Causepods

My role is to oversee organ recoveries throughout the state of Louisiana. One of my areas of focus includes maximizing a family’s gift of donation through the utilization of the latest medical treatments of patients who have suffered severe brain injuries. I hope that their loved ones can save as many lives as possible. Another area of focus is to insure that the surgical processes and packaging of organs are performed with the utmost level of proficiency.

My role is to maximize organ and tissue donation awareness and increase Louisiana’s donor registry. I work with our partners in schools, civic groups, businesses, churches, etc. to reach audiences interested in having a healthy discussion about donation. We have a strong volunteer base – made up of donor family members, recipients and those waiting on a transplant. Together, we give as much information as possible. Our hope is that those listening will see donation in a positive light and make an educated decision about donation – when they are ready to do so. We want them to take what they learned during their time with us and bring that information back home. We hope it sparks ‘another’ conversation…and another…and another.

My role is dedicated to maintaining and extending quality follow-up services for all our donor families. Some of our supportive services include phone and written contact with families, grief counseling, emotional support, assisting with donor family and recipient requests for communication, facilitating direct contact, addressing issues or concerns, and interfacing with transplant centers and with other departments within LOPA. In addition, I see my purpose as one of being with families going through the labyrinth of emotional turmoil and helping them to see what good can result from a tragedy. Our department helps families focus on celebrating the life of their loved one and to see how one’s life can impact many others by saying YES to donation.

Welcome to another episode of Causecasts and today on the show welcome not one, but three amazing guests! Joining us today we have the hosts of The Gifted Life Podcast, Lori Steele, Joey Boudreaux, and Sally Gentry. The podcast is produced by the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency, or LOPA, and is intended to raise awareness and registration for organ donation. The team have already seen the spread and effect of their work and the reward ofsaving lives is a huge part ofit all. We hear from Sally, Lori and Joey about the process of organ donation and the incredible light that can emerge from tragedy when successful transplants occur. Interestingly, the podcasts is aimed at both donors and receivers, and our guests really try to level the show at a wide ranging and reaching audience. They have already seen engagement all across the world and are delighted tobe influencing positive change beyond their local community.

During the episode we hear about the genesis of the podcast and each of guests give their back stories leading upto the formation of the group. We also discuss the content of a podcast aimed at recruiting people to a program and how they are able to continually fill their episodes with relevant information. A large part of the chat is spent reflectingon the gifts that creating this package has bestowed on the hosts, who seem to have really found a meaningful channel through which to work in the world around them. They are open and giving with their advice and ideas and have plenty of sound direction for the up and coming or hopeful podcaster, so stay tuned and get it all!

Key Topics:

•What drew our guests to the podcast medium in particular. (04:50)

•The reason for an ongoing and continual series of episodes from the organization. (06:16)

•What drew each ofour guests to the world of organ donation. (10:28)

•The unlikely heroes of the podcast. (16:23)

•How putting together this podcast has enriched the lives of the hosts. (17:21)

•The international reach of The Gifted Life Podcast. (17:48)

•The two way nature of the benefits that grow out of a podcast with a cause. (21:33)

•Key advice from our guests on starting up a podcast of their own. (23:24)

•How to get involved with Causecasts! (27:28)

•And much more!

Support LOPA

See the show notes and a transcript at http://www.causepods.org/podcast/LOPA

Guest Info

Lori Steele, LOPA Community Educator

Sally Gentry, LPC-S, FAPA, BCPC, LOPA Family Services Coordinator

Jason Boudreaux, RN, BSN, CPTC, LOPA Chief Clinical Officer

Follow LOPA on Facebook and Twitter

Thanks for Listening!

Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Android, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at [email protected].

Stay up-to-date on Causepods by followng Mathew Passy on social media at Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

For help, resources, and community support, please join the Causecasters’ Facebook Group if you are already producing podcasts for a cause or are thinking about launching one.

And if you would like to be a guest on Causecasts, please fill out this form.

Lee Silverstein is a stage 4 colon cancer survivor and the host of the WE Have Cancer podcast.

On today’s episode of Causecasts we are so happy and honored to have Lee Silverstein, host of the WE Have Cancer Podcast, as our guest. Lee created this podcast a few years ago as a way to inspire hope and connection within the community of people affected by cancer. Lee’s positive and realistic outlook has directed the tone and reach of his work, which now has a humble yet committed and engaged following, and for Lee, there is nothing that he would rather be putting his time into. During our interview, he even shares that the years since his diagnosis have been the best of his life. After being diagnosed about 6 years ago, a fateful encounter with a friend and an emerging podcast community led to a clear realization of his path, one that he has followed with passion and dedication since.

