The business of vulnerability

In this episode of "The Business of Vulnerability," host Blake Kohler interviews Kathy Oubre, the CEO of Ontchart Cancer Center, a community oncology practice in southeast Louisiana. They delve deep into Kathy's journey into the world of oncology, the challenges her center faces in providing treatment for a diverse array of patients, and their commitment to helping individuals in vulnerable situations. Kathy offers insights into the innovative strategies and programs they have developed to ensure access to quality care for all, regardless of socioeconomic status. From creating treatment education guides tailored to patients' needs and financial assistance programs, to addressing mental health concerns, the podcast reveals the lengths to which the Ontchart Cancer Center goes to serve its community. Listen in for a candid discussion on the intricate balance of providing physical, emotional, and financial support for cancer patients and their families.

In this engaging podcast episode, Blake Kohler interviews Julia Basso, a neuroscientist and dancer, about her groundbreaking work in the embodied brain lab. Julia shares how her lab examines the impact of mind-body movement practices on brain function and physiology, bridging the gap between arts and sciences. They discuss the historical concept of mind-body dualism and the paradigm shift brought by the discovery of brain plasticity in the 1960s. Julia explains her research hypothesis, the synchronicity hypothesis of dance, which explores the potential of dance as a transformative intervention for mental health, cognitive function, and social connection.

The podcast delves into the innovative methods employed by the lab, including the use of mobile brain-body imaging through electroencephalography (EEG) technology. Julia highlights the importance of community-based participatory research and engaging with vulnerable populations to ensure their interests and needs are considered. She emphasizes the inclusive nature of dance, which can be adapted to accommodate individuals with diverse abilities and mobility.

Julia shares some preliminary findings from her studies, demonstrating a decrease in stress levels and an increase in empathy, mindfulness, and attention among participants in improvisational dance interventions. She expresses her optimism for the potential application of dance-based interventions in various clinical populations, such as individuals with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The conversation also touches on future directions, including exploring the effects of dance in team sports and collaborations with other art forms like hip-hop. Julia emphasizes the core value of diversity, equity, and inclusivity in her lab and highlights her involvement in diversity initiatives at the university. She shares her commitment to creating a safe and comfortable space for all lab members and emphasizes the continuous learning process in understanding and addressing diverse needs.

Overall, this podcast episode provides a captivating insight into the transformative potential of dance as a tool for enhancing mental health, cognitive function, and social well-being, while highlighting the importance of inclusivity and community engagement in research.

In this podcast episode, Blake Kohler interviews Brooke Griffin, a pharmacist and coach, about the importance of coaching in the healthcare industry. Brooke Griffin shares personal experiences and discusses the common issue of burnout and feeling stuck among healthcare professionals. They delve into the need for healthcare workers to have a safe space to explore their career goals, find agency, and regain joy in their work. Brooke Griffin explains the difference between coaching and mentoring, highlighting the power of coaching to help individuals tap into their own strengths, values, and aspirations. They also discuss the benefits of coaching in healthcare organizations, including improved performance, retention, and overall well-being. Brooke Griffin emphasizes that coaching is not limited to pharmacists but can be beneficial for healthcare professionals in various roles. The episode concludes with advice for those seeking coaching, including asking around and exploring coaching podcasts for valuable insights and mindset shifts. Brooke Griffin emphasizes the ongoing importance of having a coach and shares their own experience of using coaching to grow their business.

In this episode of the Business of Vulnerability podcast, we welcome Mini Ajayi, Business Development Manager for Med Clinical Research. Listen in as we discuss the importance of diversity in clinical trials, the challenges faced in recruiting underrepresented communities, and the role of trust in fostering engagement. Mini shares her insights on how Med Clinical Research works with pharmaceutical companies to bring clinical trials to predominantly black communities like Irvington, New Jersey. We also delve into the strategies employed to overcome mistrust and ensure that medications and interventions work for the entire population. Join us to explore the future of Med Clinical Research and their mission to expand their reach and serve minority populations more effectively.

In this episode of the Business of Vulnerability podcast, we sit down with Stacey Cook, Site Director and Clinical Research Coordinator at Objective Health. Stacey shares the incredible mission of Objective Health to bring healthcare options to underprivileged communities and treat diseases without existing cures. Learn about their partnerships with community health centers, their growth and reach across the United States, and the life-changing impact of their studies on patients. Discover how clinical research is not only providing treatment but also empowering patients to adopt healthier lifestyles.

In this episode, we dive into a fascinating conversation with Dr. Douglas McMahon, an allergist and founder of AllerMed Pharma. Dr. McMahon shares his journey to create a more affordable and accessible epinephrine auto-injector, an essential tool for those suffering from severe allergies. We discuss the challenges he has faced in securing funding, the approval process, and his long-term plans for innovation. Discover how his mission to make allergy solutions accessible can change lives and the ways you can support this noble cause. Join us for this insightful and inspiring discussion on making life-saving technology available to everyone.

