Dying to Tell You

Living Fully with Multiple Myeloma: A Conversation with Joe on Hope, Risk, and Meaning

“There’s something so precious about every day and every moment and living this beautiful gift.”
What does it mean to truly live when tomorrow is not guaranteed? In this moving episode, Joe shares his journey through the unexpected diagnosis of multiple myeloma, the challenges of treatment, and the profound lessons learned along the way.
With honesty, humor, and deep faith, Joe invites us to consider what matters most—embracing each day, loving fiercely, and finding hope even in uncertainty. Whether you’re facing your own crossroads or supporting someone you love, Joe’s story is a powerful reminder to seize the moment and live with purpose.

Obstacles Are Not a Mistake: They're Part of the Path

"Inright outright upright downright"
Join host Cody for another heartfelt reflection as he revisits last week's uplifting conversation with Aaron, a courageous young cancer patient who is facing his adversity with positivity and faith. (Aaron started back to college this week, by the way, and you can follow him on Tik Tok here!)
We often talk about hope and resilience in the face of difficulty, but this week Cody tackles the idea of the difficulties themselves. What if they're not to be avoided? What if the obstacles are the path? We can't be inright outright upright downright happy all the time. And that's ok. 
Stay tuned at the end for a mention of By The Way, our voicemail service that lets you leave a message for loved ones who've passed on. We encourage you to call and leave a message at 720-600-7056. 

Youngest Guy in the Chemo Ward: How Aaron Chose Confidence in the Face of Cancer

Find out what happens when a college freshman is faced with a life-changing cancer diagnosis—and chooses hope over fear. 
Meet Aaron, our guest this week on Dying To Tell You whose youth and optimism shine through every challenge. Aaron shares how, at just 19, he turned a cancer diagnosis—curable but let's be honest...still cancer—into a source of strength, gratitude, and purpose.
His story is a testament to the power of positivity, faith, and the belief that even the toughest news can be the start of something beautiful.
A few highlights:
The surprising relief and hope that came with a curable cancer diagnosis
Aaron’s experience as one of the youngest patients in the chemo ward
How youth, faith, and family fueled Aaron’s positive outlook
Turning adversity into opportunity: inspiring others while still in college
Lessons on gratitude, resilience, and living fully—no matter your age
Join host Cody Hufstedler for this conversation filled with inspiration, resilience, and a fresh perspective on life’s hardest moments.
 

When Mortality Hits Home: An Invitation to Life

"We only get to do this life once."
In this deeply personal reflection, Cody share his own experience of learning that his mom was in the hospital for chest pain. She underwent bypass surgery and Cody flew home to find himself in the center of a story he's seen played out countless times—in a waiting room with family, anxious to see their loved one recovering in the ICU.
Last week's episode with Kelly was such an inspiring reminder for Cody (and for all of us) that sometimes life sends unwelcome invitations. Sometimes we need to be reminded that all of this that we know and love is fleeting, so that we can embrace every bit of it while we can. As Cody shares in quoting from Mary Oliver, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
This episode also features another message from our By The Way voicemail box, where you can leave a message for anyone who has died. If you'd like to leave your own message, call 720-600-7056 and let them know what you've left unsaid. Messages could be played on a future episode or featured on our website dttypodcast.com

Grit and Grace: Kelly’s Journey with ALS and Finding New Life

"Life Goes On" —Kelly
In this episode of Dying to Tell You, Cody sits down with Kelly, who is living with an ALS diagnosis. Kelly shares her journey from the onset of her symptoms to her diagnosis and how she has found community and strength through social media.
Kelly talks candidly about the emotional and physical challenges of living with ALS, how she stays optimistic, and the importance of living life to the fullest despite her diagnosis. Believe us when we say, you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone embracing life more fully than Kelly.
She is full of grace and—yes—grit, and offers us all such an inspiring window into living life to the fullest. 

