Leading Saints Podcast

Robert Cornilles is an executive, author, and educator with a background in business leadership and community engagement. He serves as the Founder and CEO of Game Face, Inc., an executive training firm that has advised over 400 global brands, including more than 200 professional sports franchises. A bestselling author, he published The Sales Game Changer: How to Become the Salesperson People Love and Preparing Tomorrow’s Missionaries Today. He also shares his expertise as an adjunct professor teaching MBA candidates at the BYU Marriott School of Business.

Rob served as a full-time missionary in Japan and has extensive experience in...

Mark A. Beck earned a BA in Business and Japanese Language from Pacific University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Over his three-decade corporate career, he served in executive leadership at Corning Incorporated, as Executive Vice President at Danaher Corporation, and as President and CEO of JELD-WEN, guiding the company through its IPO. Today, Mark owns three manufacturing companies, co-chairs KDC/ONE, and serves as board chair for Accendra Health (formerly Owens & Minor) and IDEX Corporation. Passionate about servant leadership, he serves as faculty for the Adler Fellowship Program and has taught strategic leadership of innovation as a...

This is a recording of the monthly Zion Lab Live where Kurt Francom explores various topics discussed in the Zion Lab online community.

Links

Join the conversation in Zion Lab
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community

Highlights

00:01:12 – Adjusting the Schedule
00:02:06 – Importance of Participation
00:03:29 – Changes in Zion Lab Experience
00:04:12 – Membership Options and Sponsorship
00:06:51 – Involving Core Members in Primary and Young Men’s
00:10:58 – Communication Strategies for Inclusion
00:12:57 – Ideas for Unity in Wards
00:17:05 – New Sunday Format Training
00:19:17 – Challenges with Training Resour...

Marianne Downing has a master’s degree in Education (counseling) and began her career as a therapist before combining it with various roles within the nonprofit sector. She has been an entrepreneur since 2002. Since becoming a Latter-day Saint, Marianne served in the New Zealand Auckland mission, and as Relief Society president, counselor in her stake Primary presidency, stake Relief Society president, early morning Seminary teacher, and Young Women president. While living in Paris, France, she was called as part of a committee by the European Area Presidency to establish LDS Family Services in the French-speaking areas of France, Switzerland, an...

Todd Hillyard, a bishop in Vancouver, Washington, shares a variety of ideas about how he involves the youth to improve sacrament meeting.

You can listen to the full interview here: https://app.leadingsaints.org/c/livestream-recordings/letting-youth-lead-in-sunday-worship

Want to hire an international returned missionary who attended BYU Pathway? Check out https://leadingsaints.org/fullpond

Elder Scott N. Taylor is a professor of Organizational Behavior holding the Arthur M. Blank Endowed Chair for Values-Based Leadership at Babson College, having previously taught at Boston University and the University of New Mexico. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Brigham Young University as well as an MBA and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from Case Western Reserve University. An award-winning educator and researcher whose work centers on leader assessment, executive coaching, and emotional competence, Scott has authored numerous scholarly publications and consulted internationally with dozens of major companies and government entities.

El...

JeaNette Smith is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who authored Side by Side: Supporting a Spouse in Church Service to help couples keep their relationships strong and connected amidst demanding Church callings or busy careers. Her inspiration for the book came early in her career while her husband, Bret, was serving as a bishop, leading her to study how couples can actively grow closer rather than drift apart during intense seasons of service.

Over their years together, JeaNette and Bret have put these principles into practice across numerous callings, including three bishoprics, a branch presidency, a...

Register for the Meetings with Saints Virtual Summit: https://app.leadingsaints.org/mws-reg

Tesiah “Tess” Frame is a Latter-day Saint digital content creator, author, and podcaster based in Southern California. Focusing on motherhood, practical scripture study, and active discipleship, she aims to bring optimism, authenticity, and joy to the online conversation surrounding Latter-day Saint women. Alongside Becky Squire, she co-hosts the Certain Women Podcast, a Come, Follow Me scripture study program specifically geared toward women, and is the co-owner of the children’s faith brand Happy Sacrament.

