What's your Cause?

My guest for this episode is a true force for change — a lifelong advocate, a black belt in karate, and a trailblazer in the fight to end violence. I’m honored to be joined by Patti Giggans, Executive Director and CEO of Peace Over Violence, a groundbreaking organization at the forefront of sexual assault, domestic violence, and youth violence prevention since 1971. Patti has led this movement since 1985, and her impact spans from the founding of the first martial arts school for women in Southern California to launching the global Denim Day campaign. We’ll talk about her journey, the power of prevention, and what it really means to build a safer, more just world. You don’t want to miss this one.”To learn more about Patti and Peace over Violence clink this link: https://www.peaceoverviolence.org/If you wish to contact or follow me or my socials, you can find me here.whatsyourcausepodcast@gmail.comInstagram: @mick23croninMassive acknowledgements need to be made to all the amazingly kind and generous people who made this podcast possible. You know who you are!!

In this episode of What's Your Cause? I chat with Shayne Hood, a social impact leader who has transformed his experiences with family violence, street life, and addiction into a foundation for meaningful change. As the Director of Wounds and Wisdom and Co-founder of 16 Yards, Shayne mentors' young people with justice system experience, empowering them to become consultants and leaders, shaping training and support services.Shayne’s work demonstrates the power of resilience, collaboration, and unlocking potential. This conversation highlights the importance of turning adversity into opportunity, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in social impact and justice reform.To learn more about Shayne and 16 Yards clink this link: https://www.16yards.life/If you wish to contact or follow me or my socials, you can find me here.whatsyourcausepodcast@gmail.comInstagram: @mick23croninMassive acknowledgements need to be made to all the amazingly kind and generous people who made this podcast possible. You know who you are!!

In episode 25, I have the privilege of speaking with the inspiring Carla Raynes, CEO and founder of Bridge It and Challenge The Label. With over 20 years of experience working in the homelessness sector across the UK and Australia, Carla has dedicated her career to creating lasting, transformative solutions. Her diverse expertise spans crisis accommodation, drug and alcohol teams, tertiary hospitals, and youth residential units.In this episode, Carla opens up about her creative, trailblazing approaches to addressing homelessness, emphasizing sustainable, long-term change. As a fierce advocate for young women, Carla is on a mission to create positive, lasting impact in their lives.Tune in to discover what drives Carla to push boundaries and deliver significant social impact in the fight against homelessness.To learn more about Bridge - https://bridgeit.org.au/If you wish to contact or follow me or my socials, you can find me here.whatsyourcausepodcast@gmail.comInstagram: @mick23croninMassive acknowledgements need to be made to all the amazingly kind and generous people who made this podcast possible. You know who you are!!

In this episode, I’m joined by Nicola O'Donoghue, Founder and CEO of Intogreat, a global well-being company dedicated to helping organizations foster healthier, more resilient work environments. Nicola, an Oxford law graduate and Cambridge MBA, has had a diverse 20-year career across the legal, consulting, and HR industries on three continents. She shares the pivotal moments from her career that led her to found Intogreat, driven by a personal understanding of the severe impact stress and burnout have on individuals.Nicola’s journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of prioritising mental well-being in the workplace. Intogreat partners with organisations to develop science-backed strategies that empower employees to self-regulate, build resilience, and take ownership of their well-being. In this conversation, Nicola holds a mirror up to both individuals and corporate leaders, challenging them to rethink how they approach well-being in their organisations.Tune in as Nicola shares her vision for a more connected and resilient world, one organization at a time.Follow intogreat: www.intogreat.net Instagram: @intogreat YouTube:    / @intogreat  LinkedIn:   / 89635344  If you wish to contact or follow me or my socials, you can find me here.whatsyourcausepodcast@gmail.comInstagram: @mick23croninMassive acknowledgements need to be made to all the amazingly kind and generous people who made this podcast possible. You know who you are!!

In this episode, we explore the incredible journey of Bryonn Bain, a Tony-nominated and Emmy-winning storyteller, whose diverse talents span poetry, acting, writing, and directing. As the creator of the acclaimed hip hop theater production "Lyrics from Lockdown," Bryonn combines art and activism to advocate for prison education and abolition. He is the founder of the UCLA Prison Education Program, where he has dedicated over 30 years to creating educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals. Bryonn’s unique approach includes teaching university students alongside those in prison. Having experienced wrongful imprisonment himself during law school, he brings a profound perspective to his work. Now a professor at UCLA, he continues to push for justice and community-building through the arts. Join us as we delve into his inspiring story and impactful contributions.To find out more about Bryonn inspiring and creative work please follow this link to his website :https://www.bryonn.com/aboutIf you wish to contact or follow me or my socials, you can find me here.whatsyourcausepodcast@gmail.comInstagram: mick23croninMassive acknowledgements need to be made to all the amazingly kind and generous people who made this podcast possible. You know who you are!!

