In this episode of The CARTI Hopecast, host Adam Head sits down with Abigail Wells, a poet, athlete and advocate whose life changed dramatically at age 13 when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma.

What began as a sore ankle during track season quickly became a life-altering diagnosis. After chemotherapy failed to stop the cancer, Abigail was faced with an unimaginable decision: continue treatment that wasn’t working, or amputate her leg in hopes of survival. She chose life.

Abigail opens the episode by sharing her inspiring original poetry, setting the tone for a conversation that explores creativity as survival, resilience in adolescence, and choosing light in the darkest moments. Through art, humor, athletics, and advocacy, Abigail transformed her pain into purpose, discovering new ways to move forward without losing who she is.

This episode is a powerful reflection on identity, mental health, and the strength it takes to grow beyond what tries to define you.

Takeaways:

1. Abigail Wells emphasizes the transformative power of creative expression during her challenging journey with cancer.
2. Facing the daunting choice of amputation at a young age profoundly altered Abigail's perspective on life and resilience.
3. Abigail's experiences highlight the importance of community and connection while navigating difficult health challenges.
4. The conversation underscores how Abigail turned her pain into purpose through art, poetry, and advocacy for others facing similar struggles.
5. She illustrates that even in the darkest times, there exists a glimmer of hope and opportunity for personal growth.
6. Abigail's story serves as a powerful reminder of the strength found in vulnerability and the courage to share one's journey.

Founded in 1976, CARTI delivers leading-edge cancer care in a compassionate, patient-centered environment. Our mission is to make trusted cancer care accessible for every patient we serve through compassion, innovation, and purpose.

The CARTI Hopecast shares authentic, meaningful stories that focus on human experiences. Every day, we see patients and families navigating unimaginable hardships, sometimes feeling alone in their journey. Through The Hopecast, listeners hear stories of resilience and transformation, fostering a sense of connection and hope.

Every one of us faces moments that change us. Moments that test our strength and reshape our stories. On the CARTI Hopecast, we share these moments.

Stories of resilience, courage, and perseverance.

From those turning unimaginable grief into a mission of healing to survivors finding purpose after the storm.

These are the stories that inspire and connect us all.

Each conversation offers a glimpse into the human experience.

Together, let's explore powerful stories that remind us of what it means to hurt and to hope.

This special episode of The CARTI Hopecast serves as a poignant recap of the season, weaving together the profound lessons expressed by individuals who have confronted unimaginable challenges yet persevered with remarkable resilience. We delve into five significant narratives that illuminate the transformative power of hope and the strength found in adversity. Each story encapsulates a moment of profound change, signaling a transition from a life before a traumatic experience to one that embraces courage and community in the aftermath.

As we reflect on these journeys, we recognize that while pain may not simply dissipate, it often catalyzes a mission, urging us to share our experiences and support one another. Ultimately, we invite listeners to consider the weight of their own burdens, and to find solace and strength in the stories shared within this episode.

Takeaways:

• This special episode conveys the profound lessons learned from individuals who faced unimaginable challenges and emerged resilient.
• In moments of profound change, our response can define our path forward and shape our experiences.
• The necessity of community and connection becomes apparent as we navigate the turmoil of life's unexpected turns.
• Confronting the harsh realities of life fosters a deeper understanding of compassion and empathy towards others' struggles.
• Each story shared in this episode serves as a reminder of the transformative power of hope amidst adversity.
• The overarching theme emphasizes that sharing our journeys can inspire others, creating a ripple effect of hope and healing.

Founded in 1976, CARTI delivers leading-edge cancer care in a compassionate, patient-centered environment. Our mission is to make trusted cancer care accessible for every patient we serve through compassion, innovation, and purpose.

The CARTI Hopecast shares authentic, meaningful stories that focus on human experiences. Every day, we see patients and families navigating unimaginable hardships, sometimes feeling alone in their journey. Through The Hopecast, listeners hear stories of resilience and transformation, fostering a sense of connection and hope.

In this episode of The CARTI Hopecast, host Adam Head welcomes Steve Straessle, head of Catholic High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, and a respected columnist and community leader. Known for his unwavering presence and belief in the potential of others, Steve reflects on the role of mentorship, loyalty, and living a life of intentional service.