Outside of her media work, Tess is a mother of three boys and a resilient survivor of a highly traumatic medical crisis during late p...

For over thirty years, Shawn D. Moon has worked with global clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to government organizations. He currently serves as Chairman and CEO of Zerorez. Previously, Shawn was an Executive Vice President at FranklinCovey, a former principal at Mellon Financial Corporation, and was named a 2024 finalist for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

A Wall Street Journal best-selling author, Shawn has published books in multiple languages and frequently speaks to senior leadership audiences globally. His most current book is Roots, Relationships, and Results. He serves on multiple boards, is actively engaged in his community...

In this "Zion Lab Live" episode, Kurt Francom facilitates a live community discussion analyzing recent topics in Zion Lab. The conversation focuses on improving the Sunday meeting experience, addressing the unique cultural and social needs of men in the church, and managing the mental capacity of local leaders. Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Highlights Key Insights US Constitution Fifth Sunday Lessons: Community feedback regarding the church-mandated Fifth Sunday lessons was generally positive, highlighting a respectful, non-political tone and a spiritual framing of the...

Aaron Hale is an educational leader and entrepreneur originally from Arizona, where he raised his family before transitioning to his current role as the president of Southern Virginia University (SVU). He holds an MBA and co-founded Legacy Traditional School, growing it from a single campus of 400 children to a massive organization spanning 30 campuses serving nearly 30,000 students, alongside a back-office support network assisting hundreds of other charter schools nationwide. Aaron has served as a bishop and a counselor in a stake presidency. Drawing on his deep background in both corporate education and ecclesiastical council settings, Aaron brings a collaborative, vision-driven leadership...

Join us for Dan Oakes' full presentation during the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit. Grab your free seat here: https://leadingsaints.org/liberating

To hear the full presentation, grab your free spot for the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit: LeadingSaints.org/liberating

Some fascinating research related to why children and teens turn to porn. What "job" are they hiring? Kristen Jenson gives the details in this clip from the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit. See the Speakers and Register here: https://leadingsaints.org/liberating

Sam Tielemans, a therapist from Las Vegas, NV, nails this concept and offers a practical approach to overcoming shame, porn, and sin. To see the entire presentation (and some of the other speakers) at the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit, visit: https://leadingsaints.org/liberating

A thoughtful perspective and encouragement for church leaders when someone is struggling with pornography. This is just a clip of one of the 15+ presentations that will be shown during the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit, starting June 30. See the speakers & Register at https://leadingsaints.org/liberating

While we beg and plead to Meta to give us back our accounts, help us promote this incredible Liberating Saints Virtual Summit. See Speakers & Register Free: https://app.leadingsaints.org/opt-in

This is a follow-up conversation. Listen to the first episode here. Jeff Strong worked nearly 30 years in the consumer products industry as a senior executive at Procter & Gamble and global president and chief customer officer at Johnson & Johnson. He then taught in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University and worked as an advisor to the Church before serving as a mission leader in the Arkansas Bentonville Mission. Jeff has since spent several years doing research on why people are leaving the Church. He recently published the book Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and...

Every first Friday of the month, Kurt Francom hosts Zion Lab Live, where we review the latest happenings and conversations taking place in Zion Lab and across our online community. Kurt highlights key posts, trending discussions, and new podcast episodes—offering insights, context, and opportunities for deeper engagement. Jump into Zion Lab: https://app.leadingsaints.org/ In this episode, Kurt and livestream guests discuss the challenges faced by young married adults in the Church, particularly their faith and social dynamics. The conversation also touches on Mother's Day experiences and the importance of intellectual engagement in church settings. Links & Resources 📱 Download the L...

Orlando R. Kelm is a retired professor from the University of Texas at Austin. He served in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese and the McCombs School of Business for over 37 years, teaching courses in Portuguese and Spanish language and linguistics. His research and publications focused on the cultural aspects of cross-cultural communication and the creative use of technology in language learning. Orlando was born in Calgary, Alberta, raised in Taylorsville, Utah, and educated at Brigham Young University and the University of California at Berkeley. He served in the São Paulo Norte Brazil mission, and his three favorite hobbies a...

