Unleashing Sister Saints

I really appreciated the writings of Melissa Wei-Tsing Inouye, as she was such a powerful women scholar and writer in the Church. A few months before her passing, I read her final book, titled “Sacred Struggle: Seeking Christ on the Path of Most Resistance.” I was profoundly impacted by the book and Melissa’s vulnerability in her writing. I never met her personally but read her work on women and r...

This is the fourth and final episode in a series I’ve been doing to share the key findings of a large 2023 study called The Girls’ Index . The first focused on confidence and social media , the second on stress and well-being, and the third on school. Now, in this final episode focuses on the topic of leadership and relationships. As a reminder, The Girls’ Index, the largest study of its kind, sha...

For the last two episodes, I’ve been sharing the results of a large study on girls, and today I’m going to share the third set of findings (and I’ll finish up with the next episode). In this episode, I share results on the impact of school on girls and how they feel about it. School is a big part of how girls feel about life! As a reminder, The Girls’ Index shared compelling data on girls in the U...

In the last episode, I talked about the results of a major study on girls in the United States, and I shared some results on girls’ confidence and social media. As a reminder, I’m talking about a major study that was published in 2023 called, The Girls’ Index . The report highlighted compelling data on girls in the United States (I’m sure it is similar for other counties as well). It was the large...

Although I love this quote by Eleanor Roosevelt - “No one can make me feel inferior without my consent" - I must say that teen girls are struggling right now and need help. In 2023 a large study, The Girls’ Index⁠, reported compelling data on girls in the U.S. It was the largest national survey of its kind, with 17,502 girls participating. Researchers collected data for the first time in 2017 and...

For this last episode of 2024, I wanted to talk about how expectations for ourselves and others sometimes need to shift and that's okay. I share some personal examples, while also discussing how our definitions of "success" may also change. I'll get back to sharing some research next year but wanted to end the year with some personal reflections and experiences.  

When we consider how we want to use our time in better ways in 2025, I've been thinking of the time we sometimes spend being offended, and why we take offense. I walk through a recent experience of where I temporarily took offense and analyzed why I did, and how I worked quickly to get it out of my system. I also wrestle through how we can overcome feelings of offense as well. Listen in!

For my 100th episode of this podcast, I decided to focus on a recent trip to Asia I took and the blessing that I was reminded of while at the same time, I discuss some of my thoughts around the profound responsibilities I believe we have when we experience so many blessings.

One of my favorite talks in the past general conference was Saturday morning and given by Elder Karl D. Hirst of the Seventy and titled “God’s Favorite”. In this episode of Unleashing Sister Saints, I share some of the quotes I love and make some comments about them. For example, he said, “Isn’t it wonderful that there are times when we can feel so fully and personally noticed and loved? Nephi can...

This episode brings up the conversation about the new changes in garments to start a discussion of using our voice for change but also keeping our hearts soft so we can be guided by the Spirit. I then talk about bringing in change work specific to domestic violence and what needs to be done. Women's voices matter everywhere, and we need to use them. RESOURCES: Episode on religion and violence agai...

In this episode, I share some of my thoughts that align with an editorial I recently published in the Deseret News called “Not a Shock, But Men and Women Are Not the Same.” Throughout time, we as a society have assumed that if we make decisions based on how things work for men that they will also represent women. Research has found that this is just not correct! In this episode I share some exampl...

In this episode, I share some of my initial thoughts on General Conference, and particularly about the music. I share a few thoughts about seeing the children's choir and thinking of my own children and their paths away from the Church. I also comment on other elements of music and my sadness with not having more women speakers - again. Overall, some positive messages at October 2024 General Confe...

In this episode, I'm thinking about General Conference and how to prepare, but I also address the fact that everyone is different and how we listen to, receive revelation, and absorb knowledge is different from one another. I don't get as much into "gender" components in this episode, but I focus on three elements: revelation, reflection, and remembering. I'm hoping it is a great General Conferenc...

In this episode I discuss the recent talk by Neylane McBaine at the Restore Conference in Utah with over 4,000 people. She outlined various questions and positions we could take related to the patriarchy, and I mentioned where I think I am at and share some of my thoughts about that. I also comment about how asking questions in the Church is important to moving forward. I bring in a few other topi...

Most people have a complicated relationship with their body, with many of us wishing we looked different. Fad diets, intermittent fasting, excessive exercise, weight loss injections, and liposuction abound as we search for perfection. The Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) recently published a research and policy brief summarizing the findings from a complex study of body image in the Chur...

In this episode, I openly talk about some of the things I'm doing and the load I feel on my shoulders for the work I do. At the same time, I talk about some tender mercies I had last week that helped me remember why I continue to believe. I share a few profound experiences, along with how I rely on feeling the Spirit to help me feel like I'm moving in the right direction. This episode is a...

A month ago, I wrote and published an editorial in two Utah newspapers title, “The link between domestic violence and religiosity.” Can I just say, many people in the Church don’t want to read or engage in this topic at all, but things will not change if all of us lean into uncomfortable topics like this. I’ll be sharing things that I wrote about in that article here so you can see how religion is...

Today I share my 90th episode before taking a break for the summer, and perhaps longer. In this episode, I share a few final thoughts, including inspiring quotes from leaders on the potential of women’s impact on the Church and the world, and some personal disappointment in the roadblocks women face in making our full influence felt generally, in the Church. Do you have any thoughts, questions, co...

*This week I will be sharing the second half of a two-part conversation with my brother, Tim Willden. These two episodes were originally published in 2023 and have become a listener favorite. Enjoy!* Have you ever thought about how cultivating a more equal partnership in the home can better invite the Holy Ghost to teach, inspire, and uplift a family? Join me for part two of my conversation with T...

*This week and next, I will be sharing again a two-part conversation with my brother, Tim Willden. These episodes were originally published in 2023 and have become a listener favorite. Enjoy!* As members of the church, we live in a culture that literally and metaphorically puts men on the stand. On this week's episode, I invite my younger brother, Tim Willden, to share his experiences as a bis...

Do you tend to feel comfortable and powerful with your sexuality as a Latter-day Saint woman, or somewhat ashamed and embarrassed? Join me today for a fantastic discussion with Dr. Chelom Leavitt, a BYU professor, author, mother of eight, and expert in healthy, meaningful sexuality. Dr. Leavitt shares how women can achieve more meaningful sex and why meaningful sex is critical in a healthy marriag...

Rebecca Dutson, President and CEO of The Children’s Center Utah, is passionate about helping children and families thrive, not just survive. As a faithful member of the Church, Rebecca believes children are our most precious resource, and wants everyone to understand that children have mental health, and that even infants, toddlers and preschoolers have mental health needs. Tune in to this week’s...

Today I am joined by the incomparable Robin Ritch, and extraordinary leader with a wealth of experience in tech and innovation. From the get-go, you will be inspired by Robin’s passion and excitement for life and the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this episode, she shares insights gained from interviewing several dozen Latter-day Saint women who came of age in the ‘60s and ‘70s. She shares their wrest...

Candace Queathem is a mom of three young children who has made time and space in her life to serve the vulnerable in her community. Candace, who lives in London, England, formally serves as the community outreach specialist for the Hyde Park Stake, but her volunteer efforts began with a simple observation of need during the Afghan refugee crisis and a desire to help. Today, I talk with Candace abo...

Laurel Christensen Day believes there are many options, not just one or two, to live out our discipleship and life’s purpose. On this week’s episode, Laurel shares her unexpected journey from part-time marketing and events coordinator at Deseret Book to her current role as company president, how she’s learned from and not been paralyzed by mistakes, and the responsibility she feels to create space...