Rotary Voices Podcast: Recent Episodes
Rotary International
Stories of service from around the world, including stories from Rotary magazine and our blog, Rotary Voices. Subscribe in Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rotary-voices-podcast/id1599170503 Subscribe in Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6GG3ahBugk3iHumD0lQkJn
Jean-Marc Giboux is a Chicago-based photojournalist who spent 18 years traveling across 17 countries to document the effects of polio and the wide-ranging fight to eradicate it. In early 2024, Rotary International sponsored his exhibit, "Chasing Polio," at the Chicago Center for Photojournalism. In this episode, Rotary magazine senior staff writer Diana Schoberg sits down with Giboux to discuss the obstacles he faced in capturing his images, the highlights of his journey, and what he looks for in a good picture.
Dr. Atul Gawande is the assistant administrator of Global Health at the U.S. Agency for International Development. But Dr. Gawande’s leadership in public health stretches back long before his time at USAID, as does his background as a bestselling writer. In this episode, Rotary International General Secretary John Hewko sits down with Dr. Gawande to discuss Rotary’s partnership with USAID, the role of civil society organizations in achieving global health goals, and personalized care in end-of-life decision-making.
More and more, scientists, doctors and caretakers of dementia patients are finding that music is medicine. For a decade, Music Mends Minds has helped organize music groups for people diagnosed with neurodegenerative dementias. Join Linda Yu as she visits the organization's inaugural band, learns about music as treatment, and traces Music Mends Minds to its root notes.
Chef Art Smith is an iconic American restaurateur, philanthropist, and cookbook author. He's cooked for Barack and Michelle Obama, among other world leaders, and served as Oprah Winfrey's personal chef for a decade. He received the James Beard Award in 2002 for his cookbook "Back to the Table: The Reunion of Food and Family"and was named Humanitarian of the Year by the James Beard Foundation in 2007. Fellow James Beard Award winner Monica Eng sat down with Chef Smith at a recent Chicago Hounds rugby game to discuss his family's connections to Rotary, his culinary inspirations, charity work, and more.
Since the first Global Citizen Festival in 2012, countless influential artists, business leaders, and politicians have graced the event's stage. Global Citizen, co-founded by Michael Sheldrick, has helped distribute more than $43 billion to end extreme poverty. The organization has also been working with Rotary for over a decade. As Global Citizen prepares for its annual return to Central Park this year, Jennifer Jones sat down with Michael to discuss his inspiring story, the transformative work of Global Citizen, and his new book, "From Ideas to Impact: A Playbook for Influencing and Implementing Change in a Divided World."
As an avid sports fan, President Stephanie Urchick is well-positioned to light the lamp, clear the bases, and split the uprights. Whatever the sports metaphor, she's destined to keep Rotary in the winner's circle. This story by senior staff writer Diana Schoberg appeared in the July 2024 issue of Rotary magazine. This audio version of her story is narrated by Linda Yu.
Supported by a Rotary Programs of Scale award, an initiative in Nigeria seeks to remedy the country's high instances of maternal death. Rotary magazine senior staff writer Diana Schoberg visited the initiative for the April 2024 issue. This audio version of her story is narrated by Andy Choi.
Harvest Against Hunger rescues a staggering amount of produce from Washington's farm fields and fruit trees to nourish hungry families. But it never works alone. This story by Allecia Vermillion originally appeared in the March 2024 issue of Rotary magazine. This audio version of her story is narrated by Andy Choi.
A recap of the latest news, events, acts of service, and milestones in the Rotary community. The 2024 Rotary International Convention in Singapore has arrived! In this week's roundup, Linda Yu brings you key events, personalities, and stories from Singapore. Plus, a dispatch from the world of Rotary Community Corps (RCCs).
In 2015, Lori Crider lost her nephew to suicide. During a long, and ongoing, journey of grief, she met Shirley Weddle: a fellow loss survivor. In 2021, they worked together to help build the Rotary E-Club of Suicide Prevention and Brain Health to destigmatize mental health, draw attention to warning signs, and connect with experts to learn about suicide prevention. The Rotary magazine team spoke with them to hear their stories and learn about suicide prevention.
