Latter-day Profiles: Recent Episodes
ldprofiles
Latter-day Profiles is a collaborative effort of students, faculty and staff at Brigham Young University-Idaho. The program features in-depth interviews with noteworthy members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Guests range from leaders in business and industry to educators, to musicians and authors to volunteers. All have stories to tell that are interesting, informative and thought-provoking.
Latter-day Profiles is produced by students in coordination with faculty and staff advisors. That means the students research the guests, schedule the interviews, run the cameras and edit the programs.
BYU-Idaho Communication faculty, Brian Howard, hosts the program and works closely with the students in the production process. Currently Latter-day Profiles airs Sunday mornings at 7:30 a.m. Mountain Time on BYUTV and Sundays at 5:30 p.m. and Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m on BYUI-Radio. Twenty eight new episodes are produced every year.
Hal Boyd is Editor of the Deseret News. He was an associate professor of Brigham Young University’s School of Family Life and previously worked as the opinion editor and enterprise reporter for the Deseret News. He is a fellow of BYU’s Wheatley Institute, a think tank focused on fortifying family, religion, and constitutional government.
Jenalee Marshall is a seasoned graphic designer with a rich tapestry of experience. Her journey in the design world has taken her from her hometown in Utah to the picturesque landscapes of Italy, shaping her into the well-rounded person she is today.Jenalee shares her inspiring journey that led her to Brigham Young University-Idaho, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design with a Minor in Advertising. This solid foundation in the gospel and design principles have greatly influenced her life’s path.Jenalee is the owner and design guru at Jenalee Marshall Design. She and her husband, Ryan are the parents of two children and live in Taylorsville, Utah.
As a highly sought-after inspirational speaker and author, Dr. Jack R. Christianson has lectured and given seminars to organizations of all ages and types across the United States and Canada. He is the author of numerous inspirational books and audio recordings.Jack has been fortunate to have been a leader in large organizations in the public and private sector; including Special Assistant to the President for Engaged Learning at Utah Valley University, Executive Director of the Center for Engaged Learning at Utah Valley University, Visiting Scholar at Brigham Young University, Chief administrator, principal and trainer of leaders in a world-wide private educational system.He is married to Melanie Harris. They are the parents of four daughters and one son. Jack currently serves as a patriarch in the Orem, Utah, Northridge Stake.
Gale Sears grew up in Lake Tahoe, California, and spent her high school years in Hawaii. After graduating from McKinley High School in Honolulu, she went on to receive a BA in playwriting from Brigham Young University, and an MA in theater arts from the University of Minnesota. She is an award-winning author, known for her historical accuracy and intensive research. She is the author of the bestselling The Silence of God, Letters in the Jade Dragon Box, Belonging to Heaven, and several other novels, including The Route, Christmas for a Dollar, Autumn Sky, Until the Dawn, and Upon the Mountains. She and her husband, George, are the parents of two children and reside in Sandy, Utah.
Skyler Halford is a former BYU Basketball player who has become an expert basketball trainer and Doctor of Physical Therapy. He played High School basketball at Timpanogos High School. As a senior, he earned second-team and third-team all-state honors from the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News.Skylar shares his journey from a walk-on at Utah State, to a starter for BYU to his decision to forgo professional basketball to focus on physical therapy.
Dr. Lili De Hoyos Anderson is a first-generation American. Her mother is French, and her father is Mexican. Dr. Anderson attended BYU and graduated in Sociology. After almost 20 years of being a full-time homemaker, Sister Anderson returned to school to complete a Masters in Social Work degree at UNLV and a Ph.D. in Marriage, Family, and Human Development from BYU, where she taught for several years in the School of Family Life. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has a full-time private practice in individual, marriage and family counseling. Lilli is the author of Choosing Glory and hosts a podcast by the same name. She and her late husband, Chris, have 8 children.
After serving 8 years in the United States Marine Corps, Dr. Will Pierce began a career in the electrical industry. He owned a successful contracting business before transitioning into higher education. Dr. Pierce worked for Salt Lake Community College for five years managing technical programs. He joined the Davis Technical College team and served as Vice President of Quality and Development. He was named Vice President of Instruction and Accreditation at Southwest Technical College in Cedar City in 2016. Pierce has been in his current role as Assistant Commissioner for Technical Education in the Utah System of Higher Education since July 2021.He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Workforce Education, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, and a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership.
Alvin F. Meredith III became the 18th president of Brigham Young University-Idaho on August 1, 2023. He was sustained as a General Authority Seventy on April 3, 2021, and continues to serve in that role today.Prior to his call as a General Authority, President Meredith served as president of the Utah Salt Lake City South Mission. He also served as an Area Seventy in the North America Southeast and Asia Areas, and in a number of other Church callings, including as a full-time missionary in the Utah Salt Lake City Mission.In his professional career, President Meredith worked as a senior executive of Asurion in Tennessee, Hong Kong, and Singapore. He also worked for The Boston Consulting Group and GE Capital.President Meredith earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brigham Young University and a Master of Business Administration in finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.President Meredith married his wife, Jennifer Edgin, in 1998. Sister Meredith served a full-time mission in the Argentina Salta Mission and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Brigham Young University. They are the parents of six children.
Alvin F. Meredith III became the 18th president of Brigham Young University-Idaho on August 1, 2023. He was sustained as a General Authority Seventy on April 3, 2021, and continues to serve in that role today.
Prior to his call as a General Authority, President Meredith served as president of the Utah Salt Lake City South Mission. He also served as an Area Seventy in the North America Southeast and Asia Areas, and in a number of other Church callings, including as a full-time missionary in the Utah Salt Lake City Mission.
In his professional career, President Meredith worked as a senior executive of Asurion in Tennessee, Hong Kong, and Singapore. He also worked for The Boston Consulting Group and GE Capital.
President Meredith earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brigham Young University and a Master of Business Administration in finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
President Meredith married his wife, Jennifer Edgin, in 1998. Sister Meredith served a full-time mission in the Argentina Salta Mission and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Brigham Young University. They are the parents of six children.
Geoff Steurer is a licensed marriage and family therapist, relationship educator, and coach. Geoff has produced workbooks, audio programs, and online courses helping couples and individuals heal from the impact of sexual betrayal, unwanted pornography use, partner betrayal trauma, and rebuilding broken trust.He is the co-author of, "Love You, Hate the Porn: Healing a Relationship Damaged by Virtual Infidelity", and the host of the weekly podcast, "From Crisis to Connection".
