Courageous Public Health

In this episode of the Courageous Public Health Podcast, Dr. Krista Mincey—public health professor, researcher on Black men's health, and daughter and granddaughter of first-generation college students and rural Southern farmers—shares how courage has shaped both her life and her work. She talks about picking up and moving across states alone to say yes to opportunities that scared her, walking aw...

In this episode of the Courageous Public Health Podcast, Ashley Carter, MS, RD, LDN—registered dietitian, co-founder of Eat Well Exchange, and unapologetic foodie—shares how courage has shaped her path from youngest child to first in her family to leave home for college, and from secure government job to full-time nonprofit founder. She talks about building Eat Well Exchange to teach communities h...

In this episode of the Courageous Public Health Podcast, Dr. Sandte Stanley—public health scientist, sociologist, and founder of Atlas Collaborative Consulting Network—shares how courage has guided every step of her journey. She talks about discovering public health through an ACES internship, navigating personal loss during graduate school, and later earning a PhD in sociology so she could ask th...

In this episode, as we wrap up 2025, Dr. McClamroch reflects on what this year's conversations have revealed about courage in public health — and what that means for her work with women leaders and organizations. Because if this year taught her anything, it's that courage isn't optional anymore — it's part of how we change the landscape of public health. Listen To This Episode of The Courageous Pu...

In this episode, Dr. Maram Museitif shares what it means to be a first-generation college graduate, a Palestinian American public health doctor, and the "empathy princess" in systems that weren't built for her. She talks about fighting for the chance to go to college, becoming the first doctor in her family, and then watching her sister, niece, and cousins follow—turning one act of courage into ge...

In this insightful and resonant conversation, Dr. Bertha Hidalgo—epidemiologist, associate dean, president-elect of the American College of Epidemiology, and multi-hyphenate creative—shares what it means to "do it scared."   She talks about building a fashion and lifestyle platform while hiding her identity, navigating academic spaces as a Latina scientist, and learning to step into courage even w...

In this raw and deeply honest conversation, Keylynne Matos-Cunningham, MPH, M Ed, LPC-A—licensed trauma therapist, former public health professional, and dance-loving entrepreneur—shares how walking away from a "dream" racial justice/public health role became an act of survival.   She traces her path from burnout, workplace trauma, and suicidal ideation to rebuilding her life as a trauma therapist...

In this heartfelt and powerful episode, Dr. Janelle Taveras shares how courage, faith, and self-worth have shaped her journey as a public health professional, evaluator, empowerment coach, and mother. She speaks candidly about learning to honor her value in toxic systems, choosing boundaries over burnout, and embracing her full identity—rather than watering herself down to fit into spaces not buil...

In this deeply reflective conversation, Caroline Davis, MPH—a member of the Navajo Nation and executive director of a Native-led organization—shares her journey of finding her way back to her Indigenous identity after years of distancing herself from it. She speaks candidly about growing up as a white-passing Native kid on the reservation, navigating rejection and belonging, and reshaping her path...

Dr. Linda Animashaun's story is one of faith, courage, and rediscovery. From growing up in a Ghanaian household shaped by discipline and service, to choosing public health over medicine, to leaving behind job security to build a consulting business aligned with her purpose—her journey reminds us that courage often begins with permission to want. In this episode, we talk about integrity in evaluati...

CPH 30 - Purple, Perspective, and Public Health: A Conversation with Dr. Natasha Knight Dr. Natasha Knight is a public health strategist whose "purple philosophy"—bold and creative, steady and calm—guides how she shows up for equity. In this episode, she talks about the courage it took to leave a dream role at the National Institutes of Health and step into corporate citizenship at Altria, where s...

Eboni Washington has spent two decades serving children, youth, and families—first in public service and now as Director of Government and Community Relations for Action for Child Protection. In this episode, she shares what it meant to leave a secure 19-year career in county government to take a leap of faith into a new chapter—and how trusting herself, even when others doubted her decision, beca...

Mully Chea, MSHI, is a first-generation Cambodian-American, the first in her family to graduate college, and now a mom to a lively toddler. In this episode, she shares how encouragement from loved ones gave her the courage to move alone to a new city, how each brave step fueled the next, and how she's learning to balance motherhood with a demanding career. From teaching herself English with Sesame...

