PODCAST · society
Contemplating Life with Chris Young
by Chris Young
"Contemplating Life" is a podcast by author, assistive technology developer, and disability advocate Chris Young. Each week we will explore a variety of topics including disability, religion, politics, entertainment, and whatever else I can think of.Please support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife
Episodes
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Contemplating Life – Episode 123 – “Insurance Woes and a Near-Death Experience”
This is the next in my ongoing series chronicling my year-long quest to find a suitable skilled nursing facility. It is the first episode I have recorded in my new home at Countryside Meadows Nursing Facility. Because I haven’t been able to record, I’ve been using the Contemplating Life Patreon...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 122 – “Where are you going? Not Church”
In this episode, I continue the story of my year-long research for a permanent placement in a skilled nursing facility. I also talk about recovering from the emotional trauma of a very bad experience over Thanksgiving weekend 2025. It includes the story of how I found it amazing online faith...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 121 – “Poor Communication and a Racist Nurse”
This is part two of the story of Thanksgiving week 2025, when I tried to give my sister Carol time off to visit family in Texas. Things did not go well. Links of Interest Greenwood Healthcare Center: https://communicarehealth.com/location/greenwood-healthcare-center/ For more episodes:...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 120 – “Violence Over MiraLAX Ruins Thanksgiving”
In this latest installment of my ongoing series about my struggles to find a safe and comfortable place to live, I tell a harrowing tale of Thanksgiving week, 2025. I made arrangements so my sister Carol could go to Texas to visit family. I had a solid plan for who would take care of me while she...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 119 – “The Search Begins”
In this episode, I chronicle a yearlong search for a suitable skilled nursing facility. This is part five of my continuing series recounting my efforts to maintain my benefits and live in a safe, comfortable environment. Links of Interest Wellbrooke of Avon:...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 118 – “It's Just a Building”
In this special episode, I present an essay about my feelings about leaving the home I’ve lived in since I was three years old. Normally, a podcast like this would include lots of nostalgic photos of my home and neighborhood. Unfortunately, I don’t have time or energy to create the kind of video...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 117 – “Record Breaking Difficult Decisions”
In this episode, I fast-forward through events after my dad died in February 2019 up until July 2025, after I made the decision to actively pursue placement in a skilled nursing facility. It includes a video of a speech I gave at my 70th birthday. This is part four of my continuing series...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 116 – “Good Source Material”
In this episode, I cover the events surrounding my dad’s funeral. The episode includes the audio of the eulogy I gave. I highly recommend you watch the YouTube version, as it includes a slideshow of photos of my dad to accompany the eulogy. This is part three of my continuing series recounting my...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 115 – “The Life and Death of Kenny Young”
In this next chapter in my ongoing series recounting my efforts to live in a safe, comfortable environment, it is finally time to talk about my dad’s death. To put it in context, we take a deep dive into his life and go down some side routes, talking about my family in general. These times were...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 114 – “It’s Hard to Find Good Help”
In this episode, I continue my series by recounting my efforts to maintain my Medicare and Medicaid benefits and live in a safe, comfortable environment. Links of Interest Special Needs Trust: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_needs_trust Employer Identification Number (EIN):...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 113 – “Benefits Battles and Dueling Diagnoses”
In this episode, I am beginning a series that could possibly be the last of this podcast. It might not be. But it’s a series I need to get finished in case this is the last. Unless I pull off a minor logistical miracle sometime in the foreseeable future, I will be leaving the house that I have...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 112 – “Oscar 2025: What Dreams May Come.”
In this episode, we review the last four films in this year’s survey of the Oscar-nominated Best Pictures. We will recap all of the winners versus my picks. Links of Interest “What Dreams May Come” (Act III, Scene I) “Hamlet”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_Dreams_May_Come “Train Dreams”…
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Contemplating Life – Episode 111 – “Oscar 2025: What the Hell Was That?”