Rex Davis is Vice President at Educational Tours, providing custom group travel for pre-formed groups.Rex graduated from the University of Utah - David Eccles School of Business. He currently serves as a YSA Bishop in St. George, Utah.
Waldo Galan is the accomplished President of Waldo D. Galan and Associates, Inc. With extensive experience as an International Automotive Consultant, he has a remarkable track record of establishing thriving businesses and expanding markets in the automotive industry. Waldo has served in many church callings, including the Stake President in Dubai. He is currently a sealer in the Cedar City, Utah temple.
Jordan Rushton was selected as the third president of Dixie Technical College by the Utah Board of Higher Education on September 15, 2022, following his role as interim president since April 2022 and years of dedicated service since 2015. With a background as Vice President of Instruction, Rushton oversaw 25 accredited programs, instructors, and curriculum at Dixie Tech. His career has been marked by fruitful collaborations with the legislature to secure funding for technical education and a strong focus on accreditation. Rushton, armed with an undergraduate degree from Utah Valley University, a master's in public administration from Southern Utah University, and post-graduate certification in management from Harvard University, is currently pursuing his doctorate in education at Baylor University. His leadership emphasizes building industry and educational partnerships while upholding instructional quality and growth.
Eric O. Leavitt, the Executive Chairman and CEO of Leavitt Group, a national insurance brokerage, has been named one of this year's distinguished honorees for the Utah Business CEO of the Year award. Overseeing Leavitt Group since 2003, Eric's strategic leadership and industry acumen have fueled remarkable growth, leveraging marketplace opportunities for acquisitions of insurance agencies and establishing a support structure for new affiliates.
Aubrey Grossen is the founder of ANYA (A New You Again) where she hosts conferences, events, retreats, memberships, and more to help moms with their mental health journey.
After having her first baby, she suffered through postpartum depression. As a result, she created an online community to support women with their mental health.
Aubrey is a wife and mama to 4 kids who live and love soaking up the sun in Southern Utah.
Utah Tech men’s basketball head coach Jon Judkins is the all-time winningest collegiate coach in the state of Utah. While at Utah Tech (previously Dixie State), Judkins’ teams have won seven conference championships and made nine NCAA Division II Basketball Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 run during the 2010-11 campaign
Prior to Utah Tech, Judkins served as head coach at Snow College for 12 full seasons and posted a 284-128 overall record.
Coach Judkins served in the Ohio Columbus Mission and played a year at Dixie State before transferring to Utah State.
After facing various challenges and delays, Kevin and Sonja Staples have embarked on a unique journey to become mission leaders in the Utah St. George Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Their mission, originally intended for St. Petersburg, Russia, was thwarted by visa issues. They were released from their mission call in 2021 due to the pandemic. However, the family received a new assignment to serve in Utah, moving from Kalamazoo, Michigan, to St. George.
Jade Koyle is President at Grand Teton Ancient Grains, a family-owned and operated farm, and mill committed to restoring ancient grains to the family dinner table.
Koyle’s mission is to restore the finest organically grown ancient foods from around the world into our modern lifestyles. One of those ancient foods is Einkorn, the most primitive wheat available on earth. Einkorn contains a different type of gluten than modern wheat.
As sixth-generation farmers, Koyle and his family cultivate their farmland using proven organic and biological methods that build up the soil and pack nutrition into the foods they grow.
https://www.ancientgrains.com/
Julie Rose is a broadcast journalist, interviewer, and radio show host. She hosts “Top of Mind” on BYUradio. Her show features “smart, informative conversations and interviews that go beyond mere headlines and sound bites.”She is a seasoned journalist and a multiple winner of Edward R. Murrow Awards (two national for radio writing and multiple regional for continuing coverage, hard news reporting, writing, use of sound, features, and other categories). She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from Brigham Young University. She started in radio at KCPW in Salt Lake City. She has produced spots and feature news stories for National Public Radio’s (NPR) Morning Edition and All Things Considered. Prior to her work at BYUradio, she worked as a regional reporter for political, social, and economic stories in North and South Carolina at WFAE Public Radio, in Charlotte.She has also worked as a nonprofit fundraiser and a public relations manager in the San Francisco Bay area.#byuradio #topofmind / https://www.byuradio.org/top-of-mind
Dana Lecheminant has been telling stories since she was old enough to know what stories were. After spending most of her childhood reading everything she could get her hands on, she eventually realized she could write her own books, and since then, she always has plots brewing and characters clamoring to be next to have their stories told. A lover of all things outdoors, she finds inspiration while hiking the remote Utah backcountry and cruising down rivers. Until her endless imagination runs dry, she will always have another story to tell.https://www.lecheminantbooks.com/https://www.latterdayprofiles.org
Levi Heperi is the director of intercultural strategy at Deseret Book, where he oversees the company’s DEI initiatives and develops the strategy to take Deseret Book to international markets. He studied communications at BYU and earned a master’s degree in adult learning and higher education from the University of Oklahoma (OU). He has worked as an inner-city elementary school teacher in Oklahoma, at OU’s school of social work, and at BYU in admissions and as the assistant director of multicultural student services. Levi is Mohawk Native American and Māori.
Amanda Taylor is a lover of all things story, whether it be books, movies, theater - musical and otherwise - art, music, or people. She earned her bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of Utah, which only fueled her passion for classical literature.
She also loves to travel and explore new places with her husband and four teenagers. Though a self-proclaimed city girl, Amanda loves to spend time in nature, preferably the mountains or the ocean - or anywhere that sparks her imagination. Most days, she can be found driving carpool and singing her heart out to her favorite tunes.
Steven Sharp Nelson is widely considered one of the most watched musicians in the world and a pioneer of “classicool music” via his twelve years of cello work with The Piano Guys. His content is listened to or watched 3 million times every day. Steven has performed or spoken to over 2 million people from Tooele to Tokyo, including appearances on Today, Good Morning America, and The Tonight Show. He draws his inspiration from his soulmate Julie, his “superpower” ADHD, the great composers in history, and most of all from his best friend, Jesus. His favorite thing in the world is that all four of his children, ages 10–17, still call him “Daddy.” Sometimes even out of love.
Cydni Tetro, CEO of Brandless, is an innovator of experience, a growth leader, technologist, STEM advocate, author, and speaker.
Cydni recently raised $118M, the largest fundraiser led by a woman in Silicon Slopes.
She has built her career on a foundation of building experiences through technology storytelling and product innovation. She grew companies, marketing & product teams, developed customer experience strategies and go-to-market programs that ensure market leadership, customer relationships and growth strategies across large enterprises and venture-backed startups.
