The Digital Diatribe
@digitaldiatribe.bsky.social
Father of 4. Full-time engineer. I write about the parts of life that don't fit an algorithm — grief, guilt, and the long way back to being a person again. Author of the Memoir: Fragmented.
"Awesome God" and "Creeping Death" share more DNA than you think. A memoir essay on deconstruction, Joseph Campbell, and finding the divine inside the decibels
This is Church
"Awesome God" and "Creeping Death" share more DNA than you think. A memoir essay on deconstruction, Joseph Campbell, and finding the divine inside the decibels
thefangrytexan.com
September 16, 2026 at 1:01 PM
"Awesome God" and "Creeping Death" share more DNA than you think. A memoir essay on deconstruction, Joseph Campbell, and finding the divine inside the decibels
I built the rest of my life out of that same retreat: refusing to look at the reality of loss, refusing to let anyone see me breaking, convincing myself that if I never picked up the phone, maybe the worst hadn't happened yet.
digitaldiatribe.substack.com/p/echoes?r=8...
digitaldiatribe.substack.com/p/echoes?r=8...
Echoes
A personal essay on dreams that preceded three deaths — and what avoiding one closed casket taught me about grief, shielding, and letting go.
digitaldiatribe.substack.com
September 15, 2026 at 1:21 AM
I built the rest of my life out of that same retreat: refusing to look at the reality of loss, refusing to let anyone see me breaking, convincing myself that if I never picked up the phone, maybe the worst hadn't happened yet.
digitaldiatribe.substack.com/p/echoes?r=8...
digitaldiatribe.substack.com/p/echoes?r=8...
I didn't have the energy left to build more walls. So I didn't. That's the rub: when you give up believing that you're owed an explanation, you get an actual shot at finding out who you are without one.
— From Becoming What I Hated Most: digitaldiatribe.substack.com/p/becoming-w...
— From Becoming What I Hated Most: digitaldiatribe.substack.com/p/becoming-w...
Becoming What I Hated Most
A raw look at rock bottom, domestic violence, and sobriety. Facing total accountability without excuses—and finding out who you are when the walls fall down.
digitaldiatribe.substack.com
September 12, 2026 at 3:14 PM
I didn't have the energy left to build more walls. So I didn't. That's the rub: when you give up believing that you're owed an explanation, you get an actual shot at finding out who you are without one.
— From Becoming What I Hated Most: digitaldiatribe.substack.com/p/becoming-w...
— From Becoming What I Hated Most: digitaldiatribe.substack.com/p/becoming-w...
A raw look at rock bottom, domestic violence, and sobriety. Facing total accountability without excuses—and finding out who you are when the walls fall down.
Becoming What I Hated Most
A raw look at rock bottom, domestic violence, and sobriety. Facing total accountability without excuses—and finding out who you are when the walls fall down.
thefangrytexan.com
September 12, 2026 at 1:03 PM
A raw look at rock bottom, domestic violence, and sobriety. Facing total accountability without excuses—and finding out who you are when the walls fall down.
A personal essay on dreams that preceded three deaths — and what avoiding one closed casket taught me about grief, shielding, and letting go.
Echoes
A personal essay on dreams that preceded three deaths — and what avoiding one closed casket taught me about grief, shielding, and letting go.
thefangrytexan.com
September 10, 2026 at 7:18 PM
A personal essay on dreams that preceded three deaths — and what avoiding one closed casket taught me about grief, shielding, and letting go.
I wrote today’s post several weeks ago. Tonight, I went to see my 16-year-old play a small show. I had no idea what guitar he would be playing; I didn’t even know about the show when I wrote it. But sometimes things just align.
digitaldiatribe.substack.com/p/blood-mone...
youtu.be/afHxKU4Ot98?...
digitaldiatribe.substack.com/p/blood-mone...
youtu.be/afHxKU4Ot98?...
