Scarred Not Silent: Stories from the intersections of survival

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, I revisit the imp...

 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 grounding yourself, honoring your s...

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 keeps me grounded when the body insis...

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 table, I began huffing and puffing ...

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 “meat manipulation” moment — a real...

 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. 

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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 line behind us grew, but for a moment,...

 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 — community builds right there in th...

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 sooner than I thought, though keeping tha...

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 pain was minimal. I knew this was the b...

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 big change. Despite the potential com...

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 that moment. The anticipati...

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; it’s about compassion, awareness, ...

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 thinking for himself. His journey towa...

 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 selflessness that comes with waiting. Because...

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, affect and effect. Understanding the dif...

 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 forward. I’ll invite you to think abou...

Sometimes, the only way to face today is to imagine the voice of tomorrow. In this episode, I take a step into the future—five years post-transplant—and reflect on what that version of myself might say about resilience, patience, and faith. By listening to the wisdom of tomorrow, we can find the courage to endure today. As you listen, I’ll invite you into a grounding practice: writing a short note to your future self, a reminder th...

 In this episode, I open up about my search for faith in the midst of life’s hardest seasons. With the backdrop of war and devastation in the Middle East reminding us of how fragile the world can be, I share the story of the religion that finally spoke to my spirit. This isn’t about pushing beliefs—it’s about finding the higher power that gives you strength. I invite you to reflect, wrestle, and reach for the clarity that comes whe...