Why We Believe

Professional MMA fighter Westin Wilson shares how listening to the Holy Ghost transformed his UFC career and what martial artists can teach us about spiritual discipline. From getting his first calling to teach self-defense at girls camp to receiving a prompting at a gas station that led to his UFC debut, Westin reveals how staying in tune with the Spirit opened doors he never expected. In this episode of Why We Believe with host Nathan Gwilliam, Westin discusses three lessons from the cage that changed his faith: why your spiritual coach matters more than your technique, how small and simple repetitions build both knockouts and testimonies, and why true freedom comes through commandments rather than breaking them. After serving a mission in Rochester, New York, surviving a devastating loss in Shanghai, and building a software career alongside his fighting, Westin shows how enduring to the end means getting back up when doors slam shut. His story proves that whether you're cutting 30 pounds in three weeks or raking leaves in a suit as a missionary, God uses our disciplined efforts to prepare us for opportunities we can't yet see.Loved this episode? Hit Follow and share it with someone who needs to hear Westin's story! Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube — your support helps us bring more inspiring conversations like this to listeners everywhere!Follow the Why We Believe Show:Website: https://www.whywebelieve.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhyWeBelieveShowApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-we-believe/id1751537256Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6T9DjmWBXJZPFyIFXUCdhm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whywebelievepodcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-we-believe-show/Follow Nathan Gwilliam:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathangwilliam/Follow Westin Wilson:Website: https://westinwilson.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/westin-wilson/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westinwilsonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/westinwilson22Twitter/X: https://x.com/westinwilson22

What happens when a homeless teenager eating from London trash cans encounters Latter-day Saint missionaries and transforms into an international recording artist who presents The Book of Mormon to the future King of England? Alex Boyé's journey through foster care, abandonment, and abuse became the foundation for an unshakable testimony that has taken him to stages worldwide. After his mother left for Nigeria and never returned, Alex survived eight years of homelessness and guardian abuse before discovering the Latter-day Saints church through the missionary efforts of McDonald's manager.In this episode of Why We Believe with host Nathan Gwilliam, Alex shares how trials became his greatest gifts, the miraculous two-day healing from pornography addiction through daily Book of Mormon reading, and the divine courage required to approach royalty with scripture. His story reveals that God's refining fire burns hottest when preparing us for extraordinary purposes, and that covenant-based scripture study provides healing power beyond human capability.  Follow the Why We Believe Show:Website: https://www.whywebelieve.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhyWeBelieveShowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/whywebelievepodcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-we-believe-show/Follow Nathan Gwilliam:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathangwilliam/Follow Alex Boyé :Website: https://AlexBoye.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexBoyeRealInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/@AlexBoyeMusic/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@AlexBoyeReal/Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/@AlexBoyeReal/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/@AlexB2/Email: alexboyetv@gmail.com#WhyWeBelieve #AlexBoye #RefinersFile #FaithThroughTrials #AddictionRecovery #FosterCareStory #PurposeThroughPain #SpiritualGrowth #Latter-day SaintsTestimony #BookOfMormon #TrialsToTriumphs #DivineRefinement #RecoveryStory #FaithJourney #ChristianTestimony #OvercomingAddiction #Inspiration #Hope #Faith #Recovery #Testimony #SpiritualTransformation #NeverGiveUp #GodsLove

What happens when a woman who considered herself "human garbage" discovers she's actually a treasure worth saving? Jen Spencer spent two decades trapped in methamphetamine addiction and homelessness, convinced God hated her as much as she hated herself. Her warped understanding of repentance left her buried under mountains of shame, believing she was born bad and beyond redemption. In this episode of Why We Believe with host Nathan Gwilliam, Jen shares the desperate prayer behind a storage unit that changed everything, the divine encounter that felt like God running toward her instead of away, and the moment she realized she'd been living in a hell of her own making through self-judgment. After 10 years of sobriety, she now leads the Turtle Shelter Project, creating over 6,000 thermal survival vests for homeless individuals. Jen's transformation reveals that no one is too broken for divine love, and sometimes our lowest moments become launching pads for missions that save thousands of lives. Follow the Why We Believe Show: Website: https://www.whywebelieve.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhyWeBelieveShowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/whywebelievepodcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-we-believe-show/ Follow Nathan Gwilliam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathangwilliam/ Follow Jen Spencer: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennspencer5/Website: https://turtleshelterproject.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/turtleshelterproject/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/turtle-shelter-project-6aa0aa1a4/