Cydni is CEO of Brandless, a mission-driven omnichannel commerce platform that is growing through technology and the acquisition of mission-driven brands. The art of storytelling and how to apply it for business growth and market leadership is woven through her career. From building a product experience platform and services with Fortune 100 companies, to a 3D printing platform working with Marvel, NFL and Target to help fans become part of their favorite stories, to leading technology commercialization at Disney, to building the largest family network on the Facebook API of more than 100 M users, to building a peer-to-peer document compliance system. Her deep experience in using stories, experience, technology and relationships has helped her lead companies and teams that expand customer acquisition and grow companies.
She is founder and President of the Women Tech Council. As a woman in tech she was compelled to create a non-profit, the Women Tech Council, to amplify the economic impact of women in tech and expand the talent pipeline and she gives back to small businesses through the Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Program. She spends time working with women in tech, on boards and in her community to accelerate opportunity, inclusion, and growth.
She has been recognized as CEO of the Year, Women of the Year, Contributor of the Year, Top 10 Coolest Entrepreneurs, received Stevie Awards for Entrepreneur of the Year and Innovator of the Year and been recognized as a Most Successful Businesswoman to Watch. Cydni sits on the board of SelectHealth, Intermountain Healthcare, Swire Coca-Cola and the Governor’s Economic Forum. She holds a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s in computer science.
Chad Lewis played football for Brigham Young University and professionally for the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2005 caught the game-clinching touchdown pass in the NFC Championship game. However, during this reception, Lewis suffered a Lisfranc injury to his left foot that kept him out of the Super Bowl XXXIX loss to the New England Patriots.
In 2009, Lewis released a memoir, Surround Yourself With Greatness, and in 2010, he returned to BYU as an Associate Athletic Director.
Chad’s wife Michele is a former All-American volleyball player at Brigham Young University. Michele is a mother of seven and a grandmother who just completed her executive MBA at BYU.
Jenifer Greenwood has worked for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 27 years—writing, editing, strategizing, and, most important, listening, learning, and being grateful to see closeup the building up of the kingdom of God.
She started her career as an editorial intern and then spent 16 years as an editor, copyeditor, and assistant managing editor of the Liahona. Her current assignment is as the director of policy and General Officer support in the Priesthood and Family Department, where she works to publish general conference every six months and has been privileged to work on the rewrite of the Church’s General Handbook. She recently accepted an appointment as the executive secretary to the Priesthood and Family Executive Council.
Jenifer graduated from BYU with a bachelor’s degree in English and immediately began work on an MA. Before she wrote a thesis, however, she started working for the Church. Twenty-six years later, she graduated from BYU with a master’s degree in public administration.
She’s a self-taught amateur in anything she does but particularly enjoys tasks that involve neatly ordered squares: especially the New York Times crossword puzzle, patchwork quilts, Wordle, and family history.
Daniel and Kathryn Blomberg are the co-founders of Blomberg Music Productions, a full-service music production company helping Christian musicians reach their potential.
Daniel is a music producer, arranger, songwriter, keyboardist, and vocalist from Sweden who met his wife, Kathryn, the love of his life, and many of his favorite music colleagues while at Brigham Young University. Kathryn is a vocalist, entrepreneur, and homeschooling mother.
After many international moves, The Blomberg family has now settled in Provo, Utah
John Pearce is a Co-Founder of Bloom. Pearce, along with Bloom co-founder Eric Engebretsen, has a mission to improve people’s standard of living in emerging markets through remote work. Bloom’s goal is to create 10,000 jobs abroad while providing easy access to diverse and qualified candidates for US businesses.
Bloom’s talent network includes more than ten thousand college-educated English speakers who have studied at accredited American universities. The company currently has thousands of team members actively working for clients in over 65 countries globally.
Jennifer A. Nielsen is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 15 books for young readers. Her titles have been published in 21 languages, two have been optioned for film, and several have been the recipients of multiple awards and notable lists.
Nielsen was born and raised in northern Utah, where she still lives today with her family, a dog that won’t play fetch, and a cat that hallucinates. She is the author of The Ascendance series, beginning with THE FALSE PRINCE; the TRAITOR’S GAME series, the historical novels, RESISTANCE, A NIGHT DIVIDED, WORDS ON FIRE, RESCUE, and several other titles. She loves chocolate, old books, and lazy days in the mountains.
http://jennielsen.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Nielsenwriter
https://www.instagram.com/nielsenwriter/
Dan Davis is the founder of the video story company, Stiry. Stiry produces raw and authentic short films and documentaries about regular people doing extraordinary things for network tv, digital streaming services, and web-based video platforms. Stiry’s mission is to inspire people to discover their divine potential by changing the way they see their story.
Marshall and Michelle Moore became the new owners and co-directors of Zions Indie Film Fest in 2021, formerly the LDS Film Festival. The couple has over 45 years of combined film industry experience and they are extremely passionate about helping connect filmmakers, friends, and audiences.
Marshall is currently the VP of Operations and Marketing at Utah Film Studios in Park City, Utah which was home to the Paramount Network television series Yellowstone for three seasons.
Michelle is the owner/operator of Moore PR Group, and with the help of her talented team, they work year-round on media campaigns, movie premieres, and special events.
Brothers Brad Wilcox and Roger Wilcox worked together on the book, “Blessed Are Ye: Using the Beatitudes to Understand Christ's Atonement and Grace. The book examines possible connections between the Beatitudes, the first principles and ordinances of the gospel, and temple covenants.
Brad Wilcox is a professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University the second counselor in the Young Men general presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Roger Wilcox is retired after a career teaching seminary and institute.
For Ed Willis, life was one harsh blow after another. Born into generational poverty within a system that was not designed for the success of Black men, most of his options led to dead ends. But in between jail time, drug addiction, unemployment, the struggles of racism, and family strife, there were brief flashes when the light of Christ touched Ed's heart, instilling in him a desire to know and to be more.
Ed and his wife Wanda share how a lifetime of struggles and hardships prepared them to receive the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Emmy Eaton is a 9-year-old journalist who hosts the popular online segment “7 Questions with Emmy”. Emmy has interviewed TV and movie stars, professional athletes, and church leaders. She’s also appeared on The Today Show, The Drew Barrymore Show, and other national TV programs. Emmy and her parents, Nate and Erica, share how the segment came about and some of their many experiences. Nate is the news director for EastIdahoNews.com, an online news service in Southeast Idaho.https://www.facebook.com/7QuestionsEmmy/https://www.eastidahonews.com/
Maria Eckersley is a stay-at-home mom of six by day and a sleep-deprived graphic designer by night. She has a passion for two big things, my family and my faith (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
As much as I love my kid-filled day job, I also find a lot of mothering tasks to be a bit mundane. I tend to seek out tech, ideas, and products that make my mothering life easier. Many of my designs and posts focus on tips & tricks I have picked up over the last 17 years of mistake-riddled parenthood.
