This week, we sit down with Robert Sanchez, a man whose life story is a testament to resilience, redemption, and relentless advocacy. Robert’s journey is unlike any other: after spending 15 years in prison, he co-founded the renowned Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program—a transformative initiative that inspired the film "Sing Sing." But his story of rebuilding didn't stop there.

Today, Robert is a leading patient advocate with a deeply personal mission. Living with the rare kidney disease FSGS and having survived two kidney transplants, he now dedicates his life to empowering others navigating the complex world of kidney health. As the director of The Jentosy Project at Kidney Forward and a Clinical Interviewer at Albert Einstein Medical College, he works on the front lines to increase living kidney donations and fight for health equity in underserved Black and Brown communities.

In this powerful conversation, Robert shares:

• How his 15 years inside and co-founding RTA shaped his approach to community and advocacy.
• The reality of living with FSGS and the journey through two transplants.
• His mission to demystify kidney disease and build trust in communities often left behind by the healthcare system.
• What it truly means to be a patient advocate—from hospital hallways to barbershop conversations.

Tune in for an unforgettable conversation about finding purpose through pain and the ongoing fight to ensure that in healthcare, "rare doesn't mean forgotten."

Find more about Robert's work at his website: https://robertpsanchez.com/

What does it take to fight for over a decade just to give a kidney away?

In this powerful episode of the #FilterLIFE Podcast, host Dan Holmes sits down with Nick Gentile — a living kidney AND liver donor whose story redefines altruism.

From the moment he decided in high school that he wanted to become an organ donor, Nick never wavered from his calling. Even after years of rejection, delays, and bureaucratic hurdles, his faith and determination kept him moving forward.

After more than 10 years of trying, Nick finally donated a kidney — and that wasn’t the end of his journey. He later went on to donate 70% of his liver to a friend in need. Today, he channels that same passion into advocacy through his organization, Compassion Match, helping others navigate living donation.

This episode explores:
• The reality of the living donor process
• Why perseverance matters in advocacy
• How faith can fuel purpose
• The urgent need for living donors
• Legislative efforts like the HEART Act that impact donor opportunities

Nick’s story is a reminder that one person’s determination can save lives and inspire countless others.

If you’ve ever considered organ donation or want to understand its life-changing impact, this episode is for you.

Key message: Even when the system says “no,” purpose and persistence can still lead to “yes.”

You can learn more about the @EnlistedKIdneyFoundation by visiting our website. Donations are always appreciated.

https://EnlistedKidneyFoundation.org

What happens when your kidneys start failing — and you don’t even know why?

For Dan Keaveney, known online as KidneyManDan, that question became life-changing. After years of symptoms, testing, and uncertainty, he was diagnosed with FSGS (Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis) — a rare kidney disease that can lead to kidney failure.

But Dan refused to let a diagnosis define him.

In this episode of the #FilterLIFE Podcast, host Dan Holmes sits down with KidneyManDan from Maryland for a real, unfiltered conversation about living with chronic kidney disease, managing medications, adjusting diet and nutrition, and learning to advocate for yourself in the healthcare system.

Dan shares what it was like taking up to 42 pills a day, navigating side effects, and facing the mental and emotional weight of chronic illness — all while choosing a mindset of resilience and hope.

This episode is about more than kidney disease.
It’s about taking control of your health, building community, and filtering out negativity so you can focus on what matters most.

• Understanding FSGS and kidney disease
• The long road to diagnosis
• Medication management and side effects
• Diet and nutrition for kidney health
• Patient advocacy and empowerment
• The importance of community support
• Staying informed about new kidney research

💬 Powerful quotes from this episode:
“I was on 42 pills a day at one point.”
“I got FSGS — but FSGS will never have me.”
“Now is the time to get tested.”

Kidney disease affects millions and often develops silently. Early awareness and testing can make a life-changing difference.

If you are a kidney patient, caregiver, donor, or advocate, this conversation will resonate deeply.

The FilterLIFE Podcast shares real stories from kidney warriors and advocates to ensure no one faces kidney disease alone.

👉 Follow, subscribe, and share to help raise kidney disease awareness.

On this episode of the Filter Life Podcast, host Dan Holmes sits down with living kidney donor and advocate Mark Scotch, whose extraordinary act of generosity began with a chance conversation in a bar — and led to a life-saving kidney donation for a complete stranger.

