Jessica Wignall currently lives in West Jordan, UT but grew up in the Kearns area. Professionally, she is a compliance analyst for a bank. Jessica also loves getting to spend time with family, including her two dogs.

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Jessica to talk about her recent election to city council and what it means to her to truly serve her community. She shares her commitment to being approachable, listening deeply, and making sure everyone feels seen and valued. We also dive into her passion for animal rights and why it’s so important to speak up for those who don’t have a voice, along with a thoughtful conversation about the role strong family relationships and chosen friendships play in building a meaningful life.

Jessica also opens up about her religious journey and how it has shaped the person she is today. We talk about inclusion, equality, and standing up for others, including her experience supporting her best friend through his journey of coming out, finding love, getting married, and adopting two boys. This episode is full of compassion, growth, and reminders of what it looks like to lead with love. Jessica truly is amazing—and this conversation shows why.

Resources mentioned:

• Best Friends Animal Society: https://bestfriends.org
• Utah Legislative Website: https://le.utah.gov
  — a great place for Utah residents to learn more about legislation that impacts animals in their communities

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Riley Eckenroth is 21 years old and is the youngest sibling of 4. He lives in Ocala, Florida and currently serves in the U.S. Army.

In this episode, Riley and I talk about growing up in the South and the values that shaped him early on: kindness, community, and taking care of the people around you. He shares the racial injustices he noticed at a young age, including those coming from elected officials in his area, and how those moments opened his eyes to the responsibility we all have to stand up for others. Riley also opens up about witnessing domestic violence and gang violence as a child, and how those experiences deeply influenced the person he is today and his commitment to advocating for safer, more supportive communities.

We also dive into Riley’s decision to join the U.S. Army, his desire to serve his country, and the inspiration that led him there, including his drive to help others and be someone people can count on in difficult moments. Guided by his personal motto, “rise to the occasion,” Riley lives with the hope of inspiring others to lead with courage, empathy, and purpose, even when doing the right thing isn’t easy.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes a brief discussion of gun violence between 34:06–36:08. While the conversation is thoughtful and focused on personal experience and advocacy, it may be difficult for some listeners. Please take care of yourself and feel free to skip ahead if needed.

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Education is a huge contributor to a person's political involvement. In this episode, we discuss how the quality and type of education is more impactful than quantity. We explore statistical research that shows education level does not necessarily make us more openminded, but that it helps to open doors to different perspectives. It is up to us to decide whether or not we walk through those doors towards new understanding & enlightenment.

This episode continues my mini-series where we’ll unpack different themes and perspectives to help us better understand the people around us. If you enjoy this format, let me know—I’d love to hear your feedback and see if we should continue with more episodes like this!

Sources & Further Reading

• Pew Research Center - "A Wider Ideological Gap Between More and Less Educated Adults"
• Annual Review of Political Science (Volume 25, 2022) - "Education and Political Participation"
• International Journal of Educational Development - "Education and political engagement"
• Economics of Education Review - "How does education affect adolescents’ political development?"

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