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Leading Saints Podcast

Leading Saints
Leading Saints Podcast
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300 episodes

  • Leading Saints Podcast

    The Leadership Shift Every Bishop Needs Now | An Interview with James Fletcher

    10/21/2026 | 45 mins.
    James Fletcher is the founder and chief investment officer of Ethos Investment Management, and has been investing professionally in emerging markets for 20 years. He is also the founder of the global non-profit Young Investors Society, which provides lessons to teens on investing and financial literacy in over 3,000 high schools and 80 countries around the world. James has a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Brigham Young University and also teaches as a BYU adjunct professor in Finance. He has lived in a variety of places, from Boston to Brazil and Los Angeles to Hong Kong, and currently lives in Springville, Utah, with his wife and five children, where he serves as a bishop in the Hobble Creek Springville Utah Stake.

    Links

    The Bishopric & the Youth | A How I Lead Interview with James Fletcher

    Young Investors Society: YIS.org

    Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community

    Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community



    Highlights

    James talks about his experiences as a bishop in Mapleton, Utah, focusing on leadership principles that foster community and connection within the church. He discusses the importance of loving individuals as Christ did and the impact of engaging with both active and less-active members.

    Key Insights

    One-by-One Leadership: Emphasizing the inefficiencies of traditional leadership, James highlights the importance of personal connections and individualized attention, mirroring Christ’s approach to ministry.

    Community Engagement: James discusses how his ward has shifted from church-centric activities to community-focused events, fostering relationships with all residents in the canyon, regardless of their church attendance.

    Inviting Growth: He shares the success of involving youth as ward missionaries, allowing them to teach and engage with both members and non-members, which has led to increased participation and spiritual growth.

    Exporting Strength: Leaders are encouraged to look beyond their immediate community and share their strengths and resources globally, exemplified by members in his ward who have initiated impactful projects in other countries.

    Cultural Shift: The importance of creating a culture of belonging and love within the ward is emphasized, ensuring that everyone feels needed and valued, regardless of their church activity.

    Leadership Applications

    Foster Personal Connections: Latter-day Saint leaders can prioritize one-on-one interactions with members, ensuring that everyone feels seen and valued, which can lead to greater engagement and spiritual growth.

    Community-Centric Activities: By organizing events that include the broader community, leaders can build relationships that extend beyond church walls, creating a more inclusive environment.

    Empower Youth: Leaders can implement programs that allow youth to take on responsibilities, such as teaching or missionary work, which not only prepares them for future service but also strengthens the ward community.

    00:02:53 – Building a Zion Community

    00:04:26 – Christlike Leadership Principles

    00:06:01 – Connecting with the Community

    00:08:41 – The Importance of Love and Service

    00:09:34 – Establishing a Culture of Belonging

    00:12:39 – A Powerful Sacrament Meeting Experience

    00:14:26 – The Role of Personal Visits

    00:15:02 – Inviting Others to Serve

    00:17:01 – Broadening the Net

    00:21:01 – Proactive Ministering Efforts

    00:22:48 – Daily Prayer for Individuals

    00:24:37 – Community Connections

    00:25:22 – Exporting Strength

    00:31:04 – Inviting Youth to Grow

    00:36:12 – The Inefficiency of Seeking the One

    00:41:37 – The Healing Power of the Atonement

    The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.

    Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.

    Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
  • Leading Saints Podcast

    Second-Guessing Someone Else’s Revelation | An Interview with Christopher Blythe

    09/26/2026 | 1h 12 mins.
    Brigham Young University professor and religious folklorist Christopher Blythe discusses the nature of revelation, spiritual manifestations, and claims to mysticism within Latter-day Saint history and culture. The conversation examines how members and leaders can evaluate personal spiritual experiences, navigate claims of revelation that exceed proper authority, and guard against deceptive influences or speculative practices.

    Dr. Christopher Blythe is an assistant professor of English at BYU, where he teaches courses on folklore, myth, and Latter-day Saint literature. He holds a PhD in American Religion from Florida State University, an MA in History from Utah State University, and a BA in Religious Studies from Utah State University. Professionally, Dr. Blythe has worked extensively as a religious folklorist and historian, including previous roles with the Joseph Smith Papers Project, the Church History Department, and as a research associate at the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship. He is also the author of Terrible Revolution: Latter-day Saints and the American Apocalypse, a study on millenarianism and lay visions in Church history.

