About Us

STRONG is a weekly YouTube and podcast series built around the For the Strength of Youth curriculum. Every episode incorporates fun, activities, music, and doctrine. STRONG initiates honest conversations, asks unspoken questions, and challenges youth to act. We want youth to discover who they are and what they’re made of.

While STRONG isn’t officially affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it focuses closely on the Church’s existing materials to give youth, parents, and leaders faith-rooted perspectives and something worth sharing.

Kirby Heyborne is an Emmy- and Grammy-nominated actor, narrator, musician, comedian, and host, celebrated for his remarkable range of talents and heartfelt storytelling. He received critical acclaim for his starring role in the WWII drama Saints and Soldiers, which was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. He also gained widespread recognition for his performances in The Sons of Provo, The Singles Ward, The Best Two Years, Faith of Angels, and The Farrelly Brothers’ The Three Stooges opposite Sean Hayes and Sofia Vergara. Kirby was a series regular on the hit FOX sitcom Free Ride and has appeared in numerous national commercial campaigns, including spots for Target, Honda, Best Buy, Mastercard, Volkswagen, Wendy’s, Mini Cooper, Liberty Mutual, Jack in the Box, Xfinity, CarMax, Dish Network, Jif, and more.

Kirby is passionate about giving back. He travels the world working alongside nonprofit organizations as the host of the popular BYUTV show Making Good, which earned him an Emmy nomination. In this role, he combines his acting and musical talents by writing original songs for each organization he highlights. Through six seasons of Making Good, Kirby has inspired audiences to seek opportunities to serve and uplift others, making a meaningful impact wherever they go.

As the host of RootsTech—the largest genealogical conference in the world—Kirby has reached millions online and thousands in person through heartfelt, humorous, and emotional live interviews. He has guided high-profile celebrities such as Kristin Chenoweth, Sean Astin, Jordin Sparks, Tara Davis-Woodhall, Hunter Woodhall, Academy-award winner Marlee Matlin, and Rachel Platten to open up about their families, faith, and personal journeys in front of international audiences.

As a narrator, Kirby has earned numerous accolades, including a Grammy nomination for his work on Charlotte’s Web, and has twice received the highest honor in narration bestowed by the American Library Association – The Odyssey Award. With over 2,000 audiobooks under his belt, he’s widely regarded as one of the finest narrators in the industry. His work includes narrations for popular series such as Brandon Mull’s Dragonwatch, Miss Peregrine’s School for Peculiar Children, and Gerald Lund’s Fire and Steel. He has also voiced international best-sellers including Gone Girl, Stephen King’s The Long Walk, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Angel Down.

A gifted musician, Kirby has a rare ability to connect with audiences through heartfelt music and captivating stories. His soothing voice and knack for crafting memorable melodies and lyrics have earned him praise from listeners around the world. His music has transcended the concert stage, with original songs featured in movies and TV shows, where they’ve been celebrated for enhancing the emotional depth of storytelling. Whether writing intimate ballads or crafting anthemic tunes, Kirby’s music resonates long after the final note, creating an enduring bond with audiences.

Above all, Kirby treasures his role as a husband and father. His greatest accomplishment is his family, and he finds joy in spending time hiking, biking, camping, singing, and laughing with his wife and three children. As a current bishop and an active member of his faith, Kirby is dedicated to service and connecting others with God, continually striving to make a positive impact on those around him.