Chocolate Cake Bytes

This week on Chocolate Cake Bytes, Ken brings his friend Kaelynn to the table for a candid, no-holds-barred look at suffering, trust, and divine purpose. Are we meant to suffer? Is there a master plan that pain fits into, or are we simply navigating a messy, beautiful world full of unexpected twists and lessons? Ken and Kaelynn challenge the classic, often uncomfortable idea that “everything happens for a reason,” sharing personal ...

This week on Chocolate Cake Bytes, Ken reconnects with longtime friend Dr. Russ for a candid, thought-provoking exploration of limiting beliefs. Ever wondered what’s holding you back from that big, scary goal? Ken and Dr. Russ dig into the deeply personal doubts that lurk beneath the surface—those invisible stories we tell ourselves that quietly shape our ambitions, our actions, and our outcomes.

Together, they share real-life examp...

In this week’s episode, Ken takes us on a thoughtful journey through one of the longest—and perhaps most overlooked—allegories in the Book of Mormon: the olive tree in Jacob 5. Drawing from a recent discussion in his stake, Ken dives into the symbolism behind pruning branches and what it means for our own efforts to grow and improve.

Can we cut away all our bad habits at once? Ken doesn’t think so—and neither does the allegory. He e...

This week, Ken is flying solo as he unpacks the powerful impact of intentional kindness. What happens in our lives—physically, emotionally, and even spiritually—when we choose to act with purpose and generosity? Ken shares insights from his own experiences preparing TEDx talks, connecting the dots between research, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and our everyday interactions.

Tune in as Ken examines the ripple effect of kindness: from ...

This week on Chocolate Cake Bytes, Ken takes us behind the scenes of his recent adventure to the TEDx stage, sharing the messy, hope-stretching journey of applying, getting rejected, and ultimately finding just the right fit for his story. If you've ever struggled to keep the faith when there's little evidence that your work is paying off, you’ll want to hear Ken’s candid reflections on how progress is often happening eve...

On this week's episode, Ken hits the road with early guest C.J. for a spontaneous and insightful conversation, Chocolate Cake Bytes-style. You never know what kind of inspiration will strike when these two are together—this time, it’s prompted by a random scripture generator and some open-ended curiosity during a road trip to Philadelphia.

Listen as Ken and C.J. tackle themes of humility, turning to God, and the power of person...

In this week’s episode, Ken is flying solo as he reflects on the bittersweet season of becoming an empty nester. After dropping his son Edison off at college, Ken turns his thoughts to the “little things”—those small gestures and talents that often make the biggest difference in our lives and the lives of those around us.

Why do the smallest details—like remembering a name or sharing a simple chocolate cake—have such a lasting impac...

This week on Chocolate Cake Bytes, Ken shares a simple yet powerful thought that might just change your perspective: nothing changes until you change. Drawing inspiration from a recent conversation with a mentor, Ken explores what it truly means to not just do something different—but to become someone different. Can transformation really start with something as simple as pretending to be the person you want to become?

Ken invites us...

In this week’s episode, Ken takes us on an unexpected journey that starts with a simple thought about colors—blue in particular—and leads us into a deeper conversation about the language we use to describe our experiences, especially those tied to the gospel. What happens when a culture doesn’t have a word for a concept, like the Himba people and the color blue? How does that shape what we’re even able to see or feel?

Ken explores t...

In this week’s episode, Ken is flying solo and digging deep into the sweet—and sometimes challenging—topic of little childlike faith. With the hustle and bustle of August on his mind—from family, church activities, and even preparing for his first TEDx talk—Ken reflects on what it truly means to approach life and faith with the trusting heart of a child.

Have you ever wondered what could change if you believed, without question, tha...

In this episode, Ken dives into the sweet nuggets of living the gospel by sharing insights from two recent, thought-provoking conversations. He reflects on the power of asking specific questions in personal prayers, drawing inspiration from the Doctrine and Covenants and real-life experiences. Ken explores why we often focus on the method instead of the solution in our petitions to God, and challenges us to be more intentional and ...

This week, we are by Annette for a heartfelt (and often hilarious) conversation about shame, blame, and the messy journey of self-improvement.

Annette shares personal stories—ranging from gouging the family van as a teenager to her unforgettable Haagen Dazs cravings during pregnancy—that show how making mistakes really is part of the plan. Together, Ken and Annette dig into why we’re so quick to feel bad when we fall short, how our ...

This week, Ken dives into the sweet but often overlooked power of kindness. Inspired by recent conversations with young single adults, a thought-provoking object lesson, and insights from preparing his TEDx talk, Ken explores the difference between simply being “nice” and genuinely being “kind.” 

Drawing lessons from the early pioneers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ken challenges us to proactively reach out, in...

In this episode of Chocolate Cake Bytes, I continue an open and honest conversation with Brett about the challenge of embracing our divine identity and living authentically. We dive into how fear and self-judgment so often keep us from pursuing our real interests and promptings, and discuss how the opinions of others can hold us back from becoming the "five talent servants" we're meant to be.

Brett shares personal exp...

This week, we step outside—literally—to escape the summer heat, joined by Brett for an honest, thought-provoking conversation under the open sky. We explore some big questions: What is our purpose in life? When is our "mission" really complete? And what does it mean to truly fulfill the "measure of our creation"?

Using personal stories, gospel perspectives, and a good bit of humor, we'll dig into the pressur...

This week, Ken brings a heartfelt continuation of last episode’s reflections, inspired by his recent wedding anniversary and some deep conversations from his coaching practice. 

Are you struggling to figure out your purpose in life or feeling the pressure to “guess” what God’s plan might be for you? Ken shares his honest frustrations with the idea that life’s purpose is a guessing game and opens up about a liberating mindset shift: ...

In this week’s episode, Ken celebrates his 35th wedding anniversary and reflects on the deeper spiritual connections that come from moving beyond a checklist approach to living the gospel. 

Drawing on personal conversations and church experiences, Ken explores how many of us—especially within the culture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—tend to view our relationship with God as transactional, focusing on rules and ...

What if your life's purpose isn't something elusive you have to constantly chase, but something you've already achieved? This episode flips the script on the parable of the talents and the pressure to "find your purpose." Discover why the goal might simply be to explore your potential and see what's possible when you let go of rigid expectations. Prepare for a mindset shift that turns life's grind...

This week I’m sitting down with my good friend Brett for a conversation I’ve been itching to have—about faith. Not the easy, Instagram-quote kind of faith, but the gritty, “what do I do when I have zero evidence things will work out?” sort of faith. I’ll share a story about a woman who waited five years for her husband with nothing but hope to hold onto, and Brett opens up about what it’s really like to act as if your prayers are a...