    As a convert who joined the Church at age 13, Dr. Blythe’s research centers on “vernacular religion”—exploring how everyday members live, share, and interpret their faith on the ground. Over the years, he has served in various Church callings, including as a missionary in West Virginia, a high priest group leader, and in various local leadership and teaching assignments. He resides in Utah with his family, where he also co-hosts online content exploring Latter-day Saint history and folklore.

    Links

    Dr. Blythe’s Lost Library

    Angels and Seerstones

    LDS Uncorrelated

    Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community

    Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community



    Highlights

    00:03:00 – Dr. Christopher Blythe on Religious Folklore and Vernacular Religion

    00:06:22 – Navigating Mysticism, Personal Stories, and Spiritual Trump Cards

    00:09:18 – Calling Members, Priesthood Keys, and Avoiding Manipulation

    00:17:11 – Cultural Misconceptions Around Foreordination and Pre-Existence

    00:20:34 – Hiram Page, D&C 28, and the Order of Revelatory Authority

    00:23:25 – Kirtland Manifestations, D&C 50 & 52, and Trying the Spirits

    00:29:21 – Continuationism, Manifestations, and Modern Church History

    00:35:16 – Discernment and Circles of Confidence in Sharing Personal Revelations

    00:44:17 – Recognizing Divine Manifestations and the Baptism of Fire

    00:47:10 – Cognitive Bias, Discomfort, and the Cost of Discipleship

    00:54:02 – The 1913 Dream Mine First Presidency Statement on Speculation

    01:02:37 – Offshoot Movements, Energy Healing, and Focusing on the Family

    01:09:05 – Addressing Doubts, Questions, and Counterfeit Revelations

    01:12:41 – Handbook Guidance on Energy Healing

    Key Insights

    Vernacular Religion & Interpretation: Official Church handbooks, scriptures, and doctrines provide structure, but “vernacular religion”—how individual members interpret and live their faith on the ground—shapes how spiritual experiences and calls are experienced day-to-day.

    Hierarchy and Bounds of Revelation: Early Church history, such as the 1830 revelation regarding Hiram Page’s seer stone (D&C 28), established the fundamental principle that while all members are entitled to personal revelation for their own spheres, only the head of the Church receives revelation to direct the Church as a whole.

    Trying the Spirits: Grounded in early revelations (such as D&C 50 and 52), leaders and members are instructed to “try the spirits” to ensure spiritual manifestations align with standard Church doctrine, priesthood channels, and sound judgment rather than self-serving claims or deceptive influences.

    Mysticism vs. Daily Discipleship: Spiritual trump cards or over-mystifying administrative decisions can lead to manipulation or unrealistic expectations. True spiritual grounding often manifests in consistent, daily acts of service and devotion—particularly within the family—rather than sensational claims.

    Historical Warnings Against Deception: Historical declarations, such as the 1913 First Presidency statement on the “Dream Mine,” warn against individuals using claims of visions, dreams, or private revelations to induce members into financial schemes, speculative ventures, or movements that undermine established priesthood authority.

    Leadership Applications

    Guiding Council Dynamics: Leaders can prevent individuals from using “spiritual trump cards” (e.g., claiming a strong spiritual feeling to override council discussions) by maintaining that decisions should be made through open, prayerful deliberation under proper priesthood keys.

    Handling Boundary-Crossing Claims: When members present private revelations intended to direct others, advise the ward, or promote speculative groups, leaders can refer to foundational principles of stewardship to gently clarify that personal inspiration applies only within one’s assigned sphere or family.

    Reframing Calls and Service: Leaders can help members focus on covenant-keeping and everyday Christlike living, reducing the cultural tendency to view callings or leadership roles through an ego-driven or hyper-mystical lens.

    The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.

    Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.

    Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
  • Leading Saints Podcast

    How Leaders Eliminate Distraction | An Interview with Shawn Vanderhoven

    09/18/2026 | 55 mins.
    Shawn Vanderhoven is the author of the USA Today bestseller Pause: How to Lead Brilliant Work in a Busy World and a Partner at The Wiseman Group, where he leads the executive development practice for senior leaders and rising talent. A collaborator on the New York Times bestseller Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter (Second Edition), Shawn co-designs strategies that help organizations amplify their people, advising leaders at companies like Amazon, Alphabet, Adobe, Microsoft, and Salesforce. He holds a BS in History from Brigham Young University and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Anne, dedicated to helping leaders create the conditions where teams can focus on what matters most.

