Causepods

Do you think outside the box? Today's guest, Dr. Nii Darko, explains how he chose a different path after medical school and became a freelance surgeon. Hear why that made sense and even how he and his wife have built their family around this idea.  We can often get stuck in thinking life only has one-lane roads, but if we slow down and look for those hidden turns, we can find a life built from the ground up unique to us and designed and wired for success. Seeing these turns isn't easy, but as our guest shares today, it can be as easy as listening to a podcast about people thinking outside the box. It is a big reason this podcast, Causepods, exists to share ideas and solutions that allow people doing good to make a more profound impact.  Key Topics: ·     What is your background in medicine (1:12) ·     How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect you overall (2:22) ·     How does someone decide to be a freelance surgeon (4:

Do you know someone who has been affected by Immigration Law? Today is a CausePod first, where we talk about immigration law and how it affects so many people within our country and those trying to get legally. Immigration can be a hot topic to talk about in today’s fast-moving news cycle, but at the core of these stories are real people trying to find a better life. Tahmina works to create change through her podcast and books to advocate for better policy to support a better way. As an immigrant from the UK herself, she knows the struggle and has found a passion for this type of law.  Key Topics: ·     How did you Tahmina get started with Immigration Law (1:27) ·     What are the significant challenges within Immigration Law today (4:30 ) ·     What made adding a podcast the right move to help your practice (11:26) ·     Finding your audience (14:58) ·     Lessons learne

Did you fit in when growing up? Today on the podcast, we have Nate Kelly, who didn’t feel accepted growing up; he had a loving family but never really found his place in a small town.  Acceptance is an essential component for growing up, and it was this struggle to find acceptance that led Nate Down a path of alcoholism. After almost losing his life to a stroke, he was finally able to find his road to recovery with the help of the Mary Haven treatment center.  He now takes his story, helps others find it, and shares it on his podcast and launching soon over LIVE stream on YouTube. Key Topics: ·     Nate’s story with addiction to alcohol (1:14) ·     What was it like coming out as gay to his community (6:27) ·     Why add the media component to his story (8:38) ·     How to create engagement with the guest and the community (13:57) ·     Trusting your gut in an interview and le

Will you take me home? These are the words that a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) hears when working with children in the foster system. A CASA is assigned to a child to represent the voice and advocate what is best for the child. It is a volunteer position, and with over 650,00 kids in the foster system, it is a position that is growing in demand every year.  As you will hear in the episode, a CASA is a special kind of person with an open heart and an open mind. Jayne has created this podcast to help share the stories of kids who have been through the system.  Jayne is doing great work in this space, illuminating stories that otherwise stayed untold. This episode will open the window into a world that very few of us see or understand. Find a CASA position near you > https://nationalcasagal.org/ (https://nationalcasagal.org/) Key Topics: ·     What is the purpose of having a CASA assigned to a chile (1:10) ·     What ma

Do you have a problem? Anyone that has walked the road with an addiction knows that those first few words can be the most challenging words spoken. But as they highlight on the Knockin' Doorz Down Podcast, there is hope to share the stories of others who have been where you are.  It's been said that one person's story is another person's door, and in this episode, we talk a lot about how a group of people with a focused mission and an open heart can make an impact and help others say those four words "I have a problem." Key Topics: What is the Carlos Vieira Foundation (2:00) What does it mean ending stigmas within the focus of the foundation (3:20) What was the genesis for adding a podcast to the work the foundation was already doing (5:35) How did the format of the show come about (7:30) What has been the impact on the community from the work of the foundation (9:30) How has the medium of podcasting made the impact unique (14:13) What advice do you have for a foundation looking to add a podcast (15

