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Mauli Bonner

Mauli Junior Bonner works in both the music and film industry. He writes for or develops some of the biggest names in Pop music, including Ariana Grande, Camila Cabello, Stevie Wonder and others. In film, he is an award-winning writer and director of stories following black pioneers in the early Church Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mauli is also a highly sought-after public speaker and gives trainings on “The Art of Connection.”

Ryan Gabriel

Ryan Gabriel attended Utah State University and earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2011. In 2016, Dr. Gabriel earned his PhD from the University of Washington then joined the Brigham Young University sociology department at the beginning of the 2016–2017 school year. Dr. Gabriel specializes in urban sociology, residential segregation, residential mobility and attainment, and race/racism and has taught courses pertaining to those interests—such as Sociology of Race and Ethnicity—since coming to BYU. Recently, Dr. Gabriel was able to participate in a seminar that involved traveling to the Southern United States with other students and faculty to visit key sites for the civil rights movements of the 1950s and 60s. Though Dr. Gabriel remains busy with researching and teaching, he always makes time to be with his wife, Erin.

Julia Ditto

Julia Ditto is a freelance writer who has written a weekly column called The Full Suburban for her local newspaper for the past five years. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and six children, who keep growing up and leaving the nest despite her best efforts. She loves her family, uplifting podcasts, chocolate, and baby animals.

Jacob Hess

Jacob Hess received his PhD from the University of Illinois in Community-Clinical Psychology. He is a staff writer for the Desert News and has focused his past writing on long-term, more sustainable healing from depression and pornography addiction. He has authored several books including “The Power of Stillness: Mindful Living for Latter-day Saints.” He lives in Paradise Utah with his wife Monique - enjoying their four boys and baby girl.

Maria Eckersley

Maria Eckersley is a graphic designer, online teacher, and sleep-deprived mom of six. As a devoted “fun mom” she loves sharing tips for making family life more meaningful, memorable, and simple. She can often be found sharing her creative ideas on KSL’s Studio 5. Her love of fun spills over into her gospel study as well. Her popular online course, Creative Come Follow Me, focuses on helping parents and teachers learn to teach the scriptures in imaginative, effective ways.

Cristi Brazao

Cristi Brazao is an assistant professor at Daytona State College in Florida, where she teaches courses on writing and research, English composition, and African American literature. She and her husband have been married for 20 years and they have four children.

Sweet Salt Clothing, Advertiser

At Sweet Salt, we want to make women feel confident and beautiful with modest and fashionable clothes. We want every woman to embrace her unique beauty. We focus on creating clothing that is size inclusive for every body.

Jennifer & Mike Lindsay

Jen and Mike Lindsay currently live in Humble, Texas (suburb of Houston). Jen was born and raised in El Paso, Texas and attended Texas A&M University where she graduated with a degree in Nutrition Sciences. She then received her Master's degree from Texas Women's University, also in Nutrition Sciences, and is currently a Registered Dietician in private practice. Mike was raised in Houston, Texas where he was baptized into the Church at the age of 19. Mike served a mission in Oklahoma City, returned home and received his undergraduate degree from BYU and went on to receive his MBA from Texas A&M University, and is currently a financial consultant.

Shima Baradaran Baughman

Shima Baradaran Baughman is a professor, author and distinguished fellow at the Wheatley Institute where she studies religion and human flourishing. She is originally from Iran and has five children. She enjoys hiking, hunting for antiques, and is slowly learning how to golf to keep up with her husband, Ryan. Follow her on Instagram at Closer to Jesus Christ with @shimabaughman and on TikTok @closertojesuschrist.