For some Americans, the outcome of the 2016 presidential election meant elation and victory; for others, a dark and confusing turn in national politics. In the midst of that highly contentious moment, adrift in a sea of supercharged rhetoric and caustic online debate, 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 theAmerican Moms, a blog and Instagram account devoted to offering tips on civil engagement and involvement in public life.

In this episode, host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA '01) learns about the life paths that led the sisters into politics and picks their brains about how, in an age of unparalleled division and disagreement, individuals can help to create a healthy American democracy.

This episode is based on the article “American Moms” in the Spring 2023 issue of Y Magazine.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

For some Americans, the outcome of the 2016 presidential election meant elation and victory; for others, a dark and confusing turn in national politics. In the midst of that highly contentious moment, adrift in a sea of supercharged rhetoric and caustic online debate, 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 <a href="https://theamericanmoms.com">blog</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theamericanmoms/">Instagram account </a>devoted to offering tips on civil engagement and involvement in public life.
In this episode, host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA '01) learns about the life paths that led the sisters into politics and picks their brains about how, in an age of unparalleled division and disagreement, individuals can help to create a healthy American democracy.
This episode is based on the article “<a href="https://magazine.byu.edu/article/american-moms/">American Moms</a>” in the Spring 2023 issue of Y Magazine.
Subscribe on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/y-magazine/id1676318942">Apple Podcasts</a> or <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/50YytMCSd0wQSF0DJTx1D2?si=GMYodGZDTBe_k-sTdPvPJg">Spotify</a>.

Welcome to the Y Magazine podcast, bringing you ideas, stories, and voices from Brigham Young University (BYU). New episodes post biweekly on Thursdays.

Welcome to the Y Magazine podcast, bringing you ideas, stories, and voices from Brigham Young University (BYU). New episodes post biweekly on Thursdays.

Y Magazine

How to Be a Good Citizen with the American Moms

Sitting in a humdrum office, recent BYU grad Isaiah G. Shields (BS ’19) realized that there was a whole world out there for him to discover—and he was missing it. And so he decided to take a walk—a really, really long walk. In early 2020 he stepped from his Provo home’s driveway and began his journey across America, traversing 28 states and 8,600 miles over 500 days. In this episode of the Y Magazine podcast, Shields joins host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA’ 01) to share stories that he’ll remember forever from his trek. Listen in for Shield’s experiences braving the elements, sharing powerful moments with ordinary people, and feeling the satisfaction of challenge.  

This episode is based in the article “Getting His Steps In,” written Maya Lund (’24), which will appear in the spring 2024 issue of Y Magazine.

Watch here to tag along on Isaiah Shields’s most recent adventures.

If you’re enjoying this podcast, we’d appreciate your feedback so we can make more of the types of episodes you like best. Take the survey.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. New episodes post on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

Sitting in a humdrum office, recent BYU grad Isaiah G. Shields (BS ’19) realized that there was a whole world out there for him to discover—and he was missing it. And so he decided to take a walk—a really, really long walk. In early 2020 he stepped from his Provo home’s driveway and began his journey across America, traversing 28 states and 8,600 miles over 500 days. In this episode of the Y Magazine podcast, Shields joins host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA’ 01) to share stories that he’ll remember forever from his trek. Listen in for Shield’s experiences braving the elements, sharing powerful moments with ordinary people, and feeling the satisfaction of challenge.  
This episode is based in the article “Getting His Steps In,” written Maya Lund (’24), which will appear in the spring 2024 issue of Y Magazine.
Watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@YouDoYouShields">here</a> to tag along on Isaiah Shields’s most recent adventures.
If you’re enjoying this podcast, we’d appreciate your feedback so we can make more of the types of episodes you like best. <a href="https://byu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaAtJvGe5fXyroq">Take the survey</a>.
Subscribe on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/y-magazine/id1676318942">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/50YytMCSd0wQSF0DJTx1D2?si=GMYodGZDTBe_k-sTdPvPJg">Spotify</a>, or <a href="https://eepurl.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=62ca07d72af61a92462084ac0&amp;id=be311ad2c8&amp;e=34bcc4dfeb">YouTube</a>. New episodes post on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

An American Journey: What a BYU Grad Discovered on a 500-Day Walk Across the United States

Who wouldn’t want a peaceful life? Making that desire a reality is where many of us get stuck. But Emily de Schweinitz Taylor (BA ’97, PhD ’24), an expert in mediation and conflict resolution, believes that even a three-year-old can learn to navigate conflict effectively. The trick? Practicing a few simple communication tools.

