Tate Basildon

Why I Absolutely Can’t Stand Halloween (And What It Says About Us)

As a chef battling sarcoidosis and heart failure, debris from a life that refuses to behave, I’m here to tell you why Halloween — creepy skeletons, gore-fest lawns, serial-killer mannequin dioramas and all — feels wrong in a way that psychology backs up. If you’ve ever felt alienated by the “fun” of Halloween or want to understand why it grates on your nerves (and mine), read on for a mix of sarcasm, heart, and insight into fear, ritual and chronic illness living.

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•The High Price of Staying Alive: Chronic Illness, Insurance, and America’s Health Care Circus

Living with chronic illness means juggling more than fatigue and pain—it’s the nonstop cost of staying alive. From $280,000 heart surgeries to sky-high insurance premiums, surviving in America’s healthcare system feels like a full-time job. Here’s what it’s really like to navigate life, love, and medical debt when your body—and the system—won’t cut you a break.

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Living with a Heart That Beats on Borrowed Time: My Journey with Heart Failure and an AICD

In 2007, a routine heart procedure turned into a life-changing diagnosis: heart failure. Eighteen years later, I’m still here—living with sarcoidosis, a defibrillator in my chest, and the constant awareness that my next heartbeat might depend on a tiny piece of metal and code. This is what surviving with an AICD really feels like—equal parts miracle, nuisance, and reminder to keep going.

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How Do People Become This Evil? The Twisted Faith of the Kingdom of God Global Church

When the FBI rescued 57 victims of forced labor from a Florida mansion tied to the so-called Kingdom of God Global Church, I was left wondering how people can be this evil—and how others can still believe their lies. It’s a story about greed, manipulation, and the dark side of blind faith that masquerades as divine truth.

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The Real Cost of Breathing: My Journey with Portable Oxygen and Inogen’s Price Tag

Living with chronic illness means oxygen is my lifeline—but it shouldn’t cost as much as a used car battery to keep breathing. From the clunky “wine bottle” tanks of 2007 to Inogen’s sleek Rove 6 portable concentrators, I’ve tested it all. Here’s the evolution of oxygen tech, the hidden truth about manufacturing costs, and why patients deserve fair pricing.