In this episode, we explore the inspiring journey of Micheline Ntiru, a global impact leader with over two decades of professional experience. Micheline’s unique perspective is shaped by her life on four continents, fluency in nine languages, and work across more than fifty countries. She delves into her extensive expertise in scaling startups and offering innovative venture finance solutions that foster growth and sustainability, particularly in the African context.Micheline also discusses her commitment to discovering, funding, and supporting African women who are solving social challenges through entrepreneurial initiatives. As an executive coach with intogreat, she emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in leadership. Additionally, we touch on her passion for African narratives, which inspired her to found the media enterprise We Three Queens of Africa. Micheline is also working on a book of short stories, mentors girls and mid-career women, and continues to refine her repertoire of accents.Tune in for a compelling conversation with a leader who is making a global impact while championing her cultural heritage and personal passions.To find out more about Micheline here are some links:LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/michelinentiruWe Three Queens of Africa Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/we-three-queens-of-africa/id1539871464Delta40 Launches a New Venture StudioIf you wish to contact or follow me or my socials, you can find me here.whatsyourcausepodcast@gmail.comInstagram: mick23croninMassive acknowledgements need to be made to all the amazingly kind and generous people who made this podcast possible. You know who you are!!

Join us for a compelling conversation with Sean Pica, Executive Director of Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison. Sean shares his journey from a 16-year-old sentenced to 24 years in prison to transforming his life through education. Under his leadership, Hudson Link enrolls over 670 students annually across six prisons, awarding more than 1,200 degrees with nine college partners. Sean also launched New Beginnings, a reentry housing initiative where formerly incarcerated students renovate abandoned properties for returning students. This episode highlights the power of rehabilitation and hope through education.Instagram: Hudson Link (@hudson_link) • Instagram photos and videosFacebook: FacebookX: Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison (@HudsonLink) | XLinkedIn: Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison| LinkedInIf you wish to contact or follow me or my socials, you can find me here.whatsyourcausepodcast@gmail.comInstagram: mick23croninMassive acknowledgements need to be made to all the amazingly kind and generous people who made this podcast possible. You know who you are!!

Join me as we delve into the inspiring journey of Babita Patel, a humanitarian photographer on a mission to evolve societal thinking from "us vs. them" to "us and them." Through her impactful storytelling, Babita deepens our understanding of each other.In this episode, Babita discusses her debut book, "Breaking Out in Prison," which humanizes systemic racism and mass incarceration by introducing us to 15 men who were excluded from society long before their imprisonment. She also shares her experiences as the founder of KIOO Project, an NGO that advances gender equality through photography,Listen in to discover how Babita Patel is bridging gaps and fostering understanding through her powerful storytelling and photography. Let's learn how we can move from "us vs. them" to "us and them" together.To learn more about all the inspiring work of Babita follow this link BABITA PATEL | Global StorytellerIf you wish to contact or follow me or my socials, you can find me here.whatsyourcausepodcast@gmail.comInstagram: mick23croninMassive acknowledgements need to be made to all the amazingly kind and generous people who made this podcast possible. You know who you are!!

Join me as I talk to the Ada Williams Prince. Ada is a creative leader at the cutting edge of global and domestic philanthropy. Ada shares the work she had done over the past two decades to advance the power and influence of women and girls of color around the world, conceiving groundbreaking disruptions to philanthropic norms and scalable models to transform the field along the way. By championing the formation of the first 'Women and Girls of Color Design Council' within a premium philanthropic and venture organization, she has envisioned a future in philanthropy and investment built around silo-busting investment strategies and fundamental trust in women and girls at the intersection of gender, race/ethnicity and economics. Ada is leading a growing community of funders committed to transforming capital and decision making. This conversation shed a light on philanthropy in the U.S highlighting the historical and current challenges, the gaps and the opportunities!!Please enjoy!! If you wish to contact or follow me or my socials, you can find me here. whatsyourcausepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: mick23cronin Massive acknowledgements need to be made to all the amazingly kind and generous people who made this podcast possible. You know who you are!!