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 …

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 stewardsh…

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 storyte…

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 cr…

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 …

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 journali…

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 …

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 …

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…

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 Witc…

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 l…

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 …

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 po…

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 L…

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 …

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 fre…

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, Ca…

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 M…

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 locati…

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 …

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,…

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 spe…

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 mi…

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 b…

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, g…

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. R…

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…

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 strat…

In 2001, at the age of 27, Chad’s life changed in an instant when a 2,000-pound bale of hay shattered his neck, leaving him a quadriplegic. But Chad’s dreams were not paralyzed that day—he became an example of what is possible. Chad is a best-selling author, president of his own communications company, and recognized world-class wheelchair athlete.…

Alice Faulkner Burch is general editor of “My Lord, He Calls Me: Stories of Faith by Black American Latter-day Saints.” She also serves on the Utah State Historical Records Advisory Board, is on the Signature Books Editorial Advisory Board, and is the Director of Special Events on the Executive Committee of Sema Hadithi African American Heritage & …

Dr. Stacy Taniguchi is a motivational speaker and experiential education consultant. He is a retired university professor from BYU's Marriott School of Business and works as an outdoor wilderness guide, specializing in remote adventures in Alaska and international mountaineering. Dr. Taniguchi is also an expert witness for tort liability cases invo…

Jeanette Bennett earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in journalism from BYU and is the founder/editor of Utah Valley Magazine, BusinessQ Magazine, Utah Valley Bride and UtahValley360.com. She has also been a regular guest on HuffPostLive and has moderated gubernatorial debates and numerous business panels. Jeanette plays the piano and organ, bu…

Jared and Marcie Austin are owner creators of Latter Day Kids! They have worked together for the last 4 years as a husband and wife team to deliver free weekly videos and lesson bundles that support gospel learning in the home. Jared earned a Bachelor's Degree in Art Education, and a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. He is an art teach…

Summerisa is a graduate of Brigham Young University with a BFA in Music Dance Theatre and a Minor in Ballroom Dance. She and her husband moved to NYC and performed professionally as actors for seven years, working with many of the top directors and choreographers in the business. Summerisa was awarded Best Actress in a Musical by Broadway World for…

Brooke Walker is the host and executive producer of KSL’s “Studio 5 with Brooke Walker.” She is an Emmy award-winning journalist and a member of the KSL News Team, where she contributes as an anchor and reporter. Brooke is also the host and executive producer of “Family Rules” on BYUtv and BYU Radio. Brooke’s most important and cherished titles are…

Reyna Aburto was born in Nicaragua and studied Industrial Engineering there. She holds a degree in Computer Science from Utah Valley University and has worked in the language industry for more than 30 years. Reyna and her husband own a translation business. She has served as Relief Society General Presidency Second Counselor and as a member of the …

Bonnie Oscarson, a native of Utah, has lived in eight states and one foreign country. She and her husband served as Mission President and Companion in the Sweden Gothenburg Mission in the 1970s. Thirty years later they returned to Sweden as Temple President and Matron for the Stockholm temple. Bonnie wrote a book in 2015, What Makes Us Sisters, urg…

Tarsha Joyner’s most cherished roles are that of wife, mother, grandmother, creator, and Latter-day Saint. She also owns and is head Treatmaker at Mrs. Joy’s Absolutely Fabulous Treats. She created and built her business based on a project she worked on in her graphic design classes at University of Lynchburg. At 41 years old, wanted to open a bake…

Steven Sharp Nelson is the only cellist in history to play atop the Great Wall of China, among the Chichen Itza ruins in Mexico, in front of The Christ Redeemer Statue in Rio, at the Petra sandstone city in Jordan, near the Iguazu Falls in Brazil and Argentina, on the grounds of the most iconic castle (Eilean Donan) in Scotland and, best of all, on…

Jenny Doan is more than just a quilting icon. She’s a wife, mother, and popular YouTube personality. Her professional quilting journey began over 27 years ago, back when her family first moved to rural Missouri. Little did she know their random point-and-go selection of the Midwest guided them to an epic adventure atop a quilting empire. Watch this…

Brooke Romney, a writer, speaker, and connector, is committed to sharing real life with a hopeful twist. She is the best-selling author of three books: “52 Modern Manners for Today's Teens” Volume 1 and 2 and “I Like Me Anyway: Embracing Imperfection, Connection, and Christ”. Brooke comes from girly roots but has morphed into an outdoor adventuring…

Scott Christopher is the best-selling author of People People, The Levity Effect, and The Seven UPs of Happiness. He has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, Fox Business Channel, CNBC, National Public Radio, and BBC. Since 1995, Scott has circled the globe entertaining and motivating thousands of audiences from senior leader retreats to all-staff meeting…

Anthony Sweat is an Associate Professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University. He received his bachelor's degree in painting and drawing and his Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction. He is the author of several articles and books dealing with the teachings and history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His most …

Dave Finnegan is a seasoned “human experience collector” who dedicated an entire year to exploring the world to gain a deeper understanding of cultures and human experiences. In 2022 he traveled over 130,000 miles, setting foot on every continent including Antarctica, and navigated some of the world's largest rivers such as the Ganges, Amazon, Nile…

Hilary Weeks loves hearing stories and imagining what it would be like to feel and experience the things someone else does. She feels drawn to unlock and express the feelings of the heart through music. Sometimes her music collections feel a little like children in that they consume her thoughts, energy, and creativity and she hopes they add good t…

Inspirational speaker, entertainer Jason Hewlett is the author of the Facebook post entitled, “I Saw My Wife at Target Today”, a viral post that was seen by more than 100 million people across the globe. Jason has delivered thousands of presentations and was one of the youngest speakers to be inducted into the prestigious Speaker Hall of Fame. His …

Cali Black is an author, podcaster, speaker, and content creator who loves the scriptures. At the beginning of 2019, Cali felt called to start an Instagram account titled @ComeFollowMeStudy. Little did she know that a worldwide pandemic would hit the following year and her content would be needed more than ever. She was able to pivot her content an…

Lauren Walker is one of six sisters, THE Six Sisters, who have published 10 cookbooks, released cooking and freezer meal courses, and recently launched two podcasts: “Table Talk for Moms” where listeners can sit down together each week to tackle difficult topics of motherhood; “Start-up Spark” offers quick tips to help listeners take their start-up…

If he can help students find joy in reading and writing by telling them the story of how he wore an eye patch in first grade and told classmates he was a pirate, then J. Scott Savage will do it. In this episode of “Called to Create: An LDSPMA Podcast” with host Connie Sokol, Scott shares insights garnered over decades of experience, telling how it …

Award-winning journalist Jane Clayson Johnson has traveled the world covering domestic and international stories for two decades, interviewing the biggest newsmakers of the day. Widely known for her work at CBS News, ABC News, and on the nationally syndicated NPR program, On Point, she co-anchored with Bryant Gumbel, worked with Peter Jennings, and…