I'm also a big believer in the power of a good teacher...especially when it comes to building a core foundation of faith. The LDS teaching tips I post come from my desire to pass along what I've learned from my many years of teaching youth and adults in the LDS church. This site is a work in progress but I hope you enjoy it.
Brooke Romney is a writer, speaker, and educator. She has been published in The Washington Post, The Deseret News, Scary Mommy, and a host of other online publications where her pieces have been read millions of times. She writes avidly on her blog and Instagram page, @brookeromneywrites, where she has created a large, vibrant community of learning and growth.
- https://brookeromney.com/
- https://www.instagram.com/brookeromneywrites/
Courtney Rich is a baker and cake maker whose culinary masterpieces have garnered her 180,000 Instagram followers under the cakebycourtney account. The success of her account, as well as her blog of the same name, has landed her on television shows like Good Morning Lala Land and KTLA 5 News.
https://cakebycourtney.com/
https://www.instagram.com/cakebycourtney
Ganel-Lyn Condie is a popular motivational speaker—known for inspiring others with her unique honesty, authenticity, and spirit. Ganel-Lyn has experienced healing from a major chronic illness and is the mother of two miracle children. After the heart-breaking suicide of her sister, Ganel-Lyn is constantly working toward prevention. She lives with an open heart and feels passionate about sharing principles that will empower others to live life with more joy. Ganel-Lyn’s talks and books have encouraged thousands of people all over the world. She loves growing older with her husband, Rob.
John Fossum was born in Missouri and spent his early years until the age of nine in New Jersey. His formative teenage years were spent in Georgia where he developed a love for playing sports and catching reptiles. After high school, John served as a missionary in the Philippines. Following his missionary experience, he attended college where he met his wife, Sarah, in poetry class. On his way to earning both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in English, John worked in the construction industry and learned the value of manual labor. John has taught for the Seminaries and Institutes arm of the Church for 18 years, and he and his wife are the parents of five children and currently live in Pleasant Grove, Utah. John's hobbies include exercising and going to dinner and a movie with his wife every Friday night.
Jen Allen is an event management professional with over 15 years experience running large and small events, including logistics, catering, schedules, stage performances, marketing, broadcasting, design, sponsors, volunteers, and more.
Allen is a hometown girl who grew up in West Jordan, Utah, a small suburb about 25 minutes southeast of Salt Lake City. When she graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in English, she says she “expected to teach high school English for the rest of [her] career.” It didn’t work out that way—but for Jen, that was probably a good thing. She has always had a passion for organization and management. In fact, if there had been an “events planning” major when she was in college, she would have been first in line to sign up.
Brock Blake is the CEO and co-founder of Lendio, the nation’s leading small business finance solutions provider. Brock believes that access to capital should be simpler and quicker for small business owners, and he’s built a successful company around solving this problem. Brock leads the team that has helped business owners access more than $10B in funding.
An Inc. 500 CEO, national keynote speaker, Forbes columnist, and Utah’s Emerging Executive of the Year, Brock’s dedication extends far beyond the boardroom. He has shaped a superior company culture with a humble and hungry team passionate about driving results and giving back. For every loan facilitated on Lendio’s marketplace platform, Lendio Gives, an employee-contribution, and employer-matching program, provides a microloan to a low-income entrepreneur around the world through Kiva.
Bill Elliott is Media Director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he works developing inspirational media content, documentaries, and short film series. He also teaches digital content creation as an adjunct professor at Ensign College.
Rob Eaton is a faculty member in the Religious Education Department at BYU Idaho. He is the author of “Improving Learning and Mental Health in the Classroom.” Rob has served as an institute director and seminary teacher, a bishop, in a stake presidency, and as a mission president in the Washington Federal Way mission, and previously oversaw Pathway and online learning at BYU Idaho.
Kurt Francom is the founder and executive director of Leading Saints and manages the day-to-day efforts of Leading Saints, and is the host of the podcast. Kurt graduated from the University of Utah in 2008 with a degree in Business Marketing. He ran a web development company for five years before focusing on Leading Saints full-time. Kurt currently lives in Stansbury Park, Utah, with his lovely wife, Alanna. They are blessed to have three children. Kurt has served as a full-time missionary (California Sacramento), as a bishop, 1st counselor in a stake presidency, and as elders quorum president.
A storyteller, technologist, and entrepreneur with expertise in multiple mediums, Adam Sidwell is the Founder and Creative Director of the Future House family of companies. Future House Studios and Future House Publishing work in concert together to develop creative content for the Metaverse: Virtual Reality, animation, games, books, film, television, and more.
Tammy Uzelac Hall is the author of “Far Above Rubies: The Power and Promise of a Covenant-Keeping Woman. She is the host of the LDS Living podcast, “Sunday on Monday,” a weekly podcast focused on Come, Follow Me. she and her husband are the parents to four girls. She is a host for Time Out for Women, a featured speaker at Temple Square Youth Conferences, Retreat for Girls, and girls’ camps, and has been a speaker at BYU Women’s Conference.
Taylor Ricks is the author of Everyday Disciples: Lessons Learned from Unnamed Scripture Stories. She is the mother of four amazing children: one daughter and three sons. Taylor has spent time as a foster parent and now volunteers with the Utah Down Syndrome Foundation to help children and families touched by Down syndrome in honor of her son Zane, whose bright spirit blesses their family in unimaginable ways. She attended Utah State University to earn a bachelor's degree in family studies and earned a master of education from Arizona State University in applied behavior analysis. She loves sharing her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and using her background to teach and inspire families. You can find Taylor on Facebook and Instagram @ToCheerAndToBless.
David Weidman is the Managing Director of the Missionary Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was formerly chairman and CEO of Celanese Corporation, a $6.4 billion global integrated chemical company. Before this appointment, he was vice chairman of the Celanese AG Board of Management and COO of Celanese AG. He joined Celanese AG as CEO of the company’s chemicals business. Before joining Celanese, he was president of Allied Signal’s Performance Polymers business. David earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from BYU and his MBA from the University of Michigan. He served as president of the California Los Angeles Mission.
