#203: Matthew Zachary: Blowing Up the Status Quo for Health Equity & Patient Advocacy

OVERVIEW:

Jason A. Duprat, Entrepreneur, Healthcare Practitioner, and Host of the Healthcare Entrepreneur Academy podcast speaks with Matthew Zachary, Founder, and CEO of OffScrip Media. Matthew talks about launching his nonprofit organization Stupid Cancer and his audio broadcast network, OffScrip Media. As a cancer survivor himself, Matthew also shares his personal experiences and passion for patient advocacy. This interview contains explicit language.   

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Before graduating from college, Matthew was diagnosed with brain cancer. He was given six months to live and told surgery was the only option. 
• Following the surgery, he remained unhealthy for five years. He found hope and inspiration by playing the piano, which became a part of his rehabilitation. 
• Matthew launched his nonprofit, Stupid Cancer in 2007. He wanted to provide a voice for young adults living with cancer and build community instead of isolation.  
• He launched the first health radio show in 2007. He built the first international trade show for young adult cancer survivors and also developed an e-commerce website.  
• Under his leadership, Stupid Cancer became a powerful brand in cancer advocacy. His nonprofit had an impressive portfolio of revenue channels and used net margin profits to pay the bills and reinvest in growth.
• Matthew stepped down as the CEO of Stupid Cancer and became the strategic advisor in 2019. 
• Matthew advises running a charity like a business. There are challenges when starting a charity.
• He references Dan Pallotta as an expert on cause marketing and someone who understands the fragility of the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
• You can grow and scale a charity without donors. 
• You need hardcore customer experience to appreciate volunteer management.
• After taking a sabbatical in 2019, Matthew realized he missed being behind the mic. He launched OffScrip Media, the first digital health podcast network focused on patient advocacy, education, and empowerment. 
• OffScrip Media features nine shows, including Out of Patients, which he hosts. 
• Today, Matthew is focused on scaling his media company by acquiring and incubating podcasts. He advises on audience cultivation and monetization.    

3 KEY POINTS:

1. Matthew’s cancer diagnosis and personal experiences inspired him to start Stupid Cancer. His nonprofit ignited a global movement advocating for adolescent and young adult cancer programs.
2. A nonprofit organization is still a business, and running one doesn’t mean you cannot make a profit. 
3. Don’t start a podcast until you’ve done your due diligence.

TWEETABLE QUOTES:

“We did things [for] cancer... because we could, and we kept getting funding for it.” - Matthew Zachary

“If you don’t know how to run a company, don’t start a charity.” - Matthew Zachary

“Even outside of healthcare, Gen X is just a lost conversation.”  Matthew Zachary

 

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