Chocolate Cake Bytes
Chocolate Cake Bytes is a Latter-day Saint culture discussion. Chocolate cake represents everything that is good, and Chocolate Cake Bytes are the nuggets of understanding that has made my life better. And I'd like to share some chocolate cake bytes with you.
Episodes
164 episodes
Ep. 163: Does God Need to Forgive?
Annette is back, and this week we discuss forgiveness.Many times when we think of forgiveness, we imagine a transactional experience: "Repent and be forgiven."Is forgiveness transactional? With each other? With God?We di...
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Season 1
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Episode 163
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59:38
Ep. 162: You have No Idea Who You Are
I was talking to someone yesterday, and we discussed the struggles of a mutual acquaintance.We're all going through tough times, so my message to you is the same as my message to her.You are better than you know.
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Episode 162
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9:03
Ep. 161: Get Out of the Box
When we're feeling low, we tend to isolate ourselves. When others feel low, they do the same thing.We put ourselves in a box. We don't let anyone else in.When you're struggling, get out of the box. Open it up. Let the light in. ...
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Episode 161
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12:39
Ep. 160: How Many Times is Too Many to Repent?
I've recently started teaching a gospel study class for young adults in my area (Institute), and my first teaching experience brought some interesting questions from the students.One question was, "Is it possible to exhaust the number o...
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Episode 160
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15:24
Ep. 159: The Easy Way to Get Better
When we make mistakes (which is part of the plan and not a mistake in and of itself), we can forgive ourselves. This will eliminate (or at least reduce) the shame and guilt we feel.But, what can we look to for motivation or encouragemen...
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Episode 159
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44:01
Ep. 158: Developing a Loving Relationship with Each Child
This week, Carissa, Annette, and Ken discuss how to develop a loving relationship with each child, from the parent, child, and sibling perspectives
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53:57
Ep. 157: What is Faith? A High School Perspective
Kaden, a young man in my stake, visits the podcast this week. He recently competed in a cross country meet and was chatting with friends afterwards. What is faith for a high school senior?This week's discussion with Kaden m...
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Episode 157
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47:00
Ep. 156: Are We Having Fun Yet?
I was on a call when I was reminded, "This is supposed to be fun."And I wasn't having fun.So, if it's supposed to be fun, and I wasn't having fun, what was I missing?I'll ask you the same question. If you're not having f...
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Episode 156
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14:26
Ep. 155: What does Faith Feel Like?
A question hit me the other day. When we talk about having faith, we can sometimes kind of describe what that means. What faith is.But I've never heard anyone talk about what if feels like in our body to have faith.What does fai...
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Episode 155
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50:43
Ep. 154: Should I Counsel with the Lord? Or Council?
We've discussed before that Dad's favorite scripture was Alma 37:37, "Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and He will direct thee for good..."What is counselling with God? And how is it different from having a council with Him?...
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Episode 154
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14:37
Ep. 153: Why Pray?
While listening to another podcast, I started wondering why we pray for other people. What are we trying to accomplish?Are we trying to change God's plan?Are we trying to change the lessons that the other person might be in the ...
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Episode 153
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13:52
Ep. 152: Stop Talking about Justice
Last week opened a new perspective for me regarding Mercy. And, after giving a talk in church last Sunday, I've been thinking a lot more about mercy vs. justice.And I've concluded that we don't need to concern ourselves wit...
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17:56
Ep. 151: Mercy, Forgiveness, and More
What is Mercy?Can Mercy exist without Grace?How does Forgiveness connect with Mercy?This week, Annette and Ken discuss all this and more
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Episode 151
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55:30
Ep. 150: But What if I Make a Mistake?
This week we discuss how to get past making mistakes.Life will not look perfect for any of us, and misakes are normal, natural, and expected.But, when we make mistakes, sometimes, we aren't very kind to ourselves. (or others!)
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Episode 150
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18:23
Ep. 149: I Forgive You. And I Forgive Me.
This week, we have a new voice joining the podcast!A friend from 40+ years ago, Julia, joins Ken and Annette to discuss forgiveness.How do we forgive? Why? What about forgiving ourselves?We discuss some ideas that maybe ...
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Episode 149
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57:07
Ep. 148: Remember the Captivity. What is Holding You Captive?
This week, Favorite daughter Allison and her husband, Justin, get in on the discussion.Alma 5 in the Book of Mormon reminds us to "remember the captivity of your fathers."Allison, Justin, and I discuss why it's important to reco...
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Episode 148
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49:25
Ep. 147: Judge Not. But Others Are Judging You
What should we do when we feel judged?Can we feel the judgement of other people?What about judging others? Why, or why not?Annette and I share thoughts and ideas about judging others
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Episode 147
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47:18
Ep. 146: I Say Unto You, Repent!
What is my obligation to call you to repentance?I'm not talking about my obligation to teach my children, or how I should function in my stewardship.I'm talking about two adults. One is making a mistake, and the other knows abou...
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Episode 146
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52:46
Ep. 145: Shame on Me
This week is a solo episode with Ken sharing his thoughts on shame and spiritual manipulation. I think we see elements of shame and spiritual manipulation too much, and, frankly, I don't think we realize we are doing it.Do you agree wit...
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21:45
Ep. 144: The Natural Man
My friend Harrison comes into the fray with Fan Favorite Annette to discuss what it means that the Natural Man is an enemy to God.We dig in to the idea of the Natural Man, and how better understanding our own natural men and women can m...
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Episode 144
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58:40
Ep. 143: "We Need to Stop Treating People as Expendable."
I heard this quote on another podcast, and in true Chocolate Cake Bytes fashion, Annette was totally on board to have a conversation.We end up pulling in references from past weeks' discussions about decision-making.How are we t...
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Episode 143
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51:01
Ep. 142: "A Bad Decision is Better than No Decison"
In the fourth week of our Decision series, Annette is back, and we discuss whether a bad decision is better--or worse--than no decision at all.And Why?Next week, we will discuss, "Stop Treating People like they are Expendable."<...
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Episode 142
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47:45
Ep. 141: Oh, Say What is Truth?
Instead of calling this episode "Decisions, decisions, decisons," we decided to talk about What is Truth?Annette and I dicsuss how to know "Big-T Truth"Did we get it right?
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Episode 141
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43:29