Called to Create: An LDSPMA Podcast

40 Episodes
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By: LDSPMA

Called to Create is a podcast where your desire to create will be supported and celebrated through interviews with inspiring Latter-day Saint creators who are passionate about their craft and share helpful, real-life experiences that will guide you on your creative journey. Look for new episodes on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

Meghan Hoesch - Shaping Stories that Shape Lives
#9
Last Wednesday at 12:00 PM

 Meghan Hoesch is a professional editor with five years of experience working freelance for various publishing companies and other clients. Though she's done all aspects of the editing process, she specializes in copyediting/line editing and proofreading, and she enjoys finding mistakes and helping authors make their work shine. Last year, she won the LDSPMA Spark Award for her short story, Discovering Ella, and she's hoping to publish it one day. 
 ”Editors don't always get public recognition, but they definitely shape stories that shape lives.” 


BJ Allen: The Compensating Power of Christ & Finding Purpose in Life’s Unfair Moments
#8
03/18/2026

Welcome back to Called to Create!
In this deeply inspiring episode, hosts Scott and Darla Brandley sit down with BYU business professor, author, and Praiseworthy Award winner BJ Allen to explore a powerful and often overlooked aspect of the Savior’s atonement—His
compensating power.

BJ shares the story behind his book, The Compensating Power of Christ: How the Atonement Rights the Wrongs of an Unfair World, and how a single line of doctrine sparked years of study, reflection, and ultimately a pu...


Kenneth Chamberlain - Look for Other Doors
#7
03/04/2026

Today we’re joined by author Kenneth Chamberlain. Raised across the American West and a former missionary to Brazil, Kenneth built an international business career working with startups, Fortune 500 companies, and organizations around the world before returning to his first love—storytelling. He now writes faith-centered novels that blend history, scripture, and real-world struggles, and he’s the Spark Award–winning author of The King’s Bodyguard, a powerful reimagining of events surrounding King Zedekiah and the fall of Jerusalem.


Heather B. Moore: From Rejections to Bestsellers
#6
02/26/2026

 From Rejection to Bestseller: Heather B. Moore's 20-Year Writing Journey

In this inspiring episode of Called to Create, Scott and Darla Brandley sit down with award-winning author Heather B. Moore to explore her remarkable journey from aspiring writer to published success.

Heather shares the raw truth about her early writing career—starting at age 30 while helping her grandmother with her personal history, facing rejection after rejection, and nearly giving up on her dreams. But it was her husband's advice to "fight for it" and one pivotal phone call that changed everything.

I...


Melody Williams - Inspired to Write
#5
02/04/2026

Spark Award winner Melody J Williams

Season 6 - Episode 5 of LDSPMA's "Called to Create" podcast

 “ When you find that thing that is at that creative outlet that lets you just recharge and fill your cup when it's empty, it makes all the difference.”


Anneka Walker - From Loss to Purpose
#4
01/21/2026

Author Anneka Walker talks about finding purpose in her writing that helped her through trials in her life in our latest episode of "Called to Create" Season 6. Please subscribe so you don't miss an episode.


Roy Fullmer - Transforming Pain in to Purpose
#3
01/07/2026

Interview with Spark Award winner Roy Fullmer. "I am an artist that loves writing my recent songs. They are all songs that reflect in my personal life and trying to inspire to become more of a power anthem for others." 


Gunnar Andersen - Verses and Visions
#2
12/10/2025

Called to Create Season 6 - Episode 2

Interview with Spark Award winner Gunnar Andersen on his creative journey in composing music to tell the story of the Restoration.


Cassidy Beck - Our Stories Matter
#1
11/26/2025

Praiseworthy Award winning podcaster, Cassidy Beck, joins Scott & Alisha for our Season 6 premiere.


Scott Brandley & Alisha Coakley: Building Connections and Faith with Latter-Day Lights
#12
06/25/2025

In this heartwarming episode of Called to Create, Guest Host M.D. House, president of LDSPMA, welcomes Alisha Coakley and Scott Brandley from the Latter-Day Lights podcast. They discuss their experiences with creating over 150 episodes, the importance of networking within the LDS podcasting community, and how these platforms help spread light and inspire listeners. The trio also touches on their favorite episodes, challenges faced, and the spiritual growth that comes from sharing and hearing personal stories. Additionally, Scott delves into his newly launched book 'Faith to Stay', offering insights into its creation and the fascinating topics it covers. 


Eva Timothy: Seeking Light in the Shadows
#11
06/11/2025

Join guest host, renowned author Brandon Mull, as he interviews Eva Timothy, an accomplished author and photographer. Eva, originally from Bulgaria, shares how her upbringing under communism influenced her artistic vision and the pivotal role her father played in nurturing her love for beauty and light. From discussing the power of dreams and hard work to the profound relationship between creativity and divinity, this conversation offers inspiring insights into pursuing one's passion despite challenges. Discover how Eva's journey led her to achieve recognition, including works showcased at the Smithsonian, and the deeply rooted spiritual connections that drive her...


Mallory Everton: A Journey Through Laughter, Light, and Life
#10
05/21/2025

Guest host Jenna Carson, a chaplain and captain in the U.S. Air Force, interviews filmmaker and comedian Mallory Everton. Best known for her work on BYUtv's Studio C and JK Studios' Freelancers, Mallory shares her journey from nursing aspirant to established artist. The conversation focuses on  her creative process, the importance of comedy in dark times, and how she navigates the challenges of a patchwork career as an artist. Mallory offers insights into maintaining a joyful and authentic approach to creativity, driven by curiosity and a deep relationship with God.


T...


M.D. House: A Journey from Finance to Fiction
#9
05/07/2025

Assistant Producer Cassidy Beck interviews MD House, the current president of Latter-day Saints in Publishing, Media, and the Arts (LDSPMA). They discuss Michael's transition from a successful career in corporate finance to becoming a passionate writer. Michael shares his experiences with LDSPMA, detailing its volunteer-driven community, mentoring programs, and conferences. The conversation also covers Michael's unexpected journey into writing historical biblical fiction, his inspiration behind his books, and the importance of uniting creatives with faith-centered purposes. Learn how MD House balances his professional career with his creative passions and discover more about the upcoming Christian Creatives Expo in...


Madsen Brothers: Faith, Creativity, and Family in the Arts
#8
04/23/2025

Join guest host CJ Madson, adjunct faculty at BYU School of Music, as he interviews his younger brother, Jeremy Madson, a talented author and graduate in biblical Hebrew. Discover Jeremy's journey from childhood sibling rivalry to writing his first epic fantasy novel, 'The Pyromancer Scroll.' Learn how faith, family support, and financial stewardship have played crucial roles in their creative endeavors. This episode is filled with valuable advice for aspiring creators and heartwarming family anecdotes. 


Tune in to be inspired by their experiences and insights.



Glenn Rawson: Guiding Souls through Storytelling and History
#6
03/19/2025

In this episode of Called to Create, guest host Heidi Tucker, a speaker and author of five award-winning books, interviews the renowned storyteller, traveler, and teacher Glenn Rawson. Known for inspirational tales broadcasted on over 50 radio stations and authoring over 30 books, Glenn shares his journey from a cowboy in Idaho to a beloved storyteller. They discuss his unique experiences, motivations, and approach to storytelling that entertains, inspires, and teaches valuable principles. Glenn also talks about connecting history and personal stories with geographic places, making history come alive for his audience. Join us as we delve into Glenn's mission...


Afterglow: The Story of Friendship and Faith through Music
#5
03/05/2025

Join host Scott Christopher as he interviews Joel McCausland and Kevin Peay, the dynamic duo behind Afterglow, a staple in the LDS and faith-based music community. Discover how these lifelong friends from Utah Valley transitioned from high school harmonies to producing inspirational music that has touched thousands. The episode delves into their creative processes, their balance between music and other careers, memorable performances, and the story behind their iconic songs like 'I Heard Him Come' and 'The Greatest Gift.' Also, get an inside look at their journey through their recent digital distribution and podcasting efforts. Celebrate with Scott...


Jenedy Paige: God's Path for Artists and Warriors
#4
02/19/2025

Join guest host Adassa, a renowned singer and actress, as she interviews professional oil painter and American Ninja Warrior athlete Jenedy Page. They discuss Jenedy’s journey from a novice artist to showcasing her paintings in national galleries, all while balancing motherhood and training for Ninja Warrior competitions. Jenedy reveals how divine guidance, mentorship, and perseverance helped her overcome personal and professional challenges. The episode covers Jenedy’s unique painting techniques, her emotional connection to her late son, and her exciting upcoming event, the Strong Woman Experience. 

