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EPISODE DESCRIPTION:

What does it actually mean to advocate for your community — and where do you even begin? In this episode, host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Morgan Newman, Grassroots Manager for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and a two-time cervical cancer survivor, for a deeply honest conversation about the art and science of advocacy.

Morgan shares how her own health journey became the foundation for her advocacy career, why trust-building is the most underrated skill in public health, and how coalition work can amplify impact without duplicating effort. Whether you're a seasoned organizer or someone who's never attended a community meeting, this episode will meet you where you are.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• How a personal cancer journey became the spark for a career in advocacy
• The three levels of advocacy — personal, community, and systems change
• Why building trust is the first step before you say a single word to a community
• How to enter communities you don't live in and still earn credibility
• The power of coalition building — and how to avoid the silo trap
• Why storytelling moves people faster than data ever will
• Preventing burnout and compassion fatigue in advocacy work
• How to stay educated and connected in a rapidly changing landscape
• Why advocating for yourself is the most foundational act of all

ABOUT MORGAN NEWMAN:

Morgan Newman, MSW, is a licensed social worker, cancer policy advocate, and board member of the Iowa Cancer Consortium. She brings a trauma-informed lens to community health work and is passionate about empowering others to tell their stories and make lasting systems change. Connect with Morgan on LinkedIn.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Iowa Cancer Consortium: iacancer.org
• Iowa Cancer Plan — available through the Iowa Cancer Consortium
• Live, Work, Play, Pray Newsletter — Subscribe on Substack

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A network built for podcasts, making a difference. Join the waitlist: https://goodfeed.co/

ABOUT THE SHOW:
The Healthy Project Podcast explores the social drivers of health — where we live, work, play, and pray — through honest conversations with advocates, practitioners, and community leaders—hosted by Corey Dion Lewis.

About This Conversation

Corey sits down with Jason Semprini — a public health economist, a lifelong Iowan, and somebody who has spent his career translating complex data into something that can actually change how communities live. What started as a conversation about economics turned into one of the most honest, grounded discussions about health, place, and power that The Healthy Project Podcast has ever had.

This one isn't for researchers. It's for anyone who has ever wondered why their community looks the way it does — and whether anybody in power is paying attention.

What We Get Into

The cancer rate nobody's talking about: Iowa ranks among the highest states in the nation for cancer. It's not a fluke. It's not a bad data year. It's consistent, it's climbing, and it's being driven by a specific set of cancers shaped by where people live and what surrounds them. Jason breaks down what the numbers are actually showing — and why the story is more complicated than any headline has captured.

Agriculture, jobs, and the health trade-off nobody wants to say out loud. Iowa's ag economy is the backbone of this state. It provides livelihoods, identity, and community for generations of Iowa families. It is also, according to clear and compelling research, contributing to adverse health outcomes, including cancer. Jason doesn't flinch from that tension. Neither does Corey. Because pretending it doesn't exist isn't protecting anybody.

What happens when the money disappears? Pop-up mammography clinics. Free screenings. Community health workers are going door to door. These programs exist because some people don't have a regular doctor — and for them, a pop-up clinic isn't a backup plan, it's the only plan. When federal funding gets cut, these are the first programs that feel it. Jason shares what colleagues on the ground are experiencing right now. It's not abstract. It's hitting real people in real communities today.

Prostate cancer, Black men, and what the system keeps missing. This part of the conversation hits close to home for Corey — founder of Save the Homies, a prostate cancer awareness initiative through My City My Health. It's not always that Black men in Iowa are getting prostate cancer at higher rates. It's that they're getting diagnosed later. The navigation to quality care is broken. The trust isn't there. The access isn't there. Jason connects this to a framework about biology and health systems colliding — and why fixing it requires more than a screening event.

The real cost of data we're not using. One of the most practical takeaways in the whole conversation: collecting health data you're not acting on isn't neutral. It costs money, it burdens patients, and it pulls resources away from interventions that would actually move the needle. If your organization is drowning in surveys nobody reads, this part is for you.

What a job well done actually looks like. For Jason, success isn't a published paper. It's a policy change. An updated screening guideline. An insurance expansion that took twenty years to become the Affordable Care Act. The work is long. The patience required is real. But the outcomes are lives — and that's the only metric that matters.

About Jason Semprini

Jason Semprini is a public health economist and researcher whose work focuses on cancer, health policy, and the systems shaping health outcomes across Iowa. A lifelong Iowan, Jason's path to this work ran through AmeriCorps, the Peace Corps, and the University of Chicago — where he developed the research and economic skills he now applies to the most pressing health challenges facing this state. His work sits at the intersection of data, policy, and real community impact.

Find Jason on LinkedIn
explore his research.

If This Episode Hit For You — Here's What To Do Next

Share it. Send this episode to somebody in your life who needs to hear it. A friend, a coworker, someone at your church, your health department, or your organization. The more people who hear this conversation, the more it can do.

Subscribe to the Live. Work. Play. Pray. Newsletter This is where Corey goes deeper every week — health equity, the social determinants shaping our communities, and the stories that don't always make the headlines but absolutely should. Written for real people, not just professionals. Free to subscribe. 👉 https://substack.com/@coreydionlewis

Work With Healthy Project Media. If you're a health organization, nonprofit, community health center, foundation, or health plan doing work that deserves a bigger audience, Corey wants to talk. Healthy Project Media partners with organizations across the population health ecosystem to tell stories that actually reach the communities they're trying to serve. Schedule a free 30-minute conversation to explore what that looks like. 👉 https://koalendar.com/e/meet-with-corey-lewis?month=2026-03&duration=30&date=2026-03-23

About The Healthy Project Podcast

Hosted by Corey Dion Lewis — public health storyteller, founder of My City My Health INC, and integrated health consultant at the Iowa Primary Care Association — The Healthy Project Podcast exists to make public health accessible, honest, and real for the people it's supposed to serve. Every episode bridges the gap between what the data shows and what communities actually feel.

New episodes drop weekly. 📲 Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube 📬 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://substack.com/@coreydionlewis

The Healthy Project Podcast is produced by Healthy Project Media | Des Moines, Iowa

SHOW NOTES:

Some of the most important public health work doesn't happen in clinics or conference rooms. It happens on street corners, in shelters, and in honest conversations with kids who just need somebody to show up.

This week on The Healthy Project Podcast, Corey Dion Lewis sits down with his cousin Royce Wright — a community advocate based in the Quad Cities who has built a reputation for doing exactly that. Royce works with at-risk youth navigating mental health challenges, behavioral issues, and identity crises, while simultaneously raising his voice about the growing homelessness crisis in his community. His approach is rooted in lived experience, patience, and an unshakeable belief that trust is the foundation of everything.

In this conversation, Royce shares what it's really like to work with kids who are struggling, why the family unit matters just as much as the child, and how a chance encounter while filming a TikTok video led to a viral moment — and a GoFundMe — aimed at opening emergency overflow shelters and youth spaces across the Quad Cities.

What We Cover:

Youth Mental Health & Advocacy

• Why are so many at-risk kids caught in an identity crisis and performing toughness they don't actually feel
• How adverse childhood trauma shapes behavior — and why patience is the most underrated tool in youth work
• What it means to be authentic with young people who can read you in seconds
• The importance of modeling behavior, not just preaching it
• How to advocate for youth mental health even if you're not on the frontline

Homelessness in the Quad Cities

• How policy changes around shelter placement have pushed the unhoused out of safe spaces
• Why people become homeless faster than most of us realize — and why warm weather doesn't solve the problem
• The viral TikTok moment where Royce connected with a young man who had just become homeless and didn't even know a local shelter was open
• Why abandoned buildings in the Quad Cities are at the center of this conversation

Royce's Mission & How You Can Help

• How Royce went from passing out coats from his storage unit to becoming a community voice
• The GoFundMe campaign: Creating Safe Spaces for the Unhoused and At-Risk Youth
• A $100,000 goal to fund emergency overflow shelters and additional youth spaces in the Quad Cities

Resources & Links:

🔗 Royce Wright's GoFundMe — Creating Safe Spaces for the Unhoused and At-Risk Youth

Follow Royce Wright:

• Facebook
• TikTok 
• Instagram
• YouTube
• LinkedIn

About The Healthy Project Podcast The Healthy Project Podcast is hosted by public health storyteller Corey Dion Lewis. Each week, Corey brings honest, community-first conversations about health equity, mental health, social determinants of health, and the people doing the real work in underserved communities across the country.

🎙️ Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

Darolyn shares the pivotal moment in her career when she realized that policymakers were making decisions for communities without including the voices of those most affected. Working in the California State Legislature, she witnessed firsthand how missing perspectives—particularly women and people of color—led to unintended harmful consequences in public policy. This realization launched three decades of work focused on equity-first communication strategies, where community voices aren't just heard, but actively shape outcomes.

Key Discussion Points:

Why Traditional Outreach Fails Darolyn explains why treating outreach as a distribution problem rather than a relationship problem dooms most initiatives from the start. Sending mailers, holding meetings, and posting information online doesn't equal meaningful engagement—and communities see right through it.

The Trust Gap in Healthcare. The conversation addresses uncomfortable truths about why communities, particularly communities of color, distrust healthcare institutions. With Black women facing maternal mortality rates 3-4 times higher than white women, and Black Americans comprising only 5-7 percent of clinical trial participants despite representing 14 percent of the population, historical and ongoing systemic failures shape present-day healthcare decisions.

Measuring What Actually Matters Most agencies measure engagement success by counting meetings held or materials distributed. Darolyn argues for a completely different approach: measuring sentiment, behavioral change, and whether you've actually moved people from one understanding to another. She reveals why superficial metrics waste resources and erode trust further.

Real-World Case Study: Six Years to Build Trust Darolyn shares the remarkable story of working with the Bayview Hunters Point community in San Francisco. When a public agency wanted to build a new 62 million dollar community facility, residents initially refused—they didn't trust that promises would be kept. It took six years of consistent relationship-building, honest dialogue, and demonstrating follow-through before the community agreed. The result: a state-of-the-art Southeast Community Facility that now serves as a healthcare, education, workforce training, and community hub.

This case study illustrates a critical truth: meaningful change takes time, and there are no shortcuts to building trust.

Institutional Responsibility vs. Personal Choice One of the most important reframings in this episode is shifting from "Why don't communities trust us?" to "What are we doing that earns trust?" When trust is treated as an institutional responsibility rather than a personal choice, the burden shifts from communities to the organizations that serve them.

