The Resilience Playbook

Cole Rodgers

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.

Episodes

  1. Spencer Smith: The Benefits Industry's Future, AI, and Staying Human

    15H AGO

    Spencer Smith: The Benefits Industry's Future, AI, and Staying Human

    When two people who refuse to settle for the status quo sit down to talk about healthcare, benefits, and an industry overdue for disruption—you get a conversation like this. Spencer Smith, host of Self-Funded with Spencer and captive expert at Pareto Health, joins Cole Rodgers to explore what it actually takes to build something meaningful—in business, in benefits, and in life. Spencer has become one of the most recognized voices in the employee benefits space not by chasing attention, but by consistently teaching, showing up, and investing more intention than most. His content and approach to the captive model have made him a trusted resource for brokers, consultants, and employers navigating a broken system. But this conversation goes beyond stop loss and carrier networks. It’s about building a portable brand, creating value that outlives a logo, staying curious, avoiding burnout, and moving forward while the industry stays stuck. Spencer and Cole unpack the erosion of traditional networks, the role of captives in solving real problems, and why consultants often lose business for the same reasons they win it. They discuss proximity, complacency, and why the next decade belongs to leaders who refuse to treat benefits like a transaction. It’s also about the human side of work—why Spencer built a studio during COVID to preserve his family’s story, why Cole believes resilience is life’s most important attribute, and what happens when you stop chasing volume and start screening for the right people and mindset. If you’re a consultant, benefits leader, or someone trying to build something that lasts in a fast-changing world—this one’s for you. ⸻ IN THIS EPISODE • Why Spencer built a podcast studio—and how it became a time capsule • The moment he realized benefits are the heartbeat of an organization • How Cole’s career shifted after he started creating content • Why proximity changes everything • The four reasons consultants win business (and lose it) • What a 35% renewal actually reveals—and how to solve it • The erosion of traditional carrier networks • How Pareto Health’s captive model creates flexibility • Why better questions create better results • The “dammit moment” when leaders realize there’s a better way • Operational readiness vs financial readiness in self-funding • How AI will reshape the benefits industry • Why the soul still matters in an automated world • The one-phone-call trust question ⸻ ABOUT SPENCER SMITH Spencer Smith is a captive expert at Pareto Health and host of Self-Funded with Spencer, one of the most recognized podcasts in the employee benefits industry. Known for explaining stop loss, self-funding, and captive insurance with clarity and authenticity, he helps brokers, consultants, and employers navigate a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. Before Pareto, Spencer worked as a claims adjuster at Liberty Mutual, moved into benefits and finance at Benefit Mall, and later into stop loss sales at Sun Life. His career centers on education, transparency, and solving problems instead of deferring them. His content reflects a core belief: benefits aren’t boring—they’re critical. Connect with Spencer: Website: selffundedwithspencer.com Podcast: Self-Funded with Spencer (Spotify, Apple, YouTube) LinkedIn: Spencer Smith, CSFS ⸻ ABOUT THE RESILIENCE PLAYBOOK The Resilience Playbook is a long-form conversation series hosted by Cole Rodgers featuring leaders and high performers who’ve been tested and came out 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 us. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss one. ⸻ 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: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ShZgzjhsPCKzCLzfoWApI Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-resilience-playbook/id1861046313 Support the show: https://theresilienceplaybook.com/

    1h 9m
  2. Emily & Raydodd Hester: Choosing Hard Things and Living Fully Through Adversity

    FEB 15

    Emily & Raydodd Hester: Choosing Hard Things and Living Fully Through Adversity

    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/0ShZgzjhsPCKzCLzfoWApI Support the show: https://theresilienceplaybook.com/

    1h 26m
  3. Raydodd & Emily Hester: Battling the Unthinkable at 39

    FEB 1

    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 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/

    1h 50m
  4. Chris Waddell: Resilience, Performance, and the Choice to Live Fully

    JAN 15

    Chris Waddell: Resilience, Performance, and the Choice to Live Fully

    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/

    2h 1m
  5. Mark Greene: Rebuilding a Life After the Uniform Comes Off (Part 2)

    JAN 1

    Mark Greene: Rebuilding a Life After the Uniform Comes Off (Part 2)

