Latter-day Profiles

Host Brian Howard welcomes Jordan Abrams, Institute Director for BYU-Pathway Worldwide. Growing up in the "Napoleon Dynamite" country of Southeast Idaho, Jordan’s journey took him from a mission in Chile to a career that bridges corporate leadership and Church education. He discusses the innovative world of online learning, the unique spiritual environment of BYU-Idaho, and how BYU-Pathw...

Former BYU quarterback Royce Bybee joins host Brian Howard to share a remarkable journey of faith and football. From being an All-American at Ricks College to playing under LaVell Edwards, Royce discusses his life-changing conversion and mission to England. Now serving as the Director of the Mesa Temple Visitors’ Center, he reflects on the power of mentorship, his role in coaching future generatio...

Host Brian Howard sits down with T.J. Packard, a CPA and partner at Packard, Appleby & Rogers. T.J. shares how a mission to Brazil and his time at BYU-Idaho forged a deep relationship with the Savior. He opens up about the trials of his single years, the "miracle" of meeting his wife Audrey, and the impact of a childhood friend who changed his life’s trajectory. A candid conversation...

Host Brian Howard sits down with Candice Copple, Associate VP at ASU and Arizona Communication Director for the Church. A sixth-generation Arizonan, Candice shares how the Lord turned "dead ends" into divine opportunities—from a brief stint in tax accounting to seven years teaching seminary and a decade in high-stakes county politics. Discover how she uses her unique background to build...

Host Brian Howard sits down with Ryan Bingham, Vice President of Human Resources at Honeywell. From his early career in Idaho to leading a team of 140 professionals across the U.S. and Canada, Ryan shares his journey of designing global HR models and coaching leaders at every level. A BYU and BYU-Idaho alumnus, Ryan discusses how living abroad in Mexico and Chile shaped his "business-first&qu...

Host Brian Howard sits down with Jennifer Fenn, FamilySearch Coordinator at the Mesa Temple Visitors’ Center. A lifelong Arizonan, Jennifer shares profound spiritual experiences that come from connecting families across the veil. She discusses her mission to empower ward and stake councils and her role in training consultants to lead with purpose. Discover how Jennifer’s simple, faith-filled appro...

Host Brian Howard sits down with Elder Matthew Riggs, an Area Seventy and prominent Arizona attorney. From driving a UPS truck after law school to arguing landmark cases before the Arizona Supreme Court, Elder Riggs shares his unconventional journey. He discusses the divine intervention that led to his legal partnerships, the intersection of ethics and law, and his time presiding over the Washingt...

Host Brian Howard sits down with Marc LeFevre, a career strategist and tech innovator. From serving as Student Body President at BYU-Idaho to founding Kalibrate.ai, Marc has helped thousands navigate the complexities of the modern job market. He discusses his mission to help individuals change their circumstances with confidence, the role of AI in career transitions, and how his faith guides his p...

Host Brian Howard sits down with Cali Black, the creative force behind @ComeFollowMeStudy. A BYU-educated teacher and author, Cali shares how a simple inspired prompting led to a massive digital community dedicated to the scriptures. Discover her "One Minute" approach to daily study, her strategies for connecting teens with the gospel, and her passion for uncovering pure doctrine. Learn...

Host Brian Howard welcomes John Lewis, a leader whose influence spans government, business, and faith. From his tenure as Mayor of Gilbert to his service as President of the Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission, John shares how he has balanced high-level civic leadership with a deep commitment to the Gospel. Hear about the miracles witnessed in Cambodia, the growth of the Church in Arizona, and his current...

Devin Durrant is the author of The Values Delta, an inspirational speaker, and a successful real estate entrepreneur. A former professional basketball player, Devin was a consensus All-American at Brigham Young University before playing for the Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns, and he is consistently ranked among Utah's top college basketball players of the 20th century. Following his athletic...

Roger Connors is a four-time New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, known for his over 35 years of expertise in organizational culture and leadership. He is the co-author of highly influential books, including The Oz Principle and Change the Culture, Change the Game. Roger is the co-founder and former CEO of Partners In Leadership (PIL), a globally recognized consulting firm th...

