Chocolate Cake Bytes

"You have to feel it to heal it." I think there's truth in that. Having "bad" feelings (not really bad, but  uncomfortable feelings) is a part of our life. But what about "Men are that they might have joy"? Yeah. That's true. But we're not supposed to have joy ALL THE TIME. There's a time for happy and a time for sad. Listen as Eddison, Allison, an...

Family friend Catie (who is Latter-day Saint Friendly, but not a member herself) raised an interesting question. What if my blood relatives aren't people that I want around in my life? What does that mean for "forever families?" In this episode, we talk about ways that we can navigate some of those complicated relationships that--at least as we see them now--we don't want to ha...

We are commanded to be a peacemaker, but what does that mean? How can we be a peacemaker without sacrificing our own needs and resorting to people pleasing? Is there a way to follow the command and be true to ourselves? 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://ww...

This week, we talk with Whitney (Sister) Durtschi, who is currently serving as a Service Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her experience from preparing for her mission, to receiving her call, to loving her mission has been a journey in learning how God is aware of His children. Listen in to learn part of Whitney's story Please share this episode with someone who...

Life is hard. Sometimes we're confronted with mourning with others who mourn, or comforting those who stand in need of comfort. But interacting with someone who is needing comfort can be...well...uncomfortable. How do we put off our own discomfort and truly *comfort* others? Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow...

In an unrelated but totally related conversation with Carissa, she asked a question that tied in perfectly with last week's conversation with Heidi. So I told her to stop talking so we could record the conversation. Having "But If Not" faith may be a next step for some of us. What does that look like, and what does it mean? This is our attempt to address those questions...and more!...

During a Family Home Evening lesson, favorite niece Heidi made a very insightful comment about prayer. As I tend to do, I asked her if we could have a more in-depth conversation and record it for the podcast. She's a recently-returned missionary, and hasn't learned to say "no" yet, so here is our chat. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email m...

We are instructed to "Counsel with the Lord," and for some of us, that has meant "Ask the Lord's opinion" or "Get the Lord's direction" for all of our major decisions. But not all decision are major, and what are the drawbacks or risks to counseling (or NOT counseling) with the Lord on smaller or less significant matters? And how do we make a decision when t...

What does it mean to "systematically include the Lord in your development?" I'm not one who prays to get inspiration for each choice I make on a daily basis, but instead, I tend to act in a responsible manner, hoping to do the best thing for myself and others. Elder Clark Gilbert addresses this in General Conference: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/...

Grandma Jan, my mother-in-law, passed away a couple of weeks ago, giving me a front row seat to how different people grieve. What does it take to give yourself (or others) the space to properly grieve? 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/ch...

The first stage of grief is denial. When does having and exercising faith and hope cross over into being in denial, and not allowing you to move through the grief process? I haven't figured this one out yet, so I'm asking more questions than I'm answering. But I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Reach me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com Please share this episode with some...

This week, I make an attempt to talk about beliefs. What are they, why do we have them, and are they based on anything tangible? For example, how can you and I have vastly different beliefs about the same "truth?" I don't know all the answers, but I share some thoughts about why I believe. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolate...

Setting goals can be a little bit scary and a little bit intimidating. It's not always easy to decide and commit to doing something bigger than we've ever done before, and if we're not careful, we  open ourselves up to beating ourselves up a LOT for missing the mark. This week we chat with Geoff (Brother Brigham) who has a different take on setting goals...with faith. I learned some...

It's a few weeks after the new year, and statistically, your New Year's resolution is probably broken by now. Since we're not good at changing overnight, and I'm still the flawed, imperfect, mistake-maker today that I was yesterday, how should I handle when I mess up? This week, listen in as I share some observations about how to approach making mistakes and moving on. Please s...

"Men are that they might have joy." So why is it a problem to be positive all the time? Allison joins the conversation to talk about a listener request (Thanks Catie!), Toxic Positivity. We discuss what it means, how we engage in toxic positivity, and what the consequences can be if we're not careful. Thanks for listening! Please rate and review Chocolate Cake Bytes in your podcast...

A recent digital fireside got me thinking about ways that we can use our trials to become better...not bitter. You can watch the entire fireside at https://youtu.be/JQSX8AqVqig Or, listen here for my segment. Life is hard. I don't think it's meant to be any different way. So, we can use our challenges to become who and how we should be...or not. Please share this episode with someone who...

In my haste to get a new episode published, I think I re-uploaded a previous episode. Probably because the message was SO important that I wanted you to hear it twice. Or, I just messed it up. Sorry 'bout that.  Here's the real episode: Life is hard sometimes, and it's supposed to be that way. I've  heard that our problems lie in our past and in our future, but our present? Wel...

Life is hard sometimes, and it's supposed to be that way. I've  heard that our problems lie in our past and in our future, but our present? Well, that's the calm between the storms. Listen in as I remind myself to be present. 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/Chocolat...

I grew up  hating hearing about goals. I'm still not sure I'm a fan, but I understand why...I think the traditional process of creating and reaching for goals is flawed. What is realistic? And what do I do when I fall short? I share a few thoughts about how I'm going to approach my goal setting this year. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me...

I love cows. Not for any reason, really, but cows have become a family mascot. An inside joke. So I feel joyful when I think of or see cows. Do you have a mascot? Something that you can go to when you need a boost? Life is hard. It's meant to be great and not-great all at the same time. If you don't have cows in your life, isn't it time to find cows?  Or cake? Or both? Thanks for li...

Christmas 2008 was one of our family's best ever. At least for me. Probably not for the kids. I decided to start this Christmas season off by sharing a family tradition that has changed our Christmas celebrations for the better. Maybe it will work for you. https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Clock-Ken-Williams/dp/1790653789 Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can ema...

Have you ever had a "Lollipop Moment?" Drew Dudley, in his TEDx talk, explains the powerful impact we can have -- and probably HAVE had -- on others.  And that they have had on us. This Thanksgiving, I'm grateful for you and for the Lollipop Moments we've shared.  Now go tell someone how they've made a difference in your life. Please share this episode with someone who nee...

Once again, we talk to Mark, who celebrated his birthday by giving away dozens of chocolate cakes.  Did he experience the Chocolate Cake Phenomenon? Or was it just a side effect of the Kilimanjaro altitude? And were there any lessons to be learned from it all? 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.f...

It's that time of year again, when we may be more public in our expressions of gratitude. Join new co-host Jeff, as we talk about how gratitude can be the cause of...and the result of...our opportunities to minister to 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/ChocolateCakeByte...

Welcome newest co-host, Sarah! (from "Patience" fame) This week, we talk about better teaching. We've all been in classes that we find less than inspiring. In this discussion, we talk about how we, as learners, might be able to help make a class more inspiring than it might otherwise be. Thoughts? Ideas? Other feedback? Send it to ken@chocolatecakebytes.com Please share this episode...