Public Health Epidemiology Conversations

In this episode, Dr. Huntley talks with Montrece McNeill Ransom, JD, MPH, about what it really means to lead in public health during a time of disruption and why this moment may be full of unexpected opportunities. From her path from law school to the CDC to her current work shaping the future public health workforce, Montrece shares powerful insights on belonging, leadership, and why law is one o...

2025 was one of the hardest years of my life, professionally and personally. But one decision turned everything around. In this bonus episode, I'm sharing my Word of the Year for 2026 and why it became the strategy that saved my business when everything felt like it was falling apart. If you want to know what actually works when systems fail and how to position yourself for growth in uncertain tim...

A wellness director at a university saw an opportunity that should have been obvious. A major public health conference was coming up, complete with a wellness section, yoga sessions, and holistic health programming. Her institution's public health department already had a booth reserved. The connection was clear: wellness is public health, and she could bridge both departments while expanding stud...

How do you explain the invisible work of public health to your friends and family without using academic jargon? In this engaging installment of the "What Is Public Health?" series, Dr. Charlotte Huntley welcomes Ashley Harris, a recent MPH graduate and health advocate, and Dr. Eboni Haynes, CEO of The Mahogany Group, to discuss the art of plain-language communication and the vital importance of c...

Join host Dr. Charlotte Huntley for a compelling conversation with Edward Johnson, Assistant Health Commissioner at Columbus Public Health, who proves that public health pathways are rarely linear. With a background in philosophy, politics, and economics, Edward brings a unique lens to the field, discussing how data modernization must go beyond cold numbers to harness the power of storytelling—evi...

In this solo episode, Dr. Charlotte Huntley shares a deeply personal and practical conversation about navigating public health discussions with family, friends, coworkers, and communities without burning out. Grounded in her own complex grief journey and her work leading an epidemiology consulting firm, she offers a clear five-question framework to help listeners decide when a conversation is wort...

In this conversation, Dr. Charlotte Huntley welcomes back Dr. Vinu Ilakkuvan, founder and principal consultant at Pop Health and creator of Gaslit by Corporations, to explore what it really means to go "further upstream" in public health. Vinu shares how years of working with coalitions and systems-change efforts led her to focus on power—who has it, how it's used, and why communities must reclaim...

Join Dr. Charlotte Huntley for a powerful conversation that connects purpose with public health, diving into the essential question: What is Public Health?  This episode is designed to help professionals and leaders communicate the field's value without academic jargon and secure much-needed community buy-in. Featuring stories from the field told by professionals creating change beyond traditional...

In this solo episode, Dr. Charlotte Huntley revisits key conversations from the year to encourage public health professionals navigating uncertainty, workforce disruption, and rapid change. She weaves together guest insights on locking arms with like-minded colleagues, mastering plain-language communication, embracing innovation and new surveillance tools, being strategic about funding and career...

In this powerful episode, Milwaukee's Health Commissioner Michael Totoraitis joins Dr. Charlotte H. Huntley to share an insider's view of navigating a citywide public health crisis and the evolving realities of public health leadership in 2025. Mike recounts how discovering a severe lead crisis in Milwaukee's schools exposed systemic vulnerabilities while underscoring the urgent importance of comm...

In this insightful episode, Dr. Charlotte Huntley welcomes Elizabeth Green, Communications Director at the Big Cities Health Coalition, for a deep dive into the art and science of public health communication. Elizabeth brings a unique perspective with her background as a history of science professor and public health communications expert. They explore how to tell compelling public health stories...

In this roundtable discussion, Dr. Huntley is joined by Deborah Shomuyiwa and Jessie Meyer to answer a surprisingly complex but essential question: What is public health? Using plain language and relatable examples, they each break down how public health impacts our everyday lives. From drinking clean water and wearing seatbelts to shaping community policies and creating environments that support...

