Causepods

One could say Dr. Richard Shuster has lived many lifetimes. A successful tech consultant in his 20’s, Richard thought he had it all – cool car, cool toys, vacations to Europe. He didn’t mind the fact that he made a lot of money and spent it on himself.

Richard might very well have grown into an even wealthier bachelor, living a comfortable life on his own terms. But all that changed the day he was in a car accident that nearly left him lifeless. Self-described as a near death experience, Richard says that in the mere three seconds he saw the end of his life approaching, the emotion he was overcome with was guilt. Guilt that his parents would be left without a son, and guilt for the fact that, despite growing a successful company, he had never sought much beyond that.

With the desire to make a humanitarian impact in mind, Richard forayed his IT work into internet safety, gaining a Master’s Degree in social work and eventually a Doctorate in clinical psychology. The Daily Helping Podcast was born along the way.

Encompassing not only the podcast but an entire movement, #mydailyhelping encourages listeners to upload and share their daily good deeds. Richard has even used the momentum from The Daily Helping to start a charity, Every Kid Rocks, aimed at supporting schools with the resources they need to provide speech, physical and occupational therapy to children who need it most.

Richard took this second chance at life as an opportunity to move from selfishness to selflessness, encouraging the spread of good deeds and the infectiousness of service to others.

Key Topics

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It’s nothing new to complain about the government. It seems everywhere you go someone has a bone to pick with the way Politician X is handling Issue Y. Grumbling about politics is a hobby for some.

But what if, when you looked at your representatives, you couldn’t find a single person who looks like you? Would that not fuel the concern that maybe it’s not all in your head, that maybe, perhaps, “your” politicians don’t have your best interest at heart, because they don’t share the same background, haven’t faced the same challenges, and therefore don’t hold much empathy for your place in the greater community? And what if, to top it all off, your community was here first, but has since been pushed and prodded and marginalized to the brink of non-existence? Would that not be the ultimate bone to pick?

The issues faced by First Nation people often fly under the radar. With the exception of a few high profile cases, such as Standing Rock, Native concerns and injustices go largely ignored by mainstream media. The Red Road Radio Show, hosted by Lew Hastings, seeks to shine a light on such subjects often relegated to the darkest corners of the news, if they are covered at all. Lew is forthcoming in saying that he does not have much in the way of a genetic connection to Native Nations, but that his interest comes from a place of passion and desire to help. “It’s tough to leave that land, and it’s tough to live on that land”, Lew says of indigenous communities.

Unfortunately it is well known that Reservation populations suffer higher rates of poverty than Americans as a whole. This, however, is not the focus of the podcast. “The communities don’t want people to focus on the poverty as much as they want them to focus on them being Americans.“ Lew highlights the ways in which people can make a positive difference in the community, covering themes such as Tribal Sovereignty, human rights, and access to resources, to name a few. “That’s the biggest call to action is to educate yourself, find out what it is that is going on in this country…Go and visit your local reservation…Meet with people there and talk to them, find out what their concerns are.” Lew shares his podcast in the hopes of illuminating hidden issues in order to ultimately make a better life for the people living in these communities.

Key Topics

Charity Link

Link to Podcast:

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Link to Podcast:

Social Media

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Domestic violence murders are on the rise. After nearly four decades of decline, the past four years have revealed a disturbing trend. Murder at the hands of a romantic partner or ex has increased by 26%, and the overwhelming majority of victims are female. These are the kind of statistics that Teri Yuan is certain can’t be ignored.

Teri has been an advocate for victims of domestic violence for over ten years. A survivor herself, she knows firsthand the struggle that comes with leaving an abuser. Working over the years with lawyers, activists, policy makers and advocacy groups, Teri saw what she perceived to be a glaring omission from survivor services: feminism.

The statistics can’t be ignored. The number of female victims of domestic violence far outweighs that of men. That’s not to discredit male survivors of abuse, but to illustrate the point that women and men are not equally as likely to be the perpetrators of abuse. To that end, Teri seeks to incorporate the subject of male power and privilege into the conversation.

Creating first the en(gender)ed podcast, and then the en(gender)ed collective, Teri seeks to “build a cultural awareness of power, privilege, abuse and oppression so that we can better identify, confront, prevent and heal from it.” Using a format for the podcast that includes a survior’s story along with an interview from any number of professionals in the field (therapists, activists, policy makers, etc.), Teri illustrates the ways in which the culture of male privilege inherently leads to oppression and abuse of the non-dominant gender.

Through the podcast as well as the collective, Teri hopes to create an international network of survivors in order to support each other and, in turn, educate the greater community of the inequity at play in an effort to end to domestic violence.

Key Topics

See the show notes and transcript at https://www.causepods.org/podcast/teri-yuan-engendered-podcast

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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].

Imagine that you have your dream job. It utilizes your natural abilities, is dynamic, interesting, and pays well. It’s a career you are truly passionate about. What happens, then, when you meet your dream person, the perfect fit for you in another human being, only their job requires that you sacrifice yours? For partners of those in the military and similar jobs this is a real question to be faced. How does a person find time for personal pursuits, and possibly a way to continue that career, when their family is constantly moving, or they are expected to stay home to care for children?

