Contemplating Life with Chris Young

Chris Young
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"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

  1. Contemplating Life – Episode 112 – “Oscar 2025: What Dreams May Come.”

    4D AGO

    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” (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/ 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

    22 min
  2. Contemplating Life – Episode 111 – “Oscar 2025: What the Hell Was That?”

    MAR 23

    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 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

    26 min
  3. Contemplating Life – Episode 110 – “The Cost of Revenge”

    MAR 20

    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 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

    29 min
  4. Contemplating Life – Episode 109 – “Oscar 2025: There’s No Business Like Showbusiness”

    MAR 3

    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 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

    20 min
  5. Contemplating Life – Episode 108 – “Oscar 2025: Something Wicked This Way Comes”

    MAR 2

    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, 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

    22 min
  6. Contemplating Life – Episode 107 – “The Greatest Story Ever Told… Again and Again”

    FEB 23

    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 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

    48 min
  7. Contemplating Life – Episode 106 – “Lost in Translation”

    FEB 2

    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 lesson: https://www.patreon.com/posts/notes-for-106-in-149707860 Dating the Bible on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dating_the_Bible Biblical Aramaic on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_Aramaic Septuagint on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septuagint Vulgate on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulgate Luther Bible on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_Bible King James Version (KJV) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_James_Version Papal encyclical “Divino Afflante Spiritu” at the Vatican website: https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_30091943_divino-afflante-spiritu.html Papal encyclical “Divino Afflante Spiritu” on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divino_afflante_Spiritu Confraternity Bible (CCD) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confraternity_Bible New American Bible (NAB) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_American_Bible Preface to the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE) at USCCB gives history of its development: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/preface/0 Lectionary on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lectionary New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_American_Bible_Revised_Edition “Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation” at the Vatican website: https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.html Contemplating Life – Episode 94: https://contemplating-life.com/?p=508 Contemplating Life – Episode 104: https://contemplating-life.com/?p=580 New American Standard Bible (NASB) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_American_Standard_Bible New American Standard Bible (NASB) at Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NASB “Dynamic and Formal Equivalence” on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_and_formal_equivalence Revised Standard Version (RSV) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revised_Standard_Version New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Revised_Standard_Version New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSV-CE) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Revised_Standard_Version#NRSV_Catholic_Edition_(NRSV-CE) New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVue) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Revised_Standard_Version#NRSV_Updated_Edition_(NRSVue) Jeremy Steele on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/jeremy-steele-pastor "Unbelief" podcast. January 11, 2026 and where I'm interviewed by Skeptic Pastor Jeremy Steele: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Z7IVARYBRJddJBShHnuNC?si=_mggk3OTQj6AVdq_73A9FA New International Version (NIV) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_International_Version English Standard Version (ESV) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Standard_Version Article about the upcoming Catholic American Bible (CAB): https://ascensionpress.com/pages/the-catholic-american-bible 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

    24 min
  8. Contemplating Life – Episode 105 – “The Costs of Being A Prophet”

    FEB 2

    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: https://www.patreon.com/file?h=143872709&m=566923521 New American Bible at the Vatican website: https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_INDEX.HTM New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE) at the US Conference of Catholic Bishops: https://bible.usccb.org/bible New American Standard Bible (NASB) at Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NASB Elijah’s Saga 1 Kings 16:29 through 18:26 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1kings/16?29 Song “You Went the Wrong Way, Old  King Louie” Allan Sherman on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdSzgJiR4_I Luke 4:22-24 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/4?22 Matthew 13:57 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/13?57 Mark 6:4 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/6?4 John 4:44 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/4?44 Jeremiah 1:4-10 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/1?4 Isaiah 6:1-8 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/6 Song “Here I Am, Lord” by Dan Shutte on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/3SHkMN3V9tVlbeub0D2QIp?si=103c192441024a48 The Jonah story Jonah 1-3 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jonah/1 Jeremiah 5:30-31 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/5?30 Exodus 3:11-12 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/3?11 Exodus 18:7-12 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/18?7 General reference links for this series. List of episodes of this podcast dealing with religion: https://contemplating-life.com/blog/category/religion/ RCIA/OCIA on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Christian_Initiation_of_Adults Catechism of the Catholic Church on Vatican website: https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM 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

    36 min
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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 https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

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