Public Health Careers

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast discusses the current challenges faced in public health, emphasizing the feelings of frustration and burnout among professionals. He highlights the importance of community support and the role of government in providing social safety nets. Richins encourages listeners to take action, build connections, and share their stories to foster a sense of...

Omari Richins, MPH of the Public Health Careers podcast talks with Dorian Johnson, also known as The PHuncle. Dorian is a public health educator, communicator, and content creator focused on making health information more engaging, relatable, and culturally relevant. Through creative storytelling and authentic conversations, he works to bridge the gap between traditional public health messaging an...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast discusses the pervasive issue of misinformation in public health, emphasizing the need for effective communication strategies to combat it. He outlines a practical framework for engaging in conversations about health topics, focusing on listening, validating, redirecting, and informing.  Richins also addresses the current Ebola outbreak, highligh...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks with Lydia Babcock, MA, MPH, PMP. Lydia uses participatory action research, ethnography, and mixed methods to help organizations identify root causes, close gaps, and design solutions that actually work for communities. Her work sits at the intersection of public health, medical anthropology, policy research, and community engagement, with...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast discusses the common feelings of uncertainty and being lost in the public health field. He emphasizes the importance of curiosity, taking action, and building skills through various experiences. Richins provides practical advice on exploring different career paths, developing essential soft skills, and leveraging platforms like LinkedIn for netwo...

Omari Richins, MPH of the Public Health Careers podcast talks with Winston Wellington Wright, MPH. In this conversation, Winston shares his journey as a health equity strategist, consultant, and co-founder of Brothers in Public Health. He reflects on how his experiences in St. Louis shaped his understanding of health disparities and the importance of centering community in public health work. Wins...

Public health feels different right now - and if you’ve been questioning your path, you’re not alone. In this National Public Health Week reflection, I share: - The current reality of the public health field - Why this work still matters - How to stay grounded and move forward Your Action Steps: Reflect on your impact Focus on building one key skill 🔗 More resources: thephmillennial.com ✍🏾 TPHM...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks with Dr. Lisa Carter-Bawa, PhD, MPH, APRN, ANP-C, FAAN, FSBM. In this conversation, Dr. Lisa Carter-Bawa shares her journey as a cancer prevention scientist and nurse practitioner, discussing her multiracial identity, the importance of community engagement in public health, and her philosophy of leadership. She emphasizes the need for a ret...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast explores how recent changes in federal student loan policies threaten the future of public health by making it harder for students to enter the field. Omari Richins discusses the broader societal impacts, including workforce shortages and community health risks. Public Health Is a Professional Degree by ASPPH ✍🏾 TPHM Needs Survey 💡 1-on-1 mento...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks with Alexander Bonano, MPH, a Health Equity in All Policies Project Manager at Boston Public Health Commission. In this episode, Alexander Bonano, MPH, shares how he’s advancing racial equity within public health systems at the Boston Public Health Commission. We explore what “Health Equity in All Policies” looks like in practice, common mi...

Public health work can feel heavy right now. In this short reflection, Omari Richins shares a powerful lesson from the AIDS crisis: communities survived not just through protest and advocacy, but through joy and connection. This episode is about finding ways to keep showing up for public health, health equity, and our communities - even during difficult times. Omari also shares a quick update on t...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks with Robert Mahoney, CEO & Founder of TVTP Solutions. In this conversation, Robert discusses his journey in targeted violence prevention, emphasizing the importance of proactive strategies over reactive measures. He explains the complexities of radicalization, the need for a human-centered approach in prevention, and the challenges face...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast explores the deep connections between Black History Month and public health, emphasizing how historical struggles and initiatives within Black communities have shaped modern public health policies and practices. Omari highlights the contributions of the Black Panther Party and other historical figures in advocating for health equity, community he...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks with Jennifer Kuo, MPH, CHES. In this episode, Jennifer Kuo shares her journey at the intersection of arts and public health - and why creative approaches are essential to building healthier communities. She breaks down social prescribing and its growing role in the U.S. healthcare system, highlighting how arts and culture support well-bein...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast discusses the current challenges facing public health, emphasizing the need for community empowerment and the importance of addressing systemic barriers in education and career development. He reflects on the evolving landscape of public health careers, the necessity of grassroots advocacy, and the critical role of mentorship in fostering a diver...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast addresses the pressures faced by graduates as they transition into the public health workforce. He emphasizes the importance of navigating this phase with intention rather than rushing into job applications. Omari encourages listeners to define their personal anchors, choose guiding themes for their career journey, and focus on commitments that s...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast welcomes Nadia Tekkal, an independent public health consultant based in Dubai. Nadia shares her unique journey through five countries, highlighting how her diverse experiences have shaped her understanding of public health. She emphasizes the importance of cultural context in health, noting that health is influenced by more than just access to se...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast critiques the new US dietary guidelines, arguing that they prioritize industry interests over public health. Omari compares these guidelines with those of other wealthy nations, highlighting the detrimental health outcomes associated with high red meat consumption. Richins emphasizes the need for evidence-based nutrition policies that genuinely p...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks with Erin Williamson, LCSW, MPA. Erin Williamson is Chief Programs and Strategy Officer at Love 146, discusses her journey in the field of public health and anti-trafficking. She shares insights on the misconceptions surrounding human trafficking, the vulnerabilities that lead to it, and the role of technology in both facilitating and preve...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast discusses the significant public health victories of 2025, highlighting the resilience and innovation of health professionals worldwide. Despite challenges like funding cuts and public skepticism, breakthroughs emerged, including the world's first pandemic agreement, advancements in HIV prevention, and new treatments for malaria and tubercul...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks with Thelma Thiel. In this conversation, Thelma Thiel shares her personal journey of loss and advocacy for liver health, stemming from her son's struggles with liver disease. She emphasizes the importance of educating the public about the liver, a silent organ often overlooked in health discussions. Thelma discusses the systemic challe...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast discusses the unique challenges faced by public health professionals in setting and achieving personal goals. He emphasizes the importance of intentional goal setting, reflection, and finding one's purpose through the Ikigai framework. Richins provides a structured approach to creating a vision for the upcoming year and turning that vision i...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks with Dr. Tista Ghosh. In this conversation, Tista Ghosh, a physician and epidemiologist, shares her journey in public health, discussing her experiences during the pandemic, the importance of frontline workers, and the lessons learned for future preparedness. She emphasizes the need for cultural shifts in public health communication, the ro...

In this chat, Omari Richins, MPH discusses the alarming proposed changes by the US Department of Education regarding the definition of professional degrees, which excludes public health degrees. This exclusion could significantly impact financial aid access for public health graduates, amidst a backdrop of increasing burnout and disillusionment within the field. He emphasizes the essential role of...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks with Alexandra Piatkowski, MPH, PMP. In this conversation, Alexandra Piatkowski, founder and CEO of Piat Public Health, shares her journey in public health, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, mentorship, and effective data communication. She discusses her academic background, co-op experiences, and the transition to her con...