What Now: Recent Episodes
Mary Alice Hatch
What Now was created to address the stigma that surrounds certain cultural norms in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in an open and honest way in an effort to create more understanding, hope and healing, while still supporting church doctrine. Host: Mary Alice Hatch
Join me as I speak with Svitlana Miller, Founder of To Ukraine With Love, as she shares how the Lord is guiding her through every step of her miraculous journey to bring hope, opportunity and healing to war torn Ukraine. Svitlana shares how her 13-year-old son inspired her to create a housing initiative that has now been recognized as the leading housing provider in Ukraine through the generosity and support of interstate community members and organizations who want to restore hope and dignity to the people in Ukraine, whose lives have been destroyed by war. Tune in to this inspirational episode, highlighting the power of the human spirit to affect meaningful change.
Join me as I speak with Kirtland historical expert, Joe Jackson, where he shares the miraculous events that happened in Kirtland Ohio, including the formal leadership of church authorities, the reception of 64 revelations in the D&C and 18 recorded events of diety appearing to Joseph Smith and other church leaders and so much more!! Joe shares the scourge of the Lord on Kirtland after Joseph Smith’s departure in 1838 and how that scourge was lifted, restoring vitality and growth in Kirtland after 140 years of dormancy and how the church was able to build trust with the Community of Christ.
Join me as I speak with Dr. Julie Fraumeni-McBride as she shares what parents can do to identify early pornography use with their children and young adults and how to start a disarming conversation that leads to effective solutions. Julie also shares how soft pornography portrayed in cartoon form, written literature, and suggestive music can be harmful and how consensual marital pornography, can damage marital intimacy and stability. Julie also shares her revolutionary pornography treatment program for parents, children and adults. So many helpful insights and resources.
Join me as I speak with Michelle Craig, former First Counselor in the Young Woman General Presidency for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as she shares her experience as a general leader and what she sees as some of the most pressing needs of our youth today and what we can do to strengthen our faith, identify and magnify our gifts and connect with others in meaningful ways.
Join me as I speak with Candice Gardner, Associate Vice President of Development at Utah Valley University, about how she returned to college 15 years after getting married at the young age of 18 and leaving school when she was 20 to care for her newborn child. Candice shares how she gained the courage to go back to school as an older student, and how she managed the challenges of balancing home, work and school life and the influences that helped her succeed! Her story is inspirational!
Join me as I speak with Elizabeth Smart about her harrowing experience with being kidnapped from her home at the vulnerable age of 14 and how she survived nine months of captivity and sexual assault. Elizabeth shares what brought her comfort and hope during her captivity and how she has been able to move on with her life and find joy again. She shares how she is using her public platform as a survivor of sexual assault to educate and empower children and adults nationwide.
Join me as I speak with Sarah Cowperthwait as she shares the serendipitous events that led to her incredible conversion story and how she has let God prevail in her life in miraculous ways.
Join me as I speak with Jenny Oaks Baker, Grammy Nominated Billboard No. 1 performer and recording artist as she shares how her Christ centered childhood fostered her love for Christian music and the influence her father, President Dallin H Oaks, and her devoted mother, June Oaks, had in shaping the focus of her professional career. Jenny shares how the Lord has led her throughout her career and the miracles she has witnessed as she has trusted in the Lord.
Join me as I speak with Donny Osmond as he shares his journey through the entertainment industry, starting at the tender age of 5-years- old. Donny leads us through what kept him grounded during the highs and lows of a demanding 60 year entertainment career, where he faced superstardom as a pop star teen idol, TV variety show sensation, star in the widely acclaimed broadway hit musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and currently as an award winning headliner in Las Vegas. Donny opens up about his struggles with anxiety and how he faced the challenges of redirecting his career. Donny shares how his dedication to his faith has helped him navigate the temptations and challenges that many face in such a visible career and what he wants his true legacy to be.
Join me as I speak with 31-year-old, Luke Williams, as he shares his journey of redemption. Listen to the full episode to learn what led to his breaking point, and how he was able to overcome years of addiction and unfulfilling relationships and fully embrace the joy and peace found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Join me as I speak with Barbara Morgan Gardner, author of The Priesthood Power of Women and Associate Professor of Religion at Brigham Young University, as she clarifies several questions surrounding the priesthood power of women and how women can use the priesthood power in the temple, at church, and in their homes. Barbara also explains the ecclesiastical structure of the church, and how the hierarchal priesthood structure differs from the patriarchal structure of the temple. She explains how the priesthood isn’t something we are, but that it is something God authorizes us to use for the benefit of others and the additional power and blessings we receive as endowed covenant keeping members. So many clarifying insights!
Dr. David Morgan shares the secrets to successful connections. Learn how to manage negative thoughts, stop control habits, and ease frustration with your partner. Plus, discover the art of breaking down emotional walls! Don’t miss out on this transformative episode!
Join me as I speak with metabolic health coach and endurance athlete, Sherie Samuelian, as she shares her top five healthy habits to help us maximize our mental, physical and spiritual well-being. Sherie also shares how we can reframe how we look at our bodies to move forward with confidence.
