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. 19 HR. AGO

    Setting Missionary Goals with God | A How I Lead Interview with Christian McOmber

    Christian McOmber is the founder of Missionary Universe—a non-profit organization that empowers youth to learn missionary skills early so they can support their local communities and prepare for full-time missionary service. He works in advertising as a creative director. Christian's writing has come to life in the form of Super Bowl commercials, experiential activations, and more, for brands like Pepsi, Lexus, Burger King, and NBA 2K. At church, he has served as a ward mission leader and with the youth. Christian currently resides with his family in Los Angeles, California, the City of Angels. Links MissionaryUniverse.com @MissionaryUniverse on YouTube @missionaryuniverse on Instagram Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community. Transcript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights Coming soon 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.

    52 min

  2. 4 DAYS AGO

    The Motivation Episode: How to Motivate Those You Lead at Church

    In this episode, Kurt Francom, executive director of Leading Saints, shares his thoughts on how leaders can handle the question that always seems to come up: "How can I motivate people?" Links Watch the Motivating Saints Virtual Conference with a 14-day pass to the Core Leader Library Subscribe to the Leading Saints Newsletter How LaVell Edwards Influenced His Team to be a Team of Leaders | An Interview With Paul Gustavson Listening to the Stories of Those We Lead | A Live Event with Robert Ferrell Elder Bednar: "A Conversation on Leadership" Newsletter message: "Try this in elders quorum" Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community Transcript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights Traditional notions of motivation may be misguided. Kurt cites a Church training with Elder Bednar where he asserted that motivation is essentially a false concept. Motivation can only come from the inside, not from external pressures or guilt. He highlights the importance of recognizing one's ego as a driving force in leadership and the need to create a culture of love and identity rather than relying on high expectations and shame. Kurt shares practical strategies for fostering motivation, such as building relationships, offering autonomy, and inviting community engagement. He emphasizes the significance of creating a supportive environment where individuals feel valued and connected. Ultimately, true motivation stems from understanding one's identity in Christ and fostering a culture of discipleship. Kurt encourages leaders to surrender their expectations and allow individuals to find their own paths to engagement, reinforcing the idea that leadership is about guiding others toward their divine potential rather than merely achieving specific metrics or goals. Leaders can embrace their roles with compassion and patience, recognizing that the journey of discipleship is a collective effort that requires understanding and support. 02:15 - Common Leadership Concerns 03:39 - Understanding Motivation Challenges 05:06 - Apathy and Engagement Post-COVID 06:20 - The Role of Ego in Leadership 08:15 - Rethinking the Problem of Motivation 09:41 - Elder Bednar's Perspective on Motivation 10:34 - The Impact of Ego on Leadership 12:30 - The Pressure of Leadership Expectations 13:02 - The Ineffectiveness of Guilt as Motivation 14:05 - Historical Example: World War Rationing 17:53 - The Importance of Inviting Solutions 18:14 - Building Relationships Over Numbers 20:23 - High Love vs. High Expectations 21:07 - Teaching Identity as a Motivational Tool 23:04 - The Role of the Temple in Identity 24:30 - Surrendering Motivation to Christ 26:16 - The Challenge of Leadership and Ego

