Religion plays a huge role in shaping how people see the world — from everyday decisions to the way we vote, serve others, and understand morality. In this mini episode, we explore how different religions align politically and how those beliefs influence communities here in the U.S. and around the world.

Drawing from varying studies and statistical evidence, we look at how religion and politics form a symbiotic relationship — one that can both strengthen and strain societies. We talk about what happens when faith and politics clash, how morality is viewed through a political lens, and the growing divide (and overlap) among religious voters in both major U.S. parties.

This episode continues my mini-series where we’ll unpack different themes and perspectives to help us better understand the people around us. If you enjoy this format, let me know—I’d love to hear your feedback and see if we should continue with more episodes like this!

Sources & Further Reading

• Pew Research Center — Religion, Partisanship & Ideology
• Pew Research Center — Religious Landscape Study / Party Affiliation
• Elizabeth Katelynn Baggett — The Relationship Between Religion and Politics in a Globalizing World (MTSU Open Access Journals)
• PMC — Why Christians Reconcile Their Personal Political Views and the Views of Jesus
• Wiley Online Library — Explaining the Relationship Between Religiosity and Political Participation
• American Academy of Arts and Sciences — The Perils of Politicized Religion
• PMC — Religion & Politics in Everyday Life
• If you're interested in the research project I assisted with in college, check out Faith and Politics: Latter-Day Saint Politicians Tell Their Stories by Dr. Richard Davis. 

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Paige Leavitt is a mom or two and an army wife to Matt, who I interviewed last week. She is an out and proud bisexual and loves music, her family, and learning. Paige currently works as a medical assistant (we LOVE to see a women in STEM)! If you haven’t already, make sure to check out my conversation with Matt in the previous episode for another perspective on service, sacrifice, and family values.

In this heartfelt and vulnerable conversation, I sit down with my friend Paige  to talk about her journey through the medical field and the passion she found for caring for others, inspired by her mother’s career as a nurse. Paige shares deeply personal experiences with mental health, including postpartum depression and suicide awareness, emphasizing the importance of listening, showing up for one another, and encouraging those in need to seek help.

We also explore broader themes of hope and resilience—how focusing on the good can keep us optimistic in a challenging world, and how family and connection can ground us. Paige reflects on her marriage to Matt, and the ways they navigate life and love despite differing political beliefs, showing that with respect and care, it’s possible to find common ground.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions about mental health, suicide, postpartum depression, and political violence. Please listen with care and reach out for help if you are struggling.

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Matthew Leavitt is a US Army Soldier and is currently deployed in the Middle East. Matt is also a husband and father of 2 beautiful girls.

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Matt, who is currently serving in the U.S. Army. We talk about learning to be open-minded from a young age, and how his conservative values and deep commitment to upholding the Constitution shape his worldview. Matt shares how his service has taught him about sacrifice, leadership, and growth—and why he believes the military can be a powerful path for young people who want to better themselves.

We also dive into how becoming a father has changed the way he thinks about politics and responsibility, pushing him to reevaluate his ideas in light of wanting to keep his daughters safe. Matt emphasizes the importance of family, service, and having real conversations with people who see the world differently—because, as he says, that’s how you gain new perspectives and grow stronger together.

Disclaimer & Trigger Warning: The views expressed in this episode are Matt’s personal beliefs and do not reflect the official views of the U.S. Army or any associated group. This conversation also contains discussion of firearms and mass shootings, which may be triggering for some listeners. Please listen with care.

*Note: This episode was recorded before the recent political violence in Utah (Charlie Kirk’s passing). Because we discuss freedoms, rights, and the issue of mass shootings, I want to acknowledge the timing and make clear that this conversation was not recorded in response to those events.

**Audio note: The sound quality in this episode isn’t the best, but I promise the conversation is worth sticking around for.

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Samuel Jacobs was born in Washington but moved to Utah when he was young. He is a state delegate, which I’m sure we’ll talk about more. Samuel also recently got married and currently attending BYU studying cybersecurity. 

In this episode, I sit down with Samuel to talk about what it means to be politically active in today’s world. As a state delegate, Samuel has had a front-row seat to the importance of local elections and the powerful role everyday people can play in shaping their communities. We explore his experiences volunteering on campaigns, the different ways to support good causes, and how local politics often impacts our lives more directly than national debates.

Samuel also shares his perspective on finding bipartisan solutions and the value of leaders who are willing to engage in real across-the-aisle conversations. We talk about the challenge of staying optimistic in the face of political division, and why hope—and active participation—are both essential to building a better future.

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In this special mini-episode of Common Threads, we take a step back from individual stories to look at the bigger picture—how the generation you grew up in can shape the way you see the world. From Baby Boomers to Gen Z, each generation has been formed by unique historical events, cultural moments, and social shifts that influence how they view politics, relationships, work, and even everyday situations.

We’ll explore how these shared experiences create generational “lenses” that impact not only what we believe, but also how we communicate across age groups. While it’s easy to get stuck in our own perspective, understanding the world through another generation’s eyes can build empathy, connection, and respect for one another.

This episode also kicks off a mini-series where we’ll unpack different themes and perspectives to help us better understand the people around us. If you enjoy this format, let me know—I’d love to hear your feedback and see if we should continue with more episodes like this!

Sources & Further Reading

• Smith, T. W., et al. (2019). Generations and Politics: A Research Overview. American Journal of Political Science.
• Pew Research Center. (2015). The Whys and Hows of Generations Research.
• Cai, Delia. Boomers? Zoomers? Gen X'ers? Millennials? The Psychologist Who Wrote the Book on Generations Thinks We Could All Use Some Perspective. Vanity Fair, April 24, 2023. 
• Stone, Deborah. (2025). Leading Multigenerational Teams. University of Utah.

