Cause & Purpose

When her best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 26, Zionna Hanson realized that there are serious problems in the way breast cancer is diagnosed and treated. The minimum screening age is typically 40 (far later than many women develop breast cancer) and long-term mental, physical, and emotional care is virtually nonexistent. Z founded Barbells for Boobs to advocate to redefine the standard of care in breast health and improving quality of life post diagnosis. Z joins Cause & Purpose to talk about her founding story and share insights gleaned from growing her organization from a single fundraising event to the thriving nonprofit organization it is today.

Throughout her career, Becky Straw has seen the affect stable employment can have on families and the communities they live in. A self-described “advocate for the unsexy,” Becky has repeatedly gotten involved with causes that created or supported entrepreneurship and job creation in communities that need them. Turning a surprise setback into an opportunity, Becky launched The Adventure Project in 2010 to give people the tools, education and resources to become social entrepreneurs in their own communities.

Learn more about The Adventure Project.

Chris Bessenecker is the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Project Concern International, and a lifelong international development pro. We sat down with Chris in his backyard, and talked about his experiences leading water and sanitation initiatives with the Peace Corps in Honduras, using human-centered design in the field, and creating a culture of innovation at a large and well-established organization. Lots of great takeaways in this one. Enjoy!

Learn more about Project Concern International

Chris Bessenecker | LinkedIn | Twitter

Cause & Purpose is a production of Moonshot.co

Carla Fernandez is a social entrepreneur and cofounder of The Dinner Party, an innovative nonprofit organization on a mission to transform life after loss from an isolating experience into one marked by community support, candid conversation, and forward movement using the age old practice of breaking bread. Carla joins Cause & Purpose to share her founding story and lessons learned from a life spent pursuing positive social impact.

Learn more about The Dinner Party

Carla Fernandez | LinkedIn | Twitter

Cause & Purpose is a production of Moonshot.co

As fate would have it, we recorded Jessica's first episode just a few days before George Floyd was killed and our nation erupted into chaos. Because of her background and unique insights, we felt it was important to invite Jessica back to share her feelings about the ongoing crisis, and provide some helpful tools for addressing topics of racial injustice with those in our own communities.

Learn more about W!cked Saints Studios

Jessica Murrey | LinkedIn | Twitter

Cause & Purpose is a production of Moonshot.co

In our inaugural episode, Jessica Murrey joins Cause & Purpose to share stories from her life and career focused on conflict resolution and social justice. We'll delve into the importance of brand and communications strategy for nonprofits, exemplified by her work at The Search for Common Ground. We'll also discuss some of her upcoming projects, including an innovative new mobile game called Pathways, designed to teach teens about activism and self-efficacy.

Learn more about W!cked Saints Studios

Jessica Murrey | LinkedIn | Twitter

Cause & Purpose is a production of Moonshot.co