    In the Church, Shawn has served as an Elders Quorum President and holds a deep passion for working with the rising generation, having served as a Young Men president four different times.



    Links

    Pause: How to Lead Brilliant Work in a Busy World

    LinkedIn: Shawn Vanderhoven

    Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community

    Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community

    Highlights

    Shawn Vanderhoven discusses concepts from his book Pause: How to Lead Brilliant Work in a Busy World. The conversation explores how leaders can help their teams avoid constant distractions, hyperconnectivity, and superficial busyness. Shawn highlights how shifting from an action-oriented mindset to an impact-oriented approach creates room for meaningful focus in both corporate and Church settings.

    00:03:42 – The Moment of Inspiration for Writing the Book

    00:04:52 – Chaos and Lack of Clarity in Leadership

    00:06:46 – Research on Focus and Distraction

    00:08:31 – The Impact of Hyper-Connectivity on Leadership

    00:10:13 – Challenges Faced by Church Leaders

    00:12:10 – The Default of Hyper-Connected Communication

    00:13:07 – Advice for Leaders in the Whirlwind

    00:14:26 – Assumptions About Work and Meetings

    00:15:27 – Bias Towards Action vs. Bias Towards Impact

    00:18:57 – Clarity in Leadership and Prioritization

    00:20:30 – The Importance of Focus in Leadership

    00:22:25 – Creating a Culture of Open Communication

    00:23:43 – Delegation and Respecting Time

    00:25:35 – Counseling Before Extending Callings

    00:30:25 – Tuning In Before Jumping In

    00:32:20 – The Role of Revelation in Leadership Decisions

    00:37:54 – Respecting Individual Circumstances in Callings

    Key Insights

    Action vs. Impact: A bias toward action often causes frantic busyness and shifting priorities, whereas a bias toward impact prioritizes high-value outcomes and clear goals.

    Clarify Priorities: The primary source of distraction for most teams is a lack of clear priorities. Focusing on a few core objectives reduces burnout and improves execution.

    Counseling Before Calling: Extending callings or tasks effectively requires counseling with individuals beforehand to understand their current capacity and life constraints.

    Holding a Clearing: Creating structured systems where individuals can express emotional or interpersonal frustrations removes distractions and clears the mental runway for high-level work.

    Establishing “House Rules”: Leaders must set explicit expectations around communication and meetings to prevent hyperconnectivity from overwhelming team members.

    Put Growth on the Agenda: Dedicating regular time in one-on-one meetings to align an individual’s personal development with organizational needs builds long-term commitment.

    Leadership Applications

    Define What Not to Do: When focusing a ward or organization on specific spiritual goals, leaders should explicitly set aside lower-priority initiatives so members can direct their energy effectively.

    Tune In Before Jumping In: Instead of utilizing “drive-by delegation” or abrupt task handoffs, leaders should ask what someone is currently managing and discuss what can be removed from their plate to accommodate new assignments.

    Set Clear Communication Boundaries: Bishoprics and council leaders can establish ward “house rules” regarding text messaging, response times, and off-hours communication to protect personal lives and prevent burnout.

    The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.

    Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.

    Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
  • Leading Saints Podcast

    Encouraging Returned Missionaries for the Next 10 Years | An Interview with Davis Smith

    09/12/2026 | 59 mins.
    Davis Smith is the founder, chairman, and emeritus CEO of Cotopaxi, a Salt Lake City–based outdoor gear brand dedicated to poverty alleviation. Raised throughout Latin America, he developed a lifelong commitment to social impact after witnessing economic inequality firsthand. A serial e-commerce entrepreneur, Davis founded several successful ventures, including Brazil’s 2012 “Startup of the Year,” before building Cotopaxi into a global brand that has assisted millions living in poverty. He has served as a Presidential Leadership Scholar and a member of the United Nations Foundation’s Global Leadership Council.

    Alongside his career in social business, Davis is a Senior Fellow at Yale University’s Jackson School of Global Affairs, where he teaches courses on leadership and social entrepreneurship. Davis and his wife, Asialene, are the parents of four children and have served extensively in Church leadership, including as mission leaders in the Brazil Recife North Mission (2023–2026) and in a stake presidency. He holds degrees from BYU and the Wharton School and is the author of The Next Ten Years.

