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The Resilience Playbook

The Resilience Playbook

Written by: Cole Rodgers
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 The Resilience Playbook (TRP) is a faith-forward, leadership-driven show built for high-performing professionals who carry the weight - at home, at work, and in silence. Hosted by Cole Rodgers, TRP confronts the real battles behind achievement: identity, pressure, adversity, purpose, and the cost of becoming who you’re called to be. Each episode cuts through noise with candid conversations, resilient mindsets, and actionable frameworks for building a life that stands firm when everything else shakes.© 2025 The Resilience Playbook. All rights reserved. Christianity Economics Management Management & Leadership Ministry & Evangelism Self-Help Spirituality Success
Episodes
  • Emily & Raydodd Hester: Choosing Hard Things and Living Fully Through Adversity

    Emily & Raydodd Hester: Choosing Hard Things and Living Fully Through Adversity
    Feb 15 2026
    At 39 years old, Emily Hester found a lump. She wasn't supposed to have her first mammogram until she turned 40—but something felt off. A week after walking into that appointment with her husband Raydodd, Emily was diagnosed with triple-positive breast cancer. What followed wasn't just a medical battle—it was a test of faith, marriage, resilience, and what it actually means to keep moving forward when the unthinkable arrives at your door. This is a conversation about what happens when life splits into before and after. It's about the shock of hearing "you have cancer" while your daughters wait at home. It's about the choice to keep making memories, baking waffles, and celebrating birthdays even when your body is being pumped full of chemotherapy. And it's about a marriage that didn't crumble under the weight of fear—it grew stronger because of what they chose to do with it. Raydodd and Emily don't sugarcoat the hard parts. They talk about anger, fear, bone pain, losing hair, and the moment they had to sit their two young daughters down and tell them Mom is sick. But they also talk about gratitude for the small things, the people who showed up, and the faith that carried them through when nothing else made sense. This isn't a story about surviving cancer—it's a story about how two people chose to battle it together, one day at a time, without losing sight of who they are and what matters most. ⸻ IN THIS EPISODE • The moment Emily found the lump at 39—and the week that changed everything • How Raydodd processed the diagnosis as a husband and father of two young girls • The choice to tell their daughters the truth—and what happened when they walked through the door • Why their 15-year marriage gave them the foundation to face this together • The blessing of early detection, fast appointments, and a friend who made one phone call that saved time Emily didn't have • Starting chemotherapy on January 2nd—and what it actually feels like to lose your hair, your energy, and pieces of yourself • How they kept "business as usual" for their girls—baking cookies, celebrating Christmas, and refusing to let cancer steal their family's joy • The importance of asking for help, building a support system, and why gratitude for the little things became their lifeline • What resilience looks like when you're sitting in an infusion chair, wearing a wig, and still showing up for the people you love • The night Emily passed out and hit her head—and the emergency room visit that changed their treatment approach • Bilateral mastectomy on their 15th wedding anniversary—and the six weeks of recovery that followed • 25 rounds of radiation therapy while holding her breath to protect her heart • The physical therapy, medically-induced menopause, and ongoing treatment that reminds us the fight doesn't end when you ring the bell • How cancer doesn't just change the patient—it transforms the entire family • The decision Raydodd made to stop drinking and face every moment head-on instead of numbing the pain • What it means to choose quality of life over just surviving—and how Emily discovered she can do hard things • A message from both parents to their daughters about love, strength, and why they fought so hard to stay ⸻ ABOUT RAYDODD & EMILY HESTER Raydodd and Emily Hester are dedicated partners in family, community, and service. Emily is a former public school teacher and librarian for the Little Rock School District, passionate about education, literacy, and creativity. As an avid crafter and reader, she fills their home with warmth and unforgettable memories for their two daughters. Raydodd is a commercial loan officer and natural connector of people who thrives on building relationships in both business and life. As Treasurer of the Arkansas Crisis Center, he is committed to supporting mental health resources and giving back to his community. Together, they create a home centered on love, learning, and meaningful connections—always striving to leave a lasting impact on those around them. ⸻ ABOUT THE RESILIENCE PLAYBOOK The Resilience Playbook is a long-form conversation series hosted by Cole Rodgers. Every episode brings you face-to-face with leaders, executives, and high-performers who've been tested—and came out the other side with something worth sharing. No highlight reels without the hard parts. Just honest conversations about resilience, faith, leadership, marriage, fatherhood, mental health, and the moments that shape who we become. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss a conversation. ⸻ CONNECT WITH THE SHOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresilienceplaybook/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/TheResiliencePB LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-resilience-playbook/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theresilienceplaybook Listen on audio (when available): Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/...
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    1 hr and 26 mins
  • Raydodd & Emily Hester: Battling the Unthinkable at 39

