America Dissected
America Dissected is a health podcast that explores how science, politics, media, culture, and technology shape our well-being. Hosts Dr. Abdul El-Sayed and Dr. Katelyn Jetelina examine the root causes of illness, from racism and corporate greed to influencer-driven wellness trends. The show covers topics such as for-profit healthcare, ineffective sunscreens, and other issues affecting public health. New episodes are released every Thursday.
Episodes
Where We Go From Here
To close out this season of the pod, Abdul and Katelyn record from the American Public Health Association’s annual convention. They discuss the current public health landscape, as the government shutdown threatens SNAP and WIC funding. Then, they are joined by Dr. Peter Marks, the former director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. They discuss the future of public health, a
Put Up Or Shutdown
In our penultimate episode, Abdul and Katelyn discuss the week’s public health news, which includes:
Why Democrats are demanding Republicans extend healthcare subsidies
How the shutdown has impacted funding to public health programs
The new childhood vaccination schedule
The CDC’s official approval of the Covid booster
Then they look back on the last 6 years, and play some of Abdul
On The Ground In Gaza
Abdul and Katelyn discuss the latest news in public health, which includes:
Trump’s $100,000 H1-B visa fee, which is could significantly hurt staffing in rural hospitals
A new 100% tariff on certain imported brand-name drugs
RFK Jr’s announcement that the FDA is re-evaluating the abortion medication mifepristone
A new scientific breakthrough that’s giving hope to people with Hunting
Tylenol Needs A Tylenol
Abdul begins the show with a major announcement about America Dissected. Then, he and Katelyn discuss:
RFK Jr’s Autism report, which points to an unproven link between autism and acetaminophen
Last week’s ACIP meeting, where RFK Jr’s new appointees approved new recommendations on the Covid booster and MMRV vaccines
The end of the Covid summer wave, and how it compared to last year
Th
What Really Happened at the CDC
Abdul and Katelyn discuss the week in public health, which includes:
Former CDC Director Susan Monarez’s Senate testimony, where she revealed a series of bombshell revelations about the chaos in the department
This week's ACIP meeting, and how it might affect access to the Hepatitis B vaccine
The good news that private insurers will be covering the cost of vaccines as normal
The Tru
About That MAHA Report…
Abdul and Katelyn discuss the week in public health, which includes:
RFK Jr’s MAHA Report, and why it fails to deliver meaningful change
The leaked report that revealed RFK Jr will tie Tylenol use to autism
The firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez, and the mass resignations that followed
RFK Jr’s Senate testimony, which included a grilling from top Republicans
Then Abdul talks to N
Exodus at the CDC
Abdul and Katelyn discuss another inundating week in public health, which includes:
The sudden departure of the CDC Director, Susan Monarez, just weeks after her confirmation
The resignations of three other top leaders at HHS
FDA’s approval of the fall Covid booster, which limits the vaccine to seniors and people at high risk, as well as new alternative recommendations from major medica
Public Health Punched Back
Abdul and Katelyn are energized by the first meeting of the Vaccine Integrity Project, which was founded to serve as an alternative to RFK Jr’s ACIP. They also discuss:
A new letter to Congress, signed by more than 700 CDC employees, which calls HHS Secretary Kennedy complicit in endangering the nation's health and the recent shooting at the CDC headquarters
The fallout from a draft report
Bullets at CDC
Abdul and Katelyn condemn the violence at the CDC headquarters last week, and the startlingly weak response from lawmakers. Then they unpack Trump’s newest executive order, which seeks to give his own appointees the power to approve federal grants. They also discuss the future of the FDA as Vinay Prasad makes his return, following his resignation last month.
Then Abdul talks to Sherrell Byrd, foun
New Casualties on RFK Jr’s Chopping Block
Abdul unpacks the week in public health, which includes:
Vinay Prasad’s exit from FDA
Susan Monarez’s confirmation to lead CDC
New childhood vaccination data
The EPA’s move to rollback the endangerment finding
Why more experts have been ousted from ACIP
Then Abdul interviews professor Dr. Brian Willoughby about his research on porn use among young people, and what parents should know a
Another Day, Another RFK Headline
Abdul and Katelyn unpack the latest headlines on RFK Jr and HHS, followed by some optimistic news on the spread of measles and Covid. Then Abdul talks to public health educator Dorian Johnson about the wild world of TikTok and Instagram - and how health professionals can harness it to build more trust and goodwill with the public.
This episode was made in collaboration with our sponsor deBeaumont
Sugar Daddies and Budget Baddies
Abdul and Katelyn discuss the latest in public health including:
Congress’ vote to reinstate $400 million in funding for global AIDS treatment
Trump’s budget proposal to cut 40% of the NIH budget
The health differences in Coca Cola sweetened with sugar vs high fructose corn syrup
Why heart attack is no longer the leading cause of death in the US
A comprehensive review of GI can
Stall Tactics and Scare Tactics
Abdul and Katelyn discuss the latest in public health news, including:
Why the cancellation of a key federal health meeting could spell trouble for the future of preventative care in America
The Trump Administration's latest move to intimidate doctors
Medicare’s plan to use AI to help make decisions on prior authorizations
Moderna’s new Covid vaccine, and why it’s only authorized for kids
A Big Brutal Bill
Abdul and Katelyn catch up on a harrowing week in public health, after Republicans passed Trump’s mega bill. They discuss:
New work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP beneficiaries
Why rural hospitals risk closure due to the upcoming changes to Medicaid
New renewal requirements for people who buy health insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces
A new high in measles cases,
MAHA Comes for Vaccine
Abdul and Katelyn discuss a busy week in health news including:
The most troubling aspects of this week's ACIP meeting, after RFK Jr's appointees convened to set vaccine policy for next fall.
A flimsy deal among the nation's biggest health insurers, who mutually pinky-promised to improve their prior authorization processes.
RFK Jr's announcement that the US will no longer fund GAVI, the
A quick note about this week's episode
Abdul shares a scheduling note, as we closely track this week's ACIP meeting.
RFK Jr Euthanizes ACIP
Abdul and Katelyn discuss a rocky week in public health including:
RFK Jr gutting ACIP to replace every member with his own appointees.
The LA protests, and how immigration raids hurt community health
Good trouble at NIH, as staff band together and demand director Jay Bhattacharya defend their research
Then Abdul talks to Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, about the Trump Admi
Boos, Boosters and BooBoos
Abdul and Katelyn discuss the latest in science and health including:
Senator Joni Ernst’s “we’re all going to die” townhall moment
The CDC and FDA’s conflicting guidance on Covid boosters
The errors in RFK Jr's MAHA report
More devastating funding cuts to medical research, including a future HIV vaccine
Then Abdul sits down with Dr. Carmen Rojas, the President and CEO of the Marguerite
US COVID Vaccine Policy by Vibes
Abdul and Katelyn discuss the latest in public health including:
The FDA’s new rules on Covid boosters
RFK’s claim that Americans shouldn’t take his advice
Florida’s decision to remove fluoride from the drinking water
New proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP
A genetic breakthrough that saved the life of a 9 month old baby
Then Abdul talks to prescription drug policy expert Dr.
Democrats Confront RFK Jr.
Katelyn and Abdul break down the latest news in public health and policy, including:
RFK’s appearance at the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Health Committee
The House budget proposal to cut Medicaid
Donald Trump’s Executive Order to bring down drug prices
Trump’s nominee for Surgeon General
Then Abdul interviews former FDA Commissioner Dr. David Kessler about his n
The Problem with “Do Your Own Research”
Abdul and Katelyn break down the latest in public health, including:
RFK’s Jr’s push to test all future vaccines against placebos
Why the phrase “Do Your Own Research” often leads to mis and disinformation
New threats to MRNA vaccine research
A huge NIH investment toward a future universal flu vaccine
Why some leading medical journals received accusatory letters from a Trump su
Baby Boom or Bust?
Abdul and Katelyn discuss the latest news in health and policy, including:
Trump’s proposal to increase the birth rate by giving women $5000 baby bonuses
The political divide over measles
Why RFK Jr is being asked to testify at the Senate HELP committee in May
The closure of nine schools in Milwaukee due to lead contamination
Then Abdul and Katelyn talk to Princeton political science pro
RFK Jr’s Autism Registry
Abdul and Katelyn discuss the latest in health policy this week including:
RFK Jr’s plan to form a national registry of Americans with autism
The shift to make US health policy look more like Europe’s
The latest news on the Texas measles outbreak
A White House budget proposal that calls for cutting $40 billion from HHS next year
Why NIH’s top expert on ultra-processed foods left the agency
Then Ab
A message from Abdul
RFK’s September Surprise
Abdul and Katelyn cover this week’s health news, which includes:
RFK’s bizarre promise to reveal the cause of Autism by September
The latest in the Texas measles outbreak
Why DOGE cuts have left HHS data systems vulnerable to cyberhacks
The discovery of lead in Milwaukee’s drinking water, and CDC’s failure to help
The risks of RFK’s Jr’s crusade against fluoride
Then Abdul sits down with Dr. Zacha
How Trump’s Tariffs Will Hit Healthcare
Abdul and Katelyn discuss the latest news in health and policy, including:
The third measles death this year - an 8-year-old girl in Texas
RFK Jr’s weak response to the measles outbreak
The impact of tariffs on healthcare and insurance prices
Why Medicare and Medicaid won’t expand access to GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic
A federal ruling that restores funding to research labs for “indirect costs”
Then A
A Bull-DOGE-er to HHS
Abdul and Katelyn contend with a devastating week at HHS, including:
The loss of 20,000 workers
A massive restructuring at HHS
Senior leaders leaving the ranks
The addition of a discredited vaccine skeptic to analyze future data on the MMR vaccine
Then Abdul interviews Nat Kendall-Taylor and Julie Sweetland from the Frameworks Institute about their research on American attitudes around vaccine hes
Bird Flu, Baby Formula and The Bully Pulpit
Abdul and Katelyn discuss the latest in the world of public health including:
RFK Jr’s problematic new strategy on avian influenza
A new report showing heavy metals in some US baby formulas
Trump’s attack on higher education
Trump’s new pick to lead the CDC
A shadow CDC website, created by the non-profit founded by RFK Jr.
Katelyn and Abdul’s reaction to that episode of The Daily (iykyk)
How the D
We Still Don’t Have a CDC Director. Measles Doesn’t Care.
Abdul and Katelyn round up all the latest health news, including:
The growing measles outbreak out of Texas
RFK Jr’s false claim that the measles vaccine causes death
The withdrawal of Dave Weldon’s nomination at CDC, and who could take his place
Dr. Oz’s confirmation hearings, and what could be next for Medicare and Medicaid
The Covid-era healthcare programs that were extended by the government f
Measles Spreads. So Does Disinformation.
Abdul and Katelyn talk about the current measles outbreak, the danger of relitigating the MMR vaccine again, and the latest round of DOGE cuts to public health. They also peek into the confirmation hearings for Trump’s picks to lead NIH and the FDA, where Senators pressed hard against vaccine skepticism. Then Abdul talks to Adrienne Ammerman, founder of the public health communications platform Ar
RFK Jr’s Measles Doublespeak
This week Abdul is joined by physician and writer Dr. Dhruv Khullar, who is subbing in for Dr. Katelyn Jetelina this week. Abdul and Dhruv discuss a rash of alarming news out of HHS, including its uneven measles response, more cancelled meetings, a policy change to end public comment, and the re-evaluation of a key bird flu vaccine contract. They also break down the Republican budget plan and expl
A Conversation with the Former FDA Director
Abdul and Katelyn discuss some worrisome changes at HHS, including RFK’s decision to postpone a key immunization committee’s scheduled meeting and the Trump Administration’s short-sighted strategy to combat bird flu. Then Abdul talks to Former FDA Commissioner Robert Califf about the impacts of the federal workforce purge.Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissect
RFK at HHS
Abdul and Katelyn talk about RFK Jr.’s first actions at HHS, including his first meeting with employees, where he promised to investigate the pediatric vaccine schedule and the use of mental health meds. Then they break down the nature vs modernity debate, and why the good old days weren’t all good. They also track the most recent firings in the federal workforce purge. Then Abdul interviews phys
Knee-capping the NIH
Abdul and Katelyn explain how Trump’s cuts to NIH will hobble U.S. research labs and their surrounding economies. They also speculate on RFK Jr’s first moves at HHS, and a new bird flu mutation. Then Abdul sits down with Drs. Joseph Wright and Helen Burstin to learn more about their efforts to root race-based clinical algorithms out of healthcare.Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com fo
“America First,” Global Health Last
Abdul and Katelyn discuss the RFK confirmation hearings, the gutting of USAID, and the erasure of CDC data. Then Abdul sits down with the NFL’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allen Sills, about the public health process the NFL used to reduce concussions.Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our bra
Who’s Afraid of a Scientist with a Microphone?
Abdul and Katelyn pose questions for RFK’s Senate Confirmation hearings. Then they discuss the fallout from Trump’s sledgehammer on our government agencies, including:
A freeze on most federal grants and aid, here and abroad (now rescinded)
A pause on health agency communication and travel
Removing all DEI programs from the federal government, including diverse clinical trials
Offering all federal
The WHO, What, and Why of Trump’s first Health Executive Orders
In this supersized episode, Abdul and Katelyn break down Donald Trump’s first executive orders targeting public health and healthcare. Then they discuss the final actions of the Biden Administration, including the preemptive pardon for Dr. Anthony Fauci, a directive to identify bird flu cases in hospitals, and adding Ozempic to this year’s Medicare prescription drug negotiations. Abdul also shares
Imagining a Disease Free World, from the new podcast One Big Shot
Sharing an episode of the podcast Our Big Shot. It asks the question: What if we could build a disease free world? Well, we almost have. We are at a point in history where we have a Big Shot to make that happen. Dr Seema Yasmin, expert in disease control, brings you the stories of disease eradication, and the pioneers who can tell us how to finish the journey. These conversations will make you sma
LA Fires. Bird Flu Updates. And Ultra-Processed Foods.
Abdul and Katelyn break down the latest public health headlines, including the devastating fires in Los Angeles, how urban fires impact human health, another case of avian influenza in a child, and a nationwide drop in the rate of childhood vaccinations. Then Abdul talks to physician and author Dr. Linda Eckert about her new book “Enough,” which chronicles the fight to end HPV through the developm
Fluoride & IQ. An H5N1 death. Jimmy Carter. And our annual mailbag!
Abdul and Katelyn take your questions after catching up on some of the most pressing health headlines over the holidays–including a new fluoride study, the first H5N1 death, and the passing of public health hero Jimmy Carter.This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by:Calm: Get 40%
Big Pharma. A miracle HIV prevention drug (and its price-tag). Blue States vs. RFK.
Abdul and Katelyn talk about a promising bipartisan bill that could disrupt Pharmacy Benefit Managers, a miracle drug that prevents HIV--at a serious cost, and new data that show that US obesity rates may have fallen for the first time in more than a decade. Then they talk about RFK Jr’s chances of being confirmed to lead HHS after news broke last week that his attorney asked the FDA to repeal app
Health Insurance CEOs. Raw Milk. Our Skincare Routines.
Abdul and Katelyn break down the latest news, including the murder of UnitedHealth’s CEO and new raw milk testing guidelines. Then Abdul sits down with Dermatologist Dr. Farhaad Riyaz to break down fact from fiction on skincare, how online fads are shaping his patients, and what you really should be doing when it comes to your skin routine.This show would not be possible without the generous suppo
RFK’s Band of Bros. H5N1 drives Egg Prices. A Big Conversation about Smallpox
Abdul and Katelyn break down the latest in appointments to the new administration. They also discuss the latest news about H5N1 (hint, it’s still bad), and new study’s findings about how the HPV vaccine decimated cervical cancer rates among young women. Then Abdul sits down with Dr. Bill Foege, the public health leader and former CDC director who led the effort to eradicate smallpox, to talk about
Thanksgiving Greetings and a special announcement!
Happy Thanksgiving friends!We are dark this week, but we are excited to share that America Dissected merch is back!We have t-shirts, hoodies and mugs at store.americadissected.comUse the promo code HOLIDAY for 15% off!We will see you here next Thursday with a brand new episode.
RFK to HHS. H5N1 in Canada. And why you should be #Resistance Training
Abdul and Katelyn break down the week’s top headlines, including what Trump’s troubling cabinet picks say about his priorities, the latest H5N1 case in Canada, and some good news about vaccination rates this fall. And then later, Abdul talks to strength training coach and physician Dr. Jordan Feigenbaum about his approach to evidence-based strength training in a world full of fitness influencers.