Join me as I speak with Rhyll Croshaw as she shares the reality of her journey being married to someone caught in the cycle of pornography for over 32 years. She shares how she found out about the addiction, how she navigated the relapses and the breaking point that finally brought her husband to seek the recovery he needed. Rhyll shares how she got the help she needed to recover from the betrayal, fear, and bitterness she felt and what led her to create a program to facilitate healing for thousands of families whose lives have been affected by the devastating affects of pornography.
Join me as I speak with Kristen Murray, seasoned adolescent LDS Therapist, as she shares advice for parents on how to support kids when they fail, how to guide decision making, how to be more vulnerable, how to connect better with their children to build confidence and trust within the parent/child relationship and the three most important words in any healthy relationship.
Dr. Matt Townsend, acclaimed marriage and relationship expert, shares valuable advice on how to navigate the adjustments of being newly married; relationships with in-laws, managing arguments, adjusting to a shared space, maintaining your identity while still growing as a couple, what to do after the honeymoon phase is over and so much more! Also great advice for anyone who is married.
Join me as I speak with BYU religious professor, Scott Woodward PHD, about prophetic infallibility. Scott shares faithful tools to use to tell the difference between when church leaders are just sharing their opinion and when they are sharing true doctrine.
Join me as I speak with Richard Ostler, author and host of the Listen, Learn & Love podcast, where we discuss cultural church topics in an effort to validate member experience and help each individual see how they are needed in our church culture.
Join me as I speak with 27-year-old YSA Relief Society President Lauren Johnson. After serving a mission and graduating from BYU, Lauren moved to Southern California where for the first time she became friends with and engaged with those of different faiths and belief systems. Lauren shares how she has stayed faithful, despite the challenges. Lauren shares how she has overcome the stigma of being an older single adult in the church culture and how to find fulfillment and purpose in life at any stage.
Join me, as I speak with Dennis Schleicher, author of Is He Nuts? where he shares his journey as a gay man and how he used his near fatal experience as a victim of a hate crime to empower and protect marginalized members of the LGBTQ+ community and embrace his faith. Dennis shares how he decided to be a survivor and not a victim and the pivotal experiences that led to his conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Danny Humphrey shares mission advice and lasting life lessons drawn from his infamous Ricciardi letter. The letter was initially written in 1994 to the son of a friend on a mission and addresses the various aspects and challenges of mission life and how to navigate through fear, rejection companionship friction and other realities of mission life and that the most important convert we will we have is ourselves! So many great insights. Host: Mary Alice Hatch What Now podcast https://linktr.ee/podcastwhatnow Instagram: @podcastwhatnow
Join me as I speak with Madi Davis, a freshman at BYU, as she shares her journey with pornography. It all started at the age of 13 when she was given a smart phone and exposed to all the graphic images and content consistently popping up on social media. Madi shares the moment when she realized she needed help and how she got the courage to abandon the shame, secrecy and isolation to come forward and get the help she needed. Madi shares advice for other young women who are struggling and what leaders and parents need to know to help the increasing percentage of women who struggle with pornography. Madi shares resources for young adults who are struggling and how her partnership with Christ and His atonement has made all the difference with her recovery.
Emily Adams, author of Divine Quietness, shares her journey of doubt and uncertainty when she felt the heavens were closed and she was not receiving the answers she was looking for from God. Emily shares how she changed her outlook from transactional love to vulnerability with God and how she stay tethered to Him even through her faith challenges. Emily shares powerful experiences that witnessed to her that there is a God and how we can navigate doubt and uncertainty in a productive way that keeps us connected to divinity.
Join me as I speak with Charlie, Bird, former BYU mascot, as he shares how Christlike love is the the catalyst to connection and better understanding. Charlie shares how to interact with friends and loved ones with a different orientation in a productive way that fosters love and inclusion.
Join me, as I speak with Lili Anderson, LDS marriage and family counselor, where she talks honestly about the reality between Liberation and Savior theology and how parents can help their young and adult children trust God and His influence despite opposition.
Join me as I speak with Fabio Sagebin, who shares how he evolved as a first generation American from Brazil to being a respected cardiac surgeon. Fabio shares how he got past his own insecurities, allowing him to embrace his ultimate potential and the important people in his life who helped guide him on his journey. He shares what we can all do to manifest our ultimate potential and obtain sustainable success.
Join me as I speak with Wendy Johnson, author and founder of Heal, where she shares her personal journey with sexual abuse and the pivotal moment when she faced her fears and broke the silence and the cycle that plagued her life. Wendy shares how to handle resistance from family and break the secrecy that surrounds sexual abuse, allowing the survivor to get the help and treatment they need. Wendy shares the resources she has created, which provide sexual abuse survivors with new life skills to help them overcome their past, stop the abuse from continuing, and tap into their potential and create hope and healing.
