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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From Blog to Broadcast: “Still Breathing Against Odds” — My New Podcast for the Tired, the Dreamers, and the Chronically Determined

If you’ve ever wanted to hear my blog posts read aloud—sarcasm, soul, and all—then you’re in luck. My new podcast Borrowed Air is the audio version of my life: a mix of chronic illness reflections, creative chaos, and a chef’s musings from the edge of exhaustion. Perfect for anyone who loves real stories told with humor, heart, and honesty.

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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.