Dying to Tell You

“I would love it if the afterlife looked like the eighties.” —Sarah
In this episode of 'Dying to Tell You,' Cody chats with Sarah Parton, who shares her incredible journey living with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis).
Sarah talks about her initial shock at the diagnosis, the ups and downs she faces daily, and how she keeps her sense of humor and optimism alive. She opens up about the importance of the ALS community, her coping strategies, and why she decided against invasive treatments. Sarah also gives us a peek into her fun plans for the afterlife, her love for the '80s, and why she’s determined to enjoy every moment.
Join Cody and Sarah for a conversation that's full of laughter, heartfelt moments, and inspiration.
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Sarah wants to give a shoutout to two organizations that are amazing resources for anyone facing ALS:
Live Like Lou — Supporting families affected by ALS, funding ALS research to find treatments or a cure for Lou Gehrig’s disease, and honoring Lou Gehrig’s legacy.
Team Gleason — Empowering people with ALS to live purposeful lives.
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For more information on the sponsor of this episode, please visit the Iliff Death Care Collective.

In this reflection on his conversation last week with Caroline, Cody shares his personal journey through grief, resilience, and finding meaning after loss. With candid insights and lessons learned from his own experiences, Cody offers a bit of hope and encouragement to anyone navigating these same literally life-changing challenges. 
And if you know Cody, by now you know that one of his greatest mantras is the simple but deeply impactful phrase: And That's Ok. Give a listen to see why. 

This week on "Dying To Tell You," Cody sits down with Caroline, a mother whose world was turned upside down by a devastating diagnosis: brain cancer while 20 weeks pregnant. In this deeply moving conversation, Caroline shares her journey through confusion, heartbreak, and impossible choices—including the decision to end her pregnancy in order to pursue life-saving treatment.
With remarkable honesty and grace, Caroline opens up about the emotional and ethical complexities of medical decision-making, the realities of living with a terminal illness, and the enduring power of love and legacy. She reflects on her upbringing, her relationship with mortality and strong belief in reincarnation, and the lessons she hopes to pass on to her daughter.
This episode is a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable challenges. Listen with an open heart as Caroline’s story reminds us of the importance of compassion, nuance, and community—especially when life takes us to the in-between places.
If you'd like to learn more about organizations that support women's health, Caroline recommends Free and Just and Abortion in America. 
For more information on the sponsor of this episode, Iliff School of Theology and their End-of-Life Doula Certificate Course beginning September 28th, please visit the Iliff Death Care Collective.

In this week's reflection, Cody revisits last week's conversation with Joe, who is facing a diagnosis of multiple myeloma.
Cody explores the age-old question that Joe raised: If God is all-powerful and loving, why does suffering exist? Drawing on Joe’s faith, the wisdom of Thomas Aquinas, and stories from other guests, Cody examines how adversity can lead to unexpected growth, meaning, and connection.

“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.

"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. 

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.
 

"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

"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. 

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