On April 12, 1955, Dr. Thomas Francis, Jr. announced to the world that Dr. Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine was safe, effective, and potent. This medical breakthrough cemented Dr. Salk’s legacy and made polio eradication a possibility. His son, Dr. Peter Salk, is the president and director of the Jonas Salk Legacy Foundation, also serving as a professor of infectious diseases and microbiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health. The Rotary magazine team recently spoke with him to discuss immunizations and polio eradication.
A recap of the latest news, events, acts of service, and milestones in the Rotary community. This is a key week on the Rotary calendar in the fight against diseases such as polio and measles, and the Rotary Club of Kansas City, Missouri, is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its youth camp project.
With suicides rising in the U.S., Rotary members who’ve lost loved ones are determined to prevent more deaths. Their first step — talking. After her nephew’s death, Lori Crider worked with Shirley Weddle, also a loss survivor and mental health advocate, to establish the Rotary E-Club of Suicide Prevention and Brain Health. This audio version of a story in the November 2023 issue of Rotary magazine is narrated by Linda Yu.
On July 1, 2022, Jennifer Jones became Rotary’s first female president – which left her husband, Nick Krayacich, in a unique, challenging, and at times enviable position. Rotary magazine senior editor Geoff Johnson sits down with Krayacich to discuss his life as a travelling physician, globetrotting golfer, and Rotary’s first first gentleman.
South Carolina Rotarian Roger Ackerman watched his mother-in-law slowly lose herself to Alzheimer's over two decades. Over lunch one day in 1995, Ackerman’s friend told him that $8 billion to $9 billion in coins changed hands every day in America. Early the next morning, he jolted out of bed, realizing that pocket change could be the key to a cure for Alzheimer’s. This audio version of a story in the May 2023 issue of Rotary magazine is narrated by Scott Thomas.
February 24, 2024 marks the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia still occupies 18 percent of the country. In light of this anniversary, we’re bringing back an episode from this time last year where we analyzed the situation in Ukraine, explored the prospect of peace, and discussed the importance of civil society in Ukraine’s postwar rebuilding.
“The more people that are prepared to deal with an event, the safer everybody is going to be.” Elizabeth Hewitt shares alarming statistics on opioid addiction and the stories behind the numbers as Rotary members join the race to save lives. This audio version of a story in the January 2024 issue of Rotary magazine is narrated by Scott Thomas.
Since joining Rotary in 1991, President-elect Stephanie Urchick has served the organization in many roles, including as a director, Foundation trustee, and chair of the RI Strategic Planning Committee and the Foundation’s Centennial Celebration Committee. She is a Rotary Foundation Major Donor and a member of the Bequest Society. In this town-hall-style Q&A, Urchick answers questions from Rotary’s incoming class of leaders.
There has long been suspicion that Santa Claus is a Rotarian. Believe it or not, Rotary magazine has tried to track down Santa for some time! In this special holiday episode, we finally pull it off. Bruce Templeton and Raimo Laitinen are Santa’s helpers. Templeton lives in Canada, and Laitinen lives in Finland. Although they help Santa connect with children in different ways, their mission is the same: make sure every child is cared for this holiday season.
“’To the people, food is heaven,’ says an ancient Chinese adage. If there is a food heaven on Earth, I’m convinced that I have found a colorful slice of it in Singapore.” Rotary editor Wen Huang navigates the diverse culinary offerings of Singapore ahead of the 2024 Rotary International Convention. This audio version of a story by Wen Huang in the November 2023 issue of Rotary magazine is narrated by Linda Yu.
For Derrick Kinney, money is not a stressor, but a tool to help others. He believes that by seeing money as empowering, you can motivate yourself to make even more money, encourage your colleagues, and bring in more business. But it all starts with reconstructing your mindset. Derrick Kinney is a financial coach, frequent Rotary magazine contributor, and author of Good Money Revolution: How to Make More Money to Do More Good.
“This expanded wastewater surveillance network around the globe has a vast potential for the future.” Rotary senior staff writer Diana Schoberg explains how the evolution of the GPEI’s surveillance system during the COVID-19 pandemic can bring us closer to polio eradication. Looking ahead, the new infrastructure can also be used for surveillance of other viral illnesses. This audio version of a story in the October 2023 issue of Rotary magazine is narrated by Andy Choi.