What drives a young mother to travel alone to Romania and rescue orphaned children after watching a single TV show? Dr. Holly Joy Richardson's adoption journey began with undeniable spiritual confirmation that changed everything. After adopting 20 children from eight different countries and giving birth to four more, Holly became a fierce advocate for families while serving as a Utah state legislator. In this episode of the Why We Believe with host Nathan Gwilliam, Holly shares the divine moment that sent her to Romanian orphanages, the heartbreak of losing three daughters, and the immigration bill that tested her conviction that God sees humanity in everyone. She reveals the grief that nearly broke her faith, the deliberate choices that rebuilt her testimony stronger than before, and the political battles where she refused to separate spiritual conviction from public service. Holly's story proves that following spiritual promptings can lead to a life beyond anything we imagine possible, even when the path includes unthinkable sacrifice and loss.Follow the Why We Believe Show:Website: https://www.whywebelieve.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhyWeBelieveShowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/whywebelievepodcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-we-believe-show/Follow Nathan Gwilliam:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathangwilliam/Follow Dr. Holly Joy Richardson:Website: https://www.hollyrichardson.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyonthehill/Twitter/X: https://www.instagram.com/hollyonthehill/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hollyjoyrichardsonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyonthehill/

What happens when a struggling LDS musician sits down at a church piano and receives one of the most beloved sacred songs ever written? Roger Hoffman's faith journey as a BYU employee turned acclaimed LDS composer seemed impossible until divine intervention changed everything. In this episode of the Why We Believe with host Nathan Gwilliam, discover the miraculous testimony behind "Consider the Lilies" and the exact moment when both music and lyrics flowed through him at his ward's piano. Roger shares the leap of faith that led him and his wife Melanie to leave steady employment, the mysterious grocery deliveries that appeared on their doorstep, and the $50 bills that would magically appear in his pocket after church. Roger reveals the divine partnership behind decades of LDS sacred music creation, including Scripture Scouts and collaborating on "Gethsemane." His story proves that when we trust God's timing, our greatest struggles often become our most beautiful testimonies and lasting legacies.Follow the Why We Believe Show:Website: https://www.whywebelieve.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhyWeBelieveShowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/whywebelievepodcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-we-believe-show/Follow Nathan Gwilliam:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathangwilliam/Follow Roger Hoffman:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-hoffman-97686617/Primary Website: https://www.hoffmanhouse.com (Hoffman House Music)Personal Website: https://www.rogerandmelaniehoffman.comBusiness Email: roger@hoffmanhouse.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@latterdayhymnstories

What happens when a teenage science lover discovers that DNA testing can unlock family secrets and spiritual truth? In this episode of Why We Believe with Nathan Gwilliam, meet Diahan Southard, founder of Your DNA Guide, who built three successful DNA businesses while helping thousands find their birth families. Her story includes converting to the LDS Church, becoming a RootsTech speaker, and using her expertise to reunite her adopted mother with over 30 biological relatives. Diahan shares how she went from drawing blood samples at BYU to becoming an author and entrepreneur who proves faith and science work together in God's plan. This episode explores DNA testing, adoption mysteries, and faith-based entrepreneurship for anyone interested in seeing how God uses modern technology for eternal purposes. Follow the Why We Believe Show: Website: www.whywebelieve.comYouTube: www.youtube.com/@WhyWeBelieveShowInstagram: www.instagram.com/whywebelievepodcastLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/why-we-believe-show Follow Nathan Gwilliam: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nathangwilliam Diahan Southard's Social Media: Website: Your DNA Guide: www.yourdnaguide.com Twitter/X: www.twitter.com/dnadiahanInstagram: www.instagram.com/diahansouthardFacebook: www.facebook.com/diahan.southardLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/diahan-southardYour DNA Guide - The Book (goodreads.com/book/show/52270572-your-dna-guide-the-book)

