<p>What if music could break down racism?<br>John Gardner, Executive Director of the World Music Foundation, has dedicated his life to proving that it can.</p><p><br>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.</p><p><br>You’ll hear personal stories, community impact, and the practical ways the Foundation is changing lives one performance at a time.</p><p><br><b>Full Episode Highlights</b></p><p>01:20 - How lack of exposure fuels prejudice and why the Foundation tackles it<br>02:00 - John’s lived experience with racism and how it shaped his cause<br>06:00 - Creating a multicultural performance space in Chicago<br>07:20 - Why music is the most powerful connector across cultures<br>08:10 - The India story the moment music overcame language and culture barriers<br>11:06 - Founding the nonprofit after witnessing real unity through music<br>15:00 - The Foundation’s measurable impact increasing empathy and reducing intolerance<br>18:40 - From global touring to deep local community work in Edgewater<br>19:30 - Designing events that intentionally foster cross cultural respect<br>21:20 - Everyday cultural exchange Joseph’s Uber playlist<br>22:10 - Future plans monthly concerts, community singing, cultural holidays<br>23:10 - Food as the next bridge the Foundation’s pop up restaurants and hot sauce<br>23:50 - How to attend free events, join the newsletter, and support the mission<br>24:50 - Why finding a cause matters for purpose, community, and mental health<br>26:00 - How anyone can participate talk to people at live events and build human connection<br><br>LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgardner-wmf">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgardner-wmf</a></p><p>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://theworldmusicfoundation.org/">https://theworldmusicfoundation.org/</a></p><p>Podcast: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://wmfpodcast.org/">https://wmfpodcast.org/</a></p><p>Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheWorldMusicFoundation">https://www.facebook.com/TheWorldMusicFoundation</a></p><p>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/theworldmusicfoundation">https://www.instagram.com/theworldmusicfoundation</a></p><p><br><b>Find Your Cause. Greater Than Zero Percent.</b><br>Listen, learn, and take one small step toward a more connected world.<br><br>Visit <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.gtzp.org/">https://www.gtzp.org/</a> for more info.</p>