The Lifeblood of the Navajo Nation, from Reclaimed
Sharing an episode of the podcast Reclaimed. It centers on a group of Americans who’ve been denied a basic human right: water. I’m talking about the Navajo people. More than one-third of households in the Navajo Nation do not have access to clean water. Right now, there’s a landmark bill in front of Congress that could change this — but it took more than 150 years to get here. “Reclaimed” takes yo
Public Health under RFK Jr. and Trump (and we welcome a new co-host!)
Abdul introduces America Dissected’s new co-host: Dr. Katelyn Jetelina. He and Katelyn break down “Make America Healthy Again,” Project 2025, and what it will take to protect the institutions of public health and healthcare over the next 4 years.This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to
What Tuesday’s Result Means for Health
Abdul reflects on the meaning of a second Trump term.
Trouble sleeping? This can help.
It’s been a … stressful … couple of months. And if past elections are any indication, that anxiety may not go away any time soon. Though we all know that sleep is critical, few of us get enough of it, particularly during stressful moments. Abdul reflects on the quest for a good night’s sleep. Then he sits down with sleep expert Dr. Chris Winter to talk through the most important things all of us c
Trauma, Trust, and Why We Still Haven't Processed the Pandemic
When it comes to "trust" in public health, there was a "before the pandemic" and an "after the pandemic." Rebuilding that trust will require us to deal with all the ways the pandemic moment shaped Americans' perceptions of what public health is, how it works, and who speaks for it. In this LIVE taping from the American Public Health Association's Annual Meeting, Abdul talks to author Prof. Eric Kl
Project 2025 is Bad for Your Health
You’ve probably heard all about Project 2025, the conservative plan to remake America … for 1950. Abdul reflects on the power of the federal government when it comes to health. Then he sits down with Sulma Arias and Aija Nemer-Aanerud with People’s Action Institute to dig into what Project 2025 would mean for health in America.This show would not be possible without the generous support of our spo
An Enlightening Conversation about Breast Density
The FDA recently issued a rule that requires all mammography reports include information about breast density. Abdul talks to Dr. Elise Desperito, the Breast Imaging Director at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center about what breast density is and its implications for breast cancer screening. To assess your breast cancer risk, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center recommends the Tyrer-Cuzick Ri
A Community Fight in Wisconsin, From To See Each Other
Sharing an episode of To See Each Other, a show that complicates the narrative about small town Americans in our most misunderstood, and often abandoned, communities. This season, host George Goehl travels to Lincoln County, Wisconsin to follow a small town battle for the last remaining public nursing home in the community. A conservative county board is hell bent on selling off this 5-star facili
Pink October
It’s October–which if the ubiquitous pink ribbons didn’t make it clear–is breast cancer awareness month. Breast cancer is a terrible disease, but so are so many others. But it has excellent branding. Which raises the question: should diseases have brands? Abdul reflects on the implications of branding disease. Then he sits down with Mara Einstein, a professor, author, and marketing expert to learn
Will Medical Debt get a Blue Waive
Over the past several years, cities, counties, and states have elected to relieve their residents’ medical debt. That’s cascaded into a national movement to relieve it — which has been picked up by the likes of Vice President Kamala Harris in her presidential campaign. Abdul reflects on the particular pain of medical debt. Then he interviews Allison Sesso, President and CEO of Undue Medical Debt,
Factory Farming Fails
You are what you eat…right? Or maybe, we are what we eat. And together, most of the meat we consume is raised on factory farms that degrade our environment, our pocketbooks, and yes, our health. Abdul reflects on the role financialization has played in creating factory farms. Then he sits down with Bob Martin, Senior Policy Advisor at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future and co-editor of
If childbirth isn’t an illness, why does it happen in hospitals?
Is a hospital the best place for childbirth? That question is driving a revolution in birthing, focused on creating outpatient birth centers. This National Birth Center Week, Abdul reflects on the birth experience — and who it leaves behind. Then he sits down with the co-founder and CEO of the birth center Birth Detroit Leseliey Welch to talk about why birth centers are a key public health interve
Are Annual Pelvic Exams Still Necessary?