On this episode of the Y Magazine podcast, Taylor and host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA ’01) discuss five ways to deal with disagreement and how to help children do the same. Listen in and learn how to mediate and de-escalate conflict with Taylor’s five conflict resolution skills.

This episode is based on the article “Blessed Are the Peacemakers” written by Sara Smith Atwood which will appear in the spring 2024 issue of Y Magazine.

Check out Emily de Schweinitz Taylor’s books Raising Mediators and Conflict Fluent: Mastering the Five Conflict Approaches.

Listen to Elder Uchtdorf’s referenced talk here.

If you’re enjoying this podcast, we’d appreciate your feedback so we can make more of the types of episodes you like best. Take the survey.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. New episodes post on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

Who wouldn’t want a peaceful life? Making that desire a reality is where many of us get stuck. But Emily de Schweinitz Taylor (BA ’97, PhD ’24), an expert in mediation and conflict resolution, believes that even a three-year-old can learn to navigate conflict effectively. The trick? Practicing a few simple communication tools.
On this episode of the Y Magazine podcast, Taylor and host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA ’01) discuss five ways to deal with disagreement and how to help children do the same. Listen in and learn how to mediate and de-escalate conflict with Taylor’s five conflict resolution skills.
This episode is based on the article “Blessed Are the Peacemakers” written by Sara Smith Atwood which will appear in the spring 2024 issue of <a href="https://magazine.byu.edu/">Y Magazine.</a> 
Check out Emily de Schweinitz Taylor’s books <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Books-Emily-de-Schweinitz-Taylor/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AEmily+de+Schweinitz+Taylor">Raising Mediators</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Conflict-Fluent-Mastering-Five-Approaches/dp/0999171720">Conflict Fluent: Mastering the Five Conflict Approaches.</a>
Listen to Elder Uchtdorf’s referenced talk <a href="https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/dieter-f-uchtdorf/five-messages-that-all-of-gods-children-need-to-hear/">here</a>.
If you’re enjoying this podcast, we’d appreciate your feedback so we can make more of the types of episodes you like best. <a href="https://byu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaAtJvGe5fXyroq">Take the survey</a>.
Subscribe on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/y-magazine/id1676318942">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/50YytMCSd0wQSF0DJTx1D2?si=GMYodGZDTBe_k-sTdPvPJg">Spotify</a>, or <a href="https://eepurl.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=62ca07d72af61a92462084ac0&amp;id=be311ad2c8&amp;e=34bcc4dfeb">YouTube</a>. New episodes post on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

Making Peace: How to Mediate Conflict in Our Families

BYU alumni from all walks of life are leaning into the second half of the university’s motto: "Go forth to serve." In this episode of the Y Magazine podcast, hear three different stories about alums who have bloomed where they were planted—turning their unique circumstances into opportunities to serve others. Listen in as host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA ’01) uncovers stories of preemie miracles and playhouses, hope for foster children, and mental-health help for farmers.

This episode is based on the magazine’s Going Forth section, which appears in each issue of Y Magazine.

If you know a BYU alum who is making the world a better place through their service, please let us know by sending an email to alumninews@byu.edu.

If you’re enjoying this podcast, we’d appreciate your feedback so we can make more of the types of episodes you like best. Take the survey.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. New episodes post on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

BYU alumni from all walks of life are leaning into the second half of the university’s motto: "Go forth to serve." In this episode of the Y Magazine podcast, hear three different stories about alums who have bloomed where they were planted—turning their unique circumstances into opportunities to serve others. Listen in as host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA ’01) uncovers stories of <a href="https://magazine.byu.edu/article/miracle-trees/">preemie miracles and playhouses</a>, <a href="https://magazine.byu.edu/article/fostering-a-brighter-future/">hope for foster children</a>, and <a href="https://magazine.byu.edu/article/heart-and-soil/">mental-health help for farmers</a>.
This episode is based on the magazine’s Going Forth section, which appears in each issue of Y Magazine.
If you know a BYU alum who is making the world a better place through their service, please let us know by sending an email to <a href="mailto:alumninews@byu.edu">alumninews@byu.edu</a>.
If you’re enjoying this podcast, we’d appreciate your feedback so we can make more of the types of episodes you like best. <a href="https://byu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaAtJvGe5fXyroq">Take the survey</a>.
Subscribe on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/y-magazine/id1676318942">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/50YytMCSd0wQSF0DJTx1D2?si=GMYodGZDTBe_k-sTdPvPJg">Spotify</a>, or <a href="https://eepurl.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=62ca07d72af61a92462084ac0&amp;id=be311ad2c8&amp;e=34bcc4dfeb">YouTube</a>. New episodes post on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

How to Be a Good Citizen with the American Moms

In 1 playlist(s)

Y Magazine

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips