Special thanks to UnityPoint Health, the presenting sponsor of the 2026 My City My Health Conference, for supporting this work and helping us move the city forward. 

Urban planner, housing researcher, and filmmaker Amal Barre joins Corey Dion Lewis for a conversation about why housing should be treated as a core part of health.

Amal brings more than a decade of experience in affordable housing, homelessness services, urban planning, and community development to the conversation. She explains why stable, accessible, quality housing cannot be separated from healthcare, economic mobility, education, transportation, neighborhood design, and the other systems that shape our daily lives.

Corey and Amal discuss what happens when healthcare and housing operate in silos, why professionals need to build relationships outside their traditional spaces, and how showing up in “unexpected places” can create new opportunities for collaboration and change.

They also explore Amal’s path into housing work, what she learned working alongside families navigating homelessness and social service systems, and why planners, healthcare professionals, nonprofits, developers, and community members need to better understand what each other is doing.

Amal will join the Housing Is Medicine panel at the 2026 My City My Health Conference in Des Moines on November 13.

In this episode:

• Why housing and health are inseparable
• How the built environment shapes health outcomes
• The cost of navigating fragmented systems
• Why relationships matter in solving housing challenges
• What healthcare organizations can do beyond making referrals
• How planning, housing, healthcare, and community organizations can work together
• Why breaking down silos can lead to better community solutions

Learn more about My City My Health and register for the 2026 conference at mycity.health.

Getting someone into an apartment is not the end of the work. It is often where the real work begins. Corey talks with Austin Neal about youth homelessness, housing instability, and what it takes to help young people build a life beyond survival mode. Austin shares lessons from nearly a decade of serving people experiencing homelessness through Joppa, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, and Iowa Homeless Youth Centers. They discuss hidden homelessness, the lack of affordable housing in Des Moines, and why housing must include safety, stability, mental health support, employment, food, and long-term relationships. They also explore a central question: What becomes possible when a young person finally has a safe place to sleep? Austin will continue this conversation as part of the Housing Is Medicine panel at the 2026 My City My Health Conference.

Learn more and register at mycity.health.

SHOW NOTES

In this episode:

• How volunteering helped Austin discover his purpose
• What Austin learned serving people through Joppa
• The realities facing students and families experiencing homelessness
• Why youth homelessness cannot be reduced to drugs, alcohol, or personal choices
• The difference between placing someone in housing and helping them remain housed
• Why safety matters when evaluating housing outcomes
• How young people experience hidden homelessness through couch surfing, cars, and temporary living arrangements
• Why traditional homelessness counts miss many young people
• The connection between housing, mental health, trauma, and preventive care
• What it means to meet someone’s immediate needs before asking about long-term goals
• How stable housing gives young people room to dream again
• Why communities must work with people instead of making decisions for them
• The relationship between housing conditions, cancer, and community health

KEY QUOTES

“At the root of it, it’s a housing issue.”

“My judgment came first rather than my help.”

“If they don’t have shelter, they can’t begin to dream. They can’t begin to think about what’s next.”

“We can say we housed this many young people, but how many feel safe and equipped to keep those apartments?”

ABOUT THE GUEST

Austin Neal has nearly a decade of experience serving people experiencing homelessness and housing instability. His work has included volunteering with Joppa, supporting students through Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, and working with young adults at Iowa Homeless Youth Centers.

Austin is also joining Above + Beyond Cancer as an outreach manager and will serve as a panelist during the Housing Is Medicine discussion at the 2026 My City My Health Conference.

CONNECT WITH MY CITY MY HEALTH

Learn more about the conference, community education, and upcoming events at mycity.health.

The Move the City FWD Podcast is powered by My City My Health.

When the world feels heavy, how do you acknowledge what you are feeling without losing your ability to move forward?

Keynote speaker and life coach Vanessa McNeal joins Corey Dion Lewis to discuss burnout, hopelessness, anger, personal responsibility, and the pressure many helpers and community leaders feel to do more.

Vanessa explains why the questions you ask yourself shape how you see your work and your impact. She also shares practical ways to understand anger, reconnect with what gives you life, manage expectations, and remember that meaningful change does not happen through one person alone.

