After 17 years, this is my last podcast

Episode #958 December 29, 2023

I want you to hear this from me rather than through the grapevine because you are part of my legacy.

I’ve always encouraged people, as you know, to ask, what does this make possible? Well, 3 weeks ago, I thought I was an extraordinarily healthy 76-year-old guy. I eat a clean diet. I don’t smoke. I don’t drink. I exercise 5 times a week.

In fact, just three weeks ago I was in Las Vegas with my two sons, Jared and Kevin, at the U2 Concert at the Sphere — a once in a lifetime memory that I’m so glad we had together.

While we were there, I realized I wasn’t feeling well, which is unusual for me, but I called my doctor, arranged to see him when I came back. I was having some abdominal pain and thought maybe I was having a little gallbladder attack. They did an MRI and on the December 7, 2023, the doctors discovered very advanced pancreatic cancer that had already spread into my liver and into my bones and told me the prognosis is not good at all.

Well, this gives me a unique opportunity to live out the principles I have taught all these years. Think about the way that I present life and how to approach things that are unexpected and unwelcome. I tell you to “never let your circumstances determine your attitude.” I’m getting an opportunity now to test that out. Did I really believe those things, or was I just giving lip service to some kind of principles that I read in a book somewhere?

You are part of my legacy.

I’ve been given the gift of being able to think and reflect. I’m having amazing conversations with my wife Joanne, my kids and grandkids. We’re celebrating now rather than after I’m gone. I get to reflect on my legacy, and here’s where you come in.

My legacy is firmly embedded in people like you, people that I’ve had the privilege of interacting with in the past few years. You are my legacy. You are now the torchbearers of these principles that I borrowed from the previous great thinkers.

I’ve done this podcast for 17 years. Never missed a week. I had planned on perhaps doing a few more episodes into the new year about this unexpected news, but it seems like maybe this is an appropriate place to end. It’s end of the year and a beautiful anticipation for each of you of a new year with new dreams, new plans in place for achieving them.

Joanne and I have lived the life we loved for 55 years together. And we’d loved having the opportunity to inspire others to do the same. We have lived our dreams. I don’t have a a bucket list of things I’ve not done. Anything Joanne and I wanted to do, we’ve done.

I’ve loved creating new adventures, and now I’m anticipating an incredible spiritual transformation.

Thank you for being who you are and for carrying a tiny flame from me to the many who you now have an opportunity to influence. You are my legacy.

Yes, I’m still exploring the remaining possibilities for what does this make possible. I’m open to anybody’s ideas, and I’m getting a lot of them.

My family set up a site for people to leave comments so I have the privilege of hearing the wonderful messages that you all are leaving there. You can access it here.

You’ll see lots of photos of my life journey on there — beautiful, beautiful memories I’ve been privileged to live through. And if you scroll to the bottom, you can leave your comments there.

My Podcast Recommendations for Your Future Listening:

My daughter Ashley Logsdon has the Mama Says Namaste Podcast, talking about how to create the life, family and marriage you love.

My son Kevin Miller has a podcast based on his new book, What Drives You, where he interviews the top thinkers and influencers in the world. If you got value from the 48 Days Podcast, you’ll feel right at home with Kevin’s podcast, What Drives You.

You can continue to listen to previous episodes of the 48 Days Podcast here.

Resource:

Get a free download of my book Rudder of the Day, a collection of stories and scriptures to carry with you in the new year. Click here for automatic download.

Thank you, podcast listeners. Now, you continue the legacy.

You’ve been so faithful, so responsive, so generous with your your questions, and even gifts and comments as well. Thank you for being open to growing, for being a powerful force and making the world a better place.

I encourage you to become known for your positivity, for offering hope and encouragement to others.

You heard it from me for so many years — continue to believe that we can, without a shadow of a doubt, find or create work and a life that is meaningful, purposeful, and profitable. So until we meet again, I’m your friend for eternity, Dan Miller.