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): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employer_Identification_Number

Central Indiana Council on Aging (CICOA): https://cicoa.org/

2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup

Surname “Adewale” 218th most common in Nigeria: https://forebears.io/surnames/adewale

Larue Carter Mental Hospital: https://indyencyclopedia.org/larue-carter-hospital/

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

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YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

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 lived in since I was a few weeks shy of my fourth birthday. I will be moving into a skilled nursing facility where I hope to live out my days in comfort.

This series will chronicle my battles to receive the benefits I need to live a safe and fulfilling life. It will lead up to my current situation, which has led me to conclude that it’s time to move on to a different setting. I have no idea how long this series will take. It’s a long story.

Links of Interest

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_muscular_atrophy

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duchenne_muscular_dystrophy

Indiana Department of Vocational Rehabilitation: https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddars/brs/vocational-rehabilitation-employment/

Indiana Aged and Disabled Waiver: https://www.in.gov/medicaid/members/home-and-community-based-services/aged-and-disabled-waiver/

Indiana Development Disability Waivers: https://www.in.gov/medicaid/members/home-and-community-based-services/family-supports-waiver/

Developmental Disability Defined: https://www.in.gov/gcpd/developmental-disability/

An older document defining DD: https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddars/files/Eligibility_and_ICF_ID_DD_LOC_Determination_signed.pdf

Mensa International: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mensa_International

Types of trusts: https://blogs.iu.edu/sharedsolutions/2023/08/21/planning-for-the-future-special-needs-and-miller-trusts-explained/

Newspaper article about Special Needs Integrity agency: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2015/11/16/nonprofit-accused-taking-millions/75886746/

Interview with Greg Fehribach: https://www.ibj.com/videos/interview-issue-2015-greg-fehribach

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

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YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

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” (2025 film): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train_Dreams_(film)

“Marty Supreme” (2025 film): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marty_Supreme

“F1” (2025 film): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F1_(film)

“Winning” (1969 film): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winning_(film)

“Hamnet” (2025 film): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamnet_(film)

“Hamlet” (play c1600 William Shakespeare): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamlet

Movie awards for 2025 releases

98th Academy Awards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/98th_Academy_Awards

82nd Golden Globe Awards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/82nd_Golden_Globes

32nd SAG Actor.Awards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32nd_Actor_Awards

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

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Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

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 Agent” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_Agent_(2025_film)

“One Battle After Another” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Battle_After_Another

“Nuremberg” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuremberg_(2025_film)

“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_I_Had_Legs_I%27d_Kick_You

“Bugonia” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bugonia_(film)

“Poor Things” (2023): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poor_Things_(film)

Episode 80a, which discusses “On the Line”: https://contemplating-life.com/?p=437

“On the Line” (2022): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Line_(2022_film)

Movie awards for 2025 releases

98th Academy Awards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/98th_Academy_Awards

82nd Golden Globe Awards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/82nd_Golden_Globes

32nd SAG Actor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32nd_Actor_Awards

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

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 crafted to give me peace of mind. What that plot told me about myself was quite revealing. Trigger Warning: This episode contains misogynistic and offensive language.

Links of Interest

David Gerrold: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Gerrold

St. Francis Hospital, Indianapolis: https://directory.franciscanhealth.org/location/franciscan-health-indianapolis

Florence Nightingale: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Nightingale

Lycanthrope: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werewolf#:~:text=)%2C%20or%20occasionally-,lycanthrope,-%5Bb%5D

Episode 22 “The Reunion” an award-winning article I wrote in 1987: https://contemplating-life.com/?p=149

Matthew 25:34-36 (NASRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/25?34

The Golden Rule: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Rule

Luke 6:31 (NASRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/6?31

“Planet of the Apes” (1968): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet_of_the_Apes_(1968_film)

Clip from “Planet of the Apes”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cdmqn9JIuzc

Report about racist tweet reposted by Trump: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jImPTGrwF4Y

Rosary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosary

George Carlin “Confession”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEyJ0XZoKSU

Episode 104 “Prophets Aren’t About Prophecy”: https://contemplating-life.com/?p=580

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

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 Blue” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_Sung_Blue_(2025_film)

“Song Sung Blue” (2008 documentary) Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_Sung_Blue_(2008_film)

“Song Sung Blue” (2008 documentary), entire film free on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDukMQIz1Sc

“Blue Moon” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Moon_(2025_film)

Lorenz Hart: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorenz_Hart

Richard Rogers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Rodgers

“Boyhood” (2014): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyhood_(2014_film)

“Oklahoma!” (1943 Broadway musical): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma!

