Derek Sainsbury is the author of the book Storming the Nation: The Unknown Contributions of Joseph Smith's Political Missionaries. He and I talk about his life growing up, moving several times including a short time living in Australia, how a couple of teachers inspired him and changed the course of his life forever, working through mental health struggles, dealing with his wife's severe health challenges and finding joy in living and teaching the gospel. We also discuss how a question about an era in church history lead to intense research, a strengthened testimony and ultimately an incredible book about a group of faithful saints who changed the trajectory of the church forever. Derek is humble, open and brilliant. You will love hearing his story. https://www.stormingthenation.com/

Monique Berish grew up in remarkably rough circumstances that included living in an area riddled with crime and poverty, dealing with her parents' mental health struggles, their divorce, and a sudden cross-country move. All of this lead her to alcohol abuse and later, alcohol dependence as well as sexual relationships and other self-destructive behaviors to cope with the pain. Eventually, Monique found the Gospel of Jesus Christ and completely changed her life. In the episode, she tells us the story of her journey and what lead her to chronicle it all in her new book. Monique is so candid. Her story is one of true redemption and faith.

Diahan Southard is the founder and CEO of yourdnaguide.com. After getting bitten by the DNA bug as a high school student, Diahan went on to study at Brigham Young University where she earned a bachelors degree in microbiology. She worked for the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation, one of the first efforts to create a correlated genetic and genealogical database. She is the founder and CEO of Your DNA Guide, where she walks people step by step through any kind of DNA test in a way that they can understand—and even enjoy! She has lectured around the world to national and local audiences. She is the author of several quick guides on genetic genealogy, a featured writer for Family Tree Magazine, a regular contributor to Genealogy Today, a former contributor to Genealogy Gems, and contributor to several other publications. She is also the author of the book Your DNA Guide. In the episode we talk about her conversion as a teen, what genealogy means to her, what drives her passion for DNA and genealogy study and the eternal perspective of it all. Diahan is so energetic and engaging. You will love her story!

Becky Ivory is a well respected speaker and certified coach. As a young teen, a teacher stepped in to Becky's life and became a family friend and mentor. Eventually, this teacher began to sexually abuse her. This went on for years. In the episode, Becky shares this heartbreaking story, how she ended the abuse, coming to terms with it all, the difficulty of opening up about it to family, learning to lean on God in all things, standing up to help other victims and ultimately becoming a voice to stop this from happening to others. Becky is so open and candid. Her story is one of devastating pain and betrayal that ultimately leads to healing, peace and triumph. She is an incredible example of strength, faith, hope and inspiration.

Burgess Owens is a former NFL star, Superbowl champion and candidate for Congress. We discuss his life growing up in the segregated South, his parent's inspiring success, playing football at University of Miami, his ten years in the NFL, finding the church through teammates, fighting through business and financial struggles, finding himself working jobs such as being a chimney-sweep, building back a successful business career, his love of family and country, his political aspirations and why he always stays positive. Burgess is one of the most inspiring guests we have ever had. His perspective and tremendous faith are so perfect for our current times.

Aaron Johnston is a New York Times bestselling author, television writer, advertising creative, and was the co-creator and executive producer of the BYU TV series EXTINCT. He was also an associate producer on the movie Ender’s Game, wherein he makes a cameo appearance as an officer of the International Fleet. His novels include Earth Unaware, Earth Afire, Earth Awakens, The Swarm, The Hive, Invasive Procedures, and the other forthcoming Formic Wars and Extinct novels, all written with science-fiction legend Orson Scott Card. Aaron’s comic credits include Ender in Exile, Speaker for the Dead, Formic Wars, League War, and Mazer in Prison, all for Marvel. A longtime stage improviser, Aaron is a former member of LA’s Improv Factory, Santa Clarita Improv, and the Garrens Comedy Troupe. He and his wife are the parents of four children. Aaron is awesome. Brilliant, faithful, humble and so remarkably talented, you will love hearing his story.

Lynnette Sheppard has a degree in family science and always dreamed of being a mother and wife. She had her first child and there were immediately challenges with his behavior that she and her husband did not expect. They felt unprepared and life became very challenging. This continued as she had more children. After years of struggles, she and her husband discovered techniques and a mindset to bring their family more happiness and ultimately prepare their children for adulthood. Things in their family changed dramatically for the better. She became a certified leadership parenting coach and started a blog to share what she has learned. She and her husband then started a podcast called How To Raise Grownups. Their show is personal, funny, emotional and so helpful to the many parents out there facing the challenges and rewards of raising children. Lynnette is so engaging. She is very real and shares her journey of the love, pain and the tremendous joy parenting brings, as well as some tools to make our families stronger.

Matt Brown is the CEO of Living Scriptures. We talk about his life growing up as an only son with five sisters, his love of academics, how his family started Living Scriptures, watching his Father run the business, his experiences at BYU, his mission, working for the family business, selling to a broader Christian audience, starting his own family, taking over as CEO, moving the business to a streaming platform and what's next for this amazing company. Matt has a tremendous love of the gospel. His energy and enthusiasm are inspiring. www.livingscriptures.com

Episode 129 is now available. My guests are Scott Sorensen and Ganel-Lyn Condie, hosts of the very popular Real Talk - Come Follow Me. We first get to know Scott. We talk about his love of sports, his mission to Detroit, how he met his wife, the winding path to reaching his goal of becoming a full time seminary teacher, his struggles with mental health issues and ultimately how he sees these struggles as a true blessing. We then talk to both Scott and Ganel-Lyn about Real Talk. We discuss how it began, the purpose of Come Follow Me, how it affects people everywhere, the overwhelming response they have gotten, their experiences interviewing guests such as Hank Smith and Tim Ballard, and what a blessing Come Follow Me is in light of this week's announcement to cancel public meetings at church. Scott is a great soul. His enthusiasm for the gospel of Jesus Christ is contagious. His humility and his compassion for others is inspiring. Our long time listeners already know Ganel-Lyn from episode 57. We absolutely love Ganel-Lyn. She is one of our favorite people. Her spirit lights up any room she enters. Together, they are a powerful duo changing lives through teaching the gospel.

Marcus Wilson is a professional comedy juggler. We talk about how he became a juggler, his great love of skateboarding, his mission, coming home from his mission to six new adopted siblings, his own family, the thrill of getting laughs as a performer, how we met as jugglers on an episode of the CBS show Touched By An Angel and how being a member of the church affects it all. Marcus is so entertaining, a dear friend and one of the best guys I know. http://www.funnymanwhodoestricks.com/