From his unexpected start in education to decades of shaping young men through faith, discipline, and humor, Steve shares stories that reveal the impact of showing up—in classrooms, in grief, in growth. One such story centers on a student named Jorge and the powerful ripple effects of community, dignity, and honor in the face of tragedy.

This episode explores how small acts of consistency, presence, and hope can redefine a life.

Takeaways:

• Steve Straessle emphasizes the profound impact of unwavering commitment to one's community and students, highlighting how this shapes their lives positively.
• In moments of adversity, it is essential to recognize the inherent value within individuals, which empowers them to rise above challenges.
• The journey of education transcends mere academics; it is fundamentally about instilling life lessons such as perseverance, responsibility, and the importance of empathy.
• Presence in the lives of students is critical; it fosters trust and credibility, enabling educators to support them during their most difficult times.
• The legacy of those we teach is shaped by their experiences and the values they internalize, which can have a transformative effect on their future actions.
• Living intentionally requires choosing the tools of compassion and understanding, as opposed to the divisive tools of anger and hatred that can lead to one's downfall.

Founded in 1976, CARTI delivers leading-edge cancer care in a compassionate, patient-centered environment. Our mission is to make trusted cancer care accessible for every patient we serve through compassion, innovation, and purpose.

The CARTI Hopecast shares authentic, meaningful stories that focus on human experiences. Every day, we see patients and families navigating unimaginable hardships, sometimes feeling alone in their journey. Through The Hopecast, listeners hear stories of resilience and transformation, fostering a sense of connection and hope.

In this episode of The CARTI Hopecast, host Adam Head sits down with Jennifer A. O’Brien—author, caregiver, artist, and widow of a hospice and palliative care physician. When Jennifer’s husband, Dr. Bob Lehmberg, was diagnosed with stage IV kidney cancer, their shared life of service took a heartbreaking turn. What followed was a season of love, loss and radical presence.

Jennifer chronicles that season in her book The Hospice Doctor’s Widow: A Journal, a deeply personal art journal that began as a private act of survival and became a powerful resource for others navigating terminal illness and caregiving. In this conversation, she reflects on grief, identity, and how her visual storytelling became a continuation of her husband's work.

Together, they explore the concept of “precious time”—a phrase Bob used with families nearing end-of-life—and how it reshaped Jennifer’s approach to caregiving, creativity, and healing.

Takeaways:

• We must always maintain hope for the best while preparing for the worst in life.
• The concept of precious time emphasizes the importance of meaningful connections during difficult moments.
• Through art journaling, individuals can navigate grief, documenting feelings and fostering self-care.
• Facing terminal illness requires balancing hope with preparation, acknowledging the inevitable while cherishing relationships.
• The transition from caregiving to widowhood can be eased through thorough preparation and support.
• Sharing personal stories can empower others and foster community in the face of shared struggles.

Founded in 1976, CARTI delivers leading-edge cancer care in a compassionate, patient-centered environment. Our mission is to make trusted cancer care accessible for every patient we serve through compassion, innovation, and purpose.

The CARTI Hopecast shares authentic, meaningful stories that focus on human experiences. Every day, we see patients and families navigating unimaginable hardships, sometimes feeling alone in their journey. Through The Hopecast, listeners hear stories of resilience and transformation, fostering a sense of connection and hope.

In this episode of The CARTI Hopecast, host Adam Head sits down with Jason and Sarah Palik, parents to three children—including their youngest daughter, Iris, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome before birth. What followed was a year marked by medical complexity, emotional upheaval and unexpected grace.

From the moment they received Iris’s prenatal diagnosis, the Paliks faced challenge after challenge: a critical heart defect, two open-heart surgeries, a NICU stay, and a stroke. But in the midst of uncertainty, they found connection, community and perspective. This episode explores not only how they endured it, but how their family was transformed by it.

Jason and Sarah speak candidly about grief, resilience and the moment they realized Iris was exactly who she was meant to be.

