How Surviving Leukemia Changed the Meaning of Success—Dean Weitenhagen | Ep 162

If you've ever faced hardship and wondered how to find meaning in the middle of it, you’ll want to listen to this episode. I sit down with Dean Weitenhagen, a two-time acute myeloid leukemia survivor and caregiver who’s walked through life’s toughest stretches — from his wife’s stroke to his own health crisis. Dean opens up about what these challenges taught him about gratitude, purpose, and what really matters. We dive into those big questions: Why are we here? What does real success look like on the other side of a life-altering diagnosis? You’ll pick up two key takeaways: how to use gratitude as a daily practice, even during hard times, and how to rethink your own definition of success and purpose. Plus, you’ll hear a unique perspective on staying true to your values while facing medical uncertainty, and how relationships and simply being kind can shape your journey. Tune in for real talk on living thankfully — no matter what you’re up against.Connect With Dean WeitenhagenWebsite: https://www.deanweitenhagen.com/If Observeday inspires you, subscribe so you never miss an episode. Your review and support help more people discover these stories.Get more than what you hear—join the Observeday newsletter for thoughtful takeaways, extras, and personal notes that don’t make it into the show.Sign up here: https://observeday.com/joinChapters00:00 What Does Success Mean?02:00 Rethinking Purpose in Hard Times04:16 Making Sense of Adversity06:08 Faith, Values, and Big Questions07:28 Facing a Life-Changing Diagnosis09:22 Miracles and Medical Surprises11:08 Life After a Stem Cell Transplant13:27 Lessons From a Second Chance15:18 How Illness Clarified Ambitions17:25 Dreams for the Next Chapter19:06 Redefining Living and Success20:37 How to Connect With Dean21:35 Closing Thoughts and Next Steps