What Keeps Failing After 30 Years Darolyn identifies recurring problems: communities brought in too late in the decision-making process, equity treated as a checkbox, budgets too small for genuine engagement, organizations moving faster than relationships allow, and failure to acknowledge historical harms that shape current perceptions.

The Question Every Public Health Leader Should Ask Before launching any campaign or initiative, Darolyn advises asking: "Who is not at the table?" This simple but profound question forces organizations to identify missing voices and perspectives before making decisions that will impact those very communities.

About This Episode's Guest:

Darolyn Davis is the founder of D&A Communications, an equity-first communications agency that has spent three decades specializing in public health, education, transportation, and workforce development. Her work focuses on authentic community engagement that doesn't just inform communities about decisions already made, but involves them in shaping outcomes. She built her agency on the principle that all people deserve a voice in policies that affect their lives.

Why This Conversation Matters:

Public health professionals, healthcare administrators, policy makers, and community organizers face increasing challenges in building trust and achieving meaningful health outcomes. Misinformation spreads rapidly, historical harms create justified skepticism, and communities increasingly push back against initiatives designed "for them" without "with them."

This episode provides both diagnosis and treatment for broken engagement systems. Whether you're launching a vaccination campaign, developing health policy, running a community health center, or working in any capacity where trust matters, this conversation offers practical wisdom earned through decades of on-the-ground experience.

Connect with Darolyn Davis: Website: https://davisimpact.com/

About The Healthy Project Podcast: The Healthy Project Podcast brings you conversations with leaders, innovators, and changemakers in public health who are transforming how we approach community health, equity, and wellbeing.

Host: Corey Dion Lewis

Show Notes

Episode Summary: Darolyn Davis, founder of D&A Communications with 30 years of equity-focused communication experience, reveals why most community engagement efforts fail and shares the six-year journey it took to build trust for a $62 million community facility in San Francisco's Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood.

Key Topics Covered:

• The policy-making disconnect: Why decisions made without community input fail
• Equity-first communication: Moving from "for communities" to "with communities"
• The distribution vs. relationship problem in public health outreach
• Why communities feel ignored despite official "engagement" efforts
• Trust as institutional responsibility rather than personal choice
• Historical context of healthcare distrust in communities of color
• Healthcare disparities: Black maternal mortality, clinical trial participation, pain treatment
• How to measure engagement impact beyond attendance numbers
• The true cost of superficial community engagement
• Case study: Bayview Hunters Point Southeast Community Facility
• What keeps failing after three decades in the field
• How quickly trust can be lost versus how long it takes to build
• Social media's role in spreading both information and misinformation
• The most important question to ask before launching any public health campaign

Notable Statistics Discussed:

• Black women are 3-4 times more likely to die in emergency rooms compared to white women
• Black Americans represent 14% of the U.S. population but only 5-7% of clinical trial participants
• Black patients receive pain treatment approximately 22% less often than white patients
• The Southeast Community Facility project cost: $62 million
• Time investment to build community trust for the facility: 6 years

Featured Case St...

Dr. Kushel shares compelling insights from her three decades of clinical practice and research, revealing how the lack of affordable housing creates impossible situations for healthcare providers trying to treat patients experiencing homelessness. From managing diabetes in a tent to storing insulin without refrigeration, she illustrates why "there is no medicine as powerful as housing."

What You'll Learn:

• Why regions with high homelessness rates are defined by housing affordability, not mental health prevalence
• How structural racism and redlining created the current crisis, with Black Americans 4-5 times overrepresented in homeless populations
• The stark reality: only 36 affordable housing units exist for every 100 extremely low-income households in America
• Why Housing First policies work better than Treatment First approaches, backed by evidence from veteran homelessness reduction
• The hidden homeless population: workers living in cars, college students couch-surfing, and older adults losing housing for the first time
• How the politicization of Housing First policies threatens progress and patient outcomes
• Practical ways healthcare providers can advocate for housing as a health intervention

Key Clinical Insights:

Dr. Kushel explains why treating chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and mental health disorders becomes nearly impossible when patients lack stable housing. She shares real stories from her practice, including a 63-year-old patient who hadn't eaten in four days while fighting eviction, and discusses how readmission penalties unfairly penalize hospitals serving homeless populations.

The Evidence for Housing First:

Learn about the dramatic 85% housing retention rate of Housing First approaches compared to 5-10% success rates of traditional Treatment First models, and why the George W. Bush administration adopted this evidence-based policy. Dr. Kushel also shares findings from California's comprehensive statewide homelessness study, debunking myths about people traveling from other states.

For Medical Professionals:

This episode is essential listening for physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, medical students, residents, community health workers, social workers, case managers, and anyone in healthcare who treats patients experiencing housing instability. Dr. Kushel provides a framework for understanding how to advocate beyond the clinic walls.

About Dr. Margot Kushel:

Dr. Kushel is a physician and researcher who has dedicated her career to understanding and ending homelessness. She directs the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative and the Action Research Center for Health at the University of California, San Francisco. Her research informs policy at local, state, and federal levels.

Resources Mentioned:

• UCSF Benioff Homelessness Initiative: homelessness.ucsf.edu
• California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness
• "There Is No Place" by Brian Goldstone

Episode Takeaway: "There is no medicine as powerful as housing. Homelessness is a housing problem."

Whether you're a healthcare provider frustrated by social determinants of health, a medical student learning about population health, or a community advocate, this conversation will change how you think about the intersection of housing and health.

SHOW NOTES

Episode: Housing as Medicine: Why Homelessness is a Housing Crisis Guest: Dr. Margot Kushel, MD Host: Corey Dion Lewis Category: Medicine Duration: ~49 minutes

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Dr. Margot Kushel, Director of the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, explains why homelessness is fundamentally a housing crisis and how this understanding transforms medical practice and healthcare advocacy.

GUEST BIO

Dr. Margot Kushel, MD

• Practicing General Internist, San Francisco General Hospital (30+ years)
• Director, UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative
• Director, Action Research Center for Health, UCSF
• Leading researcher on homelessness and health outcomes
• Policy advisor at local, state, and federal levels

KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS

[00:00] Introduction: The Housing-Health Connection

[02:00] Homelessness is a Housing Problem

• Why mental health and substance use don't explain geographic variations
• The role of affordable housing shortages
• Comparing high vs. low homelessness regions

[05:00] The Clinical Reality: Hands Tied Behind Our Backs

• Treating diabetes in patients living in tents
• Why standard medical care fails without stable housing
• The frustration of healthcare providers

[08:17] The Numbers: America's Affordable Housing Crisis

• 36 units per 100 extremely low-income households nationally
• San Francisco: 24 units per 100 households
• One million units short

[09:15] "There is No Medicine as Powerful as Housing"

• Using physician voices in policy advocacy
• The limitations of healthcare alone
• Addressing root causes

[13:55] Hospital Readmissions and Housing Instability

• How readmission penalties penalize safety-net hospitals
• Patients discharged to sidewalks
• The need for systemic change

[17:08] Structural Racism and the Homelessness Crisis

• Black Americans: 4-5 times overrepresented
• The legacy of redlining and housing discrimination
• How wealth gaps perpetuate housing instability
• San Francisco example: 5% population, 37% of homeless

[19:28] Historical Context: How Housing Policy Weaponized Race

• Post-WWII home ownership boom
• Redlining and mortgage discrimination
• Intergenerational wealth transfer blocked
• Ongoing discrimination in rental housing

[23:49] The Hidden Homeless Population

• Workers living in cars (Uber drivers, janitors, fast food workers)
• College students experiencing housing insecurity
• The invisible crisis in CSU, UC, and community colleges
• People with addresses who aren't truly housed

[27:17] Older Adults: The Growing Crisis

• Half of single homeless adults are 50+
• 40% experiencing homelessness for first time after age 50
• Bodies breaking down from physical labor
• The eviction-to-homelessness pipeline

[28:14] Clinical Case: The Amoxicillin Story

• Patient in garage without refrigeration
• Antibiotic treatment failure due to housing
• Why "having an address" doesn't mean housed

[29:11] Debunking the Migration Myth

• California study: 90% lost housing in-state
• 75% in the same county<...

In this solo emergency episode, I speak honestly about not having the right words, but choosing to not stay silent. The Healthy Project was created to shine a light on the systems that harm people, and what happened in Minnesota is not just a headline. It is state violence. It is the predictable result of a system built on fear and enforcement.

This episode is about sitting with discomfort, naming what’s happening, and turning awareness into action. I share why immigration enforcement has always been violent, why no human being deserves to die because of documentation status, and what you can do right now to support impacted communities.

We talk about:

• The ICE killings in Minnesota and why this matters to all of us
• How silence protects harmful systems
• The human cost behind immigration enforcement
• Ways you can take action through education, mutual aid, and community support

This is a heavy episode. But it’s a necessary one. You don’t need perfect words to show up. You just need to refuse to look away.

In July 2025, Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act with major Medicaid changes that analysts warn will reduce access for millions.
American Medical Association+1 At the same time, enhanced ACA premium tax credits are set to expire on December 31, 2025, which could raise premiums sharply and leave roughly 4 to 5 million more people uninsured in 2026 without an extension.
KFF+2
Thomson Reuters Tax+2

Sister Mary explains what this means for working families, rural hospitals, emergency departments, and telehealth access. Many Medicare telehealth flexibilities are extended only through January 30, 2026, adding pressure for rural patients and health systems.
telehealth.hhs.gov+1

You will hear:

• How Medicaid cuts and expiring ACA subsidies collide
• Why rural communities face higher risk
• What happens to EDs when coverage drops
• Why telehealth policy still feels temporary
• What Congress must do now
• How you can take action beyond awareness

Show Notes
 0:00 – Welcome and why this episode matters right now
 2:10 – What changed with Medicaid in July 2025
American Medical Association+1
6:30 – The ACA subsidy deadline and what families are seeing in open enrollment
KFF+1
11:20 – The size of the coverage risk for 2026
Thomson Reuters Tax+1
16:10 – Why rural markets and lower incomes create a sharper cliff
20:40 – Hospital strain, closures, and service reductions
25:15 – Emergency departments as the fallback system
29:50 – Telehealth lessons from COVID and what the January 30, 2026 deadline means
telehealth.hhs.gov+1
34:10 – Healthcare as dignity and economic justice
38:25 – What Congress can do immediately
41:30 – What you can do as a citizen and advocate
45:00 – Closing and where to learn more

Guest
 Sister Mary Haddad, RSM
 President & CEO, Catholic Health Association of the United States

Resources

Related Episode
 June 2025 – Medicaid at a Crossroads: A Conversation with Sr. Mary Haddad (Part 1)

Call to action
 Follow The Healthy Project Podcast on Apple Podcasts.
 Share this episode with one person who cares about coverage, rural health, and health equity.

