EPISODES

Raydodd & Emily Hester: Battling the Unthinkable at 39

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... 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://theresilienceplaybook.com/ – Emily Hester read more