Better Black Health

In Part 3 of our conversation, Better Black Health with Dr. Greg Hall and Akil Marshall turn to older adults and what it takes not just to live longer, but to live better. They talk about staying active, keeping strength and mobility, staying mentally sharp and socially connected, and keeping a sense of purpose in later life. They also cover practical steps listeners can start at any age.

Akil Marshall is a nationally recognized leader in arts education, culturally responsive teaching, and social-emotional learning. A former professional football player, he was the first strength and fitness coach in the NBA and the first African American man to host an exercise and fitness television show in the United States. He has written five books, most recently Winning In America: The High 5 Model for American Education. His honors include the 2006 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award from the Cleveland Orchestra and the Greater Cleveland Partnership. He founded Winning In America, ABC123 Kids Express, Dance Afrika Dance, and Fit 4 Success 365, and he is CEO of The Akil Marshall Organization in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Website: https://www.akilmarshall.com/

Each episode of Better Black Health is sponsored by GNetX Sequence Multivitamins for African Americans and the Better Black Health book, which addresses many of the healthcare disparities faced by the Black community.

In this special episode of Better Black Health, Dr. Greg Hall takes listeners on a journey from the origins of humanity in Africa to the foundations of medicine, science, education, and innovation. From Imhotep and the Edwin Smith Papyrus to ancient centers of learning and Africa’s extraordinary genetic diversity, this episode challenges the idea that Black history begins with slavery, disease, or dysfunction. Dr. Hall connects that deeper history to the present, exploring why people of African ancestry remain underrepresented in genomic research, how ancestry can influence health and disease, and why studying African genetic diversity could improve diagnosis, drug development, risk prediction, and precision medicine for everyone. The episode also examines the roles of environment, chronic stress, lifestyle, and access to healthy choices in shaping Black health today. At its core, this is an episode about more than history. It is about identity, health, and possibility. Our story did not begin with disparity—and it does not have to end there.

See the full visual episode on my YouTube page.

Each episode of Better Black Health is sponsored by GNetX Sequence Multivitamins for African Americans and the Better Black Health book, which addresses many of the healthcare disparities faced by the Black community.

What do young people really need from their parents—and what are adults sometimes getting wrong?In this episode of Better Black Health, Dr. Gregory Hall sits down with 20-year-old inspirational speaker and youth advocate Lawrence Harris for a candid conversation about parenting, communication, confidence, discipline, and mental wellness.Drawing from his own experiences growing up and overcoming adversity, Lawrence offers a young adult’s perspective on how the words and actions of parents can shape a child’s self-worth, resilience, and future. The discussion explores phrases parents should stop saying, what young people need to hear more often, how to discipline without destroying confidence, and the important role grandparents and other adults can play.They also discuss trauma, limiting beliefs, social media, the pressures facing young Black men and women, and how families can help young people develop hope, accountability, and a stronger sense of purpose.It’s an intergenerational conversation about raising healthier, more confident young people—and why sometimes the most valuable parenting advice comes from listening to the generation being raised.

Better Black Health with Dr. Greg Hall brings culturally relevant, evidence-based conversations to the issues that can make the biggest difference in our health. Each episode of Better Black Health is sponsored by GNetX Sequence Multivitamins for African Americans and the Better Black Health book, which addresses many of the healthcare disparities faced by the Black community.

In this episode of Better Black Health, Dr. Greg Hall sits down with Dr. Michael T. Myers Jr., physician and author of The Vaccine Bible: A Comprehensive, Commonsense Guide to What Keeps Us Safe from the Flu, Measles, Hepatitis, and More.Vaccines have become one of the most debated—and sometimes confusing—topics in healthcare. Dr. Myers joins us to separate medical evidence from misinformation and explain what families need to know as vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and other infections begin appearing again in communities across the country.The conversation explores how vaccines work, why diseases that many Americans rarely encountered for decades can return when vaccination rates decline, and what outbreaks can mean not only for people who are unvaccinated, but also for infants, older adults, and medically vulnerable individuals.Dr. Hall and Dr. Myers also discuss vaccine safety, common concerns about side effects, the changing vaccine landscape in the era of mRNA technology, and how patients can make informed decisions without becoming overwhelmed by conflicting information.Topics include:

• Why vaccine-preventable diseases are returning
• What happens when community vaccination rates fall
• Vaccine effectiveness and safety
• Understanding side effects versus disease complications
• Protecting infants and medically vulnerable family members
• Separating vaccine facts from misinformation
• How to have better conversations with your physician about vaccines

Dr. Myers' new book, The Vaccine Bible, provides a straightforward, medically sound guide for people looking for reliable information about vaccines and protecting their families.Better Black Health with Dr. Greg Hall brings culturally relevant, evidence-based conversations to the issues that can make the biggest difference in our health.

In this episode of Better Black Health, Dr. Greg Hall welcomes back sociologist, educator, and public health scholar Dr. Tim Goler to discuss the ideas behind his new book, Liberated Mind: A Guide to Black Clarity. Dr. Goler explores how structural racism, intergenerational stress, and inherited ways of thinking can influence the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of Black communities. Together, they discuss how developing greater mental clarity, critical thinking, and self-determination may help individuals make healthier choices and improve overall wellness.
Dr. Tim Goler is a sociologist, educator, and public scholar whose work examines how structural racism, intergenerational stress, and life-course experiences shape the mental and emotional well-being of Black communities. Raised in Cleveland and educated in the Cleveland Public Schools, he earned degrees from Cleveland State University and Case Western Reserve University. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Dr. Goler serves as Professor of Sociology and Urban Affairs and Director of Research at the Center for African American Public Policy at Norfolk State University. His work bridges academic research and community practice, emphasizing Black mental health, resilience, self-determination, and culturally grounded approaches to wellness.

