Public Health Insight
The Public Health Insight Podcast is a weekly show ranked in the top 5% globally. It covers public health and global health topics, including sustainable development goals and social determinants of health, and explores diverse career opportunities in the field. Since its launch in March 2020, it has featured over 40 high-profile guests and built an audience in more than 5,000 cities across over 190 countries.
Episodes
The Nefarious Influence of Big Tobacco
A tobacco company promises jobs, investment and a factory, but only if a government makes health warnings smaller. Investigative journalist Matthew Chapman joins the Public Health Insight Podcast to examine how tobacco companies adapt their products and influence the rules governing them. Drawing on investigations in Kenya, Israel and the United Kingdom, he reveals undisclosed payments to experts,
Why Prevented Disasters Don't Make the News & Acting Earlier to Save Lives
When a disaster is prevented, it doesn't make the news and most don't hear about it; and that's exactly the problem. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast with Dr. Barry Davis, biostatistician and author of The Preventioneers, we explore why prevention's biggest successes stay invisible. We discuss why climate warnings have gone unheeded for 170 years, why treatm
The Preventioneers: Why We Wait Until It's Too Late
A doctor proves handwashing saves lives and gets destroyed for it. A president dies of a preventable stroke. Scientists spend decades proving smoking kills while the industry fights back. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Dr. Barry Davis, author of The Preventioneers, introduces us to people in history who saw catastrophe coming, built the evidence, and ran straight into resist
Mathematics, Medicine, and the Stories In Between
We often have the evidence to prevent harm long before we actually do something about it, and that delay costs lives. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, we sit down with a physician and mathematician whose career spans early machine learning research in the 1980s, landmark hypertension trials, and over 150 data monitoring committees. Dr. Davis reflects on the experiences that sh
Public Health Is Dead
Daniella wanted to make a podcast for years, but she waited for the right idea. Then she noticed no one had made a public health show this honest and this bold, especially from a Black perspective. So she made it herself.In this episode, Daniella shares how she started Public Health Is Dead, built on years of teaching herself to record and edit on her own. It grew out of a frustration she kept run
A Public Health Story with a Snoop Dogg Cameo & a Mansion of 12 Strangers
A cannabis conference. A front-row seat she wasn't supposed to have. A question to Snoop Dogg about racial justice in cannabis legislation that she absolutely was not going to leave unasked. In this episode of a 4-part series in collaboration between Public Health Insight Podcast and Public Health Is Dead, Gordon Thane rewinds to the early beginnings of Daniella Barreto's story, which in
The Health Belief Model Explained
Ever wonder why people ignore free health services, conveniently placed in their community, even when their life could depend on it? Looking back to the 1950s gives us some clues, and what researchers discovered led to the creation of one of public health's most enduring frameworks for understanding human behavior. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, host Gordon Thane unpack
What’s the ROI on an MPH?
An MPH can cost two years, tens of thousands of dollars, the salary you would have earned if you continued to work instead, and the promise of the other degree that you decided not to pursue. So is it worth it? In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, host Gordon Thane breaks down how to think through the real return on investment of a Master of Public Health, from tuition and debt to
10 Key Milestones In Health Promotion
Health isn't created only in hospitals. It's achieved in housing, food systems, workplaces, and political decisions. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, host Gordon Thane traces the arc of health promotion through its defining milestones, from the Ottawa Charter to the Geneva Charter, revealing how each global conference pushed the field to see further: beyond behavior,
Hantavirus: What They're Not Telling You
Could hantavirus become the next pandemic? After a deadly outbreak on a cruise ship, that question is on everyone's mind. And "don't panic" isn't a real answer.In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, host Gordon Thane explores what we know about hantaviruses so far, how Andes virus compares to COVID-19, and what the early science suggests about its potential
Edwin Chadwick & The History of Sanitation
How did sanitation become one of public health's greatest triumphs, while being its oldest unfinished problem? In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, host Gordon Thane traces the story from Victorian Britain's overcrowded streets to Edwin Chadwick's groundbreaking 1842 report, which reframed disease as a product of "removable circumstances" rather than indiv
I Taught an MPH Course. Here's What It Taught Me.
