You may know people (or even be one) who choose a word to focus on for the year.What if you outgrow the word during the year?What if you have a hard time thinking of a word to direct your entire year?What if your word is discouraging rather than inspring?This year, I'm trying something new--I'm coming up with a word of the day. Each day, I'll consi…

Welcome to another enlightening episode of Chocolate Cake Bytes, where we explore the intricacies of living a gospel-centered life. In today's episode, host Ken Williams is joined by returning guest Julia from Southern California. Together, they dive into the transformative power of aligning one’s life with divine will, discussing how being open to…

After last week's New Years tradition, this week I share an update of how the year ended, and my plans to make 2025 my best year yet.Join me! We deserve the best!Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeByteshttps://www.instagra…

Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeByteshttps://www.instagram.com/chocolatecakebytes/Check out my new podcast: Bad Boss Podcast athttps://kenwilliamscoaching.com/listenبقلم Chocolate Cake Bytes

Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeByteshttps://www.instagram.com/chocolatecakebytes/Check out my new podcast: Bad Boss Podcast athttps://kenwilliamscoaching.com/listenبقلم Chocolate Cake Bytes

Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeByteshttps://www.instagram.com/chocolatecakebytes/Check out my new podcast: Bad Boss Podcast athttps://kenwilliamscoaching.com/listenبقلم Chocolate Cake Bytes

I heard a new phrase this week.Quiet Wealth.It's not loud. It's not obvious. It's not obnoxious.And it's not something you buy with money.What quiet wealth do you have?Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeByteshttps://www.in…

It's Thanksgiving week, which means that a lot of the world is in Gratitude mode.I'm no exception.But I'm approaching my own gratitude a little bit differently this year.And, I invite you to think of gratitude a bit differently this year.Be grateful for you. You've earned it.Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email…

Brett is back! After another conversation together, Brett comes back to talk about the Brother of Jared story.God answered the brother's prayer with three different types of answers, after chastening him for three hours.What was God teaching him? What is God teaching us?What could we be, do, or have if we simply asked?Please share this episode with…

First-time co-host Brett is a member of my church congregation. Recently, we were talking about faith, and I asked him to come on the podcast to share some of his insights.Something he said during a Sunday lesson caught my attention: He explained that when he truly feels like he is demonstrating faith, he can just belive that 'it is done."This week…

This week, we bring back the former Elder (Kyler) Lopez, who has recently finished his mission (So, I guess he's now just Kyler)He asked the question about what it means to be born again. He's a polyglot and wanted to share some insights.So, here he is. Discussing being "Born New"Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can …

What kind of plan would you create if you were in charge of everything?Would you make it impossible for your children to return to live with you? Or would you set things up so that they had every opportunity to do things, to get things right?I believe that our Heavenly Parents want us to return to live with them; therefore, things are working out i…

This week, I share some thoughts about how God communicates with us as individuals, and how He works with His prophets.As we better understand prayer, maybe that will help us better communicate with (and hear) God in our lives.Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me a…

This week, Julia returns to help us discover what it looks like for God to answer (or to not answer) our prayers.We discuss what we should pray for, and what we should look for in our answers from Him.We'd love to hear your thoughts.Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follo…

An old friend and former co-host is back!Mark joins this week to discuss Godly Sorrow, guilt, shame, and other "requirements" for the repentance process.Is Godly Sorrow from God?Let me know your thoughts.Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at https://www.facebook.…

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 discuss our thoughts on the transactional nature of GodPlease share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me…

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.Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at https://www.f…

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. Let others know your struggles.Get out of the box.Elder Stevenson's talk I reference is at https://www.churchofjesuschrist…

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 of repentance opportunities we have?"This week, I share my thoughts about how many times is too many.Please share t…

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 encouragement to improve? To stop making mistakes? to be and do better?This week, Carissa joins the discussion.Please share th…

This week, Carissa, Annette, and Ken discuss how to develop a loving relationship with each child, from the parent, child, and sibling perspectivesPlease share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeByteshttps://www.instagram.com/chocolate…

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 may help answer the questionPlease share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakeby…

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 fun, what are you missing?Let me know your thoughts.Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me a…