    42 min

  3. NOV 14

    Monthly Ministering Night | A How I Lead Interview with Garth Pedersen

    Garth Pedersen grew up in Elk Grove, California, and Mesa, Arizona, and served a mission to Brazil. He holds a bachelor's degree in Accounting and is a small business owner. Garth has served as a ward clerk, Sunday School president, bishopric counselor, elders quorum president, and Primary worker (his favorite calling, along with being a dad). He and his wife have three daughters and two sons, and live in San Tan Valley, Arizona. 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 Garth Pedersen shares shares innovative approaches his elders quorum has used to improve ministering. He shares his journey in leadership over the past three years, focusing on creating a culture of ministering that avoids shame and fosters genuine relationships. Garth emphasizes the need for leaders to model ministering behaviors rather than simply assigning tasks, advocating for a supportive environment where members feel empowered to engage in meaningful connections. He outlines three key principles for effective ministering: praying for those they serve, communicating with them, and genuinely loving and serving them. Garth also addresses the challenges of ministering in today's society, where social interactions can feel awkward and disconnected. To combat these challenges, Garth introduced the concept of "ministering night," held every fourth Sunday, where members are invited to visit families together. This initiative not only encourages participation but also helps build relationships in a low-pressure setting. Garth shares inspiring stories from these visits, illustrating how simple interactions can lead to meaningful connections and a renewed sense of community. He emphasizes the importance of agency, reminding listeners that while they can invite and support others, ultimately it is up to individuals to choose their paths. The episode concludes with a call to action for leaders to focus on love and service, fostering a culture of ministering that reflects the teachings of Christ. 04:39 - Garth's Background and Current Role 06:09 - Cultural Disconnect in Ministering 07:03 - Building a Culture of No Shame 10:42 - Principles of Ministering: Overview 17:14 - Three Key Principles of Ministering 23:14 - Serving When Help is Not Obvious 27:27 - Understanding Agency in Ministering 30:20 - The Importance of Personal Experience 34:00 - Avoiding Shame in Leadership 38:03 - Strategies for Effective Ministering 42:00 - Implementing Ministering Night 47:37 - Logistics of Ministering Night Visits 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,

    1 hr

  4. NOV 13

    Announcement! Leadership Experience Trip

    If you want to join us for the Leading Saints Experience on the BYU Cruise do the following: * Visit https://byucruise.com/ * Register using promo: LEADINGSAINTS This is an experience within an experience. You will have access to all the BYU Cruise entertainment and also a unique Leading Saints experience as well (including the live podcast interview with Coach Sitake).

    6 min

  5. NOV 10

    The Science of Speaking in Sacrament Meeting | An Interview with Stephan Taeger

    Stephan Taeger is an assistant professor in Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University. He received a PhD from BYU in Instructional Design and Technology in 2018. Stephan's research focuses on homiletics (the study of preaching), narrative instruction, and ancient scripture. He is also an author and co-host of the RVVL podcast with David Butler. Links Religious Educator: "Using Elements of Narrative to Engage Students" StephanTaeger.com RVVL Podcast Ears to Hear: Mini Sermons That Make You Think Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community Transcript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights Coming soon 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, a href="https://leadingsaints.

    52 min

  6. NOV 7

    The Handbook Has One Rule | A How I Lead Interview with David Geens

    David Geens is a convert of 13 years, currently serving a "five year mission" as a bishop in the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders, Belgium. He previously served as a branch missionary leader, branch presidency counselor, elders quorum president, high counselor, and national communications director. A computer engineer and entrepreneur, David is active now as a business angel. He and his wife Isabel are the parents of Laurens (21) and Lucas (19). Links geenszins.info dekastvanmormon.info Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community. Read the transcript of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights David discusses his unique calling as a bishop, which he describes as a "five-year mission" that allows him to serve while remaining at home with his family. He shares his journey to baptism, which began with his wife's childhood fascination with the church, leading to their eventual conversion. David provides insights into the challenges and dynamics of church life in Belgium, emphasizing the secular nature of Western Europe and the difficulties of maintaining active membership. Throughout the episode, David shares valuable leadership principles he has learned during his time as a bishop. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive tone in communication, focusing on what can be done rather than what cannot. He also discusses the significance of understanding that the gospel's two basic rules—loving God and loving one's neighbor—should guide the interpretation of the Church's handbook, which he views as a tool to help bring people closer to Christ. Additionally, he addresses the issue of disappointment among members, noting that many inactive members cite feelings of disappointment as a primary reason for their absence from church. David highlights the importance of listening to members' concerns and building trust, sharing personal anecdotes that illustrate his approach to leadership. He concludes by reflecting on how his leadership experiences have deepened his faith and understanding of Christ's teachings, emphasizing that true leadership is rooted in service. 04:57 - David's Background and Language Skills 05:35 - Discovering Leading Saints 06:18 - David's Calling as Bishop 07:25 - Unique Setup of David's Five-Year Mission 08:16 - David's Conversion Story 10:18 - Church Dynamics in Belgium 12:35 - Cultural Differences in Discussing Religion 13:05 - David's Approach to Sharing Faith 14:15 - Characteristics of David's Ward 16:28 - Youth Group Dynamics in the Ward 18:25 - Church Building and Attendance 19:22 - Temple District and Upcoming Brussels Temple 20:57 - Characteristics of the Ward and Ministering 23:04 - Leadership Principle: Positive Communication 29:16 - Leadership Principle: The Gospel's Two Basic Rules 33:01 - Leadership Principle: Avoiding Disappointment 38:08 - Final Thoughts on Leadership and Service 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 a href="https://leadingsaints.

    45 min

  7. NOV 2

    Gathering Israel with the Youth | An Interview with Brad Lowder

    Brad Lowder is a senior vice president at FamilySearch International. He has experience across media, marketing, advertising, and communications industries, and is an accomplished television producer and screenwriter. Prior to working for FamilySearch, Brad’s career included working in newspaper, radio, and satellite broadcasting where he produced live sporting events. He was also managing partner of two advertising agencies, chief marketing officer of a national franchise, and vice president of marketing and sales for an electronics company. Brad also owned a broadcasting company that created and produced a globally-syndicated radio program. Brad's church callings have included serving in a YSA Bishopric (twice), as a stake and ward Young Men president, on his stake high council, as a deacons and teachers quorum advisor, and stake director of public affairs. Brad served in the Germany Munich Mission and has a BA in Advertising from Brigham Young University. His interests include travel, cross country motorcycle trips, hiking, skiing, beekeeping, and spoiling his grandchildren. Brad is married to Marjorie Nelson Lowder and between them they have seven children and thirteen grandchildren. Links The Life of Sister Dantzel White Nelson | An Interview with Marjorie Nelson Lowder FamilySearch Get Involved Ordinances Ready "How family stories help children weather hard times" "The 'Do You Know?' 20 Questions About Family Stories" Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community Read the transcript of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights Brad shares insights into his role at FamilySearch, where he focuses on engaging the rising generation in family history work. He explains how the increasing number of temples worldwide necessitates a greater effort in record acquisition and indexing to support members in their temple work. Brad emphasizes the significance of integrating family history into the lives of youth, encouraging leaders to empower young people to take the lead in gathering Israel on both sides of the veil. He introduces practical tools such as the "Get Involved" app and the "Ordinances Ready" feature, which make it easier for youth to participate in temple work. The episode also delves into the psychological benefits of knowing family history, citing research that shows how understanding one's ancestry can enhance resilience and a sense of identity among youth. Brad encourages leaders to create a culture where family history is a natural part of worship and community activities, rather than a separate event. He shares strategies for incorporating family history into existing programs, making it fun and engaging for the rising generation.

    55 min

  8. OCT 30

    Helping Members Prepare for Temple Worship | An Interview with Mark Mathews

    This is a rebroadcast. The original episode aired in November 2019. Mark Mathews was born in Houston, Texas. He served a mission in Guatemala and met his wife at Brigham Young University. He later earned a Ph.D. in Education from Utah State University and has been involved with Seminaries and Institutes for 20 years. Mark has been a favorite attraction teaching at BYU Education Week for many interested in learning about the temple experience. Links Understanding Priesthood Keys in Leadership | An Interview with Mark Mathews ChurchofJesusChrist.org: Prepare for the House of the Lord ChurchofJesusChrist.org: Prophetic Teachings on Temples Seek Learning by Faith, by Elder David A. Bednar Understanding and Embracing the Temple Endowment, by Mark Mathews Prepared to Obtain Every Needful Thing, by Elder David A. Bednar Holiness and the Plan of Happiness, by President Henry B. Eyring God’s Plan for Families, by Mark Mathews Trust in the Lord, by President Dallin H. Oaks Spiritual Treasures, by President Russell M. Nelson Follow Mark Mathews on Facebook Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community Read the transcript of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Scriptures Referenced The Book of Moses Exodus 40:12-13 Doctrine and Covenants 88:74-75 Doctrine and Covenants 109:21 a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/2?

    1h 1m
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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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