Podcast Summary

Imagine Heaven Podcast with John Burke

Episode: Doctor Gave Him 2 Years to Live...Then He Died and Came Back
Guest: Mike Olson
Date: February 19, 2026

Episode Overview

In this powerful episode of Imagine Heaven, host John Burke interviews Mike Olson—retired pastor, Emmy-winning documentary subject, and lung transplant survivor who experienced a profound Near-Death Experience (NDE). Diagnosed with a terminal lung disease and given just two years to live, Mike's spiritual journey through suffering, advocacy, and ultimately a visit to "Heaven" offers hope, depth, and inspiration. The conversation deeply explores suffering’s purpose, the reality of grace, God's presence in adversity, and what Mike encountered on the other side.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Diagnosis and a Life Changed (04:39–07:06)

• Mike was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis—a terminal lung disease with no cure. Doctors gave him a prognosis of two years to live.
• Initially devastated (“My whole world was, like, rocked”), instead of falling into bitterness, Mike was compelled to “make a difference, even though I’m sick and dying.” (07:13)
• He turned his efforts to advocacy, raising awareness for the disease, meeting with politicians, and working with notable organizations.

Notable Quote:

“...And he said, no, it’s terminal. I’m sorry. When I think about that, it was heavy, you know. He’s like, it's terminal. I'll give you two years to live.”
—Mike Olson (06:25)

2. Choosing Mission Over Misery (07:26–13:04)

• Mike’s “Live Like You’re Dying” approach led to wide-ranging activism, including meeting mayors, senators, and even Vice President Pence.
• His remarkable life caught the attention of local news, resulting in an Emmy-winning documentary about his journey.

Notable Quote:

“...So I dressed my oxygen tanks up in tuxedos, and I went to this Emmy award...They call my name from the stage and go...‘Your documentary won. Come up to speak to the Emmy crowd.’ I'm up there giving testimony to the Lord, really, and I’m just holding this Emmy.”
—Mike Olson (12:10)

3. Glimpses of Spiritual Growth Amidst Suffering (14:50–17:02)

• As Mike’s illness progressed, he and his wife turned increasingly to prayer, though he candidly described his discomfort with “jump through hoops” healing rituals.
• He describes a personal prayer encounter where God told him, “Trust me. Trust me.” (17:17)
• Mike’s openness about not always understanding suffering but choosing trust anchors the episode’s spiritual tone.

Notable Quote:

“I just heard him say two words to me. Trust me...You’ve proved yourself over and over in my life. I can trust you. It’s scary, but I could trust you.”
—Mike Olson (17:45)

4. Miraculous Call: The Lung Transplant (19:36–22:29)

• A woman unrelated to his network prays for Mike and has a vision of lungs descending from heaven.
• Soon after, the long-awaited call for a donor comes—mirroring the vision.
• Mike describes the surreal moment heading into transplant surgery, thinking not only of his healing but also the sorrow of the donor’s family (“Almost feeling guilty, like, this person died. So it was just, like, a lot on my mind…” 22:30).

5. The NDE: Death, Darkness, and Light (22:57–33:20)

• During surgery, Mike “died” on the table due to a surgical error (28:05). He describes becoming aware above his body, surrounded by tumult and then by negative, demeaning voices echoing childhood abuse.

• He confronts these voices with the authority of Jesus: “In the name of Jesus. You shut up. Stop talking to me. And those voices stopped…” (25:39–26:02).

• Ascending, Mike witnesses swirling rainbow lights—realizing they are angels singing: “Mike’s Coming Home” (28:34).

• A vision he’d painted months earlier matched precisely what he saw in the NDE (29:42).

• He is enveloped with love, light, and cleansing in Heaven, overwhelmed by a sense of absolute peace and belonging.

Notable Heaven Encounter:

“It was like I was being bathed in light...It was like I was being purified...Every molecule was pulsating...like, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus...I was healed from being abused, but there’s nothing like being in his presence where every ounce of our earthly life is gone.”
—Mike Olson (31:00–32:30)

6. Life Review and Healing from Abuse (33:20–44:47)

• John presses for backstory so listeners can understand grace in context. Mike recounts deep childhood trauma: sexual abuse by his father and brother, feelings of shame, and confusion over his identity.
• He describes salvation, ongoing healing, and eventually being able to help others with similar pain—culminating in a life of ministry and testimony of God’s restorative power.

Notable Quote:

“We overcome the enemy by the word of our testimony and the blood of the lamb. And so there’s proof in the pudding.”
—Mike Olson (43:08)

7. The Core of Heaven: Oneness, Acceptance, and Identity (44:47–46:05)

• Mike describes feeling no shame, condemnation, or guilt in God’s immediate presence, only oneness and pure love.
• Material distinctions and earthly religious trappings faded—what matters is being with Him.

