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 17 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 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. 

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:

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

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:

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.

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.