Teaching is one of the most underrated ways to advance public health. In this episode, Gordon reflects on his first semester teaching Health Promotion in Western University's MPH program and what the experience revealed about the field itself. From designing a course to classroom moments that genuinely surprised him, Gordon shares the thinking behind his approach and the lessons that stayed w
I Was on an MPH Admissions Committee. Here’s What Hurt Applicants
What really happens when a reviewer opens your MPH application? Host Gordon Thane has been on the other side of the table and what he saw might surprise you. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, he breaks down the most common mistakes applicants make: ignoring instructions, leaning on weak references, writing generic statements that sound like everyone else, and confusing healthca
Practicums Are Here, Now What: A Thriver’s Guide
By the end of your practicum, you'll land in one of three boxes — and you don't get to pick which one.. or do you? In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, host Gordon Thane draws on his own journey to show why the students who thrive aren't the ones who wait for direction. From an unpaid MPH practicum placement to now being on the advisory board of that same organizat
Debate the Policy, Not the Science
You can disagree on policy. You can't disagree on facts. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Dr. Brian Castucci unpacks what it really means when science bends to political power, whether silencing dangerous voices is ever justified, why public health is losing the war it should be winning - culminating in an uncomfortable truth: if you can't stand the people you'r
Turning Data To Action With Community Needs Assessments
How often do public health organizations decide what a community needs — without actually asking them? This episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast sees Gordon sit down with Alexandra Piatkowski, epidemiologist and founder & CEO of Piat Public Health, to unpack one of public health's most foundational — and often misused — tools: the community needs assessment.They explore why existi
Jumping From Health Systems Transformation to Public Health Consulting
What does it take to hit the ground running after grad school? For Alexandra Piatkowski, the answer started long before graduation — by deliberately building real-world experience while still a student.In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Gordon sits down with the founder of Piat Public Health to trace a career that blends epidemiology, health policy, and project management into s
Building A Better Future With 'Just' One Health
Prevention is the most powerful public health tool we have and yet the hardest to fund. Dr. Hope Ferdowsian of Phoenix Zones Initiative explains how her organization is changing that: informing global health strategies, training cross-sector professionals, and advancing a justice-centered framework called Just One Health that targets root causes, not symptoms. She also shares a bold 10-year vision
The Cost of Putting Humans First
Animal abuse is a predictor child abuse. Slaughterhouse locations correlate with violent crime. Over three-quarters of emerging infectious diseases trace back to how we treat animals and ecosystems. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Dr. Hope Ferdowsian connects these patterns to a single root cause: systems built on hierarchies that reduce living beings to their financial worth
It Started With A Sheep Named Crystal
Healing people requires healing animals and the systems we share. Dr. Hope Ferdowsian traces that conviction from a sheep named Crystal on an Oklahoma farm to sanctuary chimpanzees with PTSD, to asylum seekers she's evaluated across borders. The through-line isn't a coincidence — it's a career built on understanding humanity through animals, following suffering wherever it leads, an
Rx Kids: A Cash Prescription for Pregnant Moms & Babies
What if the prescription wasn't a pill, but cash? Rx Kids gives expecting and new mothers up to $7,500, no questions asked. Laura Keen from GiveDirectly explains why giving money to everyone — not just the poorest — actually works better, why nearly every eligible mom in Flint signed up, and what happened to preterm births, evictions, and depression when communities invested in families from
Flint Is (Re)Writing Its Own Story & You Should Pay Attention
Flint, Michigan was once known as one of America's most prosperous industrial cities. Decades of deindustrialization and a water crisis changed that, but crisis isn't the whole story. Laura Keen of GiveDirectly joins the podcast to explore the resilience behind the popular headlines, the gaps in America's safety net, and what the expanded Child Tax Credit revealed about child povert
What Do Telenovelas, Staircases, & Supply Chains Have In Common?
She studied philosophy at UPenn, sharpened her Spanish watching telenovelas with a host mom in silk robes and kitten heels, then moved to Peru and built staircases so families wouldn't fall carrying water. Laura Keen's path wound through cocoa farms in West Africa, anti-trafficking work in the Amazon, and the inner workings of fair trade — each stop ultimately leading her to GiveDirectly
What Would It Take To Strike Out Snakebite?
Imagine surviving a snake bite only to battle depression for years. Half of hospitals can't properly treat snake bites and almost all healthcare workers struggle to administer life-saving anti-venom in many ways. Dr. David Lalloo illuminates a crisis killing more people than many familiar diseases, yet receiving a fraction of the funding. From recent strides in quality control to universal an
Why Snakebite Envenoming Is (Still) A Public Health Issue
Right now, someone is being bitten by a venomous snake. Over the course of a year, 138,000 deaths and 400,000 disabilities. Yet snake bite remains one of the world's most neglected health crises.Professor David Lalloo explains why this preventable tragedy persists—from the science of venom to the economics of anti-venom, and why the right treatment might not exist where people need it most.Re
The Split-Second Decision That Led to Papua New Guinea
A young doctor faces a choice: wait in line after a lecture or go to the pub. He waits. Fast forward, he's on a plane to Papua New Guinea. He arrives expecting malaria research—but finds 25% of ICU beds filled with snakebite victims. Professor David Lalloo didn't plan to dedicate his life to one of the world's most neglected health crises. He stumbled into it. And it took until 2017
Public Health Communications Needs A Makeover: Power of AI & Influencers
Public health says "don't drink and drive." Bud Light says "don't let the party stop—have a designated driver". One feels like a lecture, the other made millions take notice. That communication gap is why public health messaging still misses the mark despite saving millions of lives.In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Dr. Brian Castrucci explains how
Why America Isn't As Divided On Public Health As You Think
79% of Americans support childhood vaccine requirements—including the majority of Republicans. So why does it feel like everyone in the U.S. is against public health?In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Dr. Brian Castrucci reveals what public opinion polling actually shows: Americans are far more united on health issues than we think. The problem isn't what people believe—it&
The Beautiful & Most Scary Thing About Public Health
If you just look at his resume, it sounds almost made up: Political Science at NC State, a Master’s at Columbia, a DRPH at UNC, and a decade in the trenches as an epidemiologist across three states. Then, employee number three at a “tiny foundation”—now president and CEO, shaping how America thinks about public health. This episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast dives into the forks in the r
Trailer: Welcome to the Public Health Insight Podcast
Welcome to the Public Health Insight Podcast, where we go beyond the headlines to explore the ideas, challenges, and people shaping health in communities around the world.Every Tuesday, host Gordon Thane brings you conversations with researchers, practitioners, and changemakers tackling the most urgent questions in public health.From the former CEO of Gavi to the attorney who exposed DuPont's
Failing Before The Job Interview Starts: A Hiring Manager’s Perspective
Find out why brilliant candidates still miss out on job opportunities and why Gordon thinks we’re in the midst of a job interview crisis, where candidates often show up underprepared. Host & Producer◼️Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®Production Notes◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music RoomSubscribe to the NewsletterSubscribe to The Insight newsletter so you don’t miss out on the lates
The Power of Collective Action In Public Health
Collective action is the engine of public health transformation. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Dr. Vinu Ilakkuvan shares the tactics that turn community frustration into real-world victories, like Pittsburgh’s fight for public water. The conversation also explores how building coalitions, fostering local connections, and embracing joy can challenge entrenched power and spar
The Commercial Determinants of Health: The Real Root Causes Behind the Causes?