Consideration—The Courage and Love It Takes to Think of Others

In this heartfelt reflection of last week's episode with Jeopardy Champion and author Jeff Stewart, palliative care chaplain and host Cody shares powerful insights on the importance of consideration and empathy when facing life-limiting illness.
Drawing from his real hospital experiences, Cody discusses the emotional complexities of cancer treatment decisions, family communication, and the courage it takes to honor both personal needs and loved ones’ wishes.
Jeff's journey with cancer and kidney donation exemplifies selflessness and legacy-building and is such an inspiration for any of us seeking to live more compassionately and, yes, with consideration. 
This episode also features another message from our By The Way voicemail box, where you can leave a message for anyone who has died. If you'd like to leave your own message, call 720-600-7056 and let them know what you've left unsaid. Messages could be played on a future episode or featured on our website dttypodcast.com

Betting on Hope: Jeopardy Champion Jeff Stewart’s Journey with Stage Four Cancer

A surprise stomach cancer diagnosis born of an attempt to donate a kidney gave Jeff the time and space to reflect on life, death, and what he could give his family both before and after he’s gone.
In this episode of Dying to Tell You, Cody interviews cancer patient and Jeopardy champion Jeff Stewart. Jeff, a renowned microbiologist and author of the book "Living: Inspiration from a Father with Cancer," opens up about his diagnosis with terminal stage four stomach cancer, his experiences as a parent facing cancer, and the lessons he’s learned about hope, resilience, and family.
Spend some time with Jeff and Cody to learn more about:
Living with cancer: Jeff’s honest account of his cancer journey, from diagnosis to treatment, and how he balances hope with scientific reality.
Cancer and family: The emotional impact of terminal illness on loved ones, parenting with cancer, and leaving a legacy for his seven children.
Cancer inspiration: How Jeff’s story offers hope and support to others facing cancer, grief, or end-of-life challenges.
Science and faith: The intersection of medical knowledge and personal faith in coping with cancer.
Cancer awareness: Practical advice for cancer patients, families, and anyone seeking inspiration in the face of adversity.
Jeff’s candid discussion covers the realities of cancer treatment, the importance of open communication, and the power of finding meaning and connection even in the hardest moments. Essential listening for anyone searching for cancer support, cancer awareness, or inspiration from a real-life cancer patient.

This Life Is An Opportunity To Experience Love—A Reflection

Cody reflects on his conversation with Sue in last week's episode, and how love is the purpose of our lives. 
We also include a voice message left on By The Way—our version of the Japanese windphones that allow you to leave a message for a loved one no longer here. You can leave your own message at 720-600-7056.

From Terminal to Transcendent: Sue’s Out-of-Body Experience and Awakening

"I remember thinking...oh! That's what it was about!"
Our first guest of Season 3 is Sue, who joined us all the way from Australia. And although she isn’t our first international guest, nor is she even our first guest from Australia, Sue’s story is certainly a first for us.
Sue shares with us the moment she found out she had advanced stage cancer, a moment in which she experienced a true Out of Body Experience (OBE) and saw existence from an entirely new perspective. From that perspective, Sue gained an insight into connection and love that frankly we had never heard before.
And that’s just the beginning of her story. It’s a beautiful conversation filled with as much laughter as tears, and plenty of amazement and insight. 

"Let That Sh*t Go" — Linda, An Encore Episode

Linda was a guest in Season One of Dying To Tell You, a fiery and hilarious woman facing a terminal diagnosis from kidney cancer. So much of Cody's conversation with Linda orbits around the very difficult challenge of letting things go. A lesson from the end of life that can—and should—resonate with anyone, regardless of their current health or prognosis. 
As we get ready for Season Three starting next week (!), please enjoy this encore airing of Linda's interview. And if you want to go further, Episode One of Season Two is a conversation with Linda's daughter Aimee, who helped Linda take Medical Aid In Dying (MAID) at the end of her life.
It's a story that is so honest and clear-eyed about the reality of such a decision and its consequences. Surprisingly, it's also as inappropriately hilarious as Linda herself.