Dr. Rahmatu Kassimu has built her public-health leadership at the crossroads of evidence, lived experience, and a fierce commitment to community. Guided by the West African principle of Sankofa —"go back and bring it forward"—she left a 12-year career in the classroom to pour knowledge and care back into the communities that raised her. In this episode, she shares what it means to "do it scared":...

In this heart-centered conversation, Venus R. Evans—a Mi'kmaq and Maliseet leader in southeastern Kentucky—shares how quiet courage has guided her journey, from standing firm in her Indigenous identity to leaving a long marriage and leading grassroots organizing. She reflects on her grandmother's influence, the matriarchal roots of Indigenous community health, and the intertwined legacies of traum...

In this deeply personal milestone episode, Dr. Kristi McClamroch pulls back the curtain on her journey as a podcast host, revealing how 24 conversations with courageous women have fundamentally changed her. What started as careful attention to names and pronouns took on new meaning after a transformative conversation with Dr. Nandi Marshall about the language we use—and don't use—to describe ident...

In this luminous and energizing conversation, Dr. Joyce Senior shares her journey from Costa Rica to Oregon and from nutritionist to nonprofit co-founder, program manager, and consultant. She reflects on living her core values—love, service, well-being, and growth—while navigating what it means to be an Afro-Latina leader in U.S. public health. Whether she's hosting living room dance parties, tran...

In this heartwarming and powerful episode, Kimberly Pierre, MPH, CHES, reflects on the lessons she inherited from her grandmother's kitchen and how they continue to shape her purpose in public health. From folding butter into biscuit dough to centering culture and community in maternal health work, Kimberly shares how legacy is both recipe and roadmap. With deep faith, fierce love, and a calling t...

Zainab Shipchandler, MPH, MCHES, CLC is not afraid of uncertainty—in fact, she embraces it. In this episode, we talk about her bold pivot from lactation equity work to the world of artificial intelligence, and how her public health training informs both. Zainab shares what it means to lead from values like curiosity, compassion, and humility—and to navigate systems that weren't built for her with...

In this heartfelt and grounded conversation, Dr. Pascale D. Edouard shares how faith, lived experience, and servant leadership have shaped her bold path in public health. From speaking up in systems that often fail to listen, to imagining a future with community-led solutions and more Black women in C-suite leadership, she offers a vision rooted in equity, grace, and courage. Dr. Edouard reminds u...

On This Episode Of The Courageous Public Health Podcast In this candid and inspiring conversation, Simone McPherson, MPH, CHES shares how grief, faith, and courage have shaped both her life and her public health leadership. From navigating the sudden loss of her brother to finding her voice as an evaluator and entrepreneur, she reflects on what it means to turn pain into purpose and to lead with b...

On This Episode Of The Courageous Public Health Podcast In this expansive and soul-stirring conversation, Jannah Bierens, MPH, MA shares how courage, curiosity, and lived experience have shaped her radical reimagining of public health. From leaving traditional institutions to stepping fully into purpose, she reflects on what it means to color outside the lines, take up space, and practice public h...

In this authentic and inspiring conversation, Dr. Ericka Horne shares how courage, self-love, and faith have shaped her journey as a Black woman in public health. From boldly shaving her hair as an act of personal liberation to standing up against injustice in the workplace, she reflects on the moments that called her to take action despite fear—and how those moments continue to fuel her purpose t...

In this powerful and deeply grounded conversation, Dr. Nandi Marshall reflects on how grief, authenticity, and courage have shaped her leadership and life. From running for APHA President while mourning the loss of her father, to resisting pressure to censor public health language, she shares what it means to lead with heart—and to keep showing up, even in the hard moments. Dr. Marshall invites us...

In this warm and inspiring conversation, Dr. Chambraia Jones shares how courage, community, and advocacy have shaped her journey as a military spouse, mother, and public health professional. From navigating deployments with a newborn, to earning her PhD while balancing family and work, she reflects on what it means to act despite fear, embrace growth, and build community across each chapter of lif...