Find the book on TimGoler.com and Amazon

Each episode of Better Black Health is sponsored by GNetX Sequence Multivitamins for African Americans and the Better Black Health book, which addresses many of the healthcare disparities faced by the Black community.

Black women are 40% more likely to die of breast cancer than white women. Karen Eubanks Jackson has spent more than 30 years fighting to change that. A four-time breast cancer survivor and founder/CEO of Sisters Network® Inc. — the nation's only national African American breast cancer survivorship organization — Karen joins Dr. Greg Hall to discuss why early detection saves lives, how survivor-led chapters across the country are supporting Black women through diagnosis and treatment, and why breaking the silence around breast cancer in the Black community is a matter of life and death. Karen is the recipient of the ASCO Patient Advocate Award and author of In the Company of My Sisters.

Learn more or find a chapter near you:
Website: https://www.sistersnetworkinc.org | [email protected] | 866-781-1808
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sistersnetwork/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/sistersnetwork
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sistersnetwork
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sisters-network/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sistersnetwork & https://www.youtube.com/@SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

Each episode of Better Black Health is sponsored by GNetX Sequence Multivitamins for African Americans and the Better Black Health book, which addresses many of the healthcare disparities faced by the Black community.

In this episode of Better Black Health, Dr. Greg Hall welcomes back sociologist, educator, and public scholar Dr. Tim Goler to discuss the ideas behind his new book, Liberated Mind: A Guide to Black Clarity. Dr. Goler explores how structural racism, intergenerational stress, and inherited ways of thinking can influence the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of Black communities. Together, they discuss how developing greater mental clarity, critical thinking, and self-determination may help individuals make healthier choices and improve overall wellness.
Dr. Tim Goler is a sociologist, educator, and public scholar whose work examines how structural racism, intergenerational stress, and life-course experiences shape the mental and emotional well-being of Black communities. Raised in Cleveland and educated in the Cleveland Public Schools, he earned degrees from Cleveland State University and Case Western Reserve University. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Dr. Goler serves as Professor of Sociology and Urban Affairs and Director of Research at the Center for African American Public Policy at Norfolk State University. His work bridges academic research and community practice, emphasizing Black mental health, resilience, self-determination, and culturally grounded approaches to wellness.

Find the book on TimGoler.com and Amazon

Each episode of Better Black Health is sponsored by GNetX Sequence Multivitamins for African Americans and the Better Black Health book, which addresses many of the healthcare disparities faced by the Black community.

Fibroids affect up to 80% of Black women by age 50, yet many are still told to ‘just live with it’ or offered a hysterectomy as the only option. Today Dr. Greg Hall is talking with the country’s leading fibroid surgeons, Dr. Pierre Johnson, known as ‘The Fibroid Slayer,’ about what women need to know, what the medical system gets wrong, and why preserving fertility and choice matters. He recently removed a 27-pound fibroid and received national attention. From a young age, he set his sights on becoming an OB-GYN and persevered through significant challenges to fulfill that vision. He earned his bachelor’s in biology from Xavier University of Louisiana, where he also pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He went on to earn his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine, complete a general surgery internship at Washington Hospital Center, and finish his OB-GYN residency at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Let’s welcome Dr. Pierre Johnson.  

Each episode of Better Black Health is sponsored by GNetX Sequence Multivitamins for African Americans and the Better Black Health book, which addresses many of the healthcare disparities faced by the Black community.

Sam “SP” Prewitt was just 29, active, and seemingly healthy when a massive heart attack nearly took his life. In this episode, he shares the #HeartStrong story behind his book "Plus More Life"—from ignoring early warning signs to discovering a 95% coronary blockage and dangerously high cholesterol driven in part by family history. We explore what most people get wrong about “young” hearts, the critical numbers every adult should know before 30, and how genetics and lifestyle all intersect. Sam opens up about the emotional aftermath of surviving, breaking generational curses, and the day-to-day habits that now define his heart-healthy life. If you think you’re too young to worry about heart disease, this conversation is your wake-up call.

Book: https://www.samprewitt.com/plusmorelife
SP's website: https://www.samprewitt.com/

Each episode of Better Black Health is sponsored by GNetX Sequence Multivitamins for African Americans and the Better Black Health book, which addresses many of the healthcare disparities faced by the Black community.

In this episode of Better Black Health, Dr. Gregory Hall sits down with Nikia Smith for a powerful conversation about advocacy, personal growth, and the importance of creating healthier communities. Together, they explore the challenges facing Black health today, the role of empowerment and education, and how individuals can use their voices to drive meaningful change. This episode offers inspiration, practical insight, and a reminder that better health starts with informed and engaged communities.

Website: https://sheisfireforged.com/


Each episode of Better Black Health is sponsored by GNetX Sequence Multivitamins for African Americans and the Better Black Health book, which addresses many of the healthcare disparities faced by the Black community.