    If you haven’t watched Part 1 yet, we recommend starting there. Part 1 covers Mark’s upbringing, path into the SEAL Teams, and the experiences that shaped who he became. Part 2 picks up where that foundation cracks—and where the real work begins. Retired Navy SEAL sniper and bestselling author Mark Greene returns in Part 2 of this conversation to talk about what happens after the identity, structure, and mission are stripped away. In this half of the conversation, Mark and Cole move beyond origin stories and into the hardest work of Mark’s life—owning the damage, facing the consequences of unresolved pain, and rebuilding from the inside out. This is a conversation about responsibility, faith in practice, and the long, unglamorous road of becoming whole again. If Part 1 was about how Mark was formed, Part 2 is about how he was broken—and what it actually took to rebuild his life, his relationships, and his leadership. ⸻ ⸻ IN THIS EPISODE (PART 2) • Transitioning out of the SEAL Teams and losing a core identity • The danger of unmanaged success and emotional avoidance • How shame compounds when it goes unaddressed • The moment Mark realized the old way of living was no longer sustainable • Faith as discipline and daily practice—not a label • What real ownership looks like without self-destruction • Rebuilding trust, presence, and integrity one decision at a time ⸻ ⸻ CHAPTERS (PART 2 – MARK GREENE) 00:00:00 Returning from the break and resetting the conversation 00:04:15 Leaving the Teams and the identity vacuum that followed 00:14:30 When success can no longer hide what’s broken 00:26:40 Avoidance, emotional shutdown, and delayed consequences 00:38:55 The moment running stopped working 00:50:10 Faith as obedience, not comfort 01:01:45 Ownership versus shame: learning the difference 01:13:30 Rebuilding trust through consistency and time 01:24:20 Fatherhood, presence, and new non-negotiables 01:35:10 What Mark would tell the man standing at the edge ⸻ ⸻ ABOUT MARK GREENE Mark Greene is a retired Navy SEAL who served on both East and West Coast SEAL Teams, including time as a sniper and instructor, before transitioning into life after the military. He is the bestselling author of UnSEALed: A Navy SEAL’s Guide to Mastering Life’s Transitions, a book that walks readers through the key transition points in life and how to navigate them with resilience, honesty, and courage. Connect with Mark: Website: https://www.themarkgreene.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themarkgreene/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themarkgreene Get the book UnSEALed: Amazon (all formats): https://www.amazon.com/Unsealed-Seals-Guide-Mastering-Transitions/dp/B0CN53CS6L ⸻ ⸻ 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: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ShZgzjhsPCKzCLzfoWApI Support the show and get deeper resources: https://theresilienceplaybook.com/

    2h 29m
  6. [DELETED ON YOUTUBE] Mark Greene: The Making of a SEAL Sniper, a Father, and a Leader (Part 1)

    12/15/2025

    [DELETED ON YOUTUBE] Mark Greene: The Making of a SEAL Sniper, a Father, and a Leader (Part 1)

    Retired Navy SEAL sniper and bestselling author Mark Greene has lived through combat deployments, career transitions, divorce, and rebuilding his life from the ground up. In Part 1 of this conversation, Mark sits down with Cole Rodgers to talk about identity, shame, fatherhood, and what it really takes to start over when the image everyone sees no longer matches the man you are inside. If you look strong on paper but feel the cracks in private, this is the one you watch all the way through. ⸻ IN THIS EPISODE (PART 1) • Mark’s path from sports and college to the SEAL Teams • What it actually means to serve as a Navy SEAL sniper • The hidden cost of high performance and living at full tilt • How his marriage and inner world began to come apart • Why shame keeps men isolated and silent • The moment he finally asked for help and told the truth • How faith, fatherhood, and real accountability became the foundation for rebuilding ⸻ CHAPTERS (PART 1 – MARK GREENE) 00:00:00 Welcome, how Cole and Mark connected, and why Mark is different 00:20:01 Growing up military: Philippines, Ohio, Japan, and Dad’s mysterious job 00:30:01 Losing Dad and the village that raised Mark 00:40:37 Grandfather, Negro Leagues, and falling in love with football 00:50:11 College ball, NCAA realities, and the business of players 01:00:00 Knee injury, loyalty to teammates, and leaving the NFL dream 01:10:16 Discovering the SEAL Teams and a new mission 01:23:30 Boot camp, BUD/S contract, and passing the screening test 01:30:26 First look at BUD/S: the “toughest training” in a tiny compound 01:40:23 Arriving early to BUD/S and learning to ask for help 01:50:02 Hydration punishment, cold water, and the mental games of instructors 02:00:13 Pool comp, the whammy knot, and thinking under pressure 02:10:16 SEAL Qualification Training, Team Five, and being coachable 02:20:00 Officer path, finishing his degree, and the lead-up to a life-changing jump ⸻ ABOUT MARK GREENE Mark Greene is a retired Navy SEAL who served on both East and West Coast SEAL Teams, including time as a sniper and instructor, before transitioning into life after the military. He is the bestselling author of UnSEALed: A Navy SEAL’s Guide to Mastering Life’s Transitions, a book that walks readers through the key transition points in life and how to navigate them with resilience, honesty, and courage. Connect with Mark: Website: https://www.themarkgreene.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themarkgreene/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themarkgreene Get the book UnSEALed: Amazon (all formats): https://www.amazon.com/Unsealed-Seals-Guide-Mastering-Transitions/dp/B0CN53CS6L ⸻ 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: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ShZgzjhsPCKzCLzfoWApI Support the show and get deeper resources: https://theresilienceplaybook.com/

    2h 28m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

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.