Can I Hire a Personal Risk Manager?

On risk, the inevitability of suffering, and the grounding power of a Rule of Life

Hi, I’m Alex! Editor, writer, and author. Hello to new subscribers and welcome all to another edition of Chrism and Coffee, a letter about finding meaning in both the sacred and ordinary. This month, I’m sharing a special edition for my paid subscribers. But I want to share how grateful I am for everyone who reads, comments on, and responds to this letter. Thank you for supporting my work.

I became the butt of many jokes in my family when one day, I became utterly terrified of consuming undercooked meat. I think it was a dramatized documentary about salmonella poisoning, shown in a sixth-grade science class, that struck such a visceral fear in my heart. For as long as I can remember, I've violently overcooked my meat. After scorching it, I mutilate it with a set of knives to assess its doneness, often asking others around me to help me discern whether it looks fit for consumption.