    Links

    The Next Ten Years: A Returned Missionary’s Guide to the Decade That Shapes Your Life

    Weaving a Vision into Your Service | An Interview with Davis Smith

    Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community

    Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community

    Highlights

    In this YouTube livestream conversation, Kurt and Davis talk about navigating post-mission transitions, applying practical life skills, and developing lifelong discipleship centered on Jesus Christ.

    00:01:27 – Davis Smith’s Mission Experience

    00:02:14 – Missionary Statistics and Diversity

    00:03:02 – Background in Brazil

    00:04:42 – Overview of the Book Project

    00:05:08 – Life Lessons from Zone Conferences

    00:07:21 – Importance of Lifelong Discipleship

    00:09:02 – Connecting Mission Skills to Life Skills

    00:10:34 – Preparing Missionaries for Post-Mission Life

    00:11:05 – Sending Off Missionaries

    00:12:49 – The Contract for Return Missionaries

    00:14:44 – The Significance of Marco Zero

    00:15:15 – Maintaining Relationships with Returned Missionaries

    00:15:46 – Intimate Compassion and the Good Samaritan

    00:18:57 – Selecting Principles for the Book

    00:21:00 – Book Release and Formats

    00:21:54 – The Importance of the Next 10 Years

    00:23:45 – Critical Times for Return Missionaries

    00:26:27 – Spiritual Growth After the Mission

    00:28:51 – Finding Purpose After a Mission

    00:30:38 – Supporting Return Missionaries

    00:32:13 – Advice for Parents of Return Missionaries

    Key Insights

    Connecting Mission Skills to Real-Life Success: The competencies developed on a mission—such as goal setting, communication, team coordination, and networking—directly translate into professional, financial, and relational success when returned missionaries learn to connect those dots.

    Intimate Compassion (Oil Before Wine): Drawing from the parable of the Good Samaritan, effective leadership and personal correction require establishing love and empathy (“oil”) before offering invitation, counsel, or direction (“wine”).

    Aiming for Continuous Growth, Not Maintenance: A spiritual peak reached during dedicated service should serve as a baseline for future growth rather than a status to merely maintain.

    Immediate Post-Mission Focus & Purpose: The initial three to six months after full-time service are the most critical for establishing daily habits, securing church callings, avoiding technology distractions, and redirecting focus outward toward community service.

    Financial Stewardship Early in Life: Establishing foundational financial habits—such as paying tithing first, saving consistently, and utilizing simple long-term investment vehicles like index funds—early in adulthood creates long-term independence and security.

    Leadership Applications

    Ask Intentional, Reflective Questions: Rather than asking for casual stories, leaders and parents can help returned missionaries process their service by asking targeted questions about spiritual gifts discovered, personal habits to keep, and lessons learned from mission leaders.

    Provide Clear Purpose and Responsibility: Local leaders can ease tough life transitions by extending meaningful callings or mentoring assignments early on, helping individuals shift their focus away from self-centered anxiety and toward serving others.

    Support Alternate & Service Mission Paths: Leaders should exercise empathy and avoid judgment when a mission ends unexpectedly or transitions to a service mission, recognizing that God’s plan and approval apply to all sincere efforts to serve.

    The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.

    Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.

    Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
  • Leading Saints Podcast

    The Leadership of LaVell Edwards | An Interview with Dave McCann & Mark Ogletree

    09/08/2026 | 57 mins.
    Dave McCann is a veteran sportscaster, play-by-play announcer, and television anchor with decades of broadcasting experience across regional and national media. After graduating from Brigham Young University with a degree in broadcasting, he began his career as a college sports reporter for ABC’s Good Morning America before anchoring sports in Las Vegas for nearly 20 years. He later served as an evening news co-anchor for KSL-TV in Salt Lake City and became a prominent media personality for BYUtv, hosting pre- and post-game shows alongside lead play-by-play coverage for BYU football and basketball. McCann also writes sports commentary for the Deseret News and co-hosts the digital BYU sports talk show Y’s Guys. He currently serves as an elders quorum president.