For more than half of the adults alive, pelvic exams are among the most dreaded parts of getting healthcare. That’s not to mention the troublesome history of how they came to be a part of standard medical practice. Abdul reflects on the gender imbalance in medical innovation. Then he speaks with author and historian Prof. Wendy Kline, author of the new book “Exposed: The Hidden History of the Pelv
A Family Physician on meeting “fear with feelings”
It’s back-to-school season — and that means back-to-school vaccines. Abdul reflects on the roles that ritual and trust play in shaping vaccination. Then he sits down with Dr. Natasha Bhuyan, a family physician, to discuss the conversations she has with hesitant families and the future of family medicine.This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected
What a life-changing cystic fibrosis drug teaches us about translating science into health
You’ve probably never heard of Trikafta — unless you or someone you love lives with cystic fibrosis. The drug has fundamentally changed cystic fibrosis care, extending life expectancy by decades. But the drug costs $326,000 a year — and requires people to be on it for life. Abdul reflects on the central challenge at promoting life-saving innovations that the people who need them can afford. Then h
Just Air
Environmental injustice leaves too many Americans, mainly Black and brown, breathing air that has been poisoned by smokestacks too close to their homes and schools. Abdul reflects on the process that drives it. Then he sits down with Darren Riley, CEO of JustAir, a company working to build air monitoring networks across hard hit communities, about how to leverage tech for environmental justice.Thi
Public Health Across the Divide
Public health is universal–or at least it should be. But since the pandemic, it’s been politicized in ways that threaten critical work in conservative communities. Abdul reflects on how the way we talk about public health may be contributing to that. Then he sits down with Dr. Dwayne Proctor, President and CEO of the Missouri Foundation for Health to learn about the pioneering work they sponsor in
This made-up medical diagnosis has been used to justify police violence for decades
The concept of “excited delirium” has been used to justify extreme force from law enforcement and to cover up police violence. Coined by a medical examiner in Florida in the ‘80s, it has its roots in eugenics. Abdul reflects on the way that pseudoscience has too often been used by the medical establishment to justify racist maltreatment. Then he interviews Prof. Aisha Beliso-De Jésus, an anthropol
Fat Joe thinks you should know how much your healthcare costs
Hospitals can charge you however much they want for healthcare — without telling you. Rapper turned healthcare advocate Fat Joe thinks they need to lean back. Abdul reflects on the fight for price transparency in healthcare, then sits down with the entertainer to learn more about his fight for healthcare transparency.This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Ame
How Big Was the Hammer SCOTUS Just Took to Government as We Know It?
The Supreme Court is an unelected body–there was a time when the justices understood that. Not this court. In their most recent set of rulings, they took a hammer to the fundamentals of American government. Abdul unpacks the most important ruling. Then he sits down with Leah Litman, Constitutional Law professor and host of Crooked Media’s Strict Scrutiny to understand the implications for public
Scientists Argue that this Genetic Test’s Results are “no better than a coin flip.” The FDA approved it anyway.
Recently, the FDA approved a genetic test for opioid use disorder despite clear opposition from scientists and the FDA advisory panel that had reviewed the evidence. The case demonstrates the space where Pharma’s incentive may drive innovation that may not help–or worse, cause harm. Abdul reflects on how genetic essentialism and the wrong incentives can reinforce each other. Than he speaks with Dr
Public health 🤝 Healthcare
To the untrained eye, public health and healthcare are–if not the same thing–then two sides of the same coin. But to those of us who work in public health, healthcare is too often a giant vacuum of health dollars focused more on the bottom line than public wellbeing. Abdul reflects on the tradeoffs between health and healthcare. Then he sits down with Dr. Dave Chokshi, the former New York City Hea
Our Institutions Have Long Covid with David Wallace-Wells
The pandemic didn’t change everything–it just made everything weird. From declining trust in institutions to the growing power of Big Tech on our lives, we are struggling to deal with the world as it’s become. Abdul reflects on the long tail of the pandemic. Then he sits down with New York TImes columnist David Wallace-Wells to talk about post-pandemic “medical libertarianism,” social media and te
When Racism goes “Systemic”
Racism is among this country’s most persistent original sins. Not only does it pattern access to everything from education to housing to jobs — but infant mortality, cancer, and life expectancy. Abdul reflects on the stickiness of racism. Then he interviews author and journalist Dr. Layal Liverpool, author of the new book “Systemic,” about how racism gets under the skin, how that differs across co
Our Mental Health System is Broken
We talk a lot more about mental health than we used to — and that’s served to destigmatize it and promote opportunities to improve it. But that conversation has yet to improve mental healthcare for those who need it most. Abdul reflects on why we still have so much further to go. Then he sits down with Dr. Alice Feller, a psychiatrist and author of American Madness about how politicians disassembl
Bernie Sanders on a 32-hour workweek, the Long COVID moonshot, and Ozempic
Too many politicians are too beholden to the healthcare industry to propose any meaningful change. That’s not true of the Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Senator Bernie Sanders. Since 2016, his ideas have animated some of the most important changes in healthcare policy. Abdul reflects on the need for big ideas–and why we don’t get them that often. Then he i
Trauma can lead to…Growth?