Key points covered
• How clinicians use AI during real-world visits
• Measurable time savings in documentation
• Data privacy and HIPAA/GDPR compliance
• Effects on clinician burnout and emotional fatigue
• Future applications of AI in public health and care settings
• Skills health professionals need as tech advances

Why it matters
• You see how AI tools shape medical decision-making and patient engagement
• You get insight into how tech adoption fits into social systems and workplace culture
• You hear practical examples that support ongoing conversations in public health and social science

Think about this
• How does technology influence trust in the patient-provider relationship?
• What skills will workers need as AI expands in healthcare?
• What policies should protect patients and providers as these tools grow?

Listen and reflect on how innovation, behavior, culture, and care systems interact.

Resources Mentioned:

• Website: https://www.keikku.health/
• Connect with Jhonatan: LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter/X
• Physician burnout research

Stay Connected & Support the Show:
Want to keep up with conversations like this that challenge the status quo and center community voices? Sign up for The Healthy Project newsletter at www.healthyproject.co for exclusive insights, resources, and updates you won't want to miss.

Love what you're hearing? Support independent podcasting that prioritizes truth over trends. Join THP+ for just $5/month and get bonus content, early access to episodes, and the satisfaction of knowing you're fueling more conversations that matter.
Visit www.healthyproject.co to subscribe and support today.

You will hear:

• Why fast brand shifts can damage credibility
• What authentic community engagement requires
• How to talk about equity for all communities without creating a zero-sum story
• What leaders can protect when the environment turns hostile
• A practical path to rebuilding trust through process, not slogans

This episode is for health equity leaders, communicators, and community partners who want strategy that keeps values and trust intact.

Show Notes
 0:00 – The post that sparked the conversation and the trust problem
 3:10 – The pressure behind rapid language changes
 5:29 – Why speed sent the wrong signal
 8:18 – Who exited the work and what that reveals
 9:09 – Why equity messaging became more contested in 2025
 11:25 – Equity for all communities and why that framing matters
 13:10 – The myth that equity creates winners and losers
 16:30 – The burden of bridge-building and a fresh way to share it
 18:09 – What should stay non-negotiable in public messaging
 19:00 – Core principles for real community engagement
 22:01 – How to begin partnerships by listening first
 24:43 – The internal systems that make engagement real
 27:57 – Public opinion signals that point to shared ground
 31:49 – Example of cross-community relationship building
 32:14 – Health justice as a practice that treats process as the outcome

Key Resources Mentioned

Guest Bio
 Dr. Philip Alberti is the founding director of the AAMC Center for Health Justice. He focuses on community engagement, health equity research, and policy change, with an emphasis on partnerships that respect community expertise.

Support the Show
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In this powerful conversation, Dr. Rust reveals the structural inequities, racial health gaps, and preventable suffering he's witnessed throughout his career in medicine and public health. He shares hard-won lessons about earning trust in marginalized communities, navigating cultural competency challenges, and building coalitions for systemic change in American healthcare.

THE REAL COST OF HEALTH INEQUITY: Research shows that eliminating the Black-white gap in health outcomes would save 83,000 lives annually. In Atlanta alone, closing premature death rates between Black and white populations would restore 43,000 person-years of life every year to Black communities. These aren't just statistics—they represent grandmother-years, wisdom-years, and family-years lost to needless suffering caused by barriers to healthcare access, discrimination in medicine, and social determinants of health.

KEY TOPICS IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why health disparities persist in American healthcare and how systemic racism drives preventable deaths
• The concept of "trust adjacency" and how healthcare providers earn trust in communities of color
• What 40 years serving underserved populations taught one doctor about cultural humility and respect in medicine
• How COVID-19 exposed America's public health vulnerabilities and political interference in science
• The difference between "me all vs. we all" – individual autonomy versus community responsibility in public health
• Real stories of needless suffering: from the $500 hand surgery barrier to cervical cancer from lack of pap smears
• Lessons from Morehouse School of Medicine, Dr. David Satcher, and Dr. Louis Sullivan on health justice
• Why respect matters more than you think in clinical settings and the "Lou Sullivan name tag" story
• The Tallahassee measles case and what happens when ideology trumps evidence-based medicine
• How to avoid physician burnout while fighting for social justice and health equity
• Building coalitions and community partnerships for sustainable systemic change

ABOUT DR. GEORGE RUST: Dr. Rust is a public health physician and professor at Florida State University with over 40 years of experience in community health, health policy, and medical education. His career spans Cook County Hospital in Chicago, the Farmworker Health Association in rural Florida, and 25 years at Morehouse School of Medicine, where he worked alongside public health legends Dr. David Satcher (former U.S. Surgeon General) and Dr. Louis Sullivan (founding president of Morehouse School of Medicine and former Secretary of Health and Human Services).

His new book, "Healing in a Changing America: Doctoring a Nation of Needless Suffering" (Johns Hopkins University Press), examines how America's healthcare system creates preventable suffering through structural inequities, racial discrimination, and barriers to healthcare access. The book offers a roadmap for achieving health justice and eliminating health disparities across race, class, and geography.

WHY THIS MATTERS NOW: America is undergoing demographic transformation into a multicultural, pluralistic democracy, yet health inequities continue to widen. With political polarization affecting public health policy, attacks on diversity initiatives in medical education, and ongoing debates about vaccine mandates, quarantine protocols, and government intervention in healthcare, this conversation offers critical insights for healthcare professionals, policy makers, community organizers, and anyone committed to social justice.

Dr. Rust shares practical strategies for cross-cultural healthcare delivery, building trust with patients from different backgrounds, working within broken systems while advocating for reform, and maintaining resilience as a health equity advocate. His perspective combines clinical experience, public health expertise, academic leadership, and lived experience navigating racism in medicine as a white ally working in predominantly Black and Latino communities.

QUOTABLE MOMENTS: "You don't come into communities carrying trust with you. You have to earn it." "83,000 lives could be saved annually just by eliminating the Black-white health gap." "It's what Fitzhugh Mullen called tin cup medicine: 'Now please sir, may I have some healthcare?'" "Would you rather deal with having somebody not go to work for two weeks, or would you rather be explaining to the public why you let a measles outbreak happen?"

CONNECT WITH DR. RUST: Email: george.rust@med.fsu.edu
Book: "Healing in a Changing America" available on Amazon and Johns Hopkins University Press

ABOUT THE HEALTHY PROJECT: The Healthy Project Podcast explores the intersection of health, equity, and justice through conversations with leaders transforming healthcare and public health. Host Corey Dion Lewis brings you stories of systemic change, health advocacy, and the fight for health justice in America.

Subscribe for weekly episodes on health equity, racial justice in healthcare, public health policy, community health, and social determinants of health.

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Free Newsletter: Stay updated on new episodes and health equity resources at healthyproject.co

Corey Dion Lewis is joined by Pamela Rowe, MA, CCC-SLP, and Dr. Lauren Ramsey to unpack the barriers that shape early hearing care and where teleaudiology can improve access.

You will hear:

• How health literacy, transportation, and mistrust delay early care
• How policy and insurance shape pediatric hearing access
• Why trusted relationships drive long-term engagement
• Where teleaudiology fits and where it does not
• Practical steps providers, advocates, and policymakers can take now

This episode is for professionals and advocates working in maternal and child health, health policy, early intervention, and community-based care.

Show Notes
 0:00 – Welcome and why early hearing care is a health equity issue
 1:10 – Meet Pamela Rowe and Dr. Lauren Ramsey
 3:00 – The current landscape of early hearing care access
 5:20 – Health literacy gaps and family navigation challenges
 8:10 – Transportation and time barriers for follow-up visits
 11:00 – Medical mistrust and why relationships matter
 14:30 – Insurance and policy drivers of access
 18:00 – What teleaudiology can solve for families
 21:10 – Limits of virtual care and where in-person still leads
 24:00 – Building culturally responsive systems and workflows
 27:10 – Action steps for providers
 30:00 – Action steps for policymakers and advocates
 33:00 – What success looks like for infants and families
 35:10 – Closing and how to connect

About the Guests
 Pamela Rowe, MA, CCC-SLP

• Speech-language pathologist, public health consultant, and advocate for equitable access to communication services
• Founder of a private practice serving diverse populations

Dr. Lauren Ramsey

• Public health researcher and consultant with 20+ years of experience in maternal and child health, health equity, and disparities in care access

Links and Resources
Connect with Pamela Rowe on LinkedIn  
Connect with Dr. Lauren Ramsey on LinkedIn  
Contact: hello@healthyprojectmedia.com  
Join the movement: healthyproject.co  
Follow The Healthy Project Podcast on Apple Podcasts.
 Share this episode with one person working in maternal and child health or early intervention.

We explore why oral health must be recognized as a core social driver of health, the connection between oral disease and chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes, and the ripple effects that poor access to dental care can have on individuals, families, and the economy. Pam also offers valuable insights for health tech innovators on how to build equity into products from the ground up.

📌 Sponsored by GRIN – Learn more at https://www.get-grin.com/

Shownotes:
00:00 – Introduction & Welcome
00:45 – Meet Pam Orrin & the GRIN Mission
03:15 – Why Oral Health is Overlooked in Health Tech
06:35 – The Global Oral Health Crisis
09:00 – Early GRIN Impact Stories in Underserved Communities
12:20 – The Link Between Oral Health & Full Body Health
14:30 – Why Oral Health is a Social Determinant of Health
17:10 – Economic & Social Ripple Effects of Poor Oral Care
19:40 – Absenteeism, Malnutrition, and Hidden Impacts
23:30 – Building Equity into Product Design
25:15 – Serving Digitally Excluded Communities
26:40 – Measuring Equity, Efficiency & Behavioral Change
31:20 – Reducing Health System Burden
34:10 – Making Care Efficient for Patients & Providers
36:05 – Uplifting Communities Through Health Technology
38:25 – The Future of Digital Oral Health
43:20 – Advice for Health Tech Innovators
44:12 – How to Connect with GRIN
46:52 – Closing Thoughts

Together, they explore how cultural humility, lived experience, and community input must shape our systems of care, and why staying committed to the work matters now more than ever.

Follow and subscribe to The Healthy Project Podcast for more conversations that push health equity forward.