In this episode, we continue our look at Oscar-nominated films. In this episode, I explore four films so bizarre that they left me asking, “What the hell was that?” Links of Interest SNL sketch from 1979 “What the hell is that?” on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU_Gd623HJo “The Secret...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 110 – “The Cost of Revenge”
Contemplating Life – Episode 110 – “The Cost of Revenge” In this episode, I recount a harrowing experience with a health scare last week and an incident that angered me so much that I indulged the darkest parts of my personality to plot a revenge that I never intended to deliver, but simply…
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Contemplating Life – Episode 109 – “Oscar 2025: There’s No Business Like Showbusiness”
In this episode, we continue our look at Oscar-nominated films. We will discuss three nominated films and a bonus film about men who have devoted their lives to show business. As they age, they look back at the sacrifices they had to make to fulfill their dreams. Links of Interest “Song Sung…
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Contemplating Life – Episode 108 – “Oscar 2025: Something Wicked This Way Comes”
It’s time for my annual review of the 10 Best Picture Oscar-nominated films. In this episode, we review three nominated horror films: Frankenstein, Weapons, and Sinners. I’m not going to be able to finish all of these reviews by the March 15 Oscar ceremony, but even if I can’t get them recorded…
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Contemplating Life – Episode 107 – “The Greatest Story Ever Told… Again and Again”
In this episode, I combine my exploration of religion and entertainment as I discuss recurring religious themes in literature, movies, and television. I also explore ways in which authors can portray people of faith in a positive light. This material is based on a lecture I gave in my writing...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 106 – “Lost in Translation”
In my last episode, I confessed that I had misidentified which translation of the Bible I was using. In this episode, I take a deep dive into various translations to figure out how I got confused about which version I was using. Links of Interest for this episode Handout materials for this…
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Contemplating Life – Episode 105 – “The Costs of Being A Prophet”
This is the fourth and final part of my very brief overview of the Old Testament. We continue with our look at Old Testament prophets and how to connect their stories to our present-day experiences. Links of Interest for this episode Handout materials for this lesson:...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 104 – “Prophets Aren’t About Prophecy”
This is the third part of my very brief overview of the Old Testament. Recall that we said last time that the New Testament refers to the Hebrew Scriptures as “The law and the prophets.” In this episode, we examine the role of a prophet. This is an attempt to make the Old Testament applicable to...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 103 – “Indulge Me”
In this episode, I continue a multi-part series based on my 30 years of teaching the Catholic faith in my local parish’s inquiry program. This is the second part of my very brief overview of the Old Testament. We examine the differences between Catholic and Protestant versions of the Old…
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Contemplating Life – Episode 102 – “Childhood Development”
After taking a break from his podcast and throwing in a couple of one-off episodes, I continue a multi-part series based on my 30 years of teaching the Catholic faith in my local parish’s inquiry program. In this episode, we begin our brief overview of the Old Testament. Links of Interest for…
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Contemplating Life – Episode 101 – “Censorship and the Death of Print Media"
In this episode, we look at the recent controversies surrounding the Indiana University student paper, the Indiana Daily Student, which was forced to shut down its print edition in favor of the online version. Then we take a broader look at the shift from print to digital media. Links of Interest...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 100 – “The Death of Broadcast TV”
In this episode, I bemoan the lack of new or innovative content on broadcast TV based on the offerings of this new fall season. We also take a statistical look at the recent Emmy awards and notice that the few broadcast and basic cable shows nominated did not earn any wins. AppleTV+ and other...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 99 – “Democracy and the Body of Christ”
