Public Health Joy!

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.

Tune in for insights, inspiration, and a fresh perspective on creating meaningful change in our communities.

Key Points:

·      Dr. Joyee seeks to position herself and her business for long-term success while navigating part-time jobs. [2:35]

·      Dr. Joyee grapples with work-life balance, decides to quit last part-time job to become full-time entrepreneur. [5:09]

·      Dr. Joyee reflects on personal growth through difficult decision to prioritize business over other aspects of life. [10:40]

·      Dr. Joyee emphasizes the importance of ethical decision-making in public health research. [16:15]

·      Dr. Joyee emphasizes righteousness in public health research, including integrity, transparency, humility, and community-centered approach. [19:36]

·      Dr. Joyee emphasizes pursuing justice and equity in public health research. [22:13]

For episode details:

As a community health educator, today’s guest shines a light on Black women’s sexual health by giving a voice to issues that are often faced but rarely talked about.

Dr. Shemeka Thorpe is an award-winning sexuality educator, researcher, and international speaker whose research focuses on the sexual well-being of Black women using sex-positive and pleasure-centered frameworks. She has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles, was listed by Buzzfeed as one of the Top 20 Black sexologists you should follow in 2023, and has been featured on numerous podcasts, online magazines, and blogs including Cosmo, Elite Daily, and Essence.

As you’ll discover in this episode, Dr. Thorpe aims to make research relevant to Black communities by translating sex science in meaningful and tangible ways. Join us as we discuss the importance of comprehensive sex education that includes pleasure, how sexual freedom can enable people to make better choices, why community members should be considered researchers, and some of the ways that Dr. Thorpe finds joy in her work and leads the way for those who come after her, plus so much more!

Key Points From This Episode:

If you work in public health, then you are no doubt aware that, statistically, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from birth-related complications than their white counterparts.

And while it’s important to understand the reasons behind these unacceptable and heartbreaking numbers, the more pressing question is: what is being done about it?

Joining Dr. Joyee Washington on the podcast today is her friend and colleague, Dr. Nakeitra Burse to talk about how they, and other Black women like themselves, are working to improve maternal and health equity in Mississippi — the place they call home.

Dr. Burse is the CEO of Six Dimensions, a public health consulting company that aims to create strategic, sustainable, and innovative solutions in public health with a focus on health equity and social justice. She is also a Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leader.

We use today’s conversation with Dr. Burse to delve into the state of Maternal health in Mississippi, the importance of building greater health equity, and the work being done by, and for, communities in Mississippi. You’ll also learn about Six Dimensions’ training, development, and outreach programs; what equity looks like in everyday practice; how we can do research that prioritizes communities, not just academics; and much more.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing today’s guest, Dr. Nakeitra Burse, the focus of her work, and how she founded her public health consulting company, Six Dimensions. [0:29]

• Why Six Dimensions is transitioning into becoming a nonprofit. [02:19]

• An overview of Six Dimensions’ Health and Racial Equity in Maternal Care course and their outreach efforts. [03:41]

• Why Dr. Burse chose to stay, work, and live in Mississippi. [06:49]

• Asking what equity looks like in everyday practice and taking the steps to build it. [10:37]

• Visiting the Two Mississippi Museums, the history depicted there, and how it relates to public health equity. [15:51]

• Maternal health in Mississippi and how Dr. Burse got started working in this area. [19:50]

• The healthcare solutions that are being driven by Black women in Mississippi. [25:58]

• Protecting your community when research is being done. [27:47]

• What brings Dr. Burse joy in her work: seeing Black women happy and safe in their births, pregnancies, and maternal health care outcomes. [31:53]

• Where you can find Six Dimensions online and details on their upcoming 5K walk. [34:10]

Traditionally, there are a number of power imbalances that exist between foundations and nonprofits in the public health space, but trust-based philanthropy involves creating and sustaining more collaborative, transparent, and holistic partnerships between grantmakers and grantees.

