The Unspoken

Join Anna as she sits down with the 2025 CKF Award Winners as they share their journeys in the transplant and donation community along with what inspired them to continue giving back and supporting others. We will also be announcing the 2026 CKF Award Winners! Support the show

Most people don’t realize that the upcoming 2026 Transplant Games in Denver will be the largest celebration of life in the world — and you can be part of it. When Mark McIntosh shares his journey from battling a rare blood cancer to receiving a life-saving kidney transplant, he reveals the extraordinary power of organ donation and the life-changing impact of community support.This episode dives deep into the incredible story of resilience, hope, and giving back. Mark shares how a simple act — sharing your spare — saved his life and how the Transplant Games foster an inspiring environment where thousands come together to celebrate life, connect across communities, and promote organ donation awareness. He highlights the importance of trusting healthcare, Colorado’s pioneering transplant history, and the need to increase awareness among communities of color. Support the show

Welcome to Part 2 of the Duality of Gratitude & Grief. Anna is joined by Denzel, Mari, Monique, and Denise, the ED of The Heartfelt Help Foundation. This conversation delves into the complex emotional and financial challenges faced by families navigating the heart transplant journey. Through personal stories, the speakers share their experiences of trauma, guilt, and resilience, highlighting the ongoing struggles that persist long after the transplant. The discussion emphasizes the duality of gratitude and grief, as families learn to cope with the realities of living with chronic health issues while supporting their loved ones.Support the show

We are kicking off season 2 of The Unspoken with Denise Redeker and three of her Pediatric Heart Transplant Patient Families. We are so thankful to Denzel, Mari, and Monique for being open and honest about their family's journey through and after a heart transplant. This conversation delves into the complex emotional and financial challenges faced by families navigating the heart transplant journey. Through personal stories, the speakers share their experiences of trauma, guilt, and resilience, highlighting the ongoing struggles that persist long after the transplant. The discussion emphasizes the duality of gratitude and grief, as families learn to cope with the realities of living with chronic health issues while supporting their loved ones.Support the show

This episode explores the profound impact of eye donation, featuring heartfelt stories from donor families and insights from experts in the field. Anna is joined by donor family Leslie & Brad Vickers, as well as Staci from the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank. The conversation highlights the unique aspects of eye donation compared to other organ donations, emphasizing the importance of early discussions about donation decisions. The episode also delves into the emotional journey of donor families and the life-changing effects on recipients.Support the show

Join host Anna Morgan-Palardy as she sits down with CKF Executive Director Jessi Rochel and Chris Klug, founder of the Chris Klug Foundation, to explore his incredible journey from receiving a life-saving liver transplant to winning an Olympic bronze medal. In this episode, Chris shares his personal story of resilience, the mission of his foundation, and the impact of organ donation. Discover how Chris's passion for board sports and his commitment to giving back have inspired countless others. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about second chances and the power of community. #LiveLifeGiveLifeSupport the show

🎙In this episode of "The Unspoken," host Anna Morgan-Palardy dives into the transformative world of organ pumps with Dr. James Trotter from Intermountain Health. 🎙⚡️Discover how this groundbreaking technology is revolutionizing the field of organ transplantation, increasing the number of successful transplants, and reducing wait times for patients. Join us as we explore the challenges and triumphs of implementing organ pumps nationwide and the profound impact they have on both donors and recipients. Tune in to learn how these innovations are paving the way for a brighter future in transplant medicine.⚡️Support the show

In this conversation, Anna Morgan-Palardy speaks with Michael Wells, team captain of Team Rocky Mountain, about the upcoming Transplant Games of America. They discuss the significance of the games, the emotional impact on participants, and the goals for Team Rocky Mountain. Michael shares personal experiences and emphasizes the importance of community engagement, and highlights inclusivity to Team Rocky Mountain. The conversation highlights the positive atmosphere of the games and encourages potential participants to get involved.Support the show