Our conversation includes this origin story of how WE Have Cancer was born; as well as some meditation on what it means to host a podcast with guests whose life expectancy is generally uncertain. Lee sees his work sharing these stories as the ultimate way to honor and provide grace for both guests and listeners, and has experienced the profound effect of this process himself. Lee also explains why he sees podcasting as such a powerful medium for the message he is broadcasting. He acknowledges the direct line it provides to the human voice and how it is something he has come to cherish greatly. As you might expect with a conversation such as this, it is both hopeful and sad, beautiful yet tragic, and this bittersweet atmosphere is touching on many levels. For a truly heartfelt and deeply inspiring discussion be sure to tune in to hear what Lee has to say.

Key Topics:

• How Lee wound up hosting a podcast dealing with cancer. (01:25)

• Lee’s surprise at the lifespan and reach of his podcast. (03:37)

• Hope and inspiration as the main reasons for Lee’s work. (04:55)

• How Lee manages the emotional and physical toll of dealing with cancer as a topic. (06:57)

• Lee’s connection to the podcast format and the uniqueness of his product. (09:07)

• Audio and the human voice as an effective means of connection. (11:20)

• A particularly meaningful relationship Lee had with an interviewee. (12:27)

• Lee’s belief in serving and honoring those who have or will pass on. (15:29)

• Advice from Lee to anyone thinking about starting a podcast with a cause. (17:41)

• Why it is okay to get something out of a selfless service. (19:57)

• Where Lee is at with his own personal journey and health. (22:22)

• The difficulties that arise even with such an inspiring outlook. (24:34)

• And much more!

Support WE Have Cancer

See the show notes and a transcript at http://www.causepods.org/podcast/lee-silverstein

Thanks for Listening!

Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Android, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at [email protected].

Stay up-to-date on Causepods by followng Mathew Passy on social media at Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

For help, resources, and community support, please join the Causecasters’ Facebook Group if you are already producing podcasts for a cause or are thinking about launching one.

And if you would like to be a guest on Causecasts, please fill out this form.

Today’s guest is James Thomas, the host of Four Seas One Family, a podcast aiming to show how common the human experience is and break down the barriers that divide us. As an American immigrant who now lives and works in Taiwan, James’ experiences in Asia have taught him so much of the connectedness and shared nature of the human race, something he felt compelled to bring to light with his own podcast. For James, the medium is so direct and accessible to listeners that it makes perfect sense as the vessel for his message.

During our chat we look at James’ background and the years leading up to his life in Taiwan and then move onto some of his underlying philosophy and the experiences that informed this. James emphasizes the concepts of trust and family and has a few interesting anecdotes that illustrate his ideas on human unity. Our guest also offers some insight into his relationship with the podcasting medium and the greater practice of storytelling and information sharing. Familiar themes arise of cultural exchange and the affirmation that blossoms out of this and James is very quick to optimistically drive home how we can all do our part to build a better, more connected planet. For all this and more, be sure to tune in!

Support Depaul to combat homelessness.

Key Topics:

• How James found himself working in Taiwan. (01:54) • Some of the most common traits that unite all humans. (05:37) • The importance of trust throughout cultures.(06:52) • What audio and podcasts have to offer in terms of achieving James’ goal.(10:21) • The power of sharing stories on Four Seas One Family. (12:20) • Comparing altruistic podcasts with those with other motivations.(13:41) • James’ experience as an immigrant and a ‘stranger’ away from home. (15:59) • Learning about yourself through the study of others’ cultures.(17:50) • The hopes James has for making positive change.(19:15) • And much more!

See the show notes and a transcript at http://www.causepods.org/podcast/james-thomas

Thanks for Listening!

Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Android, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at [email protected].

Stay up-to-date on Causepods by followng Mathew Passy on social media at Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

For help, resources, and community support, please join the Causecasters’ Facebook Group if you are already producing podcasts for a cause or are thinking about launching one.

And if you would like to be a guest on Causecasts, please fill out this form.

Welcome to the second episode of Causecasts! Our guest today is Bill Monroe, the host of Strokecast, a podcast focused on raising awareness and sharing information on the symptoms, risks and recovery of stroke. Bill himself experienced a stroke at what seemed like a young age and it was this, in combination with his belief in the podcasting format and desire for positive communal work that led to the creation of Strokecast. Another reason for Bill, and a point he makes during our conversation, is the seeming increase in strokes in the younger generation. Although there is no definitive answer to why this occurring, Bill hopes to open up the conversation and build towards more awareness, prevention and care.