    Dr. Mark D. Ogletree is a professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University and a licensed professional counselor who has worked with individuals, couples, and families for over 30 years to strengthen relationships and navigate personal challenges. After spending two decades in the Church Educational System as a Seminary and Institute teacher and director, he joined the BYU faculty in 2010, specializing in family dynamics and prophetic teachings. An accomplished author, Ogletree has published numerous books and articles on marriage, family life, parenting, mental health, and contemporary Latter-day Saint history, including recent titles such as The Leadership Legacy of LaVell Edwards, Christ’s Miracles: Yesterday and Today, Heaven Is Cheering You On, and Beyond the Honeymoon.

    Alongside his wife, Janie—with whom he shares eight children and 32 grandchildren—he hosts two weekly podcasts: Preserving Families and Stand by My Servants. In addition to his academic, clinical, and writing endeavors, Ogletree has served as a bishop in both McKinney, Texas, and Provo, Utah, and currently serves as a stake president in Provo.



    Links

    The Leadership Legacy of LaVell Edwards

    MarkOgletree.com

    Offering Transformation Through Jesus to Those You Lead | An Interview with Pastor Derwin L. Gray

    How LaVell Edwards Influenced His Team to be a Team of Leaders | An Interview With Paul Gustavson

    Love Without Works is Dead | An Interview With Chad Lewis, Former BYU Player & NFL Pro-Bowler

    From BYU Quarterback to Stake President | An Interview with Brandon Doman

    Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community

    Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community

    Highlights

    Mark Ogletree and Dave McCann discuss their book, The Leadership Legacy of LaVell Edwards. They share insights gained from interviewing dozens of former players, staff, and loved ones of the legendary Brigham Young University (BYU) football coach. The conversation centers on Edwards’ unique, Christlike approach to leadership, relationship-building, delegation, and personal mentorship.

    Key Insights

    Delegation and Empowerment: LaVell Edwards believed in hiring capable experts, trusting them completely, and giving them the autonomy to execute their roles without micromanagement.

    One-on-One Relationships: Rather than focusing purely on football tactics, LaVell maintained an open-door policy and prioritized checking in on his players’ personal lives, families, and future goals.

    Seeing Unseen Potential: LaVell possessed a unique ability to identify hidden talents in individuals—often encouraging position changes, urging players to serve missions, or convincing them to stay when they wanted to quit.

    Lifting the Lost and Struggling: He repeatedly reached out to lower-string players or individuals in crisis, offering unwavering support, loyalty, and personal investment during their hardest moments.

    Innovation and Vision: Recognizing systemic limitations, LaVell embraced innovative approaches—such as pioneering a high-powered passing offense—to elevate his program to national prominence.

    Leadership Applications

    Empower Ward and Organizational Leaders: Latter-day Saint leaders can emulate LaVell Edwards by delegating real authority to presidency members, committee leaders, and council members rather than attempting to manage every operational detail.

    Prioritize Personal Ministering: Leaders should create accessible, low-pressure environments (such as open-door settings or informal check-ins) to focus on individual souls rather than just administrative tasks.

    Instill Belief in Others: Leaders can actively express confidence in those they serve, helping individuals recognize their divine potential and encouraging them toward transformative choices like missionary or church service.

    00:03:12 – Origins of the Book Project

    00:04:45 – The Impact of LaVell Edwards

    00:06:21 – LaVell’s Influence Beyond Football

    00:07:13 – The Personal Touch of LaVell Edwards

    00:08:37 – LaVell’s Unique Leadership Style

    00:10:15 – LaVell’s Unexpected Journey to BYU

    00:12:06 – LaVell’s Vision and Innovation

    00:13:09 – The Last Moments with LaVell

    00:14:06 – Mentorship in LaVell’s Life

    00:15:33 – LaVell’s Leadership Style in the Church

    00:17:27 – Balancing Authority and Delegation

    00:19:40 – Creating a Culture of Trust

    00:20:49 – One-on-One Relationships with Players

    00:22:49 – LaVell’s Home as a Safe Space

    00:24:53 – The Importance of Team Prayer

    00:26:34 – Common Themes from Player Interviews

    00:29:03 – Humility as a Key Principle

    00:30:38 – LaVell’s Care for All Players

    00:32:25 – Encouraging Players to Stay

    00:34:00 – Promoting Missionary Service

    00:42:12 – Conclusion and Legacy of LaVell Edwards

    The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.

    Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.

    Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
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