To help us explore how we can reimagine funding, power, and research through trust-based philanthropy to drive positive impact and health equity, we are joined by Dr. Rachel Powell, a passionate public health professional, consultant, educator, and qualitative researcher trained in culturally responsive and equitable evaluation. Dr. Powell has more than a decade of public health experience, working with both federal and local government, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions alike.

In this episode, she highlights the importance of building authentic partnerships with donors and explains why it’s going to take time to see more culturally responsive, equitable, and trust-based practices. We also touch on the value of self-evaluation, a strong focus on community, seeing the work we do through a cultural lens, and much more! For a fascinating (and joyful) conversation with someone who is committed to equitable, accessible, and community-centered solutions to drive social change, tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Dr. Powell introduces herself and emphasizes the importance of a cultural lens. [02:44]

• Defining trust-based philanthropy and the role it plays in public health. [04:56]

• Equitable considerations about the RFP (request for proposal) process. [14:17]

• Debunking some common criticisms of trust-based philanthropy. [17:40]

• Reasons that building authentic partnerships with funders is crucial. [19:29]

• Rethinking power dynamics: why it’s important to challenge donors and institutions. [22:49]

• Highlighting the value of self-evaluation, transparency, and open communication. [26:01]

• The patience needed to see true change and resources to help you take the next step. [27:37]

• Intention versus impact: issues that can accompany academic partnerships. [33:57]

• Why pushing organizations to focus on community brings Dr. Powell joy. [36:56]

Research is often a dirty word in communities. The harm caused by academic researchers can only be counteracted by building trust and relationships in an authentic way. And that doesn't mean just offering a gift card for all their data! It means prioritizing the strengths and needs of communities in addition to fairly compensating them for their time.

Today we are joined by The Community Lady herself, Ms. Ede Crittle – a seasoned professional in community engagement, partnership development, and coalition building. With over 20 years of experience, Ede's passion for grassroots organizations as the foundation for change has led her to promote equitable health through research partnerships since 2011. 

In today’s conversation, the John Hopkins’ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award recipient walks us through her professional background, how she gained her affectionate nickname, and a rundown of Project E-RACE and the other work she’s currently involved in. Then, we dive into how she is building relationships between communities and academic researchers, what true partnership looks like, and we discuss why academic researchers need to better understand the role and power of communities. To end, Ede walks us through her Beyond the Gift Card community conversation series, and we discover why she’s at her happiest when the people around her are working together.  

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing The Community Lady herself, Ms. Ede Crittle. [01:04]

• Ede’s professional background and the work she’s currently involved in (Project E-RACE). [02:02]

• How she became ‘The Community Lady’. [03:35]

• Taking a closer look at how to improve research in community-based organizations. [06:40]

• The difference between community-based and community-driven research. [13:20]

• Exploring the relationship between academic researchers and their community partners. [15:20]

• The ins and outs of Ede’s Beyond the Gift Card community conversation series. [20:14]

• What brings her joy in her work. [25:50]

• More details on Project E-RACE. [26:28]

Welcome to a fresh year and a brand new season filled with exciting expectations! In season 3, we're diving into the theme of "Exponential Growth."

In this premiere episode, we explore what's on the horizon for Season 3, the innovative challenges Dr. Joyee is embracing for personal and professional development, and strategies for setting expectations and creating plans to catalyze positive impacts in your community.

Tune in as we navigate the path to a future of enhanced public health research, focusing on sustainable solutions, community well-being, and health equity.

Key Points:

0:05 Preparing for exponential growth in public health research. 

4:17 Personal growth and self-care in 2024. 

7:56 Slow and steady growth vs. exponential growth in business and personal life. 

13:55 Preparing for exponential growth in public health research. 

18:19 3 key steps for planning for exponential growth in public health research 

23:39 What to expect in season 3 of the podcast

Challenges we face as public health researchers and professionals can often feel like a mountain. How do we overcome these challenges? We have to learn how to move the mountains.

