The Little Stream

Where Soul Meets Society: Reflections on Well-Being, Religion, Politics and Power

Latest Posts


  • Seeing What We’re Part Of

    Most of us genuinely want to do good. We see ourselves as caring, kind, informed, thoughtful and reasonable people. But good intentions alone do not prevent harm. In fact, without realizing it, we can participate in systems that cause harm… Continue reading

    Seeing What We’re Part Of
  • From Faith to Free Markets, Part 1 

    The Christian Divide: How Old Theologies of Self-Reliance Became Modern Economic Dogma I sometimes think about my great-grandparents, proud and devout. They were the first generation eligible to draw Social Security. They refused. To them, accepting government help—even something they… Continue reading

    From Faith to Free Markets, Part 1 
  • From Fear to Facts: Socialism and Narrative Construction

    A recent Deseret News article reported that 51 percent of Utah Democrats view “socialism” favorably and that 70 percent view “democratic socialism” positively. The tone of the piece is clear: this trend is worrying, even dangerous, and likely the result… Continue reading

    From Fear to Facts: Socialism and Narrative Construction
  • Picture a Christmas

    There is a sweet children’s song titled “Picture a Christmas.” Years ago, I created a Christmas experience for children the Sunday before Christmas. They would sing carols they had practiced for weeks, each child was given a small part to… Continue reading

    Picture a Christmas
  • The Work of Angels: A Mother’s Reflection

    Authors Note: “Angels” by Emma Nissen plays by default whenever I turn the ignition, a small ritual at the start of each drive. I first heard her perform a few years ago and was drawn to her voice and her… Continue reading

    The Work of Angels: A Mother’s Reflection
  • How Not to Be Fooled by Statistics: Ten Rules for Seeing Clearly

    We’re surrounded by statistics—charts, claims, and data points competing for our attention. Some inform us. Others manipulate us. Tim Harford’s book “The Data Detective” offers ten “rules” for thinking more clearly about numbers, claims, and headlines. Although these “rules” focus… Continue reading

    How Not to Be Fooled by Statistics: Ten Rules for Seeing Clearly
  • Negotiating Sex

    Mutually beneficial sex must be negotiated. During the first phase of our relationship, we may notice our similarities, but as we get to know each other better, we’ll naturally discover differences. These differences create conflict, with sex being a common… Continue reading

    Negotiating Sex
  • Sharing the Load, Skipping the Fight

    Negotiating housework can be a major source of contention for many couples, but there are strategies that couples can use to manage work in a constructive way. Research consistently shows that women still bear a disproportionate share of household responsibilities,… Continue reading

    Sharing the Load, Skipping the Fight
  • Parenting as a Team: Talking About the Division of Care

    Too often we minimize the unpaid work that women disproportionately handle when we use terms like “working moms” to refer only to those with paid jobs outside the home. Labels such as “stay-at-home mom” imply inactivity, while describing men as… Continue reading

    Parenting as a Team: Talking About the Division of Care
  • The Work of Peace: From Our Relationships to the World We Share

    Peace doesn’t begin at the negotiating table or in the halls of power—it begins in how we treat one another. The same dynamics that shape a marriage, a family, or a friendship also echo through communities and nations. When we… Continue reading

    The Work of Peace: From Our Relationships to the World We Share

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