Y Magazine Podcast

Making Peace: How to Mediate Conflict in Our Families

Who wouldn’t want a peaceful life? Emily de Schweinitz Taylor (BA ’97, PhD ’24), an expert in mediation and conflict resolution, believes that even toddlers can learn to navigate conflict effectively. The trick? Practicing a few simple communication tools.

Going Forth—It’s What We Do: How BYU Grads Are Making a Difference

Article: Miracle Trees

BYU alumni are leaning into the second half of the university’s motto: “Go forth to serve.” Hear three different stories about alums who have turned their unique circumstances into opportunities to serve others.

The Curious Life of Byron Adams: How a BYU Biologist Turned ADHD into His Superpower

Byron J. Adams (BS ’93), BYU’s always-chill “worm herder,” lives in Antarctica for months each year to conduct some mind-blowing microfauna research. On this episode of the <i>Y Magazine<i/> podcast, join Adams and host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA ’01) to uncover his passion for the natural world. From his origins as a free-range kid with a fascination for Mother Nature to a biologist who has a nematode namesake, Adams harnesses his curiosity and even his ADHD (which he calls his superpower) to ask the big scientific questions—and he helps his students do the same. Listen in for Adams’s adventures and his ideas on fostering our innate creativity.

Not Your Grandma’s Family History: How BYU’s Record Linking Lab is Building the Family Tree

Article: Linking Families 

When BYU economics professor Joseph P. Price (BA ’03) realized that FamilySearch lacked coverage of many African American and international individuals, he employed AI tools to expand coverage of the human family and help build our genealogical ties. Through BYU’s Record Linking Lab (rll.byu.edu), his team has already added 50 million people to the tree. But the work isn’t done. The lab calls on the rising generation to broaden its circle of love by adding to the family tree and creating a wealth of names ready for temple ordinances. On this episode of the <i>Y Magazine<i/> podcast, join host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA ’01) and Joe Price as they unpack the inspiration behind the Record Linking Lab, how it finds and connects people, and how you can get involved.

Loneliness and Social Connection with Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad

Article: Loneliness: The Shadow Pandemic

Odds are, you’ve experienced loneliness at least a time or two. According to BYU psychology professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad (BS ’94, MS ’98), loneliness is a part of everyone’s human experience; and feeling isolated can be worse for your health than big-name problems like obesity, alcoholism, and pollution. On this episode of the Y Magazine podcast, host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA ’01) and Holt-Lunstad discuss the biological explanation behind feelings of loneliness, the effects of social isolation on physical health, and the power of social connection. Listen in for tips on maintaining a healthy social life and connecting with those around you.

True Blue BYU Friendship

Article: Forever BYU Friends

Have you ever made an unlikely friend who ended up changing your life? Turns out, that’s not so uncommon here at Brigham Young University. In this episode, we’ll hear from four alumni who share their unique stories of friendship—each starting on campus and making a lasting impact. From unrequited crushes to Christlike service, these tales can teach us a thing or two about how to be a true friend.

10 Tips from BYU Religion Professors to Deepen Your Book of Mormon Study

Article: Slow Down Your Book of Mormon Study

To enhance your Come, Follow Me study of Book of Mormon in 2024, learn 10 study techniques from BYU religion professors Joseph M. Spencer (BA ’04) and Daniel L. Belnap (BA ’96, MA ’99). Whether you’re studying the Book of Mormon individually, as a family, in a seminary or institute class, or in Sunday School, Spencer and Belnap suggest we “zoom in and out” as we read, looking at the scriptures on both a micro and macro level.

Spiritual Lessons and a 30-Foot Fall

This summer, Y Magazine podcast host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA ’01) took a serious tumble—a fall of 30 feet while rock climbing in Rock Canyon Park. Miraculously, she landed in the only Whitney-shaped clearing possible—an inch or two higher or to the right, and she would have hit her head on a rock. The injuries she did sustain weren’t insignificant—from a shattered sacrum to a grisly compound wrist fracture, Whitney had a long road to recovery ahead of her. However, Whitney recalls the immediate spiritual promptings she received from God as soon as the accident occurred that let her know that this experience was going to help her—and her family—learn and grow. She shares her spiritual lessons in this episode of the Y Magazine podcast.

Going Forth to Teach

Article: Resonating Lessons

Who comes to mind when you think of your favorite teacher? It’s probably someone who ignited a passion, instilled confidence, or cared deeply.

Students Engineer Prosthetic Solutions for Ecuador

Article: Making Strides

In May 2023, a group of BYU engineering students touched down at the airport in Quito, Ecuador. They were headed to Prótesis Imbabura, a small prosthetics clinic. It was time to put their work to the test: the students had been designing and redesigning two key components for prosthetic legs—liners and foot shells.