Join me as I speak with former bishop and recovering addict, Evan Hathaway, as he shares how his pursuit of perfection contributed to his addictions. He shares the breaking point where he was forced to face his addictions and climb out of the dark hole of deception and reconnect with Christ, bringing him the lasting joy and healing he was looking for. Evan also shares steps for identifying addiction and how to get sustainable support leading to lasting recovery.
Join me as I speak with Dr. Matt Townsend, relationship specialist, where he shares productive strategies for creating authentic communication, reducing conflict, and techniques for better understanding, leading to more positive outcomes.
Join me as I speak with pro surfer, Jordy Collins, where he shares how chasing his dream as a pro surfer has helped him realize the value of his faith and the lasting joy found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jordy also shares insights for young adults on how to stay separate from the world and still fit in and how to receive the ultimate confidence boost!
Join me as I speak with Annabelle Sorensen, daughter of Steve Sorenson, founder of the Follow Him podcast with John Bytheway and Hank Smith. Annabelle shares her father‘s vision for his final gift to his family before his sudden passing a month later. Annabelle shares what she has learned from her father’s life and legacy and how she is implementing that vision into her own life and how her loss has turned her towards God even more.
Join me as I speak with Steve Young, two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP and first ballot Hall of Famer, about his journey with living the law of love. Steve shares how he applies non-transactional love in all areas of his life and how to navigate between the law of obedience and the law of love, leading to more productive outcomes. Steve shares four principles to live by to truly live your religion and what he wants his real legacy to be.
Join me as I speak with McKay Crockett, Emmy award-winning music director, music producer, arranger, and performance coach, who is currently the director of Vocal Point at BYU Provo, where he talks about how music is a conduit that gives purpose and unity to individuals both those listening to the music and those singing and creating it. McKay shares insights for how to use music as a bridge to increase faith, unity and joy!
Join me as I speak with Ganel-Lyn Condie, author and host of the Real Talk podcast about the principles of ownership versus stewardship and how stewartship can lead to more productive and trusted relationships both in and out of our families. Ganel-Lyn shares her experience with loss, financial setbacks and negative outcomes and how she used the stewardship principle to make painful changes and create positive change. Ganel-Lyn also shares how we can be better stewards over our bodies, thoughts and interactions leading to more positive and productive outcomes.
Join me as I speak with Ryan Eggett, music manager working with member experiences, resources and training. Ryan has directed the MTC choir for the last 22 years and shares how music can be used as an important tool to teach, inspire and help facilitate personal revelation and conversion. Ryan shares personal experiences of how the transformative nature of music has changed lives. His perspective is inspiring!
Join me as I speak with Heidi Bartle, author of When Mommy Feels Sad: A Mother’s Journey Through Depression. Heidi shares how to discuss depression with young, adolescent and adult children in a productive and healthy way. Heidi also shares how to enlist needed help both inside and outside of the home for support during depressive moments. Her perspective is informative and empowering for those who suffer with mental illness or live with someone who does.
Join me as I speak with Liz Lemon Swindle, a world-renowned artist who is famous for her classic realism paintings. Her paintings of Jesus Christ have instilled faith and hope to millions. Her latest work is as the artist for the popular TV show, The Chosen. Liz shares how the powerful medium of painting unlocks emotion and creates connection. Liz also shares how her collaboration with The Chosen has built an important interfaith bridge between the Church of Jesus Christ and other world religions.
Join me as I speak with U.S. Open Pickleball Champion, Callie Smith. Callie shares how seeking consistent personal revelation from the Lord has allowed her to navigate her journey through the professional ranks and achieve her dream of becoming a US Open champion! Through Callie’s success, she has been able to become an ambassador for the church, spreading her message of faith in the Lord and his guiding influence in our lives.
Join me as I speak with Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife about what causes sexual dissatisfaction in relationships and how to get out of negative patterns that leave both partners feeling unfulfilled. Dr. Finlayson-Fife also shares how to productively reawaken suppressed sexuality leading to more fulfilling and trusted intimate relationships.
Join me as I speak with Rebecca Holt, life coach and well-being practitioner, where we talk about how to increase our connection with the Spirit and the powerful influence of angels both on the earth and beyond the veil. Rebecca shares tips for how to better recognize the daily opportunities we have to be influenced by the Spirit and bless lives.
Join me as I speak with 3 returned missionaries about the pressure they faced to marry too young and too fast after their missions. They share the danger of leadership pressure on departing missionaries to get married quickly after returning home and what they think this is driven by and how they have each navigated this expectation within our culture. These young men share their insights and perspective, in an effort to support other returned missionaries facing the same pressure.
Join me as I speak with nurse and counselor, Becky Berry, about how she learned to embrace her body image in a healthy way after overcoming an eating disorder that plagued her life during her later adolescent years. Becky shares helpful insights surrounding body image and how to avoid the temptation to compare and categorize ourselves in an effort to embrace our body in a healthy and productive way, as well as useful resources for youth and adult treatment.
Join me as I speak with Judge Thomas B Griffith, former federal judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Tom shares how we can support the Constitution by supporting unity both inside and outside of the church and how our baptism is a critical ordinance where we commit to unity and love as the Savior did. Tom talks about how to achieve compromise and defuse contention and foster unity around race, gender, nationality, sexual orientation and other potentially divisive topics.