Blood Money
A personal essay on grief, the hollow weight of a wrongful death settlement, and the stark contrast between two guitars bought in very different lifetimes.
digitaldiatribe.substack.com
September 6, 2026 at 3:47 AM
I wrote today’s post several weeks ago. Tonight, I went to see my 16-year-old play a small show. I had no idea what guitar he would be playing; I didn’t even know about the show when I wrote it. But sometimes things just align.
digitaldiatribe.substack.com/p/blood-mone...
youtu.be/afHxKU4Ot98?...
digitaldiatribe.substack.com/p/blood-mone...
youtu.be/afHxKU4Ot98?...
An excerpt from Fragmented exploring wrongful death settlements, widower grief, and the hidden shame of 'blood money' after loss.
Blood Money
A personal essay on grief, the hollow weight of a wrongful death settlement, and the stark contrast between two guitars bought in very different lifetimes.
thefangrytexan.com
September 5, 2026 at 1:00 PM
An excerpt from Fragmented exploring wrongful death settlements, widower grief, and the hidden shame of 'blood money' after loss.
I carry the hope that there’s still hope, still opportunity.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com
September 4, 2026 at 6:17 PM
I carry the hope that there’s still hope, still opportunity.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Trauma can erase years you're still living through. The Missing Years is a personal essay on dissociation, grief, and getting fourteen lost years back.
The Missing Years
Trauma can erase years you're still living through. The Missing Years is a personal essay on dissociation, grief, and getting fourteen lost years back.
thefangrytexan.com
September 2, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Trauma can erase years you're still living through. The Missing Years is a personal essay on dissociation, grief, and getting fourteen lost years back.
The Frequency of the Void
A reflection on synchronicity, long-term recovery, and purpose. Exploring the quiet search for the right frequency, selective connection, and creative voice.
A reflection on synchronicity, long-term recovery, and purpose. Exploring the quiet search for the right frequency, selective connection, and creative voice.
The Frequency of the Void
A reflection on synchronicity, long-term recovery, and purpose. Exploring the quiet search for the right frequency, selective connection, and creative voice.
thefangrytexan.com
August 30, 2026 at 1:06 PM
The Frequency of the Void
A reflection on synchronicity, long-term recovery, and purpose. Exploring the quiet search for the right frequency, selective connection, and creative voice.
A reflection on synchronicity, long-term recovery, and purpose. Exploring the quiet search for the right frequency, selective connection, and creative voice.
Inhale, Exhale, Repeat
Caught in the spiral of imposter syndrome and fatigue, a missed message on the chalkboard delivered the exact reminder needed: slow down and be present.
Caught in the spiral of imposter syndrome and fatigue, a missed message on the chalkboard delivered the exact reminder needed: slow down and be present.
Inhale, Exhale, Repeat
Caught in the spiral of imposter syndrome and fatigue, a missed message on the chalkboard delivered the exact reminder needed: slow down and be present.
thefangrytexan.com
August 29, 2026 at 2:28 AM
Inhale, Exhale, Repeat
Caught in the spiral of imposter syndrome and fatigue, a missed message on the chalkboard delivered the exact reminder needed: slow down and be present.
Caught in the spiral of imposter syndrome and fatigue, a missed message on the chalkboard delivered the exact reminder needed: slow down and be present.
Right Sized
I was driving to work today, minding my own business, and this guy almost hit me. I had to slam on my brakes and barely missed clipping him as he swerved in front of me. And for what, to get one more car length ahead? We both ended up at the next red light, stopped. I spilled my coffee…
I was driving to work today, minding my own business, and this guy almost hit me. I had to slam on my brakes and barely missed clipping him as he swerved in front of me. And for what, to get one more car length ahead? We both ended up at the next red light, stopped. I spilled my coffee…
Right Sized
I was driving to work today, minding my own business, and this guy almost hit me. I had to slam on my brakes and barely missed clipping him as he swerved in front of me. And for what, to get one more car length ahead? We both ended up at the next red light, stopped. I spilled my coffee all over my car.
thefangrytexan.com
August 26, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Right Sized
I was driving to work today, minding my own business, and this guy almost hit me. I had to slam on my brakes and barely missed clipping him as he swerved in front of me. And for what, to get one more car length ahead? We both ended up at the next red light, stopped. I spilled my coffee…
I was driving to work today, minding my own business, and this guy almost hit me. I had to slam on my brakes and barely missed clipping him as he swerved in front of me. And for what, to get one more car length ahead? We both ended up at the next red light, stopped. I spilled my coffee…
The Princess of Peace
A father recalls his mother's quiet strength and a birth that finally let him feel again — a personal essay on grief, healing, and presence.
