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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