Managing the Counseling Burden as an LDS Leader | An Interview with Dr. Paul Jenkins

Paul Jenkins is a positivity psychologist, author, and speaker. He has written three books, gives keynotes and trainings on positivity and related topics, produces a weekly podcast called Live On Purpose Radio, and sees individual clients at his office in a positive psychology counseling setting. He is also a former bishop (twice). In this episode, Paul gives advice from the perspective of a counselor to ecclesiastical leaders. Episode Summary 4:15 Men are that they might have joy—positive psychology 7:20 Approach to depression 8:30 Helping members with addiction, as a bishop 13:50 Podcast—Live On Purpose 15:00 Labeling people instead of looking at them as a child of God 16:00 Serving multiple roles as a bishop/ecclesiastical leader 18:00 Take care of yourself first 20:00 Put competent people in positions of power and get out of their way 22:30 Practice receiving any information as a bishop as if it's the news report 26:45 Using members' talents in the ward as part of the bishop's storehouse 31:45 Enhancing communication between a bishop and a counselor 35:55 A bishop's role to help those with problems progress from appointment to appointment 38:00 What to do if the leader is taking more of the burden than the member 44:00 How do we live on purpose? Links: Pathological Positivity by Dr. Paul Jenkins Falling to Heaven, by James Ferrell Dr. Paul Jenkins Website Dr. Paul Jenkins Podcast