Takeaways:

• The journey of Sarah and Jason Palik with their daughter Iris began with a sobering diagnosis of Down syndrome, which prompted a series of emotional and logistical challenges.
• Navigating the complexities of Iris's medical needs involved multiple hospital stays, including heart surgeries and significant parental adjustments to new realities.
• The couple experienced a profound sense of helplessness when they had to send their newborn daughter for surgery, a moment encapsulated by the overwhelming presence of medical staff and uncertainty.
• Through the trials, they discovered resilience in their bond as a couple, learning to support each other while facing the challenges of parenthood amidst medical uncertainty.
• Iris's story emphasizes the importance of community support, as the family found solace and strength in connecting with others who had similar experiences with disabilities.
• Ultimately, Sarah and Jason learned that the hardships they faced did not diminish their joy, but rather enriched their lives with new perspectives and profound love for their daughter.

Founded in 1976, CARTI delivers leading-edge cancer care in a compassionate, patient-centered environment. Our mission is to make trusted cancer care accessible for every patient we serve through compassion, innovation, and purpose.

The CARTI Hopecast shares authentic, meaningful stories that focus on human experiences. Every day, we see patients and families navigating unimaginable hardships, sometimes feeling alone in their journey. Through The Hopecast, listeners hear stories of resilience and transformation, fostering a sense of connection and hope.

In this episode of The CARTI Hopecast, host Adam Head talks with Jeremy Swearingen—husband, father, attorney, and cancer survivor. At the peak of his personal and professional life, Jeremy noticed what seemed like a minor irritation in his eye. That small symptom turned out to be a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

What followed was a journey marked by uncertainty, fear, resilience and perspective. Jeremy shares how a multiyear daily running streak carried him through radiation treatments and into recovery. He opens up about the emotional toll of waiting for answers, the anxiety that came with every follow-up scan, and how even in the hardest moments, small gestures—like a stranger’s encouragement—can make all the difference.

This conversation explores how cancer changed not just Jeremy’s health, but his worldview—prompting him to live more aware, more present, and more willing to step into someone else’s pain. It’s a story of endurance, empathy, and the quiet kind of strength that can come from simply showing up, mile after mile.

Takeaways:

• Jeremy Swearingen's unexpected lymphoma diagnosis transformed his perspective on life and health.
• The journey through cancer treatment revealed the importance of community and support systems.
• Maintaining a daily running streak provided Jeremy with a sense of control during his treatment.
• Facing cancer led Jeremy to become more empathetic towards others undergoing similar struggles.
• The emotional toll of waiting for test results highlighted the need for mental resilience.
• Jeremy emphasizes the significance of sharing one's experiences and emotions during a cancer journey.

Founded in 1976, CARTI delivers leading-edge cancer care in a compassionate, patient-centered environment. Our mission is to make trusted cancer care accessible for every patient we serve through compassion, innovation, and purpose.

The CARTI Hopecast shares authentic, meaningful stories that focus on human experiences. Every day, we see patients and families navigating unimaginable hardships, sometimes feeling alone in their journey. Through The Hopecast, listeners hear stories of resilience and transformation, fostering a sense of connection and hope.

In this episode of The CARTI Hopecast, host Adam Head sits down with LaKisha Johnson—educator, author, speaker, and mother of five—to share her remarkable journey of love, loss, and living forward.

After losing her husband Eric to complications from sickle cell disease and pulmonary hypertension, LaKisha faced the challenge of raising five sons while navigating grief, financial strain, and identity transformation. Through deeply personal reflection, she discusses the layers of caregiving, the mental toll of loss, and what it took to rediscover herself while holding her family together. Her story is a powerful reminder that hope, healing, and strength often grow from the hardest seasons of life.

Takeaways:

• Lakisha Johnson's journey exemplifies the profound strength that can emerge from personal loss and adversity, showcasing her resilience in the face of overwhelming challenges.
• The importance of community support and vulnerability becomes evident as Lakisha emphasizes the necessity of sharing one's story to inspire and uplift others navigating similar struggles.
• Lakisha's transformation from a grieving widow to an empowered advocate highlights the potential for growth and purpose following life's most difficult transitions.
• Through her narrative, she illustrates the concept that endings often signify new beginnings, urging listeners to embrace the continuous journey of life with hope and courage.
• Lakisha underscores the significance of recognizing one's inner strength during times of hardship, promoting the idea that personal trials can cultivate deep-seated courage and faith.
• The podcast reveals the profound impact of a supportive partner on personal development, as Lakisha reflects on her husband's influence and the wisdom he imparted to their family.

