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

A lot of people don’t understand what diversity, equity, and inclusion actually are. That’s one reason why it’s such a hot topic today.  Lekeshia Hicks is a seasoned human resource strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of Lekeshia Angelique Consulting. She joins the podcast today to speak about the power of diversity, equity, and inclusion in public health. Tuning in, you’ll hear Lekeshia’s perspe...

How do structural inequalities shape public health and how can research be reimagined to dismantle them? In this episode, we speak with Dr. Andrea Mantsios, Founder and Principal Consultant of Public Health Innovation in Action (PHIA), a consultancy committed to centering community voices in health research and interventions. As a passionate public health researcher, Andrea joins us today as we di...

What if we redefined healthcare beyond just doctor’s visits and medication? In this episode of The Public Health Joy Podcast, Dr. Joyee Washington welcomes Dr. Jacob Kendall, a passionate advocate for people with chronic illness, chronic pain, and disabilities. Having undergone two open-heart surgeries and served as a caregiver for loved ones with heart disease, Dr. Kendall brings a deeply persona...

Workplace culture has changed drastically (especially since the pandemic), and employers can no longer afford to put the well-being of their employees on the back burner. Today on the Public Health Joy Podcast, Jennice Chewlin, founder of Chewlin Group, joins us to discuss workplace well-being and how to find joy in ordinary moments in your career. Tuning in, you’ll hear about Jennice’s career, wh...

In a world that is so preoccupied with assigning blame instead of looking inward, quantitative data provides a fact-focused reprieve, especially when paired with a human-centered approach to data equity. Today, we are joined by Heather Krause, a cross-sector thought leader and speaker on data equity issues with a cutting-edge approach to project design, data collection analysis, reporting, and vis...

A loved one’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis brings life-altering challenges not only for the individual but for the entire family. In this heartfelt episode of The Public Health Joy Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Herb Caldwell, who opens up about the deeply personal journey that led him to create the Mama Joe Project, a groundbreaking initiative named after his late mother, who inspired his mission to supp...

Language is more than just words; it’s a powerful tool for connection and understanding, especially in public health. Today, Dr. Joyce Senior, founder of Dr. J. Senior Consulting, LLC, and co-founder of My Hair My Health PDX, joins us to discuss how translation and cultural competency can bridge gaps between healthcare providers and communities. With her bilingual upbringing in Costa Rica, Dr. Sen...

What if public health could be approached from a place of abundance instead of scarcity? In this episode of The Public Health Joy Podcast, Dr. Joyee reflects on the journey to 2025 and sets the stage for a year of abundance, resilience, and growth. Broadcasting from her personal “war room,” she explores the lessons learned from challenges and the power of shifting perspectives toward joy and hope...

With the uncertainty that lies ahead with the change in administration, our time is now! As public health soldiers, it’s time to prepare ourselves to thrive, and that starts with coming together. We need to unite to organize, mobilize, and strategize for whatever 2025 may bring. Join Dr. Joyee as she shares details about the upcoming Bracing for 2025: A Virtual Summit for Public Health Consultants...

What is the connection between Black hair, self-esteem, and mental health? In this episode, we welcome Ameka Coleman, the visionary founder and CEO of Strands of Faith, to discuss her entrepreneurial journey and how hair can be a source of empowerment. Strands of Faith is a clean beauty brand dedicated to nourishing and revitalizing textured hair with cruelty-free, non-toxic, moisture-rich ingredi...

Across America, there are persistent health inequities that impact communities in ways you might not expect. Joining us to discuss health equity in action is leading health equity champion, Dr. Jovonni Spinner. In this conversation, you’ll hear all about our guest’s phenomenal career, what made her want to get into public health, why she loves working on improving health equity, and more! We delve...

Are we truly addressing the root causes of public health challenges, or are we merely reacting to the symptoms? How can we shift our approach to create lasting, impactful change? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Dorothy Cilenti, Founder and CEO of Health Ascent Associates, LLC, and a seasoned public health professional with over 20 years of experience in local and state health agencies in Nor...

