find your cause

What if hip hop could heal communities?In this episode, Joseph sits down with Khafre Jay, Executive Director of Hip Hop For The Future, to explore how he’s using hip hop to tackle public health, misinformation, and systemic inequity across the Bay Area.

From raising nearly $250,000 to fund grassroots health programs, to creating safe spaces like Flow Lounge where people use rap as therapy, Khafre shares how music can restore connection and dignity in communities that have long been overlooked.He breaks down the real impact of representation, the dangers of cultural misappropriation, and what it means to fight dehumanization through art. You’ll also hear about his powerful movement that transforms open mics into spaces for healing and hope.Keypoints of this episode:• The intersection of hip hop, health, and activism• Building community through culture• Black maternal health and grassroots change• Art as a tool for truth and healingLearn more:hiphopforthefuture.orgWant to learn more, donate, or get engaged?LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khafrejay/Website: https://www.khafrejay.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khafrejay/Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/khafrejay?_rdc=1&_rdr#YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgdT-NwYK5DYNLMCAVY-lKwTimestamps:00:22 — Mission Statement01:21 — Why He Took on the Mission01:41 — The Corporate Takeover of Hip Hop02:05 — Building Platforms for Local Artists03:25 — Turning Disillusionment into Action04:50 — Hip Hop as a Weapon for Public Health06:45 — Therapy Through Hip Hop07:12 — Grassroots vs. Corporate10:24 — Dehumanization and Media Portrayal12:18 — Responsibility to Know and Connect15:31 — Doing What He Can Do17:13 — Having Hard Conversations19:40 — Confronting Privilege in Public Spaces22:04 — Disrupting Comfort, Speaking Truth24:52 — Knowing Where to Spend Your Energy28:45 — What’s Next for Hip Hop For ChangeWatch more episodes of Find Your Cause for stories of people creating hope and change around the world.

Most people think human trafficking looks like the movie Taken.

Dr. Kisha Roberts-Tabb says it’s often much closer to home.

In this episode of Find Your Cause, host Joseph Smalzer talks with Dr. Kisha, community psychologist, founder of the Social Butterflies Foundation, and creator of Girls Night Out Chicago, about what trafficking really looks like in our neighborhoods, why victims rarely see themselves as victims, and how community collaboration can truly save lives.

They discuss:

• How homelessness and survival often lead to exploitation

• Why economic empowerment is the key to prevention

• How trauma-informed care rebuilds trust and hope

• What families and communities can do to make a difference

Listen and learn from one woman’s mission to bring healing, empowerment, and long-term change to Chicago.

Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged?

• Website
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

Learn more at gtzp.org

Timestamps / Chapters

00:00  Introduction and Joseph’s welcome

00:49  What drives Dr. Kisha’s mission

01:29  Early experiences in juvenile court

03:58  Seeing the link between justice and trafficking

05:27  Creating Girls Night Out to reach survivors

07:55  Expanding impact across Chicago

10:45  What trafficking really means

13:08  Why victims don’t recognize exploitation

15:15  Building trust before intervention

19:40  How collaboration saves lives

21:51  Long-term solutions through education and work

35:10  Key hotlines and community resources

44:11  Rethinking blame and promoting compassion

45:35  Staying committed to the cause

46:09  Closing message and call to action

Presented by Greater Than Zero Percent and Fluent Radio

In this episode of the Greater Than Zero Podcast, Joseph speaks with Marlon Richardson, Executive Director of Hip Hop For Change, Inc.

Based in Oakland, this nonprofit uses grassroots activism and hip hop culture to educate about socio economic injustices and advocate solutions.

For over 12 years, Hip Hop For Change has reclaimed hip hop as a vehicle for education, empowerment, and employment, reaching more than 50,000 participants with programs that inspire personal growth, social justice, and workforce development.

Timestamps:

00:00 – What is Hip Hop For Change and why was it created?04:15 – How did Marlon Richardson step into this movement?09:30 – Why is hip hop an effective tool for education and social justice?

16:20 – What challenges do grassroots organizations like Hip Hop For Change face?

22:55 – How are youth and marginalized communities impacted by their programs?

29:40 – How does art and culture help dismantle harmful stereotypes?

35:10 – What can listeners do right now to support Hip Hop For Change?

Learn More & Support Hip Hop For Change

Website: www.hiphopforchange.org

Donate: Become a monthly donor – https://hiphopforchange.networkforgood.com/projects/125291-become-a-monthly-donor-today

Phone: (510) 350-7730

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: www.instagram.com/hiphop4change

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hip-hop-for-change

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/61568529146858/

YouTube: www.youtube.com/hiphopforchange

What if generosity could be part of your daily life, not just a once-a-year act?

In this episode, Joseph Smalzer speaks with the founders of Bgiving, a social impact platform designed to make giving simple, transparent, and personal. The team shares how they are using technology to connect donors, volunteers, and nonprofits in one seamless ecosystem where every contribution matters.

From supporting grassroots projects to helping local communities grow through consistent micro-giving, Bgiving is proving that small, intentional acts can create large-scale change.

Tune in to Find Your Cause to discover how Bgiving is inspiring a new generation to give smarter, live kinder, and build a world where generosity is the norm.

Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged?

• LinkedIn page

Visit GTZP.org to learn more.