Erin Willder is the managing editor at BYU Continuing Education, where she oversees a large team of editors who work on hundreds of online courses. She also serves on the division’s digital accessibility committee and generates content for organic and paid media. A founding member of Latter-day Saint Publishing and Media Association, Erin currently serves as the LDSPMA President.
Lisa Valentine Clark is a writer, actress, and the host of The Lisa Show on BYU radio. She is a founding member of the theater-as-improv comedy troupe, The Thrillionaries; a writer, producer, and actress on the film Once I Was a Beehive; a host for 3 seasons on the TV show Random Acts; and a star in the BYUtv production Show Offs. She is the mother of five and the author of "Real Moms: Making It Up As We Go."
Jason Wright is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author.
Jason is a columnist for Fox News, TheBlaze, Deseret News, and the Northern Virginia Daily. Articles by Jason have appeared in over 50 other newspapers and magazines across the United States, including The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, and Forbes.
He is the author of many books, including best-sellers Christmas Jars and The Wednesday Letters.
Jason is also a popular speaker who speaks on the origin of the Christmas Jar movement, the value of service, the joy of failure, and many other topics.
Jason is married to Kodi Erekson Wright. They have two girls and two boys.
Clint Pulver is an Emmy Award-winning motivational keynote speaker, author, musician, and workforce expert. He is the author of "I Love It Here: How Great Leaders Create Organizations Their People Never Want To Leave."
A Professional Drummer for over 20 years, he's played with top headlining fellow musicians in venues like the Vivint Arena, the Stadium of Fire, and the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. In 2010 he founded the UVU Drumline known as the Green Man Group, which he directed for six years and went on to direct the Drumline for the NBA’s Utah Jazz until 2015.
David Reichner works as a business partner and Director of Team Fredette Utah, an elite brand in New York & Utah. He was previously the Head Coach for the San Diego Surf (ABA). He has worked with the L.A. Clippers as a Director of the Jr. Clipper Foundation; running camps, Leagues, private training and AAU teams.
Dave McCann is a studio host and play-by-play announcer for BYU sports on BYUtv. He is a former news anchor for KSL-TV in Salt Lake City and KLAS-TV in Las Vegas.
Reid Moon is the owner of Moon’s Rare Books in Provo, Utah. Moon graduated from BYU in 1985. After 30 years of running Moon’s Rare Books in Dallas, Texas, he decided to return to Provo. His beautiful bookshop is located in The Shops at Riverwoods in Provo. It’s really a museum disguised as a bookshop. About half of the items on display are for sale–the rest are part of a permanent museum collection.
He specializes in four main categories: Bibles, early Mormon books and documents, classics and high points in literature, and early American and European history. He even has some incredible “Movie Props” that please and excite everyone that views them. His collections are beyond most people’s imaginations and he truly brings history to life as you tour through this magnificent shop.
For the Truman Brothers, music and the gospel are in their DNA, Sons of Dan Truman of Diamond Rio and Nashville Tribute Band fame and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, they spent their formative years in green rooms, backstages, and tour buses as well as sacrament meetings and Young Men activities. Their pedigree would suggest an automatic attraction to the family business, but post-mission life found the brothers pursuing higher education. It wasn't until attending college in the same town that their musical roots would take hold. They began writing songs together for the first time, and despite their Nashville upbringing, their sound found a home in the catchy choruses and undeniable melodies of modern pop music.
Kerry Muhlestein is an associate professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University. He received his B.S. from BYU in psychology with a Hebrew minor, spending time in the intensive Hebrew program at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. He then proceeded to receive an M.A. in ancient Near Eastern studies from BYU and a Ph.D. in Egyptology from UCLA. He has taught at Cal Poly Pomona, UCLA, and BYU-Hawaii. His research focuses on the texts and iconography of Egyptian religion, international contact between ancient Egypt and her neighbors, the Egyptian juridical process, Egyptian literature, and the overlap of the biblical and Egyptian worlds, including the ancient and modern history of the Pearl of Great Price, among other things. He and his wife, Julianne, have six children.
Grant and Si Foster share their unique experience of serving as missionaries in Spain during the Covid Pandemic. Si hosts the food blog A Bountiful Kitchen. Grant is a partner in the law firm Dorsey and Whitney.
- https://abountifulkitchen.com/
- http://latterdayprofiles.org/
Christian Mawlam shares his miraculous story of overcoming cancer. Mawlam started his own video production company in England before coming to the United States to teach at BYU-Idaho where he teaches video production.
Kate Holbrook, PhD is a leading voice in the study of Latter-day Saint women and Latter-day Saint foodways. As managing historian of women’s history at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints history department, she writes, studies, and interprets history full-time. Her major research interests are religion, gender, and food.
Kathy Aiken is a former broadcast journalist. She began reporting with the Utah Jazz in 1987 and five years later joined the staff of KSL-TV as the first female sports anchor in Utah. She worked as a producer, reporter, and anchor for KSL Sports. While at KSL, Aiken also anchored the Mormon Times program for over a year and worked on projects for the Mormon Channel radio program. She worked at Brigham Young University as both a sports reporter for BYUtv and as Newsroom Manager at the Universe, the student newspaper. Kathy is the founder of the “Forget Me Not Project”
Kirby Heyborne is an actor, singer, musician, songwriter, comedian, and narrator. He is known for his work in films centered around the culture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Heyborne has also worked extensively as an audiobook narrator. Kirby is the host of the BYUtv show “Making Good”.
After a chance meeting with an inspired fellow artist, Kate modified her initial artistic direction to focus on works of inspirational watercolor. With a minimalistic style that conveys powerful family and gospel messages, Kate Lee speaks to us through her art when words are insufficient. Kate and her husband, Mike, live in Utah with their two boys and two dogs.
Brigitte C. Madrian is the Dean and Marriott Distinguished Professor in the Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business where she has a joint appointment in the Department of Finance and the George W. Romney Institute of Public Service and Ethics.
Derral is Executive Producer of The Chosen, the #1 highest crowd-funded video project in history. Derral is a video marketing expert, coach, and speaker. He consults some of the biggest YouTubers in the world on audience development and data-driven strategies.
- https://derraleves.com/
- https://www.youtube.com/c/derraleves
- https://latterdayprofiles.org/
Morgan Jones is thehost of the All In podcast for LDS Living, manager of audience engagement for Deseret Book, and executive editor of LDS Living magazine.
