Advocacy Starts with You: Cancer, Community, and Coalition Building w/ Morgan Newman

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EPISODE DESCRIPTION:

What does it actually mean to advocate for your community — and where do you even begin? In this episode, host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Morgan Newman, Grassroots Manager for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and a two-time cervical cancer survivor, for a deeply honest conversation about the art and science of advocacy.

Morgan shares how her own health journey became the foundation for her advocacy career, why trust-building is the most underrated skill in public health, and how coalition work can amplify impact without duplicating effort. Whether you're a seasoned organizer or someone who's never attended a community meeting, this episode will meet you where you are.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• How a personal cancer journey became the spark for a career in advocacy
• The three levels of advocacy — personal, community, and systems change
• Why building trust is the first step before you say a single word to a community
• How to enter communities you don't live in and still earn credibility
• The power of coalition building — and how to avoid the silo trap
• Why storytelling moves people faster than data ever will
• Preventing burnout and compassion fatigue in advocacy work
• How to stay educated and connected in a rapidly changing landscape
• Why advocating for yourself is the most foundational act of all

ABOUT MORGAN NEWMAN:

Morgan Newman, MSW, is a licensed social worker, cancer policy advocate, and board member of the Iowa Cancer Consortium. She brings a trauma-informed lens to community health work and is passionate about empowering others to tell their stories and make lasting systems change. Connect with Morgan on LinkedIn.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Iowa Cancer Consortium: iacancer.org
• Iowa Cancer Plan — available through the Iowa Cancer Consortium
• Live, Work, Play, Pray Newsletter — Subscribe on Substack

SPONSORED BY GOODFEED IMPACT AUDIO NETWORK
A network built for podcasts, making a difference. Join the waitlist: https://goodfeed.co/

ABOUT THE SHOW:
The Healthy Project Podcast explores the social drivers of health — where we live, work, play, and pray — through honest conversations with advocates, practitioners, and community leaders—hosted by Corey Dion Lewis.

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