Cole Zesiger is a breakup and relationship coach, author, and content creator who specializes in helping people navigate heartbreak, healing, and healthy relationships. After experiencing a divorce at 23 and another difficult breakup soon after, Cole began openly sharing his journey online, eventually growing an audience of more than 750,000 followers across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms. Through his coaching programs, online community, and content, he has helped over 2,000 people work through breakups, strengthen their self-worth, improve communication, and build healthier relationships. His practical approach blends psychology, attachment theory, faith, and real-world experience to help people either reconcile in healthier ways...

Former mission president Bart Warner and his former missionary James Logan explore the dynamics, patterns, and spiritual impact of mentorship. Drawing from their shared history in the Texas Dallas Mission and their current professional collaboration, they discuss how deliberate interpersonal guidance fosters long-term progression. They focus on overcoming personal stagnation by cultivating effective mentor-mentee relationships to strengthen individuals and build Zion. Links Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Highlights Bart and James discuss the importance of building relationships, the role of agency, and the...

Gifford Nielsen played quarterback for Brigham Young University and six years for the NFL’s Houston Oilers. He worked as the sports director for KHOU-TV in Houston for 25 years. In 1994, Giff was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2013 and served as an Assistant Executive Director in the Missionary Department and in the Pacific, North America Northeast, North America Central and Africa West Area Presidencies. He was granted Emeritus status in 2024. Giff was born in Provo, Utah, and married Wendy Olson. Th...

John Bushman served as a bishop for 6.5 years, as a member of many bishoprics, and currently serves as a Gospel Doctrine teacher. He has been a Seminaries and Institutes of Religion coordinator, Institute instructor, and is now a Seminary instructor. He has also taught EFY and FSY for 20 years. John loves hiking and going on adventures of most any kind. Links King Before Kingdom Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Highlights John Bushman explores the necessity of a "faithful revival" centered on Jesus Christ...

Find out more information about this LDS Cruise at SeaSaints.com Use code LEADINGSAINTS to be part of our onboard experience.

Find out more information about this LDS Cruise at SeaSaints.com Use code LEADINGSAINTS to be part of our onboard experience.

Join Kurt Francom and other fantastic speakers and entertainers for the Sea Saints Alaskan Cruise. Find all the details and book your cabin at SeaSaints.com Use Code: LeadingSaints to be included in exclusive Leading Saints experiences onboard.

Dustin Peterson is the founder and president of Proof Leadership Group, a leadership consultancy that works with organizations to train leaders and help develop their company culture. He is also an author and recently published his fourth book, Meant for More: Waking Up to the Life You Were Sent to Live. He currently serves as the stake president in the Friendswood Texas Stake and has served as a seminary teacher, branch president, stake presidency counselor, and counselor in the Texas Houston South Mission. He lives in Houston with his wife and four children and loves bacon and Dallas sports teams. ...

Join Kurt Francom and other fantastic speakers and entertainers for the Sea Saints Alaskan Cruise. Find all the details and book your cabin at SeaSaints.com! Use Code: LeadingSaints to be included in exclusive Leading Saints experiences onboard.

Steven W. Shields, CMHC, CETII, CECII, is passionate about helping others regain their freedom by healing their root trauma. One of his greatest moments with clients is when he fires them. His hope is to help clients access that inner healing as quickly as possible so they can stop spending time and money in therapy, live the adventure, and experience the joys that life has in store for them. Steven loves dirt biking, Christian rap, and playing Pokémon with his kids. Links Is Mental Health Healing Possible? | An Interview with Steven Shields [ACCEPTED] Watch the video and share your t...

As a culture change enthusiast with hundreds of presentations under her belt, Dr. Christy Kane transforms audiences when she speaks. Her message is based on the belief that embracing mental health as a positive is essential to thriving.   All of Dr. Kane's work has one goal: to help people care for their brains and live better lives. By incorporating brain-based research, storytelling, and a thought-provoking delivery, she makes difficult topics engaging and memorable.​   Dr. Kane has a Doctorate in Psychology and a clinical license (CMHC) in addition to being a successful business owner and leader. Dr. Kane has provided mental heal...