    Raydodd & Emily Hester: Battling the Unthinkable at 39
    Feb 1 2026
    At 39 years old, Emily Hester found a lump. She wasn't supposed to have her first mammogram until she turned 40—but something felt off. A week after walking into that appointment with her husband Raydodd, Emily was diagnosed with triple-positive breast cancer. What followed wasn't just a medical battle—it was a test of faith, marriage, resilience, and what it actually means to keep moving forward when the unthinkable arrives at your door. This is a conversation about what happens when life splits into before and after. It's about the shock of hearing "you have cancer" while your daughters wait at home. It's about the choice to keep making memories, baking waffles, and celebrating birthdays even when your body is being pumped full of chemotherapy. And it's about a marriage that didn't crumble under the weight of fear—it grew stronger because of what they chose to do with it. Raydodd and Emily don't sugarcoat the hard parts. They talk about anger, fear, bone pain, losing hair, and the moment they had to sit their two young daughters down and tell them Mom is sick. But they also talk about gratitude for the small things, the people who showed up, and the faith that carried them through when nothing else made sense. This isn't a story about surviving cancer—it's a story about how two people chose to battle it together, one day at a time, without losing sight of who they are and what matters most. ⸻ IN THIS EPISODE • The moment Emily found the lump at 39—and the week that changed everything • How Raydodd processed the diagnosis as a husband and father of two young girls • The choice to tell their daughters the truth—and what happened when they walked through the door • Why their 15-year marriage gave them the foundation to face this together • The blessing of early detection, fast appointments, and a friend who made one phone call that saved time Emily didn't have • Starting chemotherapy on January 2nd—and what it actually feels like to lose your hair, your energy, and pieces of yourself • How they kept "business as usual" for their girls—baking cookies, celebrating Christmas, and refusing to let cancer steal their family's joy • The importance of asking for help, building a support system, and why gratitude for the little things became their lifeline • What resilience looks like when you're sitting in an infusion chair, wearing a wig, and still showing up for the people you love ⸻ Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Emily and Raydodd Hester 00:02:35 The Importance of Reading and Family Rituals 00:07:00 Raydodd's Work with Arkansas Crisis Center 00:21:34 Emily's Love Story: From College Friends to Marriage 00:26:10 Marriage Vows and Building a Foundation of Faith 00:30:20 Navigating Marriage Challenges and Communication 00:39:19 What They Love Most About Each Other 00:44:39 December 15, 2023: The Diagnosis 00:46:07 The Power of Friendship and Divine Timing 01:01:10 Telling the Girls and Family 01:12:11 Understanding Triple-Positive Breast Cancer 01:26:15 Surgery, Port Placement, and Preparing for Treatment 01:30:55 Starting Chemotherapy on January 2nd 01:31:50 The Emotional Journey of Losing Hair 01:39:36 Gratitude, Support Systems, and Looking Forward ⸻ ABOUT RAYDODD & EMILY HESTER Raydodd and Emily Hester are dedicated partners in family, community, and service. Emily is a former public school teacher and librarian for the Little Rock School District, passionate about education, literacy, and creativity. As an avid crafter and reader, she fills their home with warmth and unforgettable memories for their two daughters. Raydodd is a commercial loan officer and natural connector of people who thrives on building relationships in both business and life. As Treasurer of the Arkansas Crisis Center, he is committed to supporting mental health resources and giving back to his community. Together, they create a home centered on love, learning, and meaningful connections—always striving to leave a lasting impact on those around them. ⸻ ABOUT THE RESILIENCE PLAYBOOK The Resilience Playbook is a long-form conversation series hosted by Cole Rodgers. Every episode brings you face-to-face with leaders, executives, and high-performers who've been tested—and came out the other side with something worth sharing. No highlight reels without the hard parts. Just honest conversations about resilience, faith, leadership, marriage, fatherhood, mental health, and the moments that shape who we become. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss a conversation. ⸻ CONNECT WITH THE SHOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresilienceplaybook/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/TheResiliencePB LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-resilience-playbook/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theresilienceplaybook Listen on audio (when available): Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ShZgzjhsPCKzCLzfoWApI Support the show: https://...
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    1 hr and 50 mins
  • Chris Waddell: Resilience, Performance, and the Choice to Live Fully