- https://www.ldsliving.com/allin
- https://www.ldsliving.com/
- https://byuicomm.org/latterdayprofiles/morgan-jones/
Jon Jeppson is a retired lawyer, former mission president, stake president, and member of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. Bonnie Jeppson has served as a stake and ward Young Women president and many other callings.
Together Jon and Bonnie have endured many trials including cancer, the loss of family members, and other challenges, all the while strengthening others with their testimonies of Jesus Christ.
Johnny Hanna is CEO and Co-Founder of Homie, a real estate software company. Prior to Homie, Johnny was President and Co-Founder of Entrata where he helped the company grow to over $100 million in annual revenue.
John Gonzalez is a former CIA officer, former mission president, and author of the book, “No More Strangers and Foreigners: The Melding of Cultures Against the Backdrop of Deep Religious Faith”.
Steve is the Founder and Chairman of Becoming Your Best Global Leadership, a company based on his breakthrough book, Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders. His latest book is titled, “Do What matter Most”.
Emily Ann Adams set out to better understand grief after the loss of one her identical twin boys. She shares what she discovered in her book, “Is There No Other Way”.
Alex and Julie Boyé are a biracial family with seven kids ages ten and under. In addition to Alex’s singing and performing career, he and Julie create social media content about their life called the Boyé Family Jewels.
Keith A. Erekson is an award-winning author, teacher, and public historian. Since 2014 he has worked for the Church History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, directing the Church History Library and encouraging historical outreach and public engagement. He also serves on the editorial board of the Church Historian’s Press. In this episode, Keith discusses his book Real vs Rumor.
Paul Wuthrich is an actor, known for the movies Witnesses, The Fighting Preacher, and Joseph Smith: American Prophet.
Mark J. Kohler, M.Pr.A., C.P.A., J.D., is a best-selling author, national speaker, radio show host, writer, and video personality for Entrepreneur.com, real estate investor, senior partner in the law firm Kyler, Kohler, Ostermiller & Sorensen, and the accounting firm of Kohler & Eyre, CPAs. Mark is a personal and small business tax and legal expert who helps clients build and protect wealth through wealth management strategies, as well as business and tax remedies often overlooked in this challenging, ever-changing economic climate.
Randy Collier is a fine art photographer as well as a respected commercial and portrait photographer who calls the Wasatch Mountains his home. He has received many awards for his work and has earned his Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees from the Professional Photographers of America.
As an artistic director of Living Legends and a producer for Young Ambassadors, both performing groups at BYU, Janielle Christensen has traveled around the world, bringing uplifting family entertainment to millions through live and televised productions. Under Christensen’s direction, Living Legends has toured and performed throughout Europe, China, the Pacific Islands, Australia, Canada, Central, and South America, South Africa, and the United States.
Alan Reed is the co-owner of a family business started in 1955 in Idaho Falls Idaho. Reed’s Dairy is a farm-to-table family business. all the dairy products they sell are produced and processed on-site, and are generally sold to the local community of customers within hours of the cows being milked!
Jeff Wheeler took early retirement from his career at Intel in 2014 to write full-time. He is a husband, father of five, and a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jeff lives in the Rocky Mountains. His books have been on the Wall Street Journal Bestseller list 5 times (for The Thief’s Daughter, The King’s Traitor, The Hollow Crown, The Silent Shield, and Prism Cloud) and have sold more than 4 million copies.
An experienced businesswoman with a zest for life, Tiffany Peterson is capable of relating her ideas to many spheres in life. Focusing on the ways in which people think about experiences and interpret events, she is motivated to help people reach their fullest personal potential. Educated at the University of Utah, Tiffany later became a respected salesperson and was mentored by many high-profile motivational authors and speakers.
Recently, Peterson founded 'The Lighthouse Principles' Inc., which teaches business and individuals ways in which they can become the best versions of themselves through goal setting and achievement.
Corrine Stokoe is a blogger, podcaster, and content creator behind the brand Mint Arrow. She and her husband Neil share their experiences about starting a business, working together, and battling pornography addiction.
President Kauwe served as chair of the biology department and dean of graduate studies at Brigham Young University. He is an internationally recognized researcher who specializes in Alzheimer’s disease genetics. He has deep roots in Hawaii; spent several years of his childhood on the islands of Kaua’i, O’ahu, and Moloka’i; and graduated from Moloka’i High School.
Season 40
Episode 1
Charlie Bird was Cosmo the Cougar at Brigham Young University from 2016 to 2018. He received national acclaim for his multiple dance performances with the BYU Cougarettes. As Cosmo, he performed across the country, including the ESPN College Football Awards and on America's Got Talent. 2017 was dubbed "Year of the Mascot" by NBC Sports in honor of Cosmo's character and performance. Charlie was born and raised in Southwest Missouri and served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Redlands, California. He graduated from BYU in 2018. Charlie is an active LBGTQ advocate and is involved with multiple nonprofit LGBTQ organizations nationally and across Utah.
Dr. Trina Boice is an author of 30 non-fiction books. She is an author coach at FromBooks2Business.com that helps writers become best-selling authors with strategic marketing. Trina also writes movie reviews at MovieReviewMom.com. A popular international keynote, she has gone on many speaking tours around the world.
David Christensen is a senior advisor to the non-profit organization Mentors International. David is an author and has served as a mission president in Chile and as MTC President in Guatemala.
Joel Bishop is the president of Rise to Your Challenge which offers speaking, training and consulting services. Joel is an accomplished actor, speaker, and presenter.
Meg Johnson is a founding partner for Jumping Turtle LLC and Our Turtle House. Her work as an influencer has touched many on a local, national, and international level and Meg is a recipient of the Athena Leadership Award. Meg was a ballroom dancer and professional party planner. Then a weekend trip changed it all and Meg was paralyzed on March 6, 2004 when she was hiking in Southern Utah.
Ed Sexton is the Dean of the College of Business and Communication at BYU-Idaho. He has served in the Sixth Quorum of the Seventy, a bishop, high councilor, mission president, stake mission president, stake president’s counselor and stake president.
Carmen Rasmusen Herbert was a Top 6 finalist on the second season of FOX’s “American Idol” in 2003. She has appeared on many talk and entertainment shows including David Letterman, the Today show, MSNBC, and Good Morning America.
Carmen co-wrote, recorded, and released an album in 2007 called, “Nothin’ Like the Summer” with an award-winning hit single by the same name who’s music video spent six weeks at the top of CMT’s Top 20 countdown. She has toured all over the United States and Canada singing and speaking to a wide variety of age groups. Her talk on CD, “Who’s Your Idol?” has inspired thousands of youth to stay true to who they are while fulfilling their own unique life purpose.
