Why We Believe

Why We Believe

By Nathan GwilliamReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
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Why We Believe episodes

  • Rise Up: Fearless Journey of Faith & Resilience

    In this episode of the Why We Believe Show, Kacey McCallister shares his journey after losing both legs in a tragic accident at just six years old. Raised with his parents' philosophy that "can't never did anything," Kacey developed incredible resilience-completing a 50-mile hike on his hands, winning wrestling competitions, and eventually serving a full-time mission in Arizona. He recounts how his faith sustained him through life's challenges, including his path to becoming a motivational speaker and author of the book "Rise Up." Kacey's story reveals how failing forward led to his greatest successes, from losing every middle school wrestling match to later taking second place at state. The conversation highlights how his faith provides peace during difficulties and his understanding that God's love drives everything. As Kacey explains simply: "What greater gift is there than to help His children?"

    31 min
  • Former Sunday School General President's Faith Journey

    In this episode, Russell Osguthorpe takes us behind the scenes of his lifelong journey of faith. Growing up as President Hinckley's neighbor, Russell shares delightful stories about the prophet's down-to-earth nature, including a memorable moment when Hinckley asked his Secret Service agents to grab shovels and help in the garden. Russell recalls his missionary experiences in Tahiti—from having a rifle pointed at his head to returning decades later as a senior missionary. He speaks about his unexpected testimony at age 12 and the daily practice of scripture study that has sustained him since. The conversation takes a touching turn as Russell reveals his brother's 33-year absence from the church and the transformative reunion that followed. Through personal stories spanning generations, Russell illustrates why he believes: "I see His hand in my life every day."

    33 min
  • When Broken Becomes Enough with Whitney Murdock

    In this episode, Whitney

    Murdock shares how her journey as an introverted
    missionary shaped her unique approach to mentoring others. Born into a blended
    family with deep faith roots, Whitney discusses how her parents' divorce at age
    11 led her to find solace in scripture, building the foundation for her
    testimony. She reveals the surprising challenges of preparing for missionary
    service while grieving her brother's suicide just two weeks before her
    departure date. Whitney details her struggles with perfectionism during her
    Portland, Oregon mission, and how a mission president's blessing about
    "finding the one" helped her overcome social anxiety. Her insights
    about mental preparation for missionaries offer practical guidance for
    introverts facing similar challenges. Whitney's story highlights how God works
    through our authentic personalities rather than despite them, demonstrating
    that our "loaves and fishes" offerings become magnified when
    surrendered to divine purpose. This conversation provides valuable perspective
    for anyone feeling inadequate in their spiritual journey or questioning if they
    have what it takes to serve effectively.

    26 min
  • When Surrender Becomes Strength with May Lundy

    In this episode, May

    Lundy shares her journey from childhood faith to
    adult conviction. Born in Mexico to educator parents, May describes how her
    grandmother's swift conversion set the spiritual foundation for generations to
    follow. Her father, a stake president, instilled the vital importance of
    intentional faith—gathering the family to vote on making Christ the center of
    their lives. May details her decade-long sprint through dual college degrees
    across two countries, leading to her eventual physical and emotional collapse
    while working at Deseret
    Digital Media. The turning point
    came during a desperate prayer on her living room floor, when three simple
    words changed her approach to discipleship. May discusses the misconception
    that grace only arrives at the finish line, instead discovering that Christ
    walks beside us through every step of our trials. Her insights on finding joy
    within hardship, not just beyond it, offer a fresh perspective on living with
    intention. May also shares wisdom gleaned from working with Elder Clark Gilbert and practical approaches to creating a home centered on Christ. This
    conversation invites listeners to reconsider what it truly means to walk
    hand-in-hand with the Savior in both struggle and success.

    38 min
  • Finding Faith Through Fiction with Chris Heimerdinger

    Unveiling the mind behind a literary

    phenomenon! In this episode of Why We
    Believe, Nathan Gwilliam sits down with Chris
    Heimerdinger, the mastermind of
    the "Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites" series that has captivated millions of readers. Heimerdinger
    reveals how a childhood obsession with finding a mythical "rainbow
    room" in Wyoming's Frost Cave sparked his imagination, leading to a dream during his mission that
    launched his writing career. His conversion story takes unexpected turns—from
    skeptical teenager to BYU film student who fasted and prayed in a secluded
    grove seeking truth. Heimerdinger shares intimate details about crafting
    emotionally charged scenes, admitting he wept throughout the writing process of
    his most impactful chapters. With surprising vulnerability, he discusses
    personal struggles including divorce, emphasizing that success as a religious
    author doesn't provide immunity from life's trials. This fascinating
    conversation explores how following unexpected spiritual guidance transformed
    Heimerdinger from aspiring stand-up comedian into a bestselling author whose
    work continues bringing readers back to scripture decades after its first
    publication.

