The Lisa Show

What if the most powerful thing you could give someone isn’t advice or money, but a story? Lisa sits down with Sam Payne, host of The Apple Seed—a story telling podcast on BYU Radio—to explore why storytelling shapes our family culture, strengthens relationships, and helps us understand who we are. Together, they reflect on the healing power of telling stories about those we’ve loved and lost, and why storytelling belongs to all of us.

Be sure to check out The Apple Seed: https://www.byuradio.org/the-apple-seed

When violence strikes close to home, the grief feels different. It can feel heavier, more personal, and harder to shake. Lisa sits down with Emma McAdam, licensed therapist and founder of "Therapy in a Nutshell," to talk about how to cope with collective trauma in a 24/7 news cycle. Together they explore emotional resilience, intentional media consumption, and why healing ourselves first is the most powerful way to help our communities heal.

Be sure to check out Therapy in a Nutshell: https://therapyinanutshell.com/

When someone you love questions or walks away from their faith, it can feel deeply personal and deeply unsettling. Lisa sits down with Dr. Jared Halverson, a scholar of American religious history and faith loss, to talk about how to respond when faith crises show up in our families and friendships. Together, they explore why belief journeys look different for everyone, how to keep spiritual differences from becoming relationship fractures, and why the most Christlike response may start with tending to our own faith and not trying to fix someone else’s.

Even the strongest marriages hit slumps, and, no, it doesn’t always mean you’re doing it wrong. Lisa talks with clinical psychologist and marriage researcher Dr. Scott Braithwaite about why dips in marital satisfaction are normal and what actually helps couples move through them. With six practical, research-backed strategies, they explore how to break unhealthy patterns, communicate more effectively, and reconnect by focusing on the most important foundation of all: friendship.

Who are the people behind the headlines? Lisa sits down with political scientist and longtime friend Wendy Pearlman to talk about how personal relationships shape the way we understand conflict. Between reminiscing over “poptarts and politics” in Lincoln, Nebraska, and diving into Wendy’s life work--studying the experiences of Syrian refugees, Lisa and Wendy explore what it really means to see the people affected by political conflict and turmoil. Together, they reflect on blind spots, empathy, and why meaningful change often starts with simple, human acts like listening well, asking questions, and choosing kindness.

For more about Wendy and her books be sure to check out her website: https://sites.northwestern.edu/wendypearlman/