In this episode of the Unspoken podcast, Anna Morgan-Palardy interviews Elaine Perlman, the executive director of Waitlist Zero, about the urgent need for kidney donations and the legislative efforts to pass the End Kidney Deaths Act. Elaine shares her personal journey into the world of organ donation, the challenges faced by living donors, and the potential impact of the proposed legislation, which aims to provide tax credits to altruistic kidney donors. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community support and advocacy in addressing the kidney crisis in America.Support the show

In this episode of the Unspoken Podcast, host Anna Morgan-Palardy speaks with Brian Martindale, the Program and Communications Director at Kidneys for Kids. They discuss the importance of living kidney donation, particularly for pediatric patients, and the various initiatives aimed at raising awareness and advocating for organ donation. Brian shares his personal journey as a kidney donor and the impact of his work in recruiting donors for children in need. The conversation highlights the challenges faced in finding donors, the role of media in promoting organ donation, and the need for education and legislative efforts to support living donors.Support the show

Anna is joined by the 2024 CKF Award Winners Mark Scotch, Denise Redeker and Abby Gray. They share their journeys and experiences joining and within the transplant and donation community. They share their experience as the CKF Award Winners and attending CKF's Wine & Dine Gala. Finally, they announced the winners of the 2025 CKF Awards! Support the show

In this episode of the Unspoken podcast, Anna Morgan-Palardy speaks with Dave Galbenski from the Living Liver Foundation about the importance of living liver donation. They discuss the mission of the foundation, the significance of raising awareness about living organ donation, and the personal experiences that drive advocacy. The conversation highlights the psychological aspects of being a living donor, the legislative efforts to support donors, and the future initiatives aimed at promoting living donation. The episode emphasizes the need for community engagement and the power of conversations in inspiring potential donors.Support the show

In this episode of The Unspoken Podcast, host Anna Morgan-Palardy speaks with Paula from NMDP about the critical topic of stem cell donation. They discuss the importance of increasing the donor registry, the myths surrounding the donation process, and the personal journey of becoming a donor. Paula shares her own experience as a donor, the significance of diversity in the registry, and the support provided to donors throughout the process. The conversation emphasizes the need for education and outreach to encourage more individuals to join the registry and help save lives.00:00 Introduction01:01 CKF In The Brief04:27 Introduction to NMDP and Stem Cell Donation06:57 Understanding Stem Cell Donation and Its Importance09:47 Debunking Myths About Stem Cell Donation13:54 The Importance of Diversity in the Registry17:39 Personal Stories and Experiences with Donation22:09 Support for Donors and Overcoming Barriers27:49 How to Register as a Stem Cell DonorSupport the show

In this episode of The Unspoken, Anna Morgan-Palardy is joined by Heartfelt Help Foundation founder Denise Redeker. Denise and Anna discuss the critical issue of financial toxicity in transplantation. They explore the economic burdens faced by patients and their families and the limited resources available to assist those in need. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community support, sharing personal experiences, and advocating for better financial assistance programs to help alleviate the stress of financial toxicity in the transplant community.Support the show

In this episode of the Unspoken podcast, host Anna Morgan-Palardy welcomes Jessi Rochel, the executive director of the Chris Klug Foundation (CKF). They discuss Jessi's journey to CKF, the importance of organ donation, and the foundation's mission to educate and inspire individuals about organ, eye, and tissue donation. The conversation highlights the Summit for Life event, which raises awareness and funds for organ donation, and the various initiatives CKF is undertaking to engage the community and support transplant recipients. Jessi shares her passion for blood donation and the significance of intergenerational conversations about organ donation. In this episode, Anna Morgan-Palardy and Jessi Rochel discuss various aspects of organ donation, including engaging seniors in the process, the significance of the Sydney Marathon as a charity partner, innovative campaigns like Sip and Save, and the future of their podcast. They emphasize the importance of awareness and education around organ and blood donation, and the need for open conversations about these topics.If you are interested in suggesting a topic, appearing on the website or sponsoring please head to https://www.chrisklugfoundation.org/the-unspoken-podcast. Support the show