Public Health Joy: Community Power, Health Equity, and Leadership in Action

In this episode of the Public Health Joy Podcast, Dr. Joyee sits down with Dr. Zenobia Bryant Antoine for a powerful conversation about the deep connection between self-worth, data storytelling, and community impact. They're talking about the internal work required to lead authentically, challenging us to redefine our value beyond titles, degrees, and dollar signs. Dr. Bryant Antoine reminds u...

In this episode of The Public Health Joy Podcast, Dr. Joyee sits down with Dr. Lovell Jones. Dr. Jones is a pioneering cancer researcher, health equity scholar, and one of the most important architects of the infrastructure that made space for Black researchers in the biomedical sciences. As the first African American to be hired in the basic/behavioral sciences, at University of Texas M.D. Anders...

In this episode of The Public Health Joy Podcast, Dr. Joyee Washington shares the deeply personal story behind National Black Researchers Week — why it was created, what it has meant to the community, and why she is committed to carrying it forward this year.   This episode is about more than an event. It's about honoring the vision of someone who poured everything into making space for Black...

In this episode of the Public Health Joy Podcast, Dr. Joyee Washington and Nicole Clark sit down to discuss Nicole's powerful journey from social work to consulting, reflecting on how her experiences have shaped her approach to leadership, community impact, and personal growth. Through an honest and thoughtful conversation, Nicole explores the deep connections between public health and social...

In this episode of the Public Health Joy Podcast, Dr. Joyee Washington and Jesseca Chatman sit down to reflect on their introduction to community-engaged research and CBPR — and how those early experiences fundamentally changed everything they thought they knew about public health. Together, they dig into what it really means to build trust with communities, not just collect data from them. Dr. Jo...

In this episode of the Public Health Joy Podcast, we sit down with Alexandra Piatkowski, founder and CEO of Piat Public Health, for a conversation that reframes how we think about structure, strategy, and community impact in public health. Together, we dig into what it really means to bring project management into public health spaces — not as a corporate add-on, but as a tool for health equity. A...

In this episode of the Public Health Joy podcast, Dr. Joyee Washington interviews Dr. Desiree Strickland, founder of the Public Health Club, about how consulting can be a tool for freedom rather than burnout. Dr. Strickland shares her journey into public health consulting and how professionals can leverage their expertise to increase both impact and income — without sacrificing their well-being. T...

In this new episode of the Public Health Joy Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Lisa Bowleg, Founder and CEO of the Intersectionality Training Institute, for a conversation that challenges how we think about research, power, and purpose. Together, we dig into what it really means to do research in service of communities, not just for publications and career advancement. Dr. Bowleg opens up about the str...

In this powerful episode of the Public Health Joy Podcast , Dr. Joyee Washington sits down with Vinu Ilakkuvan, founder of POP Health and The Gaslit Project, for a bold conversation about power, policy, and people. Together, they unpack what community power really means in public health—and why it’s essential in a landscape where corporate interests often shape health policy behind the scenes. Vin...

In this episode of the Public Health Joy Podcast, Dr. Joyee Washington sits down with Quisha Umemba—registered nurse, public health leader, and CEO of Umemba Health—to talk about what it really looks like to bring AI into public health work with clarity, integrity, and impact.  Quisha shares her journey from initial resistance (“this is cheating!”) to becoming a certified AI consultant who now tra...

Season 5 of The Public Health Podcast opens with a powerful keynote from Dr. Joyee Washington , delivered at the 2026 Public Health Joy Summit . In Rest, Reimagine, Rebuild , Dr. Joyee invites the public health community into a deeply honest reflection on where we are, and where we must go next. This episode acknowledges the collective grief, exhaustion, and disillusionment many public health prof...

In this powerful solo Season 4 finale of The Public Health Joy Podcast , Dr. Joyee Washington shares a deeply personal reflection on what 2025 demanded of her — and what it revealed about all of us in public health. After reaching a long-dreamed-of six-figure milestone, Dr. Joy entered 2025 expecting abundance. Instead, she encountered one of the most challenging years of her life — marked by fina...

In this episode of The Public Health Joy Podcast , Dr. Joyee sits down with Silas Buchanan, founder and CEO of Our Healthy Community, a social impact consulting firm in partnership with Morehouse School of Medicine. Their mission: to close the distance between faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, and healthcare stakeholders. Together, Dr. Joyee and Silas explore what it truly...

