I Am In Podcast

Join host Michelle Burk and producer Matt Swenson as they recap some of the highlights from last season's speakers.

Bishop Belnap was born and raised in Boise Idaho and graduated from Borah High School. He served a full-time mission in the California Anaheim Spanish-speaking mission. He attended BYU in Provo and graduated with a degree in Computer Science. He has worked his entire career in Information and Technology and is currently the IT Manager at Container and Packaging in Eagle.

Sister Belnap is also an Idaho native. When she was 8 years old, her father accepted a teaching position at a church school on the island of Western Samoa where she spent 3 years of her impressionable young life. Sister Belnap has a deep love for the Polynesian people and culture because of this invaluable experience. Sister Belnap graduated from Homedale High School and also attended BYU Hawaii.

In their free time, they love being with family, boating, camping, and traveling. A couple of their future dreams include going on a mission together someday and also building a camper-van and traveling around the United States just for fun! Bishop and Sister Belnap met in a YSA ward in Boise and have been for married 35 years. They have four daughters, four son-in-laws and 6 grandchildren with one more on the way. The Belnaps are currently serving in the Bishopric of the Boise YSA 4th Ward.

"I remember standing on a hot, dusty hiking trail at girls camp when I was 14 years old and having the profound impression that I got to decide whether I was going to be miserable or not. It was so empowering."  

Many years later, as a certified life coach, Heather Rackham is the host of the Latter-day Life Coaches podcast and director of Latter-day Saint Life Coach Directory, ldslifecoaches.com 

That 14-year-old girl had no idea she would get to spend much of her life helping others find the coaches and tools to empower themselves in the same way: choosing who you want to be, on purpose.

Aaron Fuhriman grew up in Sandpoint, Idaho. He attended Boise State University for one year before serving a two-year church mission in Padova, Italy. After his mission, he returned to Boise State and earned a degree in History and Secondary Education. During his college years, Aaron taught seminary for four years. Upon graduation, he started his own company, “Guardian Financial,” which he spent 18 years building and recently sold to a public company out of Seattle. Aaron has held many church callings, most of which involved working within the Young Men’s organization and the scouting program. He currently serves as a high councilor in the Victory Idaho Stake. 

Aaron spends his free time fishing, camping, and enjoying the outdoors as much as possible with his family. He has been married to his wife, Caroll for 22 years and together they have 5 children.

Dorn Rademacher was born and raised in Boise, Idaho, and graduated from Borah High School. He was called to serve in the Australia Melbourne Mission. His mission experience was pivotal in teaching him the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the Joy of service, and the happiness we can experience as we learn to love one another.  

In January of 1979, he married his high school sweetheart, Holley Grant.  Together they have four children–three daughters and one son. Today they have fourteen grandchildren. 

Bro. Rademacher has served in numerous callings throughout the Church; serving in every organization with the exception of the Primary. 

In October of 1979, he joined the staff of the Relyea Funeral Chapel and with his father-in-law, as a partner, they purchased the business from Mr. Relyea on October 1, 1982. His father-in-law retired in 1991 and Bro. Rademacher purchased the remaining half of the business from him. 

As a family, they spend many hours together enjoying boating, wake surfing, and skiing. 

Kim Haskell is a filmmaker, tinkerer, and husband from right here in Boise Idaho. Kim was born with Cystic Fibrosis. When he was diagnosed, his parents were told he wouldn’t live to see his 18th birthday. 28 years later he is still fighting- balancing his health, business, and faith. He has seen fellow friends lose their battles with CF.  Kim has also lived to witness a modern-day miracle. He will share his stories, testimony, and miracle with us.  You won’t want to miss this episode.

Dennis Atkinson Intro Bio text:

Dennis Atkinson grew up in Middleton, Idaho. Following graduation from Middleton High School, Dennis served a church mission in the California Riverside and California San Fernando Missions.  Weeks prior to leaving on his mission, Dennis went out on a blind date with Jannea Bojarski who was visiting from Alaska with her family.  Their relationship continued as they wrote letters every week for 2 years until he returned home.  They were married in Boise in July 1995.  

Brother Atkinson graduated from Boise State University with a degree in Biology. He worked for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game in various capacities.  He moved on to the University of Idaho working at the Parma Research and Extension Center managing the Potato and Onion Research Program for Southwest Idaho.  While at the University of Idaho he obtained a Master’s Degree in Plant Science.  

