Chris Grosso

Preston Fassel

Based on very real and practical commentary, life experience, and occasionally, tongue-in-cheek-misfortunes of horror legends, Necessary Death explores how the horror genre, its motifs and characters, offer individuals a unique opportunity for insight and understanding of their own lives. Necessary Death looks back on several iconic horror films and finds that maybe the genre wasn’t ever really just about men in hockey masks chasing good looking coeds through old dark houses. Even a cursory examination of the horror convention will reveal a plethora of stories from recovering addicts, survivors of trauma and sexual abuse, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and minorities. So what, then, can this genre so concerned with death teach us about being alive—and how can we apply those lessons in our day-to-day existence? Using some of the most quintessential movies in the genre, Chris Grosso and Preston Fassel invite readers to an in-depth examination of the human condition—its fears, anxieties, hopes, joys, sorrows, and everything in-between—and how it’s all grist for our personal and collective evolutionary mill. A hallmark of the genre is how horror films force their characters to find some semblance of inner strength and wherewithal in order to stand up to the monster, ghost, or villain that is trying to take their lives. Through fascinating discussion of this and other elements, Fassel and Grosso relate these films’ dark subject matter and characters to real world issues people face every day, showing that there’s something deep within us that, if even just metaphorically, can relate to the pain in these stories. This sharp analysis is complimented by exercises that prompt readers to consider gratitude, forgiveness, determination, and bravery in the face of adversity. An unusual mix of film study and self-help, Necessary Death might surprise or even shock readers, but it will also enlighten, educate, and most importantly hearten those looking for an unexpected source of inspiration.

What Horror Movies Teach Us About Navigating the Human Experience

Necessary Death

From a recovering addict, musician, and tattooed indie culturist: a guidebook for today’s generation of spiritual misfits who crave a dogma-free path. Brutally honest and radically unconventional, Chris Grosso’s collection of stories and musings about his meandering journey of self-inquiry, recovery, and acceptance shows what it means to live a truly authentic spiritual life. Set amongst the backdrop of Grosso’s original music (includ­ed for download via QR codes in the text), Indie Spiritualist encourages you to accept yourself just as you are, in all your humanity and imperfect perfection.

A No Bullshit Exploration of Spirituality

Indie Spiritualist

Based on very real and practical commentary, life experience, and occasionally, tongue-in-cheek-misfortunes of horror legends, Necessary Death explores how the horror genre, its motifs, and its characters offer individuals a unique opportunity for insight and understanding of their own lives. Necessary Death looks back on several iconic horror films and finds that maybe the genre wasn’t ever really just about men in hockey masks chasing good looking coeds through old dark houses. Even a cursory examination of the horror convention will reveal a plethora of stories from recovering addicts, survivors of trauma and sexual abuse, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and minorities. So what, then, can this genre so concerned with death teach us about being alive—and how can we apply those lessons in our day-to-day existence? Using some of the most quintessential movies in the genre, Chris Grosso and Preston Fassel invite readers to an in-depth examination of the human condition—its fears, anxieties, hopes, joys, sorrows, and everything in-between—and how it’s all grist for our personal and collective evolutionary mill. A hallmark of the genre is how horror films force their characters to find some semblance of inner strength and wherewithal in order to stand up to the monster, ghost, or villain that is trying to take their lives. Through fascinating discussion of this and other elements, Fassel and Grosso relate these films’ dark subject matter and characters to real world issues people face every day, showing that there’s something deep within us that, if even just metaphorically, can relate to the pain in these stories. This sharp analysis is complimented by exercises that prompt readers to consider gratitude, forgiveness, determination, and bravery in the face of adversity. An unusual mix of film study and self-help, Necessary Death might surprise or even shock readers, but it will also enlighten, educate, and most importantly hearten those looking for an unexpected source of inspiration.

Mark O'Connell

A children's book about rocking to your own beat, starring a kid just looking to focus his excitement by drumming. "Cool it, kid!" Ah, no! How's this kid's parent going to stifle him from releasing his energy? Tap tap tap...

I Love Drums

Cate Montana

Julie Starr

Catherine Ellis

Mary Clarke

Patrick Cameron

Betsy Chasse

Susie Beiler

Cameron Day

Sharon Ballantine

Marie Benard

Michele Cutler

Lisa Dimond

Morgan D. Hartt

Kate Rodger

Louise SaintOnge

Linda L. Sechrist

Parri Ulrich

Christine Upchurch

Trina Wyatt

At a time when people need spiritual substance never has substance been so hard to find.The New Age and New Thought movements have flatlined. Stunning scientific insights and uplifting spiritual information found in early break-through books and films have devolved into a smorgasbord of "feel good" social media memes and lookalike spiritual programs guaranteed to deliver overnight abundance, soulmates and enlightenment in easy 5-step workshops.Cliché has overtaken hard-won insight, perseverance, depth, long hours of contemplation and meditation and true spiritual advancement.All You Need Is Love is a much-needed antidote, breathing substance back into hackneyed topics, from desirelessness to the wisdom of seeking enlightenment, from the existence of the soul to the wisdom of posting yet one more fluffy spiritual meme on Facebook.Join us as 19 authors tell the tales of how they learned to go beyond pat sayings and shallow interpretations of spiritual beliefs as they struggled to find their way to greater and more meaningful lives. The AuthorsSharon Ballantine ¿ Susie Beiler ¿ Marie Benard ¿ Patrick Cameron ¿ Betsy Chasse ¿ Mary Clarke ¿ Michele Cutler ¿ Cameron Day ¿ Lisa Dimond ¿ Catherine Ellis ¿ Morgan D. Hartt ¿ Cate Montana, MA ¿ Rev. Kate Rodger, PhD(c) ¿ Louise SaintOnge ¿ Linda L. Sechrist ¿ Julie Starr ¿ Parri Ulrich ¿ Christine Upchurch ¿ Trina Wyatt"A profoundly timely and necessary book, All You Need Is Love will make you rethink what you think you know and believe when it comes to spiritual "Truths." ¬- Jeff Brown - Author of "Grounded Spirituality"

At a Time when People Need Spiritual Substance Never Has Substance Been So Hard to Find.

All You Need Is Love

Chris Grosso invites us to sit in on conversations with beloved luminaries and bestselling authors such as Ram Dass, Lissa Rankin, Noah Levine, Gabor Mate, and Sharon Salzberg to discover why people return to self-defeating behaviors—drugs, alcohol, unhealthy eating, sex, media—and how they can recover, heal, and thrive. In his recovery from drugs and alcohol, Chris Grosso has stumbled, staggered, and started all over again. In an effort to understand why he relapses, and why many of us return to the myriad of other self-defeating behaviors despite our better judgment, he went to bestselling authors, spiritual teachers, psychologists, doctors, and more, and asked them why we tend to repeat mistakes in our lives, even when we know these actions will harm us and the ones we love. In Dead Set on Living, Chris shares these intimate conversations and the practices that have taught him to be more loving, compassionate, and forgiving with himself as well as new meditation and healing techniques he learned through his journey. Unabashedly honest and inspiring, Dead Set on Living is essential reading for anyone seeking a path towards triumph over adversity, understanding the human condition, and rebuilding relationships after promises have been broken.

Making the Difficult but Beautiful Journey from F#*king Up to Waking Up

Dead Set on Living

Chris Grosso

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