A podcast that explores causes of today’s social issues with nonprofits & communities at the grassroots
If you care deeply and want to understand more about what is going on in the world, but headlines and social media narratives leave you feeling manipulated and exhausted - welcome.
Roots & Causes is a podcast for curious people who want to reach beyond the headlines to explore the full story behind the social issues we hear about every day.
For those who know there must be more to every story
In a world fighting to hand you answers,
we create space for better questions - and deeper understanding.
Current SeriesFabricado: How Migration was Made
Exploring How Latino Migration has Shaped Communities Across the US
Mass deportations targeting Latino communities are sweeping the country. For many people, the headlines don’t sit right — but it’s hard to know what to think instead, or where a deeper understanding even begins.
Fabricado goes to the roots of mass Latino migration, exploring how waves of migration were not only driven by personal choice, but actively recruited and sustained by U.S. industries and policies seeking labor. Through firsthand voices and community-based organizations, we examine how these forces shaped American cities — and how the story is still unfolding today.
For anyone who feels unsettled by what they’re seeing but unsure what to think instead, this series offers context, history, and space to ask better questions.
Latest Episodes
Coming soon!
Conversations Driven by Curiosity
And Led with Expertise
About Roots & Causes
In a world shaped by competing news narratives, stronger local and global communities grow from the simple, powerful act of listening to real people.
Roots & Causes explores the social and historical forces behind humanitarian issues by hearing directly from the nonprofit organizations working on the ground and the people most impacted by these systems. Hosted by a nonprofit founder and International Relations adjunct professor, the series brings complex social and political histories into focus through thoughtful conversation, academic context, and lived experience — grounded in testimony, the most compelling guide we have to understanding the world around us.
Learn from the
people who live it
We spend our time listening to nonprofit leaders and community organizations who work inside these issues every day.
Credentials you
can trust
Hosted by an International Relations professor and nonprofit founder with 10+ years experience
Driven by
context
We trace issues back through time to understand how decisions made by those with power shape present realities.
Interested in Being a Guest?
We're always looking to connect with nonprofit leaders, community organizers, and local churches who are working on the ground to address today's most pressing issues. If your organization has a story to share about the causes you're addressing, we'd love to hear from you
About Your Host
Kaitlyn Gresham is a nonprofit founder, marketing strategist, and adjunct professor of international relations with over a decade of experience working at the intersection of social impact, storytelling, and community development. She holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has spent the past ten years leading and supporting nonprofit initiatives focused on education, migration, and grassroots advocacy.
Alongside her work in the nonprofit sector, Kaitlyn brings more than five years of agency experience in marketing and communications, helping mission-driven organizations translate complex issues into clear, human-centered narratives. She is the founder of Marketing for Your Mission, a platform dedicated to equipping nonprofits with practical tools to grow awareness, trust, and support.
As host of Roots & Causes, Kaitlyn brings academic context, real-world experience, and a deep curiosity for understanding how history, policy, and human stories intersect.