Rod Gustafson is a seasoned media professional and currently serves as a Coordinating Producer at BYU Broadcasting, where he manages a diverse portfolio of over 20 national and international broadcast projects, including scripted series and feature films, spanning the entire production process. In addition to his leadership role, he is deeply involved in mentoring students of all faiths who are as...

Jonathan Wing is the Director of Events at FamilySearch, where he oversees the production of RootsTech, the world's largest genealogy and family history conference. An alumnus of the Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business, Jonathan has an impressive and diverse academic background, having studied at the renowned culinary school Le Cordon Bleu and earning an MSc in International D...

Lee Cummard is the newly appointed Head Coach of BYU Women's Basketball, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the university's mission. A former standout player for the BYU men's team, where he earned All-American and Mountain West Conference Player of the Year honors, Cummard has spent over a decade with the Cougars' basketball programs, serving on the coaching...

John Dye is the Executive Director of the Faith & Media Initiative, a non-profit dedicated to ensuring accurate, balanced, and inclusive representations of all faiths in news and entertainment globally. He is passionate about preparing the next generation of faith-driven media professionals by providing hands-on learning, internships, and strategic career placements. John previously served as...

Bruce Kusch is the respected President of Ensign College (formerly LDS Business College), a role he began in 2017 after serving as the Chief Academic Officer. An accomplished academic leader, he has focused on enhancing the college's learning and teaching frameworks, resulting in increased student success and strong employer relationships. Prior to his current role, President Kusch held variou...

Hank Smith is a beloved instructor at BYU, a renowned speaker, and co-host of the popular Follow Him podcast, known for his ability to connect deeply with youth and young adults through engaging scripture teaching. A master teacher, Hank holds degrees from Dixie State University, Utah State University (MBA), and Brigham Young University (PhD), and previously spent fourteen years as a Seminary and...

Tom and Ali Durham are a dynamic creative duo blending storytelling, science fiction, family life, and faith. Tom is an Emmy-winning writer and director known for his cult-favorite sci-fi feature 95ers and his boundary-pushing work in TV, animation, and film. With a love for all things geek—from D&D to Star Trek—Tom brings humor and heart to every project he tackles through his production comp...

Shawn Stevens rose to fame in the 1980s with roles in hit television shows like Eight Is Enough, Days of Our Lives, and The Facts of Life. But behind the Hollywood lights was a deeper story—one of faith, sacrifice, and transformation. After discovering The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while filming in Utah, Shawn was baptized at age 19, a decision that cost him family support and sl...

John Fossum is a devoted religious educator and author who has spent his life helping others build a firm foundation in Jesus Christ. Growing up in Georgia, John experienced for himself the challenges of life and the peace that comes from anchoring one’s faith in the Savior. After serving a mission in the Philippines, he studied English in college—where he met his wife Sarah in a poetry class. Tog...

Dr. B.J. Allen is a standout voice in both the business and spiritual spheres. As a Marketing Professor at BYU’s Marriott School of Business, he teaches professional selling and leads the BYU Sales Society. His widely used sales textbooks and training simulations are shaping the next generation of sales professionals at over 100 universities worldwide. Through his engaging workshops and consulting...

Emily Peterson is the CEO and co-founder of Saranoni Luxury Blankets, a company born out of love and necessity. When her daughter needed surgery for a congenital ear condition, Emily and her husband Nathan began making gift baskets to raise funds. What started as a small family project quickly grew into a thriving business—thanks to the overwhelming popularity of their baby blankets. As parents ra...

Kim B. Clark has led a distinguished life of service in both education and the gospel. A Harvard-educated economist and former dean of Harvard Business School, he brought his leadership and vision to Brigham Young University–Idaho, where he served as president for a decade. Later called as a General Authority Seventy, he also served as Church Commissioner of Education, helping guide learning acros...

Charlene Farr’s life is a powerful story of resilience, faith, and transformation. Raised in a large family on a Texas farm and later married to an Air Force serviceman, Charlene’s journey took her around the world. But after facing personal heartache and betrayal, she found herself at a spiritual crossroads—until two missionaries arrived with a message of hope that changed everything. Their compa...