    36 min
  • Finding Champions Beyond The Field with Danny White


    "I didn't throw footballs anymore, but

    I still play the piano as the organist in the Arizona Temple"—an
    unexpected career path for Dallas Cowboys legend Danny
    White, who credits his mom's stubborn piano
    lessons for his NFL success. White takes us behind the scenes of his
    controversial decision to skip a College World Series game on Sunday due to
    religious beliefs—a choice that led to striking out in the championship but
    ultimately directed him toward football stardom. He offers an insider's
    perspective on competing alongside Roger Staubach (who once added a paper cup
    to a barbell to outdo White's bench press record) and playing for legendary
    coach Tom Landry, highlighting how both men excelled without compromising their
    principles. White speaks openly about the infamous fumble that cost the Cowboys
    a Super Bowl appearance and shares how his faith sustained him through losing
    his son and wife within months of each other. With wisdom gained from triumph
    and tragedy, White reminds us that true success requires ensuring our ladder of
    achievement is "leaning against the right tree.”


    40 min
  • The Compensating Power of Christ with BJ Allen ​

    "I don't know what that book's doing to me," confessed the teenager to BJ Allen during his mission - a moment that revealed the transformative power of scripture. BYU marketing professor Allen shares how understanding Christ's atonement helped him overcome perfectionism and religious OCD. In this conversation, Allen discusses insights from his book, The Compensating Power of Christ, about how Jesus makes up for our weaknesses an aspect of the atonement often overlooked. Through stories of his brother's missionary challenges and personal struggles, Allen shows how Christ's grace completes our insufficient 
    efforts. His perspective invites listeners to stop measuring worth through achievement and 
    instead accept that Christ works in our daily lives. This episode speaks to anyone who has felt 
    they weren't "enough" and explains how the restored gospel uniquely clarifies Christ's role in 
    healing life's unfairness.
    35 min
  • Finding Truth Through Global Adventures with Nate Alder

    In this episode, Nate Alder, founder of Klymit and CEO of Skavengerz, shares his momentous journey of faith and entrepreneurship. Experience the power of divine timing as he recounts a providential flight to Brazil that changed his life forever, leading to both love and conversion. Through his mission experiences in Peru, Nate reveals how deep scripture study transformed his testimony and prepared him for future challenges. His story includes the incredible conversion of a Jehovah's Witness family whose faith revolutionized their local ward, and powerful insights about maintaining spiritual strength while building successful businesses. Nate's unique perspective on viewing the world through a gospel lens offers fresh inspiration for anyone navigating their own path of faith. Join us for an episode filled with riveting stories of divine guidance, perseverance, and the unexpected ways the gospel touches lives around the world.



    36 min
  • Beauty, Faith & Healing with Tami Hymas

    Meet Tami Hymas, a hairstylist whose spiritual journey began with a simple challenge and a 25-cent soda. In this episode, Tami shares how a devastating ski accident transformed her from a successful salon owner into someone who sees beauty in an entirely new way. Through her companies BeUtofullness and inUpowers, she now teaches others to embrace both their inner and outer beauty using innovative approaches, including cartoon characters that help people process difficult emotions. Her remarkable story demonstrates how life's greatest challenges can become divine stepping stones to discovering one's true purpose and shows us that real beauty begins with understanding our inherent worth as children of God.



    30 min
  • Divine Escape from Iran with Shima Baughman

    Discover how BYU law professor Shima Baughman's journey from Iran to America became a testament to divine intervention. Through her mother's prophetic dream in an Iranian prison to their last-minute escape, Shima's path to finding Christ is nothing short of miraculous. She shares how temple attendance transformed her marriage, why she boldly shares her faith on TikTok, and how her research proves faith's power in solving society's challenges. Experience a story of divine timing, unexpected miracles, and the profound truth that God's plans surpass our own. This conversation will renew your faith in miracles and inspire you to trust in divine guidance.



    38 min

About Why We Believe

From the publisher's feed

Why do we believe? What inspires faith, testimony, and conversion in members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints? Dive into the personal conversion stories behind faithful members of the church.