Gender differences continue to fascinate scientists across disciplines, and for good reason. Some researchers argue that sex differences in childhood may have an even greater impactthan those that emerge later in life. As children grow, many distinctions between boys and girls begin to blend. Yet other studies suggest the picture is far more complex than a simple convergence over time.

This episode of Unleashing Sister Saints is the fourth in a series designed to help you (whether a parent, family member, educator, ward, or community member) better understand gender differences so we can more effectively support the children, youth, and families in our lives The first episode examined how boys and girls differ in the way they see, the second explored how they hear, and the third focused on how they smell. This fourth installment turns to another essential sense—touch—and looks specifically at what research reveals about how boys and girls engage with toys. One more to go! Listen in.

I’m doing a series of short episodes on understanding gender – particularly some of the differences between boys, girls, men, and women. I find it so interesting to learn more about how our Heavenly Parents have created our bodies – I think there are specific reasons for these differences, but we don’t really writes or talk about differences other than what the Proclamation to the Family states – and then our assumptions that women are made for more nurturing and men for supporting families. But this goes deeper.

My first episode examined how boys and girls differ in the way they see the world, and the second explored gender differences in how girls, boys, women, and men hear. This third episode turns to another essential sense—how they experience smell differently. I have a whole course on these things here: Curriculum | Utah Women & Leadership Project | USU

In the last episode—titled “Are There Differences in the Ways that Girls and Boys See the World?” – so difference in “sight.” I started a 5-part series around differences between girls and boys - or between men and women. This is the second in the series, and this one focuses on sound or hearing. I find this fascinating! Listen in.

Conversations about the differences between girls and boys—and between women and men—often make people uneasy. Some fear that acknowledging differences will reinforce stereotypes or limit opportunities. Yet ignoring those differences may do exactly the same thing. The current cultural trend toward “gender neutrality” or “gender blindness” is often rooted in good intentions. But research increasingly suggests that erasing gender may unintentionally strengthen the very stereotypes we hope todismantle.

This is the first episode in a 5-part series to help us understand some of these differences. This episode focuses on the differences between boys and girls on "sight." I hope you find this interesting!

Although I never set out early in my career to research orwrite about sexism, the work found me. As I spent years studying how to develop girls and women into leaders, it became impossible to ignore how persistently sexism undermines that process—both from the outside and within. I’ve learned that sexist beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors shape far more than a girl’s or woman’s sense of identity; they influence her ambitions, her self‑esteem, her confidence, and even her understanding of what leadership and life can looklike in any setting.

What most people don’t know is that sexist homes, workplaces, and communities also affect the physical health of girls and women. And as new research shows, these patterns don’t stop at home or work—they extend into religious congregations, where gender hierarchy can directly shape women’s health. Are you intrigued? This episode will explore that connection. Enjoy!

In this episode I share an editorial I wrote for a statewide Utah that has applications to other states, countries, communities, and congregations. It is research-based and focused on why it is so hard to confront and change things around the issues of confronting violence against women. Listen in.

Each January offers more than a fresh calendar—it gives us a quiet invitation to rethink how we move through the world. Not through grand resolutions that fade by February, but through something far more powerful: examining the patterns of thought that shape who we are and how we show up for others. These mental habits—often invisible to us—steer our choices in our families, workplaces, communities, and faith spaces. And when we don’t recognize them, they can quietly limit us and unintentionally harm the people around us.

One of the most influential of these patterns is the tension between a scarcity mindset and an abundance mindset. In this episode I share my thoughts about this. These are great mindsets to think about this year!

President Jeffrey R. Holland passed away earlier this week, and he and his family have been in my thoughts are prayers. Of course, like so many of you, I loved his words – both the content and the way he delivered his sermons. He had a style that was sincere, powerful, thoughtful, insightful, and so much more. We all loved him so much, and we’ll all feel this loss.

Of course, I’m sure that President Holland’s passing has prompted many people including me to revisit many of this talks and words. I share many quotes that I appreciated and loved from President Holland in this episode. I will miss his amazingly positive influence in my life.

I'm smiling as I release this episode as it is a little difference. I’ve been using AI for ideas, definitions, and other things the last few months, and I’m so intrigued with how it just knows things – it remembers and it does research so fast. Anyway – the last few weeks I’ve not gotten any inspiration coming my way for episodes. I’ve gone through a lot of challenges with support for the work I’m doing in Utah and it has just made life heavy this year. It is hard to be inspiring on this podcast, when I’m not feeling inspired. I need to do better.

Just for fun, I asked Copilot to give me some text for an "inspiring 10-minute podcast script for my podcast Unleashing Sister Saints, which is for women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." It came back with 4-5 segments, and then I asked it to expand each one, so this is what I’ve got. Copilot has named this episode “Arise and Shine: The Power of Sisterhood in Christ.” So, for this episode I read what AI produced, and it was pretty good, actually! I felt a little inspired myself when I was reading it! :)

I recently had a commentary published in The Salt Lake Tribune that I thought you might find interesting. Through the years, I’ve had many people new to Utah mention how different our state is from others. Although it is invisible to most people who live here, certain things stand out to new folks that are just part of the “Utah culture.” Although some comments are positive—like our high volunteerism rates and how so many people here are involved in recreational and physical activities—other aspects of the culture have been termed “disturbing.” In my experience, these tend to revolve around two areas: one is the religious divide in neighborhoods and communities; and the other focuses on “masculine defaults. I will talk about what I shared in this editorial and add some additional comments about how it plays out in the Church.

RESOURCE: Are “masculine defaults” part of the unspoken bias holding Utah women back?