Happy Friday!
I hope July is settling in with a sense of momentum and openness. As summer begins to take shape, I’ve found myself thinking about the things that linger beyond their original moment: an idea that keeps returning, a fleeting interaction, a piece of music, an image, or a conversation that continues to reveal itself over time.
And as always, I’d love to hear what’s been staying with you lately. What’s captured your attention? What thoughts, moments, or discoveries have been circling back?
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Let’s dive in:
Birthrates in much of the developed world are at record lows, but there’s one demographic group that’s exploring new frontiers of fertility: ultrawealthy men.
The Young Catholic Elite Poised to Take Over MAGA
For J.D. Vance and his co-religionists in Washington, faith is a powerful means of ascent.
Hamas did not say whether it planned to take the crucial step of disarming or handing over security to an international force, but described its decision as evidence of its commitment to Gaza’s reconstruction after years of war.
Optimists once believed that universal literacy was inevitable. Now it seems that the age of reading might be a short anomaly in human history.
A Kentucky church is facing backlash after a Vacation Bible School skit featuring a mock firing squad in front of children went viral online.
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Podcast
It’s Complicated: Sexuality, Love and Life in Our Famillies
This week Ruth welcomes writer Jonathan Merritt for a conversation on the intersection of our sexuality and spirituality. Jonathan describes growing up at the center of conservative evangelical culture as a Southern Baptist leader’s son, internalizing damaging stories about homosexuality that produced shame, secrecy, and hiding. He recounts experiences of God’s presence, guidance, and “shattering” as the great iconoclast, including being publicly outed in 2012, leaving his church context, and entering a wilderness of discernment. Both Ruth and Jonathan connect on their shared experience with pastor fathers and the ways their identities did not live up to expectations. Merritt reflects on the long, costly work of reaching across a fixed chasm with his parents through private, intentional conversations, emphasizing patience, waiting, and letting God be God in others’ lives.
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Mythos by Stephen Fry
In Mythos, the ancient stories of the Greek gods are brought thrillingly to life by one of the great storytellers of our time. Beloved writer, actor, and comedian Stephen Fry retells the legendary myths of ancient Greece with warmth, humor, and extraordinary narrative flair, introducing readers to the dazzling world of gods, titans, and heroes.
Fry’s retellings balance faithful respect for the original myths with a modern voice that makes these ancient stories feel immediate, vivid, and irresistibly entertaining. His distinctive wit and curiosity illuminate both the humor and the darker complexities of the myths, offering fresh insight into stories that have shaped art, literature, and culture for thousands of years.
Beautifully produced and featuring classical artwork inspired by the myths, Mythos is both a captivating narrative and a stunning volume to treasure. Whether you are encountering Greek mythology for the first time or rediscovering its timeless tales, this remarkable book offers an unforgettable journey into the origins of Western storytelling.
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Thank you so much for being a part of this community! I’ll see you next week.
Jm
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