I would like to use what little social capital I have to address a major problem emerging in our society: a lack of reasoning, a willingness to follow others blindly, and then most dangerously, a willingness to shame anyone who doesn't believe as you do.

Yes, I'm talking about you. I'm talking to myself too. We must all step up, because...

Conscious: A Brief Guide to the Fundamental Mystery of the Mind, written by Annaka Harris is quite the mind bender, especially if you haven't been exposed to thinking about consciousness before. Consciousness is how we experience the world and all that is happening around us. I'm excited to share some of the main takeaways I had from reading this book.

Harris...

July 24^th is a Pioneer Day. On that day, Utah celebrates the Mormon pioneers who settled the state, a process that formally started with the arrival of Brigham Young in the Salt Lake Valley. Some of my ancestors were among those who crossed the plains because of their deeply held religious beliefs. Others crossed the ocean in pursuit of religious...

Do you enjoy contemplating the demise of your loved ones or your own inevitable journey towards the grave? Well, nobody does really, but the book Being Mortal by Atul Gwande does an excellent job of asking thought-provoking questions about how we deal with the end of life. When people are very sick or very old, does the instinct simply to...

I've recently been listening to an audio recording of the book The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. The book presents truths in a direct and unpolished way, which is why it is so endearing. One of the ideas in the book is that happiness results from having good values and good metrics. This involves placing value on interesting...

Two years ago, I sent a brief email to immediate family members indicating that I had decided to make a life change. After a great deal of thought and consideration, Bethanie (my wife) and I had decided to stop participating in the Mormon church.

The backstory is long, complicated, and arduous. Though I was raised Mormon it just wasn't working for...