In this episode, host Blake Kohler speaks with Dr. Elliot Shin about his experience as a principal investigator in clinical research and founder of Jubilee Clinical Research, which conducts clinical trials for metabolic syndrome and other health conditions. Dr. Shin also shares his passion for helping the homeless through his non-profit organization, Operation Hope, which provides free medical care, food, and other resources to those in need. He emphasizes the importance of giving time and prayer, in addition to financial donations, and discusses the role of faith in his work.

In this podcast, we explore the innovative work of Children's School Services, a program overseen by Dr. Andrea Boudreaux that is changing the face of public health in the District of Columbia. By providing healthcare services to over 120,000 children through 200+ school-based health suites/clinics, Children's School Services is ensuring that students have access to high-quality healthcare services right in their schools.

As part of the National Children's Hospital, Children's School Services is driving innovation in public health, by offering a wide range of other services that go beyond traditional healthcare.

Join us as we explore the work of Children's School Services, and learn more about the ways that this innovative program is improving the health and well-being of DC's children.

Dr. Andrea J. Boudreaux is a healthcare executive and pediatric psychologist with a focus on improving health outcomes and access for children, particularly minorities. She has worked in senior leadership roles with national health systems and is currently the Executive Director of Children's School Services in Washington, DC. Dr. Boudreaux is board certified in healthcare management and is a champion of health equity and population health initiatives. She is also involved in various organizations and enjoys cycling, rowing, and community service activities.

Humeera Khan joins the podcast to share the issues that nonprofits have with the data divide, how Splunk is trying to help bridge that gap and how her own personal journey has taken her as she's journeyed deeper into social impact. 

In this podcast episode, Dr. M Chadi Alraies, a cardiologist, discusses the importance of prevention in heart disease, as well as the challenges faced by vulnerable populations in accessing healthcare. He emphasizes the need for education on healthy lifestyle choices, such as exercise and healthy eating, and the importance of smoking cessation. Dr. Alraies also discusses the mental health burden of serving vulnerable populations and the need for community support and resources.

Olivia Khalili, Head of Global Social Impact @ Pager Duty, stops by the share the social impact work she and her team does to help increase the positive social impact Pager Duty has on the world. 

Patricia Toothman, the manager of the social impact team at Splunk, stops by to share the work the team @ Splunk does to help utilize their platform to make an impact on the world. We touch on what it takes to get into CSR, how Splunk is making a difference, and how data can be the missing piece for the world's most complex problems. 

Dominique Wilson the Co-founder of RiseKit joins the podcast to talk about how they're helping cities consolidate resources for employment and why impact matters.

Cynthia Lo, a Program Manager for Social Impact at Github, joins the podcast to talk about why GitHub cares about social impact, how GitHub utilizes a skills based volunteering program to help partner GitHub employees with nonprofits to help provide resources to further a organizations mission, and what she sees as the future of Social Impact in tech. 

Kavell Brown, the Partnership Manager on the social impact team at Linkedin shares his insights on social impact, explains why social impact matters to linkedin and his journey into the CSR world. 

Molly Trerotola, the Head of Social Impact @ ShoppingGives, explains how helping ecommerce companies utilize their platforms and products to make an impact on the world is core to what ShoppingGives does. She explains how nonprofits and ecommerce companies can partner to bring about mutually beneficial situations for brands, causes and consumers. 

Chris Suerig joins the podcast to share the work being done at the Christ Recovery Center, part of the Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, and the challenges and opportunities that his organization faces. We talk about the issues they've dealt with during Covid, the programs that help change men's lives and Chris gives advice on how you can help people through their recovery efforts. 

Neha Sonney, the author of Wired for Self-Love, joins the podcast to talk about why self-love is important, why she chose to write about book about self-love, and some tips and tricks to help build that self-love in yourself. 

Sasha Raskin the CEO/Founder of A Beautiful Mess stops by to share her thoughts on mental health in America and what we can do to help improve our relationship with mental health issues as a society. 

Brian Tucker stops by to share some of the experience he's gained over years of working with faith-based nonprofits to improve their donor relationships. He shares some of the remarkable work that True Sense Marketing does to help organizations build lasting relationships with new donors. We talk about how the pandemic has inspired an entirely new generation to give and how you can help capture that new generation to ensure they become part of your organization's long-term team. 

Dr. Chad Audi joins the podcast to share the work his team is doing in Detroit as well as how they've built relationships of cooperation and trust with the city of Detroit. He shares how they've pivoted over the years into providing more behavioral health services, how they stick to their values and shares suggestions for other faith-based providers.

Lisa Pullock graciously joins the podcast to talk about life in Fairbanks, Alaska. We touch on the unique challenges that come with operating a Rescue Mission in a remote location, the challenges of affordable housing, and how staffing can be especially difficult. Spend a moment to listen to the incredible work being done by the team in Fairbanks and know that even when you try to move as far away from society as possible there's still someone in your corner. 

Candace Gregory, the President of the Open Door Mission in Omaha, Nebraska stops by to talk about the amazing work that her team is accomplishing in Nebraska. I ask her why her organization is so respected, how they've handled COVID, and what problems she foresees on the horizon. 