Referenced in this episode:

• The Launch: 10 Day Devotional For Anyone Who Wants To Start Anything
• Coffee and Conversations with LaKisha

Founded in 1976, CARTI delivers leading-edge cancer care in a compassionate, patient-centered environment. Our mission is to make trusted cancer care accessible for every patient we serve through compassion, innovation, and purpose.

The CARTI Hopecast shares authentic, meaningful stories that focus on human experiences. Every day, we see patients and families navigating unimaginable hardships, sometimes feeling alone in their journey. Through The Hopecast, listeners hear stories of resilience and transformation, fostering a sense of connection and hope.

In this episode of The CARTI Hopecast, host Adam Head welcomes Thomas Cheney—athlete, contractor, father, and survivor—whose life changed forever after a devastating car accident in 2020. Just one day before his brother’s funeral, Thomas fell asleep at the wheel, resulting in a crash that would take one of his legs, shatter the other, and alter the course of his life.

What followed was a journey marked by pain, grit, and relentless determination. With over 30 surgeries in a matter of weeks and a pandemic-era recovery that limited access to physical therapy, Thomas faced seemingly impossible odds. Yet through every challenge, he found purpose—in returning to work, in parenting his children, and in becoming a source of support for other new amputees.

Thomas’s story is a powerful reminder that resilience is built one step at a time, and that even in the darkest circumstances, there’s always a path forward.

Takeaways:

• Thomas Cheney's journey from a vibrant athlete to an amputee demonstrates remarkable resilience and determination.
• The profound impact of losing a limb during a global pandemic serves as a backdrop for Thomas's story.
• Relearning basic movements such as walking after losing a leg underscores the challenges faced by amputees.
• Thomas emphasizes the importance of mental fortitude and support systems in overcoming adversity.
• The transition from being a professional in construction to facing physical limitations illustrates life's unpredictability.
• Helping others who have experienced similar trauma has become a crucial part of Thomas's healing journey.

Founded in 1976, CARTI delivers leading-edge cancer care in a compassionate, patient-centered environment. Our mission is to make trusted cancer care accessible for every patient we serve through compassion, innovation, and purpose.

The CARTI Hopecast shares authentic, meaningful stories that focus on human experiences. Every day, we see patients and families navigating unimaginable hardships, sometimes feeling alone in their journey. Through The Hopecast, listeners hear stories of resilience and transformation, fostering a sense of connection and hope.

In this moving episode of The CARTI Hopecast, host Adam Head welcomes Tonya Stripling, a mother of four who walked through a seven-year journey of caregiving, grief and growth after her husband Eric was diagnosed with glioblastoma.

Tonya reflects on the shock of Eric’s diagnosis, the complexities of parenting through anticipatory grief and the emotional toll of watching a loved one change physically and emotionally. She also opens up about what it was like to be both a caregiver and a spouse—roles that often conflicted—and the lessons she learned about asking for help, embracing imperfection and rediscovering herself after loss.

With honesty and insight, Tonya shares the power of staying present, creating community, and choosing a mindset rooted in hope. Her journey is a testament to what it means to do hard things—and come through the other side stronger.

Takeaways:

• Tonya Stripling recounts the profound impact of her husband's brain cancer diagnosis on her life and family dynamics, illustrating the challenges faced by caregivers.
• The journey through cancer treatment revealed the importance of community support, as Tonya describes how friends and church members provided essential assistance.
• Tonya emphasizes the significance of vulnerability, advocating for honest communication about one's emotional struggles during difficult times, rather than maintaining a facade of strength.
• The episode highlights the necessity of maintaining a positive mindset, as Tonya reflects on her husband's philosophy of choosing to be better rather than bitter in the face of adversity.
• Tonya's experience underscores the emotional exhaustion caregivers endure, prompting her to advise others to seek help and not isolate during challenging periods.
• The conversation culminates in Tonya's message of hope, asserting that while grief is uncharted, healing and joy can eventually return after loss.

Founded in 1976, CARTI delivers leading-edge cancer care in a compassionate, patient-centered environment. Our mission is to make trusted cancer care accessible for every patient we serve through compassion, innovation, and purpose.

The CARTI Hopecast shares authentic, meaningful stories that focus on human experiences. Every day, we see patients and families navigating unimaginable hardships, sometimes feeling alone in their journey. Through The Hopecast, listeners hear stories of resilience and transformation, fostering a sense of connection and hope.