Join me as I speak with Emily Russon, who shares how she got past her own insecurity and negative attitude about having a brother who is transgender and the importance of showing unconditional love and what that should look like as a true follower of Christ. Emily shares insights on how to interact and support someone who is transgender and how to have an authentic connection with loved ones who have different orientations.
Join me as I speak with Autumn McAlpin about how to anchor ourselves in the gospel of Jesus Christ when we face unique experiences in life that can challenge our faith and cause us to doubt the plan of happiness. Autumn shares how we can show up for each other in productive ways and how being vulnerable can be a strength that allows ourselves and others to find the hope and connection we need in our faith journey.
Join me as I speak with Jenie Hunter, certified LDS LGBTQ life coach, about how to support, love and lift our LGBTQ loved ones, while still staying anchored in our faith. Jenie shares how to effectively communicate when a loved one come out and how to support them as they reconcile their orientation with gospel doctrine. Jenie also shares the challenges and blessings that come with being an LGBTQ parent and offers helpful resources for parents who are trying to help their children and themselves find a safe space to land within our Church culture.
Greg McKeown, author of the New York Times bestseller, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, where he identifies what essentialism is and how to live a life by design and not by default. He shares how to lead in our church callings and counsels with intention and simplicity and what we are really here to do and how to do it. It really comes down to following the “first ping.” Listen to the full episode to find out what that means and how it will change your life!
Join me as I speak with Ben Schilaty, BYU Honor Code administrator, author of A Walk in My Shoes, and podcast co-host for Questions From The Closet where he speaks openly about being gay and how to blend orientation with faith in healthy and productive ways. Ben shares how vulnerable members of the Church can rebuild trust and move past hurtful comments. Ben also shares how to be an ally, while still supporting church teachings.
Join me as I speak with Dr. David Morgan who shares coping mechanisms for managing stress, disappointment and failure in a productive way. He also shares how to move forward when we feel stuck and how to cope with unwanted outcomes. His insights are empowering and will infuse you with renewed optimism.
John Hilton III, Professor of Religious Education at BYU, dispels some of the myths we have in our Church culture about the symbolic nature of the cross. John helps us understand why members might hesitate to display and use the cross as a symbol of our faith as many Christians do. He talks about how the cross can be used as a bridge instead of a barrier when identifying with other Christian believers. John also addresses mixed messaging about the cross from church leaders and the different ways we use the symbolism of the crucifixion in our temple and church worship.
Join me for Part 2 with New York Times #1 best-selling authors and parenting and family experts, Richard and Linda Eyre, who share strategies for raising joyful, responsible and faithful kids. They also share time tested approaches for all ages that build confidence and increase resiliency. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 (episode 57) please join in to learn how to manage the hurdles of guilt, frustration and stress that come with being a parent and how to become the parent you WANT to be.
Join me as I speak with New York Times #1 selling author, speaker and parenting expert, Richard Eyre, who shares productive insights on how we can manage the hurdles of guilt, frustration and stress that come with being a parent. Richard also talks about the importance of respect for ourselves and our children, leading to healthy family relationships.
Join me as I speak with seasoned life coach, Jody Moore, where she shares tips for parents on how to navigate the changes that come with being an empty nester. Jody shares strategies for identifying new opportunities that add purpose and meaning as well as tips for how to address the changes in marital relationships when the focus shifts away from the kids to the couple relationship. Jody also shares ideas for how to give your adult children independence, while maintaining a healthy connection.
Richie Steadman talks openly about his excommunication in his early 20s. He shares his experience with a church court and how he salvaged his confidence to come back despite the challenges. Richie also shares how he worked through the shame and guilt from being excommunicated and offers powerful perspective and advice for those who struggle with the church culture and their church membership.
Join me as I speak with global leadership scholar, Dr. Susan Madsen, about how we can follow the prophet’s plea to lead out in our homes and communities to create positive change. Susan shares strategies for how to identify our strengths and implement them in productive ways.
Former Senator Gordon Smith shares his experience with loosing his son, Garrett, to suicide and the behavioral changes and warnings that loved ones should look for and when to step in with professional help. Gordon shares the counsel and reassurance he received from President Hinckley and Elder Faust, following Garrett’s death, and how that counsel gave him the courage to move through his heartbreak and continue with his life in a productive way. Gordon’s transparency offers the encouragement and support needed to navigate the difficult journey of mental health.
29 year-old Megan Bailey shares how she drifted away from the church and why she chose to come back. She shares suggestions for those who have left their faith and are trying to figure out how to come back on their own terms. Megan also shares the challenges and fears she felt as she started coming back to church and how she overcame her insecurities. Her story is inspiring!
Join me as I speak with Dr. Matt Townsend, acclaimed marriage and relationship expert, where he shares his relationship strategies for creating better communication, getting to the heart of problems, breaking negative cycles, and approaching sex in a healthy way.