Tune in for inspiring stories of resilience, faith...


McKay Coppins: Navigating Faith & Journalism
#3
02/05/2025

In this captivating episode, Guest Host Jenna Carson, a chaplain and captain in the U.S. Air Force, interviews McKay Coppins, a renowned staff writer at The Atlantic. McKay shares his experiences at The Atlantic, insights from his acclaimed articles and books, and the challenges and rewards of balancing skepticism and cynicism in political journalism. They also discuss the importance of diverse perspectives in media and offer valuable advice for aspiring writers and journalists.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:42 McKay Coppins' Career and Inspirations
01:58 Working at The Atlantic
05:33 Balancing Faith and Journalism
12:17 Navigating Cynicism...


Elspeth Young: Painting Lesser-Known Heroes
#2
01/22/2025

Elspeth has been a full-time Artist of Al Young Studios since 2002. Her paintings seek to celebrate lesser-known heroines and heroes of everyday life whose courage and devotion evince the deepest reverence for Deity. Each painting is intended to invite others to look Heavenward in order to solve life’s challenges, and appreciate the majesty of the individual in all races and cultures.

Her training includes a lifetime of study and collaboration in the family studio of her father, Al R. Young, as well as a baccalaureate degree in Visual Art from Brigham Young University, fr...


Jennifer Jenkins: Operation Literacy Founder
#1
01/08/2025

Jennifer Jenkins is the author of seven published novels and one non-fiction guide to creative writing. Her work has been optioned for film/tv and she is a two-time Whitney Finalist. She serves as the Founder/CEO of Operation Literacy, a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to promoting children's literacy, and has taught in the Silicon Slopes Lecture Series and at universities across the country on the subjects of creative writing, leadership, career readiness, networking, and leveraging story to connect with stakeholders.

She received the Honors in Education award from Utah First Lady Abby Cox in 2024 and dedicates her...


Connie Sokol: Beloved Podcast Host, Farewell
#24
12/18/2024

Connie Sokol is a national speaker, bestselling author, media personality, and mother of seven. She is a regular contributor on the top-rated lifestyle show Studio 5 with Brooke Walker (www.ksl.com/studio5).

In addition to her own podcast, Purpose Filled Life, for the past three years Connie has interviewed 75 guests as host of Called to Create: An LDSPMA Podcast for nonprofit Latter-day Saints in Publishing, Media, and the Arts.

Connie is a bestselling author who has written 17 books, including What...


Brigham Taylor: Pirates of the Caribbean producer
#23
12/04/2024

Brigham Taylor worked as an executive with the Walt Disney Company. He produced Disney’s 2016 The Jungle Book, 2015 Tomorrowland, and the Pirates of the Caribbean series. He was a production executive for Million Dollar Arm (2014), Tron: Legacy (2010), Secretariat (2010), Bridge to Terabithia (2007), and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005), to name a few.

Taylor was born in 1967 in Palo Alto, California. He earned his bachelor’s degree in humanities from Brigham Young University. After graduating, he joined the Disney company in 1994 as an assistant to a junior executive and rose thro...


Brandon Pak: Connecting People With Christ
#22
11/20/2024

Brandon Pak is a singer, songwriter, Deseret book recording artist, and a graduate of Boston's Berkeley College of Music. He’s had the opportunity to perform with and for artists such as Andy Grammer, Charlie Puth, Justin Timberlake, Pentatonix, the Truman Brothers, the Bonner family, and featured in movies and soundtracks like Daddy's Home 2. He lives in Roosevelt, Utah with his beautiful wife, Katie, and his 17 month old baby girl. Whether it's writing first dance songs for weddings or writing worship music, he loves helping people connect through music and connect with Christ.

IG @br...


Rebecca Cressman: Inspiring Listeners of All Ages
#21
11/06/2024

Rebecca is a Utah All-Star!  Born in San Diego, but a Utahan at heart after falling in love with the mountains, rivers, and the kind people who make it feel like home. During the day she hosts FM100.3’s Midday Show playing music for your workday from 11 am-3 pm. When she isn’t hanging out at the station you will find her out and about improving the local and international communities. Fluent in Spanish, Rebecca frequently travels to South America as a mentor with Eagle Condor, a group that performs humanitarian missions. Rebecca is an inspiring breast cancer survivor and a...