    Chris Waddell: Resilience, Performance, and the Choice to Live Fully
    Jan 15 2026
    At 19 years old, Chris Waddell was a promising ski racer at Middlebury College when a freak accident during training left him paralyzed. His ski popped off mid-turn, and in that moment, everything changed. But what happened next wasn't a story of accepting limits—it was a story of refusing to let anyone define what recovery could mean. In this conversation, Chris walks through the decision his parents made to never tell him he'd never walk again—and how that choice shaped everything. He shares what it took to become the fastest mono skier in the world despite competing against athletes with physical advantages, why his Mount Kilimanjaro climb taught him more about failure than success, and what happens when you realize that your definition of winning might be too small. This isn't a highlight reel. It's a conversation about what it actually costs to rebuild your identity after everything you thought you were gets taken away. ⸻ IN THIS EPISODE • A ski popped off at 19 years old—and the moment that split Chris's life into before and after • Why his parents chose not to tell him he'd never walk again—and how that decision shaped his recovery • Learning to mono ski with parents who'd never seen the equipment—rebuilding identity through the sport that almost took everything • Becoming the fastest mono skier in the world at Lillehammer despite competing at a physical disadvantage • The Mount Kilimanjaro climb: what happens when 100 feet of failure redefines what success actually means • Vulnerability as strength—why the hardest part of the climb became the most important story to tell • What resilience actually looks like when you don't know what's coming next ⸻ Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Chris Waddell 00:09:53 Early Life and Family in Massachusetts 00:11:45 Discovering Skiing and Early Coaching 00:18:33 College Skiing and The Accident 00:21:08 Hospital Recovery and Family Resilience 00:28:33 Learning to Monoski 00:36:37 The Path to Paralympic Competition 00:44:11 Breakthrough with Custom Equipment 00:48:08 Becoming the Fastest in the World 01:16:34 Paralympic Success and Track Racing 01:21:21 Retirement and Finding New Purpose 01:27:48 The Six-Year-Old Girl and Kilimanjaro 01:32:41 Training for Kilimanjaro 01:38:59 The Climb Begins 01:48:23 The Boulder Field and Acceptance 01:54:34 Defining Resilience 01:56:19 Where to Find Chris and Closing ⸻ ABOUT CHRIS WADDELL Chris Waddell is a 13-time Paralympic medalist, Paralympic Hall of Fame inductee, and the most decorated male mono skier in Paralympic history. Named an "Unsung Hero of Compassion" by the Dalai Lama in 2005, Chris became the first paraplegic to summit Mount Kilimanjaro unassisted. He is the founder of One Revolution Foundation and travels internationally as a keynote speaker helping audiences unlock their potential through the lens of his own transformation. CONNECT WITH CHRIS WADDELL Website: chriswaddellinc.com Foundation: onerevolution.org Instagram: @chriswaddelllivingit Facebook: @chriswaddelllivingit ⸻ ABOUT THE RESILIENCE PLAYBOOK The Resilience Playbook is a long-form conversation series hosted by Cole Rodgers. Every episode brings you face-to-face with leaders, executives, and high-performers who've been tested—and came out the other side with something worth sharing. No highlight reels without the hard parts. Just honest conversations about resilience, faith, leadership, marriage, fatherhood, mental health, and the moments that shape who we become. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss a conversation. ⸻ CONNECT WITH THE SHOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresilienceplaybook/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/TheResiliencePB LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-resilience-playbook/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theresilienceplaybook Listen on audio (when available): Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ShZgzjhsPCKzCLzfoWApI Support the show: https://theresilienceplaybook.com/
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    2 hrs and 1 min
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