Join Dr. Joyee on a transformative journey in the season 2 finale of The Public Health Joy Podcast, where she shares invaluable insights gained from overcoming hurdles in public health research. From navigating technical glitches to personal struggles with trauma, autoimmune disease, job loss, and grief, Dr. Joyee reveals the resilience needed to move mountains for others through shared experiences.

Discover the top 5 lessons learned as a public health researcher, emphasizing the courage to confront challenges head-on and the transformative power of being intentional. Dr. Joyee dives into the art of moving mountains in public health research, advocating for starting small, believing in change, and the profound impact of community collaboration.

Be encouraged, be inspired, start small, and believe in the possibility of change. 

Key points:

0:55 Celebrating YOU! 

3:12 Celebrating 25 episodes 

4:38 The story behind creating The Public Health Joy Podcast 

9:03 Overcoming challenges in public health research and career development. 

13:47 Facing challenges, collaboration, and community involvement in public health

14:24 Top 5 lessons learned to overcoming challenges

22:10 Shifting the narrative in public health research 

Are you a public health professional who feels overwhelmed and exhausted? Perhaps you love your career, but you just don’t feel fulfilled and you’re beginning to wonder if your only option is to quit. You might be experiencing burnout!

Today, we speak with rest coach, Marissa McKool about what it means to prevent burnout in the public health space and how we can “put the world down and rest." Marissa is a former public health leader-turned public health burnout coach for women who helps public health professionals reduce their stress, increase their confidence, and create a fulfilling career without burning out. She got her Master of Public Health (MPH) at Emory University, completed a fellowship at the CDC, and has held several leadership positions at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health.

In this episode, you’ll learn some practical tips to identify burnout, detach from hustle culture, give yourself permission to rest, begin to practice intentional thoughts, and so much more! As you’ll discover, Marissa believes that rest is a revolutionary act in the face of toxic capitalism and other systems of oppression. Tune in to begin your restful resistance today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Insight into Marissa’s public health journey and her experience of burnout. [02:05]

• Signs and symptoms of physical, mental, and emotional burnout. [08:10]

• Detaching from hustle culture: why rest shouldn’t be correlated with productivity. [11:30]

• How to start with what you need and give yourself permission to ask: what do I want? [16:30]

• Tools to help you focus on what you can control and practice intentional thoughts. [22:34]

• Simple ways to resist the conditioning that tells us we don’t deserve rest. [26:22]

• Why rest is a revolutionary act in the face of toxic capitalism. [31:30]

• The role of intersectionality and the value of coaching. [35:44]

• How Marissa derives joy from seeing her clients begin to invest in themselves. [36:30]

• Ways to get in touch with Marissa and access her free resources! [38:01]

A precedent of overworking yourself and only resting when you hit burnout in order to work even more has been set in the workplace and it has to change.

In this episode, we are joined by the award-winning educator and social scientist, Dr. Courtney McCluney to hear about her research in codeswitching and how she has found freedom in wellness and reimagining how we should work through her company, Equiwell Partners Group. We are reminded that it is okay to remove yourself from work environments that do not serve you and that your work should bring you joy.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing today’s guest, Dr. Courtney McCluney. [0:52]

• Courtney tells us about her professional journey and what she strives to accomplish. [02:40]

• Our guest’s mission to make individual wellness the most important part of business. [04:29]

• What codeswitching is; particularly in the workplace amongst Black people. [13:50]

• The link between public health issues and codeswitching. [19:00]

• The importance of moving away from work environments that do not serve you. [26:47]

• Why work environments should prioritize employees’ well-being and bring joy. [33:36]

• What brings Courtney joy in her work at the moment. [36:41]

When it comes to qualitative research, lived experience offers a wealth of valuable information that can shape and enhance the quality and relevance of public health studies. Few researchers know this better than Dr. Marissa Robinson, DrPH, MPH, RPCV, a strategic leader, visionary, and disruptor within the field of infectious disease.

