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From Surviving Abuse to Empowering Others with Hope and Purpose with Stacy Ann Smith | #TheLastZebra

Published on: 4th November, 2025

Stacy Ann Smith — therapist, nonprofit founder, and survivor — joins The Last Zebra Podcast to share a story of faith, forgiveness, and fierce compassion.

From surviving childhood trauma to dedicating her life to helping women trapped in cycles of abuse, sex work, and human trafficking, Stacyann’s journey is one of purpose born from pain. What began as a trip to Indonesia turned into a calling that now transforms lives across Jamaica through her organization, Pursued International Foundation.


In this heartfelt episode, she and Dr. Ugo Ezema explore the intersection of faith, justice, and mercy — how hope can rebuild what trauma once shattered, and why every story, no matter how broken, deserves to be heard.


This is The Last Zebra: where empathy meets action, and faith becomes a force for healing.


🎙️ Listen to the FULL, unfiltered conversation with Stacyann Smith on The Last Zebra Podcast:


Stream TLZ Pod on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/13QjxW49xOkSqkP9zQKyRS?si=_94N98AiTYGFD02EgHXZtA


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https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-last-zebra/id1715958112


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https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-last-zebra/


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Hosted by Dr. Ugo Ezema, The Last Zebra uncovers the extraordinary stories of people who lead with purpose and compassion — from doctors to healers, teachers to survivors. In a world quick to label, we look deeper to find the common ground that makes us human.


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About the Podcast

The Last Zebra
Nuanced conversations about different walks of life and those who live them
“The Last Zebra” draws its essence from the timeless medical adage:

“When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses, not zebras.”

Coined by Dr. Theodore Woodward in the 1940s, this maxim reminds us to prioritize common diagnoses over rare and improbable ones.

In a medical world often defined by seeking the most likely causes, “The Last Zebra” podcast takes a different approach. Here we are looking for the common in all of us.

The common focuses on the unique, diverse, and individual experiences of medical professionals. We hope to showcase the stories of these individuals, highlighting how they infuse their backgrounds, beliefs, and characteristics into their medical practice. By doing so, they add an artistic and personal touch that goes beyond the clinical norms and transforms their work into a deeply profound and meaningful endeavor.

Through these stories, “The Last Zebra” aims to reveal the extraordinary side of medicine— "heavy on the ordinary".

The stories that deviate from dogma and delve into the exceptional. It seeks to capture the essence of these medical professionals’ journeys, shedding light on their challenges, triumphs, and the remarkable ways they shape the landscape of healthcare.

In each episode, we delve into the non-clinical nuances that define the day-to-day lives of medical professionals from diverse backgrounds and specialties. This podcast will start and go beyond the clinical, shedding light on the intricate artistry, mosaicism, and diversity in medicine.

We explore how every guest crafts their unique personality and characteristics into the very fabric of their practice.

These stories not only celebrate individuality but also embody the soul of healthcare.

In a world where uniformity is prioritized, “The Last Zebra” podcast honors the rare and unique elements that medical professionals bring to their work. Together, we’ll discover how these exceptional individuals are shaping the future of healthcare, one personalized interaction at a time.

So, come along as we embrace the zebras — the extraordinary stories that make medicine a true art.
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Ugo Ezema