Join me as I speak with Lisa Ashby where she shares her journey being raised in an unconventional LDS home. She shares what her reality looked like and the strategies she used to turn away from repeating her past and heal from the challenges of her childhood to create the life she has always wanted. Her story is inspiring!
Join me as I speak with Amy Antonelli, current CEO of HEFY, where she shares her journey with finding her true purpose and strategies for how to find meaning in our lives no matter who we are or where we live. Her transition from the epicenter of technology working with Facebook and Apple during their explosive years to the impoverished leper colonies of India and how her unfathomable journey led her to embrace her purpose is inspiring! Amy shares how we can truly “see” others and how to avoid fear and embrace faith so the Lord can let us manifest our true potential.
Join me as I speak with seasoned life coach, Kristi Reeves, where she shares strategies for controlling the triggers and thoughts that contribute to anxiety and strategies for breaking negative cycles that don’t serve us. Kristi also shares how we can heal from emotional pain as well as useful communication skills that create validation.
Join me as I speak with marriage and family therapist, Andrea Lystrup about what a faith crisis looks like. Andrea shares strategies for how to support someone in a faith crises and the common reasons members consider moving away from the church. She shares how to avoid going to a place of fear and instead moving towards a place of understanding and trust in the individual who is struggling. Andrea shares her own experience with her husband who went through a faith crises and how they navigated through that difficult journey. This podcast offers helpful insights for those of you who are in a faith crises or supporting someone who is.
Join me as I speak with Robin Johnson, Positive Psychology specialist, about her research which shows the intersections of the restored gospel of Christ and positive psychology. Robin shares how the common theories of well being overlap with the Church of Jesus Christ leading to an increase in positivity and happiness and to more positive life outcomes. She also shares the fundamental truths behind why religion has lasted so long and the value that a faith tradition offers.
Join me as I share my personal journey with a son coming home early from a mission as well as the journey of another faithful mother who had 3 of her 8 children come home early for different reasons. We share our personal experiences in an effort to help parents know how to navigate this challenging situation within our church culture and how to better support young adults who face the stigma of an early return.
Join me as I speak with family therapist, Tammy Hill, about loss. Tammy was just 37 with 4 young children when her husband suddenly died. Tammy shares the reality of her loss and how different grief can look for family members and how to process and navigate life after a significant loss. Tammy shares advice for friends and family on what to say and do and what NOT to say and do to bring meaningful support and facilitate healing. Tammy also shares how to help young children, adolescents and adults manage their grief in a productive way.
Join me as I talk with Mark Hendricks, who joined the Church as an 18 year old college freshman, about what true conversion looks like and the difference between knowing about the Church and it’s teachings and being truly converted. Mark shares his journey with conversion and how we should all be converts, whether or not we were born into the Church. Mark also shares perspective and advice for navigating the challenges that exist with certain aspects of our “church culture.”
Join me as I speak with three return missionaries who weigh-in on the dating culture in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, post mission, and share their personal stories of how they chose to navigate the cultural pressures they faced.
Join me as I speak with multi GRAMMY® Award-nominated singer, songwriter, producer and remixer Ryan Raddon, otherwise known as his stage name, Kaskade, about how he has stayed grounded, despite his international celebrity status. Ryan shares how he stays relevant in a fast-paced celebrity world, while still embracing his core values and standards. His story will inspire you!
Join me as I speak with sex and marriage therapist, Tammy Hill, about healthy sexuality and what to look for in a lasting relationship, in addition to physical attraction. Tammy shares age appropriate tips for parents on how to speak to children and young adults about sex as well as what young adults need to look for in a healthy relationship and how to recover from a pre-marital relationship that gets too physical too fast.
Dr Julie Hanks shares her thoughts as a seasoned LDS therapist of 20+ years about what modesty really looks like. Frequently in our culture, modesty is mostly focused on women and how they dress, but it is so much more than that! Dr Hanks talks about how modesty also relates to men, our thoughts, language and behavior in addition to how we dress. Dr Hanks shares how we can change our mindset on modesty to allow for individuality and respect for others and strategies on how to see past what someone is wearing to embrace the whole person without judgement.
Join me as I speak with Dr Gary Browning, respected BYU Russian professor, who served as the first mission president in the former Soviet Union as the Cold War was winding down. Dr Browning shares his experience with political polarization and how members can use their influence to temper the rise of political contention to increase civility and foster peace.
Join me as I speak with Dr Matt Townsend, renowned LDS family therapist, about strategies for avoiding the trap of trying to be the perfect parent. Matt shares tips for how to improve communication, create healthy boundaries and increase unconditional love, leading to more productive and healthy parent/child relationships.
Join me as I speak with Dr. David Morgan, LDS psychologist, and counselor, where we address several areas of unrighteous dominion; specifically, physical, emotional, and ecclesiastical. Dr. Morgan shares his insights on the root of unrighteous dominion and how to manage it. He also shares tips for both men and women on how to avoid unrighteous dominion in their home, work, and ward settings.
Join me as I speak with Clint Pulver, Award-winning motivational speaker and workforce expert about what members are really looking for in an authentic ward experience and tips for how leaders can foster trusted relationships that build authentic connection, allowing ward members to honestly say, “I love it here!”
