Take a Leap

In this episode of Take A Leap, host James is joined by Ocean Marshall and Saigel Ghotra, a Sikh American senior at UC Berkeley. Saigel shares how Sikh values inspire her studies in political science, social welfare, and public policy, fueling her mission to create opportunities for marginalized communities. She reflects on her personal journey, her time as a Sikh Lead DC intern with the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, and the challenges that have shaped her path. Along the way, Saigel highlights the power of empathy, open-mindedness, and interconnection—reminding us that what unites us is often stronger than what divides us

What does it mean to blend purpose with style?

In this episode, we revisit our conversation with Nava Esmailizadeh about how fashion can be a tool for change. Nava is the Head of Brand at Ambercycle and the creator of the cycora® brand, where she works to bring circularity and sustainability to the center of fashion design. Guided by her Bahá'í faith, Nava shares how our generation can make the world a better place in new and unique ways. She inspires us to think about how we can make a difference, and look good doing it.

What do hiking boots, gas station snacks, and a deep love for the earth have in common?

In this episode, we sit down with Becca Black—ecologist and senior in BYU’s Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation program—for a conversation about faith, stewardship, and finding God in the natural world. From long hikes in Wisconsin to getting snacks at Kwik Trip, Becca shares how she came to see ecology as both a calling and a spiritual practice. Now serving as Communications Co-Director for Grow the Flow, a nonprofit working to preserve the Great Salt Lake, Becca opens up about the personal experiences that led her to environmental advocacy. Together with the Josh and Lia, she reflects on sacred experiences in nature and what it means to care for creation.

So, grab your favorite trail mix, touch some grass, and enjoy this episode of Take a Leap.

What happens when legal briefs, late-night self-care, and radical faithfulness all show up in the same story?

In this episode, we revisit our conversation with Sarah Johns—lawyer, advocate, and recent graduate of BYU’s J. Reuben Clark Law School—for a conversation about faith, resilience, and taking care of yourself. From working with the Êzidi people in the wake of trauma to building bridges between the LGBTQ+ community and people of faith, Sarah brings both heart and legal insight to everything she does.

Sarah was recently awarded the 2024 LGBTQ Advocacy and Service Award, and her voice is one you’ll want to remember—especially if you’ve ever wondered how to hold fast to both justice and joy.

So, pop on a face mask, make some hot chocolate, and enjoy this episode of Take a Leap.

If you love the intro to our show, this episode is for you! Sit back, relax, and listen as our team discusses our "man on the street" interviews. Have you left a hate comment before? Do you have any strange superstitions? What is your worst date story? You'll find some BYU students' answers to these questions and so much more in this episode of Take a Leap.

How have role models shaped your life? In this episode, we revisit our November 2024 conversation about leadership with Sarah Sun and Tala Alnasser. Sarah Sun was the Student Body President of BYU in 2024 and was the first Asian American to be crowned Miss Utah in 2023. She was the first person in her family to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 17. Sarah is an accomplished musician and plays more than 10 instruments. Tala Alnasser was the Student Body Executive Vice President of BYU in 2024, and the first Muslim VP in BYU student body leadership. She was born in Jordan, speaks three languages, and is writing an honors thesis on the Christian gaze. She went undefeated in the chess Olympiad for Jordan. Sarah and Tala dive into the importance of women in leadership, role models, leading in your community, and how our individual faiths can strengthen our leadership capabilities.

Ever wondered what it takes to make service impactful in a college community?

In this episode, we revisit our November 2024 conversation with Drew Goldston, the President of BYU's Y-Serve service council. Drew shares how the council oversees Y-Serve’s 70 volunteer programs, ensuring that both volunteers and recipients have meaningful and rewarding experiences.

A student at BYU majoring in Economics and minoring in Information Systems, Drew talks about his journey into service, from his early involvement with Y-Serve to leading the council. He also highlights the spiritual side of service at BYU, where each meeting begins with prayers and hymns, reinforcing the university’s commitment to lifelong service.

With stories of how even small acts of service can create big changes, Drew encourages everyone to find a way to contribute, no matter their interests. His advice? Embrace service as a transformative experience and make it a part of your personal mission.

Whether you're passionate about service or just curious how to get involved, this episode is full of inspiration for everyone.

What does it take to build a brand that’s about more than just the product?

In this episode, we sit down with Sadie and Abby Bowler—sisters, entrepreneurs, and co-founders of SadieB Personal Care—to explore how a simple idea became a movement. Blending a love for high-quality beauty products with a passion for supporting girls’ mental wellness, SadieB isn’t just about hygiene (though yes, showering is important, guys)—it’s about empowerment, purpose, and divine direction. The Bowlers share how their faith fueled their leap into business, what it means to be “anxiously engaged” in good causes, and the impact personal care products can have on how we view ourselves.

Whether you're dreaming up your own venture or just trying to take the next right step, this episode is full of insight, inspiration, and heart.

What happens when faith meets TikTok—and chooses radical inclusion?

In this episode, we revisit our November 2024 conversation with Rev. Brandon Robertson—author, activist, public theologian, and the internet’s beloved “TikTok Pastor.” With over 250,000 followers and millions of views, Brandon has become a leading voice in progressive Christianity, using social media to share a message of love, justice, and inclusion.

Brandon shares his journey from a difficult childhood to becoming a pastor, and how his evolving theology now embraces LGBTQ+ inclusion and interfaith connection. He also talks about the power and pressure of social media ministry—writing books, making content, and responding to hate with grace.

This episode is a thoughtful look at what it means to live out faith with humility, courage, and compassion in the digital age.

Ever felt the pressure of being single in a relationship-driven world?

In this episode, we revisit our November 2024 conversation with Mallory Everton and Diana Brown, creators of The Soloist Podcast. They dive into the complexities of being single within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sharing their personal experiences of navigating societal and religious expectations around marriage. Mallory, a comedian, actor, and writer known for her time on Studio C, and Diana, Assistant Director of Interreligious Engagement at Georgetown University, offer valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of being single in a faith-driven community.

They delve into the emotional toll of unmet expectations, how faith can guide us through life’s uncertainties, and the importance of finding worth beyond relationships. With humor and heart, Mallory and Diana highlight the need for more inclusive, empathetic conversations about singleness in church communities. Their advice? Embrace wholeness, lean on community support, and focus on creating a narrative where success and happiness are not defined by relationship status.

Whether you’re single or want to better understand your single friends, this episode is packed with wisdom and compassion for everyone.