Eva Witesman: Embracing All Your Interests
#20
10/16/2024

Eva Witesman is a professor at the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University, where she teaches in the Master of Public Administration and Master of Business Administration programs and serves as Academic Director of the Ballard Center for Social Impact. She teaches leaders how to use organizations and institutions to elevate human potential and solve social problems. As a scholar at a religious university and an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she also spends some of her professional time engaging in devotional work. She regularly provides lectures and workshops on a...


Jennefer Johnson: Uniting Women of Faith
#19
10/02/2024

Jennefer Johnson is a program administrator of Brigham Young University’s Continuing Education Events, and oversees BYU Women's Conference, where she has been gathering women for over 28 years. Jen is from Salt Lake and St. George, Utah. She is the mother of three and grandmother of four. And her claim to fame is being the older sister of popular Latter-day Saint podcaster and teacher Hank Smith.

https://www.instagram.com/jennefer161

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennefer-johnson-612b4516

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=17830802




Kathy Fincher: Female Norman Rockwell
#18
09/18/2024

Kathy Fincher creates meaningful artwork that moves the soul. She is renowned for her Norman Rockwell style paintings of children. Classically trained, her attention to details and lighting have earned her many international awards.  Fincher's painting, The Dream Keepers, was presented to the president in the Oval Office and later inducted into the permanent collection of the G.B. Bush Presidential Library.  For the city of Duluth, Georgia, Fincher designed The Dream Keepers 911 Memorial, featuring seven children using their handprints to restore the American flag, encased in glass and aged brick.  Her greatest work to date is the monumental bro...


Lisa Valentine Clark: Calm the Inner Critic
#17
09/04/2024

Lisa Valentine Clark was part of the sketch comedy/improv troupe The Garrens, and co-founded the theater-as-improv troupe The Thrillionaires which performs original, improvised plays and musicals in a variety of genres. She has been featured in a variety of commercials, including the “real mom” in the viral videos for Chatbooks. Lisa works as a freelance writer for commercials, webseries, and scripts. She wrote the book, Real Moms Making It Up As We Go, hosted the feel-good service show “Random Acts,” and headlined the musical improv tv show Show Offs, for three seasons on BYUtv. She has starred in movies l...


Ben Lomu: Host of BYUtv's Come Follow Up
#16
08/21/2024

Ben Lomu is a religious educator for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and teaches Seminary and Institute.

Lomu is also an actor and host of BYUtv’s “Come Follow Up”. He has appeared in a number of productions for the Church, including the Book of Mormon videos as King Lamoni.

He has appeared in Cinderella in the Caribbean, Lights, Camera, Romance, The Outpost, Singing with Angels, and Being Charlie.

He was born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in Mesa, Arizona. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah...


Chaplain Captains Jenna Carson & Dawn Dimick: Ministering to U.S. Armed Forces
#15
08/07/2024

Chaplain Dawn Dimick is the first woman to study military chaplaincy in BYU's graduate program. 

Her journey began when she enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2013 on a prayer, and in need of money for school. She later received undergraduate degrees from Utah State University in International Studies and Religious Studies, with minors in Russian and Military Science. She went on to receive a Master's Degree in Chaplaincy from Brigham Young University, and now happily serves the Soldiers of 6-17 Aviation Combat Support Unit in Fort Carson, CO.

Chaplain Jenna Carson is the first female m...


Wendy Osborne: Alleviating Food Insecurity
#14
07/17/2024

Wendy Osborne is the Founder and Executive Director of Tabitha’s Way Local Food Pantry, a non-profit organization based in Utah. Wendy was called to serve her community and switched from a career in telecommunications to start Tabitha’s Way in 2010. Over the past 14 years, this organization has grown from a small food pantry to include three locations across Utah County that served over 150 thousand food-insecure individuals in 2024. Wendy’s compassion, positivity, and vision have been key drivers to Tabitha’s Way’s success as she provides constant support and innovates new ways to help those in need.

<...


Clint Pulver: Be the best FOR the world
#13
07/03/2024

Clint strongly believes that a single moment in time can change a person’s life. He has traveled the world speaking to a wide spectrum of diverse audiences, challenging them to dream, excel, connect, and believe--both in themselves and in the power of others. His mantra? “It’s not about being the best in the world…it's about being the best FOR the world.”

Known as the leading authority on employee retention, Clint helps organizations
retain, engage, and inspire their team members from the front desk to the board rooms and everyone in between. H...


