Take a Leap

Neftali Rodriguez and Ocean Marshall announce a break of new interviews until January 20th while teasing fun social media content and re-released favorite episodes. They reflect on memorable interviews with guests like artist Jeremiah Paltan and travel influencer India, highlighting the integration of faith in their careers. The hosts also discuss their personal growth from the podcast, appreciati...

Safa Ahmed discusses how faith and religion can be likened to a tree that offers support and bears fruit through good deeds. She reflects on her experiences as a Muslim, her journey in activism, and the challenges faced by Indian Muslims. Ahmed emphasizes the importance of faith guiding advocacy for justice and fostering unity among diverse communities. She recounts her journey of reclaiming her M...

In this episode of the Take Leap podcast, hosts Neftali Rodriguez and Ocean Marshall interview Ashley Breinholt, a student studying neuroscience and Chinese at Brigham Young University. Ashley recently won second place in the global finals of the Chinese Bridge competition, celebrating Chinese language and culture. She shares her experiences, discussing her favorite Chinese foods, the impact of fa...

In this episode of Take A Leap podcast, host Neftali Rodriguez engages with Yehuda Webster to discuss his passion for integrating faith and activism. Yehuda, inspired by his Jewish heritage and experiences with racial injustice, shares his journey from organizing in New York to connecting with his Igbo Jewish roots in Nigeria. The conversation delves into their current hobbies, the role of faith i...

Ocean and Arriza discuss Arizza's work as a global peace advocate and co-founder of Kris for Peace, a nonprofit promoting peace in conflict-affected areas of the Philippines. Kris for Peace has generated significant impact through libraries, education support, and youth programs. Arizza shares her personal story of growing up in a mixed-faith household, challenges faced, and the importance of inte...

In this episode of the Take a Leap podcast, hosts Neftali Rodriguez and Ocean Marshall interview India McCue, a world traveler, thrifter, photographer, and podcaster. India discusses her journey into wedding photography and how her creative and entrepreneurial ventures have shaped her life. She emphasizes the importance of integrating faith into her business, maintaining authenticity, and seeing w...

Bushra Amiwala, an activist and elected official born to Pakistani immigrants in Chicago, made history as the first Gen Z elected official in the U.S. by joining Skokie's School District Board at a young age. She discusses her journey, fueled by gratitude for her opportunities and influenced by her Muslim faith. Bushra shares her experiences overcoming challenges, the importance of faith and inten...

Jennifer Eburuoh, a PhD student in international relations at American University. Jennifer shares her journey, detailing her Nigerian American faith background, her work with the UN Refugee Agency, and her study of environmental science. She discusses how her faith motivates her service and advocacy work and provides insights into her experiences in Uganda and the importance of being a good liste...

In this episode, we sit down with Albarka Wakili, a Master of Divinity student at Drew Theological School and a 2025 GreenFaith Rising Leader Fellow. Originally from Nigeria, Albarka shares how his name—meaning blessing—guides his path, and how his journey across continents has deepened his faith. He opens up about witnessing climate change firsthand, the hope that sustains him, and the moment he...

Jeremiah Paltan, a singer-songwriter from the Bronx, New York, shares his journey intertwining faith and music. Paltan shares his experiences as a pastor's kid, his early introduction to music, and how his faith has shaped his musical career. He highlights the importance of community in sustaining faith, his path to finding his spiritual identity, and the humbling experiences of having his music f...

Hosts Neftali Rodriguez and Ocean Marshall interview Dallin Bundy, a 2025 Truman Scholar and a senior studying political science at BYU. The discussion covers a range of topics, including Dallin's love for silent discos, his interest in epic fantasy literature, and his journey to winning the Truman Scholarship. Dallin shares valuable insights on the importance of civil discourse, the impact of pol...

In this episode of Take A Leap, host James talks with Carolina França, a Gordon College graduate and science teacher, about how faith and environmental stewardship intertwine. From conservation research to the classroom, Carolina shares how her sense of calling fuels both her teaching and climate advocacy. She highlights the power of small, community-driven actions, the role of faith in caring for...