A father recalls his mother's quiet strength and a birth that finally let him feel again — a personal essay on grief, healing, and presence.
The Princess of Peace
A father recalls his mother's quiet strength and a birth that finally let him feel again — a personal essay on grief, healing, and presence.
thefangrytexan.com
August 22, 2026 at 1:05 PM
The Princess of Peace
A father recalls his mother's quiet strength and a birth that finally let him feel again — a personal essay on grief, healing, and presence.
A father recalls his mother's quiet strength and a birth that finally let him feel again — a personal essay on grief, healing, and presence.
You’re doing better than you think you are!
August 21, 2026 at 7:58 PM
You’re doing better than you think you are!
I spent years hiding the pieces of my past—until I finally put every raw, unfiltered truth into Fragmented.
This isn’t just a story; it’s my heart laid bare, and I hope reading it makes you feel a little less alone in your own broken pieces.
This isn’t just a story; it’s my heart laid bare, and I hope reading it makes you feel a little less alone in your own broken pieces.
August 18, 2026 at 10:55 AM
I spent years hiding the pieces of my past—until I finally put every raw, unfiltered truth into Fragmented.
This isn’t just a story; it’s my heart laid bare, and I hope reading it makes you feel a little less alone in your own broken pieces.
This isn’t just a story; it’s my heart laid bare, and I hope reading it makes you feel a little less alone in your own broken pieces.
A piece of my soul is sitting on a digital bookshelf, alone, and that's hard to see.
substack.com/@digitaldiat...
substack.com/@digitaldiat...
Ryan Roberts (@digitaldiatribe)
A piece of my soul is sitting on a digital bookshelf, alone, and that's hard to see. From what I've read, 81 books in 6 weeks for a first-time indie author, especially one writing a memoir, isn't some...
substack.com
August 14, 2026 at 2:57 PM
A piece of my soul is sitting on a digital bookshelf, alone, and that's hard to see.
substack.com/@digitaldiat...
substack.com/@digitaldiat...
I didn’t set out to write a book.
I set out to survive. The writing came later. First to carry me through the night, then to remember what I was losing, and finally, to figure out what I had lost.
digitaldiatribe.substack.com/p/a-map-of-t...
I set out to survive. The writing came later. First to carry me through the night, then to remember what I was losing, and finally, to figure out what I had lost.
digitaldiatribe.substack.com/p/a-map-of-t...
A Map of the Fog
I didn’t set out to write a book.
digitaldiatribe.substack.com
August 6, 2026 at 6:09 PM
I didn’t set out to write a book.
I set out to survive. The writing came later. First to carry me through the night, then to remember what I was losing, and finally, to figure out what I had lost.
digitaldiatribe.substack.com/p/a-map-of-t...
I set out to survive. The writing came later. First to carry me through the night, then to remember what I was losing, and finally, to figure out what I had lost.
digitaldiatribe.substack.com/p/a-map-of-t...
My scale and I are seeing other people. It's not permanent — just needed some space.
It turns out the number I'm chasing came from someone else's outside
New post on judging your insides by other people's outsides:
open.substack.com/pub/digitald...
It turns out the number I'm chasing came from someone else's outside
New post on judging your insides by other people's outsides:
open.substack.com/pub/digitald...
My Scale and I Are Seeing Other People
I have not broken up with my scale.
open.substack.com
August 5, 2026 at 12:27 PM
My scale and I are seeing other people. It's not permanent — just needed some space.
It turns out the number I'm chasing came from someone else's outside
New post on judging your insides by other people's outsides:
open.substack.com/pub/digitald...
It turns out the number I'm chasing came from someone else's outside
New post on judging your insides by other people's outsides:
open.substack.com/pub/digitald...