Robert Marbut, the Former Director of the Interagency Council to End Homelessness and Trump Administrations Homeless Czar, stops by the podcast to share his thoughts on the Housing First model of ending homelessness, what faith-based groups can do to more effectively work with government leaders, and his thoughts on how we can address the nations homeless crisis. 

Ronnie Daniel the Executive Director of the Utah Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association joins the podcast to talk about the work the Alzheimers association does around the country to support the individuals and caregivers affected by Alzheimer's. Ronnie shares shocking statistics about Alzheimer's and talks about the wonderful work being done to support the research and development of new treatments. 

Derek Nunner, the Community Partnerships Manager at the Community Foundation of Utah, stops by to talk about the his teams work with nonprofits in Utah. We talk about the challenges of being a foundation dealing with both needs of rural and urban areas, how the Community Foundation of Utah is expanding, how to measure impact and the struggles nonprofits faced during the last year. 

Millions of people set about to reconnect with nature during 2020 and nature focused nonprofits around the country fought to adapt to a new normal that saw an increase in need with a decrease in direct funding. Kendra Penry the executive director of the Stokes Nature Center - a nonprofit nature center in Logan, Utah joined the podcast to talk about the challenges of getting people outside without being able to physically connect with them. 

Katherine Grill the CEO/Co-Founder of Noelth joins the podcast to share the remarkable work her team at Noelth is doing to help students utilize technology to improve their mental health. Learn about how their fighting stigma, how they got started, and areas you can help the young people in your life deal with mental health challenges. 

Allyson Plosko the Director of Telocity stops by to share why they are investing in startups building digital tools to help young adults with their mental health. She talks about some of the work their portfolio companies are doing, how COVID has affected their work and how we can all work to reduce the stigmas around mental health. 

Chandra Clark the Executive Director at the VHL Alliance swings by to help increase our awareness of the rare chronic disease: VHL or von Hippel-Lindau disease. Take a listen to learn how this disease effects individuals, how the alliance is helping and how you can help. 

Organizations all over the world are trying to figure out how to boost engagement at work, reduce burnout and increase retention of their best employees. What if one simple program could help you do all of that just by helping your employees give some of their own money to the causes they care about? 

Rachel Klausner, the Founder of Millie (http://www.milliegiving.com), joins the podcast to share how the Millie platform is helping organizations from the largest to the smallest start a charitable giving program without all of the stress. 

Annie Brannon, the Brand Director for New Story, joins the podcast to share the amazing work New Story is doing to help end homelessness on a global scale. Learn more about the communities they're building in Latin America, why they're tackling homelessness outside of the US and how you can help house a person each year!

Art Wilson, Curtis Center Director at People's City Mission in Lincoln, Nebraska, shared a few minutes of his day to help us understand the amazing work that his team at the Curtis Center does to help men experiencing homelessness. We talk about the programs they offer, the challenges that have come from COVID and how they're helping people make better decisions while offering them housing. 

John Hart, the CEO of the Impact Center stops by to share information about the Women’s Leadership Institute. We talk about why helping women have a seat at the table is important, what we hope for in the future for our daughters, and how we can help nudge those women leaders in our lives to take on even more challenging and impactful roles. 

James Hadlock the Co-Founder and Chief Evangelist of BluNovus joins the podcast to talk about the work that BluNovus is doing to help protect mental health in the workplace. James is a former drug-addicted entrepreneur and multi-millionaire turned purpose-driven family man who speaks nationally on the transformative power of meaningful connection and has harnessed his energy to create a solution that gives a place for authentic connection inside the workplace. 

Listen to James describe his amazing journey and how with the help of his team he's providing a safe way for employees of companies large and small to bring their whole selves to the workplace.

Jake Neeley, the Malouf Foundation executive director, shares their work to combat sex trafficking by educating everyday people like you and me. We talk about the Malouf Foundation's future holds more awesome tooling to help parents deal with the challenges of raising 'digital native' children and keeping them safe from online predators. 

Del Brady, the executive director of the greater Salt Lake area of the American Red Cross stops by the share the work that your local Red Cross is doing to help people deal with disasters of all types. Listen as Del explains the critical role the Red Cross plays in helping procure America's blood supply, how they help with local tragedies such as a house fire, and how you can help your local Red Cross save lives and bring hope. 

Paul Armstrong from the San Diego Rescue Mission stops by to share the work that they do to help homelessness, how faith plays a role in their programming and how they measure the impact that they are having each day. We talk about how to expand your impact from helping individuals to helping entire communities. 

In this week's podcast, we're guestless and discussing a topic we call the 'Vulnerability Gap'. What is the vulnerability gap? How does it affect your organization and what things can you do to close the gap? Find out answers to all of those questions in this week's episode.

Ally Rodriguez, the Director of Veteran Services at the Town of Foxborough joins the podcast to talk about the work that a VSO does to help veterans around the country. Learn about what VSO's day is like, how different states handle the VSO programs, and ways that you can help veterans in your community during COVID-19.