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Colton Staheli was born and raised in Washington, Utah and now lives in Provo, Utah with his wife Malia, who we interviewed last week. Colton is a member of the LDS church and he served a 2 year mission in Santiago, Chile. He recently graduated from BYU in Construction Management and now works for a commercial general contractor.

This week I sit down with Colton, Malia’s husband, to hear his story and perspective. Growing up in a conservative community, Colton was deeply influenced by family values and the importance of building a strong foundation for the future. He shares how meeting Malia and her family opened his eyes to experiences he had never encountered before, especially those within minority communities, and how that shaped the way he thinks about the world.

We dive into what it’s like being married to someone with a different political ideology, exploring both the challenges and the beauty of it. Colton talks about the importance of listening, growing together, and not letting politics define or end a relationship. We also touch on his passion for construction management and the joy he’s found in that field. His story is one of openness, growth, and a reminder that love and understanding can bridge even the widest political divides. If you listened to last week’s episode with Malia, you’ll love hearing Colton’s perspective as the other half of their story.

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Malia Villarreal Staheli is 28 years old and is from a town called Othello, which is an extremely small farming community in Eastern Washington. She is a beautiful mix of a bunch of different cultures and identifies as Latina-Polynesian. Malia loves fashion, thrifting, food, traveling, listening to ABBA, anything to do with the beach. She also currently works as a marriage and family therapist.

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Malia, who shares her experiences as someone with both Latina and Polynesian heritage. We talk about racism, microaggressions, and the importance of representation for BIPOC communities. Malia reflects on her time in Argentina, the challenges of the Trump administration for minority groups, and how she balances her work as a family therapist supporting BIPOC individuals while also navigating her own fears. Her perspective offers a powerful reminder of both the struggles and the resilience that come with advocating for change.

We also dive into her marriage with Colton—a conservative white man with a very different background—and how the two of them have built a beautiful life together despite political differences. Malia shares how they’ve learned to grow alongside each other, even when they disagree, and how love and empathy can transcend partisanship. Through it all, she emphasizes resilience, growth, and the importance of paving the way for others. (Colton’s episode will be posted next week so stay tuned!)

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Mitchell Price grew up in St. George, UT and currently resides in Provo, UT with his wife, Emma. He graduated from SUU with a degree in Political Science. He works as a data content specialist at Ancestry, but is an aspiring environmental lawyer and author. 

Mitch’s story is one of curiosity, growth, and finding his place in a complex political landscape. Growing up in Colorado with liberal-leaning ideas but in a conservative household, Mitch found those values reinforced when his family moved to Utah, where the community, church, and schools largely aligned with his parents’ beliefs. But a political placement test in high school revealed his ideals leaned further left—and that realization sent him on a journey of discovery. From living in El Salvador during a time of monumental political change, to weighing the balance between liberty and safety, Mitch has seen firsthand how political climates shape people’s perspectives. 

Today, Mitch is working toward becoming a lawyer with a focus on helping people and protecting the environment, driven by a belief that caring for the earth is a moral responsibility. He shares how writing and creating art can be powerful tools for spreading ideas, fostering empathy, and inspiring change—often in subtle but lasting ways. His story is a reminder that political identity is often a lifelong work in progress—and that listening, learning, and using your voice are all part of the journey.

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Naomi Lin-Anderson is a half-Taiwanese/half-white Utahn who loves to dance, read, and paint. She’s also a church goer and elementary school teacher.

Naomi has always had a heart for people—whether that’s her elementary school students, her community, or those she’s met around the world. In this episode, she shares her journey of embracing her identity as a mixed-race Asian American in a community that hasn’t always reflected her background. She opens up about reconnecting with her Taiwanese heritage later in life, the importance of representation in media and leadership, and how visibility can inspire others to embrace who they are. Her experiences living in Guatemala brought new perspectives, from navigating culture shock to recognizing stark differences in how women are treated and objectified.

In this episode, Naomi reflects on how these life experiences shaped her commitment to kindness, empathy, and open-minded conversation — especially in a world that can feel divided by extreme views. She believes that representation isn’t just about being seen; it’s about showing others that they belong, that their voice matters, and that diverse perspectives strengthen communities. Naomi’s story is a reminder that listening to others, even when you disagree, can create the space for real understanding and change.

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Lawrence Mbaki grew up in Cape Town, South Africa and immigrated with his family to Cedar City, UT about 6 years ago. He currently attends Southern Utah University and is double majoring in Theater arts and music education. 

In this episode, I talk with Lawrence about his journey from growing up in the Congo and South Africa to building a life in the United States. Lawrence shares what it was like to grow up surrounded by vastly different cultures, and how those experiences shaped his deep respect for people of all backgrounds, religions, and beliefs. Quoting To Kill a Mockingbird, he reminds us that “you never really understand a person until you climb into their skin and walk around in it.” Our conversation touches on the political history of South Africa, the power of democracy, and why being an educated voter—one who thinks critically and does their own research—is such an essential part of honoring that power.

We also dive into what it means to truly make space for others, with Lawrence’s beautiful philosophy of “making room at the table.” He talks about the challenges of immigrating to the U.S. and how our society can sometimes lack openness to different cultures—but also how he’s found hope in human connection. Lawrence believes that most people are good at heart, even when their circumstances force them to make difficult choices to survive. This episode is a moving reminder that empathy, kindness, and curiosity can be powerful tools in building bridges.

🎥 Check out Lawrence’s TED Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEXAYn7sW1o&t=3s 

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