51. Disrupting the Nonprofit Space + Building a Massive Community - Matthew Zachary
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Overview
Meet Matthew. As a 25-year brain cancer survivor, the founder of the groundbreaking nonprofit Stupid Cancer and creator of the world’s first health podcast that gave a voice to millions, Matthew Zachary knows firsthand that today's healthcare conversations are too polite. He launched OffScrip Media to build community, end isolation, amplify voice and improve quality of life for patients and caregivers. We're talking our most important company value: community.
Today’s Guest
Matthew Zachary, Founder of Stupid Cancer and OffScrip Media
“Never accept why what is, is. Don’t fall into conformist complacency. Always try to make an argument, and then be proven wrong.”
Matthew’s story from brain cancer to creating a global movement through Stupid Cancer and 4 key chapters in his life
The key to building a movement: you give someone what they didn’t know they needed or wish they had had at a certain moment of time
Building what you know the world needs
The importance of cause marketing in the success of Stupid Cancer
Matthew’s transition and future with OffScrip Media
Dan Pallotta’s TED Talk: The Way We Think About Charity is Dead Wrong
Build objective consciousness. Are you doing what makes the most sense to accomplish what you want to change in the world?
Annie’s Story
Matthew’s One Good Thing: You always want to be proven wrong.
Powerful Quotes:
“It took me 7 years to know I wasn’t alone. I believed for 7 years that I was the only 20-something with cancer in New York City.” -Matthew
“I listened to the community in order to grow.” -Matthew
“I understood brand. The value of a really good brand, is you find a way to associate yourself with it.” -Matthew
“You never give someone what they want. You give them what they didn’t know they needed or wish they had had at a moment of time when they wished they had had it.” -Matthew
”I didn’t know how alone I was until I knew that there was something for me with no judgments and no stigma, and that is what the community stood for.” -Matthew
“Cause marketing was where my head was to sustain the organization. Instead of helping us cure cancer, it was more about their other needs.” -Matthew
“Moving on is hard. Stepping down is hard, but knowing when is the hardest thing of all.” -Matthew
“Nothing matters to people until they enter the cause. You want to be affected by something and say you want to make a change.” -Matthew
“We are the change agents in the world for equity. For or making sure the underserved are served. We are the equalizers. Yet, we are not treated equitably with how we are viewed, ranked, paid, and valued on 990s.” -Becky
“For the founders and executives out there that do work in this sector in any cause that there is mortality, it is a terrible privilege to have to develop thick skin.” -Matthew
“We must make the most of the time that has been given to us.” -Matthew
“Never accept why what is, is. Don’t fall into conformist complacency. Always try to make an argument, and then be proven wrong.” -Matthew