When Bill Norton dropped out of high school and worked construction, no one predicted he'd become a constitutional scholar with a master's degree earned without ever getting a bachelor's. In this episode of Why We Believe with Nathan Gwilliam, Bill shares his transformation from an inactive teenager smoking cigarettes to a missionary called to study America's founding documents through direct revelation. His journey includes battling cancer, navigating divorce and remarriage through spiritual guidance, and discovering how constitutional principles actually strengthen testimony rather than compete with it, showing that God can use anyone willing to ask sincere questions and act on divine answers.Follow the Why We Believe show:Website: whywebelieve.comYouTube: youtube.com/@WhyWeBelieveShowInstagram: instagram.com/whywebelievepodcastLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/why-we-believe-showFollow Nathan Gwilliam:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nathangwilliam

What happens when a lifelong artist discovers something he loves even more than creating art? David Bowman thought that his whole life was laid out in front of him, an illustration career after graduating from BYU, however, one summer as an EFY counselor completely transformed his calling. In this episode of the Why We Believe with Nathan Gwilliam, David reveals the moment he realized his true calling wasn't making art but teaching teenagers about faith. He opens up about abandoning the security of his artistic path to become a seminary teacher, then later taking an even bigger leap to create the viral "DRAWN IN!" video series. David shares the touching story behind his most famous painting that helped a Sandy Hook family heal, the mission experience that taught him love can only grow through service, and the divine timing that launched his family-focused ministry just before COVID hit. His journey shows that sometimes our greatest talents are just stepping stones to our real purpose, and that following spiritual promptings can lead to impact we never imagined possible.Follow the Why We Believe Show:Website: https://www.whywebelieve.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhyWeBelieveShowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/whywebelievepodcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-we-believe-show/Follow Nathan Gwilliam:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathangwilliam/Follow David Bowman:Website: https://www.davidbowmanart.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidbowmanart/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@davidbowmanart3513LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bowman-74900127/DRAWN IN! Series: https://www.davidbowmanart.com/pages/drawn-in

What happens when an Air Force kid who struggled socially becomes a 15-year missionary with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir? Michael Young shares his journey from childhood awkwardness through moving every few years to finding his voice on the world's stage. In this episode, Michael reveals the sacred experiences that come with being set apart as a missionary in the choir, performing for millions worldwide, and using music to minister to individuals. He opens up about his challenging mission in Germany, where cultural barriers made sharing the gospel difficult, yet led to a baptism on his final day that changed everything. Michael also shares the heart-wrenching story of his daughter Maggie, born after years of secondary infertility and a miraculous 76-day hospital stay during COVID. Through IVF treatments paid for by a former missionary companion, emergency deliveries, and countless prayers answered, Michael's family experienced firsthand that God's plan isn't always easy, but it's always worth it. His story shows that faith grows through both everyday steadiness and extraordinary miracles.Follow the Why We Believe Show:Website: whywebelieve.comYouTube: youtube.com/@WhyWeBelieveShowInstagram: instagram.com/whywebelievepodcastLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/why-we-believe-showFollow Nathan Gwilliam:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nathangwilliam/Follow Michael D Young:Twitter/X: x.com/mdybyuFacebook: facebook.com/mdybyuYouTube: youtube.com/@MikeDropMusicWebsite: authormichaelyoung.com/aboutFacebook: facebook.com/authormichaelyoungThe Tabernacle Choir Page: thetabernaclechoir.orgVocal Coach Website: micdropauditions.wordpress.comSheet Music Website: thesongoftherighteous.wordpress.com

When a BMX accident at 14 ended Kelly Loosli's NFL dreams, it redirected his path toward animation and eventually to co-creating BYU's nationally recognized animation program. In this episode, Kelly shares how a spiritual experience while working on a church film led him to embrace missionary service in Portugal after initially rejecting it. After building a successful career at DreamWorks and Disney, Kelly made the surprising decision to leave Hollywood behind when family tragedy struck. Now 25 years into teaching at BYU, he reveals how his students have taught him that his talents were meant to bless others, not himself. Kelly opens up about his family's fertility struggles, the grace he discovered on his mission that transformed his Old Testament view of God, and why he believes love is the most transformative principle of the gospel. His journey shows that sometimes God closes doors to open better ones, leading us exactly where we need to be.Follow the Why We Believe Show:Website:https://www.whywebelieve.com/Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@WhyWeBelieveShowInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/whywebelievepodcast/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-we-believe-show/Follow Nathan Gwilliam:LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathangwilliam/Follow Kelly Loosli:BYU Animation: https://animation.byu.edu/

