Nonprofit Leadership Podcast

Episode: This Leader is Changing the Landscape for Digital Wellness

Host: Dr. Rob Harter
Guest: Larz May, Founder of Half the Story and Ginkgo
Date: November 10, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. Rob Harter welcomes Larz May back to the show to discuss her journey with Half the Story, her pioneering nonprofit focused on digital wellness, and her new social enterprise, Ginkgo. The conversation deeply explores Larz’s inspiring personal story, her strategies for organizational growth and sustainability, the evolution of digital wellness, collaboration and competition in the nonprofit sector, and innovation at the intersection of AI, tech, and youth mental health.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Origins & Mission of Half the Story

[09:33]

• Larz founded Half the Story after personal struggles with social media and technology as a college student, leading to mental health challenges.
• She realized that although schools teach kids how to study and socialize, they don't teach digital wellness, despite teens spending more time with screens than anywhere else.
• Quote:
  "I really began this because I almost ended my own life. ... Technology really played a role in my mental wellbeing, my academic wellbeing." — Larz May [09:41]
• The goal: empower youth globally to access digital wellness through strengths-based education and leadership development.

2. Growth Journey: From Grassroots to Global Impact

[13:36]

• Larz leveraged storytelling over resources:
  "I started ... was like, hey, all I need is a story and a group of people. And if I keep doing that every single day for a decade, then maybe ... I can change the world." — Larz May [10:55]
• Partnerships and endorsements: Oprah, Melinda French Gates, Clinton Foundation, Governor Hochul, etc.
• Key strategy: continually seek new ways to share her story and build community.

3. Entrepreneurship in Nonprofit Leadership

[08:05], [14:43]

• Nonprofit “mindset” needs to evolve.
  "Every nonprofit needs to be thinking about the day where they don't have to ask for money, but that they can generate it on their own." — Larz May [08:44]
• Early struggles: very limited initial resources, busking in subways to make do.
• Building a business mentality is essential—even in nonprofit work.

4. Collaboration vs. Competition

[22:04], [24:58]

• Real innovation means combining collaboration with a competitive edge.
• Case study: Partnership with Girls Inc. amplified impact and credibility through collaboration, attracting major funders.
• Quote:
  "We're actually B2B to T—business to business to teens/teachers—because so much of our reach is actually through collaboration." — Larz May [23:35]
• Strong, fast communication and persistence are key to successful partnerships.

5. Scaling, Metrics, and Reporting to Funders

[28:25]

• Operates with strict KPIs as in any business.
• Early investment in research and impact evaluation proved vital.
  "One of the most valuable things you could do ... is research and evaluation, even if you’re grassroots." — Larz May [29:45]
• Key learning: many grants require personal connections, not just applications; who you know matters.

6. Ginkgo: The For-Profit Social Enterprise

[33:07], [38:14]

• Ginkgo is a HIPAA-compliant, AI-powered 24/7 digital wellness guide for parents and families, developed from direct parent and psychiatrist demand.
• Focuses on both safety/surveillance and emotional health:
  "There was such a big gap between what's happening in kids’ digital worlds and their parents' worlds ... so much conversation was focused on safety surveillance, but nothing on emotional surveillance." — Larz May [33:44]
• Vision: Ginkgo eventually funds Half the Story and supports a new kind of venture philanthropy for digital wellness entrepreneurs.
• Structure: Fully separate from Half the Story to protect the youth mission.

7. Trends & the Impact of AI

[39:27]

• AI presents double-edged potential—great for operational efficiency, but increases risks to digital wellness for youth.
• Quote:
  "AI is social media under a pressure cooker on steroids ... the damage that social media has done can be a hundred-xed with AI." — Larz May [41:34]
• Larz actively encourages staff to leverage AI for efficiency, focusing their energy on storytelling, fundraising, and growth.
• Concern: Need for human compassion and new policies to keep pace with AI’s rapid evolution.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Nonprofit Mindset:
  "Think about the day when you don’t have to ask for money, but you can generate it on your own." — Larz May [08:44]

• On Being a Founder:
  "You can't have a Plan B ... If I didn't go all-in, move out of New York to an attic of a barn, I wouldn't be where we are today." — Larz May [19:01]

• On Collaboration:
  "Someone—in a partnership and it usually is the underdog—has to decide they want to quarterback." — Larz May [25:13]

• On Supporting Other Founders:
  "Every Saturday I actually support other founders ... we don’t have enough people ... willing to get on the ground and help." — Larz May [26:33]

Key Timestamps

• 03:00–06:46 — Dr. Rob Harter introduces Larz May, highlights Half the Story's growth, and outlines episode themes.
• 09:33–13:36 — Larz recounts her mental health struggle, digital wellness realization, and founding story.
• 14:43–19:01 — Advice for aspiring nonprofit leaders, lessons learned, and the myth of “nonprofit = no revenue.”
• 22:04–26:54 — Deep dive into successful partnerships, collaboration as competitive edge, and the reality of quarterbacking alliances.
• 28:25–32:47 — Measuring impact, importance of research, challenges in funding and grant applications.
• 33:07–38:14 — The launch of Ginkgo: origins, goals, parent/child digital wellness, and future philanthropy aspirations.
• 39:27–43:09 — The influence of AI on nonprofits and digital wellness, operational changes, societal risks, and opportunities.
• 43:21–44:40 — Larz shares contact info, ongoing commitment to help others, final thanks and looking ahead.

Further Information & Contact

• Half the Story: halfthestoryproject.com / .org
• Ginkgo: heyginko.com
• Larz May: Instagram, X, LinkedIn — @LivingLikeLarz

Tone & Final Thoughts

The conversation is honest, hopeful, and determined, blending Larz's vulnerability about her struggles with her fierce commitment to innovation and impact. Practical advice abounds for nonprofit leaders—on mindset, collaboration, impact measurement, and leveraging new tech. Larz’s message is especially urgent for parents and anyone seeking tools for healthier digital lives for young people.

For listeners: This episode is a masterclass in vision-driven leadership, adaptability, and fostering digital wellness in a rapidly changing world, offering both high-level inspiration and tangible steps for mission-driven organizations.