Notable Quote:

“It was like clarity of who I was…down on Earth, I was worried about, as a Christian, how much have I read the Word? Have I prayed enough? Have I witnessed enough? ... None of that really matters.”
—Mike Olson (46:05)

8. A Heavenly Assignment: The Return and Its Challenges (46:34–61:13)

• During his NDE, Mike asks to thank his organ donor and sees both the donor and Jesus, who assures him, “Mike, these are your lungs. Receive them.” (49:57)
• After being resuscitated (having died on the table), Mike faces a brutally difficult recovery, including over 100 post-transplant surgeries.
• Despite continuing physical trials, Mike becomes a source of comfort and ministry to hospital staff and others, seeing every assignment—even suffering—as a chance to serve (“This is funny to you, isn’t it? Because you know that I’m here...and I’m a captive audience. So you’re going to send to me anyone you want that needs help.” 61:13)

Notable Quote:

“I know it's going to sound really strange, but it just made me feel invincible...When you really realize Christ in you, the hope of glory...He really wants to dwell in us...He wants so badly to touch people's lives, to save souls, to minister to a broken world. And we are his hands, we are his feet, we are his voice.”
—Mike Olson (56:39)

9. The Problem of Evil, Suffering, and How to Help (63:08–end)

• John Burke closes the conversation by reflecting on how to approach suffering—personally and when helping others:
  • Suffering is not always punishment or God’s will; it's part of a fallen world.
  • God is present in our suffering and can redeem it—not by answering “why?” but showing us “how” to trust and move forward.
  • When comforting others, avoid easy platitudes; instead, be present and empathetic—like Jesus, “just sit with the person, pray for them, and don’t try to fix it.” (see 66:31–67:15)
• Both John and Mike emphasize the irrational but supernatural peace available to those who trust God through difficult times.

Notable Conclusion:

“The one thing that’s never left me is peace. Supernatural peace.”
—Mike Olson (64:15)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Facing Death:
  • “I could be bitter about this or I could get better.” (07:13 — Mike Olson)
• Advocacy in Action:
  • “I dressed my oxygen tanks up in tuxedos and I went to the Emmy Awards…” (12:10 — Mike Olson)
• On Suffering:
  • “I just heard him say two words to me. Trust me. Trust me.” (17:17 — Mike Olson)
• The NDE Climax:
  • “I was being bathed in light…it felt like every atom, every molecule was pulsating—Jesus, Jesus, Jesus…” (32:00)
• Heaven’s Cleansing:
  • “There was still a part of me…I think a lot of abuse victims always feel this…Like, when I get to heaven, what’s it gonna be like? But to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” (43:31)
• After Returning:
  • “When you really realize Christ in you, the hope of glory...He wants so badly to touch people’s lives, to save souls, to minister to a broken world. And we are His hands, we are His feet, we are His voice.” (56:39)
• Final Encouragement:
  • “Just rest in that deep love of the Father for us. Even when we’re going through suffering, even though things are happening we don’t understand…It’ll give us peace that passes all understanding.” (63:08)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Mike’s Diagnosis & Mission: 04:39–13:10
• Faith, Prayer, and Trust: 14:50–19:36
• Transplant Call & Preparation: 19:36–22:57
• The Near-Death Experience: 22:57–33:20
• Childhood Trauma & Story of Healing: 33:20–44:47
• Descriptions of Heaven: 44:47–46:05
• Return, Organ Donor Vision, and Recovery: 46:34–61:13
• John & Mike on Suffering and Ministering to Others: 63:08–end

Tone and Language

Throughout the episode, conversation remains candid, gentle, and infused with faith-based hope. Both John and Mike speak plainly but pastorally—even humorously ("I dressed my oxygen tanks in tuxedos..."), offering both honest struggle and reassurance to those suffering. The language is empathetic, biblical, and practical, blending personal story with spiritual application.

Summary Takeaways

• Profound suffering can become a platform for ministry and healing—both for oneself and others.
• Near-Death Experiences, like Mike’s, might reveal both the darkness we carry and the overwhelming love/grace available in God’s presence.
• The journey through pain may not answer “why?” but God invites us to trust and look for “what now?” and “how to move forward.”
• Faith, vulnerability, and presence—being with and for others—are central in times of suffering.

For Listeners

Even without listening, you’ll leave this conversation with a deeper appreciation for the mystery of suffering, the reality of grace, and the possibility of supernatural peace—no matter your circumstance.