Hey Ken, how are you doing?

I’m good, man! How about you?

Doing well, thanks! It’s great to see you.

Likewise! Thanks for having me. You’re out in Arizona, right?

Yes, Gilbert is home for me.

Is it warm there?

I drove the convertible today, so I took any excuse to enjoy the weather. It was in the mid-70s.

Nice! How did you end up in Arizona?

I grew up in Orange County, went to college there, and started my career in the area. I went to UCLA and lived all around Southern California. In 2006, after being in the mortgage business for a bit over four years, we moved to Utah for a year. When the mortgage business started to decline, we came to Arizona. It hasn’t been a completely straight path since then, but Gilbert is home now, and I love my ward and the community in the East Valley.

Sounds like Arizona is treating you well.

Absolutely! I think Arizona has the best Mexican food in the country. Having driven back and forth across the country several times, I can confidently say that—especially if you like cheese crisps!

So true! I’ve also heard that the best pizza in the world is in Phoenix, a place called No No’s.

I haven’t tried that, but I’ve heard good things.

What was life like for you before you found the gospel?

It was very different. Growing up in Orange County, my dad worked for grocery stores and was the youngest of three. By the time I was a teenager, he was a liquor buyer. We had wine tastings in our backyard for 200-300 people, and my mom loved to cook. We had a lot of love in our family, but I didn’t really understand much about God or the Savior.

So you grew up in a loving environment but without a connection to faith?

Exactly. My parents stopped going to church when we moved to a better neighborhood. They made sacrifices for us, but I didn’t really understand the concept of atonement or anything like that.

What happened as you got older?

In college, I got involved in the underground nightclub scene of the late ’80s and early ’90s. I spent my college years throwing parties and was usually the bar guy. I started smoking at 17, and while drug use was prevalent in my circle, it felt like I belonged there.

How did you find the gospel?

It was my senior year at UCLA during finals week when I overdosed. I had been deep into the rave scene, using hallucinogenics and other drugs. After that experience, I looked around and questioned how I had gotten there.

Wow, that’s a turning point. What happened next?

I had friends who were making extreme life choices because of drug use, and it made me wonder if there was more to life. I explored various non-denominational churches in Orange County but never felt a true connection. One Saturday, while working on a car in my parents’ garage, a friend from elementary school, Heather, drove by and felt prompted to turn around and talk to me.

That’s amazing!

We talked for a while, and she invited me to church. I agreed to go, even though I had planned to join the Hare Krishnas that day. When I met the missionaries and learned about the gospel, I felt a palpable confirmation that it was true.

How has life changed for you since accepting the gospel?

In so many ways! The idea of personal revelation was new to me. I’ve had miraculous experiences and faced many ups and downs, including bankruptcy and divorce. But I know where to turn for guidance now. The gospel has provided direction and stability in my life.

That’s a significant shift.

It really is. I’ve also learned to appreciate the concept of enduring to the end, which takes on new meaning as life goes on. Being a single dad has changed my perspective, and I’ve had my share of challenges, especially with my daughter who has had multiple heart surgeries.

It sounds like you’ve built a strong support system.

Absolutely! The ward family has been invaluable to me, and the relationships I’ve built have enriched my life in ways I never anticipated. I’ve also tried to influence my family toward the gospel, but there hasn’t been much success there. However, I’ve connected with extended family members who are members of the church.

That’s great to hear!

I’ve learned to help others feel okay about their struggles and guide them back to the light. While I may not have had significant missionary success, I strive to build bridges of understanding.

That’s important work. Sometimes it takes time for people to come around.

Exactly. I went on a mission to Thailand at 20, and not one person I taught joined the church. But now they have stakes and a temple there. It just takes someone to pave the way.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I could talk for hours about my experiences and the relationships I treasure. I’m very resourceful and love connecting with people.

If I’m ever through Arizona, I’ll definitely give you a call, and maybe we can grab some Italian food!

Sounds great! Thanks for having me, and I appreciate the chance to share my story.

Glad to have you as a brother in the gospel. Thanks for coming on!

You bet!