Sam Payne: Let your faith shine!
#12
06/19/2024

Sam Payne is a national and international musician and storyteller. He hosts The Apple Seed podcast that features stories for families. He was part of the Peabody-nominated team that created Treasure Island 2020, the serial podcast based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel. As a live performer, Sam has brought his stories and songs to Canada, Bulgaria, Tokyo, and from coast to coast in the United States, including performances at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in the nation's capital, the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee, and the Timpanogos Storytelling festival in Lehi, Utah.

...


Alexis and Chanté: Let’s Talk Sis
#11
06/05/2024

Alexis and Chanté are sisters and best friends. They grew up in Utah and raised both of their families there. Together they have seven children and two hunky husbands. They love building bridges and connecting communities. As sisters they are intentionally teaching about race, diversity and human connection in their homes! They are motivational speakers, advocates, mothers, and educators. 

https://www.instagram.com/letstalk_sis

https://www.facebook.com/p/Lets-Talk-Sis-100064131965479






Brandon Mull: Go where God leads you
#10
05/15/2024

Brandon Mull is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Fablehaven, Dragonwatch, Beyonders, and Five Kingdoms series. A kinetic thinker, Brandon enjoys bouncy balls, squeezable stress toys, and popping bubble wrap. He lives in Utah in a happy little valley near the mouth of a canyon with his wife, Erlyn, their eleven children, and three mischievous cats. Brandon loves meeting his readers and hearing about their experiences with his books.

Brandon graduated from BYU in 2000 and served a two-year mission to Chile, Antofagasta for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<...


Truman Brothers: Growing up backstage at the Grand Ole Opry
#9
05/01/2024

For the Truman Brothers, music and faith are in their DNA. Raised in Nashville, Tennessee as sons of Latter-day Saint musician, Dan Truman (of the Grammy-winning group Diamond Rio), they spent their formative years in green rooms and tour buses as well as sacrament meetings and early-morning Seminary classes. Despite their musical upbringing, the brothers didn’t really begin making music together until attending BYU, where they won the campus-wide Battle of the Bands two years in a row. Now as recording artists signed to Shadow Mountain Records, the Truman Brothers draw on their un...


Fiona Smith: Miracles happen!
#8
04/17/2024

Fiona Smith is British born with Jamaican roots and is a modern-day renaissance creator who focuses on projects that bring unique stories out of obscurity.

Fiona was the TV host for “Road to Zion,” a documentary on early pioneers in Great Britain who immigrated to the United States. In England, she earned a Bachelor of Law Degree, and in America, graduated with a Master’s Degree in Theatre and Media Arts from Brigham Young University. Her thesis focused on Black American pioneers and included her role as Jane Manning James in the “Joseph Smith: Prophet...


Ryan Shupe: Building a Positive Counterculture
#7
04/03/2024

Winning over live audiences has been Shupe’s natural-born talent since childhood. A fifth-generation fiddler, he started performing with his siblings at age 10. He formed the RubberBand with the idea of drawing from a pool of musicians who could wander in and out. However, certain members seemed to stick, and the band soon became a cohesive unit. Ryan Shupe & the RubberBand, took the long-running Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado by storm, winning the live band contest. This launched them into the national music scene. After becoming regional favorites, they signed a deal with Capitol Records, and cut an al...


Shannon Foster: The Red Headed Hostess
#6
03/20/2024

Shannon Foster is a wife, mother, and the founder of The Red Headed Hostess. She has a passion for helping children and adults understand and fall in love with the scriptures. 

After thirteen years of teaching seminary full-time for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Shannon had her first child and then focused her attention on helping parents teach in their home. She started a little blog called “The Red Headed Hostess,” a name her friends used to call her. The blog quickly grew and grew and now Shannon has written over 30 scrip...


Boyd Matheson: Stay Radically Curious
#5
03/06/2024

Boyd Matheson is the host of KSL NewsRadio’s Inside Sources, KSL-TV’s Sunday Edition and a nationally recognized social and political commentator. Prior to joining KSL, he served as opinion editor for Deseret News, chief of staff in the United States Senate, president of a public policy think tank, and spent years as an international business strategist. Boyd and his wife Debbie have 5 children, 8 grandchildren and he is currently serving for a season as disciple-bishop of the Manila 9th Ward. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/boydmatheson/

https://muckrack.com/boyd...