Vanessa will also serve as a panelist on the Mental Health Panel at the 2026 My City My Health Conference Des Moines.

REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE

Join us November 13, 2026, at Curate in Des Moines for conversations focused on mental health, housing, economic mobility, community resources, and the issues shaping the health of our communities.

Presented in partnership with UnityPoint Health.

Register here:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/my-city-my-health-des-moines--2026

The conference is open to community members, advocates, professionals, organizations, and anyone who wants to help move the city forward.

Civic engagement shapes health. In this episode, host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Heather Jones-Brown and Victoria Weber to connect everyday actions like voting, emailing a school board member, riding the bus, and showing up at a neighborhood cleanup to measurable health outcomes. The conversation stays local. They dig into transportation, school boards, city councils, water quality, and how libraries, community fridges, and grassroots networks move the needle. 

You will hear:

• Why local elections often shape your daily health more than national races
• How transportation access influences employment, insurance coverage, food security, and mental health
• Practical ways to engage when your time or confidence is limited
• The hidden health power of libraries, community fridges, and neighborhood cleanups

Links:

• My City My Health Conference info and merch: mycity.health
• NAACP Des Moines: naacpdesmoines.org
• Des Moines Public Library: dmpl.org
• Local news and policy explainers mentioned: Iowa Starting Line, Iowa Capital Dispatch, Des Moines Register
• Des Moines metro school board and city council meeting streams are typically available on each body’s YouTube channel or website

Call to action:

• Register for My City My Health Des Moines, Nov 14: use code MCMH100 at checkout on Zeffy to claim the limited promo.

Show Notes

• 00:01 Welcome and why civic engagement belongs in a health conversation
• 02:00 “Local civics matter the most” and how engagement looks different for everyone
• 04:45 Transportation as a foundation of public health
• 06:30 Commuting, job access, insurance, wages, and downstream health outcomes
• 08:15 Voting mindset for local elections and why school bonds matter for long-term community health
• 10:40 City councils, budgets, sidewalks, housing, pollution, and potholes as health policy
• 12:40 School boards should be nonpartisan, and why parents must track positions and votes
• 13:40 Beyond the ballot: attend meetings, email representatives, set coffee or Zoom
• 16:55 Where to watch meetings and how to find contact lists
• 18:30 Toolkits, newsletters, and right-sized information habits
• 20:20 Join organizations for curated updates, like NAACP Des Moines and interfaith groups
• 21:55 Water quality alerts and why trusted sources matter
• 23:30 Everyday engagement: cleanups, cost savings, and reinvesting in community needs
• 26:00 Libraries as civic health hubs: makerspaces, classes, and small business sparks
• 28:35 Small mindset shifts, big public health impacts
• 30:40 What guests are excited to experience at My City My Health
• 33:05 How to connect with Heather and Victoria

Resources talked about:
2025 DMPS Bond Conversation
Info on the bond
Find your polling location

On this episode of My City Talks, host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Sarah Donovan of Broadlawns Medical Center to explore the complex layers of food insecurity in Des Moines. From the role of culture and community in food access to how employment, transportation, and awareness shape outcomes, Sarah shares both professional insights and personal reflections.

This conversation highlights the connections between health equity, social determinants, and community partnerships—reminding us that solving hunger isn’t just about food pantries, it’s about systemic change.

Tune in as we lead up to the My City My Health Conference on November 14 in Des Moines, where Sarah will join the Food Insecurity panel.

Show Notes:
00:00 – Welcome to My City Talks
01:18 – Introducing Sarah Donovan
02:43 – Why she returned to Des Moines
04:14 – Understanding food insecurity in our community
06:40 – Supporting employees facing insecurity
09:20 – Food as culture and community
10:00 – Launching food pantries at Drake University
11:25 – Why partnerships matter in food access
13:13 – Beyond band-aid solutions
14:19 – Education, awareness & community health workers
15:24 – Broadlawns interpreter services & community health work
16:45 – Looking forward to the My City My Health Conference
17:06 – Final thoughts & invitation to connect

Connect with Sarah Donovan on LinkedIn
Learn more about the My City My Health Conference: mycity.health

In this episode of My City Talks, powered by My City My Health, host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Jasmine Brooks, project manager for the USDA-backed Double Up Food Bucks program in Iowa. Together, they explore the realities of food insecurity, the cultural significance of food, and the importance of choice in nutrition.