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 faith feel like?This week, early childhood friend Julia joins in the conversation.Please share this episode with someone who …

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?Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow…

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 middle of learning?When we pray (for ourselves or others), what should we be praying for?Please share this episode with so…

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 with justice.Ever.That's already been resolved. It's taken care of. It's complete. Not our problem.Mercy, however, IS our problem.…

What is Mercy?Can Mercy exist without Grace?How does Forgiveness connect with Mercy?This week, Annette and Ken discuss all this and morePlease share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeByteshttps://www.instagram.com/chocolatecakebytes/C…

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!)I share some thoughts on how to deal with making mistakes.Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You c…

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 are new and consider whether there is even anything to forgive.Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You ca…

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 recognize what's holding you captive and how you can learn from it.Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it…

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 othersPlease share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeBytes…

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 about it. What is the obligation we have to call each other out on our sins?Annette joins this week to share her thougths.Plea…

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 with my assessments? No? I'd love to hear. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.comPlease share this episode wi…

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 make it easier for us to become who God wants us to be.Thoughts? Reach out to me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.comPleas…

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 treating people as expendable, and how can we stop?Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can ema…

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."Comments on either topic? Reach out to me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.comPlease share this episode with someone who needs to …

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?Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeByteshttps://ww…

This is NOT a repeat of last week's conversation.Actually, we bring Annette back for her perspective. I heard someone ask rhetorically if, when we pray about a decision, are we expecting God to decide things for us?We talk about what takes us so long to decide things and what we think God's role is (or should be) when we are making decisions or our…

Ken has been thinking a lot about decisions, when he heard someone say he takes a long time to make a decision.What takes a long time? What are we looking for or waiting for?We talk about some ideas and perspecties about the art and process of deciding things.Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@choco…

Easter was a few weeks ago, but it's still fresh in my mind. I mentioned on my Easter episode that I had heard some new music published by Nathan R. Bradford (https://linktr.ee/nathanrbradfordmusic for links to his content) and I was impressed.I reached out to Nathan, and he was kind enough to chat. We talk about his process, and how he uses music …

A total solar eclipse is coming!Have you heard about it? Including the conspiracy theories?Well, if you haven't experienced a total (100% totality) solar eclipse, I think you should. Get to the path of totality, if you can.My words won't do it justice. You'll have to experience it yourself. Just like everything else.Trust me. It's worth it.https://…

Today (as the podcast is released) is Good Friday. This means that Sunday is Easter.Why is Easter a big deal? More than candy and hard boiled eggs?I share my thoughts this week. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeByteshttp…

What is toxic about perfectionism? And how does that have anything to do with pushups?This week I share some of my recent thoughts about integrity, perfectionism, right vs. wrong, and doing 100 pushups in a day.Man, that was hard.Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow m…

During a recent conversation with Annette, we discussed the idea that "this life is a test."What if the test is not the test?We (eventually) came full circle on this discussion. We'd love to know what you think...Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at https://www.…

It came up again."How can I know if I'm following God's plan for me?"Well, can we know?I think so. IF we understand what God's plan is. For me, and for you.Here's my latest take:Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeByteshttp…

In what feels like a series of random thoughts, this week I talk about becoming, about habits, and about setting regular patterns, or "streaks."I have been using The Streaking App for a couple of months, and it has been game changing for me.Check it out here: https://www.thestreakingapp.com/Let me know if it helps you!Please share this episode with…

As a boy, my dad reported that he prayed for years to understand what faith is.And he didn't teach me what he learned. Just that he better understood faith.I have had a hard time understanding how to distinguish belief from faith.So, Annette and I tackle this one.We reference this video: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2014-11-0010-…

This week, Brendan joins again to discuss what "God's Plan" for us is.We discover that there is a big picture "God's plan" and a nitty-gritty detailed "God's Plan."We talk about the difference and how we can move forward understanding the distinction between the twoPlease share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken…

We say we believe in personal revelation.But do we? What is personal revelation, actually?Annette joins again to discuss the difference between Personal Confirmation and Personal Revelation. How do we know what we are feeling?Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at…