The Unspoken

Join Anna as she sits down with the 2025 CKF Award Winners as they share their journeys in the transplant and donation community along with what inspired them to continue giving back and supporting others.  We will also be announcing the 2026 CKF Award Winners!  Support the show

Most people don’t realize that the upcoming 2026 Transplant Games in Denver will be the largest celebration of life in the world — and you can be part of it. When Mark McIntosh shares his journey from battling a rare blood cancer to receiving a life-saving kidney transplant, he reveals the extraordinary power of organ donation and the life-changing impact of community support. This episode dives d...

Welcome to Part 2 of the Duality of Gratitude & Grief. Anna is joined by Denzel, Mari, Monique, and Denise, the ED of The Heartfelt Help Foundation.  This conversation delves into the complex emotional and financial challenges faced by families navigating the heart transplant journey. Through personal stories, the speakers share their experiences of trauma, guilt, and resilience, highlighting...

We are kicking off season 2 of The Unspoken with Denise Redeker and three of her Pediatric Heart Transplant Patient Families. We are so thankful to Denzel, Mari, and Monique for being open and honest about their family's journey through and after a heart transplant.  This conversation delves into the complex emotional and financial challenges faced by families navigating the heart transplant...

This episode explores the profound impact of eye donation, featuring heartfelt stories from donor families and insights from experts in the field. Anna is joined by donor family Leslie & Brad Vickers, as well as Staci from the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank. The conversation highlights the unique aspects of eye donation compared to other organ donations, emphasizing the importance of early disc...

Join host Anna Morgan-Palardy as she sits down with CKF Executive Director Jessi Rochel and Chris Klug, founder of the Chris Klug Foundation, to explore his incredible journey from receiving a life-saving liver transplant to winning an Olympic bronze medal. In this episode, Chris shares his personal story of resilience, the mission of his foundation, and the impact of organ donation. Discover how...

🎙In this episode of "The Unspoken," host Anna Morgan-Palardy dives into the transformative world of organ pumps with Dr. James Trotter from Intermountain Health. 🎙 ⚡️Discover how this groundbreaking technology is revolutionizing the field of organ transplantation, increasing the number of successful transplants, and reducing wait times for patients. Join us as we explore the challenges...

In this conversation, Anna Morgan-Palardy speaks with Michael Wells, team captain of Team Rocky Mountain, about the upcoming Transplant Games of America. They discuss the significance of the games, the emotional impact on participants, and the goals for Team Rocky Mountain. Michael shares personal experiences and emphasizes the importance of community engagement, and highlights inclusivity to Team...

In this episode of the Unspoken podcast, Anna Morgan-Palardy interviews Elaine Perlman, the executive director of Waitlist Zero, about the urgent need for kidney donations and the legislative efforts to pass the End Kidney Deaths Act.  Elaine shares her personal journey into the world of organ donation, the challenges faced by living donors, and the potential impact of the proposed legislation, wh...

In this episode of the Unspoken Podcast, host Anna Morgan-Palardy speaks with Brian Martindale, the Program and Communications Director at Kidneys for Kids. They discuss the importance of living kidney donation, particularly for pediatric patients, and the various initiatives aimed at raising awareness and advocating for organ donation. Brian shares his personal journey as a kidney donor and the i...

Anna is joined by the 2024 CKF Award Winners Mark Scotch, Denise Redeker and Abby Gray. They share their journeys and experiences joining and within the transplant and donation community. They share their experience as the CKF Award Winners and attending CKF's Wine & Dine Gala. Finally, they announced the winners of the 2025 CKF Awards!  Support the show

In this episode of the Unspoken podcast, Anna Morgan-Palardy speaks with Dave Galbenski from the Living Liver Foundation about the importance of living liver donation. They discuss the mission of the foundation, the significance of raising awareness about living organ donation, and the personal experiences that drive advocacy. The conversation highlights the psychological aspects of being a living...

In this episode of The Unspoken Podcast, host Anna Morgan-Palardy speaks with Paula from NMDP about the critical topic of stem cell donation. They discuss the importance of increasing the donor registry, the myths surrounding the donation process, and the personal journey of becoming a donor. Paula shares her own experience as a donor, the significance of diversity in the registry, and the support...

In this episode of The Unspoken, Anna Morgan-Palardy is joined by Heartfelt Help Foundation founder Denise Redeker. Denise and Anna discuss the critical issue of financial toxicity in transplantation. They explore the economic burdens faced by patients and their families and the limited resources available to assist those in need. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community support, sh...

In this episode of the Unspoken podcast, host Anna Morgan-Palardy welcomes Jessi Rochel, the executive director of the Chris Klug Foundation (CKF). They discuss Jessi's journey to CKF, the importance of organ donation, and the foundation's mission to educate and inspire individuals about organ, eye, and tissue donation. The conversation highlights the Summit for Life event, which raises...