🔗 For health information and resources, visit:
www.healthyproject.co

📌 Shownotes:
00:00 – Welcome and intro to Stacy Wells
01:10 – Stacy’s shift from PR to education to public health
03:45 – Minnesota’s persistent disparities in education and health
06:30 – The intersection of youth education and healthcare systems
09:15 – Supporting individuals with complex behavioral health needs
13:30 – Why cultural humility matters in direct care
18:00 – Including lived experience in designing care
22:15 – When community feedback challenges systems
28:00 – Speaking truth in professional spaces
30:50 – DEI backlash and its toll
36:15 – Holding space for joy and rest as a Black woman in the work
42:00 – Why staying curious and connected is key
43:30 – Final thoughts and how to connect with Stacy Wells

📌 Show Notes:

• Introduction to Sister Mary Haddad and her role at CHA (00:33)
• Overview of Medicaid and why it's essential (02:48)
• Details on proposed funding cuts and their potential impact (04:50)
• The urgency of the moment and why it matters now (08:51)
• Who is most at risk from these changes (10:53)
• Consequences for emergency rooms and healthcare access (12:23)
• Discussion on work requirements and policy misconceptions (13:07)
• Effects on state governments and local economies (15:30)
• Broader societal impact beyond Medicaid recipients (16:30)
• Consequences for healthcare providers and Catholic health systems (19:13)
• CHA’s advocacy efforts and how citizens can get involved (23:44)
• A message of hope and community resilience (27:36)
• Where to learn more and take action (29:48)

In this episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, Corey Dion Lewis breaks down the true meaning of preventative health and why it matters. From early screenings to lifestyle changes, Corey explains how staying ahead of illness can save money, boost energy, and extend your life.

We cover:

• What counts as preventative care
• How early detection works
• Why prevention puts you in control of your health
• Simple steps you can take today

This isn’t about reacting. It’s about being ready.

Subscribe, rate, and share with someone who needs a reminder to book that checkup.

In this episode, you’ll hear:
 • Why group support is often more effective than one-on-one therapy
 • How Mental Happy empowers both participants and providers
 • The cultural and structural gaps in mental health care
 • Why more therapists are shifting to cash-based models
 • How virtual communities are breaking down stigma in Black mental health spaces

Whether you’re a provider, peer specialist, or just someone looking for emotional support, you’ll gain insights into what true community healing can look like.

Guest:

Tamar Blue
Founder & CEO, Mental Happy
Website: https://www.mentalhappy.com

Social Media Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamarlucienblue/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mentalhappy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mentalhappyhumans
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livementalhappy
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mentalhappyinc

Learn more about the Freedom of Expression Project here: https://www.foeproject.com/

Sadie shares how drawing, painting, origami, and glitter have become more than just hobbies—they’re her tools for healing, self-expression, and emotional strength. She talks about the power of community, her dream to open an inclusive art studio, and how creativity gives people a sense of purpose and belonging.

This episode is part of our collaboration with the Freedom of Expression Project, highlighting voices that use art for emotional resilience and empowerment.

🎨 Topics Covered:

• Art therapy and mental health
• Overcoming anxiety through creativity
• Building community through self-expression
• The role of faith and support systems
• Finding purpose through art

🔗 Learn more about the Freedom of Expression Project and how you can support inclusive creative spaces in the video description.

#mentalhealth #arttherapy #creativeexpression #freedomofexpression #belonging #anxietyrelief #healthypodcast #publichealth #youthempowerment #healingthroughart #communitysupport

Topics: type 1 diabetes, diabetes education, community health workers, healthcare access, health equity, social determinants of health, American Diabetes Association, chronic disease management, public health policy, Black health equity, Healthy Project Podcast

Whether you're a public health professional, community advocate, or just passionate about food justice and health equity, this episode offers a powerful and personal perspective on turning food swamps into food sanctuaries.

Show Notes:

• What is a food swamp and how does it differ from a food desert?
• Real-life stories from Corey’s work as a safety net health coach
• How systemic barriers and zoning laws impact food access
• The link between food environments and chronic disease
• Exploring the intersection of food insecurity, fast food, and public health
• Solutions: from urban farming and farmers markets to nutrition education and local policy reform
• Why tackling food apartheid is about more than food—it's about justice and equity
• Actionable steps to support low-income communities in accessing healthier food options
• The role of Social Determinants of Health in shaping Long-term wellbeing

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thehealthyproject

📢 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode to keep the conversation around community health and equity going.

You will hear:

• How AI can strengthen the therapeutic alliance
• Where bias and privacy risks show up in AI mental health tools
• What therapists should look for when evaluating platforms
• How AI may improve access in rural communities
• What it takes to build trust in digital mental health

This episode is for clinicians, public health leaders, founders, and anyone tracking the future of mental health equity and ethical AI.

Try Opal AI
 For therapists: heyopal.com
 Free AI chat: chat.heyopal.com

Clinician offer
 40% off your first year + 1 month free
 Code: PODCAST

Show Notes
 0:01 – Welcome to The Healthy Project Podcast
 0:46 – Meet Cole Smith and the mission behind Opal
 1:43 – Why the therapeutic alliance still leads the work
 2:09 – Privacy, bias, and trust in AI-powered therapy
 3:21 – Why resistance to AI is growing and what’s driving it
 4:35 – Balancing automation with real human connection
 6:52 – How AI can help therapists understand patterns and needs
 8:30 – Rural access and where AI can close gaps
 9:54 – Cost barriers and the fragmented mental health tech landscape
 11:29 – The therapist search problem and communication gaps
 14:29 – How clinicians can use AI without fear-led decision making
 17:43 – How to evaluate platforms for privacy and compliance
 19:08 – What Opal is building next
 21:11 – Where to find Cole Smith and Opal resources

Guest
 Cole Smith
 Founder of Opal AI

Resources & Links

Call to action
 Follow The Healthy Project Podcast on Apple Podcasts.
 Share this episode with one therapist or leader exploring ethical AI in mental health.

You will hear:

• The difference between health equity and health justice
• How racism gets baked into clinical decision tools
• Why structural barriers keep disparities in place
• What it takes to remove race-based algorithms
• A real example of change tied to kidney transplant access
• How you can advocate for health justice in your role

This episode is for public health leaders, clinicians, and advocates who want clear language and practical action.

Episode Chapters
 0:00 - Introduction
 0:37 - Meet Dr. Seun Ross
 1:48 - Defining health justice and how it differs from health equity
 4:01 - Layers of inequity and structural barriers
 6:21 - Why well-intended programs fall short
 8:24 - Why addressing social determinants alone is not enough
 10:51 - Race in medicine as a structural barrier
 12:20 - Removing race from clinical guidelines
 15:10 - What changed after removing race-based algorithms
 17:02 - Why multidisciplinary teams matter
 19:50 - Advocacy in 2025 and staying effective
 21:46 - Health equity, law, and protections
 23:31 - What Dr. Ross is building next
 25:09 - Closing and how to connect

Resources & Links
Connect with Dr. Seun Ross on LinkedIn  
Learn more about the Encoding Equity Alliance  

Connect with Me
Website: https://www.coreydionlewis.com/  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreydionlewis/  
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreydlewis/  

You will hear:

• How mobile healthcare brings care to workers where they are
• What heat stress and pesticide safety training should look like
• Why community health workers are central to trust and outcomes
• How partnerships expand screening and prevention
• What organizations can do when immigration policy shifts increase fear and barriers

This conversation centers health equity in the working lives that keep communities fed.

Show Notes
 0:01 – Welcome and episode setup
 0:24 – Why this conversation connects to My City My Health questions
 1:02 – Meet Daniel Zinnel and the mission of Proteus
 2:32 – The organization’s full wraparound model beyond healthcare
 4:25 – Heat stress, pesticide exposure, and safety training that saves lives
 6:02 – The mobile care approach and what makes it effective
 7:18 – Why farmworker health is a public health priority
 9:25 – Meeting the needs of immigrant communities with culturally responsive care
 17:29 – Translators and AI in care and where human trust still matters most
 22:51 – Supporting communities when fear and deportation concerns rise
 30:02 – Cancer prevention and screening access for underserved groups
 32:40 – Partnerships that increase reach and improve outcomes
 35:41 – Daniel’s personal connection to the mission
 38:40 – Closing and how to connect with Proteus

Links and Resources

Learn more about Proteus: ProteusInc.net  
Follow Proteus on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube  
Connect with Daniel Zinnel on LinkedIn  

Follow The Healthy Project Podcast on Apple Podcasts.
 Share this episode with one person who cares about farmworker health and health equity.

You will hear:

• What aversive, structural, and overt racism look like in healthcare
• Why diabetes disparities persist and what the data shows
• How bias shows up in real clinical moments
• What systems can change now to improve outcomes and trust

This episode connects health equity, diabetes prevention, and community-driven solutions with a clear focus on action.

Show Notes
 0:00 – Introduction and welcome
 2:15 – Dr. Julian Lee’s work and why health equity drives him
 3:42 – How racism impacts diabetes outcomes in African Americans
 5:38 – Losing his father and the path to advocacy
 8:57 – Moving from awareness to action
 10:25 – Helping people care and respond with responsibility
 15:20 – Aversive, structural, and overt racism in healthcare
 20:06 – The curb cut effect and why equity helps everyone
 29:18 – Bias and stereotyping in clinical interactions
 33:03 – Structural changes that create accountability
 36:27 – Mistrust, history, and today’s realities
 40:49 – Key takeaways on diabetes disparities in Sioux City
 43:44 – Closing thoughts and how to connect with Dr. Lee

Learn More About Healthy Project Media

Website: https://www.healthyproject.co/  
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thehealthyproject  

Follow The Healthy Project Podcast and share this episode with one person who cares about health equity and diabetes outcomes.

Jenifer shares actionable insights on how to navigate the healthcare system, what hospitals and policymakers can do to alleviate medical debt, and how civic engagement can empower individuals to demand change. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand the deep-rooted complexities of medical debt and what can be done to bring about health equity and financial relief.