During the episode we look at the podcasting work Bill did before starting Strokecast and draw some links between his first podcast, Two Minute Talk Tips, a podcast focusing on public speaking and his newer work on strokes. Bill also explains his philosophy around podcasting and why he sees it as such a strong format for delivering meaningful content in the contemporary climate. Our guest is also very open and generous in telling us about his own experiences and personal recovery and what this process has meant to him. The discussion ends off with Bill offering some inspirational advice to anyone thinking about starting their own podcast with a cause, so be sure to tune in and hear it all!

Support the American Heart Association Puget Sound Chapter on behalf of Bill at gofundme.com/causecasts-for-strokecast

Key Topics:

The reasons Bill decided to launch a show called Strokecast. (01:20)

How can we account for the increase in strokes among the younger generation? (03:46)

Some of the reasons Bill is so connected to podcasts and what they offer. (06:03)

Looking at the ways in which a podcast is easier to create than other content. (11:21)

Comparing the creation of a podcast with a cause with Bill prior experience. (14:05)

An overview of where Bill is at with his own recovery. (18:10)

Bill’s advice to anyone considering producing a podcast. (23:55)

How to get involved with Causecasts! (26:36)

See the show notes and a transcript at http://www.causepods.org/podcast/bill-monroe

Thanks for Listening!

Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Android, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at [email protected].

Stay up-to-date on Causepods by followng Mathew Passy on social media at Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

For help, resources, and community support, please join the Causecasters’ Facebook Group if you are already producing podcasts for a cause or are thinking about launching one.

And if you would like to be a guest on Causecasts, please fill out this form.

Our first guest on Causecasts, The Get InPowered Podcast’s Judithe Registre, has a main goal with her podcast to bridge cultural gaps and bring about more understanding through the use of narratives that challenge the simplified cultural myths we are so often told. For Judithe the exercise of stepping out of these comfortable, unchallenged spaces into a more empathetic realm is the test that really faces our current society and one that she believes her podcast and others like it can help to address. She also tells us about her work and the potential for change that podcasts offer us. Originating from Haiti, before moving to the US, Judithe cites her upbringing in a culture of strong oral traditions as the building block in her inclination towards podcasting. She also chats about how the low cost and pressure of podcasts facilitate a more open and honest conversation with guests.

During our discussion, we cover Judithe’s background and how she ended up hosting a podcast before moving onto a meditation on the medium. Judithe goes on to assert that contact with cultures other than our own, actually reinforces and strengthens our sense of where we come from, rather than the nationalist myth of dilution and decay. We also discuss the role of fear and security in an increasingly conservative and regulated first world and Judithe gives her perspective on what this means in terms of laws and identity. We finish off the episode with some thoughts on the practice of kindness and just how important that can be in today’s climate. For a fascinating chat with a wonderful guest, be sure to tune in!

Key Topics:

The limiting nature of single story narratives. (01:23)

How Judithe became involved in podcasting. (03:23)

How the medium of podcasts lends itself to effective social change. (04:57)

The joys of audio recording compared to video. (08:45)

Getting out of our comfort zone and opening ourselves to the experience of others. (11:07)

The affirmation of culture through contact with others. (15:35)

The effects of fear and a need for security on cultural exchange. (17:05)

Legality and identity. (20:04)

The American experiment around co-existing. (21:28)

Judithe’s goals with her podcast and her work in general. (25:33)

The importance of a practice of kindness. (28:07)

How to get involved with Causecasts! (31:23)

Donate to Inclusivus today

See the show notes and a transcript at http://www.causepods.org/podcast/judithe-registre

Thanks for Listening!

Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Android, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at [email protected].

Stay up-to-date on Causepods by followng Mathew Passy on social media at Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

For help, resources, and community support, please join the Causecasters’ Facebook Group if you are already producing podcasts for a cause or are thinking about launching one.

And if you would like to be a guest on Causecasts, please fill out this form.

Welcome to Causepods. I’m your host Mathew Passy and I am delighted to be launching this passion project aimed at raising awareness, and some funds, for those using podcasts purely for a good cause.

Each week, I’ll highlight a new show, what positive change they are looking to make in the world, and why podcasting is an effective medium for their story. If you like what they are doing, please consider checking out the shownotes for each episode to find a link to their episode and a way to support their efforts.

And if you’re a podcaster making a difference in the world, please take a few moments to fill out the Causepods Form. I am always looking for people who are using podcast as a way to make a positive impact in their local community, country, or the world as a whole.