What if the real force shaping our health isn’t our doctor, our diet, or even our zip code - but the invisible hand of corporate power?In this eye-opening episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, we go beyond the usual talk of social determinants to expose the deeper, upstream forces that shape our health: the commercial and political power wielded by corporations. Tune in as we sit down with
Accidentally Stumbling Into Public Health & A Big Idea
What drives someone to leave a traditional career path and take on the hidden forces shaping our health? In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Dr. Vinu Ilakkuvan traces her journey from an early interest in journalism to biomedical engineering and economics, and ultimately to public health. She reflects on the pivotal moments, values, and experiences that inspired her to found Pop
Fair Doses, the Global Fight for Vaccine Equity
What does it take to get vaccines to everyone who needs them? In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Dr. Seth Berkley, former CEO of Gavi, joins us to break down the global fight for vaccine access, from the spread of misinformation to the race against new pandemics. We explore why vaccine equity matters, what’s at stake when funding and trust falter, and the lessons we need to lear
The Best Kept Secret in Public Health
A billion children. Millions of lives saved. And you’ve probably never heard the full story—until now.In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, host Gordon sits down with Dr. Seth Berkley, the mastermind behind Gavi and author of "Fair Doses," to pull back the curtain on the alliance that quietly changed global health forever. From high-stakes decisions during the COVID-19 pa
The Person Behind Some of the World’s Most Successful Vaccine Initiatives
When the world was in a health crisis, Dr. Seth Berkley didn’t just watch—he was at the centre of the storm. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, we rewind to his early days and trace his path through global health’s toughest challenges.References for Our Discussion◼️Fair Doses: An Insider's Story of the Pandemic and the Global Fight for Vaccine Equity◼️How children will be i
Building Public Health Workforce Capacity To Advance Health Equity
How do we move from talking about health equity to making it a reality in public health practice? In this episode, we dive into the findings of the report ‘From Words to Action: Equipping the Public Health Workforce to Advance Health Equity.’In this episode of Public Health Insight Podcast, Dr. Jamila Porter and Kay Schaffer share their insight on what it really takes to embed equity into the dail
Behind A National Survey of 44,000+ Public Health Professionals
There’s a lot that we can learn from a nationally representative sample of public health workers from local and state health departments. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, we dive into the nation’s largest public health workforce survey, the PH WINS, to uncover what’s really happening on the frontlines. Guests, Kay Schaffer and Jamila Porter, from the De Beaumont Foundation as
Finding Public Health & Story Behind de Beaumont Foundation
What does it take to turn health equity from a talking point into real, lasting change? In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Dr. Jamila Porter and Kay Schaffer of the de Beaumont Foundation—two leaders whose personal journeys and professional missions collide at the intersection of justice, data, and community. The central question of this series explores the hard questions about
Before The Next Crisis Hits
In the chaos of a global pandemic, clarity and trust became as vital as any vaccine. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Dr. Tista Ghosh reveals the untold stories behind rural and urban divides, the confusion of shifting public health guidance, and the fragile foundation of trust that shapes our collective response. This conversation cuts through the noise to spotlight the real
One Pandemic, Different Experiences of Everyday People
We treated the world as if everyone was living the same pandemic. But what if that was our biggest mistake? Dr. Tista Ghosh takes us inside her new book, Before The Next Crisis, sharing untold stories from the frontlines—stories that challenge what we thought we knew about COVID-19. This episode dives deep into the chaos, confusion, and courage that defined the crisis, and asks: how do we rebuild
The Messy Truth Behind Public Health Leadership
From family stories of freedom fighters to the chaos of COVID-19, Dr. Tista Ghosh’s journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, she opens up about growing up between cultures, navigating political minefields as Colorado’s Chief Medical Officer, and what she learned listening to frontline workers, which she captures in her new book, Before The Next Crisis
Why Catching The Traffickers Isn’t The Same As Supporting Survivors
Child trafficking isn’t just a distant headline—it’s a reality in many communities. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, we break down misconceptions, highlight the importance of prevention education, and discuss the policy changes making a difference. Erin Williamson shares hard-won lessons from the field and paints a hopeful vision for the future.Trigger Warning: This episode in
A Public Health Approach to Child Trafficking & Exploitation
What if we did a rethink of child trafficking—beyond criminology—and started seeing it as a public health issue, shaped by poverty, trauma, and the systems around us? In this episode, we’re joined by Erin Williamson, Chief Programs and Strategy Officer at Love146, who brings two decades of experience working to keep kids safe from exploitation, as we dig into the real reasons kids become vulnerabl
The Social Work Behind A 30% Jump In Educational Attainment
How do you help vulnerable kids not just survive, but thrive? Erin Williamson’s journey in social work and anti-trafficking reveals what it takes to build programs that truly change lives. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Erin shares the pivotal moments, tough decisions, and practical strategies that she’s used in her career to leave a lasting impact.References for Our Discuss
Are Vaccines Still Up For Debate?