Show Notes:

00:00 - Intro: Corey welcomes listeners and introduces the topic of medical debt and its impact on underserved communities.
01:14 - Guest Introduction: Meet Jenifer Bosco, Senior Attorney at the National Consumer Law Center, who shares her work on financial and medical debt advocacy.
02:35 - Causes of Medical Debt: Jenifer explains the common causes of medical debt, from rising healthcare costs to lack of insurance and high out-of-pocket expenses.
05:22 - Impact of Medical Debt on Access to Healthcare: Discussing how the fear of medical bills can prevent people from seeking necessary healthcare services.
07:39 - The Role of Healthcare Systems: Jenifer talks about what hospitals can do to reduce the burden of medical debt, including financial assistance programs and better debt collection practices.
10:18 - Importance of Financial Assistance Policies: Understanding the need for more accessible and transparent financial aid options for low-income patients.
15:47 - The Role of Insurance Companies: Corey and Jenifer discuss how underinsurance and high-deductible health plans contribute to medical debt, and the role of expanding Medicaid.
19:33 - Empowering Communities: Civic engagement strategies to help communities advocate for better healthcare policies and protections from medical debt collection.
24:03 - The Future of Medical Debt Reform: Jenifer shares her perspective on how ongoing reforms and consumer protection laws can shape a more equitable healthcare system.
25:22 - How to Connect: Resources and contact information for Jenifer Bosco and the NCLC for those looking to learn more or get involved.

Resources Mentioned:

• Jenifer Bosco on LinkedIn
• NCLC on Facebook
• Twitter: @nclc4consumers
• NCLC Website
• NCLC’s Medical Debt Resources
• NCLC’s Model Medical Debt Protection Act

Stay Connected!

If you enjoyed this episode and want to stay up to date with all things health, wellness, and public health advocacy, make sure to follow me on social media:

• X (formerly Twitter): @CoreyDionLewis
• Facebook: Health Coach Lew
• Instagram: @CoreyDionLewis
• LinkedIn: Corey Dion Lewis
• TikTok: @CoreyDionLewis
• Website: CoreyDionLewis.com

Learn how we can fight for clean air, health equity, and climate justice. Don't miss this call to action!

Chapters: 
00:00 - Introduction: Ella's Story and Climate Change
01:18 - Ella Roberta Kissi-Debrah: The Devastating Impact of Air Pollution
03:14 - The Legal Breakthrough: Air Pollution as a Cause of Death
05:20 - Air Pollution's Disproportionate Effect on Vulnerable Communities
06:10 - Solutions: Addressing Air Pollution Systematically
08:18 - Closing Thoughts: Advocacy and Action for Clean Air

Check out the 2022 episode with Marisol Iglesias-Gonzalez on the health impacts of climate change

Stay Connected!

If you enjoyed this episode and want to stay up to date with all things health, wellness, and public health advocacy, make sure to follow me on social media:

• X (formerly Twitter): @CoreyDionLewis
• Facebook: Health Coach Lew
• Instagram: @CoreyDionLewis
• LinkedIn: Corey Dion Lewis
• TikTok: @CoreyDionLewis
• Website: CoreyDionLewis.com

Follow me for insights, updates, and tips on health equity, mental wellness, and more! Let’s keep the conversation going!

Subscribe for more content on health equity, climate change, and public health!
#AirPollution #HealthEquity #ClimateJustice #CleanAir #EllaRobertaKissiDebrah

Learn about the importance of PSA tests, breaking the silence around men’s health, and actionable steps for early diagnosis and better outcomes. If you care about men’s health, health equity, and cancer prevention, this episode is a must-listen!

Show Notes:

00:00 – Introduction to Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Corey introduces the topic of prostate cancer awareness, especially its impact on Black men, and welcomes guest Kris Bennett.

02:15 – Meet Kris Bennett from Movember
Kris shares his background in public health, basketball, and his journey into health equity initiatives.

05:30 – Why Black Men Are at Higher Risk for Prostate Cancer
A deep dive into the statistics and systemic factors that disproportionately affect Black men when it comes to prostate cancer diagnosis and outcomes.

09:00 – Cultural Barriers: Why Aren’t We Talking About It?
Kris discusses the cultural stigmas and barriers that prevent open conversations about prostate health, especially in underserved communities.

12:45 – Breaking Down Barriers to Accessing Healthcare
The conversation shifts to the challenges Black men face in accessing quality healthcare and the need for building trust with providers.

16:30 – The Importance of PSA Testing for Early Detection
Learn about the PSA test, why it’s critical for early diagnosis, and how Black men can advocate for themselves in healthcare settings.

20:15 – Movember’s Prostate Cancer Health Equity Initiative
Kris shares details about Movember’s groundbreaking initiatives aimed at reducing prostate cancer disparities and improving outcomes for men of color.

26:00 – Call to Action: Steps You Can Take
Corey and Kris discuss actionable steps listeners can take to support prostate cancer awareness, including getting screened and having important conversations about men’s health.

31:00 – How to Connect with Kris Bennett and Learn More About Movember
Closing remarks with information on how to reach out to Kris Bennett and get involved with Movember’s health equity initiatives.

Show Notes:

Episode Highlights:

• What healthcare access really means (03:12)
• The five dimensions of healthcare access (05:01)
• How lack of access contributes to health disparities (08:40)
• Real-world examples, including Black maternal health (12:25)
• Solutions: What can be done to improve access? (16:10)
• Actionable steps for healthcare professionals (19:35)

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

1. Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) Data on Uninsured Rates by Race

2. Commonwealth Fund Report on Healthcare Debt and Avoidance

3. CDC Report on Preventable Maternal Deaths

4. World Health Organization’s (WHO) Five Dimensions of Healthcare Access

5. Affordable Care Act (ACA) Impact on Marginalized Populations

6. Role of Community Health Workers in Expanding Healthcare Access

7. Telehealth Expansion and Its Potential to Reduce Health Disparities

Don’t just listen—take action! Whether you're working in policy, healthcare, or advocacy, find one area where you can influence access to care. Share this episode with colleagues, subscribe for more health equity insights, and check out the resources for deeper dives into the research we’ve covered.

Connect with Us:

• Follow Corey on Instagram: @coreydionlewis
• Subscribe to The Healthy Project Podcast for more episodes
• Visit our website: www.healthyproject.co
• Subscribe to the newsletter for health equity updates and more: Subscribe here

Leave Us a Review!
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners passionate about health equity!

Get inspired by Coach Melody's wisdom and learn how small changes in daily habits can significantly impact the lives of children and families. Let’s get active, eat well, and combat childhood obesity together!

🔔 Subscribe for more health equity conversations and tips!

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction
02:00 - Coach Melody's background and passion for wellness
04:12 - Alarming childhood obesity statistics
07:10 - The impact of school meals on childhood obesity
10:25 - Balancing healthy eating with limited resources
12:35 - Physical activity and its mental health benefits
15:00 - Practical tips for families to stay active together
17:12 - FamFun3K: The movement to fight childhood obesity
19:30 - How to join the FamFun3K and stay connected with Coach Melody

Stay connected with Coach Melody:
Website: https://www.unwrapyou.com/
Facebook
Instagram
Linkedin
YouTube

Stay Connected with The Healthy Project:

• Subscribe to our newsletter for updates: The Healthy Project Newsletter
• Follow us on social media for the latest episodes and health tips.

#HealthyProjectPodcast #ChildhoodObesity #FamFun3K #Wellness #Nutrition #PhysicalActivity #HealthEquity

Don’t miss this thought-provoking episode and subscribe to The Healthy Project for more health disparities and equity insights.

Key Topics Covered:

• Introduction to Ethical Community Engagement: What it is and why it’s crucial for health justice.
• Shared Power in Research: Moving from a researcher-subject dichotomy to a partnership model.
• Building Community Trust: Strategies for researchers to earn and maintain trust within communities.
• Data Diversity & Representation: The impact of diverse data on research outcomes and health policy.
• Challenges in Public Health Research: Addressing the difficulties of connecting with underrepresented groups.
• Health Equity vs. Health Justice: Understanding the difference and why both are essential.
• Policy Impact on Health Outcomes: How data can be used to influence health policy and create equitable health systems.
• The Intersection of Physical Activity & Health Justice: Dr. Johnson’s personal story of how powerlifting ties into her work in health equity.
• Final Thoughts & Call to Action: Encouraging listeners to engage with The Healthy Project and stay connected with Dr. Ebony Johnson.

Connect with Dr. Ebony Johnson:

• LinkedIn: Ebony DJ
• Website

Stay Connected with The Healthy Project:

• Subscribe to our newsletter for updates: The Healthy Project Newsletter
• Follow us on social media for the latest episodes and health tips.

Chapter Markers:

• 0:00 - Introduction
• 1:00 - What is Ethical Community Engagement?
• 3:45 - The Importance of Shared Power in Research
• 7:15 - Building Trust Between Communities and Researchers
• 10:40 - Challenges in Data Diversity and Representation
• 15:00 - Partnering with Organizations for Better Health Outcomes
• 20:15 - Health Equity vs. Health Justice
• 24:30 - The Role of Policy in Health Equity
• 29:00 - Intersection of Powerlifting and Health Justice
• 33:00 - How to Connect with Dr. Ebony Johnson
• 34:00 - Subscribe to The Healthy Project

Episode Resources:

• Social Determinants of Health
• Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)
• Health Equity Tools

Support: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with your network. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Healthy Project for more discussions on health equity, public health, and community engagement.

Contact Us:

• Website: The Healthy Project
• Email: podcast@healthyprojectmedia.com

💡 Register for the My City My Health Conference on November 15th to engage in meaningful discussions about health equity, mental health, and more! Learn more and sign up at www.mycity.health.

Chapter Markers:

00:00 - Introduction to the Healthy Project Podcast
00:30 - Meet Paula Bell aka Ninja P: Her Mission & Journey 
02:00 - The Disconnect Between Corporate Wellness and Health Equity 
03:35 - The Impact of Stress and Anxiety in the Workplace 
05:05 - Holistic Approaches to Employee Well-being
08:04 - Mental Health in Corporate Culture: Real-Life Experiences 
12:09 - Addressing Fear of Retaliation in the Workplace 
14:26 - The Consequences of Ignoring Mental Health
17:26 - Shifting Corporate Culture: Where to Start 19:14 - The Role of Vision and Accountability in Cultural Change 
21:26 - Wellness for Underserved Communities: The Collaboration Between Big and Small Businesses 
26:29 - My City, My Health Conference: What to Expect
29:12 - How to Connect with Paula Bell (Ninja P) 
29:42 - Call to Action: Register for My City My Health Conference

💪 Don’t miss out on this year’s My City My Health Conference on November 15th! Secure your spot now at www.mycity.health and be part of the movement towards greater health equity.

In this episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, we sit down with Kenya Caledon Ceron, a passionate advocate for immigrant rights and mental health services. Kenya shares her powerful personal story of overcoming childhood trauma, receiving a PTSD diagnosis, and navigating the unique barriers that immigrants face in accessing mental health care. She discusses the intersection of cultural competency, religion, and mental health, and the importance of systemic change to serve immigrant communities in Iowa better.

