The Rollercoaster Podcast

What happens when the person you've loved almost your entire life is suddenly taken from you?My guest today is Ashley Leatham, who lost her husband, Scott, a 39-year-old firefighter, to a rare and aggressive cancer called NUT carcinoma. What started as persistent headaches turned into a devastating diagnosis, and just five months later, Ashley was holding her husband's hand as he took his final breath.They had known each other since they were 12. They built a beautiful life, raised two children, and imagined growing old together. Then everything changed.Ashley opens up about the unimaginable pain of watching her husband fight for his life, the heartbreak of telling their children he was dying, and the final moments she'll never forget.In this episode:The warning signs before Scott's devastating cancer diagnosisHow five months changed their family's lives foreverThe heartbreaking final days before Scott passed awayNavigating grief, widowhood, and raising children after lossFinding purpose, faith, and hope when life feels unbearableThis conversation is a powerful reminder that tomorrow is never promised, the people we love are everything, and even in our darkest moments, there can still be a reason to keep going.Key Moments:00:00 The heartbreaking final moments of Scott's cancer battle03:01 A childhood friendship that became a lifelong love07:50 The headaches that revealed a deadly cancer diagnosis12:44 The hospital visit that changed everything16:14 The rare cancer diagnosis and desperate fight to survive20:11 When chemotherapy led to a terrifying emergency23:05 Seven organs failing and the fight to stay alive27:28 The devastating cancer prognosis that shattered their hope30:18 How facing death changes what matters most35:16 The powerful life lesson Scott left behind38:55 The suspected cancer risks inside the fire station43:23 The heartbreaking news that Scott had weeks to live46:16 The final family memories before saying goodbye49:09 Holding her husband's hand as he took his last breath52:35 The painful reality of grief after losing a spouse56:06 Finding purpose and hope after unimaginable lossConnect with Me:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/Connect with Nick & Cassie:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dsnyash/

There are some phone calls that divide your life into a before and an after.My guest, Kylie Hammonds, was just 26 when she received one of those calls. Her mom, Tabitha, had died suddenly, leaving Kylie and her brother searching for answers about what happened that night.Kylie takes me inside the events surrounding her mother’s death, the fentanyl discovered during the investigation, the questions surrounding her father, and the painful reality of grieving her mom while also grieving a father who was still alive.In this episode:The phone call that changed Kylie’s life foreverThe unanswered questions surrounding her mom’s sudden deathWhy the investigation left Kylie and her brother searching for answersHow she learned to release the anger she carried toward her fatherWhy preserving the voices and memories of the people we love matters so muchBut this conversation became about so much more than loss.Kylie shares what three years of grief, anger, prayer and healing have taught her about forgiveness, giving yourself grace, and how easily we convince ourselves we’ll have more time with the people we love.Later, Kylie’s boyfriend Michael Curtis joins us to share how watching her navigate this unimaginable loss inspired him to create Forevermore, a platform designed to preserve the voices, stories and memories of the people we love.And at the very end, Kylie plays the only voicemail she has left of her mom.It’s only a few seconds long, but when it’s the only chance you have to hear someone you love again, a few seconds is everything.Key Moments:00:00 The phone call that changed everything05:13 Flying home without knowing the truth10:03 Why her brother warned her at the airport15:07 The heartbreaking scene inside the house20:05 Strangers caught entering her mom’s office24:48 Her father’s story starts falling apart29:10 The addiction Kylie never fully understood33:07 Fentanyl changes the entire investigation38:22 The discovery that changed how she saw her dad42:04 Grieving a father who is still alive49:21 What grief taught her about surviving loss57:30 The tragedy that shaped Michael’s view of loss1:02:00 How Kylie’s grief sparked a bigger idea1:12:00 Using AI to preserve a loved one’s voice1:17:00 The questions that uncover your life story1:25:16 Hearing a loved one’s voice after they’re gone1:32:12 What she’d give to hear her mom againConnect with Me:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/Connect with Kylie:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylie_knh/Connect with Michael:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelrrcurtis/