Scarred Not Silent: Stories from the intersections of survival

Even on days when my body asks me to slow down, my heart still leans toward connection. In this special holiday episode, I show up not at my strongest, but with intention. With Christmas approaching, I share a simple yet meaningful moment that unfolded during a fishing coaching session arranged by my wife. What began as a thoughtful gesture became a reminder of why fishing has always mattered to m...

On the sixth day of the Festival of Light, I reflect on a moment when my own flame nearly went out. This episode explores what happened when I decided to come off Social Security Disability and return to work. The intention was firm. The motivation was real. But the process was far more complicated than the programs promised. I share what it felt like to navigate a system that encourages independe...

In this episode of Scarred Not Silent , the conversation moves beyond survival and into what comes next . ChatGPT interviews me on Sections 5 and 6 of my journey, where we explore the creation of the Scarred Not Silent podcast and the deeper legacy behind it. We talk about why I chose to speak publicly, how storytelling became a form of service, and what it means to build something rooted in lived...

In today’s episode of Scarred Not Silent , the tables turn. I sat down for a guided interview with ChatGPT to reflect on Sections 3 and 4 of my kidney journey. This conversation centers on the transplant that changed everything and the quiet work of rebuilding purpose after survival. We talk openly about the moment hope arrived, the reality of recovery, and the challenges that do not disappear onc...

This conversation steps back into the heart of your journey—how survival shaped your purpose, how storytelling keeps you grounded, and how the hard questions build the strongest foundations. In this episode, you open the door to the real work behind Scarred Not Silent : reflecting on your kidney story, revisiting the moments that changed your direction, and honoring the traditions and people who s...

In today’s episode, I open the door to a chapter many survivors know far too well: the long line of appointments, the heavy cycle of steroid infusions, and the steady courage it takes to sit in a hospital chair while the world outside battles a new wave of Covid-19. For many of us transplant recipients, those infusions weren’t optional. They were lifelines. And in those same hallways, people fight...

In this episode, I take a thoughtful walk back through the early days of Covid-19—those long months when life stood still, fear ran high, and the walls of home felt both sheltering and confining. Somewhere in the middle of that standstill, I picked up a 35-pound kettlebell, a pack of resistance bands, and a few stubborn ounces of determination. My bedroom became my gym, my sanctuary, and occasiona...

This episode takes a warm walk through a quieter Thanksgiving, the kind where the meal still hits the soul even if the table isn’t full. But when things settle in, some unexpected “wild guests” crash the moment and nearly shut the whole show down today. It’s cozy, it’s chaotic, and it’s a story only Scarred Not Silent could deliver. Tune in and find out what really tried to steal the spotlight. Th...

When the world shut down, the danger outside my door was more than a headline—it was a direct threat to my life. After a year of unemployment, I was finally cleared to return to work. Job offers came quickly, but so did the rising fear of a virus that had already claimed far too many lives. As an immunocompromised kidney transplant recipient, catching Covid-19 felt like a guaranteed death sentence...

 In this episode, Rodney opens November with a quiet conversation about gratitude, resilience, and the unexpected places healing can come from. He reflects on family, forgiveness, and the moments that shaped his empathy, while inviting listeners to slow down and look at their own lives through the OPA Method. This simple three-step practice — Observation, Process, and Action — becomes a guide for...

This episode walks you into the operating room of my life… again. I learned that my urethra did not stay fully open, which meant another procedure and the arrival of my third stent. Yes, you read that correctly — I am now parenting a trio of medical souvenirs. I share what it feels like to go through this process for the third time, the emotional roller coaster that comes with it, and how humor ke...

There comes a moment in a man’s life when he enters a room believing he is there for a “simple procedure,” only to discover he is about to reenact the male version of childbirth—stent removal from the bladder. The medical team refers to it as mild discomfort. I call it a spiritual journey, a rite of passage, and a test of every ancestor’s strength flowing through your veins. As I settled onto that...