Join us as we explore Kenya’s journey from trauma to advocacy, her legislative work to protect immigrant rights, and her advice for those struggling to find the right mental health support. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in mental health, immigration, and social justice.

Show Notes:

• 00:00 - Introduction
  Brooklyn Lowry welcomes listeners to The Healthy Project Podcast and introduces the guest, Kenya Caledon Ceron.
• 02:00 - Kenya’s Immigration Journey
  Kenya shares her experience migrating to the U.S. at 11 years old and how it impacted her mental health.
• 06:00 - The PTSD Diagnosis
  Discussing the significance of receiving a PTSD diagnosis and how it helped Kenya understand her experiences.
• 10:30 - Barriers to Therapy
  The cultural, religious, and linguistic challenges that immigrants face in accessing mental health care.
• 15:00 - The Importance of Cultural Competency
  Kenya highlights the need for healthcare providers to understand the cultural context of their immigrant patients.
• 20:00 - Advocacy and Legislative Work
  Kenya explains her involvement in Iowa’s legislative process to protect immigrant communities and promote mental health services.
• 24:00 - Mentorship and Policy Education
  How Kenya became knowledgeable about state policies and her advice for others interested in advocacy.
• 28:00 - Current Projects and Future Goals
  Kenya shares what she’s currently working on and her hopes for the future of immigrant rights and mental health.
• 30:00 - Closing Remarks
  Brooklyn thanks Kenya for her insights and encourages listeners to get involved in advocacy.

Register for the My City My Health Conference
Don’t miss out on this year’s My City My Health Conference! Register now at www.mycity.health to join the conversation on health equity and advocacy.

Jazzmine shares her incredible journey from Southside Chicago to becoming pivotal in Iowa's health community. She discusses her role at the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative, her non-profit Jai Olive Wellness, and her work in food security through the Double Up Food Bucks program.

Episode Description:

In this episode guest host Brooklyn Lowry interviews Jazzmine Brooks, a certified doula and Black maternal health advocate. Jazzmine shares her personal and professional journey, shedding light on the critical issues facing Black mothers and families. She talks about her work with J Olive Wellness, the impact of Black maternal mortality, and the importance of community support and education.

Listen in as Jazzmine discusses:

• Her experiences navigating mental health and healthcare in a predominantly white rural area.
• The transformative power of her training as a doula and the significance of cutting her hair as a form of personal reckoning.
• The challenges and triumphs of starting Jai Olive Wellness and providing resources to underserved communities.
• Her miscarriage experience and the impact of restrictive abortion laws on Black women’s health.
• The importance of increasing the presence of Black doulas and training them to support diverse communities.
• The broader social determinants affecting maternal health, including access to healthy food, safe housing, and quality childcare.

Join us for this compelling conversation and gain valuable insights into the complexities of Black maternal health and the steps needed to create a more equitable healthcare system.

Don't miss the My City My Health Des Moines Conference on November 15th. Get your tickets now at www.mycity.health.

Thank You:

A special thank you to our presenting sponsor, UnityPoint Health, for supporting this episode and the My City My Health Conference. Your dedication to community health and wellness makes this important work possible.

Tune in, subscribe, and be part of the movement towards health equity and empowerment for all.

Get tickets for this year's My City My Health event to see more panels like this! Visit www.mycity.health for tickets and event details.

Chapter Markers:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:38 Guest Introduction: Maria Torres
• 01:13 Defining Health Equity
• 02:20 Personal Experiences with Mental Health
• 05:01 Advocating for Mental Health in Underserved Communities
• 07:21 Reducing Stigma in Immigrant Communities
• 08:44 Shifting Perspectives on Mental Health
• 10:28 Advice for Public Health Professionals
• 13:03 Importance of Collaboration
• 13:58 Closing Remarks

Connect with Corey Dion Lewis:

LinkedIn

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Thank you to our presenting sponsor UnityPoint Health. Learn more at www.unitypoint.org. 

🔔 Subscribe for more health equity insights: YouTube
👍 If you enjoyed this video, please give it a thumbs up and share it with others!

Chapter Markers:
0:00 Introduction
2:15 Dr. Sandra Ford's Background and Journey
5:45 Understanding Social Determinants of Health (SDoH)
10:30 The Impact of SDoH on Community Health
14:50 Strategies for Addressing Health Disparities
20:10 The Role of Healthcare Providers in Promoting Health Equity
25:35 Policy Changes Needed to Support SDoH Initiatives
30:00 Success Stories and Positive Outcomes
35:45 Future Vision for Health Equity
40:20 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Resources
The U.S. Playbook to Address Social Determinants of Health

Connect with Dr. Sandra Ford
LinkedIn.

Connect with Corey Dion Lewis:

LinkedIn

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Bettina shares her journey and the significant strides being made to ensure independent and private voting for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. She delves into the challenges these voters face, the importance of technological solutions, and the advocacy efforts required to bring about legislative changes.

Discover how accessible voting is not only a matter of convenience but a crucial aspect of health equity and civic engagement. Bettina also highlights her work in digital accessibility and her mission to make voting and other everyday activities more inclusive.

Key Topics Covered:

• The Accessible Absentee Ballot Voting Bill
• Technological solutions for secure and independent voting
• Overcoming misconceptions and trust issues in the voting process
• Strategies for effective advocacy and legislative change
• Bettina’s broader efforts in promoting digital accessibility and community education

Tune in for an inspiring discussion on the intersection of accessibility, technology, and social justice. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in health equity, voting rights, and the empowerment of disabled communities.

Connect with Bettina Dolinsek:

• Website: ICUBLIND.org
• For more details, contact Corey Dion Lewis for Bettina’s personal information.

Follow The Healthy Project Podcast:

• Website: TheHealthyProject.co
• YouTube
• Instagram

AcessibleVoting #DigitalAccessibility #HealthEquity #TheHealthyProjectPodcast #CoreyDionLewis #BettinaDolinsek #VotingRights #Advocacy #Inclusion

Shownotes:

• 00:49 - Introduction to Chrissy and her role at Carelon Health
• 01:19 - What motivates Chrissy and her journey into community health work
• 02:19 - A typical day for a community health worker
• 03:19 - The importance of post-hospital care and primary care awareness
• 04:10 - Addressing the misuse of emergency services for primary care needs
• 06:10 - The significance of trust and communication in community health
• 07:31 - Challenges faced by community health workers, like homelessness and food insecurity
• 09:18 - Chrissy's work with Medicaid and helping patients navigate the healthcare system
• 12:08 - How Chrissy's certifications enhance her role as a community health worker
• 13:08 - Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on community health work
• 16:38 - Closing remarks and information about upcoming community health events

To learn more about Carelon's initiatives, visit Carelon Health Des Moines Care Center.

Important Resources:

• American Public Health Association Gun Violence Resources: Click Here

What You'll Learn:

• How public health frameworks can address gun violence.
• The importance of community and policy-based interventions.
• Strategies that have been successful in reducing gun violence in communities.
• The role of mental health in the conversation about gun safety.
• How to get involved and make a difference in gun violence prevention.

Join the Discussion:
Leave your thoughts in the comments below! How do you think public health approaches can help reduce gun violence? What actions can we as a community take to promote safety and wellbeing?

Like and Subscribe for more insightful conversations on The Healthy Project Podcast, where we tackle the pressing health issues of our time.

Connect with Mighty Fine:
To learn more about Mighty's work or to reach out for more information, contact him via email at mighty.fine@apha.org.

What's Inside This Episode:

Maria shares her fascinating journey from aspiring to be an aircraft mechanic to leading health equity initiatives.
Discover how Maria’s immigrant background from El Salvador and her diverse experiences shape her approach to public health.
Learn about the challenges and successes in promoting health equity and inclusivity in community health.

Key Moments:
00:00 - Introduction to Maria Torres
02:30 - Maria's transition from aviation to public health
10:45 - The impact of COVID-19 on Maria’s career and advocacy
15:20 - Discussing the importance of belonging in public health
25:00 - Real-life impacts of Maria’s work on her community
30:00 - Maria's vision for the future of public health

Learn more about her work and how you can support or get involved in health equity initiatives.

Subscribe to The Healthy Project Podcast for more inspiring stories and insightful conversations that motivate positive change in public health and beyond.

#HealthEquity #PublicHealth #CommunityEngagement #Empowerment #Podcast

Show Notes:

In this compelling episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis welcomes Dr. Alison Brown, a distinguished public health nutrition and health disparities researcher. Dr. Brown shares her extensive insights into the critical intersection of nutrition, cultural humility, and health disparities. Here's what you can expect from this enlightening discussion:

• Introduction to Dr. Alison Brown: Learn about Dr. Brown's role at the NIH's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, her background in nutrition and health disparities, and what drives her dedication to addressing diet-related diseases.
  • 
    Cultural Humility vs. Cultural Competency: Dr. Brown discusses the importance of cultural humility in understanding and respecting diverse nutritional practices and why it's more appropriate than cultural competency in health care and research.

  • 
    The Impact of Culture on Nutrition: Discover how cultural background influences dietary choices, the significance of culturally appropriate food access, and the challenges faced by communities in maintaining their dietary traditions in the face of health issues like hypertension and diabetes.

  • 
    Food Insecurity and Nutrition Security: A deep dive into the definitions, impacts, and the importance of culturally relevant solutions to food insecurity, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • 
    Addressing Health Disparities: Dr. Brown elaborates on the social determinants of health, including the historic and ongoing challenges of food apartheid, and the need for a multisectoral approach to improve nutrition and health outcomes.

  • 
    Innovative Programs and Solutions: Insight into the "food is medicine" movement, including produce prescription programs and medically tailored meals, and the potential for these initiatives to address dietary disparities with culturally appropriate interventions.

  • 
    Optimism for the Future: Despite the daunting challenges, Dr. Brown shares her hope for the future, emphasizing grassroots efforts, community partnerships, and the critical role of the younger generation in transforming the landscape of public health nutrition.

  • 
    Resources and Recommendations: Dr. Brown highlights valuable resources such as the DASH eating plan and other NIH initiatives aimed at promoting healthier eating habits.

• 
  This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intricate layers of nutrition, cultural understanding, and health equity. Join us as Dr. Alison Brown offers invaluable perspectives and actionable advice for embracing cultural diversity in the pursuit of healthier communities.

  
  Connect with Dr. Alison Brown:

Linkedin

Closing Thoughts: Corey Dion Lewis wraps up the episode with reflections on the conversation's highlights and a reminder of the importance of culturally informed approaches to health and nutrition.

