorio Messiah in America, and the full-length patriotic work To Be American. Brett received a doctorate degree in Choral Conducting with cognate studies in Composition from the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music, a master’s degree in Choral Conducting from California State University, Long Beach, and a bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from Brigham Young University. Extremely active and busy with his family and religious life, Stewart devotes his career time exclusively to MCO and other composing projects. Brett and his wife, Mindy, are the parents of seven children and live in northeast Texas. Links Millennial Choirs and Orchestras MCO on YouTube Messiah in America on YouTube "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul" There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts. Transcript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights Coming soon The 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, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, a href="https://leadingsaints.org/teach-them-their-identity-an-interview-with-elaine-dalton/...

    1h 2m

  8. SEP 25

    Instructing and Edifying Each Other in Meetings | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy

    This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in March 2020. DeAnna Murphy is a former stake Relief Society president in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the Chief People and Culture Officer for Thrivin, with a twenty-seven-year international career as an organizational psychologist, expert learning and development practitioner, and executive coach. She is also an internationally-known keynote speaker, Top 100 Global Coaching Leader, and author. DeAnna has shared her expertise and inspiration in many Leading Saints articles, podcasts, and events. Her personal time is joyfully spent loving and lifting her family and friends, and helping each person she meets to recognize how valuable and important they are. Links Shift Up! Strengths Strategies for Optimal Living Choose to See You Read the transcript of this podcast There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts. Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights 0:00:03 Introduction of DeAnna Murphy 0:00:48 Her deepest desire has just been to be a great mom; her best leadership training has come in that arena. Professionally, she’s an executive leadership coach. 0:03:44 Great leaders don’t just ask “what we are trying to accomplish?”, but also, “what is important about it?” 0:04:07 When we start a meeting establishing the purpose of the meeting, it creates power. 0:04:20 Beginning a 13-14 Sunday School class by establishing the purpose 0:05:43 “Of all the things you’re trying to accomplish with this summit, what’s the most important thing you’d hope they’d learn and they’re longing to hear?” 0:06:00 (Kurt) Hope people walk away with a deeper ability and motivation to run a meeting 0:06:50 We meet to unify. We meet to connect. We meet to multiply our resources together. D&C 43:8-9 – When we meet, we should instruct and edify one another 0:08:08 To “instruct and edify together” implies that each participant holds a piece – no one person holds all the pieces 0:11:06 Each person in a council has a unique strength and a unique perspective. 0:13:23 DeAnna’s experience with a leader having a diametrically opposed viewpoint – she might have a difficult time understanding his perspective. She sometimes had a difficult time communicating with him. It helped them to understand how the other viewed situations. 0:15:29 Feelings of self-consciousness, uncertainty, and fear led to defensiveness. Granting herself grace allowed her to grant others grace, and remove the defensiveness. 0:16:05 Citing Ether 12:27 (weakness that they may be humble); DeAnna focuses on Ether 12:37 (because you see your weakness, you’ll be made strong) 0:16:35 DeAnna’s weaknesses were not made strong by becoming like her Stake President. Instead, they learned from each other,

    1h 16m
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Leading Saints is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help Latter-day Saints (LDS, Mormon) be better prepared to lead. Here are 4 ways Leading Saints accomplishes the above mission statement: 1. Connect Latter-day Saint Leaders 2. Enhance Leadership Ability 3. Present Leadership Scholarship & Research 4. Celebrate Divine Guidance Podcast Host: Kurt Francom is the founder and executive director of Leading Saints, a nonprofit organization helping Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. He manages the day-to-day efforts of Leading Saints and is the host of the podcast by the same name. Leading Saints has reached individuals internationally and has received over 2 million downloads. Kurt currently lives in Utah with his lovely wife Alanna. They are blessed to have three children. He enjoys drawing caricatures, playing basketball, reading, and watching college football. Kurt has served as a full-time missionary (California Sacramento), as a bishop, 1st counselor in a stake presidency, and elders quorum president.

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