In today's episode, Dr. Robinson shares her perspective on the power of qualitative research, recognizing our lived experiences as data, and breaking into the public health field as a Black woman researcher. We also touch on the value of taking an ethnographic approach, the importance of holding those around you accountable, and of course, what brings Dr. Robinson joy in her work. Tune in to learn more about using qualitative research to ensure that your programs, grants, interventions, and data drive positive impact and long term solutions, bringing joy to your communities!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Why Dr. Robinson is proud to be a person of color in the field of infectious disease. [02:01]

• How she broke into the space as a Black woman researcher. [04:51]

• Reasons that qualitative research is just as important as quantitative research. [10:09]

• Advice for finding your place in the vast field of public health and making an impact. [13:01]

• The crucial role that storytelling has played in marginalized communities. [16:48]

• Highlighting the value of taking an ethnographic approach to your research. [20:28]

• Why lived experience should be considered valuable data. [25:40]

• The importance of celebrating small wins and holding people accountable. [30:38]

• Making “good trouble” and other things that bring Dr. Robinson joy in her work. [34:15]

In this episode we are talking with Marline Edmond founder of Plug Communications, LLC about how she is developing culturally competent health communication strategies in "Plain Language U Get" to promote equitable health information targeting the Black diaspora.

Marline is a public health communications strategist, a third-year postgraduate student at Howard University Cathy Hughes School of Communications, and a self-proclaimed optimist who also goes by the moniker Munchy da Plug. In her research, she focuses on the history of health campaign propaganda, media framing of Haitians during public health crises, and the health communication practices to address the Black maternal health crisis in America. She joins us to discuss her mission and her varied experiences helping BIPOC people to navigate the US healthcare system. We touch on the gift we share as Black women to navigate different spaces, what it means to understand the political powers at play in the healthcare system, and harness the power of language. Language is evolving and we are called to respond to our changing world. Today’s conversation provides a practical starting point to empower others as we do exactly that! Thanks for tuning in. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Welcoming Marline Edmonds, also known as Munchy da Plug, to the Public Health Joy Podcast. [0:00]

• Her mission to connect others to public health resources and where her nickname comes from. [01:42]

• Munchy’s experiences helping her Haitian parents to navigate the English healthcare system. [03:35]

• Navigating different spaces as a Black woman and communicating beyond words to protect your community. [05:37]

• Allocating appropriate blame to institutions rather than individuals in the healthcare system. [08:06]

• The power of language in directing research and communication. [11:33]

• Why learning is beautiful and what happens when you ask folks to repeat themselves. [17:13]

• The danger of accepting the spiral of silence. [18:32]

• Responding to a changing world with evolving language. [21:33]

• Why it is so important to identify and speak to your specific audience. [26:27]

• What brings Marline joy in her work as a public health communications professional. [28:42]

Community-engaged research is a collaborative and participatory approach to public health research and evaluation that includes those affected by the issue at hand. Ultimately, this means going beyond the textbook to understand these issues from a different (and sometimes uncomfortable) perspective.

In this episode, we talk to community psychologist and committed equity and social justice advocate, Dr. Tatiana Bustos, about the impact of “unlearning” in community-engaged research and the importance of out-of-the-box thinking that invites communities into the process. Dr. Bustos shares insight into how she has helped public health practitioners build capacity with more equity-centered approaches that can strengthen communities and create social change to transform lives.

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to Dr. Bustos and the work she does as a community psychologist. [2:10]

• The different mindset and “unlearning” that community-engaged research requires. [3:44]

• Why leaning into discomfort is important in order to work with your community. [14:06]

• How Dr. Bustos thinks about promoting equity and accessibility in her research. [17:52]

• Benefits of bringing your identity into your work as a public health professional. [20:56]

• Redefining success based on the community you’re working with. [23:23]

• Dr. Bustos highlights the significance of different types of impact. [26:04]

• What brings Dr. Bustos joy in her work, namely the people she serves. [33:11]

In this BONUS episode, we continue with part two of our conversation with Chioma Nnaji about the challenges of manuscript writing and publishing. During the first half of our conversation, we learned about the work Chioma does at the intersections of immigrant rights and racial justice in public health along with the biggest challenges of manuscript writing within public health.