In this episode of The Public Health Joy Podcast , Dr. Joyee takes listeners behind the scenes of the movement that is reshaping how we think about public health. With honesty, vulnerability, and clarity. Dr. Joyee speaks to the exhaustion, grief, and burnout that so many public health professionals are carrying in 2025. She acknowledges the frustration of working in systems that undermine your pu...

In this episode of the Public Health Joy Podcast, Dr. Joyee Washington sits down with Ginny Katz, the Founder and CEO of HazAdapt, a groundbreaking company dedicated to building stronger, safer, and more resilient communities. As the Head of Research at HazAdapt Community Resilience Tools, Ginny leads the charge in developing innovative, technology-driven solutions that redefine how we prepare for...

In this episode of the Public Health Joy Podcast, Dr. Joyee speaks with Maudra Brown, MPH, an innovative Chief Health Strategist and Founder of MRB Public Health Consulting. This forward-thinking consulting firm is dedicated to advancing public health initiatives through innovative strategies, evidence-based practices, and a commitment to community engagement. Together, they discuss the current ch...

In this episode of the Public Health Joy Podcast, Dr. Joyee engages with Dorian Johnson, a Public Health Educator and Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach who combines skills-based health education and systems-level insight to every conversation. Known as “ The PHuncle” , Dorian is a master at making complex public health concepts clear and engaging. Together, Dr. Joyee and Dorian discuss the...

In this episode of the Public Health Joy Podcast, Dr. Joyee Washington shines a light on the challenges we face in public health and the courage it takes to keep moving forward. She reminds us that reflection and resilience aren’t optional—they’re essential. By acknowledging our pain and our struggles, we create the foundation for growth, healing, and transformation.  Dr. Washington calls us to re...

In this episode of the Public Health Joy podcast, Dr. Joyee interviews Dr. Renaisa Anthony, MD, MPH—physician, public health leader, and founder of Momentum Park. Dr. Anthony discusses her journey in maternal health, the importance of community, and the role of technology and AI in advancing healthcare equity.  Dr. Anthony shares personal experiences that motivated her to create impactful solution...

In this episode of the Public Health Joy podcast, we are joined by Cookie Miller, a functional wellness strategist. Cookie discusses the importance of self-care, emotional resilience, and time management for public health professionals. The conversation emphasizes the need for individuals in the public health sector to prioritize their own well-being in order to effectively serve others. Cookie sh...

True accessibility in public health education means designing with everyone in mind from the start, not treating it as an afterthought. Joining us today to talk about building more inclusive, learner-centered e-learning experiences is Leah Roman. Leah is the owner and principal consultant at Roman Public Health Consulting LLC, where she applies over 20 years of experience designing accessible trai...

We’re all touched by policies every day, and anyone can be a policy changemaker within their community. Today, we’re joined by the incredible lawyer, author, and DEI strategist, Kristi Guillory, to discuss the power of storytelling in public health and health policy.    Tuning in, you’ll learn about Kristi’s mission in the public health space, what policy, advocacy, and lobbying mean, how they are...

Get ready for the next episode on the Public Health Joy Podcast! 🔥This Friday, we learn from a trailblazer who's been changing the game in public health, policy, and funding. We will be joined by the incredible Elizabeth Peck — a public policy and philanthropy expert with over 20 years of experience in the field. 💼💪 Elizabeth is the founder of EP Strategies , a woman-owned consulting busine...

Swimming is more than just staying afloat in water; it’s a much deeper necessity that can also serve as a therapeutic outlet for communities in need. Today, we are joined by drowning prevention specialist Kiana Pauline, the Founder and CEO of Total Body Submersion – a community-centered organization geared toward building water confidence for people to fall in love with swimming and indeed, life....

What if government contracting didn’t have to be competitive but could be collaborative instead? Joining Dr. Joyee Washington today is Dr. Lauren Josephs, researcher, CEO of Visionary Vanguard Group, and self-proclaimed “destiny helper.” Tuning in, you’ll hear all about our guest’s career, how she got into government contracting, the importance of embracing hard work, and so much more! We delve in...