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...

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...

There is a lot of random chance that factors into where a person ends up in life. Genetics, place of birth, family life, personal grit, gender, race, sexual orientation, and the list could go on forever. We are all products of these undeserved circumstances, our experiences, and how we interpret and act on these. While we cannot influence the random...

Listening to NPR on my way to work, I've been hearing a lot lately about economic indicators that seem to indicate an impoverishment of the “middle” class and a widening of the wealth gap. I recall one interviewee saying something like “there is no law that guarantees the presence of a middle class.” And when you look at human history,...