Wild poliovirus is circulating in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Last year, the variant poliovirus was detected in a few previously polio-free places – a stark reminder that if polio exists anywhere, it’s a threat everywhere. To get an idea of the recent progress made – and challenges met – the Rotary magazine team sat down with Aidan O’Leary of the World Health Organization, Melissa Corkum of UNICEF, and Dr. Omotayo Bolu of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Four years ago, Iowa Rotarian Peter Teahen was enchanted by the idea of flying around the world. He called upon Rotarian John Ockenfels to join him. Together, they planned their expedition and tied it to an apt cause: polio eradication. In this episode of Rotary magazine’s podcast, Peter and John recount their journey circumnavigating the globe to raise money and awareness in the fight against polio.
“You think you know Singapore? Think again.” Rotary editor Wen Huang explores an always-changing Singapore ahead of the 2024 Rotary International Convention. He steeps himself in the culture and natural beauty of the garden city through its food, architecture, and people. This audio version of a story in the September 2023 issue of Rotary magazine is narrated by Linda Yu.
Community organizations like Rotary provide the perfect opportunity to help others and better ourselves. But in an era of overwhelming responsibility and constant distraction, what prompts people to join community-based membership organizations? In this episode of Rotary Magazine’s podcast, we sit down with U.S. Rep. French Hill, Rotary One president Aleta Williams, and Louie De Real, a young Rotary member in the Philippines.
As scientists rush to develop powerful and meaningful new treatments for Alzheimer's disease, which affects millions of people globally, a group of Rotary members in the U.S. are using a unique method to raise funds for cutting edge research. In this episode of Rotary magazine's podcast, we talk with Rotarian Rod Funderburk, who heads the Coins for Alzheimer's Research Trust Fund, and Dr. James Lah, a leading expert on memory and cognitive disorders.
Gordon McInally, the 2023-24 Rotary International president, has been on a lifelong journey of helping and caring for others, one that took root during his youth in Scotland. He begins his term with a hope-filled agenda, and a special focus on mental health. This audio version of a story by Dave King in the July 2023 issue of Rotary magazine is narrated by Heather McInally.
Ivo Daalder, president of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and John Hewko, CEO of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation spoke at a live event recently about the current situation in Ukraine, the war's long-term impact on global security and prosperity, strategies for peace, and the role of nongovernmental organizations in humanitarian relief and postwar reconstruction.
Last fall, Chris Kolenda set out on his Fallen Hero Honor Ride, covering 1,700 miles on his bicycle to visit the gravesites of the six paratroopers who died under his command in combat in Afghanistan: Jacob Lowell, Chris Pfeifer, Ryan Fritsche, Adrian Hike, David Boris, and Tom Bostick. At the gravesites, Kolenda, a member of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, met with the men's family and friends to salute them and celebrate everything their lives embodied. This audio version of a story by Bryan Smith in the March 2023 issue of Rotary magazine is narrated by Scott Thomas.
Food does more than fuel our bodies; it can nourish our souls and give us a glimpse into other cultures. In this episode of Rotary magazine's podcast, veteran food reporter Monica Eng and Rotary senior writer Diana Schoberg speak with renowned chef Rick Bayless about his community projects and the ways food can create connections.
The 2016 film The Secret Marathon tells the story of the perseverance of female runners in Afghanistan, a country where women regularly face discrimination and violence. In this episode of Rotary magazine's podcast, veteran journalist Linda Yu speaks with one of the filmmakers, Martin Parnell. Parnell is a member of the Rotary Club of Cochrane, Canada; a world-class endurance athlete; and an author.
March is Women's History Month, a time to celebrate and reflect on the contributions women have made to society. In this episode of Rotary magazine's podcast, we speak with two influential women: U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran, the first woman with a disability elected to Congress, and a former manager at Rotary; and Rotary International President Jennifer Jones, the first woman to hold that office and the founder and president of an award-winning media production company.
Last fall, as the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approached, Rotary magazine’s Wen Huang traveled to Europe to see this humanitarian crisis firsthand. In Lviv, he witnesses the resilience of the Ukrainian people and the wide reach of Rotary’s global network. This story, which appeared in the March 2023 issue, is narrated by Andy Choi.
As the war in Ukraine reaches the one-year mark, Russia’s continued attacks have caused death and devastation, and created millions of refugees. In this special episode of Rotary magazine's podcast, we speak with Rotary International General Secretary John Hewko, a Ukrainian American who has lived in Ukraine and Russia; award-winning Ukrainian writer Andrey Kurkov, who spent most of the past year in Ukraine, documenting the resilience of ordinary Ukrainians; and Borys Bodnar, a Rotary member in Lviv who is working full-time on the relief effort. They discuss the current situation, Rotary’s swift relief response, the prospect of peace, and the role civil society will play in Ukraine’s post~~-~~war rebuilding.
Well before the COVID-19 pandemic, a University of Chicago professor already was studying loneliness, which he considered a hidden epidemic. His lifework can teach us about overcoming isolation. This audio version of an essay by Wen Huang in the January 2023 issue of Rotary magazine is narrated by award-winning broadcast journalist Linda Yu. (Illustration by Hanna Barczyk)
Exacerbated by COVID-19 pandemic seclusion, loneliness has become a global public health crisis, but Rotary clubs, experts, and governments are tackling it with meaningful interactions. This audio version of a story by Dave King in the January 2023 issue of Rotary magazine is narrated by award-winning broadcast journalist Linda Yu.
The recipient of Rotary's first $2 million Programs of Scale grant, Partners for a Malaria-Free Zambia, is working to eliminate the disease, including training 2,500 community health workers. In Rotary magazine's latest podcast, we check in with Rotarians Martha Lungu and Eric Liswaniso, who are working in their communities to combat malaria. We also explore the science behind malaria with Abigail Pratt, a senior program officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and speak with Diana Schoberg, who traveled to Zambia to report the magazine's December 2022 cover story, "A community cure."
Partners for a Malaria-Free Zambia, the recipient of Rotary’s first Programs of Scale award, is confronting a worldwide malady at the local level by working to train and equip 2,500 community health workers in Zambia’s Central and Muchinga provinces. This audio version of a story by Diana Schoberg in the December 2022 issue of Rotary magazine is narrated by award-winning broadcast journalist Linda Yu.
Trauma, whether from the horrors of war or the loss of a loved one, can feel insurmountable to those experiencing it. In this episode, our podcast team explores stories of hard-won recovery — and even growth. We talk with Zach Skiles, a veteran of the Iraq war who became homeless, began to heal at a veteran’s facility with support from Rotary members, and is now a clinical psychologist at the Portland, Oregon VA Medical Center; and Michaela Haas, a journalist and author who has researched post-traumatic growth.
An Iraq veteran works through his trauma — and adopts a mission to help others, in this audio version of a story in the November 2022 issue of Rotary magazine. Story by Kate Silver. Narrated by award-winning broadcast journalist Linda Yu.
The poliovirus is detected in New York and London. A new polio vaccine offers hope to prevent variant polio outbreaks. In advance of World Polio Day, 24 October, our podcast team sits down for a chat with Carol Pandak, director of PolioPlus for Rotary International, Dr. Ananda Bandyopadhyay, deputy director of the polio team at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Jason Keyser, managing editor of Rotary magazine, to discuss the latest on Rotary's efforts to eradicate this disease.
Rotary Magazine Presents: A modified polio vaccine, nOPV2, is offering new hope in the fight to eradicate polio. Broadcast Journalist Linda Yu narrates this story from the Rotary magazine, written by Managing Editor Jason Keyser.
With his play, Visions, Rotary member Lo Bue has turned his addiction into art and provided new roles for former addicts. Story by Steve Almond. Narrated by award-winning broadcast journalist Linda Yu.
Alongside Rotary and the nonprofit DigDeep, the Navajo are bringing a vital commodity to their ancestral homeland. Story by Geoffrey Johnson. Narrated by award-winning broadcast journalist Linda Yu.
Australia is made up of hundreds of different Indigenous nation groups; each with their own culture, customs, language, and laws. The Adelaide City Rotaract Club, based on Kaurna land on the Adelaide Plaines, is among the first within Rotary to have developed a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), endorsed by the not-for-profit organisation Reconciliation Australia. Katey Halliday, a member of Rotary International’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce, narrates this blog post she wrote for Rotary Voices explaining why reconciliation is important to Rotary.