In this episode of Take A Leap, James sits down with Kenzie Meyer and Neftali Rodriguez. Kenzie shares how her path shifted from studying music education at Montana State to becoming a campus minister at Southern Utah University. From life-changing experiences in Kenya to her work with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Kenzie opens up about helping students embrace faith during the pivotal colleg...

In this episode of Take A Leap, host James is joined by Ocean Marshall and Saigel Ghotra, a Sikh American senior at UC Berkeley. Saigel shares how Sikh values inspire her studies in political science, social welfare, and public policy, fueling her mission to create opportunities for marginalized communities. She reflects on her personal journey, her time as a Sikh Lead DC intern with the Sikh Amer...

What does it mean to blend purpose with style? In this episode, we revisit our conversation with Nava Esmailizadeh about how fashion can be a tool for change. Nava is the Head of Brand at Ambercycle and the creator of the cycora® brand, where she works to bring circularity and sustainability to the center of fashion design. Guided by her Bahá'í faith, Nava shares how our generation can make the wo...

What do hiking boots, gas station snacks, and a deep love for the earth have in common? In this episode, we sit down with Becca Black—ecologist and senior in BYU’s Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation program—for a conversation about faith, stewardship, and finding God in the natural world. From long hikes in Wisconsin to getting snacks at Kwik Trip, Becca shares how she came to see ecology as both...

What happens when legal briefs, late-night self-care, and radical faithfulness all show up in the same story? In this episode, we revisit our conversation with Sarah Johns—lawyer, advocate, and recent graduate of BYU’s J. Reuben Clark Law School—for a conversation about faith, resilience, and taking care of yourself. From working with the Êzidi people in the wake of trauma to building bridges betw...

If you love the intro to our show, this episode is for you! Sit back, relax, and listen as our team discusses our "man on the street" interviews. Have you left a hate comment before? Do you have any strange superstitions? What is your worst date story? You'll find some BYU students' answers to these questions and so much more in this episode of Take a Leap.

How have role models shaped your life? In this episode, we revisit our November 2024 conversation about leadership with Sarah Sun and Tala Alnasser. Sarah Sun was the Student Body President of BYU in 2024 and was the first Asian American to be crowned Miss Utah in 2023. She was the first person in her family to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 17. Sarah is an accomplishe...

Ever wondered what it takes to make service impactful in a college community? In this episode, we revisit our November 2024 conversation with Drew Goldston, the President of BYU's Y-Serve service council. Drew shares how the council oversees Y-Serve’s 70 volunteer programs, ensuring that both volunteers and recipients have meaningful and rewarding experiences. A student at BYU majoring in Economic...

What does it take to build a brand that’s about more than just the product? In this episode, we sit down with Sadie and Abby Bowler—sisters, entrepreneurs, and co-founders of SadieB Personal Care—to explore how a simple idea became a movement. Blending a love for high-quality beauty products with a passion for supporting girls’ mental wellness, SadieB isn’t just about hygiene (though yes, showerin...

What happens when faith meets TikTok—and chooses radical inclusion? In this episode, we revisit our November 2024 conversation with Rev. Brandon Robertson—author, activist, public theologian, and the internet’s beloved “TikTok Pastor.” With over 250,000 followers and millions of views, Brandon has become a leading voice in progressive Christianity, using social media to share a message of love, ju...

Ever felt the pressure of being single in a relationship-driven world? In this episode, we revisit our November 2024 conversation with Mallory Everton and Diana Brown, creators of The Soloist Podcast. They dive into the complexities of being single within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sharing their personal experiences of navigating societal and religious expectations around mar...

What does it look like to follow Jesus in the face of climate change? In this episode, we revisit a powerful conversation with Lauren Kim, National Organizer and Spokesperson for Young Evangelicals for Climate Action (YECA). Originally aired in November 2024, this episode explores Lauren’s journey into environmental activism—shaped by her Evangelical faith, her sister’s asthma caused by land burni...

James and Lia discuss their journey through season one of Take a Leap. What did they learn? Were they even qualified for their job? Did James ever try that Red Bull? Find out in this recap episode of Take a Leap! Take a Leap is a production of BYUradio.