Dr. Huntley welcomes back Dr. Kristi McClamroch, epidemiologist, entrepreneur, disruptor, and founder of Courageous Public Health. This episode dives deep into the power of courage—what it means, why it matters, and how public health professionals can lean on courage as a practice and pathway to resilience during times of uncertainty and upheaval. Drawing from her journey as a mom, scientist, lead...

This episode features Dr. Tista Ghosh, a public health physician, epidemiologist, author, and senior VP for Employee Health at a global medical device company. Dr. Ghosh shares her journey from discovering public health late in medical school to her impactful roles at the CDC, state government, and private industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation highlights her book Before the Next...

This insightful episode with Dr. Jimmie Hayes Smith explores his journey from clinical medicine to public health leadership, showcasing his dedication to community-centered healthcare, equity, and collaboration. As the administrator for Macon Bibb County Health Department in Georgia, Dr. Smith offers practical advice on navigating public health challenges, building partnerships, and empowering div...

Today we continue our new series dedicated to answering a crucial question: "What is Public Health?" This series was created to energize and demystify a field that's often misunderstood, undervalued, and underfunded. Each episode features candid conversations with inspiring leaders, who use compelling storytelling and plain language to explain their focus areas, no heavy jargon allowed. In this ep...

This episode marks the launch of our dynamic new series designed to answer one simple but crucial question: "What is Public Health?" This series was created to illuminate a field that is all too often misunderstood, undervalued, and underfunded. Inspiring leaders will join us to demystify public health by sharing their unique focus areas through compelling stories always in plain, engaging languag...

This dynamic episode with Santiago Ojeda Sainz spotlights his journey as a Master of Public Health student and passionate advocate for social and behavioral sciences, immigrant health, and micro-mobility safety. Santiago's story, leadership roles, and future ambitions illustrate the new wave of public health professionals driving innovation and collaboration to address real-world challenges in div...

This episode features an engaging and heartfelt conversation between Dr. Charlotte Huntley and Parnia Roghani-Shareef, highlighting her inspiring career journey, leadership in public health, and commitment to workforce development and behavioral health. The discussion covers actionable strategies and personal insights about building resilience, combating burnout, and fostering collaboration across...

Dr. Huntley sits down with Annee Morris Reed, Policy Director at the Funders Forum on Accountable Health and lecturer at George Washington University's Milken Institute School of Public Health. The conversation explores Anne's inspiring career spanning senior policy roles within the federal government, her dedication to community-driven, multi-sector partnerships, and the impact of landmark legisl...

This episode features an inspiring conversation between public health visionaries Dr. Charlotte Huntley and Dr. Marissa Levine, delving into the evolving landscape of public health leadership. Centered around the concept of regenerative leadership, the discussion explores how adaptive, systems-thinking approaches are transforming both individuals and organizations to better serve communities amid...

In this deeply moving and energizing episode, Dr. Huntley interviews Shanthi Hegde, a rare disease advocate, board leader, and soon-to-be public health student at Brown University. Shanthi shares her powerful journey as a young woman of color living with multiple rare bleeding disorders and an immune dysregulatory syndrome, and she details the systemic barriers patients like her face at every leve...

In this inspiring episode, Dr. Huntley welcomes Robyn Bussey, a self-described "health equitist" and Health Equity Director at the Partnership for Southern Equity (PSE). With deep roots in rural Georgia and a passion for amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, Robyn shares her personal journey from growing up as the daughter of a beloved rural public health nurse to leading innovative,...

Dr. Huntley sits down with Abby Tighe, a former CDC public health advisor and co-founder of the Fired by Fighting coalition. Together, they share an insider's look at the nationwide impact of the 2025 mass firing of thousands of CDC and HHS professionals and the dangerous dismantling of America's public health infrastructure. They also highlight how a grassroots movement is fighting back. Abby det...

In this deeply personal and thought-provoking episode, Dr. Huntley, shares her heartfelt journey one year after the tragic loss of her son, Nicholas, in a motorcycle accident. Dr. Huntley opens up about her struggle to channel her grief and frustration into meaningful action and advocacy, seeking the support, ideas, and expertise of the public health community and podcast listeners. The episode se...