What happens when housing, mental health, and employment come together under one mission?

In this episode, Joseph Smalzer speaks with Patty Capouch and Vince Henigan of Impact Behavioral Health Partners, an organization helping people with mental illness live independently through safe housing, clinical care, and job support.

Founded during the deinstitutionalization era, Impact has grown from a single building in 1988 to serving over 1,100 participants today. Patty and Vince share personal stories of why they joined this work, what “trauma-informed care” really means, and how stable housing can transform lives.

Listen to Find Your Cause to learn how Impact Behavioral Health Partners is redefining mental health housing and proving that stability starts with compassion.

Visit Impact Behavioral Health Partners:

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Visit GTZP.org to learn more.

When families are forced to flee their homes, starting over in a new country can feel impossible.

In this episode, Joseph Smalzer speaks with Shawn Smith, Executive Director of Global Impact Initiative, about how his team helps refugees rebuild their lives in Central Texas.

From finding housing and learning English to gaining employment through CDL training and the Refugee Sewing Collective, GII provides the support needed to turn survival into stability. Shawn shares the realities of refugee resettlement, the cultural challenges many families face, and how his organization is creating real pathways to independence.

Listen to Find Your Cause to learn how Global Impact Initiative is helping refugees not just adapt, but thrive.

Visit Global Impact Initiative using the following links:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook

Visit GTZP.org to learn more.

In this episode we interview Livi Kerszenbaum, Senior Director of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Orange County United Way. Orange County United Way’s mission is to improve lives in Orange County by delivering measurable long-term solutions to complex issues in education, financial stability, health and housing. 

Orange County United Way’s unique approach comes from an understanding that the community’s most critical issues are interrelated and must be tackled in an interconnected way to provide long-term solutions that break the cycle. Orange County United Way is focused on four key initiatives: 

United to End Homelessness

United for Financial Security

United for Student Success

2-1-1 OC. 

Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged?

• Donate: https://givebutter.com/orange-county-united-way 

• Phone: +1 (949)660-7600

• Email: https://www.unitedwayoc.org/contact-us/ 

• Website: https://www.unitedwayoc.org 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedWayOC/ 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedwayoc/ 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orange-county-united-way/ 

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ocunitedway 

Guest Information

• Guest Name: Livi Kerszenbaum

• Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/livi-kerszenbaum/ 

In this episode we interview Isaac Esene, Founder/Director at GoodWorks. GoodWorks’s belief is clear: to create safer communities, we must foster a more informed and proactive generation. Beyond just witnessing, we are cultivating a generation equipped to act, ensuring fewer preventable deaths and injuries in emergencies.

Through tailored workshops, strategic partnerships, and cultural engagement, we simplify crucial life-saving concepts like bleeding control, opioid overdose response, harm reduction, and CPR.

Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged?

• Donate: https://givebutter.com/iVR97h

• Email: [email protected]

• Website: www.goodworkshealth.org

• Instagram: @dagoodworks

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/86925972/

In this episode we interview Robb Munger, Founder & President of Exodus Place. Exodus Place’s mission is to Glorify God by meeting each man where they are. We provide a hand up rather than a handout by equipping these men with physical, emotional, mental and spiritual tools for successful reintegration into the community. 

Exodus Place is the largest transitional Housing Facility for men in Michigan. Transitional Housing is a stepping stone for homeless people who need temporary residence until they can afford long term or permanent housing. Exodus place can house up to 135 men at a given time and we call our residents members. We provide our members with a hand up not a hand out. Members pay low monthly dues (not rent) to live here. These dues include access to case management, education & job training, meal program, spiritual counseling, medical care and more. Although we deal primarily with the homeless population, we are not a homeless shelter. We're different for the following reasons: 

1. We never put an expiration date on a member's stay.

2. Members pay low monthly dues to live here.

3. We offer programs to assist in our members' development.

At Exodus Place, we understand that problems require big solutions that's why we're different from a shelter. We don't treat the symptoms for homelessness, we provide the cure. 

Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged?

• Donate: https://www.exodusplace.org/donate.html

• Phone: +1 616-242-9130

• Email: [email protected]

• Website: http://www.robbmunger.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExodusPlace/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exodus.place.gr/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exodus-place/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMrDXQpIbWhBJbOV-dhJQZA

Guest Information

• Guest Name: Robb Munger

• Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbmunger/

In this episode we interview Elizabeth Cushing, CEO at Playworks. Playworks’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.

Playworks is the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to transform children’s physical and emotional well-being. With more than 25 years of experience, the organization aims to bring out the best in every kid and hopes that one day, every child in America will get to play every day. Through direct-service coaching of youth and providing training and consultation for adults working with kids, Playworks partners with elementary schools, districts, and community-based organizations to bring games and youth development practices. With an emphasis on social, physical, and emotional skill-building, students feel included while being active and developing valuable skills needed to thrive in and out of the classroom. During the 2023-2024 school year, the nonprofit is ensuring more than 600,000 youth in over 1,300 schools and community partners experience safe and healthy play during and beyond the school day nationwide.

Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged?

• Donate: https://donate.playworks.org/give/46209/#!/donation/checkout

• Website: https://www.playworks.org

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MakeRecessCount

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playworksrecess/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/playworks

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/playworksorg

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Playworks