Vaccines have saved millions of lives, but questions and doubts persist. We dig into the roots of vaccine hesitancy, the history of immunization, and the challenges of making informed choices in a world full of information (and misinformation). In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, we talk with Dr. Christopher Stobart about why vaccine skepticism isn’t new, how risk and trust shape
The Viruses Walking Among Us: Re-Emergence of Measles & Return of Polio?
What’s lurking inside in the environment, inside of us, and what’s waiting to emerge? Virologist Dr. Christopher Stobart joins the Public Health Insight Podcast to explore the vast universe of viruses—how they infect, adapt, and sometimes leap from animals to humans. We break down the science behind how they spread, the resurgence of diseases like measles, and what could be the next big threat.Ref
Studying The Invisible World & Teaching About It
Step into the invisible world of viruses, academia, and health research with Dr. Christopher Stobart, Associate Professor and virologist at Butler University. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Dr. Stobart shares his journey from aspiring heart surgeon to leading virologist, revealing how curiosity and unexpected opportunities shaped his path.References for Our Discussion◼️ How
Vaccination Against Misinformation
What if we could vaccinate minds against misinformation before people encounter it? Dr. Stephen Barnard reveals the breakthrough science of "prebunking" - psychological inoculation that builds our resistance to manipulation tactics. Explore why traditional fact-checking fails and how rebuilding trust through relationships might be our most powerful defense against the post-truth era.Refe
The Anatomy of Misinformation: Who Wins When Truth Loses
What's the difference between an honest mistake and a deliberate lie? In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Dr. Stephen Barnard breaks down the spectrum of problematic information and the psychological vulnerabilities that make us susceptible to false information—from echo chambers and political identity to our eroding trust in institutions. This conversation episode examines
How Twitter Transformed Media, Journalism, and Our Information Diets
While Twitter was still seen as a platform for users to provide seemingly trivial updates, sociology graduate student Stephen Barnard began a decade-long deep dive into how the platform was reshaping journalism and democracy itself. This episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast explores Dr. Barnard's unexpected path into pioneering digital media research and his reflections on citizen jou
Disease Detective Stories: Anthrax Attacks, Thallium Poisonings, & An Invisible Killer
In the thrilling conclusion to our mini‑series with Dr. Don Weiss, we crack open three of New York City’s most chilling public health case files. From the anthrax bioterrorism attacks that rattled a nation to a toddler’s X‑ray that revealed a murderous heavy‑metal plot, to a bacterial “serial killer” hiding in plain sight. All these stories from Dr. Weiss' new book illuminates the fascinating
How To Think Like A Top Epidemiologist: Inside NYC’s Outbreak Response
What does it take to track down an outbreak in one of the world’s busiest cities? Dr. Don Weiss reveals his step-by-step playbook for disease surveillance and investigation in New York City—a global crossroads where public health threats can escalate fast.From rapid detection to pinpointing sources, discover how Dr. Weiss and his team used science, strategy, and detective work to protect millions
The Chemistry Behind a Unique Public Health Career & the Whistleblowing That Risked It All
A curious 8-year-old with a love for chemistry grows up to investigate some of America's most dangerous disease outbreaks—then risks his entire career to speak truth to power.Dr. Don Weiss spent more than two decades as an epidemiologist, investigating everything from post-9/11 anthrax letters to lead poisoning outbreaks. But one of his biggest challenges would come later in his career, when
Why Science Is In Grave Danger & What You Can Do About It
The research that gave us COVID vaccines in record time, that's working on cancer cures, and that's preparing us for climate change is under unprecedented threat. Massive budget cuts are shutting down labs, halting breakthrough research, and dismantling America's scientific infrastructure. But scientists aren't sitting idle.In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast,
The 11-Mile Drive That Revolutionized Science
In 1970, a young man, from a paper mill town in Pennsylvania, borrowed his roommate's car and drove 11 miles to see a new medical school. That casual drive would lead to one of the most widely used techniques in molecular biology and biomedical research.In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Dr. James (Jim) Alwine reflects on the fortuitous moments behind his career, how scienc
The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion: A Forgotten Public Health Blueprint
The Ottawa Charter offered a bold idea: that health isn't just shaped in hospitals or clinics, but in the everyday decisions we make about policy, environments, education, and empowerment. Nearly four decades later, that idea feels more urgent than ever.In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, host Gordon Thane unpacks the story of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. From it
The Aftermath of USAID Funding Cuts & a $150 Million Blow to Global Health’s Future
One morning in February 2025, EngenderHealth received the kind of email every global health leader dreads—three major USAID grants were gone. No warning. No appeal. Just: “not in the national interest.”In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, we unpack the real-world consequences: canceled surgeries, programs being stretched to their limit, and the ripple effects that reach far beyond
Redefining Quality of Care in Sexual and Reproductive Health
