In Part 1 of our conversation on Youth Leadership & Mental Health, we explore the origins of youth-led movements and the critical need to address trauma in our communities. Angela Waters Austin and Alma C. Stewart Allen share their personal journeys into advocacy and how young people are identifying mental health as their most pressing issue post-COVID. Tune in to hear how centering youth voices and forming youth-led coalitions can powerfully transform behavioral health policy.

About the Guests:

Alma C. Stewart Allen is the president and founder of the Louisiana Center for Health Equity. She leads initiatives focused on violence prevention, mental health, and behavioral health policy, utilizing a public health approach to transform communities and support youth facing unseen struggles like bullying and depression.

Angela Waters Austin is the founder of One Love Global, where her youth work is centered around the Peace and Prosperity Youth Action Movement. Her mission focuses on empowering the region's first youth-led coalitions, addressing systemic issues like segregation, and championing data-driven interventions for true health equity.

Check out our podcast series on your favorite platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

• Host: National Collaborative for Health Equity (NCHE)

• Website: nationalcollaborative.org

In Part 2 of our conversation, we dive deeper into the transformative power of acknowledging and processing grief. Stefanie Tovar and Maria Dautruche discuss the importance of integrating grief into organizational practices and using creative rituals to metabolize loss and foster resilience. Tune in to hear an inspiring call to embrace collective healing and the beautiful future we can build through shared vision and purpose.

About Our Guests:

Stefanie Tovar (she/her/ella) is a first-generation Mexicana American healing artist, CEO, and Co-Founder of Yena. She uses sacred storytelling, mindful movement, and music to support well-being and is the creator of the online anti-racist community, Collective Awakening.Maria Dautruche (she/her) is a coach, strategist, facilitator, and founder of the Dopwell Group LLC. A proud Black feminist and reproductive justice advocate, she is a trained Rx for Racial Healing circle facilitator and formerly served as the inaugural director of the Westchester Center for Racial Equity.

Learn more about the National Collaborative for Health Equity and our initiatives at www.nationalcollaborative.org.

In Part 1 of our conversation, we explore the intersection of kindness, sacred storytelling, and the pursuit of optimal health. Healing artist Stefanie Tovar and strategist Maria Dautruche share their approaches to lovingly disrupting the status quo and redefining what it means to be well. Tune in to hear how grounding ourselves in deep listening and embracing our true desires can pave the way for collective liberatory wellness.

Welcome to the HOPE in Action podcast series by the National Collaborative for Health Equity (NCHE).

In the second half of our conversation, we dive into the transformative power of vulnerability, courage, and the hard work of building community bridges. Von Gordon and Ariel Jimenez discuss navigating advocacy work, maintaining faith in the face of systemic challenges, and the vital importance of dignity in equity-centered spaces. Tune in to hear an inspiring call to action about doing what we can, where we are, and passing the baton of hope to future generations.

Featured Speakers:Von GordonAriel Jimenez

#NCHE #HopeInAction #CommunityBuilding #HealthEquity #RacialHealing #Resilience

Welcome to the HOPE in Action podcast series by the National Collaborative for Health Equity (NCHE).

In the first half of our conversation, we explore the profound impact of honoring our ancestors and embracing cultural healing. Von Gordon and Ariel Jimenez share their personal journeys, the wisdom passed down from their mentors, and the concept of "La Cultura Cura" (culture heals). Tune in to hear how recognizing the sacredness of our histories and finding the "medicine" within our own families lays the groundwork for true racial healing.

Featured Speakers:

Von Gordon

Ariel Jimenez

#NCHE #HopeInAction #RacialHealing #HealthEquity #LaCulturaCura #AncestralWisdom

Welcome to the HOPE in Action podcast series by the National Collaborative for Health Equity (NCHE).

In the second half of our conversation on "Food Justice & Sovereignty," Treasure Sheppard and MB Mitcham dive deeper into community-led solutions and participatory research. They share how vital it is to value lived experience and cultural preferences when addressing food accessibility, rather than relying solely on top-down approaches. Tune in to hear how empowering communities to reclaim their own resources and holding onto hope are the ultimate keys to true health equity.

Featured Speakers:Treasure SheppardMB Mitcham

#NCHE #HopeInAction #HealthEquity #FoodJustice #FoodSovereignty #CommunityEmpowerment #PublicHealth

Welcome to the Hope in Action podcast by the National Collaborative for Health Equity (NCHE).

In this episode, "Food Justice & Sovereignty," we move beyond the concept of “food deserts” to discuss “food swamps” and the fight for true food sovereignty. Treasure Sheppard and MB Mitcham join us to explore how grassroots movements and community-led initiatives are reclaiming healthy food systems. Tune in to hear about the power of community gardens and how restoring dignity in food choices is essential for health equity.

Featured Speakers:

Treasure Sheppard

MB Mitcham

In our inaugural episode, we explore how artists use storytelling, music, and performance to advance healing and racial justice. Join us for a powerful conversation featuring interdisciplinary artists April Fitzpatrick and Mahoganee Amiger as they discuss the science behind art as medicine and the transformative power of creativity in our communities.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Science of Healing: Understanding how music and art affect the nervous system and aid in neuroplasticity.

• Community Healing: The story of "Pineapples with Purpose" and "Wellness on Wheels" in Ocala, FL.

• Water & Memory: A deep dive into the symbolism of the Mississippi River and Gullah Geechee coastal history.

Featured Guests:

• April Fitzpatrick: Founder of Pineapples with Purpose, a mobile arts and health initiative.

• Mahoganee Amiger: Founder of The Mahoganee Xperience and co-founder of Responsible Artistry.

Resources:

• Visit NCHE: nationalcollaborative.org

• Mahoganee's Work: TheMahoganeeXperience.com

• Pineapples with Purpose: pineappleswithpurpose.com