He flatlined twice. What came back was a different man—and a different artist.

In 2008, artist and musician Rodney White survived a catastrophic car accident that left him in a coma, fighting for his life. He flatlined twice and underwent emergency surgery to piece his body back together. But what followed was an even deeper reconstruction of identity, purpose, and spirit.

In this intimate conversation, Rodney reflects on the surreal experience of waking from a coma, his struggle to reconcile memory loss with selfhood, and the mystical moments that guided his recovery—including a spiritual encounter that revealed the presence of his late father. He shares how his near-death experience reshaped his creativity, moving him beyond painting into clothing, poetry, and new forms of expression. We talk about the body as a vessel for spirit, the importance of protecting that spirit, and the challenge—and freedom—of rebuilding a life when the old one no longer fits.

This is a story about the invisible threads that connect past and present, art and healing, death and transformation. Rodney’s journey reminds us that sometimes we don’t go back to who we were… because we’re meant to become something more.

Story producer: Kate Sweeney.

Episode Cover Art by Rodney White.

To learn more about Rodney and his work, go to www.rodney-white.com

 

* If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at [email protected] 

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