Cary 1st Ward's Podcast

Our guide in this episode is John White, a former bishop of our ward and now serving as a Sunday School instructor.We chat about the Old Testament—this year’s curriculum, a focus that John admits he’s yet to teach. We discuss about how he leads discussions on Sunday translates to how we lead in the home. Stay tuned to find out why the best answer in class is often just awkward silence.

Today’s episode is a little different—and you won’t want to miss it. Bishop Luke Peterson sits down with his wife, Katie, for a conversation that includes competitive jump-roping, a childhood prediction that has kind of come true, and a few stories that may permanently change how you see the Peterson family. It’s a warm and fun conversation. So stick around.

Our guide in this episode is Kendra Cope. You may know her as the Raleigh Stake Relief Society President. But what you may not know is that Kendra is also a pediatric speech pathologist with Wake County Public Schools. She works at Reading Creek Elementary with students from kindergarten through fifth grade, helping them communicate more effectively. In this episode, we talk about her career and her two and a half years serving in her stake calling. She'll also share a funny story about a $5 word that proves she is a true proprietor of language. Let's get to know Kendra.

What happens when an ordinary day turns into a life-altering moment?In this episode, we sit down with Aaron Stander—a member of our congregation with an electrifying story and a shocking lesson about resilience, recovery, and the power of perspective.He faced what most of us can’t even imagine… and lived to tell it with humor, humility, and hard-earned wisdom, and yes, throws around a few puns.Trust me—you won’t want to miss a second of this powerful story.

McKensie Wilkinson has led as president of the Relief Society, the women’s organization of the Cary 1st Ward in North Carolina, for three years. She joins to discuss themes from the April 2025 General Conference which she found uplifted her spiritually, strengthening her resolve to continue striving toward living closer to the teachings of Christ despite life's challenges. She was inspired by messages about service, patience, and the importance of small daily acts of kindness and faith.Listen on to discover the hilarious adventures of McKenzie as she shares tales of her past,  dining with dolls and cracking up over crackers—funny moments that’ll have you laughing out loud!

Luke Peterson has led as bishop of the Cary 1st Ward in North Carolina for nearly a year and recently sat down to share insights on creating this podcast, its mission to strengthen faith and foster community bonds.Reflecting on themes from the April 2025 General Conference, Bishop Peterson discussed how messages about vulnerability in leadership deepened his approach with empathy. He shared how these teachings shape his counseling efforts, emphasizing understanding and connection.Listen on to discover Bishop Peterson’s guilty-pleasure TV show obsession, joyful moments bonding with his daughter through her ballet performances, and a lighthearted reveal of just how much he knows (or doesn’t) about Taylor Swift!