We are searching far and wide for young people of faith. As BYU students, we are no strangers to blending our everyday life and faith life. Join us as we learn about the cool things people our age are doing to better their communities across religious traditions. Take a Leap is a production of BYUradio.
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Welcome to the Take a Leap podcast! We are students searching far and wide for young people of faith. We want to know why individuals in our generation are choosing their faith, and learning how they blend their everyday life and faith life. Join us as we learn about the cool things people our age are doing to better their communities across religious traditions.
Lia King and Josh Orton tell us about their favorite Christmas traditions, movies, and what this time of year means to them. DM us on Instagram (@takealeappodcast) if you want more of these fun and fresh bonus episodes.
We are searching far and wide for young people of faith. As BYU students, we are no strangers to blending our everyday life and faith life. Join us as we learn about the cool things people our age are doing to better their communities across religious traditions. Take a Leap is a production of BYUradio.
We are sad to say that Ocean is now leaving Take a Leap for the next phase of her life. She recounts her favorite moments in her adventure as a host of Take a Leap.
Panashe Pemhiwa grew up moving between rural Zimbabwe and Harare's toughest neighborhoods — surviving through gold panning, losing his mother, and missing entire years of school. Yet he went on to earn a full scholarship, study geomatics engineering at the University of Zimbabwe, and found the Hibiscus Dotage Foundation, a nonprofit bridging the gap between youth and the elderly. In this episode, Panashe shares how faith, goal-setting, and an unshakeable sense of responsibility keep him going — and why showing up, even when no one is watching, is the first step to changing your story.
It's another Pathway takeover! Philip Izekor of Nigeria talks to Gift Izekor about her journey to become a nurse and her inspiration to heal others. Philip is earning a software development degree from BYU-Idaho and has completed internships for Finance, Data Entry, and IT Solutions and Support. Gift Izekor works as a nurse in Caromel Pharmacy. She studied Nursing at Ambrose Ali University and Edo State University (2019). Take a Leap is a production of BYUradio.
Take A Leap interviews Dr. Ahmad Anani, a naturopathic doctor. Anani describes rediscovering Islam after moving to Michigan State in 2015, reading the Quran for himself, and viewing it as a guide to life emphasizing doing good, patience, and “with hardship comes ease,” especially amid world chaos. He explains choosing naturopathic medicine over conventional symptom-focused care, influenced by attention to diet, energy, and Lebanese cultural practices using natural remedies. He discusses client transformations through lifestyle changes, the “pillars of health” (sleep, diet, hydration, stress, t
It's our next episode in our BYU-Pathway Worldwide collab. Oluchi Peace Egharevba interviews Betty Eguagie Agho, a teacher from Nigeria. Betty faced an incredible decision about her personal life in a very public manner. Look for more upcoming interviews from interns in Uganda, Zimbabwa, Nigeria, and Ghana. Take a Leap is a production of BYUradio.
Hosts Ocean Marshall and Neftali Rodriguez interview Zach and Wyatt Cluff, Latter-day Saint brothers from Meridian, Idaho, who were both called to Farsi/Persian-speaking missions in North America (Zach in San Diego, Wyatt in Toronto). They discuss mission motivations, how they learned Farsi (including online MTC training during 2020), challenges moving from classroom study to real conversations, and limited immersion that improved over time as communities grew. The brothers share how serving among diverse Iranian communities expanded their worldview and encouraged interfaith curiosity, includi
It's our next episode in our BYU-Pathway Worldwide collab. Esther Kisseke interviews Charlotte Adokorah, from Kampala, Uganda. Esther & Charlotte are both small business owners--Esther talks to Charlotte about her struggles as a teenager when she was the main caregiver for her younger siblings. Look for more upcoming interviews from interns in Uganda, Zimbabwa, Nigeria, and Ghana. Take a Leap is a production of BYUradio.
Amanda opens up about her faith journey to the Bahá’í Faith, which she joined five years ago after growing up in a home with Christian and Buddhist parents and identifying as an atheist. She describes how a youth conference in high school introduced her to the Bahá’í focus on unity, community building, and service, shaping her sense of purpose and leading her to stay in Calgary. Amanda explains Bahá’í origins in Persia (1844) and its aim of the unity of mankind and religions, then highlights local initiatives like children’s classes, the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program, and institut
It's our next episode in our BYU-Pathway Worldwide collab. Oluwadare Gabriel Olaleye interviews Dr. Adebowale Tolulope, a professor at the Nigerian Federal University of Agriculture, who's invested in helping small farmers, and specifically women farmers, produce higher yields with a vegetable feed readily available to them. Look for more upcoming interviews from interns in Uganda, Zimbabwa, Nigeria, and Ghana. Take a Leap is a production of BYUradio.
Aeja & Diego from Wyoming Catholic explain that a major focus of the outdoor leadership program is identity—understanding who you are in relationship to yourself and to those around you. They describe how time in the backcountry, free from distractions and familiar coping mechanisms, strips away comforts and creates space to pray, talk to God, and more fully enter into His presence.
