Welcome to the Thursday, December 14, 2020, 3 edition of the Daily Article Podcast.

I'm Chris Elkins, narrating today's article written by Denison Forum co-founder and CEO, Dr. Jim Denison.

The latest Godzilla movie is getting rave reviews and shattering box office records after a massive opening weekend.

Alex Fitzpatrick reports in Axios that the film is set in post-war Japan to explore the country's struggles in grappling with its actions and the incredible devastation levied upon it.

In other words, it's a sign of

our war-torn times. Here's another. Peach Fuzz is the Pantone Color Institute's color of the year,

chosen because it conjures peace and serenity. A company spokesman explained, we're going through a lot

of turmoil in our lives,

and we have a need for a color that's nurturing. In a day, some are calling the

age of unhingement. Perhaps we should not be surprised by such news. According to columnist Rick

Newman, if America had a national mood, it would be gloom.

Responding to surveys cataloging dismal consumer attitudes, he hypothesizes that

Americans are so overwhelmed with negative news that they're more inclined than ever to think

things are terrible. It's not just the seasonal depression that often comes with winter.

The CDC reports that our suicide rate is the highest ever recorded.

It has been consistently climbing since 2001, up nearly 50% over the last two decades.

Unsurprisingly, just 21% of us are confident that life for our children's generation will be better

than it's been for us. At the same time, Pew Research Center reports that seven in 10 U.S. adults

describe themselves as spiritual in some way. If we're so spiritual, why are we so unhappy?

Perhaps a clue is found in this part of the report.

22% of us say that we are spiritual but not religious. Of this group, 71% believe that

parts of nature like mountains, rivers, or trees can have spirits or spiritual energies.

...