Contemplating Life with Chris Young

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 at Saint Regis College: https://www.regiscollege.edu/about-regis/find-us/faculty-and-staff-directory/ern...

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 Sunday liturgy, the Mass. Links of Interest for this episode Handout materials for this lesson: https://...

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 a deeper dive into Catholic traditions as they relate to the Sacraments. Links of Interest for this epi...

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 Scripture alone, as the Protestants do, but on a combination of sacred Scripture and sacred tradition. Lin...

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 lot of work into editing video clips. Links of Interest for this episode Star Wars: Andor TV series on W...

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 analysis, and knowledge of ancient languages and cultures to help us understand the original intent of...

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 from a human perspective. We will also debate how and when to use God’s Divine Name. Links of Interest...

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 in an exercise where we write some Scripture of our own. Links of Interest for this episode New Americ...

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 introduction to the use of mythology in Scripture, and the metaphorical use of angels and demons. Link...

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: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Christian_Initiation_of_Adults Change from RCIA to OCIA: https://www.ncregister.com/cna/forget-rcia-meet-ocia-u...

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 of Interest Bill Cosby on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Cosby  “Why Is There Air?” Cos...

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 presented Sunday, March 2 on ABC-TV and I wanted to get this episode out before the awards were presented. Link...

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: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1262426/ "Wicked: For Good" (2025) film on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19847976/ Rogers and...

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 “Cinderella” on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinderella_(Rodgers_and_Hammerstein_musical) "Cinder...

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 “Cinderella” on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinderella_(Rodgers_and_Hammerstein_musical) Richard Roge...

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 Dwarfs” (1937) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029583/ “Cinderella” (1965 TV special) on IMDb: https:/...

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” (1937) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029583/ “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937) on Wiki...

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: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13332622/ “Citadel” on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9794044/ “Citadel: Diana” on IMDb: https...

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 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23469464/ “Rescue: Hi-Surf” on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27...

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 website: https://science.iupui.edu/people-directory/people/gersting-judith.html Indiana University Depa...

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: https://science.iupui.edu/people-directory/people/gersting-john.html Indiana University Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics: https://medicine...

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 about the genetic disorder that causes my disability. Links of Interest Indiana University Department o...

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 episode, so I highly recommend that you watch the YouTube version rather than listen to this episode. Links o...

This week, we continue reminiscing about my first and only full-time job as a computer programmer. I worked in the IU Department of Medical Genetics along with my college mentor, Dr. John Gersting. Links of Interest IUPUI website: https://www.iupui.edu/ Prof. Emeritus Dr. John Gersting on IUPUI website: https://science.iupui.edu/people-directory/people/gersting-john.html Indiana University Departm...

This week, we have a special episode where I review six new TV shows and one movie that have recently premiered. 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. “Agatha All Along” (TV series 2024-) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15571732/ “The Penguin” (miniseries 2024) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15...