When we realize that democracy truly places power in the hands of the, so many people’s lives will change. Today Garrison McMurtrey joins us to discuss politics, policies, and politicians. He is currently the District Director for the office of US Congresswoman, Angie Craig. Garrison has had an extensive career from working on the Public Affairs team at Target, to being an Outreach Director for Se...

Are you ready to tackle your finances with confidence and clarity? In today’s episode, Dr. Jennifer Edwards, a seasoned Financial & Retirement Consultant at Savvy Financial Wellness, joins us to demystify the path to financial stability. Dr. Edwards, a fourth-generation business owner and third-generation financial professional, specializes in helping energetic working women and moms design a...

In this episode of the Public Health Joy podcast, host Dr. Joyee Washington shares how her first international trip to Mexico gave her a new perspective on abundance in public health. After feeling burnt out from running her public health business full-time, Dr. Joyee's "spirit" told her she needed a vacation. Despite never having traveled internationally before, she decided to take...

Public health and epidemiology are constantly changing, albeit slowly. One thing that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later is the importance of research, the need to reexamine what it is, and how we approach it in this modern world. Today, we are joined by Mary Carney, a consultant specializing in research, data analysis, and communications services to help non-profits achieve their goal...

Your vote might not bring immediate change, but it is crucial as it contributes to the possibility of a better future. Joining us in conversation today is Dr. Jeanine Abrams-McLean, the President of Fair Count, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a goal of building continued civic participation and ensuring that every person in Georgia and America is counted in a fair and accurate census. J...

Data is the foundation on which public health is built. Without data, there is no public health. As such, it becomes the responsibility of all those interested in public health to ensure – like all other public health aspects – that data is approached from a place of diversity, equity, and inclusion. On today’s show, we welcome the Founder, CEO, and Principal Consultant of Chilombo Consulting, Van...

Let's be real, it's a struggle being a Black professional in the public health workforce, am I right? We've been resilient our whole lives, what we need is rest, periodt! It is no secret that historically marginalized Americans face obstacles in many areas of society, especially in the workforce. However, our experience, culture, and heritage as Black professionals continue to build st...

Public health researchers and professionals often adopt a top-down approach that assumes that education, resources, or "expert" assistance can empower communities. The truth is communities already have all the power they need. True empowerment requires collaboration to jointly increase control over the factors affecting the lives and well-being of community members. To discuss shifting p...

Researchers can often be disconnected from reality, but preserving the dignity of your community members is paramount to a people-first research process. Dr. Rodney Washington is a retired Associate Professor of Early Education and Population Health Science and currently owns Consulting Plus, a health and educational consulting foundation improving health and educational outcomes for communities e...

Today on The Public Health Joy Podcast, we speak to Dr. Mary Davis, Lead Evaluation Specialist at Emory Centers for Public Health Training and Technical Assistance, about the importance of the human element in the evolution of public health research and evaluation. Dr. Davis has extensive experience with all aspects of public health applied research and evaluation and has provided evaluation capac...

Welcome back to your safe space for having honest conversations about what it takes to transform public health research into life-changing solutions for communities. Being an entrepreneur in public health requires a certain drive, a specific skill set, and a well-grounded understanding of what it means to engage communities in order to elevate them. Dr. Charlotte Huntley has all of the above, and...

As Benjamin Franklin once said: “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” Preparation is such an important piece of Public Health work and during this episode, we are joined by a passionate professional supporting entrepreneurs through planning and organizational support. Chelsea Yvanda is the Public Health Virtual Assistant. After completing her Master of Public Health and working in the s...

Join Dr. Joyee for a thought-provoking conversation on the role of righteousness in public health research. In this episode, she delves into the importance of integrity, honesty, and humility in driving positive impact and equity. From challenging the status quo to embracing discomfort, we explore how righteousness guides our decisions and shapes our journey in the world of public health research....