These are some of the topics Jamie Muskopf doesn’t hesitate to tackle in her podcast, SO Unbecoming. Facing the challenge of career continuity as the wife to a member of the military, Jamie slowly started to realize she was not alone in her quest to work outside the home once again. But she didn’t want just any job, she points out. “Jobs are available everywhere. It’s really about being able to maintain a career.”

SO Unbecoming was borne of the need for a support network for military spouses who desire an outlet for their own needs and interests. While being a supportive parent and spouse is a most noble cause that is rewarding in its own right, Jamie seeks to unite listeners by empowering them to pursue their personal goals as well. In addition to that, she hopes that the podcast will educate potential employers on the benefits of hiring members of this community, as opposed to passing over qualified candidates due to the perceived drawbacks of employing members of military families.

Above all, Jamie encourages her listeners to “listen to the voice inside of yourself.” If you have something to say, or a dream to pursue, there is a way to accomplish it, and a community who will support you along the way.

Key Topics

Link to Podcast:

Social Media

Charity Link

See the full episode here

Most of us know at least one person with a serious illness, and wish we could do something so they didn’t have to suffer. We think about the ways in which we can help, from taking them to doctor’s appointments to researching treatment options, to simply holding their hand. We care about them, and want to do whatever we can to support them in their health and wellbeing.

When Nathaniel Chin, already a doctor in emergency medicine, found that his father had received a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, he shifted his focus to geriatrics in an aim to support the research and treatment of dementia and other types of cognitive disease.

It is estimated that nearly 6 million Americans are currently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, making it the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. Working with the University of Wisconsin, including the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, as well as The Initiative to End Alzheimer’s, Dr. Chin has spearheaded the podcast, Dementia Matters. On it he and his guests cover topics including signs and symptoms of disease, disease management, research, and even tips for those caregivers who are looking for support in the community.

Dr. Chin notes that as someone who has a very personal connection to Alzheimer’s, he often elicits surprise from the guests on his show, and even from his patients. “I know from experience…what it’s like to watch your loved one change.” All too often patients and their family members leave the doctor’s office feeling as if they are reduced to a disease profile rather than receiving unique, individualized care. It is Dr. Chin’s genuine, heartfelt approach that makes his podcast not only informative, but ultimately relatable as a fellow human being trying his best to make a positive change in the world.

Key Topics

See the show notes and transcript at http://www.causepods.org/podcast/nathaniel-chin-dementia-matters-podcast

Link to Podcast:

Social Media

Charity Link

Sebastian Velona is a happy kid. He is tough and resilient in the face of adversity, something many kids his age struggle to embody. Sebastian has it especially tough, however. He was diagnosed at a young age with the CLN8 variant of Batten Disease, a rare genetic condition that causes seizures, blindness, and cognitive decline.

After Sebastian received the diagnosis, his father, Christopher, did what any caring parent would do: he exhausted all avenues in search of treatment options, and when he didn’t find what he was looking for, he spearheaded his own movement to fundraise for the development and research of groundbreaking new ways to treat the disease.

The creation of Project Sebastian has lead Christopher to knock on the doors of senators, create The Project Sebastian Podcast, and most importantly, generate a caring community for those living with Batten Disease and their families.

The number of people living with Batten Disease today is inconclusive, as is the prospect for a cure. However, that does not stop Christopher, but rather fuels his mission to find one.

In this episode Christopher discusses how his son’s disease was the catalyst to go above and beyond, finding his own answers when he was told there were none. He ruminates on the ways that creating a podcast as a part of his mission to help his son has in fact helped him to overcome his own fears, and opened their family to a greater community that holds the same goal close to their hearts. Above all, Christopher emphasizes the value of awareness – that in the face of a seemingly bleak diagnosis, sharing his family’s story has been the greatest asset in making progress towards finding a cure.

Key Topics

See the show notes at http://www.causepods.org/podcast/project-sebastian

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Welcome to another episode of Causepods! Today on the show we’re joined by Dr. Jen Stansbury Koenig, creator of HSCT Warriors Podcast, who is going to be defining for us what exactly autoimmune disease is and the role that hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT) can play in the healing process. She discusses her own experience of being diagnosed with two serious illnesses, how she approached treatment and what it was that made her decide to start a podcast to advocate the cause for HSCT.

Jen talks about the strong case for this treatment, giving us statistics from clinical trials and shares some of the issues related to the drugs that are frequently prescribed for people suffering from autoimmune disease. We discuss the possible obstacles for patients wanting to receive HSCT treatment, including the resistance from the medical field and the reluctance of some insurance companies to cover the expenses. She also tells us more about her show and the people she typically interviews as well as the importance of having consistent support in championing a cause like this. If you want to find out more about this really interesting and potentially life-saving treatment, do not miss out on today’s show!