Don't miss this insightful episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, where we explore the power of nutrition and cultural understanding in building a healthier, more equitable world.

Shownotes:

• [00:01.267] Introduction to Dr. BCW, a beacon of healthcare advocacy and empowerment.
• [00:27.726] The significance of friendships and connections in healthcare.
• [01:25.358] Dr. BCW's perspective on vulnerable populations and the necessity of vaccination.
• [03:02.259] The challenge of intentionality in providing care to marginalized communities.
• [03:46.99] Lessons learned about community health and vaccination efforts during the pandemic.
• [06:06.286] Strategies for combating misinformation and the importance of health literacy.
• [08:14.636] The role of community engagement and personal motivation in healthcare delivery.
• [10:40.142] Approaches for healthcare providers to battle misinformation without relying on social media.
• [12:29.038] Dr. BCW's message on the importance of informed decision-making regarding vaccinations.
• [14:43.502] Where to find Dr. BCW: Website, social media platforms, and her impactful TEDx talk on maternal health.

Links & Resources:

• Dr. BCW's website: drbcw.com
• Linkedin
• Beyond Clinical Walls YouTube Channel & Social Media Platforms

• Do No Harm | Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell | TEDxRutgers

Connect with Corey:
Linkedin
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
X (formerly Twitter)

In today's episode of the Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Dr. John Whyte, Chief Medical Officer of WebMD, for a compelling discussion on the evolving landscape of COVID-19 as we step into 2024. Dr. Whyte, having interviewed over 400 guests during the pandemic, shares his valuable insights on the shift in public perception, the journey from confusion to clarity in health messaging, and the ongoing challenges and achievements in the fight against COVID-19. From the impact on children and vaccination debates to the future of COVID-19 alongside other respiratory viruses, this conversation is a deep dive into where we stand and where we're headed in managing the pandemic's aftermath.

Show Notes:

• Introduction of Dr. John Whyte and Background - Corey introduces Dr. John Whyte and talks about his extensive work and contribution during the pandemic through WebMD and his series "Coronavirus in Context."
• Shift in Public Perception of COVID-19 - Dr. Whyte discusses the change in how the public views COVID-19 from 2020 to 2024, including the evolution of science and public health messaging.
• Impact on Children and Vaccination Debates - Insight into the current medical stance on COVID-19 vaccinations for children and the considerations parents are making in 2024.
• Vaccine Accessibility and Affordability - The conversation touches on the challenges surrounding the accessibility and affordability of vaccines and the importance of ensuring that everyone has access to life-saving vaccines.
• Misconceptions and Trust in Science - Dr. Whyte addresses the reemergence of misconceptions around COVID-19 and the critical need for trust in science and healthcare professionals.
• The Future of COVID-19 - Dr. Whyte shares his thoughts on the future of COVID-19, comparing it to other respiratory viruses, and discusses the importance of vaccines and ongoing treatments.
• Long COVID and Its Effects - A closer look at long COVID, including its impact on taste, breathing, cognition, and the hopeful developments in treatment.
• How to Connect with Dr. John Whyte - Information on how listeners can connect with Dr. Whyte and follow his work on WebMD and social media.

Closing:

Corey thanks Dr. Whyte for his insights and contributions to the podcast. He emphasizes the importance of staying informed, advocating for personal and community health, and continuing to support the fight against COVID-19 and other public health challenges.

Listen, learn, and let's move forward together in understanding and tackling the challenges posed by COVID-19 in today's world.

Show Notes:

0:00 - Introduction to the Episode and Guests
0:28 - ELG's Experience with Colorectal Cancer Screening
1:35 - The Importance of Colonoscopy and Early Detection
4:27 - The Procedure Explained: What to Expect During a Colonoscopy
5:26 - The Significance of Finding and Removing Polyps
6:29 - Personal Motivations for Undergoing Screening
7:19 - Colorectal Cancer Statistics and Risks in the Black Community
8:34 - Addressing Healthcare Disparities and Encouraging Screening
10:28 - Combatting Stigmas and Misconceptions About Medical Procedures
12:48 - The Role of Community and Family in Promoting Health Awareness
14:10 - Strategies for Improving Access to Preventive Health Services
16:43 - The Power of Hope and Community Support in Health Outcomes
18:18 - Sharing Personal Stories to Break Stigmas and Encourage Action
20:49 - Closing Thoughts and Where to Connect with ELG

Connect with ELG:

• LinkedIn

Upcoming Projects:

• National Minority Health Month Short Film: A project aimed at showcasing the power of family support and healthy lifestyle choices in improving quality of life.

Listen, learn, and let’s take action together towards a healthier future. Thank you for tuning into the Healthy Project podcast. See you in the next episode!

Show Notes:

Guest: Heather Jones-Brown (she/her) is the Assistant Chief Diversity Officer for Staff Equity at Grinnell College and the Program Director at Vision Leads. 

She is a Des Moines native and proud graduate of East High School. She got her Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and Political Science from William Jewell College and her Masters in Business Leadership from William Penn University. 

Heather has traveled to over 15 different countries and lived in Tokyo, Japan for over 4 years.  She is a community advocate who is active in our local NAACP branch and is an active member of the Iowa Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

• Introduction to Heather Jones-Brown - An overview of Heather's background, her work in equity and inclusion, and her passion for community and civic engagement.
• Civic Engagement and Health Equity - Discussion on how civic engagement intersects with health equity, emphasizing the importance of participation in local elections and community activities.
• Debunking Voter Registration Myths - Heather addresses common misconceptions about voter registration and highlights the ease of the registration process.
• Impact of Local Elections - Insight into how local governance affects daily life and health policies more directly than national politics.
• Vision Leads and Community Activism - Introduction to Vision Leads, an organization focused on voter engagement and empowering individuals to participate in their communities effectively.
• Challenges and Triumphs in Civic Engagement - Heather shares personal experiences and tips for overcoming obstacles in community organizing and civic participation.

• Connecting with Heather Jones-Brown:
  • Email: heatherjones.dsm@gmail.com
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/htothejizones/
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/htothejizones/
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2020VisionLeads
  • Vision Leads: https://visionleads.org
• Resources and Links Mentioned:
  • Vision Leads Voter Headquarters (All You Need To Know): https://www.visionleads.org/voterhq
  • Debunking Voter Registration Myths: https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/debunking-voter-registration-myths/
  • Updating Your Voter Registration: https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/updatereg.html
  • Voter FAQ at Iowa Secretary of State: https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/regfaq.html#9
  • We Are Iowa Story About Voter Roll Removal: https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/verify/how-do-iowa-voter-rolls-lists-work-active-inactive-voters-secretary-of-state/524-a7099d8d-b25d-410c-bf29-6132affbadd0
  • To Verify Voter Eligibility in Iowa: https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/voterregistration.html

Join us for this compelling conversation about leveraging civic engagement to foster healthier communities and ensure health equity for all.

Show Notes:

• [00:01] Introduction to the episode and guest, Jill Wells.
• [00:42] Jill's background: From Indianola, Iowa, to a classically trained artist.
• [01:32] Jill's impactful visit to Ireland and her work at the United Nations.
• [02:02] Transition from a substance use counselor to a full-time artist.
• [03:13] The shift to telehealth services during COVID and its impact.
• [04:26] Exploring the relationship between art, advocacy, and material selection.
• [07:50] How Jill's counseling experience influences her advocacy work.
• [08:44] Addressing intersectional social issues through art.
• [11:37] The story of microaggressions and finding identity.
• [16:13] The correlation between art and mental health.
• [20:21] Jill's Freedom of Expression project: Empowering artists with disabilities.
• [25:56] The importance of inclusivity in art and community.
• [29:57] The role of image descriptions and accessibility in digital art presentation.
• [34:55] Closing thoughts and where to find Jill Wells online.

Key Quotes:

• "I started looking at my mortality differently and assessing regret... I thought I will really regret not pursuing what I went to school for." - Jill Wells
• "Advocacy work actually comes from listening." - Jill Wells
• "Art does provide that [a safe space] for a lot of people." - Jill Wells

Resources:

• Jill Wells' Website: jillwellsart.com
• Instagram & Facebook: @JillWellsArt
• Visit Jill's Studio: Mainframe, fourth floor, 4-47

Show Notes:

• Introduction: Alyson Simmons, her motivation, and the inception of the Central Iowa Trauma Recovery Center.
• The Center's Approach: Focused on healing and recovery, specializing in assisting survivors of violent crimes, including physical assaults and sexual abuse.
• Challenges and Adaptations: Overcoming obstacles presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring accessibility of services to those in need.
• Individualized Care and Techniques: The importance of personalized care, utilizing evidence-based practices, and the role of comprehensive assessments in the recovery process.
• Overcoming Societal and Systemic Barriers: Discussion on how societal norms and systemic issues impact the provision and access to trauma care.
• Future Vision: Insights into creating a healthier, more resilient community and the importance of addressing unmet needs in mental health and support services.
• Closing Remarks: Reflections on the importance of the Center’s work and how it contributes to individual and community well-being.

Learn More: For additional information about the Central Iowa Trauma Recovery Center and its services, visit Central Iowa Trauma Recovery Center.

Key Highlights:

1. Quinny's Motivation: Discover what drives Quinny every day, from the simple joys of cat ownership to the deeper commitment to improving others' lives.
2. Impact of Lived Experience: Learn how Quinny's background as a first-generation immigrant and Latina shapes her approach to healthcare and advocacy.
3. The Power of Listening and Trust Building: Quinny discusses the importance of active listening and trust-building in diverse professional environments.
4. Advocacy in Healthcare: Gain insights into the role of advocacy in healthcare, especially concerning marginalized communities.
5. The Need for Authentic Representation: Understand the significance of being authentic in professional settings and how it benefits community work.
6. Challenges and Opportunities in Healthcare: Quinny sheds light on the challenges in the healthcare industry and the need for innovative solutions from people with lived experiences.
7. Future Aspirations: Get a glimpse into Quinny's future goals, including fostering BIPOC leadership and potential podcast ventures focusing on Latina health.

Quinny’s journey is a testament to the power of personal experiences in shaping professional pathways and advocating for meaningful change in healthcare.

Connect with Quinny:
Linkedin
Instagram

Support Our Podcast:

• Visit Move the City Forward for exclusive merchandise. Use promo code THP for a 10% discount.
• Sign up for the weekly mental health newsletter at Coffee Can't Fix It to stay informed and empowered.

Thank you for tuning in to the Healthy Project podcast. Stay healthy and empowered!

Short Bio: Ben McDougal is an author, founder, technologist, investor, and entrepreneurial ecosystem builder in the connected era.

