# Matthew Harmody, MD, Retired Emergency Physician, Kidney Donation Advocate, Author

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/your-world-of-creativity-1318809/matthew-harmody-md-retired-emergency-physician-kidney-donation-advocate-author
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/your-world-of-creativity-1318809/matthew-harmody-md-retired-emergency-physician-kidney-donation-advocate-author.md
Podcast: [Your World of Creativity](https://stenobird.com/podcast/your-world-of-creativity-1318809)
Published: 2026-03-16T06:15:00+00:00
Episode link: https://markstinson.captivate.fm/episode/matthew-harmody-kidney-donation
Audio file: https://mgln.ai/e/p469718/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/3dda9196-bd19-4ea3-9233-543cdefab822.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/your-world-of-creativity-1318809/episodes/matthew-harmody-md-retired-emergency-physician-kidney-donation-advocate-author
Duration seconds: 1260

## Resource

Today we’re joined by Dr. Matthew Harmody — a retired emergency physician, living kidney donor, and one of the leading advocates for kidney donation in the United States. Matthew donated a kidney to a stranger, then dedicated his post-medical career to eliminating the national kidney waitlist through education, mentorship, and policy reform. Matt's Website @5k50ss on Instagram Matt's Facebook page Matt's Facebook group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-harmody-97988311/ He currently serves as Board Chair of the National Kidney Donation Organization , is a founding member of the Coalition to Modify NOTA , and has just released a remarkable new book, Ascending America: Five Kidney Donors, Fifty States, One Record-Breaking Journey . The book chronicles an extraordinary feat—summiting the highest point in all fifty states in record time—while carrying a much bigger message about courage, health, and the power of giving. From the ER to Altruism in Action Matt, you spent years as an emergency physician—trained to assess risk, act fast, and save lives under pressure. What first inspired you to donate a kidney to a stranger, and how did that single decision redirect the course of your life? Donor Myths vs. Reality Many people believe kidney donation is dangerous, permanently limiting, or something only done for family. What surprised you most—physically and emotionally—about living with one kidney, and what do you wish the public understood about life after donation? Climbing for a Cause Ascending America documents your team’s Guinness World Record journey summiting the highest point in every state. How did this extreme physical challenge become a platform for kidney donation advocacy—and what moments on that journey stayed with you the most? The Science of Selfles…

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