Mark shares the moment that sparked his decision, the physical and emotional journey of becoming a living donor, how the living donor voucher program works, and why awareness, advocacy, and communication are critical in the fight against chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Mark also introduces us to The Organ Trail, his nationwide kidney donation awareness project designed to spark conversations, connect patients with resources, and normalize living organ donation. Through long-distance cycling and public engagement, The Organ Trail is reframing what it means to donate an organ and showing how one storyteller can impact an entire community.

This episode unpacks:
✔ the realities of kidney donation and living donor recovery
✔ misconceptions and barriers to organ donation
✔ how donor health is monitored and protected
✔ why more living donors aren’t coming forward (and how to change that)
✔ how storytelling can save lives by increasing kidney disease awareness

Mark’s journey demonstrates how ordinary conversations can lead to extraordinary outcomes — and why living a Filtered Life means using your time, energy, and relationships with intention and purpose.

If you're interested in organ donation, transplant advocacy, kidney health, or how one person can create a ripple effect of impact, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we introduce you to Gail Ray Garwood—a lifelong educator, acclaimed non-fiction writer, and one of the most respected voices in the chronic kidney disease community.

A New York native turned Arizona resident, Gail holds advanced degrees in English and Communications and spent decades teaching research, writing, and literature before CKD changed the direction—but not the purpose—of her life.

Diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in 2008, she turned her skills as a researcher and storyteller into what she calls “the kidney work,” authoring more than a dozen CKD education books and the internationally recognized SlowItDownCKD blog, read in over 100 countries.

In this conversation, Gail shares how she continues to dance with disease—using knowledge, advocacy, humor, and community to live fully, adapt boldly, and show others that CKD is something you manage, not something that defines you.

To learn more about Gail Ray Garwood, explore her writing, advocacy work, and the internationally recognized SlowItDownCKD blog, visit her website and discover her books—trusted resources for anyone navigating chronic kidney disease with knowledge, clarity, and hope.

👉 Website & Books: https://www.gail-raegarwood.com/about-me

🎥 Interview with Dr. Laurence H. Beck, Jr. — A Rare Opportunity Welcome to our special conversation with Dr. Beck, a true leader in the world of rare kidney disease research. If you or someone you care about is navigating the challenges of a glomerular kidney disorder, this is one session you won’t want to miss.

About Dr. Beck: Dr. Laurence H. Beck, Jr., MD, PhD, serves as the David J. Salant Professor of Nephrology at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and practices at Boston Medical Center (BMC). He leads the clinical program for glomerular diseases at BMC, focusing on rare and immune-mediated kidney conditions like Membranous Nephropathy, FSGS, and Minimal Change Disease. Back in 2009, Dr. Beck and his team made a landmark discovery identifying the M-type phospholipase A₂ receptor (PLA2R) as a key autoantigen in membranous nephropathy — a finding that transformed how doctors diagnose and treat this rare condition. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he received the inaugural Mid-Career Distinguished Researcher Award from the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) in 2019.

Why this conversation matters: When you’re dealing with a rare kidney disease, especially one like membranous nephropathy where protocols and access can be murky, who better to ask than the person leading the science? We brought Dr. Beck’s expertise directly to you.

In this interview we cover: Navigating the insurance hurdles and securing approval for therapies like Rituximab when standard treatments aren’t enough. Real-world advice about working with nephrologists, transplant teams, and kidney disease networks. Insights into what to ask your doctor if you’re newly diagnosed, or if you’ve been told “you’re rare” and don’t know who to turn to. How to engage proactively with your care team, advocate for yourself, and use the latest science to your advantage. What you’ll walk away with: A clearer understanding of how cutting-edge research is being translated into practice for rare kidney diseases. Practical steps you can take now — with your physician or as a caregiver — to improve your care pathway. Renewed hope that you’re not alone in this: there is someone leading the charge who understands these conditions deeply.

👉 If you or someone you love is living with a glomerular kidney disease, especially membranous nephropathy, this conversation is a must-watch.

👍 Please like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay connected — more expert interviews and kidney-health strategy sessions are on the way.

🔔 Have questions for Dr. Beck or topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes? Drop them in the comments below.

About us – The Enlisted Kidney Foundation (EKF) We are a veteran-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting kidney disease patients — especially our fellow veterans — by connecting them with trusted resources, expert voices, and community. Learn more at: www.EnlistedKidneyFoundation.org Thank you for watching. Stay hopeful. Stay connected. And remember: when you’re fighting a rare kidney disease, you don’t have to do it alone. — The EKF Team