When an inactive teenager named Jason received an unexpected challenge from his bishop, who happened to be named Moroni, everything changed. After years away from church, this single conversation sparked a mission to France that transformed his entire life trajectory. But Jason's real test of faith came later as a father and bishop. In this episode, Jason shares his family's journey through his son's premature birth and over 20 brain surgeries for hydrocephalus, the devastating loss of his business during COVID, and the unthinkable tragedy of losing his daughter in a car accident. Now serving as a bishop himself, Jason reveals how these trials taught him that we can either turn away from God or fall to our knees, and why choosing to turn toward Him brings a peace that nothing else can provide. His story shows that even in our darkest moments, God's compensatory blessings and the healing power of Christ's atonement can carry us through anything.Follow the Why We Believe Show:Website: https://www.whywebelieve.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhyWeBelieveShowInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/whywebelievepodcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-we-believe-show/Follow Nathan Gwilliam:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathangwilliam/Follow Jason Bringhurst:LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbringhurst/

What happens when a malnourished toddler abandoned on a Costa Rican mountain grows up with an unshakeable desire to return home? Ana Katia's story begins in a tin shack where she and her siblings survived alone for months while their mentally ill birth mother wandered for days. Adopted at age three and raised in America, Ana spent years making birthday wishes to "fly home" to Costa Rica. When she finally embarked on a 14-day search with only her birth mother's name, what followed defied all odds. Through divine timing and miraculous encounters, Ana discovered that her real journey wasn't about finding her birth mother—it was about understanding her worth as a daughter of God. Her emotional reunion, marked by an unexpected gift of a simple cucumber, revealed truths about divine love that changed everything.

When tanks rolled through Dejan Tahic's hometown at 7 AM on what should have been a normal school day, his childhood ended instantly. This Bosnian teenager spent months separated from his parents across three different refugee camps, surviving on Red Cross donations while 100,000 people died in the civil war around him. After resettling in Canada speaking zero English, Dejan never expected that meeting one girl would introduce him to a 2,000-year-old book about ancient wars that would change everything. The Book of Mormon's battle chapters resonated with someone who had lived through modern conflict, and the church's teachings about eternal families spoke directly to a young man who had lost all sense of home and belonging. Today, as a father of four daughters pursuing his degree at BYU-Idaho, Dejan's temple sealing gave him what war had stolen: roots, future, and the promise that families can be forever. His transformation from a displaced Muslim refugee to a devoted Latter-day Saint proves that sometimes the most unexpected spiritual journeys begin in the darkest circumstances.

What happens when a successful wedding photographer's perfect life crumbles into a federal indictment and maximum prison sentence? Portia Louder's story takes you through photographing 200 weddings a year, then hearing "84 months in federal prison" echo through a federal courtroom. But this isn't just another cautionary tale about mortgage fraud and poor choices. Inside those concrete walls, Portia discovered something that would forever change her understanding of grace, redemption, and divine love. Her spiritual awakening behind bars led to extraordinary connections with fellow inmates, including a remarkable young woman whose faith journey would span prison cells and temple walls. Through heartbreak, separation during her seven children's formative years, and the darkest moments of despair, Portia found sacred ground in the most unlikely place. Her story proves that sometimes our greatest failures become the foundation for our most beautiful transformations, and that there's no depth too deep for divine love to reach.