Carmen is a columnist for the Deseret News and writes about faith, family, entertainment, and the adventures of raising four boys and one crazy dog with her husband Brad, son of Utah Governor Gary Herbert.
Jorge Cocco Santangelo is an artist who works with painting, sculpture, lithograph, etching, and ceramics. Painting is his preferred medium. He also is skilled in washi zokey, art created with handmade paper. He paints in a new artistic style he calls "Sacrocubism," which he says portrays sacred events with several features of the Post-Cubist movement.
He was born in Concepción del Uruguay in Entre Ríos, Argentina. As a boy, he would sleep with a pencil in his hand and by morning his blankets and sheets would be covered with pencil markings. He won his first art award at the age of nine. He has lived and worked in Spain and Mexico and maintains studios in Argentina and the United States. He has exhibited in one-man shows in the North and South America as well as Europe and Asia and has shown his work in fifty group shows worldwide.
Garth Smith was born in Brigham City, Utah, and currently resides with his wife and family in Bentonville, Arkansas. He graduated from BYU with a degree in design engineering technology, and he’s worked extensively in the Church’s youth and missionary programs. He’s released multiple CDs and performs widely on behalf of Bonneville Communications. His popular concerts use multimedia to create multisensory experiences that delight and inspire the soul.
Jodi Reynosa is a KMTR-TV anchor who has worked at NBC, ABC, CBS, and Fox, interviewing presidential hopefuls such as John Kerry, Ted Cruz, Rudy Giuliani, Hillary Clinton, and Dick Cheney, as well as notables such as Judge Jeanine Pirro, space shuttle commander Eileen Collins, and pop band ZZ Top. She’s hosted talk shows and launched the YouTube series Guided. She studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and at First Take. She earned a bachelor’s in broadcasting, a master’s in education, and an executive MBA.
Webb Knudsen has a background in entertainment, social media, and mobile. He’s the CEO and cofounder of Playper, which creates paper toys that kids build and bring to life through augmented reality. Previously, he was vice president of business development at Crisp; led sales teams for Aarki and Millennial Reach; and worked at Walden Media, at the literary and talent agency CAA, and at Lucasfilm. In these roles, he focused on driving profitability and optimizing market strategy for movies, brands, and apps. He earned a degree in sociology and speech communication at Pepperdine.
Joseph Batzel has an MA and BA degrees from BYU in Theater and Cinema from the department of Speech Communications. He has been an educator for 40 + years in the university, college, and public schools. Joseph is a state and national workshop presenter in film auditioning, stage acting, and voice-over acting. He also is a voice-over artist for audiobooks, film, commercials, and radio broadcasting. Joseph has a rich background as a professional actor, director, casting director, associate producer, and writer for stage and film. He resides in northern Utah with his wife Alice, a published playwright, journalist, and freelance writer.
Lisa Mangum has worked in the publishing department of Deseret Book since 1997. She’s been the managing editor for Shadow Mountain since 2014 and has worked with New York Times bestselling authors such as Brandon Mull, Ally Condie, and Jason F. Wright. While fiction is her first love, she also has experience working with nonfiction projects and children’s picture books. She’s also the author of four national bestselling young adult novels, as well as several short stories and novellas. She’s also edited four anthologies based on magical creatures.
Steven Piersanti is president and publisher of Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc., a leading independent publisher of books on current affairs, personal growth, and business and management. Berrett-Koehler pursues its mission of “Creating a World That Works for All” by publishing groundbreaking books that promote positive change at all levels – individual, organizational, and societal. Prior to founding Berrett-Koehler in 1992, Steve served as president of Jossey-Bass Publishers. He began his career at Jossey-Bass in 1977 as an advertising copywriter then served as marketing director, editor, editorial director, and executive vice president before becoming president in 1989. Steve graduated with Highest Honors from Brigham Young University, where he got his start in publishing by founding and editing a university student scholarly journal.
Marianna Richardson teaches business writing and management communication for undergraduate and graduate students at Brigham Young University. She enjoys encouraging business students to improve their writing and to gain a passion for publishing. She is the current chief editor for Marriott Student Review, a student business journal. She did post-doctoral work at Seattle Pacific University where she also served as the assistant-to-the-editor for a peer-reviewed journal, Counseling and Values. She has published three non-fiction books.
Suzy Bills is an author, editor, and faculty member in the editing and publishing program at BYU. She was previously a lead editor for the Joseph Smith Papers, and she’s owned a writing and editing business for a decade, working with individuals and companies to publish everything from books to dissertations, video scripts, technical manuals, marketing materials, and cookbooks. Her first self-authored book, Visions of Heaven, was published in 2018. She loves sharing her skills with others, whether through teaching, mentoring, helping authors get their thoughts on paper, or fine-tuning their writing.
President Bruce C. Kusch became the 13th president of LDS Business College on April 17, 2017, where he had been serving as its chief academic officer since March 2016. LDBC will become Ensign College in the Fall of 2020.
President Bruce C. Kusch began his Church Educational System employment as a member of the business management faculty at Brigham Young University–Idaho in August 2002. In July 2008, he was named associate academic vice president for curriculum at BYU–Idaho, serving in that capacity until June 2012 when he was called to serve as president of the Mexico Cuernavaca Mission.
President Kusch and his wife, Alynda, were married in the Los Angeles California Temple in 1974. They are the parents of four children and have 21 grandchildren. His interests include running, biking, fly fishing, photography and outdoor cooking.
In April of 2017, Clark Gilbert became the first president of BYU-Pathway Worldwide, a global education organization with over 40,000 students in more than 50 countries across the globe.
BYU-Pathway Worldwide brought online learning and local gathering to over 500 centers around the world in an effort to dramatically disrupt the model of traditional higher education.
Gilbert previously served as the 16th president of Brigham Young University – Idaho, a university focused on teaching and access in higher education.
Prior to his educational leadership, Gilbert served as the President and CEO of the Deseret News, helping lead the more than 100-year-old media company through its transformation to digital. His creation of the high growth Deseret Digital Media subsequently earned Gilbert multiple awards as an industry leading media innovator.
Jennifer Stirling was the first “employee” of her sister Lindsey Stirling. Jennifer initiated and manages Lindsey’s sheet music publishing, oversees various projects, and leverages Lindsey’s social media marketing.
Jennifer received a bachelor’s in trumpet performance; teaches private lessons; and is principal trumpet for the East Valley Millennial Orchestra, which has released several top-selling albums.