The path to global reproductive rights often begins in the most local of places—a single clinic, a single conversation, a single patient.In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, host Purva Mehta explores how Traci Baird’s career unfolded from counselling women in a North Carolina clinic to scaling abortion access across five continents. Along the way, she redefined what quality care l
The Many Lives of the 13th Surgeon General
By 1981, the U.S. Surgeon General’s office was a shadow of its former self—no ships, no quarantine stations, barely a dozen staff, and one statutory duty: publish the annual smoking report. Yet the Reagan White House still saw an opportunity. They tapped Dr. C. Everett Koop, a pediatric surgery legend whose outspoken pro-life views looked perfect for them in shoring up the administration’s social-
The Birth of Pediatric Surgery
Pediatric surgery as a specialty hasn’t been around for as long as you might think. Before 1946, it wasn’t even a line item in most hospitals—children simply waited for whichever general surgeon happened to be on call.In the second chapter of this three-part mini-series on the Public Health Insight Podcast, host Gordon Thane continues his conversation with biographer Nigel M. de S. Cameron to trac
The Writing of a Biography on a Historical Figure in U.S. Public Health
Dr. C. Everett Koop was one of the most iconic figures in U.S. public health—instantly recognizable by his beard and bow tie, but much less known for the deeper convictions that guided his work. Despite his groundbreaking contributions to pediatric surgery, tobacco control, and AIDS education, his full story has remained largely untold—until now.In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast
A Public Health Mentorship Program Shaking Things Up in Canada
It started with an eye condition, a laptop, and a growing sense that public health professionals deserved more support. What came next? A mentorship model shaking things up across Canada.In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Carly La Berge shares the story behind the Canadian Public Health Hub, including its triad mentorship model, how she’s keeping it inclusive and burnout-free, a
When One of the World's Pickiest Eaters Becomes A Senior Policy Analyst
Carly La Berge never planned to work in public health. After years of pursuing a career in medicine, rejection letters, and frustrations in healthcare clinics sent her down an unexpected path — one fueled by advocacy, system change, and a lot of detours.In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Carly shares how working as a medical office assistant opened her eyes to deeper health ineq
Telling Patient Stories The Right Way To Drive Change
When public health stories are told right, they don’t just inform—they move people.In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast with Alexson Calahan, Founder of Small Adventures Communications, we dive deep into the ‘how’ of public relations in public health and explore tangible takeaways to do it better.From building trust with patients to crafting campaigns that change behavior, Alexson
How Marketing, Communications, & PR Can Boost Public Health Impact
What does public health have to gain from public relations? In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, we speak with Alexson Calahan—Founder of Small Adventures Communications and a seasoned public relations expert with nearly 20 years of experience about her unconventional journey from selling classified ads to how she turned a data inquiry from the Today Show into a $100K gift for con
How A Pandemic Treaty Protects Global Health Security
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the world’s vulnerabilities—and reignited global conversations about how to prepare for the next one.In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Dr. Garry Aslanyan returns to unpack the proposed WHO Pandemic Treaty and how it builds on existing tools like the International Health Regulations. We explore what makes this treaty different, the debates shaping i
Inside the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control: A Landmark WHO Treaty
The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) might not make headlines today, but it was the first treaty negotiated under the World Health Organization—and it changed the global public health landscape forever.In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Dr. Garry Aslanyan returns to unpack the story behind this groundbreaking treaty. We explore how the FCTC was negotiated in an era
The World Health Organization Explained & Why Global Health Matters
You’ve heard of the World Health Organization (WHO), but do you know how it actually works and why it matters in your everyday life? In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Garry Aslanyan, Manager of Partnerships and Global Engagement at the WHO’s TDR programme in Geneva, Switzerland. We dive into the fascinating origins of the WHO, explore how it's structure
Deconstructing Community Violence With Big Data & Machine Learning
Gun violence is now a leading cause of death in many demographics but how do you intervene when many of the underlying causes don’t have anything to do with guns in the first place?In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Lori Toscano, Director of Justice Technical Assistance at WestEd, discusses using data analytics and machine learning to identify and address risk and protective fac
A Meticulous Career In Criminal Justice & Violence Prevention
What does a meticulous career in criminal justice and violence prevention look like? Look no further than Lori Toscano. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Lori joins to share her initial ambition to become a grade 5 teacher to now a devoted career in community violence intervention. The conversation dives into the importance of data, community involvement, and the challenges Lor
Is Burnout The Price To Pay When Working In Public Health?