For the second part of our conversation, we explore how to navigate a system that was not designed to be inclusive or accessible and share the steps we’re taking to create a community where we can all learn and grow together. We break down what you can expect from our manuscript writing workshop, Manuscript Writing A to Z, and describe the wide range of people who can benefit from it before explaining how it’s intended to create a supportive community where we can all learn from one another.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Navigating a system that is not designed for inclusivity or accessibility. [01:01]

• The legacy of colonization and how people in power have historically exerted ownership over the knowledge that Black women have produced. [02:39]

• Working within and outside the system and bringing your knowledge to the table. [05:40]

• Our commitment to creating a community where we all collectively learn and grow. [08:12]

• A breakdown of our manuscript writing workshop; Manuscript Writing A to Z. [08:58]

• How to join the Script Squad. [11:37]

• The details of our early bird special for Manuscript Writing A to Z. [13:53]

• What it was like for Chioma when she was published for the first time. [14:46]

• The value of writing in a way that is accessible and more engaging for the reader. [17:29]

• What brings Chioma joy in her work: community. [21:07]

• What Chioma appreciates most about her partnership with Joyee. [22:56]

• Find out where you can contact Chioma and learn more about her work. [24:18]

Serving your community is central to public health. But what happens when particular communities are excluded from certain spaces? Or are prevented from being included in important research and sharing of knowledge? These are some of the key questions that today’s guest, Chioma Nnaji, MEd, MPH, has grappled with on her journey as an organizer, community health worker, and researcher.

Today’s episode features part one of our conversation with Chioma, where we explore how to navigate the challenges of manuscript writing and publishing in public health. Chioma has been in public health for more than two decades, with her work in HIV/AIDS living at the intersections of public health, racial justice, and immigrant rights. Tuning into part one, you’ll learn about Chioma’s extensive journey navigating the challenges of manuscript writing, the difficulties inherent to publishing community-defined work, and how she and host, Joyee Washington, decided to form a partnership intended to help others on their writing and publishing journeys.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Who Chioma is, what she does, and the organizations and communities she serves. [01:57]

• Her work at the intersection of immigrant rights and racial justice in public health. [04:34]

• Unpacking how to apply intersectionality work within public health. [08:26]

• How communities are often intentionally excluded from certain spaces. [13:18]

• Chioma’s early community-defined work and the challenge of getting it published. [14:13]

• United We Rise as a Black-led intersectional movement. [15:43]

• The value of manuscript writing and publishing as a contribution to this field. [17:36]

• Chioma’s first manuscript, her partners, and how they were able to get it published. [19:39]

• The challenges of writing a manuscript within public health. [21:46]

• Chioma’s experience with community-academic partnerships. [25:53]

• The partnerships and support that she wants to bring to public health. [27:23]

• Joyee and Chioma’s partnership in creating The Script Lab for Public Health. [29:09]

When it comes to data collection and research within indigenous communities, we need to honor the sacred stories of those communities in order to support the decolonization of this data.

In this episode, public health entrepreneur, Heidi Berthoud, joins the conversation as we discuss importance of listening to indigenous communities during data collection, how we can support them more authentically, why their data belongs to them, the importance of giving that data back, and so much more! Heidi goes on to explain why maintaining complete objectivity is not productive in decolonizing data before she delves into what brings her joy in her work. To hear all this and share in Heidi’s passions for community data collection, reproductive justice, and making public health data accessible to everyone, press play now!

Key Points From This Episode:

We have made huge strides in how we treat mental health over the course of the past century, from the development of targeted pharmaceuticals to establishing newer and more effective methods of therapy. Yet, the possibilities of utilizing emergent technologies in treating mental health have largely been left unexplored until now.

