Podcast
Rotary Voices
Hosted by Rotary magazine · EN
The Rotary Voices podcast features in-depth interviews with thought leaders, Rotary news updates, and immersive stories from Rotary magazine. Learn more about Rotary International, and how to participate in Rotary clubs at https://rotary.org.
34episodes
Episodes
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Medical Moonshots: Fighting Cervical Cancer with Dr. Richard Godfrey
2w ago00:34:58Summary readyCervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, but it’s also highly preventable. Rotarian, surgical oncologist, and author Dr. Richard Godfrey has traveled the world making cervical cancer prevention more accessible. His forthcoming book, Medical Moonshots: Winning the Cancer War, talks about his lifesaving work. Niala Boodhoo recently sat down with Dr. Godfrey to discuss his career, cervical cancer, and Rotary’s work to eliminate it.
SummaryThe Ripple Effect: Dragon Boats Bring a Community Together
May 100:20:58Summary readyIn 1996, the Rotary Club of Stratford in Ontario took a more than 2,000-year-old Chinese tradition and turned it into a fundraising event that has raised well over $1 million for the club and its projects. Last year, Craig Thompson directed a documentary called The Ripple Effect that highlights the community impact of the Stratford Rotary Dragon Boat Festival. Chicago journalist Jerome McDonnell sits down with Craig and club president Dan Kane to discuss the festival and its history.Contact action@ballinran.com to screen The Ripple Effect at your club!
SummaryA Membership Success Story: How This Georgia Club Keeps Growing
Apr 900:30:26Summary readyThe Rotary Club of Roswell, Georgia, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary, is growing rapidly. In this episode, Tom Gump, chair of the Rotary International Membership Growth Committee, and Jose Gonzalez, supervisor of Membership Growth & Experience in the U.S. and Canada, sit down with Trummie Lee Patrick III, the club’s president, to discuss the club’s secrets to success, membership retention, and club culture.
SummaryDr. Marc Schulz: Lessons from the World’s Longest Happiness Study
Apr 100:37:32Summary readyDr. Marc Schulz and his co-author Dr. Robert Waldinger lead the Harvard Study of Adult Development: ongoing research into the psychosocial predictors of healthy aging that began in 1938. In 2023, Dr. Schulz and Dr. Waldinger published The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness. Chicago broadcast journalist Jerome McDonnell sits down with Dr. Schulz to discuss the study’s origins, its evolving methods, and the importance of social connection.
SummarySongwriter David LaMotte: Harmony in Action
Mar 1100:39:41Summary readyDavid LaMotte is a songwriter, speaker, author, and activist who has performed over 3,500 concerts and released 13 albums. LaMotte was a Rotary Peace Fellow at the University of Queensland in Australia where he studied international relations, peace, and conflict resolution. Rotary International social media and audience development manager Andy Sternberg sits down with LaMotte to discuss the intersection of art and activism.David LaMotte at the 2025 Rotary International Convention: youtu.be/EstQHD92eo0?si=sga3caJebjW6XQPZDavid LaMotte’s TEDx talk: www.davidlamotte.com/tedx/Let’s Be Neighbors: www.letsbeneighbors.org/
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A Bride Too Soon
Mar 200:21:52Summary readyThe survivor of an abusive arranged marriage, Fraidy Reiss wants to ensure that other girls never suffer the same ordeal. In 2011, Reiss founded Unchained at Last, an activist group that works to end forced marriage and child marriage in the United States. This story by Chicago journalist Elly Fishman appeared in the October 2024 issue of Rotary magazine. This audio version of her story is narrated by Linda Yu.
SummaryRashmi Rustagi: A Ray of Light
Jan 2800:28:08Summary readyGrowing up in Lucknow, India, Rashmi Rustagi was a member of Rotaract and acted in radio plays. After moving to the Bay Area in the United States, she joined a local Indian theater and then began a demanding transition into Hollywood. In California, Rustagi was invited to join the Rotary Club of Redwood City, where she’s a member today. Chicago journalist Linda Yu sat down with Rustagi to discuss her life, career in movies and her efforts to empower women and girls in a new feature film: Designed by Preeti.
SummaryWHO, UNICEF, Rotary: Polio Fight to the Finish
Jan 900:31:11Summary readyIn 2026, many Western governments have pulled back funding and reduced their commitments to the United Nations. And later this month, the United States will officially withdraw from the World Health Organization. Today, civic organizations like Rotary represent a powerful “third force” in global affairs. For example, in 1988, alongside UNICEF and others, Rotary and the WHO became founding partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, or GPEI. The campaign now stands as one of the largest, most successful public health efforts to date. Leadership from the GPEI visited Rotary International Headquarters to discuss the status of the campaign today.
Summary50 Years: Personal Stories from Rotary Youth Exchange
Dec 2300:40:58Summary readyThe Rotary Youth Exchange program has been promoting international understanding for 50 years. The program, which enables young people to live and study abroad for up to a year, serves as a bridge for cultural competence and builds the foundation for peace. In this episode, longtime exchange host Sabrina Barreto and one of the students her family hosted, Simon Foote, share their perspectives on the program. Holger Knaack, chair of The Rotary Foundation Trustees and a past Rotary president, discusses his experience hosting over 40 students with his wife, Susanne.
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You've Got A Friend
Dec 300:17:09Summary readyIn response to a “friendship recession,” Rotary members are finding ways to make connections they cherish, starting in their own clubs. This story by Chicago journalist Kate Silver appeared in the August 2024 issue of Rotary magazine. This audio version of her story is narrated by Linda Yu.
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