find your cause

In this episode of Find Your Cause, Joseph talks with Dr Spencer Lalk, founder of Med Story Studio, about how evidence based medical stories can compete with fear based health influencers.Spencer shares the story of his mom’s cardiology scare, why she left a long awaited visit more confused than before, and how that moment led him to create clearer, more human health education. They dig into rushed appointments, insurance pressure, lawsuits, and why so many people now look to influencers before clinicians.You will hear how Med Story Studio helps doctors become trusted storytellers, where AI fits in, and how patients and clinicians can both share better health stories online.Chapters00:01:19 | What problem is Med Story Studio trying to solve00:01:43 | How did Spencer’s mom’s health scare lead to Med Story Studio00:05:10 | Why do patients leave appointments confused and afraid00:06:13 | How do the system and insurance limit what doctors can do00:11:16 | Why do US health and happiness outcomes lag other countries00:12:18 | What could a better health care model look like00:15:52 | How is AI changing doctor visits and patient prep00:19:30 | How did Med Story Studio actually get started00:20:43 | How does Med Story help doctors become storytellers00:21:26 | Why do human stories matter in a digital health care world00:22:02 | Why is recording doctor visits so complicated00:23:18 | If Spencer could redesign health care, what would he change first00:24:56 | Where is Med Story Studio going next00:27:18 | What does evidence based medicine really mean00:28:23 | How can we tell if a health influencer is dangerous00:32:08 | How can patients vet health information for themselves00:33:25 | How can clinicians get involved with Med Story Studio00:34:05 | What is Spencer’s invitation to patients and doctorsMedStory Media links:Website: https://medstorymedia.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-lalk-dpt-/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/medstory-podcast/id1804185340Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lalkhealth/?hl=enSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19UwCxHTbUtH7POBm0HM9LYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MedStoryMediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567995375537#Visit gtzp.org for more info.

In this episode, Diana M. Canant, Executive Director of LifeSpheres, shares how people heal through presence, guided dialogue, and community support rather than advice or isolation. She explains the Peer Community Co Care Program, a process that helps individuals resolve trauma safely, rebuild resilience, and support one another through structured, one-on-one sessions.Diana breaks down the psychobiology of trauma, why presence is more powerful than advice, and how healing becomes possible when people feel seen and understood.Her insights offer a new way to think about trauma and the importance of not facing it alone.Timestamps: 00:02:22 | What does resilience really mean00:05:41 | What kinds of trauma do communities experience00:06:17 | Introduction of the Peer Community Co Care Program00:07:23 | Why Diana focuses on young people and the elderly00:09:46 | How the program teaches presence and listening00:13:14 | Orientation, commitment, and how the program begins00:16:18 | How individual plans are created00:18:46 | How healing sessions work00:21:23 | How participants complete the program00:23:27 | What makes Life Spheres’ method effective00:28:43 | What trauma informed practice really means00:30:46 | How exposure therapy should and should not be done00:35:22 | Why healing should not be done alone00:40:48 | The future of Life Spheres and scaling impact00:48:39 | Where to find Life Spheres00:51:10 | Closing remarksRelevant links from LifeSphere:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lifespheres/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turningthetideoftrauma/Website: https://www.lifespheres.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TurningTheTideOfTrauma/

What if music could break down racism?John Gardner, Executive Director of the World Music Foundation, has dedicated his life to proving that it can.In this episode, John shares how music creates real human connection across cultures, dissolves prejudice, and opens doors to understanding that conversations alone often cannot. From global touring to community work in Chicago, his mission is simple and powerful: use music to build respect across cultures.You’ll hear personal stories, community impact, and the practical ways the Foundation is changing lives one performance at a time.Full Episode Highlights01:20 - How lack of exposure fuels prejudice and why the Foundation tackles it02:00 - John’s lived experience with racism and how it shaped his cause06:00 - Creating a multicultural performance space in Chicago07:20 - Why music is the most powerful connector across cultures08:10 - The India story the moment music overcame language and culture barriers11:06 - Founding the nonprofit after witnessing real unity through music15:00 - The Foundation’s measurable impact increasing empathy and reducing intolerance18:40 - From global touring to deep local community work in Edgewater19:30 - Designing events that intentionally foster cross cultural respect21:20 - Everyday cultural exchange Joseph’s Uber playlist22:10 - Future plans monthly concerts, community singing, cultural holidays23:10 - Food as the next bridge the Foundation’s pop up restaurants and hot sauce23:50 - How to attend free events, join the newsletter, and support the mission24:50 - Why finding a cause matters for purpose, community, and mental health26:00 - How anyone can participate talk to people at live events and build human connectionLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgardner-wmfWebsite: https://theworldmusicfoundation.org/Podcast: https://wmfpodcast.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWorldMusicFoundationInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworldmusicfoundationFind Your Cause. Greater Than Zero Percent.Listen, learn, and take one small step toward a more connected world.Visit https://www.gtzp.org/ for more info.

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 exploitationWhy economic empowerment is the key to preventionHow trauma-informed care rebuilds trust and hopeWhat families and communities can do to make a differenceListen 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?WebsiteFacebookLinkedInLearn more at gtzp.orgTimestamps / Chapters00:00  Introduction and Joseph’s welcome00:49  What drives Dr. Kisha’s mission01:29  Early experiences in juvenile court03:58  Seeing the link between justice and trafficking05:27  Creating Girls Night Out to reach survivors07:55  Expanding impact across Chicago10:45  What trafficking really means13:08  Why victims don’t recognize exploitation15:15  Building trust before intervention19:40  How collaboration saves lives21:51  Long-term solutions through education and work35:10  Key hotlines and community resources44:11  Rethinking blame and promoting compassion45:35  Staying committed to the cause46:09  Closing message and call to actionPresented by Greater Than Zero Percent and Fluent Radio