Chocolate Cake Bytes

A question hit me the other day. When we talk about having faith, we can sometimes kind of describe what that means. What faith is. But I've never heard anyone talk about what if feels like in our body to have faith. What does faith feel like? This week, early childhood friend Julia joins in the conversation. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken...

We've discussed before that Dad's favorite scripture was Alma 37:37, "Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and He will direct thee for good..." What is counselling with God? And how is it different from having a council with Him? Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at  https://www.facebook...

While listening to another podcast, I started wondering why we pray for other people. What are we trying to accomplish? Are we trying to change God's plan? Are we trying to change the lessons that the other person might be in the middle of learning? When we pray (for ourselves or others), what should we be praying for? Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email...

Last week opened a new perspective for me regarding Mercy.  And, after giving a talk in church last Sunday, I've been thinking a lot more about mercy vs. justice. And I've concluded that we don't need to concern ourselves with justice. Ever. That's already been resolved. It's taken care of. It's complete. Not our problem. Mercy, however, IS our problem. So let's...

What is Mercy? Can Mercy exist without Grace? How does Forgiveness connect with Mercy? This week, Annette and Ken discuss all this and more Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at  https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeBytes https://www.instagram.com/chocolatecakebytes/ Check out my new podcast: The Unstuck Career...

This week we discuss how to get past making mistakes. Life will not look perfect for any of us, and misakes are normal, natural, and expected. But, when we make mistakes, sometimes, we aren't very kind to ourselves. (or others!) I share some thoughts on how to deal with making mistakes. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com...

This week, we have a new voice joining the podcast! A friend from 40+ years ago, Julia, joins Ken and Annette to discuss forgiveness. How do we forgive? Why? What about forgiving ourselves? We discuss some ideas that maybe are new and consider whether there is even anything to forgive. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and f...

This week, Favorite daughter Allison and her husband, Justin, get in on the discussion. Alma 5 in the Book of Mormon reminds us to "remember the captivity of your fathers." Allison, Justin, and I discuss why it's important to recognize what's holding you captive and how you can learn from it. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@c...

What should we do when we feel judged? Can we feel the judgement of other people? What about judging others? Why, or why not? Annette and I share thoughts and ideas about judging others Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at  https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeBytes https://www.instagram.com/chocolatecakebytes...

What is my obligation to call you to repentance? I'm not talking about my obligation to teach my children, or how I should function in my stewardship. I'm talking about two adults. One is making a mistake, and the other knows about it.  What is the obligation we have to call each other out on our sins? Annette joins this week to share her thougths. Please share this episode with someone...

This week is a solo episode with Ken sharing his thoughts on shame and spiritual manipulation. I think we see elements of shame and spiritual manipulation too much, and, frankly, I don't think we realize we are doing it. Do you agree with my assessments? No? I'd love to hear. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You c...

My friend Harrison comes into the fray with Fan Favorite Annette to discuss what it means that the Natural Man is an enemy to God. We dig in to the idea of the Natural Man, and how better understanding our own natural men and women can make it easier for us to become who God wants us to be. Thoughts? Reach out to me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com Please share this episode with someone who needs to...

I heard this quote on another podcast, and in true Chocolate Cake Bytes fashion, Annette was totally on board to have a conversation. We end up pulling in references from past weeks' discussions about decision-making. How are we treating people as expendable, and how can we stop? Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and fo...

In the fourth week of our Decision series, Annette is back, and we discuss whether a bad decision is better--or worse--than no decision at all. And Why? Next week, we will discuss, "Stop Treating People like they are Expendable." Comments on either topic? Reach out to me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@cho...

Instead of calling this episode "Decisions, decisions, decisons," we decided to talk about What is Truth? Annette and I dicsuss how to know "Big-T Truth" Did we get it right? Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at  https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeBytes https://www.instagram.com/chocolate...

This is NOT a repeat of last week's conversation. Actually, we bring Annette back for her perspective. I heard someone ask rhetorically if, when we pray about a decision, are we expecting God to decide things for us? We talk about what takes us so long to decide things and what we think God's role is (or should be) when we are making decisions or our life. Please share this episode with...

Ken has been thinking a lot about decisions, when he heard someone say he takes a long time to make a decision. What takes a long time? What are we looking for or waiting for? We talk about some ideas and perspecties about the art and process of deciding things. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at  https://www...

Easter was a few weeks ago, but it's still fresh in my mind. I mentioned on my Easter episode that I had heard some new music published by Nathan R. Bradford ( https://linktr.ee/nathanrbradfordmusic for links to his content) and I was impressed. I reached out to Nathan, and he was kind enough to chat. We talk about his process, and how he uses music to enhance the stories (and doctrines) that...

A total solar eclipse is coming! Have you heard about it? Including the conspiracy theories? Well, if you haven't experienced a total (100% totality) solar eclipse, I think you should. Get to the path of totality, if you can. My words won't do it justice. You'll have to experience it  yourself. Just like everything else. Trust me. It's worth it. https://www.solareclipsetimer.co...

Today (as the podcast is released) is Good Friday. This means that Sunday is Easter. Why is Easter a big deal? More than candy and hard boiled eggs? I share my thoughts this week.  Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at  https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeBytes https://www.instagram.com/chocolatecakebytes/ Che...

What is toxic about perfectionism? And how does that have anything to do with pushups? This week I share some of my recent thoughts about integrity, perfectionism, right vs. wrong, and doing 100 pushups in a day. Man, that was hard. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at  https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeByt...

During a recent conversation with Annette, we discussed the idea that "this life is a test." What if the test is not the test? We (eventually) came full circle on this discussion. We'd love to know what you think... Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at  https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeBytes...

It came up again. "How can I know if I'm following God's plan for me?" Well, can we know? I think so. IF we understand what God's plan is. For me, and for you. Here's my latest take: Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at  https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeBytes https://www.insta...

In what feels like a series of random thoughts, this week I talk about becoming, about habits, and about setting regular patterns, or "streaks." I have been using The Streaking App for a couple of months, and it has been game changing for me. Check it out here: https://www.thestreakingapp.com/ Let me know if it helps you! Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You c...

As a boy, my dad reported that he prayed for years to understand what faith is. And he didn't teach me what he learned. Just that he better understood faith. I have had a hard time understanding how to distinguish belief from faith. So, Annette and I tackle this one. We reference this video: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2014-11-0010-the-refiners-fire?lang=eng Please share t...