Please support Jen in anyway you can directly (non tax-exempt)

Link to Podcast:

Social Media:

Key Topics:

• What HSCT stands for and what it is. (01:43)

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

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Welcome back to Causepods everybody! Today our guest is Chris Lanphear, the founder and brains behind NoCo FM, a network of radio and podcast shows with a focus on inclusivity, diversity, and causes that need a voice. With a longish career in radio and media, Chris slipped nicely into the world of cause based radio and podcasting when the opportunity arose. They started with just one show and have quickly grown to a wide ranging and interesting roster of hosts and topics. Like many others on this show, Chris sees the unique quality that podcast offer as a great way to tell stories and connect audiences and information.

Our conversation covers Chris and his colleagues’ motivation, how they go about selecting content, finding hosts and the mission statement that he likes to keep in mind. We also chat about the character and strengths of audio for storytelling before getting into some of the lessons that Chris has learned in his current position. He gives us some information on the shows that are currently airing, focusing on a podcast not too different from Causepods called Connecting a Better World. Chris is kind enough to share his advice for newbies and also fills us in on a cause that is near and dear to his heart. For all this and a whole lot more, join us today!

Key Topics:

Support Suicide Prevention of Larimer County

See the show notes and a transcript at https://www.causepods.org/podcast/chris-lanphear

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 Causepodder’s 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 Causepods, please fill out this form.

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Welcome back to Causepods everyone! Today our guests are Lara Heacock, who is a leadership coach with a personal development blog at kindover.com and Kelly Stewart, who is a positive business consultant at the positivebusiness.com who are going to tell us their journey since starting a podcast called Doing (Good) Business. For Lara and Kelly, the podcast is a great way to pass on information and underline the work and lessons that friends and guests can share.

In our conversation we discuss the order of creating a good podcast, the benefits folks who get to work with Lara and Kelly and listen to their show about doing their business better, ways podcasting has positively impacted people, as well as the medium of podcasting and the tips for those considering starting their own. Join us in this episode to learn all about this and much more.

Key Topics:

• The orders for creating the Doing Good Business Podcast. (1:15) • The benefits folks who get to work with you and listen to your show about doing their business better get. (2:38) • Some of the ways that we’ve seen this translate into positive impact beyond. (4:06) • Why the younger generations are interested in working with companies that are doing good and refusing to do business with companies that won’t do good. (5:06) • How to make a company seem genuine when you’ve been called out for not having altruistic goals. (6:57) • Pearls of wisdom and one of them is that bad news is still good information. (8:36) • Progress is not perfection and it’s not going to happen overnight, when s company is not doing well, have a plan in place and revisit your results because it’s much easier to make those changes when you’re not in the spotlight, when you’re not in crisis mode. (9:18) • Why Lara and Kelly chose podcasting over other mediums. (11:29) • Some of the useful resources Lara and Kelly utilized for setting up and getting started (14:58) • Lara and Kelly’s advice to anyone wanting to start a cause based podcast. (16:08) • A particular organization that Lara and Kelly wants to help promote. (20:08) • How to get involved with Causepods! (22:50) • And much more!

Support Lara & Kelly’s Organization of Choice Year Up

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

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].

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 Causepods, please fill out this form.

Thanks for Listening!

Today on Causepods we are switching the format up a little bit and are lucky enough to be recording live from the Spice of Life charity event hosted by Forgotten Boardwalk in New Jersey! This annual event is all about celebrating life, organ donation, living donors, and great tasting beer! During the episode we chat to a number of organizers and attendees about their part in the day’s proceedings as well their experiences with organ donation.

We hear from Sharon and Seth Dolled, the mother and son team who helped put together Spice of Life. They share the story about the great gift Seth was able to give his mother when he was just 23, donating his kidney. They describe why the process that they went through together was such a life changing experience for both of them and their story is just so inspirational. We also chat to Andrea Gianini from the National Kidney Foundation and some of the team from Forgotten Boardwalk about the beers on tap of the day. One of the resounding messages from the day is around the relative low cost of organ donation when compared with the amount that is received. A number of our guests told us that the pain is temporary and recovery is nothing compared to giving someone the gift of life. For all this and much more, be sure to tune in for this extra special episode!

Key Topics:

• A son’s decision to give his mother a kidney. (01:14) • A little about The Spice of Life event. (02:55) • Going about promoting living organ donation in everyday life. (05:18) • Some of the work that the Nation Kidney Foundation does. (07:23) • Lesser known tips for good kidney health. (11:25) • Jason’s story of donation to his best friend’s father. (14:03) • The impact of living donations and the temporary nature of pain. (17:45) • Whitney’s story of organ donation to her mother. (19:18) • Her experience since the surgery. (23:00) • Jenna’s family’s genetic disposition toward polycystic kidney disease. (26:17) • Some of Jenna’s favorite beers at the event! (29:05) • More myths dispelled by Satara. (30:29) • How Satara got involved with Spice of Life. (32:41) • Her experiences of donating bone marrow and a kidney. (33:45) • Which beers to be excited about at the event. (36:38) • The celebratory nature of the Spice of Life event. (41:03) • Some information on Forgotten Boardwalk and their history. (43:03) • Jamie’s favorite beers from the festival. (45:19)

And much more!

Support Team Kidney

See the show notes and a transcript at http://www.causepods.org/podcast/bonus-episode-spice-of-life

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].

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 Causepods, please fill out this form.