Episode 2

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Published on:

15th May 2025

Young Widower Saves the Life of New Wife’s College Roommate

They were both widowed young, left to raise children alone, carry the weight of grief, and somehow start again. But through love and one selfless act set off a butterfly effect that would forever reshape three families.

Kim and Steve, both widowed in their 30s and raising young kids, found love again after unthinkable loss. Just as they began building a new life together, a letter arrived from Kim’s college friend Melinda. She was in urgent need of a kidney transplant.

Melinda, Kim’s longtime friend from Stanford, was battling polycystic kidney disease and facing the terrifying reality of organ failure. Kim stepped forward without hesitation. But in a twist no one saw coming, it was Steve, Kim’s new husband, who turned out to be the perfect match. Having already watched his own children lose their mother, Steve couldn’t bear to see another family endure the same heartbreak. His decision to donate a kidney gave Melinda the gift of life—and her children the gift of more time with their mom.

In this unforgettable episode of Call Me Friend, host Daryn Kagan shares a powerful true story of loss, love, and how one remarkable gift didn’t just save a life. It created a legacy of love that will ripple for generations. Through that single, selfless decision, their lives became permanently entwined, blended by love, bonded by gratitude, and a profound reminder of the butterfly effect of kindness—how one act of compassion can echo across families, lifetimes, and every life it touches.

TIMESTAMPS:

  • (00:00) Steve reflects on why he volunteered to donate a kidney to Melinda
  • (01:20) Daryn sets the stage with a college reunion reflection
  • (03:30) Introducing Melinda and their college friendship from Branner Dorm
  • (05:21) Melinda opens up about her polycystic kidney disease diagnosis
  • (07:12) Writing the letter to ask for a live kidney donor
  • (09:30) Kim receives the letter—and decides to step up
  • (10:54) Kim and Melinda’s college roommate connection
  • (13:00) Kim’s journey through loss and single parenting
  • (15:06) Steve’s story: losing his first wife and raising kids alone
  • (17:00) The moment Steve and Kim met—an unexpected match
  • (22:00) Receiving the letter and deciding together to help Melinda
  • (24:45) Friendly competition: whose kidney will be selected?
  • (26:30) The emotional night before the transplant
  • (28:00) Post-op transformation: Melinda’s recovery and new life
  • (30:44) How do you say thank you for a kidney?
  • (34:00) Post-traumatic growth, chosen families, and lifelong bonds
  • (39.38) Phone a Friend- Kimshi

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • True friendship is showing up especially when it’s inconvenient, complicated, or uncertain.
  • Live organ donation is an act of radical generosity with long-lasting impact.
  • Shared grief and resilience can create unbreakable bonds between friends and families.
  • There’s power in asking for help and in the beautiful surprises that follow when we do.


RESOURCE LINKS:


GUEST BIOS

Melinda Myers Cook – A Stanford alum and longtime community volunteer, Melinda faced a life-threatening illness with grace, courage, and a rare gift for friendship. Her story is one of vulnerability, resilience, and hope.

Kim Laughton – A lifelong friend of Melinda and fellow Stanford grad, Kim faced her own deep loss as a widow and single mother. Her decision to step forward in Melinda’s time of need is a reflection of the heart she brings to every relationship.

Steve Maupin– Kim’s husband and kidney donor to Melinda. After losing his first wife to cancer, Steve’s act of donating a kidney is a powerful example of compassion, perspective, and purpose-driven living.


TAGS:

Kidney Donation, Organ Transplant Story, Polycystic Kidney Disease, Live Donor Transplant, Stanford Alumni, Grief Recovery, Friendship Podcast, Blended Families, Medical Miracles, Call Me Friend Podcast, Daryn Kagan, Inspirational Podcast, Resilience, Emotional Healing, Real Life Heroes

Transcript

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About the Podcast

Call Me Friend
Who do you call when life gets real? When the good news hits, the heartbreak lands, or you're just having one of those days—you call a friend. That’s the heartbeat of Call Me Friend—a feel good biweekly podcast that drops you into the kind of conversations that remind us who we are, where we belong, and why friendship matters.

Hosted by former network news anchor, wife, mom, and Airbnb host Daryn Kagan, Call Me Friend is your weekly reminder of the joy, laughter, and healing that come with connection. Each week, Daryn picks up the phone from Ms. Lou’s Cabin—a 50-year-old log home she and her husband lovingly restored and turned into an Airbnb—to chat with someone in her world, whether it’s a celebrity, her childhood bestie, or someone she just met along the way or maybe even YOU. No matter who she’s calling, the focus is always the same: celebrating the power of friendship and connection.

Every episode kicks off with a ring-ring and drops you into a real-life conversations between friends. These aren’t interviews with hot takes or polished soundbites—just raw, funny, heartfelt, deeply human chats between people who genuinely know and care about each other. From lifelong friendships to surprise connections, everyday legends to familiar names, Call Me Friend is a front-row seat to how beautiful, messy, and meaningful friendships can be.

This show is for anyone craving more depth, more heart, and more of the good stuff that makes life not just bearable—but beautiful. It’s a cozy corner of the podcast world where emotional wellness, storytelling, and humor live in harmony. Whether you’re looking for comfort, relatable stories, or a pick-me-up on a hard day, this podcast is for you, yes YOU. Expect wild stories, sweet memories, laugh-out-loud moments, and those quiet “Yeah… me too” pauses that make you feel truly seen.

Fun segments like “You Gotta Meet My Friend” spotlight special guests introducing someone they love, while “Call Me, Friend” invites listeners to write in with questions and stories. And the “Friend Questionnaire” keeps things surprising, uncovering the quirks and connections that make every friendship unique.

What makes Call Me Friend stand out? This show isn’t about networking or hustle. It’s not self-help. It’s heart-help. Because friendship isn’t just background noise—it’s the main character. If you’ve ever found joy, comfort, or healing through a friend—or just needed someone to say, “I get it”—this is your space.

Call Me Friend is more than a podcast. It’s a weekly call you can count on. A soft place to land. A reminder that even when life feels messy, everything gets better when you talk to a friend. If you love heartfelt conversations, personal stories, and a little laughter with your life lessons, this is the one you’ve been waiting for.

So whether you're commuting, folding laundry, walking the dog, or just trying to quiet your mind—remember this: you’re not alone. Someone out there gets it. Someone out there would totally take your call.

Go ahead, pick up the phone.
Let’s laugh. Let’s cry. Let’s Call a Friend.

About the Host:

Daryn Kagan is a former CNN anchor turned full-time storyteller. After leaving the fast-paced world of network news, she built a life rooted in purpose, connection, and authenticity. Now living on the quiet Georgia coast, Daryn records Call Me Friend from Ms. Lou’s Cabin, a restored 50-year-old log home turned Airbnb. From there she runs the nationwide Just One More Foundation giving grants for second chances. A wife, mom, dog mama, and connection junkie, Daryn’s superpower is bringing people together—and her gift for real conversation is what makes this podcast feel like catching up with your favorite friend.

Just One More Foundation : https://www.justonemorefoundation.org/
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Daryn Kagan