She’s also a property manager and a ramp agent and has been a USDA wildland firefighter. When not working, she enjoys traveling, barefoot running, yoga, good food, personal development, and time with friends and family
Richard E. Turley Jr. is the Managing Director, Church Communication Department at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Prior to his appointment, he served for eight years as assistant Church historian and recorder. He also served for eight years as managing director of the Family and Church History Department, overseeing the Church Archives and Records Center, the Church History Library, and the Museum of Church History and Art, which collectively contain the world’s largest collection of resources for the study of Latter-day Saint history and one of the richest collections on the settlement of the western United States.
Richard E. Turley Jr. is the Managing Director, Church Communication Department at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Prior to his appointment, he served for eight years as assistant Church historian and recorder. He also served for eight years as managing director of the Family and Church History Department, overseeing the Church Archives and Records Center, the Church History Library, and the Museum of Church History and Art, which collectively contain the world’s largest collection of resources for the study of Latter-day Saint history and one of the richest collections on the settlement of the western United States.
Bruce C. Hafen was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy in 1996 and has been a General Authority Emeritus since 2010. An internationally recognized family law scholar, he has served as president of BYU–Idaho, dean of the BYU Law School, and provost at BYU. Two of his past books won the year’s best book award from Deseret Book: The Broken Heart in 1989 and A Disciple’s Life: The Biography of Neal A. Maxwell in 2002. He recently served as president of the St. George Utah Temple. Bruce and Marie Hafen are the parents of seven children and the grandparents of forty-six.
Marie K. Hafen has taught at BYU–Idaho, the University of Utah, and BYU–Provo—classes in Shakespeare, writing, and Book of Mormon. She has been a contributing author to several books, including, with her husband, Covenant Hearts: Why Marriage Matters and How to Make it Last (2005) and The Contrite Spirit: How the Temple Helps Us Apply Christ’s Atonement (2015). She has served on the Young Women General Board, on the Deseret News board of directors, and as matron of the St. George Utah Temple. Bruce and Marie Hafen are the parents of seven children and the grandparents of forty-six.
Originally from Arizona, TRACI HUNTER ABRAMSON spent much of her childhood exploring the little town of Pinewood. She is a graduate of Brigham Young University and a former employee of the Central Intelligence Agency. Since leaving the CIA, Traci has written multiple novels, including the Undercurrents trilogy, Royal Target, and the Saint Squad series.
David Butler is by day a religious educator sharing his fierce love for the scriptures with anyone willing to listen. By night he is a fort builder, waffle maker, sports coach, and storyteller for his six darling kids. Somewhere in between, he is a motivational speaker and writer. He loves, loves, loves good food, spontaneous adventures, Christmas morning, the first day of summer, and every other day of summer. Above all he loves people. He has chosen as his life motto, "Stuff no mattah. People mattah." He and his adorable wife Jenny, live with their family amid the snowcapped peaks of the Mountain West, but they often dream of a beach house on a sunny shore somewhere.
Heidi Swinton is an author, screenwriter and historian who has written several books to accompany historical documentaries created by film-maker Lee Groberg. She also wrote a biography of Thomas S. Monson and a biographical essay on Lorenzo Snow.
Madsen is the head basketball coach at Utah Valley University. Due to his hustle and physical style of play, he received the nickname "Mad Dog" while playing for the San Ramon Valley High School Wolves - the moniker continued during his time with the Stanford Cardinal and beyond. Madsen played NCAA basketball at Stanford. Madsen played in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves
the Managing Director of Sorenson Capital and former COO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC) of the 2002 Winter Olympics. Prior to joining the SLOC, Bullock had run his own private equity firm.
David Bradford, FluentWorlds CEO, is revolutionizing language training in 3D virtual worlds. He was previously CEO and chairman of HireVue and Fusion-io; both reached the Forbes list of America’s 50 fastest-growing tech companies. He received the prestigious 2018 BYU Emeriti Distinguished Service Award, was general counsel at Novell, served twice as chairman of the Business Software Alliance, was honored as Alumnus of the Year by BYU’s J. Reuben Clark Law School, and was inducted into Utah’s Technology and Business Hall of Fame.
Kels Goodman is the owner of the LDS Film Festival, which is held annually in Orem, Utah. Born in Virginia and raised in Texas, he graduated from BYU and worked in technical roles for many Hollywood films and shows, such as Touched by an Angel. From there, he became the producer of Handcart and Hidden in the Heartland. He also produced one of YouTube’s first viral marketing hits: Will It Blend? He recently released The Jets: Making It Real, a documentary on the 1980s pop band.
Shirley S. Ricks is a senior editor at BYU's Religious Studies Center. In 1989, she was hired as an editor at the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS). She's also published articles in various festschrift volumes, the Ensign, the Interpreter, the FARMS Review, and the Encyclopedia of Mormonism.
This week's interview features Mitch Davis. Davis is an American film director, writer, and producer noted for his 2001 film The Other Side of Heaven about the trials and adventures of an LDS Missionary, John H. Groberg. His movies range from intense dramas to lighthearted, family-friendly comedies.
This week's interview features the sisters of Favorite Family Recipes. Echo, Erica, and Emily have been sharing their incredible recipes with the world since 2007. Since then they have developed over 1,000 recipes, and even published a series of cookbooks that had our mouths watering! Check out their interview to learn more about these amazing sisters, and maybe get some inspiration for your Sunday dinner as well!
Christie Gardiner is a woman of many talents. On any given day you may find her writing another bestselling book, on stage performing, giving an inspiring presentation, carpooling her kids to various activities, or maybe even on a yoga mat. Christie is the author of three books including the best-selling book titled, "You Are the Mother Your Children Need." She and her husband live in Pleasant Grove Utah with their three children.
After a long day of teaching at BYU where he expertly handles several classes (see his “Rate My Professor scores) on American Culture, Western Humanities from the Renaissance to Now and Interdisciplinary Studies, Kerry Soper unwinds by painting masterful small landscapes full of light, warmth and serenity. His tight schedule means he’s only able to produce a handful of paintings each year so the demand is high.
He’s also an author of two books on comic strip satire. He attempts to bridge the gap between theory and practice by publishing cartoons and short satiric pieces, as well.
Kerry Soper studied art as an undergraduate at Utah State University. He then attended Emory University where he pursued an MA and PhD in American Studies. In his “spare” time he enjoys fly-fishing and soccer.
Scott Haws was an award-winning news anchor at NBC for twenty years. He is now the
co-founder and CEO of Narr8 Media. He is a frequent keynote speaker, guest author, and
passionate entrepreneur.