In this inspiring episode of Born to Lead, Connie Sokol and Madison Lattin sit down with singer and songwriter Liahona Olayan to talk about faith, courage, and what it really means to stand firm in your standards—no matter the cost.

From living in a tent in Hawaii at age eleven to discovering her divine calling through music, Liahona shares how a personal relationship with God shaped her identity and leadership. She reflects on stepping onto the national stage of American Idol at just sixteen, navigating pressure, public scrutiny, and major opportunities—all while staying true to who she is.

In this conversation, Liahona opens up about:

• Rooting confidence in Christ rather than the world
• Choosing standards over sponsorships—even in competitive pageantry
• Why rejection is often redirection
• Using every platform as a space to testify and uplift

As she prepares to compete in the Miss America pageant, Liahona continues to prove that leadership isn’t about popularity—it’s about purpose.

This episode is a powerful reminder that being born to lead means being born with a greater purpose—and having the courage to live it boldly.

In this heartfelt and deeply inspiring episode of Born to Lead, Connie Sokol and Madison Lattin sit down with actor, comedian, writer, and podcast host Lisa Valentine Clark to explore what it truly means to choose leadership through creativity, humor, and faith—especially in life’s hardest moments.

Drawing from her background in improvisational theater, Lisa introduces the powerful principle of “Yes, And” as a leadership mindset—being fully present, honoring reality as it is, and collaboratively building something meaningful together. She shares how creativity isn’t just for artists, but a vital skill for leaders, parents, and anyone navigating the unknown.

Lisa opens up about:

• How improv taught her to lead with presence and purpose
• Why creativity requires flexibility, play, and collaboration
• Using humor to navigate grief, hardship, and uncertainty
• Leading with faith while collaborating with God and Jesus Christ
• Choosing how we respond when life doesn’t go as planned

In a moving portion of the conversation, Lisa reflects on her late husband, Dr. Christopher Clark, and how humor, courage, and intentional living became acts of leadership during his battle with ALS. Her perspective reframes leadership not as control or position—but as choice, service, and influence rooted in love.

This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership is not about having all the answers—it’s about choosing how you show up, inviting others into the process, and trusting God as you create something meaningful together.

Whether you’re leading in your family, your work, your faith, or your personal healing, this conversation will leave you inspired to lead with joy, creativity, and courage.

In this powerful episode of Born to Lead, Connie Sokol and Madison Latin sit down with world-renowned mountaineer, educator, and author Dr. Stacy Taniguchi to explore what Christ-centered leadership looks like far beyond the boardroom—on glaciers, high-altitude peaks, and in life-or-death moments.

Drawing from decades of guiding climbers through some of the most extreme environments on earth, Dr. Taniguchi shares unforgettable stories that reveal a profound leadership truth: every individual matters—especially “the one.” One story from a Denali expedition reframes what it truly means to lead with compassion, integrity, and awareness of another person’s unseen battles.

Dr. Taniguchi also opens up about:

• Leading when someone is falling behind—and why you never leave them behind
• The sacred role of keeping promises as a Christlike leadership principle
• A miraculous rescue that became a defining moment in his testimony of prayer and divine intervention
• Being "Born to Lead" can also mean "Born to Follow Christ"
• How reflection, humility, and inner stillness reveal our divine potential

This episode is a masterclass in leadership rooted in discipleship, showing that true influence comes not from power or position, but from integrity, faith, and care for the individual soul.

Whether you’re a leader, mentor, parent, or simply navigating your own climb, this conversation will change how you see leadership—and yourself.

@StacyTaniguchi

In this episode of Born to Lead, hosts Connie Sokol and Madison Lattin sit down with Eva Witesman, Director of the Ballard Center for Social Impact at Brigham Young University, to explore what it truly means to recognize yourself as a leader and lead in Christ’s way. Eva shares the pivotal moment when she first identified as a leader — and how that realization transformed the way she approached her work, stewardship, and purpose.

Eva offers thoughtful insights on young adults and leadership, spiritual gifts, and the principle of “lift where you stand.” Through personal stories, including her viral BYU devotional and her work mentoring students, she reminds us that leadership is not about titles or hierarchy, but about stewardship, collaboration, and being led by Jesus Christ in everyday decisions.

Together, we talk about:

• What it means to become a leader once you recognize yourself as one
• Why leadership begins with stewardship, not position
• How the principle “lift where you stand” changes the way we lead together
• The difference between being Christ-like, Christ-centered, and Christ-led
• How identifying and developing your spiritual gifts strengthens your leadership
• Why women are called to lead in families, communities, church, and beyond

This conversation is filled with wisdom, faith, and practical insight for anyone seeking to lead with purpose, humility, and courage — whether in professional roles, service, or quiet moments of influence.

You were born to lead. The question is, how will you live as a leader for Him?

@EvaWitesman

00:00 Eva Witesman Bio

01:20 How Eva developed as a leader at Brigham Young University

04:12 The miraculous backstory to Eva’s viral BYU devotional

07:25 How Eva would build on her original devotional

08:48 Lift where you stand

11:05 Where the “lift where you stand” motto showed up in Eva’s life

12:52 What students are doing at the Ballard Center for Social Impact

16:05 What does it mean to be Christ-led?

19:32 Personal Christ-led leadership skills

23:35 What Born to Lead means to Eva Witesman

In this powerful episode of Born to Lead, we sit down with Michelle Craig, former First Counselor in the General Young Women Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to explore what Christ-centered leadership really looks like in everyday life.

Michelle shares tender insights on identity, purpose, and taking the next right step, especially for young adults who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of where they are headed. Through personal stories, including the experience behind the beloved Eyes to See message, she reminds us that leadership is not about titles or positions but about seeing others, acting with faith, and living who you truly are.

Together, we talk about:

• Why your purpose does not have to be fully figured out to move forward
• How God finds us as we faithfully do our duty, right where we are
• What Christlike leadership looks like in small, ordinary moments
• Lessons learned from working closely with youth, young adults, and Church leaders
• How knowing your divine identity changes the way you lead and serve

This conversation is filled with hope, clarity, and encouragement for anyone striving to lead with courage, compassion, and conviction, whether in classrooms, homes, communities, or quiet moments that matter most.

You were born to lead. The question is, how will you live it?

@michelledcraig