From the lost art of cooking to the challenges of accessing fresh produce through SNAP, Jasmine shares real-life insights on how programs like Double Up Iowa are helping families stretch their dollars, support local farmers, and reclaim their health. This conversation is a preview of the upcoming My City My Health Conference in Des Moines on November 14, where leaders, advocates, and community members will gather to move from conversation to action.

🎟️ Register for the conference: https://mycity.health

🔗 Learn more about Double Up Iowa: https://doubleupiowa.org

Topics covered in this episode:

• Jasmine’s journey into food insecurity work (01:00)
• How Double Up Food Bucks stretches SNAP dollars (02:45)
• Why food insecurity is about more than “boxes of food” (04:00)
• Cooking as a lost art (05:30)
• Eating for color: simple nutrition tips (06:30)
• Cultural pride vs. healthy eating (10:00)
• Access, education, and the stigma of food assistance (13:00)
• How Double Up Food Bucks supports local farmers & grocers (18:00)
• SNAP, Medicaid, and funding challenges in Iowa (20:00)
• Turning conversation into action at My City My Health (25:00)
• How to connect with Jasmine Brooks & Double Up Iowa (30:00)

Resources & Links:

• 🎟️ Register for My City My Health Des Moines (Nov. 14): https://mycity.health

• 🌱 Double Up Iowa: https://doubleupiowa.org

• 💡 Presented by UnityPoint Health: https://www.unitypoint.org

 👉 Want to continue the conversation in person? Join us at the My City My Health Conference in Des Moines on November 14. Register here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/my-city-my-health-des-moines--2025

In this episode of My City Talks, Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Dr. Gregory Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at UnityPoint Health, to discuss the urgent challenges and opportunities around Black men’s health in Iowa.

They dive into why Black men are less likely to seek preventive care, the importance of screenings for prostate and colon cancer, and the role of social determinants of health in shaping outcomes. Dr. Johnson also shares insights on the financial cost of health inequities, how telemedicine can bridge access gaps, and why patients should see their doctors as partners in health.

Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of prevention, access, and how health systems can better meet communities where they are.

Show Notes – Black Men’s Health, Prevention & Equity in Iowa w/ Dr. Gregory Johnson

00:00 – Intro & Welcome
01:00 – Dr. Gregory Johnson’s journey into medicine and leadership
04:40 – From bedside medicine to population health
07:30 – What healthcare access really means: speed to treatment & patient experience
10:00 – Why Black men avoid going to the doctor and the cost of waiting
13:30 – Prevention matters: prostate, colon, and heart disease screenings
16:40 – The financial toll of health inequities in Iowa ($8.6B annually)
19:30 – Barriers to access: transportation and social determinants of health
23:40 – Meeting patients where they are & community-based solutions
25:00 – Doctors as partners in health, not just transactions
27:20 – Diabetes in Iowa: 100,000 undiagnosed cases
29:00 – Innovation in access: telemedicine and rural outreach
32:00 – Closing thoughts, My City My Health conference, and where to connect

Abena Sankofa Imhotep—author, podcaster, and moderator of the Civic Engagement Panel at this year’s My City My Health Conference—joins Corey Dion Lewis to talk about what civic power really looks like in 2025. From voting and fundraising to storytelling and showing up in community spaces, this conversation unpacks the layers of visibility, accountability, and connection that drive public health outcomes for Black communities.

They also explore the myth of “Iowa Nice,” why storytelling personalizes health data, and how public health can’t be a one-and-done conversation. This episode is personal, rooted, and full of real takeaways.