In this episode, we discuss the role of virtual reality (VR) in mental health with Terrance Williams, Founder of Meta Wellness, a company that is harnessing the power of VR to help mental health professionals treat patients struggling with a range of conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and severe eating disorders. Terrance talks about how he founded Meta Wellness, the promising potential of VR in the mental health space, and his expectations for these technologies going forward.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Terrance's cutting-edge work at the intersection of VR, mental health, and wellness. [00:53]

• Differences between the metaverse, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. [07:20]

• Understanding the drawbacks of VR, AI, and the metaverse. [10:57]

• Why the implications of AI are much more dangerous than VR. [13:04]

• Technology’s role in fostering collaboration and community in the mental health space. [18:04]

• How companies are addressing accessibility and affordability when it comes to VR. [19:46]

• The viability of VR as an alternative form of treatment in the mental health space. [22:12]

• How emerging technology in the mental health space will evolve in the coming years. [26:24]

• Troubling statistics around men’s mental health and Terrance’s hopes to make a positive impact through his work. [31:35]

• How to get in touch with Terrance and learn more about Meta Wellness. [33:26]

How can we equip those in faith-based spaces to guide not just the spiritual needs of their communities but their overall health too? This is the question posed by today’s guest, Ericka Horne, who is the CEO and Founder of AKCIRE Consulting, LLC, where she supports nonprofits and faith-based organizations with program planning and implementation. 

In this episode, Ericka offers some insight into her public health journey, her passion for faith-based partnerships, and how she uses her platform to prioritize self-care, education, and health equity, particularly in Black communities. We also take a closer look at what Ericka is doing to bridge the gap between faith and medicine and find out why building and nurturing community relationships is so important for public health professionals. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Who Ericka is, what she does, and the organizations and communities she serves. [02:52]

• How growing up in the church informed her focus on faith-based partnerships. [05:10]

• Bridging the gap between the church and healthcare, particularly for Black folk. [07:52]

• Why knowing your community is critical for public health professionals. [12:05]

• Challenges that Ericka has encountered and what she has learned from them. [13:19]

• The importance of being aware of the social structure and culture of your community. [16:05]

• Insight into Ericka’s research interests, including chronic disease management. [20:55]

• How Ericka facilitates emergency response support for the churches she works with. [25:38]

• The value of “meeting people where they are,” regardless of your beliefs. [27:55]

• What brings Ericka joy in her work: seeing other people get what they need. [28:36]

In this episode, we are talking with Tamara Mason about her work with the March of Dimes and as a doula to support Black maternal health and Black birthing joy. 

This is where research meets relationship and together, we will find our Public Health Joy!  

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to today’s guest and topic of conversation. [0:00:27]

• Tamara tells us about who she is and what she does. [0:02:00]

• Tamara gives a background on the March of Dimes organization. [0:02:55]

• The three specific strategies to achieve their established common agenda. [0:0415]

• She shares the founding story of her consulting organization. [0:04:57]

• Her thoughts on the engagement of the Black maternal health crisis. [0:09:36]

• We talk about the devastating tragedy of Olympic athlete Tori Bowie. [0:12:16]

• The fear of becoming pregnant and living with the real fear. [0:13:00]

• We unpack the joy, bringing in the stories and finding solutions: Black Birthing Joy. [0:14:00]

• Tamara elaborates on the Collective Impact Approach. [0:16:00]

• She talks about her personal belief that solutions are already in the community. [0:17:18]

• We dive deeper into what Black Birthing Joy means to Tamara. [0:19:00]

• Thoughts on the idea that trauma and joy coexist, you can’t separate the two. [0:23:40]

• All stories are important and we need to hear them; traumatic and not. [0:23:27]

• The difference between a midwife and a doula. [0:26:39]

• She talks about the benefits of having a doula and the support they provide. [0:27:30]

• What a doula cannot do and what a certified nurse midwife can. [0:29:25]

• The importance of a support system in achieving Black Birthing Joy. [0:32:25]

• What brings Tamara joy in her work. [0:34:03]

• How to get in touch or connect with Tamara. [0:35:23]

• Tamara’s hope and what she hopes listeners will take from this conversation. [0:36:30]

In this episode, we are talking with Brandon Johnson about building connections and saving lives as a tireless advocate for positive mental health and suicide prevention services. This is where research meets relationship. Together, we will find our public health joy. 

