I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad...

A Short Story about how we sometimes miss meanings by being too literal.

Hello Congregation. This short reading and podcast discussion is brought to you by Frontier Road Podcast, a non-denominational, non-affiliate, non-interesting podcast. This sunday school presentation of John 21 is a discussion between a pastor and a parishioner about the curious ending of the Gospel of John, including the statement of “We” and the mystery of its authorship. Though historically and in religious practice, this chapter highlights two significant events: the miraculous catch of...

This true story is brought to you by Frontier Road Podcast. Francis Darwin, the third son of Charles Darwin, followed in his father's footsteps as a botanist. He worked closely with Charles on experiments related to plant movements. In 1887, Francis edited The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin, a biography that provided an intimate look into his father’s life and included previously unpublished personal letters. The book was later described by The Times as "one of the best biographies ever...

Fanny Stenhouse spent most of her adult life as a Mormon. At eighteen, she broke her engagement to marry the Scottish Mormon missionary responsible for her conversion. Together, they had six children. The Stenhouses performed missionary work in Switzerland before emigrating to New York in 1855, and eventually settling in Utah in 1859. In Salt Lake City, Fanny founded and edited the Daily Telegraph, the city's first daily newspaper. While visiting non-Mormon friends in New York, Fanny was...

In "Losing My Spouse to Pickleball," Charlotte and Doug Dent, a couple married for 26 years, find themselves drifting apart as Doug becomes increasingly absorbed in his new hobby, pickleball. On the night of their anniversary celebration, Doug arrives home late after another round of pickleball, leaving Charlotte feeling neglected and hurt. Despite her attempts to voice her frustrations over the past few months, Charlotte struggles to express her feelings, and the distance between them...

A short screen play conversation between husband and wife sitting down to watch the show. Wife: Hey Hun - Can't wait to watch another episode of the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives with you tonight? Husband: Huh? The Packers are playing tonight. Sorry. I don't know what show you're talking about. Wife: Yes, you do. Mom Tok. I know you love it. Husband: Fine. I do love it. These Women are unhinged. and their husbands. Where are they? They should be arrested. I wish the show had more...

Prologue, Written by Me. When I was young, I thought my dad was the best man in the world. And maybe he is, but I don't think so anymore. I don't like him anymore. I can't even stand to be in the same room with him. Sure, I'll miss him when he's gone, and I'll remember the good memories. He never hurt me physically, and he provided well for me. I don't want to complain. But something changed. Maybe it was me, maybe it was him, or maybe it was just the world evolving and us growing apart. I...

"My Ántonia" by Willa Cather is a novel about memory, the immigrant experience, and the American frontier. The story is narrated by Jim Burden, a successful New York lawyer who reflects on his childhood in the Nebraska prairie and his deep friendship with Ántonia Shimerda, an immigrant girl from Bohemia (modern-day Czech Republic). The novel begins with Jim Burden as a young orphan, moving from Virginia to live with his grandparents in Nebraska. On the journey, he meets the Shimerda family,...

The hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" written by Civilla D. Martin has recently been added to the LDS hymnals. This podcast uses the hymn as a reflection on life’s natural cycle, drawing inspiration from the experiences of the author of the text and the origins of the hymn. By examining the life cycle of a sparrow—from birth to death—as a metaphor for our own lives, it explores the hymn with a new interpretation, in the context of a naturalistic view of God. The podcast highlights how...

"I Remember, I Remember" by Thomas Hood is a nostalgic poem reflecting on the poet's childhood memories and the contrast between the innocence and joy of youth and the disillusionment of adulthood.

A satirical exchange between a self-absorbed podcast host, Buddy Soles, and Fred Bob, the founder of a pickleball paddle company (Een Veer). Buddy is portrayed as an egotistical, out-of-touch interviewer who frequently interrupts and condescends to Fred, who is much more down-to-earth and focused on the technical aspects of his product. The conversation highlights the clash between Buddy's aggressive, sales-driven approach and Fred's more modest, product-focused mindset. This is largely a...

Got a text from Martin yesterday afternoon, said he’d be at the park at 7:30am to play pickleball. I was with my wife, watching Love is Blind, a brilliantly sadistic show by the way. These poor shmucks agree to getting married before they even see who they are marrying. Then the reveal happens and oh my. Oh my. But, I showed my wife the text. She was excited for me. You see, I rarely get invited. I’m usually the one inviting and organizing....... They can have their 5.0 ratings, their...