“A Connecticut Yankee” (1943 Broadway musical): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Connecticut_Yankee_(musical)

“Sentimental Value” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentimental_Value

“Jay Kelly” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Kelly

Movie awards for 2025 releases

98th Academy Awards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/98th_Academy_Awards

82nd Golden Globe Awards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/82nd_Golden_Globes

32nd https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32nd_Actor_Awards

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

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, I will write the scripts and post them on the podcast website and on Patreon. Post comments and tell me what you thought of these films.

Links of Interest

“Hamnet” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamnet_(film)

“Wicked: For Good” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicked:_For_Good

“Frankenstein” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein_(2025_film)

“Frankenstein” (1818) novel by Mary Shelley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein

List of films featuring Frankenstein’s monster on Wikipedia:

“Frankenstein: The True Story” (1973 made-for-TV movie) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein:_The_True_Story

“Frankenstein” (1992 made-for-TV movie): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein_(1992_film)

Stereotypical character Igor on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_(character)

“Weapons” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weapons_(2025_film)

“The Thing” (1982): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thing_(1982_film)

“Sinners” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thing_(1982_film)

Movie awards for 2025 releases

98th Academy Awards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/98th_Academy_Awards

82nd Golden Globe Awards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/82nd_Golden_Globes

32nd https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32nd_Actor_Awards

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

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 seminar under our mentor, award-winning science fiction author David Gerrold.

Links of Interest for this episode

“The Red Badge of Courage” (1894 novel) by Stephen Crane: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Red_Badge_of_Courage

“The Citadel” (1937 novel) by A.J. Cronin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Citadel_(novel)

“South Pacific” (1949 Broadway musical) by Rodgers and Hammerstein: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Pacific_(musical)

“Tales of the South Pacific” (1947 book) by James A. Michener: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_of_the_South_Pacific

“Cyrano de Bergerac” (1897 play) by Edmond Rostand: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrano_de_Bergerac_(play)

“The Phantom of the Opera” (1910 novel) by Gaston Leroux: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom_of_the_Opera_(novel)

“Love Never Dies” (2010 musical) by Andrew Lloyd Webber: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Never_Dies_(musical)

“The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” (1950 children’s novel) by C.S. Lewis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion,_the_Witch_and_the_Wardrobe

“The Greatest Story Ever Told” (1965 film) by George Stevens: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greatest_Story_Ever_Told

“The Outsiders” (1967 young adult novel) by S.E. Hinton: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Outsiders_(novel)

“The Outsiders” (1983 film) directed by Francis Ford Coppola: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Outsiders_(film)

“Star Wars Episode I – The Phantom Menace” (1999 film) by George Lucas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_Episode_I_%E2%80%93_The_Phantom_Menace

“Blade Runner” (1982 film) by Ridley Scott: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blade_Runner

“Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan” (1992 film) by Nicholas Myers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek_II:_The_Wrath_of_Khan

“Star Trek: The Search for Spock” (1984 film) by Leonard Nimoy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek_III:_The_Search_for_Spock

“Short Circuit” (1986) by John Badham: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_Circuit_(1986_film)

The New Testament: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Testament

“Stranger Things” (2016-2025 TV series): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stranger_Things

The Apostles’ Creed: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostles%27_Creed#:~:text=descended%20into%20hell%2C%20rose%20again%20from%20the%20dead%20on%20the%20third%20day%2C

Johnnycake death scene from “The Outsiders” (1986):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZmMklpMKlw

Enneagram Personality Typology: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enneagram_of_Personality

Resurrection scene from “Short Circuit” (1986 film): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xPu59_MHQ0

Disciples on the road to Emmaus Luke 24:13-35 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/24?13

“Greater love…” John 15:13 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?13

Mr. Spock’s death scene from “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHAOWLhrxhQAdditional links available on our website at https://contemplating-life.com/?p=596

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq