Y Health

June is Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Brain Awareness Month. In this PSA episode of the Y Health Podcast, Dr. Cougar Hall shares practical, evidence-based strategies to support brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. From exercise and nutrition to sleep, lifelong learning, and social connection, learn simple habits that can help protect your brain while fostering greater understanding...

This episode of the Y Health Podcast is a special Mental Health Awareness Month PSA from host Cougar Hall focused on the importance of slowing down, practicing mindfulness, and strengthening social connection. Drawing on insights from thinkers like Sam Harris, James Baraz, and David Brooks, Dr. Hall discusses how mental health is an essential part of overall well-being and why normalizing conversa...

In this Classroom Edition of the Y Health Podcast, Cougar Hall explores the powerful role stress plays in our physical and mental health, drawing from Chapter 2 of his Mind-Body Health course at Brigham Young University. As Part 2 of this series, this episode builds on foundational concepts to take a deeper look at how we experience and manage stress in everyday life. This episode breaks down thre...

What does it truly mean to be a leader—and how can centering our lives on Christ transform the way we lead, serve, and connect with others? In this episode of the Y Health Podcast, Dr. Cougar Hall sits down with Dr. Anthony Bates from BYU’s Sorenson Center for Moral and Ethical Leadership to explore the powerful principles behind the Christ-Centered Leader Model. Dr. Bates shares his personal jour...

In this Classroom Edition of the Y Health Podcast, host Cougar Hall introduces listeners to one of Brigham Young University’s most impactful courses: Mind-Body Health (HLTH 383). As Part 1 of this series, Cougar draws from over 15 years of teaching the class to share the foundational principles of psychoneuroimmunology—the science of how our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influence physical hea...

In this episode of Y Health , host Dr. Cougar Hall sits down with renowned BYU exercise science professor and elite distance runner Dr. Ian Hunter to explore the lifelong impact of movement, motivation, and meaningful connection through running. From his unexpected journey from middle-distance track athlete to world-ranked marathoner, Dr. Hunter shares how a single 15-mile run changed the trajecto...

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month—a time to focus on prevention, early detection, and real conversations about a disease that affects far too many lives. In this episode, we take a closer look at colorectal cancer (CRC), the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. While rates have declined among older adults thanks to...

 In this episode of Y Health, Dave Waddell shares how experiential learning, faculty connection, and mentorship in higher education are transforming the student experience at BYU and beyond. We explore why the second year of college is statistically the most likely time students drop out—and what universities can do to better support at-risk college students during that critical period.  Dave disc...

In this classroom edition of the Y Health Podcast, Josh West explores the powerful concept of social capital and its impact on health and community well-being. Drawing on ideas popularized by Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone , this episode explains how relationships, trust, and community engagement influence mental, social, and physical health outcomes. Listeners will learn the difference between bon...

Public health isn’t just community clinics and county programs — it’s shaping the future of healthcare from the inside out. In this episode of Y Health , BYU Public Health alum Sarah Harward shares how she’s redefining population health as a Business Operations Coordinator for Intermountain’s Children’s Health Network , Utah’s largest healthcare system.  Sarah reveals how value-based care and proa...

Does height really matter? In this classroom edition, Ben Crookston explains how child malnutrition and stunting are more than physical measurements—they are powerful indicators of long-term health, cognitive development, and economic opportunity. Learn why the first 1,000 days—from conception to age two—represent a critical window for intervention, and how nutrition, maternal health, breastfeedin...

In this episode of the Y Health Podcast we welcome Theron Hall, he is a chiropractor with nearly 30 years of experience helping patients prevent and recover from common musculoskeletal injuries. In this episode, he shares practical, prevention-focused strategies for avoiding low back pain, headaches, disc injuries, and posture-related issues caused by today’s sedentary, screen-heavy lifestyles. In...

In this episode of the Y Health Podcast, we welcome Dr. Evan Thacker, BYU epidemiologist and dedicated mentor, to discuss brain health, metabolism, and the power of student-driven research. Dr. Thacker shares his journey from neuroscience at BYU to graduate training at Harvard and the University of Washington, and how mentorship shaped his path. Now, with nine publications in 2025, he’s helping st...

 Join host Dr. Cougar Hall as he sits down with Alan Pruhs , Executive Director of the Association for Utah Community Health, for a powerful and heartfelt conversation about what it really means to make healthcare accessible for all.  From the rural clinics of Bicknell to the streets of Salt Lake City, Alan shares inspiring stories from Utah’s community and migrant health centers—where compassion,...

 In this inspiring episode of Y Health , host Dr. Cougar Hall sits down with Ayugi Ntambwe-Kalala — public health professional, educator, and mother of three — to discuss her remarkable journey from a small fishing town in Kenya to her current role as Student Experience Coordinator in BYU’s Department of Public Health.  Ayugi shares how her boldness and vision helped her build a global career span...

 As part of BYU’s Homecoming Week, we’re spotlighting alum Christine Frandsen —a journalist turned public health professional—who shares how media literacy can help us recognize bias and misinformation in health news. From understanding journalism structures to questioning social media sources, Christine and Dr. Cougar Hall explore what it really means to “know your sources” in today’s world of pu...

Professor Cougar Hall sits down with Greg Hooke , a senior in Public Health and member of the College of Life Sciences Student Belonging Council , to explore what “belonging” really means at BYU—and how simple acts of connection can change campus culture. Greg shares how a Johns Hopkins internship studying bias in long-COVID care opened his eyes to everyday experiences of being unseen, and how tha...

What can public health learn from the Freedom Riders? In this deeply moving conversation, Dr. Cougar Hall is joined by Georgia Calhoun , Trudy Munford , and Dr. Anthony Bates to discuss the intersection of faith, forgiveness, and social justice. From the burning buses of 1961 to the heritage festivals of today, this episode shows how communities endure trauma, create spaces for healing, and build...

In this episode of the Y Health Podcast , Dr. Cougar Hall welcomes back one of BYU Public Health’s most dynamic voices, Dr. Lori Spruance , to share insights from her recent Fulbright Fellowship in Australia , her groundbreaking work on nutrition policy , and her run for public office .  Dr. Spruance dives into what it was like living in Rockhampton, the beef capital of Australia , complete with k...

 In this episode of the Y Health Podcast , Dr. Cougar Hall announces two exciting new formats being added to the show:  Y Health Classroom Edition – Faculty members will highlight key concepts from their courses at BYU, providing educational content that is both informative and accessible to a broad audience. Public Service Announcements (PSAs) – Short, timely episodes meant to benefit listeners,...

In this episode of the Y Health Podcast , host Dr. Cougar Hall interviews Rachel Higginson , the Director of Sports Nutrition for BYU Athletics , about the evolving role of nutrition in athletic performance and everyday health. Rachel shares her journey from clinical dietetics to sports nutrition, highlighting the growth of the nutrition program at BYU, particularly after joining the Big 12.  Key...

Public health isn’t just about policies—it’s about people. Leiema Hunt, MPH, talks about her work in American Samoa, the unique health challenges her community faces, and the role of cultural traditions in promoting well-being. From leading COVID-19 response efforts to tackling non-communicable diseases, Leiema shares her insights on public health, leadership, and the importance of staying connect...

In this episode of the Y Health Podcast , host Cougar Hall sits down with Dr. Randy Page, a recently retired professor from BYU’s Department of Public Health, to reflect on his 40-year career in academia and global health. From his early days as a researcher to pioneering BYU’s Global Health Internship Program, Dr. Page shares insights on professional pivots, the impact of international experience...

  Summary: In this episode, Dr. Jim Johnston shares his powerful experiences researching occupational health in Nepal’s brick kilns, where workers face constant exposure to hazardous dust and air pollution. Beyond the health risks, his research uncovered an unexpected but urgent need—access to education for workers and their children. Dr. Johnston discusses how interdisciplinary collaboration is s...

In this episode of the Y Health podcast, Dr. Cougar Hall, alongside Dr. Alisha Redelfs and Dr. Julianne Grose, explores the intersection of public health and the creation of a sense of belonging within academic communities. The conversation delves into BYU’s Office of Belonging, established in 2021, and its unique gospel-centered approach to fostering inclusion and connection across campus. Throug...