Key Points From This Episode:

In this episode, we are talking with Princess Jennings also known as The Data Bounty Hunter about what it takes to track down and collect data with the community. 

This is where research meets relationship and together, we will find our Public Health Joy!  

Timestamps:

0:02 What is community tracking services and what does it do? 

3:38 The importance of building rapport with clients. 

7:34 The importance of building a cohesive team. 

12:29 Getting from criminal justice to community tracking services.

18:15 The importance of mentors and networking. 

20:57 How do you find a mentor? 

25:22 What brings you joy in your work? 

In this episode, I’m sharing what my life is like as a Black researcher in this space and how I learned to own my identity and show up unapologetically.  

This is where research meets relationship and together, we will find our Public Health Joy! 

Time stamps:

0:00 Introduction

2:00 Transitioning from public school to private school

11:00 Being Black in White spaces

18:00 What does it mean to be a Black researcher

20:00 Being a Black Researchers is my superpower

24:00 Creating rest as a Black Researcher

29:00 Being a joyrider

In this episode, I’m sharing the story of transforming failure to joy on my PhD journey and how I got over to the other side.

This is where research meets relationship and together, we will find our Public Health Joy!  

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

2:00 My first attempt at a PhD

13:00 My greatest failure

14:00 My next move

18:00 My 2nd attempt at a PhD

20:00 My lupus diagnosis

23:00 My dissertation and COVID-19

25:00 Finding my greatest joy

27:00 Failure is not final

28:00 How I Got Over

In this episode, we’re talking with Mississippi native Dr. Marshae McNeal about how she is driving positive impact as she shares her public health journey from community college to community researcher. This is where research meets relationship and together, we will find our Public Health Joy!  

0:00 Introduction

2:26 Dr. McNeal’s background and how she got into public health. 

4:24 The benefits of going to a community college.

14:35 The most challenging part of her career so far. 

19:32 Experience of working with communities in research.

25:33 What brings you joy in your work? 

In this episode, we’re talking with Community Psychologist Dr. Jacque-Corey Cormier about bringing the couch to the community in public health.

 This is where research meets relationship and together, we will find our Public Health Joy!

Time stamps:

0:00 Introduction

2:00 Dr. Cormier's background in public health

3:00 What is community psychology? What does it mean to bring the couch to the community?

13:00 Ten essential public health services

15:00 Decision makers and power dynamics

20:00 The problem with a deficit mindset in research

27:00 Putting the community first

32:00 What brings you joy  

In this episode, we are talking all about when research gets real as we work with communities to make positive impacts. Special guest, Leonore Okwara, founder of the Association of Black Researchers joins us to share her journey.

Leonore Okwara, MPH is the Founder of the Association of Black Researchers (ABR), a 501c3 nonprofit organization that serves as a central resource to inform, support, and advance a multidisciplinary community of Black Researchers. For over 15 years, she has served in a research program management capacity and coordinated many single and multisite research projects. She has cultivated equitable partnerships between researchers and the community, and organized events that focused on addressing community mistrust in research. Because of this experience, Leonore understands the importance of bringing researchers together to share best practices, strategies, and lessons learned with future researchers.

In today’s episode, we are talking all about mental health and the radical healing necessary to make a positive impact in communities with special guest Lamarr Lewis, a mental health therapist and advocate.

Lamarr Lewis, LAPC CPRP, is a mental health therapist, consultant, dedicated advocate, author, and agent of change. On this podcast episode, he explains the importance of rest and self-care for public health workers. We cannot serve the community members who need us most if we aren’t taking care of ourselves first. We also discuss mental health, coping mechanisms, joy, mentorship, and more!

0:00 Introductions
2:00 Lamarrr’s background
8:30 Passion and mentorship
10:30 Therapists need therapy
16:50 Relationships
22:00 Work as a coping mechanism
31:00 Advocate for those who need it most 36:06 Joy in the work
37:50 Get connected

To connect with Lamarr Lewis visit https://www.lewisfamilyconsulting.net/ or connect on linkedin @LamarrLewis.