Tony Branco

Politics

No One Is Immune to Grief — Not Even Presidents

This article explores the seldom-told story of Coolidge’s silent struggle, offering insight into the human side of the man who led America during the Roaring Twenties. It’s a powerful reminder that even the most powerful figures are not immune to the universal pain of loss.

Inspirational

From Hardwood to Healing: The Chris Herren Story

Chris Herren's rise, fall, and recovery from addiction is a powerful reminder that no one is beyond saving. From NBA hopeful to overdose survivor, he now uses his story to inspire hope and help others choose a different path.

In the news

This Isn’t Just About Karen Read

The Karen Read trial isn’t just about guilt or innocence. It’s about what happens when power protects its own—and the truth gets buried beneath it.

Techniques

Not TMZ… TMS: A Pulsating New Way to Treat Depression?

After months of stalled progress, my therapist pushed me to try something new: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. But I’m still not sure I’m ready.

Movies

The Last of the Von Erichs: A Story of Survival, Faith, and Perseverance

A heartfelt look at Kevin Von Erich—the last surviving brother of the legendary wrestling family—navigating tragedy, faith, and the enduring legacy of the Von Erichs.

Another Mother’s Day Without Mom

Creating this website has had a lot of benefits for me. I started this blog, almost exactly, two years after my mother died. I did it, at the advice of my therapist, as a way of journaling and expressing my feelings. It was good advice. I've been through

Troubled souls

Innocence lost: Virginia Giuffre never needed a prince, she just needed someone to trust

You might not recognize the name, but you know the impact she had. You may have even missed the news of her passing, recently, on April 25, 2025. She took down a financier who was once believed to have been worth around $600 million. She took down a British royal

Personal

Pope's passing reminds me of some personal stories of terminal lucidity

I woke up on the morning of Monday, April 21, 2025. As per usual, like many people, the first thing I did was reach for my phone. Usually, I check social media first to see if I missed anything in the six hours I was sleeping. Maybe I will check

In the news

Gene Hackman and disrespecting the privacy of the dearly departed

Every few years there occurs a death of a celebrity that brings me to tears. Not because of who the person is, necessarily. Instead, my tears are for the way their lives ended and the way they are treated, in death. The legendary top-40 countdown radio DJ, Casey Kasem, immediately

In the news

Lessons we can learn from the San Diego Zoo elephants

For the sake of my mental health, in recent years, I have made a conscious effort not to watch as much news on TV, not visit as many news websites on my computer or phone, or spend as much time on social media. Far more often than not, it is

Personal

Expected Value vs. Actual Value

I have returned to playing poker online after about a fifteen year layoff. I have also been reading a book called The Biggest Bluff: How I Learned to Pay Attention, Master Myself, and Win by Maria Konnikova. The book's subject matter is something I have already been very

Politics

Trump's rise to power (again): What happened to US?

You reap what you sow.

Politics

Clint Hill: Dealing with guilt

Nobody knows when they are born what lies ahead in their lives. When we go through year after year of schooling, we don't know what fate has in store for us. Most of us will lead average lives. We may experience the thrill of meeting a celebrity who

Movies

Hachi and the lessons he teaches us

About ten years ago I watched this heart-wrenching movie for the first time. It wouldn't be the last. It is a movie that has resonated with me ever since. There are several reasons why. First off, the movie was filmed in Woonsocket, Rhode Island which is the next

Father

Don't wait until it is too late to take the car keys away from a parent

I still live in the same house where I grew up. It's a two-family house and we've always rented out the top floor. About fifteen years ago, instead of having to deal with tenants anymore, I decided to move up there with my life partner, Erin.

Troubled souls

Kevin Smith: Trauma is trauma

Kevin Smith opens about his battle with mental illness.

Mother

My mother's birthday: A day for reflection

Things I've learned in the three years since my mother's death.

Techniques

Reintroducing myself to myself

Who am I now? After the death of my mother, I am forever changed. But who is this new person?

Troubled souls

An uneventful end to an eventful life: Alex Van Halen opens up about grieving his brother Eddie's death

Alex Van Halen sits down with Anderson Cooper to discuss his brother's, the great Eddie Van Halen, death.

Mother

Andrew Garfield discusses grieving the loss of his mother

You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves. Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.

Politics

Trump Fatigue

I'll tip my hat to the new Constitution Take a bow for the new revolution Smile and grin at the change all around Pick up my guitar and play Just like yesterday Then I'll get on my knees and pray We don't get fooled

Politics

Politics and depression

Election day has finally arrived. The point of this article is not to persuade anyone of my political views. Everyone is entitled to their views. What I will say is that who you vote for says a lot about you. I wanted to write this is to highlight something I

Observations

Halloween: Stay off my lawn!

It has become a tradition that my lovely partner, Erin, hands out candy on Halloween and I, being the loving, supportive partner, sit in the adjoining room and keep a count on how many kids come. I even invested in a tally counter clicker thing last year so I wouldn’

Inspirational

It's ok, it's ok, it's ok

I’ve been meaning to write about this person for a long time. Thinking back, she was one of the first people I wanted to write about when I started this site in March, 2023. I know this person was an inspiration for me then, and is now. This person

Observations

Knowing when to hold 'em and knowing when to fold 'em

I have recently rediscovered my passion for playing poker. Poker and I have had a love/hate relationship for over 20 years now. As with many poker players my age, I really discovered the game while watching the 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP) on ESPN. The WSOP is held