Join me as I speak with J Kirk Richards, a renowned, award winning, LDS Judeo-Christian contemporary artist, who talks about his powerful artwork depicting Heavenly Mother and the importance of Her presence in our Church culture. We explore the motivation behind Kirk’s work and the powerful messages he shares through his detailed images, drawing us closer to our Heavenly Mother and the important role She plays in ALL of our lives.
Join me as I speak with McArthur Krishna, noteworthy Deseret Book childrens and tween author, about the divine role of our Heavenly Mother and how important Her role is for all of us to understand, allowing us to connect with our Heavenly Mother in a more significant way. McArthur also dispels some of the myths about why Heavenly Mother isn’t mentioned frequently in our Church culture. McArthur recently released A Girl’s Guide to Heavenly Mother and A Boys Guide to Heavenly Mother, where she shares quotes from our prophets and church leaders about the divine role of our Heavenly Mother, as well as beautiful artwork from noted LDS artists offering a visual representation of Her powerful influence. This book is an informative resource for any age and can be bought online at www.Dstreetpress.com
Join me as I speak with Kurt Francom where he talks about the danger of relying on our callings for validation and how to avoid the pitfalls of comparison when our calling is not put on a pedestal. Kurt helps us see how to avoid discouragement and realize that the only validation we truly need is the validation God gave us when He created us as His child and that He will use us and our abilities to fulfill our purpose on earth.
Join me as I speak with celebrity stylist, Calyann Barnett, about her journey back to God and how she turned the corner from being a sceptic to being a believer. Calyann shares how she has maintained her authenticity despite joining a more conservative church culture and how she left behind what she thought brought her true happiness to embrace the principles of faith, hope and charity leading her to being happier than she ever thought imaginable!
Join me as I speak with famed BYU mascot, Charlie Bird, about his journey with being gay in our Church culture. Charlie shares powerful insights from his recent book, Without The Mask, about how he mustered the courage to reveal his true identity and leave a life of fear and embrace the reality of his sexual orientation. Charlie shares how our personality characteristics shouldn’t be defined as masculine or feminine, but by whether or not they are Christlike. Charlie also shares tips on how to break negative cycles and how to build a safe and trusted circle of friends in and out of the gay community. Charlie breaks through the stereotypes in an effort to thwart ignorance and create more acceptance and a safe space for gay members in our Church community.
Join me as I speak with Al Carraway, otherwise widely known as the tattooed Mormon, where she shares how she got past the judgment and exclusion she faced as a recent convert when many members could only focus on her visible past, instead of on what she was trying to become. Al shares how she embraced positivity, despite the fiery darts of judgment that were thrown at her and how her connection with God carried her through. Al has used her faith and innate positivity to move forward with transparency to help all members embrace their self-worth, despite their history and appearance, so they will know that there is a place for them in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Join me as I speak with Dr. David Morgan, a counseling psychologist with over 20 years of experience helping LDS members navigate the challenges of life. On our podcast, we will talk about why boundaries are necessary for healthy relationships at home, at church and at the office. Dr Morgan shares his strategies for how to set and hold a boundary and how to work with individuals that might challenge our boundaries as well as other insightful relationship enhancing advice!
Join me as I speak with Kyle Reyes, VP of student affairs at Utah Valley University and member of the Utah Governor’s multicultural commission, where he shares his perspective as a mixed-race member of the Church and how we as members can contribute to the inclusion of all people in our increasingly diverse Church culture. Kyle shares his personal experiences of how he found his groove in our Church culture. His perspective is inspiring.
Join me as I speak with two inspiring men who will be sharing their different perspectives about their journey with divorce. My first interview is with Allen Evans, a respected bishop, who faced the reality of divorce and how his perspective changed as he became a single member of his congregation. Allen shares powerful insights from his experience and advice for members on how thy can be more inclusive of those who face the challenge of being single in a family centered church. Following Allen Evans will be Beau Walker. A 27 year old young adult who faced divorce when he was just 26 years old. Beau shares meaningful insights about his journey as well as strategies for how to move forward towards a healthy relationship and renewed hope.
At the age of 27, Chad Hymas became a quadriplegic when a 2,000 pound bale of hay fell on his neck, leaving his life forever altered, but Chad’s dreams were not paralyzed that day. Chad’s experience with pushing through his physical disabilities allowed him to unleash his mental capabilities. Chad shares how we are only disabled when we allow our negative thoughts and self-defeating behavior to paralyze us. As an inductee into the Nation Speaker Hall of Fame, Chad has traveled the globe, physically and now virtually, with his powerful message about how to overcome fear and doubt, allowing us to achieve levels of productivity and influence that we never knew were imaginable!
Join me as I speak with Rob Ferrell who has spent over 10 years as a YSA bishop and stake president. He shares some of the hurdles that young single adults face today and how they can navigate these challenges. Rob honestly addresses the needed cultural changes for the YSA program and strategies to help young single adults become more empowered and draw closer to Christ.