🎟️ Register for My City My Health Des Moines (Nov 14):
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/my-city-my-health-des-moines--2025

—

Show Notes:
00:00 – Intro: Why This Conversation Matters
01:10 – Abena’s Roots and Love for Des Moines
03:00 – What Civic Engagement Means
06:45 – Showing Up, Boards, and Community Work
10:15 – Fundraising, Bake Sales, and Local Impact
12:30 – The Bike Lane Analogy & Marginalized Communities
15:00 – Deconstructing “Iowa Nice” and Accountability
19:40 – Public Health Is Personal
22:00 – Storytelling that Humanizes Data
25:30 – Stephen’s Story: Prostate Cancer in the Black Community
28:40 – Abena’s Work: Sankofa Group, Substack, Podcast
33:30 – Final Thoughts + Conference Preview

Follow Abena:
 🌐 https://www.abenasankofa.com
 📰 The Imhotep Report on Substack
 🎙️ Black and Privileged in America Podcast

Subscribe to My City Talks for more real conversations at the intersection of health, equity, and community.

Alzheimer’s isn't just something that happens “later” — it's impacting thousands of Iowans right now, and Black and rural communities are being hit the hardest. In this episode of My City Talks, I sit down with Keesha Ward and Jessica Duncan of the Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter to break down the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, why early detection is so powerful, and what’s stopping our communities from getting the support they need.

We also talk real numbers, real stories, and real solutions — from the 14 modifiable risk factors to the upcoming Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Des Moines.

Whether you're a caregiver, a healthcare provider, or just someone who wants to understand the impact of dementia better, this conversation is for you.

Show Notes:
0:00 – Welcome to My City Talks
1:05 – Meet Jessica & Keisha from the Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter
2:12 – What gets them up in the morning
3:30 – Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s explained
4:55 – The current state of Alzheimer’s in Iowa
6:15 – The hidden burden on caregivers
8:00 – Why early detection makes all the difference
10:40 – The stigma in Black and rural communities
13:10 – How the healthcare system can do better
14:55 – 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia (2024 Lancet Study)
19:00 – Why sleep, exercise, and connection matter
21:10 – The Walk to End Alzheimer’s – what it is and why it matters
25:30 – How to get involved, register, and support
28:50 – Encouragement for caregivers and families
30:15 – Resources and contact info

Resources Mentioned:

• Alzheimer’s Association Iowa: https://www.alz.org/iowa
• Walk to End Alzheimer’s: https://act.alz.org
• 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900

Hosted by Corey Dion Lewis | My City My Health
We are a community on a mission — and the mission is just getting started.
 🎟️ Register now for the My City My Health Des Moines event at www.mycity.health

In this episode of My City Talks, Corey sits down with Krisha Keeran, former intern, medical school hopeful, and co-founder of Club Kids for a Cause. After surviving a devastating accident, Krisha turned her recovery into a purpose, raising over $65,000 through tennis tournaments to support healthcare causes. This summer, her story comes full circle as she hosts a tournament in her honor to fund continuing education for nurses at UIHC. Listen as Krisha shares how Iowa City saved her life and why helmets, hope, and community still drive her mission.

Show Notes:

Guest: Krisha Keeran
Host: Corey Dion Lewis

Topics Covered:

• Krisha’s start with My City My Health as its first intern
• Founding Club Kids for a Cause after a family friend’s breast cancer diagnosis
• Growing the nonprofit to raise over $65,000 through tennis events and merchandise
• Surviving a near-fatal bike accident and the role UIHC played in her recovery
• The emotional and personal significance of this year’s tournament in West Des Moines
• Promoting helmet safety and partnering with the Iowa Bike Coalition
• Creating a scholarship fund for SnakeU nurses at the University of Iowa Healthcare
• How to support: buying merch, attending the tournament, or donating via Venmo

Event Info:
Club Kids for a Cause Summer Classic
📍 Valley Southwoods, West Des Moines
📅 July 11–13, 2025
Proceeds benefit a new fund for nurse education in Krisha’s honor.

Support & Connect:

• Instagram: @clubkidsforacause
• Facebook: Club Kids for a Cause
• Merch: Available through July 30
• Follow Krisha: @KrishaKeeran

Want to be featured?
Email: [email protected]