Essays

A collection of reflections shaped by curiosity, conviction, and care. Written for those navigating faith, culture, nature, and meaning in a world that’s always in motion.

#32 It All Started with Styrofoam Cups: Judy Hinck and Mount Olive Lutheran

It All Started with Styrofoam Cups: Judy Hinck and Mount Olive Lutheran

The Enemy Within

The wan plea Why can’t we all just get along? seems trivial and stupid, but it’s actually a good question, one humans have been asking since forever. Maybe the rock-bottom answer is always the same: the primordial sin plaguing us since Cain and Abel. Kin-conflict, kin-hatred, kin-violence.

Third Act/ Third Act Faith

For people over 60 (or close to it–no one checks!). Fantastic leaders with loads of organizing experience, savvy, creativity, and joy. The group focuses on

On Cicadas, Parasites, and Creepy, Slimy Things

I noticed that the way we spoke about nature almost always celebrated beautiful aspects, typically in general terms: mountains, clouds, wildflowers, sunsets, that sort of thing. We did not discuss parasitic wasps at all, or STI-infected cicadas.

The Remnants of Their Lives: An Ancestry Adventure

Strange how quickly people’s lives fade into oblivion. These people lived their lives, then died. And their stories? What happens to their stories? Maybe a few facts or memories get preserved, but what of all the sorrows and thoughts and day-to-day experiences?

Volts Podcast

Is it even possible to electrify everything? Well, there are people deep in the weeds figuring out the details for making this happen. This is a very wonky podcast, but it’s so good I listen to it regularly. Fascinating interviews with people working on grid transformation, battery tech, and all kinds of related challenges.

How to Visualize Climate Change: Basic Analogies

A great video to explain climate basics through several good analogies. Climate Adam (Dr. Adam Levy) and Dr. Katharine Hayhoe are climate scientists with a gift for communicating accurate information in winsome ways. A charming and funny introduction to the very, very basics.

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson: How to find joy in climate action

Marine biologist and policy expert Ayana Elizabeth Johnson goes beyond the usual answers to the question “what can I do” and offers advice about finding a joyful way forward.

Simon Clark: Is there any good news about climate change?

Atmospheric physicist and climate communicator Simon Clark explains that while we have not reached needed goals yet, we have made SO MUCH progress!

Not the End of the World

Data scientist Hannah Ritchie makes the case–using loads of data on what is already happening–that we can create a livable, thriving future if we address the climate crisis head-on, strategically. The subtitle is “How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet.” This book is a good antidote to the doom spiral that can result from only reading climate headlines in the news.

A Vote is Not a Valentine–Or a Virtue Test

It seems to me people have all kinds of unhelpful notions about what a vote means. And that can lead to them choosing not to vote, usually for either (or both) of two reasons. 1. They don’t think their vote matters. 2. They want to signal their virtue.

Let’s address these one at a time.