Book Review: Men and Grief, by Mitch Cohen M. ED, Contributors: Jon Yaeger; Robert Rainey; Dom Caratzas; Derek Scott, RSW, and Stuart Smith, LPC

 

"Life is suffering," is one of the Four Noble Truths in the Buddhist religion. Even though I am not Buddhist, I agree. Suffering is universal because it is an integral part of the human experience. Grieving is one of the few experiences in life we all have in common. Show me one person who has never cried in life. Go ahead, I will wait. Everybody grieves. It is quite common for women to be vocal about grief. For an example, most talk shows are female topic focused. In contrast, it is not common for men to be vulnerable and openly share their grief.  In the book, Men and Grief by Mitch Cohen M. Ed. and Contributors: Jon Yaeger; Robert Rainey; Dom Caratzas; Derek Scott, RSW, and Stuart Smith, LPC, men share their stories of grief and how they found strength to overcome sorrow through family, therapy, community and love. Let's discuss.....

How to Get Away with Murder: In Defense of Michaela Pratt

                  Michaela Pratt from How to Get Away with Murder, portrayed by actress                                                                     Aja Naomi King

How To Get Away with Murder (HTGAWM), rated TV-14, is one of my favorite legal dramas. As of November 2025, it is streaming on Amazon Prime. Peter Nowalk is the creator and Shondra Rhimes is the executive producer. HTGAWM follows the lives of Analise Keating, a defense attorney and law professor, and five of her law students (K5), who are involved in a series of complex murder plots. However, the complicated relationship between the K5 is why I repeatedly watch it on streaming. My favorite character is Michaela Pratt, portrayed eloquently by actress Aja Naomi King, who on the surface is not very likeable until you get to know her. I know her. Let's discuss....Warning, this post contains spoilers.  

Book Review: 10th Anniversary Edition: Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

 

Shonda Rhimes is a prolific television screenwriter, producer and founder of Shondaland, her production company. Highly rated Shondaland produced shows include How to Get Away with MurderThe Residence, Scandal, Bridgerton and others. When I heard that Rhimes was coming to my city to promote the 10th Anniversary of her Year of Yes memoir, I didn't think twice before buying a ticket. Let's discuss.....

Movie Review: A Soldier's Story, a movie adaptation of Charles Fuller's Pulitzer Prize Winning Play

 

                                                    Movie poster courtesy of Wikipedia


My dear mother passed away in July 2023, after living with cancer for over twenty years. I miss her dearly. Sometimes, rewatching movies we both enjoyed is my way of remembering good times. Recently, I thought about A Soldier's Story (1984 film). We watched the movie over and over again and quoted lines to each other.  A few months before she died, I invited her to see the live play at a local theater. She was not feeling well, so she suggested I take my brother instead.  Like Sinners (2025), A Soldier's Story is set during the era of Jim Crow, segregation of Black people in the United States. Both prominent characters in the films are from Mississippi. However, the villain in A Soldier's Story was not an Irish vampire promising "Fellowship and Love." Let's discuss.....

Food Addictions: What Happens When Food Becomes an Obsession?


Food courtesy of Moonery

I enjoy food. All kinds of food. A chocolate cake to celebrate a birthday?  Yes, I want two slices.  Buttered covered popcorn and a movie? I am first in line.  Veggie pizza? I want it right now. However, living a care-free food lifestyle has consequences. Recently, a relative passed away due to Type 2 diabetes. As a result of this loss, I analyzed my relationship with food. I noticed my unconscious eating habits, and my tendency to snack when I am not even hungry.  Why?  As we travel our own hero's journey to wholeness, we may self-medicate through food to help us deal with the obstacles and challenges on our path.  Let's discuss….