Ep: 119: Kwane Stewart: CNN Hero of the Year and Founder of Project Street Vet

Dr. Kwane Stewart is a veterinarian and the co-founder of Project Street Vet, a non-profit that provides free veterinary care for the pets of people experiencing homelessness in cities across the country.  His work earned him CNN Hero of the Year in 2023. His book is titled: What It Takes to Save a Life: A Veterinarian’s Quest for Healing and Hope. 

Summary

In this conversation, Dr. Kwane Stewart, a veterinarian and co-founder of Project Street Vet, shares his journey from a successful veterinary career to providing free care for pets of the unhoused. He discusses the importance of empathy, the challenges faced by both animals and their owners in the homeless community, and the emotional toll of veterinary work. Dr. Stewart emphasizes the need for kindness and understanding towards those experiencing homelessness and highlights the strong bonds between them and their pets. His mission is to expand Project Street Vet to more cities, advocating for both animal welfare and human dignity.

Takeaways

  • Powerful childhood experiences, like watching The Black Stallion, can create powerful emotions that inspire career paths.
  • Bullying can lead to empathy and a desire to protect others.
  • The suicide rate among veterinarians is notably high due to emotional stress.
  • Project Street Vet was born from a desire to help animals in need.
  • Building trust with the unhoused community is essential for effective care.
  • Many unhoused individuals have strong bonds with their pets, often prioritizing them over their own housing.
  • Funding and volunteer support are crucial for sustaining veterinary care for the unhoused.
  • Kindness, compassion, and empathy are vital in addressing homelessness and animal welfare.

Notes

Book: What It Takes to Save a Life: A Veterinarian’s Quest for Healing and Hope

Veterinary care charity: Project Street Vet

Personal Website: Dr. Kwane Stewart

Ep: 112: Don Lemon: Award winning broadcast journalist and media trailblazer

Don Lemon spent three decades on local and national TV – a trusted voice after the Sandy Hook massacre, in war-torn Eastern Europe, and during the riots of 2020. Anchoring Don Lemon Tonight on CNN for eight years, he was known for hard-hitting interviews with public officials and compassionate dialogue with everyday people.  The Don Lemon Show is now streaming on all platforms.  He is the author of several bestselling books including his most recent one titled: I Once Was Lost: My Search for God in America.

 

Some interesting insights from this episode:

  • As a Black man, he has a complicated relationship with the flag. But he is still a patriot. And as a gay man, he has a complicated relationship with the Bible. But he still believes in God.
  • He was the kid whose personality could not be denied. He was likeable and easy to get along with. His charismatic personality would later help separate him from the other news anchors who were stiff and indistinguishable.
  • He has always had a strong work ethic, outworking everyone around him. He worked full time while pursuing his degree full time and he never took a vacation his first ten years at CNN.
  • “Every setback or shortcoming you think you have is actually a gift. You just have to figure out what that gift is and how to use it.”
  • He’s ok being a lightning rod, as he’s just being himself and trying to foster healthy debate. He has learned to not care what others think about him.
  • “Excellence is not about perfection. Rather, excellence is being a good citizen, a good partner, a good family member, and a good contributor to society in the world.”

 

Show Notes:

Books:

I Once was Lost: My Search for God in America

This Is the Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism

TV/Digital:

The Don Lemon Show