Take a Tour of BYU’s New Music Building

Article: Hitting the Right Notes

Join our host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA ’01) and assistant director of the School of Music Mark J. Ammons (BMu ’85) on an audio tour of BYU’s new Music Building.

From Refugee to Student to Teacher

Article: Called for Life

As a member of the displaced Karen people, BYU international-relations student Laesgaw K’Chawtee (’25) spent his early childhood in a Thailand refugee camp—about as far from Provo, Utah, as you can get. So how did he become a sophomore at Brigham Young University teaching a 300-level Karen-language course for returned missionaries?

Religious Freedom with Elizabeth Clark

Elizabeth Clark, of BYU's International Center for Law and Religion Studies, shares insights on what religious freedom really is, why it matters, and what we can do to stand up for it.

BYU Joins the Big 12

Article: This Is Big

Listen to thoughts from women's soccer coach Jen Rockwood, women's cross-country coach Diljeet Taylor, and men's basketball coach Mark Pope about BYU joining the Big 12.

Lifelong Wellness

Article: All Is SWELL

Learn tips and tricks from BYU student wellness (SWELL) class instructors that apply whether you're doing Zumba for credit or simply exercising on your home from home. Take a trip down memory lane and remember your own sports and fitness classes from BYU.

Essentially and Simply with Greg McKeown

Article: The Essentialist

Feeling like you’ve whittled down your responsibilities to the absolute essentials but can’t ever shake utter exhaustion? Learn from Greg McKeown (BA ’03), BYU alum and the best-selling author of Essentialism and Effortless, about his own journey through burnout to simplicity.

BYU Photo and the Art of Mentorship

Article: Breakthrough

Follow BYU photographer Jaren S. Wilkey (BA ’01) through the creative process of capturing a masterpiece photo. Wilkey talks through a recent favorite shoot, featuring linebacker Pepe M. Tanuvasa (BS ’22) smashing through a sugar glass pane, eyes fixed on the foe.

Mapping Molokai

Article: Mauka to Makai

For L. Kala’i Ellis (BS ’20, MS ’22), reef conservation on the island of Molokai, Hawaii, is more than a research interest—it’s part of his heritage. Ellis, who recently obtained his graduate degree in biology, was the lead student researcher in a project involving cutting-edge technology, from 3D-modeling software to aquatic and aerial drones, to learn about Molokai’s reefs and the environmental factors threatening their survival. Tune in to discover a scientific adventure reaching from the peaks of the Wasatch front to the shallows of the Molokai reef.

How to Be a Good Citizen with the American Moms

Article: American Moms

One truth was clear to sisters Brittany Candrian Richman (BA ’04) and Andrea Candrian Reeve (BA ’04): “People don’t understand what it takes to make a difference in our country.” Andrea and Brittany, twin BYU journalism grads with respective careers in politics, resolved to change that. They started the American Moms, a blog and Instagram account devoted to offering tips on civil engagement and involvement in public life.

Writing and Teaching with ChatGPT

Article: I, Chatbot

Tune in for a chat with BYU writing instructor Meredith Reed to learn about how artificial intelligence is changing writing and classroom learning.

A Chat with President C. Shane Reese

President C. Shane Reese is enthusiastic about a lot of things: sports from football to pickleball, reading, gardening, peanut butter, and his chosen field of study—statistics. He brings his trademark passion to his new position as president of BYU.

BYU Pioneers in Chaplaincy

Article: Called to Service

When Dawn Dimick (’23) decided to join the army, she had several career choices ahead of her. Through it all she felt prompted in one direction: to become a military chaplain. Dimick is now the first female military chaplaincy student at BYU, and she will be among the first endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Hear about Dimick’s journey and meet two others helping pioneer the field of chaplaincy for Latter-day Saint women at BYU: Delacie Barney (BA ’94, MA ’19), BYU’s first-ever healthcare chaplain grad, and Tamara Fitzgerald Harris (’79), chaplain services manager for the Church.

Cake By Courtney: Baking, Business, and Faith

Article: Rich Recipes

Chocolate cheesecake cake with an Oreo crust and cream cheese filling? Biscoff strawberry cake with a strawberry jelly buttercream? If those descriptions make your mouth water—or make you want to google a recipe—join us to hear from Courtney Carlston Rich (BA ’05), creator of the <em>Cake by Courtney</em> blog, culinary teacher, entrepreneur, mom, and BYU grad.

Happiness 101

Article: Let Joy Find You

How do we find happiness? The question is just about the oldest one out there, and we haven’t stopped asking it. In this inaugural episode, hear from four BYU professors across campus who tackle the question of happiness.