The Wisdom Project is an oral history podcast featuring stories drawn from interviews and projects from the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History in the University of Kentucky Libraries.
Mar 10, 2026
In this episode of The Wisdom Project, host Doug Boyd explores
the life-changing journey of kidney donation and transplantation
through the stories of two childhood friends, Laura
Ottaviani-Chacon and Dan Becker. Through intimate interviews with
both donor and recipient—before and after the surgery—this episode
reveals the emotional, medical, and human dimensions of organ
transplantation. It examines the realities of life on transplant
waiting lists, the growing role of social media and personal
networks in finding donors, and the profound bond that forms when
one person gives another the gift of life.
Access oral history interviews
online:
Interview with Dan Becker, May 27, 2023
Interview with Laura Ottaviani-Chacon, June 10, 202
Interview with Dan Becker, Laura Ottaviani-Chacon, July 21, 2023
For more information about kidney donation or about becoming an organ donor: The National Kidney FoundationEpisode produced by Doug
Boyd
Assistant Producer: Megan
Hubbard and Emma Haas
Music by Doug
Boyd.
The Wisdom Project is a podcast
produced by the Louie B Nunn Center for Oral History, University of
Kentucky LIbraries.