What You'll Discover in This Episode:

• [00:26] Ben's Origin Story: Explore Ben's journey from early entrepreneurial ventures to becoming a community influencer.
• [03:16] Entrepreneurship Meets Public Health: Insights on how entrepreneurship can positively affect social determinants of health.
• [06:58] Embracing an Entrepreneurial Lifestyle: Uncovering the essence of creativity and innovation in all sectors.
• [10:43] Building Communities: The vital role of networking and genuine connections in business success.
• [17:37] The Side Hustle Experience: Ben and Corey share personal anecdotes and strategies for managing side hustles effectively.
• [22:55] Art of Quitting and Pivoting: Learning when to make crucial shifts in your business approach.
• [27:22] Solo Entrepreneurship vs. Team Dynamics: Exploring the challenges and benefits of working solo or in a team.
• [29:57] Ben's Book Journey: A glimpse into Ben's process of writing and distilling his entrepreneurial experiences.

Corey's Takeaway: A powerful closing message from our guest, filled with inspiration and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and public health enthusiasts alike.

🔗 Stay Connected with Ben McDougal:

• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/benmcdougal
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/BENovator
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/BENovator
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BENovator
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/user/GatheringofGamers
• Website/Blog: https://BenMcDougal.com

📚 Resources & Links:

• Media Library: https://BenMcDougal.com/you-dont-need-this-book/media
• Health Related Writings: Mental Fitness, Mindfulness
• Community: Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
• Additional URLs: Roasted Reflections, Playforce Principles, You Don't Need This Podcast, Pour Over Publishing, 1MCMidwest, FliteBrite, BENBOT.ai, ChattyChatbots.ai, Web3DSM

👉 Don't forget to subscribe for more episodes that blend health, entrepreneurship, and real-world experiences, providing you with the knowledge to enhance your personal and professional life.

And for our community of changemakers, we have something special. Head over to www.movethecityforward.com and explore a world of resources tailored just for you. Don't forget to use the exclusive code THP at checkout to receive 10% off.

Takeaways

• Open conversations about mental health are crucial for breaking the stigma and providing support.
• Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have long-lasting effects on mental health.
• Building a strong foundation and seeking help are essential for healing from trauma.
• Approaching conversations about mental health with empathy and creating a safe space can encourage open and honest communication.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Background

03:08
Journey with Mental Health

09:02
Overcoming Trauma

14:09
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

19:58
Building a Strong Foundation

25:24
Takeaways from 'Unmasking the Hurt'

28:43
Approaching Conversations about Mental Health

35:22
Creating a Safe Space for Conversation

37:59
Conclusion and Book Promotion

Takeaways

• Mindful drinking involves owning your relationship with alcohol and exploring non-alcoholic alternatives to traditional drinks.
• Transitioning to a mindful drinking lifestyle requires self-awareness and an understanding of individual triggers and preferences.
• Non-alcoholic drinks can offer robust flavors and health benefits through plant-derived ingredients and functional additives.
• Starting the journey towards mindful drinking involves asking important questions about intentions, fears, and personal preferences.
• Kombucha has gained popularity as a non-alcoholic option due to its adult-like taste and potential health benefits.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Mindful Drinking and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

03:42
Understanding Mindful Drinking

08:51
Concerns and Considerations for Mindful Drinking

11:15
Healthier Alternatives in Non-Alcoholic Drinks

16:23
Transitioning to a Mindful Drinking Lifestyle

20:09
The Popularity of Kombucha in the Non-Alcoholic Market

21:40
Where to Find More Information on Mindful Drinking and Non-Alcoholic Products

Connect with Jessa
Linkedin
Instagram
Website

Resources:
For articles on mindfulness and mindful drinking

Show Notes

1. Introduction
Welcome and introduction of guest Holly Freishtat by host Corey Dion Lewis.
Overview of the episode's focus on the role of food in medicine and health.

2. Holly Freistadt's Background
Holly discusses her 25-year career journey in the food system, from farming to food policy.
The passion driving her work in food and its influence on health.

3. From Local Projects to Policy
Insights into Holly’s work in Baltimore, addressing food access and policy.
Evolution of her career towards health policy.

4. COVID-19 and Nutrition Security
Discussion on the impact of the pandemic on nutrition security and food distribution.
Efforts in Baltimore, including the distribution of produce boxes.

5. Food as Medicine: Concept and Application
Holly elaborates on the concept of food as medicine.
Different types of food prescriptions and their significance in healthcare.

6. Scaling Challenges and Solutions
Challenges in nationwide implementation of food as medicine programs.
Issues around policy, technology, and funding.

7. Healthcare Provider Perspectives
Insights into how healthcare providers view food prescriptions.
The importance of patient-centric approaches in healthcare.

8. Nationwide Implementation: Current and Future State
Holly’s perspective on the present and future of food as medicine initiatives across the U.S.

Connect with Holly
Feeding Change

Connect with The Healthy Project
Linkedin
Instagram
Facebook
Website

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Introduction to Health Equity and Tech: Dr. Chinea's background and what motivates him.
2. Understanding DEI and Health Equity: Defining these concepts and their relevance in health tech.
3. Challenges in Implementing DEI and Health Equity in Tech: Practical approaches and strategies.
4. Doximity's Role and Initiatives: Dr. Chinea discusses Doximity's efforts in health equity and inclusion strategy.
5. Innovative Approaches and the Future of Health Tech: Exploring creative solutions and their impact.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Culture, community, and personal growth... these are what get me up in the morning." - Dr. Félix Manuel Chinea
2. "We need to be willing to lean into [health equity], develop strategies, and be OK with it not working and changing from that." - Dr. Félix Manuel Chinea
3. "It's about connecting with the community, understanding it, and constantly growing and learning these things to be able to do good work." - Dr. Félix Manuel Chinea

Connect with Dr. Félix Manuel Chinea, MD
LinkedIn
Instagram
Website

Connect with The Healthy Project
Linkedin
Instagram
Facebook
Website

Links and Resources Mentioned:

• Doximity's initiatives and programs

Show Notes
0:00 - Introduction

A brief overview of the episode's theme and guests.

3:50 - Bridging the Gap in Community Health

Dialogue on the importance of incorporating exercise into daily life for preventive healthcare.

15:02 - The Personal Touch of Coaching

Anecdotes from the experiences of a fitness coach within minority communities.

19:28 - Fitness Accessibility

The economic and social barriers to fitness and how they can be overcome.

23:46 - Generational Fitness

Exercise is not only for the individual but can impact family health across generations.

27:09 - Fitness Without the Luxury

Debunking the myth that fitness is only for the affluent or athletes.

30:34 - The Journey of Strength Building

Exploring simple ways to build strength in daily life beyond traditional gym workouts.

35:00 - Health as a Basic Human Right

Discussing the need for fitness to be accessible to all as a fundamental aspect of human well-being.

38:29 - Action Steps Toward a Healthier Community

The slow and steady approach required to make significant health changes in communities.

42:17 - Contact Information

How to connect with the featured guests and the upcoming events.

45:29 - Conclusion and Thanks

Connect with Meddy
Instagram

Connect with The Healthy Project
Linkedin
Instagram
Facebook
Website

Shownotes:

1. 0:00 - Intro to the episode and introduction of guest, Lya.
2. 0:35 - Lya shares her experience with changing school demographics.
3. 2:58 - The importance of representation in PTO meetings and parental involvement.
4. 4:17 - A personal touch: Lya discusses how her son, Amir, looks forward to her presence in school activities.
5. 6:33 - The power of being an involved parent and its influence within the school.
6. 8:01 - Lya talks about the importance of not judging by appearance and building connections within the school community.
7. 10:28 - The ongoing debate: STEM vs. STEAM. What does the 'A' stand for, and does it belong?
8. 12:50 - Lya's personal take on the arts in STEAM and its connection to fields like knitting.
9. 14:15 - Diverse forms of creativity: Not everyone is a painter or a builder, but every child has a unique way of expressing creativity.
10. 16:24 - Lya's anecdotes on teaching during COVID-19 and the challenges of remote learning.
11. 18:52 - An artist's perspective about the inclusion of Arts in STEAM.
12. 20:20 - Closing thoughts and where to connect with Lya on social media and her website.
13. 21:39 - Outro and thanks to the audience for tuning in.

Connect with Lya
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Website

Connect with The Healthy Project
Linkedin
Instagram
Facebook
Website

Show Notes:

• 00:00.578: Introduction by Krisha Keeran
• 00:24.466: DeAndreya Searight's background, education, and journey in health education.
• 01:03.67: The significance of the My City My Health Conference to DeAndreya.
• 02:20.342: A candid discussion on racism, health disparities, and cultural competency in DeAndreya's line of work.
• 03:24.758: The importance of providing culturally responsive care and avoiding assumptions.
• 05:40.194: The role of health literacy in patient empowerment and care.
• 07:07.194: How community members and organizations can play a part in reducing healthcare disparities.
• 09:28.982: The power of collaboration and the strength found in numbers.
• 09:55.21: DeAndreya's main takeaway message: The importance of being involved and active.
• 11:09.73: An invitation to the My City My Health Conference and final remarks.

To learn more about My City My Health and secure your tickets for this year's My City My Health Conference happening on November 17th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Des Moines, Iowa, visit www.mycity.health. Don't miss out on this enlightening event that champions health equity and cultural competency!

Show Notes:

• [00:05.139] Introduction to the episode and guest, Corey Dion Lewis.
• [01:36.258] The inspiration behind the My City My Health Conference and its significance in promoting health equity.
• [03:49.939] The impact of the conference on building connections and collaborations within the health equity community.
• [06:54.946] Expanding the My City My Health Conference to different cities, including Omaha and Kansas City.
• [09:19.984] A sneak peek into what attendees can expect at the upcoming conference on November 17th.
• [12:42.963] Encouraging listeners to participate in the conference's unique "Ask a Professional" feature.
• [15:55.247] The role of continuous learning in the ever-evolving field of health equity.
• [19:10.158] The most rewarding aspects of Corey's journey, include insightful conversations with thought leaders.
• [21:58.626] The importance of staying open-minded and embracing new perspectives in health equity work.
• [24:44.894] Introducing the "Ask a Professional" feature to enhance panel discussions at the conference.
• [26:22.774] Ways to connect with Corey Dion Lewis and obtain tickets for the My City My Health Conference.
• [27:37.023] A reminder to sign up for the conference on November 17th to engage in meaningful health equity discussions.

Connect with Corey:
Linkedin
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
X (formerly Twitter)
Website