In this episode, I revisit my very first biopsy — and trust me, it wasn’t what I expected. Let’s just say there are some experiences you never forget, especially when you walk in blind. I share the uncomfortable truth about being unprepared, a few lessons about communication in healthcare, and a story that’ll have you laughing and wincing at the same time. And yes, we’re talking about the infamous...

 In this episode, I talk about what it truly means to be seen. I share the gratitude I felt when family, friends, and even strangers stepped up with food, cards, and financial help. So often, we move through life believing no one notices us, but that belief can blind us to the kindness around us. Human connection is powerful and valuable, even when we build walls that keep others out.  Send us Fan...

In this episode, I step away from my regular broadcast to discuss another often-overlooked survival method: grieving. During Halloween, I decided to wear my old scrubs from my veterinary social work internship. While waiting at a taco truck surrounded by hundreds of trick-or-treaters, I found myself in an unexpected conversation with the owner. He shared the pain of losing his beloved pet. The lin...

 Leaving the hospital is supposed to mean you’re headed home to heal — but what if home isn’t ready for healing? Many of us believe we can care for ourselves until reality catches up. The truth is, recovery isn’t a solo act. Whether it’s a friend, a neighbor, or someone unexpected, sometimes the right caregiver finds you . Between the endless blood draws and clinic visits, a strange thing happens...

In this episode of Scarred Not Silent , I share what it was like to wake up after transplant surgery and begin the healing process. The hospital stay wasn’t what I expected—major surgery, but surprisingly manageable pain. Within days, I transitioned off the morphine drip to simple pain pills and Tylenol. When the room quieted, the focus turned to healing—one slow step at a time. Walking came soone...

There are days that mark us forever — my transplant day is one of them. What should have been my rebirth turned bittersweet when I learned it was also the day my best friend faced a devastating loss. Now, every anniversary carries both gratitude and grief, like careless whispers of what life gives and takes away. When I woke up that morning, the good stuff was flowing through my veins, and the pai...

My first late upload. Life threw a curveball when Amazon’s system crash froze several of the tools I use to run this show, but I’m back and grounded. After some deep reflection, I realized it’s time for everyone, myself included, to take their place and prepare for what’s next. There’s no full rehearsal in life, just a few moments to gather ourselves before the big surgery, the big leap, or the bi...

I finally got the call. This time, it was real. The moment I’d prayed for, fought for, and feared all at once. With little time to prepare, I was handed a few instructions—and a lifetime of emotions flooded in. As I sat in silence, reality settled: I was about to face a life-changing procedure—one that carried deadly risks and astonishing rewards. In this episode, I share the unfiltered truth of t...

In this episode, I pull back the curtain on what really happens while waiting for a kidney transplant. Many people don’t realize that dialysis often means you stop urinating altogether—and how that simple loss can change everything. I share what it’s like to live in that waiting space, why so many die before getting their call, and how others can help bridge the gap. This isn’t just about kidneys;...

This week’s episode comes to you a little later—dog-sitting duties and an occasional yapper made sure of that. Somewhere between walks and water bowls, I fell into a YouTube rabbit hole watching two Malcolm X interviews: one during his time with the Nation of Islam, and another after his pilgrimage to Mecca. What stood out most was Malcolm’s awakening. He realized that for years, he hadn’t been th...

 They say “the call” changes everything. For most transplant patients, that phone call means life, hope, and a second chance. But what happens when you get the call, only to find out you’re not next? This week, I open up about what it feels like to stand between hope and heartbreak. We’ll discuss the emotions that flood in: joy, fear, guilt, and the complex dance between selfishness and selflessne...

This week, I take you on a personal trip down to South Carolina. I've been to Florida twice, or at least that's what some folks debate about whether Florida is considered part of the South. It was my first time experiencing that blend of heat, hospitality, and history that makes the South so unique. Along the way, I draw an unexpected connection between two small but powerful words, affe...

 People often say they just want life to go back to normal. But what if normal never returns? In this episode, I reflect on how chronic illness and transplant change our definition of “normal.” There’s grief in letting go of the life we once knew, but there’s also power in embracing a new version of ourselves. Together, we’ll explore what it means to release the old and accept a different path for...