Genshitsu Sen is former grand master of the Urasenke tea tradition and a member of the Rotary Club of Kyoto, Japan. Sen's father introduced him to Rotary in 1954. "Rotary's values fit perfectly with the tenets of our Urasenke chadō tradition, such as Wa (harmony), Kei (respect), Sei (purity), and Jaku (tranquility)." Upon the death of his father in 1964, Sen acceded to the position of Urasenke grand master, representing the 15th generation in the Urasenke line. Despite his new responsibilities, he remained a dynamic member of Rotary and was elected president of the Rotary Club of Kyoto. This story, from Rotary magazine, was written by Go Tamitami and Wen Huang and is narrated by Andy Choi.
Jennifer Jones, Rotary International’s 2022-23 president and the first female president, is the perfect leader to spread the word about the good Rotary does in the world, and inspire its members to keep going. This profile by Diana Schoberg appears in the July issue of Rotary magazine, and is narrated for Rotary by former broadcast journalist Linda Yu.
Music, it turns out, is medicine for the mind. In this story for the May 2022 issue of Rotary magazine, Kate Silver explores the good things music does for the aging brain and some Rotarians who have been using it to help others. Narrated by award-winning broadcast journalist Linda Yu.
Can an all-female anti-poaching unit stop wildlife crime in an African game preserve — without guns? The following story, narrated by award-winning broadcast journalist Linda Yu, appeared in the April 2022 issue of Rotary magazine.
Ignacio Gonzales Mendez discovered Rotaract as a law student in Chile, and became charter president of a new club in his town. He is one of the first Rotaractors to receive the Service Above Self Award, as one of the main architects of the plan that ushered in a new era of cooperation between Rotary and Rotaract. In this podcast, he shares his story, also captured in a blog post for Rotary Voices.
Rotary Community Corps (RCC) are groups of volunteers who work alongside Rotary clubs to make a difference in their communities. The Rotary Community Corps of the Aghan Community in Minnesota assist the more than 1,000 refugees who have recently moved to Minneapolis and St. Paul from Kabul, Afghanistan. In this blog post for Rotary Voices, Tom Gump, a past district governor and organizer of the RCC, explains how we can create positive peace right from our own backyards.
Past and current conflicts have had a significant impact on Rotary in Ukraine — which has only made members there more resolute. The following story, narrated by award-winning broadcast journalist Linda Yu, appeared in the April 2022 issue of Rotary magazine.
Why are you a member of Rotary? Why is it important to you? The membership committee for District 6690 (Ohio, USA) realized the answer to these questions vary from person to person and can be very personal. In creating a membership drive in response to the Each One, Bring One initiative, they knew their campaign had to challenge members to share their experiences with others, include a personal touch, and inspire a little friendly competition. Jenny Stotts, district membership chair, reads a blog post she co-authored with District Governor MaryJane Shackleford and Matt Wideman.
A decade ago, Jackie Huie and members of the Rotary Club of St. Joseph & Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA, launched a program that has helped hundreds of local high school students learn more about their dream careers by connecting them with professionals in those fields. The program is still running strong. And Huie talks about the value of the program, and what she loves about Rotary in this podcasts. Learn more about the program at https://www.rotary.org/en/rotary-pairs-students-top-mentors
Then Governors-elect Sandy Sava of District 5180 (California) and Dawn deFuria of District 7450 (Pennsylvania) sat down to talk about the current and future state of women in Rotary in this podcast from 2017.
In some areas of the world, women already make up more than 30 percent of Rotary’s members and leaders. However, in some areas, that percentage is much less. But we all have a responsibility—men and women in every club and every district in the Rotary world— to help our organization diversify and grow so that we can remain relevant for future generations.
Read the blog post by Kathleen Rose on Rotary Voices
When Debbie Vance moved to a new town and began doing service on behalf of Rotary, she drew the interest of neighbors and new friends who wanted to know how an organization could inspire someone to jump into action. Together, the charter members are forming the club culture, establishing its unique traditions, setting its service priorities, and making it their own. Corey Lopardi, membership development chair for District 5020 (parts of British Columbia, Canada, and Washington, USA) interviews Debbie about chartering the new club.
Read the blog post on Rotary Voices
Jill Johnson shared her experience at a vaccination center in Skokie, Illinois, in April, in this blog post for Rotary Voices. Read by Jill Johnson. Rotary is taking action in response to the pandemic as our clubs support COVID-19 vaccination and continued prevention efforts around the world.
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