The following is a fictional conversation between Herman Melville, the author of Moby-Dick, and Joseph Smith, the founder of the LDS Church. In this imagined dialogue, Melville shares insights from his classic novel, Moby-Dick. One particular chapter, Chapter 86, titled "The Tail," offers an unexpectedly profound reflection on experiences within a Mormon temple. While ostensibly about a whale’s tail, this chapter subtly, maybe ironically, but certainly unknowingly and unintentionally...

This is a reading of Jane Austen's most prized work, Pride and Prejudice. It has been condensed and modernized by Frontier Road Podcast. We have tried to maintain its original charm, while keeping a pace and style that is more appealing to some modern audiences. As an interesting aside, Jane Austen sold all rights to her book for 110 pounds, which is the equivalent today of about 11 thousand dollars. It was obviously not a great gamble, as it soon became a bestseller and is still considered...

Ozempic Envy – A short story by Franz Bradford. Walks into Church. Sits down at their favorite pew. Which being said as favorite, makes it sound like it is envied by them or others. It’s not. It’s just a comfortable pew. The pew they’ve sat at for the past 20 years of marriage. The pews they’ve seen their kids grown into and out of. The pew that feels empty now that their kids are leaving home.    Husband looks over to wife. He notices a face that seems like something is off....

The first two chapters of Moby Dick in 101 Pages, which is an abridged edition of Moby Dick. The book, and this reading, contains footnoted insights into the novel and the mind of the author Herman Melville. This reading includes Chapters 1 and 2.

It all began four years ago, in the summer of 2020. A family living in the Pacific Northwest, faced with the ennui of long summer days, was brainstorming new hobbies to alleviate their boredom. They asked themselves: What can we do to be productive and have fun? What family activity can teach the children new skills and help us pass the time enjoyably? "Let's create a family board game," suggested the mother. Instantly, the father and sons were brimming with ideas and creative energy. With a...

And you, my father, there on the sad height,Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.Do not go gentle into that good night.Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Thomas's poem can be read not as a plea to persevere, but as a bitter backlash against the cruelty of life. It was written during a period when Thomas watched his alcoholic father succumb to apathy, illness, blindness, and ultimately death. His father, a schoolteacher, was profoundly disappointed with his station in...

Excerpt from the short story about a husband/father in a mid life crisis trying to find some purpose: "Oh Jesus, my life is good, but it sucks so much." "Honey, can you empty the dishwasher?" Sure, why not. I've got nothing else to do, I mutter…to myself..  But out loud too. Why the hell not. I’ve got nothing else to do. Wish I did, but I don’t. But emptying the dishwasher? Yeah, I’ll empty it. "Dad, come play pig with me?" My son wants to play pig. He would...

Mother to Son Well, son, I’ll tell you: Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. It’s had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up, And places with no carpet on the floor— Bare. But all the time I’se been a-climbin’ on, And reachin’ landin’s, And turnin’ corners, And sometimes goin’ in the dark Where there ain’t been no light. So boy, don’t you turn back. Don’t you set down on the steps ‘Cause you finds it’s kinder hard. Don’t you fall now— For I’se still goin’,...

There is a song, in the hit musical Hamilton, titled Hurricane. The lyrics of the first four verses are:   In the eye of a hurricane There is quiet For just a moment A yellow sky When I was seventeen a hurricane Destroyed my town I didn't drown I couldn't seem to die I wrote my way out Wrote everything down far as I could see I wrote my way out I looked up and the town had its eyes on me They passed a plate around Total strangers Moved to kindness by my story Raised enough...

Dear Son, In hallowed halls of carpeted walls, our tale unfolds,Loyalty’s flame, a father holds,A clash of spirits, unyielding, fierce,As love and duty combine, pierce. Behold! My son, with earnest eyes,Embracing gospel’s call, your soul takes life,In each obedient step, you sail my course,A blessing to me, an unwavering force. Your heart, a vessel of faith’s bright flame,In the chains of creed, you receive your name,With steadfast spirit, your soul stays bound,To the teachings and truths,...

1). Only a Dad by Edgar Guest; 2). On Children By Kahlil Gibran; 3). If by Rudyard Kipling; 4). So God Made a Farmer by Paul Harvey