Common Threads Podcast

Jessica Wignall

Jessica Wignall currently lives in West Jordan, UT but grew up in the Kearns area. Professionally, she is a compliance analyst for a bank. Jessica also loves getting to spend time with family, including her two dogs.  In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Jessica to talk about her recent election to city council and what it means to her to truly serve her community. She shares her commitment to being approachable, listening deeply, and making sure everyone feels seen and valued. We also dive into her passion for animal rights and why it’s so important to speak up for those who don’t have a voice, along with a thoughtful conversation about the role strong family relationships and chosen friendships play in building a meaningful life. Jessica also opens up about her religious journey and how it has shaped the person she is today. We talk about inclusion, equality, and standing up for others, including her experience supporting her best friend through his journey of coming out, finding love, getting married, and adopting two boys. This episode is full of compassion, growth, and reminders of what it looks like to lead with love. Jessica truly is amazing—and this conversation shows why. Resources mentioned: * Best Friends Animal Society: https://bestfriends.org [https://bestfriends.org] * Utah Legislative Website: https://le.utah.gov [https://le.utah.gov] — a great place for Utah residents to learn more about legislation that impacts animals in their communities Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2517541/support]

Riley Eckenroth

Riley Eckenroth is 21 years old and is the youngest sibling of 4. He lives in Ocala, Florida and currently serves in the U.S. Army. In this episode, Riley and I talk about growing up in the South and the values that shaped him early on: kindness, community, and taking care of the people around you. He shares the racial injustices he noticed at a young age, including those coming from elected officials in his area, and how those moments opened his eyes to the responsibility we all have to stand up for others. Riley also opens up about witnessing domestic violence and gang violence as a child, and how those experiences deeply influenced the person he is today and his commitment to advocating for safer, more supportive communities. We also dive into Riley’s decision to join the U.S. Army, his desire to serve his country, and the inspiration that led him there, including his drive to help others and be someone people can count on in difficult moments. Guided by his personal motto, “rise to the occasion,” Riley lives with the hope of inspiring others to lead with courage, empathy, and purpose, even when doing the right thing isn’t easy. Trigger Warning: This episode includes a brief discussion of gun violence between 34:06–36:08. While the conversation is thoughtful and focused on personal experience and advocacy, it may be difficult for some listeners. Please take care of yourself and feel free to skip ahead if needed. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2517541/support]

Mini Episode: Educational Influences

Education is a huge contributor to a person's political involvement. In this episode, we discuss how the quality and type of education is more impactful than quantity. We explore statistical research that shows education level does not necessarily make us more openminded, but that it helps to open doors to different perspectives. It is up to us to decide whether or not we walk through those doors towards new understanding & enlightenment.  This episode continues my mini-series where we’ll unpack different themes and perspectives to help us better understand the people around us. If you enjoy this format, let me know—I’d love to hear your feedback and see if we should continue with more episodes like this! Sources & Further Reading * Pew Research Center - "A Wider Ideological Gap Between More and Less Educated Adults" * Annual Review of Political Science (Volume 25, 2022) - "Education and Political Participation" * International Journal of Educational Development - "Education and political engagement" * Economics of Education Review - "How does education affect adolescents’ political development?" Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2517541/support]

Andelin Mbaki

Andelin Mbaki is originally from South Africa but now lives in Southern Utah. She attends Southern Utah University and is double majoring in Dance Education and Exercise Science. Andelin is also a dance instructor, a nanny, and a huge advocate for diversity, faith, and empowerment.  In this episode of Common Threads, I sit down with Andelin to talk about what it means to take up space, speak up, and refuse to shrink yourself for the comfort of others. Andelin shares her deep desire to “be the voice when others feel silenced,” and how her experiences in sports taught her that hard work, discipline, and perseverance truly pay off. We talk about the importance of diversity and why learning to see broader perspectives—without stereotyping or judging people based on where they come from—is essential to building stronger, more compassionate communities. One of my favorite moments from this conversation is Andelin’s reminder to stop making ourselves “bite-sized so someone else can swallow us whole.” Instead, she encourages all of us, and women especially, to shine our light fully and unapologetically. We discuss her program, S.H.I.N.E. (Standing Higher in New Environments), which was born from her own experience navigating new spaces and learning to show up as her full self. This episode is a powerful reminder that we don’t grow by shrinking—we grow by shining. Ways to Get Involved: With the holidays here, it’s a great time to give back if you’re able. Andelin highlighted a few organizations doing meaningful work in the community that you can support through donating, volunteering, or simply learning more: * Canyon Creek Services – A women and children’s shelter providing safety, resources, and support for those experiencing domestic violence and homelessness. https://www.canyoncreekservices.org/ [https://www.canyoncreekservices.org/] * Miss Beauty of America (Andelin’s platform) – Follow along with Andelin’s advocacy, leadership work, and S.H.I.N.E. initiatives. https://www.instagram.com/missbeautyofamerica.usa/?igsh=MTBnNm01OHUwdWFi&utm_source=qr# [https://www.instagram.com/missbeautyofamerica.usa/?igsh=MTBnNm01OHUwdWFi&utm_source=qr#] Supporting organizations like these is one small way we can all help make a difference and lift others up during this season and beyond. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2517541/support]

Caleb Ence

Caleb Ence grew up in Santa Clara, Utah as a member of Mormon church and served an LDS mission in Botswana and Namibia. Upon returning, they attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a degree in accounting. Caleb identifies as bisexual and nonbinary and is very passionate about appreciating the beauty of the world, helping people learn about queerness, and LEGOs.  In this episode, Caleb shares what it was like growing up in a deeply religious and politically engaged home where staying informed and involved was part of daily life. We talk about their LDS mission to Botswana and Namibia—a formative experience that completely reshaped how they saw the world. Caleb opens up about navigating religious OCD, learning how to identify what they were experiencing, and the healing that come from understanding your own mental health. We also dive into Caleb’s journey of expanding their worldview through podcasts, books, and conversations that introduced them to perspectives outside their own. They reflect on their time at BYU, listening to stories from students whose experiences differed greatly from what they’d known, and how that shifted their understanding of equity and belonging. Caleb shares their personal journey of learning about queerness, exploring gender and sexual identity, and discovering their own (bisexual, trans, and nonbinary). We explore the importance of proximity to different communities, the power of empathy, and the joy they and their partner have found building their LEGO Instagram page to spark learning and connection within the LGBTQ community. It’s a conversation about curiosity, growth, and becoming who you truly are. Be sure to check out Caleb’s LEGO Instagram page (linked below) to learn more about their work. If you’re looking for resources on LGBTQ+ education or support, you can also visit national organizations like The Trevor Project or A4TE. * https://www.instagram.com/buildingbeyondthebinary/ * https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ * https://transequality.org/ Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2517541/support]