While proofreading my previous episode, I realized the theological point I was making was also a commentary on the political divisiveness we find in our country today. Here are my thoughts regarding ways that the teachings of St. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians delivered a poignant...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 98 – “Discovering Lost Treasures”
In this episode, I depart from my original plans to continue turning my old Scripture lessons into podcast episodes. I’ve been going through old audiocassettes and downloading them to my computer, and I found some long-lost lectures that were key to my faith journey as a foundation of the lessons...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 97a "Conscience vs.Doctrine with Dr. Ernie Collamati"
This is a supplement to Episode 97.. It is from a video of an encounter I had with Catholic theologian Dr. Ernie Collamati. It discusses how to deal with our conscience when it differs from the official teaching of the Catholic Church. Here’s that exchange. Links of interest Dr. Ernie Collamati…
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Contemplating Life – Episode 97 – “Finding Sanctuary”
This episode is the final installment in a four-part series on Catholic Tradition. When I used to teach this lesson, it included a tour of the church. While I can’t do that with you physically, I want to try to cover the same material with you. We'll discuss in more detail what you can expect to...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 96 – “Mass Media”
In this episode, I present material based on the second lesson I taught in my local Catholic parish inquiry program for 30 years. I’m not here to convert anyone. I’m just sharing my stories. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the most important Catholic tradition – the celebration of our...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 95 – “Tradition is Sensual”
In this episode, I present material based on the second lesson I taught in my local Catholic parish inquiry program for 30 years. I’m not here to convert anyone. I’m just sharing my stories. In this episode, we continue to explore the connection between Scripture and tradition. We will then take…
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Contemplating Life – Episode 94 – “One Sacred Deposit. Two Means of Withdrawal”
In this episode, I present material based on the second lesson I taught in my local Catholic parish inquiry program for 30 years. I’m not here to convert anyone. I’m just sharing my stories. In this episode, we explore the Catholic Church’s approach to authoritative teaching based not only on...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 93 – “Is Andor Season 2 About Serbia?”
In this special episode, I discuss some striking similarities between Star Wars: Andor Season 2 and recent events in Serbia. I will return to the series of religious topics next time. Although I always make these podcasts listenable, I recommend you check out the YouTube version because I put a…
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Contemplating Life – Episode 92 – “Don’t Try This At Home”
In this episode, I wrap up part three of my series based on the first lesson I taught in my local Catholic parish inquiry program for 30 years. I’m not here to convert anyone. I’m just sharing my stories. In this episode, we explore how Scripture scholars use historical critical methods, textual...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 91 – “Through the Eyes of What's His Name”
In this episode, I continue a multipart series in which I adapt some of the lesson plans I used as I taught the Catholic faith for 30 years. I’m not here to convert anyone. I’m just sharing my stories. In this episode, we explore how Scripture looks at historical events through God’s eyes and not...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 90 – “The Gospels of Susie and Steve”
In this episode, I continue a multipart series in which I adapt some of the lesson plans I used as I taught the Catholic faith for 30 years. I’m not here to convert anyone. I’m just sharing my stories. In this episode, we try to understand how Scripture was created from oral traditions. We engage...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 89 – “What are Humans?”
In this episode, I continue a multipart series in which I adapt some of the lesson plans I used as I taught the Catholic faith for 30 years. I’m not here to convert anyone. I’m just sharing my stories. Having already talked about God in the last episode, this time we discuss human beings, a brief...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 88 – “What is God?”