We're introducing a special project! Over the past few months we've worked with interns in Africa to interview people we couldn't reach. Here's the first episode, with intern Jesulolami Olubowale, who interviewed Reverend Oluwagbemiga Ajayi, a full-time minister within the Anglican Communion. Rev Ajayi went from a profitable career in pharmacology to the Anglican ministry, all to answer the call he felt from God. Look for more upcoming interviews from interns in Uganda, Zimbabwa, Nigeria, and Ghana. Take a Leap is a production of BYUradio.
Shadi Martini shares his story as a Syrian aid worker in Bulgaria who found a mattress for an elderly refugee couple and was later thanked with an emotional hug. The conversation shifts to the guest’s background growing up in diverse Aleppo, attending a Christian school as a Muslim, and how Syria’s conflict pushed him into secret medical aid while managing his family’s hospital amid severe regime brutality. Martini describes fear, trust, moving his family to the U.S., and faith-based motivation to act. They discuss interfaith cooperation, including being approached by Israelis, advice to stay
Joshua Ali, a Trinidad and Tobago international gospel minister, worship pastor, producer, songwriter, musician, and Grammy member, talks about using faith and music to change lives. Joshua shares how faith became personal through encounters with God, the tension between ambition and obedience as an artist, and struggles including chronic health issues and two miscarriages. He explains how his song “You Made It” began as a two-day trailer commission (“Long Way Home”) and was later reshaped during grief. Joshua views music as worship and a God-given tool for encouragement and healing, recountin
In this Take A Leap episode, Daniel Richter shares how he realized faith and music should work together: after over a decade in the mainstream Top 40 industry, Daniel Richter switched to Christian music about a year ago and began leading worship three years ago. Daniel says using music as ministry matters because he wants Jesus to be famous, not Daniel Richter, and emphasizes the biggest challenge is getting people to listen while trusting God over metrics. Richter explains the switch was confirmed when an investor’s funding stopped after prayer, and staying grounded comes from prayer and read
Take A Leap Hosts interview Christian musician Kaégan about faith, songwriting, and purpose. Kaégan, raised by worship-pastor parents, says his love for God and music grew in church and that as a quiet pastor’s kid he began using songwriting to help others feel included and consider Jesus. He explains his song “Water” reflects giving his life to the Lord at six and learning that life changes suddenly while God’s promises remain, shaped by losses like his grandfather in 2018. He describes a lyrics-first creative process, finishing songs when no edits remain, and influences from Steven Curtis Ch
On Take a Leap, hosts Ocean Marshall and Neftali Rodriguez interview Mariah Zavala (Pascua Yaqui; also Oaxacan and Puerto Rican), a Flagstaff-based community advocate, ultra runner, and business development professional at Mountain Mojo Group. She shares how ultra running (beyond a marathon) became prayer and advocacy, including racing in traditional clothing with a red handprint to raise awareness for murdered and missing Indigenous people. She discusses endurance as surrender, flexibility, and self-care; chairing Flagstaff’s Indigenous Commission; serving on Girls on the Run Northern Arizona
In this Take Leap podcast episode, Neftali Rodriguez interviews Rachel Lief, a senior at NYU and future medical student, about her journey with faith and interfaith work. Rachel discusses her Jewish faith's impact on her values and actions, particularly in social justice and health equity. She reflects on her evolving religious identity, her involvement in interfaith initiatives, and her experiences with religious diversity at NYU. Rachel shares insights on the importance of interfaith collaboration in addressing global issues and offers advice for young people exploring their faith.
In this episode of 'Take a Leap', hosts Neftali Rodriguez and Ocean Marshall converse with Sabah Ahmedi, a British Muslim imam, about balancing faith and modern life. Ahmedi shares insights on his spiritual journey, the meaning of 'Take a Leap', dealing with misconceptions about Islam, and the importance of interfaith dialogue. He also discusses the influence of prayer, gratitude, and how Islam aligns with broader human values like justice and peace.
In this video, Ocean interviews Jaleesa about her ideal place to live and her faith journey. Jaleesa shares her deep-rooted belief that faith is an action and responsibility, and how it has influenced her leadership, particularly in founding the Raising a Village Foundation. The nonprofit supports underserved children and families in Washington, DC. Jaleesa discusses the impact of faith on young people's resilience and leadership and details how her spiritual perspective shapes her mentoring approach. She emphasizes the importance of community and offers advice on staying grounded in values an
In this episode of 'Take a Leap,' hosts Neftali and Ocean, interview Mirabelle Morah, a motion designer and founder of Grohwie. They discuss Mirabelle's journey in using her faith and creativity to make a social impact. Mirabelle shares her background, experiences, and the role of faith in her career. She emphasizes the importance of patience, community, and staying grounded in her beliefs while working in multicultural spaces. Maribel advises young people to pursue big dreams with determination and faith, sharing personal stories of how her faith guided her big decisions and creative initiati
Sadie Dahl, recently on The Voice, joins us to talk about how prayer was a huge part of her experience on the NBC singing reality competition television series. Plus, what it's like to work with Snoop Dog.
Replay of Ocean and Arriza discussing 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 interfaith dialogue and action. She emphasizes the role of education, youth empowerment, and faith in fostering peace and social cohesion. Arizza also discusses overcoming skepticism, the pow
