Why I Stopped Believing in Confession (And Why Being a Decent Human Shouldn’t Need a Reset Button)

Raised in a Catholic school from age five to sixteen, I once believed in the power of confession—kneeling in a booth, spilling sins, walking out with a “clean slate.” But over time, I realized many used it as a free pass to behave badly, gossip shamelessly, or worse. In this heartfelt reflection, a chef, debut novelist, and chronic illness warrior shares how religion, family expectations, and a gossiping “good Catholic” co-worker pushed him away from organized faith—and toward a simpler belief: just be a good human.

Keep Your Twigs and Your Verses: A Survival Guide to Unwanted Evangelism

Ever been spiritually ambushed by someone quoting scripture or pushing miracle twigs like they’re handing out eternal life samples at Costco? As a spiritual but not religious chef living with chronic illness, I’ve got some thoughts—and a few logs of my own. Here’s my no-pamphlet-needed take on boundaries, belief, and why passion doesn’t need to feel like a sales pitch.