In this podcast episode, Kurt Francom and Dan Duckworth discuss the importance of addressing community tragedies within Latter-day Saint congregations. They explore how leaders can create spaces for healing and connection during difficult times, emphasizing the role of vulnerability and unity in fostering a supportive church environment. Dan Duckworth speaks, teaches, and writes on leadership, power, and systemic change. His forthcoming book, The Leader in Chains (spring 2026), challenges conventional ideas and calls for a radical rethinking of leadership—and how it is developed. Links Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Overview Perception of Community Needs: Leaders should be attuned to the emotional climate of their congregations, recognizing when community tragedies impact members. This awareness can guide appropriate responses. Risk of Vulnerability: Addressing difficult topics in church settings can feel risky, but it is essential for fostering genuine connections and healing. Leaders should embrace this risk to create a supportive environment. Purpose of Church: The church serves not only as a place for learning doctrine but also as a community for healing and support. Engaging in open discussions about current events can strengthen faith and unity. Creating Safe Spaces: Leaders can facilitate discussions that allow members to express their feelings and experiences, promoting emotional processing and community bonding. Driving the Hope Train: Leaders should focus on instilling hope and directing conversations toward Christ’s teachings, using scriptural stories to provide comfort and guidance during challenging times. Leadership Applications Fostering Open Dialogue: Leaders can initiate conversations about current events or tragedies, encouraging members to share their feelings and experiences. This can be done through structured discussions or informal check-ins. Building Trust and Safety: By consistently creating a culture of vulnerability and support, leaders can ensure that members feel safe to express their emotions and seek help when needed. Integrating Healing into Meetings: Leaders can incorporate discussions of community challenges into regular meetings, ensuring that spiritual teachings are connected to real-life experiences, thus reinforcing the church’s role as a healing community. Highlights 06:16 – Institutional vs. Leadership Responses 08:13 – Personal Experience of Grief 10:10 – The Purpose of Church in Times of Crisis 12:32 – The Role of Perception in Leadership 14:01 – A Personal Story of Compassion 16:17 – The Risk of Addressing Difficult Topics 17:41 – The Importance of Community Healing 19:12 – Audience Engagement and Reactions 20:00 – Navigating Political Sensitivities 22:08 – Creating a Safe Space for Discussion 23:37 – The Role of Vulnerability in Unity 25:32 – Addressing the Fear of Group Therapy 27:30 – Driving the Hope Train 30:06 – Preparing the Elders Quorum for Discussion 31:15 – The Impact of Leadership Culture 33:11 – Fulfilling the Purpose of Elders Quorum 38:14 – The Value of Risk in Leadership 40:00 – Living Life Together in Church 42:43 – The Dangers of Hypocrisy in Worship The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community . Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org . Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman , David Butler , Hank Smith , John Bytheway , Reyna and Elena Aburto , Liz Wiseman , Stephen M. R. Covey , Benjamin Hardy , Elder Alvin F. Meredith III , Julie Beck , Brad Wilcox , Jody Moore , Tony Overbay , John H. Groberg , Elaine Dalton , Tad R. Callister , Lynn G. Robbins , J. Devn Cornish , Bonnie Oscarson , Dennis B. Neuenschwander , Kirby Heyborne , Taysom Hill , Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman , Anthony Sweat , John Hilton III , Barbara Morgan Gardner , Blair Hodges , Whitney Johnson , Ryan Gottfredson , Greg McKeown , Ganel-Lyn Condie , Michael Goodman , Wendy Ulrich , Richard Ostler , and many more in over 800 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric , Relief Society , elders quorum , Primary , youth leadership , stake leadership , ward mission , ward council , young adults , ministering , and teaching .
