This Thing Called Life
This Thing Called Life is a podcast dedicated to acts of giving, kindness, compassion, and humanity. Host Andi Johnson introduces you to powerful organ, tissue, and eye donation stories from individuals, families, and front-line healthcare teams. These stories are meant to inspire and remind you that while life can be challenging and unpredictable, it’s also incredibly beautiful. We hope this podcast inspires you to connect with our life-saving and life-healing mission.
Episodes
Episode Title: Connected by Hope: How Sister Keli and Stephanie Bates Found Friendship Through Transplant
Episode Description:
What happens when two people who have walked through illness, uncertainty, and waiting find each other on the other side of survival?
In this heartfelt episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson welcomes Sister Keli and Stephanie Bates, whose connection began through transplant but became somethin...
Episode Title: The Gift of Life: Inside Pediatric Transplants with Dr. Mo
Episode Description:
Saying “yes” to organ, tissue, and eye donation can change everything.
In this episode of This Thing Called Life, Dr. Monique “Dr. Mo” Goldschmidt from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center shares her passion for pediatric transplantation and the journey that brought her to Cin...
This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Luis Santiago from NFH on La Mega. This monthly interview will inform the Spanish Community about Network For Hope and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation. Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://aopo.org/
Episode Title: One Voice for Life: Imam Hossam Musa on Faith, Service & Organ Donation
Episode Description:
In this episode of This Thing Called Life, we sit down with Imam Hossam Musa, spiritual leader at the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati, for a thoughtful conversation about faith, service, and community leadership.
Imam Musa shares insight into the role of an Imam, the importance of interfaith collaboration, and how fa...
This episode of TTCL will feature a radio interview of Tom Daskalakis from TriHealth Clinton Regional Hospital with Brett Milam the Community Relations Associate for Network for Hope on Healthcare Chat with Tom.
Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://aopo.org/
EP 144: When Everything Changes Overnight: Corie Blount on Fighting for His Son, CJ
Episode Description:
On this episode of This Thing Called Life, former University of Cincinnati standout and 11-year NBA veteran Corie Blount shares a deeply personal story far beyond the game.
His 25-year-old son, CJ, went from a simple headache and fatigue to a life-altering diagnosis: dangerously high blood pressure and severe kidney disease.
Wit...
This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Luis Santiago from NFH on La Mega. This monthly interview will inform the Spanish Community about Network For Hope and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation. Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://aopo.org/
EP 142: Living Proof: How A Transplant at 7 months Sparked a Life of Impact
Episode Summary
Haley Williamson’s life began with a fight—and it turned into a mission. In this episode of This Thing Called Life, Haley shares her experience of receiving a liver transplant as an infant and how that second chance shaped her path. Now at 27 years old and working with Network for Hope, she connects with communities,...
EP 141: Hope Springs Eternal this Donate Life Month
Episode Summary
In this special episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson shines a light on Donate Life Month, observed each April—a time dedicated to honoring organ, tissue, and eye donors, celebrating transplant recipients, and raising awareness about the life-saving power of donation.
Andi reflects on the profound impact of donation—not just as a medical...
EP 140: "Strength in Every Generation: Orlando Brown Jr. on Family, Football, and Understanding Type 1 Diabetes"
Episode Summary
Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Lineman Orlando Brown Jr. opens up about his family’s powerful story of resilience and awareness in the face of Type 1 diabetes. After losing his father to diabetic ketoacidosis and supporting his brother through the same diagnosis, Orlando has turned his personal loss ...
This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Luis Santiago from NFH on La Mega. This monthly interview will inform the Spanish Community about Network For Hope and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation. Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://aopo.org/
EP 138: "A Leap Of Faith, Chelsea's Altruistic Kidney Donation Journey"
Episode Summary
Chelsea McNicholas, a Hospital Partnership Liaison with Network for Hope, joins This Thing Called Life to share how a social media post and her faith led her to become an altruistic kidney donor for a Child. Chelsea recounts starting the testing process after hearing about a friend’s mother's need. Although she was not a match, it led her...
EP 137: Reborn at 51: Jamie Mahaffey’s Second Chance at Life
Episode Summary
What does it mean to be reborn at 51?
In this powerful episode of This Thing Called Life, heart transplant recipient Jamie Mahaffey shares his extraordinary journey of survival, resilience, and purpose. After undergoing a heart transplant, the former athlete, coach, and Athletic Director at North College Hill City Schools discovered a renewed ...
This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Luis Santiago from NFH on La Mega. This monthly interview will inform the Spanish Community about Network For Hope and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation. Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://aopo.org/
This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Luis Santiago from NFH on La Mega. This monthly interview will inform the Spanish Community about Network For Hope and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation. Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://aopo.org/
EP 134 Title: Honoring the Gift of Life: Erica Randall’s Journey with Network for Hope and Organ Donation
Episode Summary
In this heartfelt episode, Erica Randall, Community Partnership and Events Manager at Network for Hope, shares her inspiring journey in building stronger communities and advocating for organ donation. Erica opens up about her role within the organization, highlighting the rewarding experience of org...
Title: EP 133: “Walking by Faith: Maria’s Story of Survival and Purpose”
🎙️ Episode Summary
In this episode of This Thing Called Life, we meet Maria Valentina Almeida — a college graduate, a passionate advocate, and a woman whose faith has carried her through a lifetime of medical battles.
Born with sepsis and a rare Colecta malformation that led to kidney failure, Maria now shares her story to...
This episode of TTCL will feature an interview with Luis Santiago from NFH on La Mega. This monthly interview will inform the Spanish Community about Network For Hope and the incredible miracles that happen with Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation. Resources: https://getoffthelist.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/ https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/ https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO https://aopo.org/
Title: EP 131: “Three Hearts, One Journey: The Massie Family’s Journey with Alport Syndrome”
🎙️ Episode Summary
In this episode of This Thing Called Life, we meet Katelyn Massie, whose family’s story is one of strength, resilience, and hope. Katelyn, her mother Amanda, and her brother Hunter all live with Alport Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that leads to kidney disease and, fo...
Title: “The Ripple Effect: Maggie Luken’s Journey of Loss, Love, and Life”
🎙️ Episode Summary
In this deeply moving episode of This Thing Called Life, host Andi Johnson welcomes Maggie Luken, whose story reminds us that even in profound loss, love can create ripples of life.
When tragedy struck, Maggie Luken chose compassion. In this moving interview, she reflects on a year marked by major back surgery, th...
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