How do you know when something is wrong? This can be a tricky question to answer and even more problematic when the wounds may be invisible. Our guest today, Bella Paige, shares her story of having concussions throughout her life, how that affected her, and how did it leave her feelings.  Through the time we have been doing CausePods, a common theme of “I just felt like the only one” has been the genesis for creating a podcast to fight that thought and remove the stigma related to a topic.  The feeling of community around a niche group of people can be powerful, and the Post Concussion Podcast is no exception. Key Topics: Experiencing concussions in life from an early age (1:15) What helped Bella learn that concussions were playing a significant role in her life (02:00) What was the healing experience like, and what does life look like today (2:45) Dealing the wounds be invisible to people who meet you (3:51) How has adventure continued to play a role in Bella’s life (5:33) Where did the idea f

When do you have a problem with Alcohol? Alcohol is one of those topics that most people just assume you drink, as Becca says. It has been so integrated into our culture that it can be hard to know where the line is and when you have crossed it.  Becca launched her podcast in 2020 to have conversations with celebrities and how they overcame their battle with Alcohol. Sharing her own story on the podcast and first on a local radio station, her podcast is an excellent example of the force for good a cause-focused podcast can have globally. Key Topics: When did Becca’s problem become her message (1:06) Not having the stigma as other addictions associated with it (5:27) How did COVID-19 affect the podcast and the stories you tell (7:57) What made podcasting the perfect medium for this cause (10:56) Getting celebrities to come on the podcast (13:15) What is a lesson you want other people thinking of launching a podcast to know (15:35) Why Centre for Addiction and Mental Health was the charity of choice f

Hear how one podcast reached fifty episodes and donated one-hundred thousand dollars to charity. Kimi’s podcast is the first one-one podcast where each guest that comes on two thousand dollars is donated to a charity of their choice. It is a podcast similar to this one that profoundly impacts the world through the generous support of a foundation.  It is an excellent example of how a cause-focused podcast can create change in the world. Kimi also opens up on her podcast about her mental health struggle and how it was a secret from the world since she was eighteen.  Key Topics: What was the genesis of All the Wiser (1:08) It’s a big project, what was it like getting started (2:43) What made podcast the medium of choice for this project (3:57) What is the guest selection process like (5:00) Share your own story on the podcast (7:34) What episode surprised you and made you rethink something (8:37) How is mental health connected to the podcast (11:24) The stigma around mental health (14:06) Wh

Who do you know that others need to know? We are always one conversation away from changing our lives, and Rich Bendis of BioHealth Innovations started the BioTalk podcast to connect the world of bio-health better.  In a world where medical science advances are growing at the fastest pace in human history, we can still run into a problem where the people who know each other don’t get connected to advance therapy, new medicine, or new approaches.  Key Topics: What is the goal of Biohealth Innovations (1:44) How has the medical research changed as a result of COVID (3:24) How was the COVID vaccine researched (8:06) What made podcasting the right next step for BioHealth (10:22) Who has benefited from the podcast (12:29) Website http://www.biohealthinnovation.org/ (link) Podcast Links: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/biotalk-with-rich-bendis/id1274273731 (Apple) https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9iaW90YWxrYmVuZGlzLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz (Google) https://open.spotify.com/show/0selwkP1OxHhz2MH

What kind of friend are you? This question has been tested, worn down, and needs rebuilding after the events of COVID-19. Fawn and Matt started a podcast to talk about how friendship is one of the cornerstones of our society, and over the last decade, we have seen it weakened with the advancement in social media.  Our Friendly World takes a broad creative look at how many things can make up a friendship, local restaurants, food, and exciting people.  Key Topics: Motivation and passion behind the podcast (2:07) Why is creating new friendships hard (11:42) How do you relate friendships to all these different topics (12:27) Why was podcast the perfect medium for this topic (15:00) Since launching, what has been the response from the community (18:55) What effects has social media had on friendships (21:36) What makes Feeding America the charity of choice for this episode (24:21) For a podcaster looking to start a podcast for a cause, what is the best advice (26:42) Website link: https://www.ourfri