Trauma is all around us–and the word has come to dominate so much of our conversation about mental health. The common perception of trauma is that it lingers, devastating mental health over time. But what if the more common consequence of trauma was growth? Abdul reflects on the way we think about trauma. Then he interviews Prof. Richard Tedeschi, the psychologist who coined the term “post-traumat
America’s NoFundMe Healthcare System
Millions of Americans go without healthcare every year. Many of them turn to crowdfunding to support their needs. Abdul reflects on what that says about how we think about one another. Then he interviews Prof. Nora Kenworthy, author of the new book “Crowded Out: The True Costs of Crowdfunding Healthcare” about who wins, who loses, and how we build a healthcare system where Americans don’t need to
A Veterinarian’s Take on Bird Flu in Cows
The H5N1 Bird Flu has been circulating in cows for 5 months, spreading faster and farther than we had previously expected. Abdul reflects on the wake-up call it poses for the public health community. Then he interviews Dr. Kimberly Dodd, a veterinarian and former USDA official, about the risk of spread, whether or not the current regulations are enough to protect humans, and where this goes from h
How Big Food Tries to Co-Opt the Anti-Diet Movement
The Anti-Diet movement has helped us understand some of the downsides of a perpetual diet culture driven by influencers and advertisers selling us this or that fad. But what happens when the influencers behind that movement get co-opted by corporations too? Abdul reflects on the way that corporate interests too often interfere with sound science and public education. Then he sits down with Sasha C
The Public (Health) Lives of Pets
For so many Americans, pets are members of the family. And our interactions with animals — in our homes, on our farms, and in the wild — shape our health in some important ways. Abdul reflects on what he’s learned about health working in animal welfare. Then he sits down with Melissa Miller, an animal care expert, disaster field responder, trainer, and county animal care and control director to ta
How to build a resilient public health workforce.
Public health professionals are people, too. Too often, though, we don’t think about them that way — their needs, their hopes, and aspirations, their individual skills and areas of passion. But if we want a functional public health system, we really should. Abdul reflects on the experience of leading public health teams. Then he speaks with Dr. Brian Castrucci, President and CEO of the de Beaumont
The Other Side of Oppenheimer
Last summer’s blockbuster “Oppenheimer” took home best picture for a stirring portrayal of the man behind the world’s most dangerous weapon. But there’s a part the story left out: the devastation wrought by nuclear weapons testing on communities here in the US. Abdul reflects on the broader fallout of producing weapons of war. Then he talks to Tina Cordova, co-founder and Executive Director of the
Could Medical Tech be “Coded to Kill”? This Medical School Dean Has Thoughts.
In a time when AI is creating new realities faster than we can make sense of them, we need to imagine possible future scenarios to prepare. Which is why a new novel by Marschall Runge, Dean of the University of Michigan Medical School, is so prescient. In his book “Coded to Kill,” Runge helps us imagine what could go wrong, even if so much can go right. Abdul reflects on the critical role of imagi
Getting Practical About Saving Black Moms and Babies
Maternal and child health inequities by race are a blot on our national fabric. But fixing them isn’t about one silver bullet — it’s about systems coming together to do their part. Abdul reflects on the struggle for birthing equity. He interviews Dr. Natalie Hernandez, one of the authors of the “Practical Playbook” on maternal health inequities to understand how sectors can come together to save B
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McKinsey on Consumer and Retail
megahired.com
Telli Talks with Telli Swift
Harmonize Your Life: Conversation on Self-Care for Women of Color
Lighting the Legal Career Path
High Performance Mindset | Learn from World-Class Leaders, Consultants, Athletes & Coaches about Mindset
Pintastic® Pinterest Podcast
Learn 50 English Phrases While You Sleep | Everyday English Phrases & Vocabulary