In this episode, I begin a lengthy, multipart series in which I adapt some of the lesson plans I used as I taught the Catholic faith for 30 years. I’m not here to convert anyone. I’m just sharing my stories. Links of Interest RCIA/OCIA on Wikipedia:...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 87 – “When Your Heroes Violate Their Own Values”
Sometimes the people we admire turn out to be completely opposite of what we expect. Can we still respect them for the good that they’ve done when they revealed themselves to be something completely different? That’s the question I try to answer about my fandom of Elon Musk in this episode. Links...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 86 – “Oscar 2025: The Good, Bad, and Ugly”
This rather lengthy episode wraps up the reviews of most of the Oscar-nominated films for this year. I’m sorry I didn’t have time to do a better job but I was out of commission with the flu for about 10 days and just didn’t have time to do the kind of job I usually do. The Oscars will be…
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Contemplating Life – Episode 85 – “Oscar 2025: Hold my Beer”
This is the first of my abbreviated reviews of Oscar-nominated films for 2025. After several weeks of talking about Broadway musicals, fantasy, and fairy tales, we finally get around to discussing “Wicked.” Links of Interest “Wicked Part 1“ (2024) film on IMDb…
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Contemplating Life – Episode 84 – “From Never Never Land to Oz”
This is the final in a multi-part series inspired by the hit movie musical Wicked–Part 1. The series will explore musical theater, fairy tales, and fantasy in general. Links of Interest “Wicked Part 1“ (2024) film on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1262426/ Rogers and Hammerstein’s…
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Contemplating Life – Episode 83 – “In My Own Little Chair”
This is the third in a multi-part series inspired by the hit movie musical Wicked–Part 1. The series will explore musical theater, fairy tales, and fantasy in general. Links of Interest “Wicked Part 1“ (2024) film on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1262426/ Rogers and Hammerstein’s…
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Contemplating Life – Episode 82 – “My First TV Appearance”
This is the second of a multipart series inspired by the hit movie musical “Wicked–Part 1.” This series will be about musical theater, fairy tales, and fantasy in general. Links of Interest “Wicked Part 1“ (2024) film on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1262426/ “Snow White and the Seven…
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Contemplating Life – Episode 81 – “Dopey and Me”
This is the first of a multipart series inspired by the hit movie musical “Wicked–Part 1.” This series will be about musical theater, fairy tales, and fantasy in general. Links of Interest “Wicked Part 1“ (2024) film on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1262426/ “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 80b – “TV reviews: Fall 2024 Part 3”
This week, we conclude my reviews of 31 new primetime TV shows. TV Shows and Films Reviewed Note: I’m only linking movies and TV series. You can click on the links to find the actors mentioned. “The Summit” on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32869199/ “Before” on IMDb:...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 80a – “TV reviews: Fall 2024 Part 2”
This week, we have the first part of a two-part episode in which I review more new TV shows. The final part will be available in a few days. TV Shows and Films Reviewed Note: I’m only linking movies and TV series. You can click on the links to find the actors mentioned. “Universal Basic Guys” on...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 79 – “Last One Out Turn Off the Lights”
In this episode, we wrap up talking about my brief two years working at the IU Department of Medical Genetics. Links of Interest Prof. Emeritus Dr. John Gersting on IUPUI website: https://science.iupui.edu/people-directory/people/gersting-john.html Prof. Emeritus Dr. Judith Gersting on the IUPUI...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 78 – “Buz is Cool”
In this episode, we continue discussing my brief two years working at the IU Department of Medical Genetics. I tell the story of my friendship with one of my department colleagues. Links of Interest Prof. Emeritus Dr. John Gersting on IUPUI website:...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 77 – “Genetics 101”
In recent weeks, I’ve been talking about my work as a computer programmer for the Indiana University Department of Medical Genetics. This week, we take a departure to talk about the work that we did in that department. We will take a deep dive into basic genetics, and you will learn a little bit...
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Contemplating Life – Episode 76a – “There is Always More to Learn”
This week, I discussed my obsessive need to leave no gaps in these stories. I discovered some additional information that should’ve been in the previous episode, and I just couldn’t proceed without filling in the extra details. I also tried creating some illustrations using ChatGPT in this…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
"Contemplating Life" is a podcast by author, assistive technology developer, and disability advocate Chris Young. Each week we will explore a variety of topics including disability, religion, politics, entertainment, and whatever else I can think of.Please support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife
HOSTED BY
Chris Young
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Contemplating Life with Chris Young currently has 126 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Contemplating Life with Chris Young about?
"Contemplating Life" is a podcast by author, assistive technology developer, and disability advocate Chris Young. Each week we will explore a variety of topics including disability, religion, politics, entertainment, and whatever else I can think of.Please support this podcast on Patreon at...
How often does Contemplating Life with Chris Young release new episodes?
Contemplating Life with Chris Young publishes regularly with 126 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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Contemplating Life with Chris Young is created and hosted by Chris Young.
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