Ever felt lonely? Why is it that people get lonely? Why do we not have a word for the opposite of loneliness? Can we become un-lonely? These questions and more were the questions that sparked a documentary-style podcast series about loneliness. As a society, we often don't talk about loneliness, but we almost all can find a time in our lives where we felt it but did have the courage to say it. When the world has never been more connected digitally, we are also at a crossroads where we also have never felt more disconnected. Key Topics: How a couple of transplanted Brits living in NYC thought of the idea (1:26) Where does loneliness hit us the hardest (5:22) How does loneliness fit into the remote work culture we are in now (8:21) Can you be surrounded by people and still feel lonely (10:59) How did the project find a medium within podcasting (12:46) What challenges were there launching a podcast mini-series (14:58) If you started over, what would you do differently (18:12) What makes Art and Healing the

Have you ever given the birds and bee’s conversation? Did you feel like you knew what to say? Melissa and Kathryn from the No Grey Zone podcast are both prosecutors in a special victims unit. When the courts closed due to COVID-19, they found an opportunity to start something new. To help and serve the victims they fought for before the crime was committed. They are essentially putting themselves out of a job.  They dive deep into the topic of educating parents on resources to talk to kids about touch, private parts, sex, and other issues. The conversations that are too taboo to talk about openly and so created a space for parents to learn in the privacy of their own two ears.  Key Topics: How two legal professionals ended up starting a cause (1:13) Building awareness of a solution parents didn’t know they needed yet (3:43) Ways to teach your kids appropriate language of private areas (6:20) What things ended up being harder once they got started (8:08) Building a feedback loop for a

Do you see the good in the world, or do you see the negative? With all the world's recent events, it can be easy to see what is wrong with the world.  What if there is good? How would you find it? These are the questions that Corinna felt called to start the Care More Do Better Podcast. It is a podcast with a mission of shining a light on the good, even when surrounded by darkness.  Love Without Borders – https://www.etsy.com/shop/LWBRefugeeArt?ref=search_shop_redirect (Etsy Store) Episode explaining – https://www.caremorebebetter.com/episodes/the-power-of-one (Love Without Borders) Key Topics: Having a mission for good in the world (0:56) What makes this podcast important for Corinna to create (1:45) Someone looking to do good in the world, where does one start (2:39) How has podcasting helped amplify the missions of others doing good (5:25) What made a podcast the right tool for this mission (9:02) You just need to start (9:28) Advice for other podcasts to watch out for (10:36) How a fli

Key Topics: What is Sean and Kyle's mission that led up to the launch of the Podcast (01:26) With a diagnosis like FA, how did you react and respond to the news (2:53) Living with FA, what does life look like for Sean and Kyle (5:17) How is the charity Determinence supporting the community (6:19) What made podcasting the right medium to add to the brand (9:38) Starting a podcast with a big mission in mind (12:26) How has creating a community help support the Podcast (14:40) Starting a podcast isn't always easy, what challenges did they find along the way (16:40) Does having a non-profit connected to your podcast help (18:50) Biggest advice Sean and Kyle have for others looking to start a Cause focused podcast (20:17) Looking back, what are some of the best memories (21:45) Can podcasting be a self-less exercise of our time (24:33) The best piece of advice for others who are focused on moving a cause forward (25:40) Website link: https://twodisableddudes.com/ (https://twodisableddudes.com/) Charity: https://de

Key Topics: What brought Scott to creating this podcast (2:32) Out of all the media formats available, what made podcasting special (3:51) Podcasting can open so many doors, what doors did it open for Scott, and where has it taken him (5:36) What guests have had the most significant impact on Scott’s journey (6:15) Podcasting is often about storytelling, what stories have shaped Scott the most over the years (9:17) Building a strong community around your podcast (10:00) What makes the Range of Motion project unique and the featured charity of this episode (12:32) For others starting a podcast, what lessons has Scott learned (15:41) Website link: https://www.livingadaptive.com/ (LivingAdaptive.com) Podcast Links: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/living-adaptive/id1239821155 (Apple) | https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9saXZpbmdhZGFwdGl2ZS5saWJzeW4uY29tL3Jzcw==d (Google ) | https://open.spotify.com/show/0rfd6jP0n4kZ8mpJQd1zzv (Spotify) Charity: Range of Motion (https://www.rompglobal.org/ (https:/

