By Small & Simple Screens

Are Latter-day Saints becoming too afraid to talk about modesty? After our first conversation about LDS modesty standards reached 85,000 views, it became clear that this topic struck a nerve. So we're continuing the conversation. This time, I'm joined by Lynzi Clyde from Hey Lindsay and Luke Hanson from Doctrine and Governance to explore why modesty has become such a difficult subject in the Churc...

Are people born gay, do they choose their sexuality, or is the question itself too simplistic? In this episode of By Small & Simple Screens, I sit down with Jeff Robinson, a psychotherapist with 30 years of experience, and his son Andrew Robinson, a Latter-day Saint seminary teacher, to explore some of the assumptions shaping conversations about same-sex attraction, LGBTQ issues, and faith. An...

J.R.R. Tolkien was a devout Catholic. So why does his creation story sound surprisingly Latter-day Saint? In this episode, I sit down with Christian from The Holy Rebellion and take him somewhere every Lord of the Rings fan should eventually go: The Silmarillion. Most people know Frodo, Gandalf, Sauron, and the One Ring. But Tolkien created an entire mythology behind Middle-earth, including a crea...

Did the Church change its standards on modesty, or did it change how we're expected to think about them? In this episode, I sit down with Luke Hanson for an honest conversation about modesty, For the Strength of Youth, parenting, clothing, and why this topic has become so difficult for Latter-day Saints to talk about. We look at the shift from specific clothing rules to today's more principle-base...

Giving your child a smartphone without preparing them is like handing them car keys without driver's ed. In this episode, I sit down with Kami Davis, co-creator of Screen Smarts, to talk about how parents can move beyond fear and teach kids the digital life skills they actually need. Instead of relying only on restrictions or screen time limits, Screen Smarts helps families build healthy habits th...

Aaron Wilson pushes back. Can characters who don't transform or change still teach our kids good morals? What are Paddington and Captain America teaching? Artists Hands Trailer (Aaron Wilson's Film) https://youtu.be/sJWMEBQ-RiI?si=aWG4Lu1DNO5zIHtw ALL MY LINKS! https://smallsimplescreens.com/ Purchase "Family: A Rhyming Proclamation for Kids" https://plainandpreciouspublishing.com/products/family-...

In this episode, Tanner Millet and I dive deep into the changing moral landscape of Marvel movies and modern storytelling. What started as a conversation about superhero films quickly turned into a much bigger discussion about justice, sacrifice, heroism, and the stories shaping our culture. We explore: The difference between restorative and retributive justice Why classic hero stories focused on...

In this episode, I sit down with Marcus Williams and Brock Morris from Bookrata, a new platform designed to help readers, parents, and educators better understand what’s actually inside the books they’re reading. Unlike traditional review systems, Bookrata uses detailed content analysis to rate books across categories like language, sex, violence, wellness, religion, and LGBTQ themes—giving users...

In this episode, I sit down with Camden Harwood to talk honestly about the struggles many Gen Z Latter-day Saints are quietly facing right now. From post-mission aimlessness to social media addiction, dating apps, loneliness, pornography, faith transitions, and the emotional pressure of young single adult culture, this conversation gets very real. We discuss: Why so many returned missionaries feel...

In this episode, I sit down with Sky Sorensen to talk about faith, family, identity, and what it’s been like navigating life as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who experiences same-sex attraction. Sky shares his personal story openly and thoughtfully, including the challenges, questions, and spiritual experiences that shaped his path. We discuss: Growing up without clea...

In this episode, I sit down with Laura Welch to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing parents today: learning how to trust your own instincts in a world full of experts, systems, and competing voices. Laura shares her experience raising five children through public school, private school, and homeschooling—and the difficult moments that forced her to advocate for her kids, especially whe...

In this episode, I sit down with my sister Lauren Pace—a parenting coach, former preschool teacher, and child behavior specialist—to talk about what actually helps kids thrive. Lauren shares her journey from managing difficult preschool classrooms to studying child behavior at a deeper level and helping families navigate real parenting struggles with more confidence and understanding. Follow Laure...

In this episode, I sit down with Tanner Millet from BYU to take a deeper look at both versions of Mulan—the 1998 animated classic and the 2020 live-action remake. At first glance, it might seem like a simple comparison. But as we got into it, we realized these two films are telling very different stories about growth, identity, and what it means to become your best self. We explore: • Why the orig...

In this episode, The Latter-Day Knight breaks down the influence of media and video games on youth, culture, and ideology. They cover current trends, concerns for parents, and ways to navigate today's entertainment landscape. - How media and video games shape beliefs and societal norms - The rise of ideology in pop culture, including examples from Star Wars, Marvel, and more - The impact of Gamerg...

Discover how faith-centered picture books are making a difference for Latter-day Saint families. Nicole from Popcorn Tree Books joins the podcast to share her journey, creative process, and tips for teaching kids the gospel. - The inspiration behind Popcorn Tree Books and why Nicole started writing faith-based picture books - Challenges and tips for translating gospel messages to young children -...

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Dave Butler, author of 20+ novels and editor-in-chief at Plain and Precious Publishing, to unpack what’s happening to modern fantasy, sci-fi, and storytelling as a whole. We dive into why so many stories today feel different… and whether something deeper has been lost. From the rise of “hard magic” systems popularized by Brandon Sanderson, to the growing...