Award-winning author Heidi Tucker never planned to write books until a vivid dream on an airplane changed everything. After battling severe postpartum depression that left her hiding under her baby's crib, she discovered how to transform life's darkest moments into sources of strength and service. Her latest book, "A Necessary Lie," tells the harrowing story of North Korean defectors and is now being developed into a worldwide feature film. Through her father's examples of secret service and her own journey through mental health struggles, Heidi learned that faith isn't just about believing but about taking action on those beliefs. Listen as she shares how God continues to bring her the stories she's meant to tell and why she sees Christ as the steady lighthouse guiding us through life's storms. Her insights on patience, service, and finding purpose after trauma will inspire anyone seeking hope in their own difficult seasons.Connect with Heidi Tucker:LinkedIn: Heidi TuckerWebsite: The Pickled SunflowerInstagram: heidi_tucker_/Youtube: @heiditucker897Facebook: heidi.tucker.10

What do you do when suicide claims both your father and your 19-year-old son? Former Fortune 500 top sales executive Lark Galley shares her journey through unimaginable grief and the unexpected spiritual experiences that followed. After losing her brilliant engineering student son Christian, Lark discovered that death wasn't the end of their relationship – it was the beginning of something deeper. Through messages from beyond and divine encounters, she learned that love transcends the veil and that even our darkest moments can become catalysts for spiritual growth. Her story challenges everything we think we know about mental health, suicide, and the plan of salvation. Lark's insights about becoming more Christ-like through adversity and finding joy again after devastating loss will transform how you view both trials and eternity.

Professional artist and five-time American Ninja Warrior competitor Jenedy Paige shares her extraordinary journey through unimaginable heartbreak to unexpected strength. After losing her three-year-old son Victory in a tragic drowning accident, Jenedy found herself at a crossroads with her faith - choosing to show up to her relationship with God "just mad" rather than walking away. What followed was a spiritual education that would transform her life in ways she never imagined. From receiving divine inspiration to paint sacred art depicting Christ's birth and sacrifice to feeling a mysterious prompting to apply for American Ninja Warrior despite having zero athletic background, Jenedy's story reveals how God can consecrate our deepest sufferings for our greatest good. Her paintings have been featured in LDS temples and church publications, while her ninja journey has led to creating the Strong Women Experience -a groundbreaking conference combining spiritual and physical strength. This powerful conversation explores grief, faith, artistic inspiration, and the miraculous ways God can use our broken hearts to strengthen others.

In this heartfelt conversation, author and speaker Brooke Romney shares how embracing imperfection led to deeper spiritual connections in her life as a mother of four boys. She recounts a pivotal moment when God personally assured her that temple attendance recommendations didn't apply to her season of life with a nursing baby, highlighting how faith must fit individual circumstances. Brooke discusses the transformative power of undistracted presence, illustrating this through a story of a friend who waited in the rain to truly listen during a difficult time. With insights from her book and work with teenagers, she explores how God communicates love differently to each person - through music, service, learning, or connection - just as parents must discover unique ways to reach their children. This episode offers a refreshing perspective on finding divine connection amid life's messiness and variety.

Join host Nathan Gwilliam and Dr. Jamie Jensen of BYU for a thought-provoking conversation that bridges the gap between lab benches and living rooms. Discover how a leading biology education researcher uses the tools of science - surveys, videography, data - to hear God's voice on her own terms. Jamie unveils reasoning patterns that keep faith and evolution in harmony, from respecting each epistemology's limits to resisting "God-of-the-gaps" thinking. She shares personal trials - from a broken engagement to life-threatening pregnancies - and how logical, research-driven insights became her spiritual compass. Learn why uncertainty isn't a threat but a pathway to deeper testimony, and how evidence both tangible and spiritual confirms her belief. Whether you wrestle with reconciling scripture and science or seek fresh perspectives on revelation, this episode offers a roadmap to blend both worlds with confidence.

In this episode of the Why We Believe Show, Kacey McCallister shares his journey after losing both legs in a tragic accident at just six years old. Raised with his parents' philosophy that "can't never did anything," Kacey developed incredible resilience-completing a 50-mile hike on his hands, winning wrestling competitions, and eventually serving a full-time mission in Arizona. He recounts how his faith sustained him through life's challenges, including his path to becoming a motivational speaker and author of the book "Rise Up." Kacey's story reveals how failing forward led to his greatest successes, from losing every middle school wrestling match to later taking second place at state. The conversation highlights how his faith provides peace during difficulties and his understanding that God's love drives everything. As Kacey explains simply: "What greater gift is there than to help His children?"