Do you consider yourself as having a disability? This episode of Causepods highlights a unique perspective, one where we take a look at the question "do you have a disability?" Kurt presents a view that, typically, most people will not identify as someone who has a disability unless you receive a rating from the government.  To identify as someone with a disability means you have less abilities than others. Kurt's podcast takes that idea of less, flips it on its head, and says; let's not focus on what you don't have, but let's focus on what we do have.  We all have abilities, and we all have disabilities that are less great than others. Not everyone has the ability to make a slam dunk in basketball, but we don't choose to label ourselves as disabled. We just simply say we are not at good.  An episode rich in perspective, insights, hope for a better way of thinking on a globally important topic.  Key Topics: What is the back story in starting a podcast on the issue of disability (

What if your story could save a life? Talking about suicide is never easy, and today's guest knows that a story's power can save a life. A story can move mountains for someone who feels depressed because knowing others have been there and got through can be the flashlight they need to get through the darkness.  It is one reason why podcasts make for such a perfect medium for mental health issues because it's private, safe, and easy to listen.  Our episode with Kell Bjorn will help support other podcasters using stories to illuminate mental health issues.  Key Topics: What brought Kell to start a podcast about suicide (1:23) What are some of the stigmas related to suicide (4:01) How has this topic impact Kell from a listener feedback perspective (6:20) What are the hurdles Kell jumped through to get started on a topic like this (7:36) The surprising lesson he learned when asking people to come (9:23) What makes the National Suicide Prevention hotline Kell's charity of choice (11:14) Website

Do you want to start a podcast but too afraid to get started? This episode with Jason Medows will speak life into your message in a powerful way. His story of getting started will inspire you to start, grow, and publish your first episode.  Jason’s podcast Ag State of Mind focuses on bringing awareness to the agriculture community's mental health issues. These issues often go unnoticed due to the nature of farming as it is self-isolating by nature.  Key Topics: What was the desire behind starting a podcast to support the Agriculture community (1:08) What does Jason's life look like today (4:39) What are the issues that farmers face that people might not expect (5:30) How does uncertainty play a role in the mental health of farmers (7:13) What are some of the simple tools available to farmers to help cope (9:00) What made podcast perfect medium for farmers (11:41) You turned on the microphone, now what (14:10) What made Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri unique to be the charity on t

Do you know someone touched by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder? We have learned over the years here at CausePods that so many causes exist under the fabric of society without ever seeing mainstream attention.  This is the case with our interview with Natalie Vecchione from the FASD Hope podcast, where she highlights stories of hope for parents who may just be beginning to face this diagnosis or maybe have worked through it alone for years.  Natalie teaches us to use our stories and help share others' stories to help build bonds of connection, so that cause advocates know they are not alone.  Key Topics: What is FASD, and what makes this cause important (1:14) What are some of the subtle symptoms of FASD (4:43) How much of FASD happens to regular people who just make a mistake (7:54) How did you get started making this your cause of choice to support (12:40) Where did Natalie learn her way around podcasting that helped her launch FASD Hope (16:19) What were some of the biggest lessons learned th

When is the last time you just had a great conversation with someone? On the podcast, we are talking with Andrea Splendori, who aims to raise awareness of the good in people right next door.  With the polar times, we live in, it can be easy to forget that we have more things in common than we have that make us different. Andrea wants to bring stories about community and people and shine a light on the good people are doing. Our society's social fabric is a conversation, and in some ways, we have lost this in the modern era.  Key Topics: Where did the idea for the Social Fabric Podcast originate (1:19) Every podcast has a goal; what is Andrea hoping to accomplish with this podcast (3:41) Was there something special about a podcast that made it the right medium (5:48) The challenges Andrea ran into launching his podcast (8:56) What advice would you give to other people looking to launch a CausePod (11:09) What about the Children's Health Hospital at Crumlin special (13:45) Website link: http