It’s understandable why many might think that burnout is inevitable when working in the field of public health? In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Marissa McCool, The Public Health Burnout Coach, joins to shatter those misconceptions. She discusses the signs, causes, and impacts of burnout, particularly within the public health field. The conversation explores how burnout can ma
Doing Your Bachelor's and Master’s In Public Health, & Making Career Pivots When Life Happens
A career in public health can twist and turn in almost limitless directions. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Marissa McKool shares insights from her educational journey, her persistence in networking, and her time working at government institutions. The discussion includes her unexpected shifts due to personal and political events, her work at UC Berkeley, and her eventual bu
Revolutionizing Patient Engagement In Healthcare with AI & Blockchain Technology
The potential of blockchain and AI in revolutionizing healthcare is immense. In this episode of the Public Health Podcast, social change futurist Sheila Phicil discusses how these technologies empower patients with data ownership and control. Introducing her startup 'Phicil-Itate Change,' she explains her mission to guide healthcare organizations in developing patient-centered solutions.
Financial Economics, Healthcare Administration, & Public Health
Who is a social change futurist? Whether you’re aspiring to make an impact in public health or curious about the intersection of finance, healthcare administration, and project management, Sheila’s career journey offers valuable insights into the future of social change in health. Learn more in this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast.References for Our Discussion◼️ Phicil-Itate Change Gu
Can A Sick Care System Address Inequities & The Social Determinants of Health?
Why are hospitals closing and what is their role in addressing health disparities?In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Sheila Phicil, a social change futurist, joins to talk about the complexities and challenges faced by the U.S. healthcare system in addressing social determinants of health. The discussion begins with defining health equity in simple terms then delves into framin
Is It OK To Make Money In Public Health? A Story of Purpose & Profit
“There are consultants for healthcare and public health making more than $1,200 an hour...""Why does Quisha make more than some of the on-call docs?” "Close your business or be terminated.” “Nobody becomes an entrepreneur to live paycheck to paycheck”Tune into this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, where Quisha Umemba, CEO of Umemba Health, recounts her transition from a
Discovering The Social Determinants of Health & Leaving Nursing For Public Health
Career paths in public health are rarely linear, and today’s guest proves it. From discovering the unexpected challenges of clinical nursing to earning an MPH for a broader perspective, Quisha Umemba shares how bold practical decisions—like taking a pay cut to leave nursing for public health—shaped her leadership journey. Along the way, she uncovered the power of social determinants of health and
Harvard's New Media, Medicine, & Health Grad Program w/ TV Writer & Producer, Dr. Neal Baer
Harvard has launched a Master's program that empowers students to use creative mediums to tackle critical healthcare issues, moving from raw data to emotional narratives that inspire action. Tune in to hear from writer, producer, and program co-director, Dr. Neal Baer, about how this innovative approach is driving change in public health and beyond.References for Our Discussion◼️ Master of Sc
Recommended
TED Talks Daily
Pod Save America
Dateline NBC
صداستان: ساعتی با موسیقی
Becoming: HER with Nikki Spoelstra
Exposing Workplace Bullying
Everyday AI Made Simple - AI For Everyday Tasks
FemTech Focus
Not Too Sensitive - Empowering Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) To Own Their Sensitivity
Mother Daughter Relationship Show
Skin Deep MDs with Dr. Mamina Turegano, Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky and Dr. Jenny Liu
girl talk 🎧🫧