In 2006 Dennis began his career with Seminis Vegetable Seeds where he is currently the Market Development Lead for the Western United States.  He leads a team of 8 employees responsible for testing new vegetable hybrids for market acceptance and potential commercial launch. Dennis enjoys running, cycling, gardening, and volunteering as the cross country coach at Parma High School.

Dennis and Jannea are the parents of 4 Children.

An airplane crash in the Canadian Rockies, an auto accident in Alaska, and a train of youth down a water slide in Orem Utah--so many moments in Sister Gray’s life that have taught her patience, love and optimism.  You’ll enjoy this inspiring message in today’s devotional from the Boise Nampa Institute.

I am Michelle Burk, and you are listening to the “I AM IN” podcast

Kari Smith Gray grew up on a farm in Warden, Washington.  Following high school graduation, Kari was in an accident that left her paralyzed for the last 37 years.  She went on to attend Ricks College and BYU where she earned her bachelors degree in Elementary Education.  During college, she met and married Mike Gray in 1986 and enjoyed 27 wonderful years together, before his passing almost 10 years ago.  Together they had 6 children and now have 12 grandchildren.  During her life Kari has lived in Washington, Idaho, Ohio, South Dakota, and 21 years in Alaska. The biggest joy in her life is being a Mother and Grandmother.  She enjoys swimming, reading, baking cookies, volunteering at the English Learning Center, and going on walks with her dog.  For one who has faced so much heartache and sorrow, you will find love, gratitude, and an abundance of Joy from her message. 

Our next speaker went from his childhood home in rural Idaho to serving and working in countries literally all over the world as both a member of the United States airforce and a medical ear nose and throat specialist.  

This is Michelle Burk, and today on the “I AM IN” podcast, you will hear from Dr. Brian Affleck.  

Brian grew up in Ammon, Idaho. He served a Spanish-speaking mission in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology. He attended medical school at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Science, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine. After medical school, he began his surgical training at Travis Air Force Base in California. After a year of surgical training, he served in the Air Force as a Flight Surgeon for six years. During that time he deployed to multiple locations and participated in a variety of missions including combat sorties, humanitarian and medical support, and direct Presidential support for George W. Bush. He served as a Squadron Commander and Chief of the Medical Staff. He retired from the Air Force after 25 years of service to his country.

After retirement, the Afflecks moved to La Grande, Oregon for two years and ultimately settled in Southwest Idaho now working at Saltzer Medical Group as an ENT. He practiced in Nampa for eight years and has recently moved to a new office in Meridian. Brother Affleck serves in the community as the Scoutmaster for Troop 888 in Meridian and has been heavily involved in scouting since he turned 18.

Brian married Mary Webb and together they have five children and ten grandchildren. Brother Affleck has served in a multitude of callings including nursery, primary, young men’s, bishopric, high council, and stake young men’s president. He currently serves as the Primary Chorister in his ward. 

 In 1994 Jason married Kelli Hopkins in the Boise, ID temple.  Together they have 5 children.  As a family, they have worked and traveled all over the world.  The friendships they have created in work and travel are of lasting importance to them.  Their family relishes time in the outdoors mountain biking, surfing, rafting, and alpine skiing. He and Kelli feel that service at home, work, in the community, and at Church brings them closer to their Savior Jesus Christ.  It is His friendship they value most.

This is Michelle Burk, and you are listening to the “I AM IN” podcast.  

Today’s speaker, Jason Ellsworth, leads Clēnera as President and CEO.  Clēnera is a national leader in developing, building, and operating large-scale renewable energy (solar and battery) facilities.  Jason co-founded Clēnera in 2013, with long-time friend and business partner Adam Pishl. Prior to Clēnera, Jason was founder and CEO of Sunlight Partners, a U.S. volume developer of small utility-scale solar energy plants. Prior to that, Jason was Vice President and General Manager of U.S.-based solar manufacturer SolFocus. He has held a number of management positions in advanced materials and technology. Jason has a bachelor’s degree in International Business from Boise State University and an MBA from Harvard University. He currently serves in a Stake Presidency in Boise Idaho.