Join me as I speak with Justin Sua, elite performance mental and leadership coach, currently working with MLB Tampa Bay Rays, where he shares strategies for how to fight through difficulty and uncertainty, leading to increased productivity and progression. Justin also shares strategies for how to cultivate a positive mindset, leaving us uplifted and inspired.
Join me as I speak with scriptorian and Come Follow Me Study founder, Cali Black, where she shares her strategies on how to make scripture study more meaningful and fun! Cali shares tips for how to transition from just reading the scriptures to studying the scriptures in a way that will make them more relatable allowing them to be a trusted resource for our lives!
Join me as I speak with behavior coach, Zach Spafford, about his personal journey with pornography and how he overcame a 25 year. habit. He shares important strategies on how to break the negative cycle and recognize our personal power as well as important advice for spouses, parents and friends on how to help someone who is struggling in a way that leads to lasting change. Zach also shares tips on how to communicate effectively with our loved ones who struggle to create a positive outcome, free from shame and guilt.
Join me as I speak with seasoned LDS marriage and family therapist, Jonathan Decker, about the dangers of conditional love. Jonathan shares important insights on how to maintain healthy relationships, even when we don’t agree with our loved one’s choices. Jonathan shares essential strategies for how to avoid the temptation to control, shame, and judge in an effort to foster harmony and unconditional love.
Join me as I talk with Anthony Sweat, professor of church history and doctrine at Brigham Young University, about how to navigate the sometimes dangerous waters of church history. In this podcast, Anthony will share his 5 intuitive measures, as well as other strategies to apply when approaching the wide variety of internet information about church history, in an effort to avoid deception and identify truth.
Join me as I speak with Global singing sensation, Alex Boye, about his journey from living on the streets to lighting up the stage with his African-infused pop music. Alex talks about how the Lord has guided him throughout his life, during some of his toughest trials, and how his faith in the power of prayer has empowered him to make the impossible…possible. Alex created his groundbreaking single, Bend Don’t Break, to bring more visibility to suicide prevention and continues to be an ambassador for suicide awareness. His message will inspire you!
Join me as I speak with religious educator and motivational speaker, Hank Smith, about how to navigate being in the world but not of the world. Hank, using his signature humor and spiritual insights, shares critical strategies on how to engage with the world and with social media in a way that leaves us feeling uplifted and optimistic.
Join me as I speak with Steve Young two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP and first ballot Hall of Famer about his journey with acute separation anxiety, which began in childhood and followed him into adulthood, where he was diagnosed at the age of 33. Steve talks about how his anxiety kept him from serving a mission and the challenges it created for him as he became a more visible professional athlete. Steve is committed to changing the stigma and shame that exists when cultural expectations in the Church aren’t met. Steve also talks candidly about how he stayed spiritually grounded, despite his fame and fortune. His story will inspire you!
Join me as I speak with best selling author and well known motivational speaker, John Bytheway, about how to navigate dating and the pressure to marry young in our church culture. John shares 6 critical things to look for in a dating relationship to increase your chances of having a happier marriage, drawn from his over 30 years of experience working and speaking with young adults.
Join me as I speak with Robert Brown about his journey with racism, as a black member of the church. Robert joined the church when he was 14 while living on the south side of Chicago. Through the love and acceptance of his ward family, he was able to change the course of his life, leading him to a college education and a promising career, while still dodging the fiery darts of racism. Robert talks about the reality of systematic racism, which he experiences almost daily and offers advice for church members on how they can help reduce the stigma that surrounds people of color.
Repentance is a sensitive topic often surrounded by guilt, shame and fear. Join me as I speak with YSA bishop, Brett Smith, about the important role a thoughtful bishop can play in helping those who are seeking repentance break free from the burden caused by their mistakes and focus on progression and potential instead of on past mistakes and setbacks, in an effort to draw closer to Christ.
Join me as I talk with John Hilton III, a BYU religion professor and seasoned author, about the benefits and drawbacks of fence laws. Fence laws are personal boundaries and rules we create to help us keep the commandments and our covenants. We can be tempted in our church culture to impose our personal fence laws on others, leading to unrighteous judgment, offense, and incorrect teachings and risk focusing more on the fence law than the actual gospel doctrine or principal. Join us as we explore this important topic.
Join me as I speak with Jane Clayson Johnson about depression. Jane is an award winning journalist widely known for her work at CBS News, ABC News, and on the nationally syndicated NPR program, On Point. At the age of 36 she chose to step away from her career to get married and raise her two children. When her children were young, Jane started having dark thoughts; feeling unworthy of her family, wanting to fall asleep and fade away and even about planning her own funeral. It wasn’t until her husband stepped in to get her the help she desperately needed that she was able to get diagnosed with depression and start her journey of healing. Jane’s personal experience with depression prompted her to open up and write a book, Silent Souls Weeping, about her brain illness in an effort to change the stigma, shame, and isolation surrounding the disease and advocate for those whose lives have been altered by mental illness. In the interview, we share important information about depression to empower listeners to advocate for themselves, their friends and loved ones.
