Essays on the noise of existence, being a dad, grief, addiction, and recovery.
New here? Start here.
Most of my writing is about something I’ve lived through or experienced, but some of it is just my opinion. While I write mainly for myself, I always like your feedback so please leave a comment if you would like. If you’re new here, these five essays are a place to begin. ~ Ryan
- Why I’m Here — Why these stories exist, and who I’m leaving them for.
- Experience — Grief, finding a voice, and sharing what I’ve lived through.
- Body & Mind — Getting sober was only part of learning how to live.
- This is Church — Faith, heavy metal, and finding somewhere to belong.
- Hail to the King — A father, a son, and the music between them.
The Latest
-
Owning Both
From jail cells to boardrooms, poverty to wealth, and failure to success. A personal reflection on identity, belonging, and owning both worlds.
Recent Posts
-
Liberty on Life Support
Moms still read bedtime stories to their kids. And while I’m pretty sure that’s not a strictly American thing, it’s…
-
The House in the Hill
What do I believe? That’s a question I’ve asked myself many times over the years. I’m not sure anyone really…
-
The Cost of Conformity
“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” — Jiddu Krishnamurti I was…
-
The Suffering of Desire
Life, or at least my life, the only one I’m qualified to speak on has been a series of building…
-
God is Dead
I was fourteen years old and in a long-term treatment center after a drug overdose. I was a sophomore in…
-
A Byproduct of Darkness
There is a weight to being a “creator”. With being anything, really. I play guitar, I write, I draw, and…
-
Now what?
I write a lot about the darkest parts of my life: alcoholism, drug addiction, and my past struggles with suicidal…
-
Dad Guilt
The “dad guilt” is real. I am usually at the office, on a side job, or somewhere in between, trying…
-
The Quantum Entanglement of Grief
She knew. She didn’t know how, and she didn’t know when, but she knew. On my birthday, several months prior,…
Where to go from here
- Start here: five essays to begin with
- Read the AA: A Cult of Personality series
- Explore the blog archive
- Get in touch
-Ryan
© 2026 Digital Diatribe Media LLC. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express permission is prohibited. Link: Full Legal & Sharing Policy You can also read our full Privacy Policy