In this heartfelt episode of Unlocking Divinity, Madison Roney, a BYU history major from Virginia who served a French-speaking mission, traces her desire to serve back to a formative visit to the Boston Temple at age 14, where a day filled with sister missionaries lit a spark that stayed with her through high school and college. 

The pandemic complicated plans, and she focused on accelerating her studies—until a distinct spiritual prompting while walking home from finals cut through her doubts: Why hadn’t she served yet? Maddie describes the Lord’s voice as direct, familiar, and encouraging—never harsh—an impression that made the decision to serve feel both urgent and deeply right. 

 At the MTC, she and host Emma Gwilliam found themselves in a district full of people who “weren’t supposed to be there,” a reminder to Madison that God works in the details. 

Her relationship with God has always been anchored in a steady sense of His love, and she most often recognizes it through small acts of service—“ministering angels”—that she records as daily miracles. 

Returning home, though, felt like stepping off a high-speed bullet train. The pace, purpose, and constant revelation she experienced on the mission were suddenly different. She struggled to know when and how to ask for help again. Gradually, daily scripture study, sincere prayer, attending church, and showing up in her callings rebuilt the rhythm of revelation. 

 An invitation to speak at a girls camp nudged her to focus on anchoring in Jesus Christ and feeling God’s love when it feels distant—an emphasis she now carries as a BYU RA supporting 60 freshmen. 

Maddie’s central message is simple and transformative: focus on Jesus Christ. Seek His character and His love in scripture and in the people around you. He is the embodiment of God’s love. When we truly feel that love, sharing it becomes natural—almost inevitable.

In the first episode of Unlocking Divinity, host Emma Gwlliam introduces herself and the heart behind the show with warmth, vulnerability, and conviction. 

Raised in a Christ-believing family in Rexburg, Idaho, Emma describes how a faith-filled upbringing coexisted with seasons of mental health challenges that made it hard to feel God’s love personally. She didn’t always have clear answers, but she kept showing up—praying, studying, worshiping, and taking small steps toward Christ. 

 Her mission to the France Lyon Mission became a defining chapter. Emma recounts a day of discouragement that turned into a sacred encounter. For Emma, the timing was unmistakable and tender—God was in the details.

As she prayed about the concept of a show for young adults, the idea evolved from “everyday joy” into Unlocking Divinity—conversations that help listeners keep choosing God in real life. 

She shares another personal story of spiritual redirection: feeling led away from planned enrollment at Utah State to a BYU program that, once she sat in the first class, filled her with tears and a profound assurance that she was exactly where the Lord needed her. 

 Emma closes by sharing her favorite scripture, 1 Nephi 17:13, and bearing testimony that Jesus Christ is our guiding light. 

Whether listeners feel close to God or far, this podcast is an invitation to keep stepping toward Him, trusting that He is near, attentive, and lovingly directing the path.