Jeff Strong worked nearly 30 years in the consumer products industry as a senior executive at Procter & Gamble and global president and chief customer officer at Johnson & Johnson. He then taught in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University and worked as an advisor to the Church before serving as a mission leader in the Arkansas Bentonville Mission. Jeff has since spent several years doing research on why people are leaving the Church. He recently published the book Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn from Them. Jeff lives in Midway, Utah...

Robin Ritch has spent her career building things that matter. She has led teams at Microsoft, Intel, and Cisco, and most recently served as President and Publisher of Deseret News Publishing Company, where she helped transform a 172-year-old institution into a nationally recognized digital voice. Throughout her career, Robin has had a knack for seeing around corners. She has launched new products, modernized organizations, and brought together unlikely communities around conversations that matter. She gives back through board service at The Policy Project, WikiCharities, Social Venture Partners, and Mission Edge, organizations working to make communities stronger. For as long as...

David Boice is a faith-based storyteller and traveler originally from Wausau, Wisconsin, and the creator of the YouTube series 52 Churches in 52 Weeks. What began as a personal search for a spiritual home became a nationwide journey through nearly 200 congregations, documenting not just what churches teach, but how they receive those walking in for the first time. His work offers a unique window into the lived experience of faith, community, and belonging across modern Christianity. Through these road stories, David has developed a thoughtful perspective on the subtle dynamics that shape religious communities—hospitality, fellowship, teaching, and the process by which a...

Jump into Zion Lab: https://app.leadingsaints.org In this episode we back up to early March for the first "Zion Lab Live" livestream where Kurt Francom explains more about Zion Lab and shares highlights from discussions. We discuss: Zion Lab as a Resource Generational Disconnect: The gap between older and younger generations, the pressure to conform to expectations, and the facade of compliance rather than genuine engagement Bishopric Responsibilities: Shifting responsibilities of bishops and balancing their focus on youth while ensuring all members receive adequate support and ministering Communication Strategies: Ask open-ended questions and foster a non-judgmental environment to...

Zion Lab Live | March Recap + The Future of Leading Saints Jump into Zion Lab: https://app.leadingsaints.org/ Kurt Francom shares highlights from the past month in Zion Lab — Leading Saints' growing online community app — and digs into the biggest topic on everyone's mind: the upcoming changes to the Sunday meeting schedule taking effect September 6. In this episode: What is Zion Lab and why Kurt thinks it's the future of Leading Saints The AI Clerk feature and how it helps church leaders find answers fast Reactions and discussion around the new split Sunday meeting schedule Kurt's Elders Quorum small-group format and...

Jeff Strong worked nearly 30 years in the consumer products industry as a senior executive at Procter & Gamble and global president and chief customer officer at Johnson & Johnson. He then taught in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University and worked as an advisor to the Church before serving as a mission leader in the Arkansas Bentonville Mission. Jeff has since spent several years doing research on why people are leaving the Church. While not a professional researcher, his career involved a large amount of research and the research he shares in this podcast was done with the help...

Tucker Boyle has spent over 25 years teaching Seminary and Institute for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he has worked closely with youth and young adults to help them deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ and navigate real-life challenges with faith and awareness. He has served as a Young Single Adult bishop and in other leadership callings, giving him a front-line perspective on the complexities individuals face in their spiritual journeys. Tucker is the founder of Harmony Road Retreats, a nonprofit organization that creates compassionate, supportive spaces for individuals wanting to find inner harmony while experiencing shifts...

A best-selling author and internationally sought-after speaker and consultant, Michael Timms teaches practical leadership strategies that drive high-performance. He earned an M.B.A. from Utah State University, and was a consultant with Deloitte and an HR leader in the construction and manufacturing industries, prior to forming his own consultancy. Michael is the author of How Leaders Can Inspire Accountability and Succession Planning That Works. Links Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community How Leaders Can Inspire Accountability: Three Habits That Make or Break Leaders and Elevate Organizational Performance How to Claim Your Leadership Power...