Tate Basildon

Why That Blasting Speaker-Phone in the Waiting Room Is Literally Harming My Brain (And Maybe Yours Too)

Chronic illness, wait‐rooms and “halfalogue” stress: as a chef living with sarcoidosis and heart failure I’ve learned that overhearing speaker-phone calls isn’t just annoying—it adds cognitive load, heightens cardiovascular risk, and drains creativity. If you’re juggling chronic illness or writing your debut novel, here’s why you’ll want to resist the roar of public monologues and reclaim your mental fuel.

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When My Heart Rebelled for Two Minutes—and My AICD Stepped In

Back in 2010, a simple walk with my dog turned into a two-minute dance with death when my heart went into fibrillation. Thanks to my implanted defibrillator, I lived to tell the story—and to learn what it means to actually listen to my body when it decides to go rogue.

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Raised by Women, Tempered in Kitchens: How Respect Became My Quiet Rebellion

Growing up in a household full of brothers but shaped by strong women, I learned early that respect isn’t optional—especially in male-dominated kitchens. As a private chef living with sarcoidosis and heart failure, I’ve seen how words, attitudes, and compassion impact everyone. Here’s how childhood, chronic illness, and the culinary world taught me why speaking up matters.

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The Dad Who Showed Up

Living with sarcoidosis and heart failure, I’ve learned a thing or two about showing up even when life doesn’t make it easy. My biological father didn’t, but my stepdad—my real dad—did. This is a story about humor, strength, and learning to face illness with a smile instead of a complaint.

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*The $280,000 Question: Do I Change My Doctors or My Insurance?

When your doctors of twenty years suddenly drop your insurance, sarcoidosis and heart failure become the least of your problems. Here’s what happens when loyalty meets bureaucracy, and why choosing between good doctors and great insurance feels like gambling with your health—and your sanity.