ABOUT THIS EPISODE
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 Weitenhagen
Website: https://www.deanweitenhagen.com/
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Chapters
00:00 What Does Success Mean?
02:00 Rethinking Purpose in Hard Times
04:16 Making Sense of Adversity
06:08 Faith, Values, and Big Questions
07:28 Facing a Life-Changing Diagnosis
09:22 Miracles and Medical Surprises
11:08 Life After a Stem Cell Transplant
13:27 Lessons From a Second Chance
15:18 How Illness Clarified Ambitions
17:25 Dreams for the Next Chapter
19:06 Redefining Living and Success
20:37 How to Connect With Dean
21:35 Closing Thoughts and Next Steps