Join Mary Alice Hatch as she talks with parents of young families, teenage families and empty-nesters about how they approach the Come Follow Me program in their own unique way. The take-home message is that no family is going to do it perfectly, but it will be perfect for their family. Host: Mary Alice Hatch
When the coronavirus, also know as COVID-19, hit the United States, many Americans were faced with an altered reality, including the thousands of church members who planned on getting married in the temple. With marriage license offices closing, as well as all the church buildings and temples, many soon-to-be newlyweds were quickly running out of options. Join us as we talk with newlywed, Emily Manwaring, about how she navigated her marital journey against all odds. Host: Mary Alice Hatch | Guest: Emily Manwaring
Special guest, Tom Christofferson, author of, “That We May Be One - A Gay Mormon’s Perspective on Faith & Family". It wasn’t until 12 years into his relationship with his gay partner that our guest felt a desire to return to the church. With the unconditional love of his family (including his brother, Elder D. Todd Christofferson) and ward community, Tom made the long journey back to full activity, while being faced with one of the hardest decisions of his life. Host: Mary Alice Hatch
Join us as we talk with Keith and Melisa Nellesen about their journey with autism. Melisa’s mother’s instinct told her from day one that something was wrong when Cole failed his hearing test as an infant. As he rolled into his toddler years she noticed that he didn’t engage with other kids, but preferred to be alone and not make eye contact. When Cole was 2 years old, Melisa acted on her concerns and took Cole to be tested and discovered that he was autistic. It was a devastating diagnosis leaving both Keith and Melisa scrambling to find the resources he needed. Intensive early intervention helped him to speak and function at a low functioning level. Cole’s sensory challenges with restrictive clothing, loud noises and physical touch made church attendance painful, which led them to make the difficult decision to not have their son attend church and be at peace at home. Keith and Melisa had to face the sobering reality that their son was never going to check all the standard church boxes of serving a mission, going to college and getting married in the temple and face the fact that you can do all the right things and hard things still happen. Their experience inspired them to create the Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism at Utah Valley University, which offers community education, professional training, college and life skill coaching for autistic adults, as well as free resources to offer hope and direction to parents who are searching for answers about how to help their autistic child. Host: Mary Alice Hatch
Brigitte Madrian's connection to BYU began when she started attending the BYU preschool program after her father excepted a teaching position as a sociology professor on campus. Brigitte grew up visiting campus with her father and dreamt of one day becoming a professor herself. "If you like learning and you like education, the highest level you can do it at is to be a university professor, so that’s what I was aspiring to.” Brigitte Madrian used her faith and intellect to navigate her way through some of the most prestigious institutions of learning, building a strong foundation that would prepare her to ultimately return to BYU to accept the role as the first female dean of the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University. Host: Mary Alice Hatch
When Abby got married in the temple to her newly returned missionary, she never thought that he would be the one to leave the church 12 years later. His decision left her asking herself the hard questions of what she truly believed and how she was going to navigate her new reality of being a mother of 3 raising her children in the church alone. It took a powerful spiritual experience with her husband to push away her bitterness and heartbreak and embrace him with love and choose to move forward with faith in herself and in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Host: Mary Alice Hatch
Guest: Utah Valley University President, Astrid Tuminez. Host: Mary Alice Hatch Join me for an inspirational discussion with the first female President of Utah Valley University, where she shares her incredible story of being rescued by nuns from the slums of the Philippines at the tender age of five, leading her to a primary education that would eventually launch her into the Ivy Leagues and international corporate success. She talks about how she got past the fear, shame and self-doubt of being a working mother in a church culture that at times has been less supportive of working mothers. She describes how she discovered her own divine worth and how she pushed herself to the very limit of what she could accomplish, with the talents the Lord has given her. She brings this same vision to her new role as UVU President, where she strives to model for her students the ability to be resilient and proud of the path they choose for themselves. It is fitting that the new UVU theme she has selected is, “Come as you are, UVU has a place for you.”
A discussion with Clark Gilbert – President of BYU-Pathway Worldwide about how online education is being used to educate everyone from mothers who have never finished college - to young adults who might not qualify for a four year degree. Pathway is a unique tool being used to educate an increasing international church population in an effort to foster more leadership and empowerment throughout our church culture. BYU-Pathway inspires hope by opening new opportunities in higher education through study and faith.
Lynnett Rands, Communications Dean for Brigham Young University Law School, shares her journey of escaping a small town mindset to manifest her dream of achieving a higher education. She takes us through her journey starting as a 16-year-old freshman at BYU, entering law school at the age of 18 and achieving professional success, while balancing her role as a devoted mother.
Is the stigma of not getting into BYU a real thing or just a perception? If you are accepted to BYU, does that ensure your testimony is secure? BYU & non-BYU college students weigh in on these questions and more. Join me as I sit down with Douglas & Alex Arner of BYU and Tatum Fox and Garrett Halls of UVU. Then we’ll hear from Boston University graduate, Tiegan Vogeler. She makes a pretty good case of why college hopefuls should feel confident about considering education outside of BYU.