Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks with Dr. Walker Tisdale III.

In this episode, Dr. Walker Tisdale III—nationally recognized leader in suicide prevention and Director of Outreach at Johns Hopkins University—shares his powerful journey from broadcast journalism to public health leadership.

We dive into the evolving field of suicide prevention, the role of diversity and equity in mental health, and why community support and education are essential for saving lives. Dr. Tisdale also opens up about the importance of self-care for professionals, breaks down common misconceptions around suicide prevention, and offers practical advice for students and early-career public health professionals.

If you’re exploring a career in public health—or simply want to better understand how we can address mental health through public health frameworks—this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

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Chapters:
@0:00 Introduction to Dr. Walker Tisdale III
@5:07 Journey into Suicide Prevention
@7:52 The Importance of Diversity in Suicide Prevention
@10:39 Understanding Suicide Prevention Techniques
@13:48 Current State of Suicide Prevention in the US
@16:41 Misconceptions About Suicide Prevention
@19:21 The Role of Public Health in Suicide Prevention
@22:09 Dr. Tisdale's Academic Journey
@25:01 Experiences During the HIV/AIDS Epidemic
@47:31 The Impact of Policy on Public Health
@49:11 Innovative Approaches in Public Health Interventions
@50:49 Navigating Public Health During the COVID Era
@52:57 The Value of Ground-Level Expertise
@58:06 Building a Statewide Suicide Prevention Strategy
@1:02:37 Pursuing Advanced Education in Health Professions
@1:08:42 Current Role and Responsibilities at Johns Hopkins
@1:14:49 Creating a Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Framework
@1:19:02 Self-Care and Motivation in Public Health Work
@1:21:19 Advice for Aspiring Public Health Professionals

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In this conversation, Omari Richins, MPH Host of Public Health Careers discusses the challenges faced by public health professionals, emphasizing the importance of resilience, purpose, and community support. He addresses the weight of current issues in public health, including burnout and job competition, while encouraging listeners to reconnect with their motivations and take actionable steps to navigate their careers effectively.

Chapters:
@0:00 The Weight of Public Health
@1:59 Navigating Challenges in Public Health
@3:51 Reconnecting with Your Purpose
@4:09 Four Anchors for Resilience
@6:23 Taking Grounded Steps Forward
@8:11 Embracing the Journey of Public Health


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Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks with Nishat Uddin, MPH. 

She shares her journey from moving to the West Coast from Florida, to founding South Asian Care, an organization aimed at addressing healthcare disparities within the South Asian community. She discusses the importance of culturally sensitive health communications, the challenges of public health messaging, and the significance of storytelling in advocacy. 

Nishat emphasizes the need for community-driven approaches in healthcare and shares insights from her academic and professional experiences in public health. She also highlights the importance of self-care and maintaining motivation as a leader in the nonprofit sector.

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Chapters:

@0:00 Cultural Transitions: From Florida to the West Coast
@6:21 Bridging Gaps in Public Health: The Birth of South Asian Care
@9:13 Health Communications: Meeting Communities Where They Are
@12:23 Addressing Stigma: Mental Health in South Asian Communities
@15:24 Designing Culturally Sensitive Health Systems
@18:21 The Power of Storytelling in Health Advocacy
@21:11 Public Health: A Bridge to Equity and Access
@24:21 Academic Pathways: From Undergrad to MPH
@26:21 Building Community: Support Systems in Education
@29:19 The Journey to South Asian Care: Ideation and Experience
@31:52 Navigating Career Transitions
@34:35 Building Communication Strategies in Healthcare
@37:04 Job Search Strategies for Public Health Graduates
@41:05 Roles and Responsibilities in Health Communications
@45:14 Founding South Asian Care: A Journey of Passion
@49:20 Strategic Growth and Community Impact
@52:00 Future Vision for South Asian Care
@53:21 Balancing Provider and Community Needs
@56:49 Self-Care and Motivation in Leadership
@58:58 The Furious Five: Insights and Advice

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Public Health on Pause: The 2025 Government Shutdown and What It Means for You

The U.S. government shut down on October 1, 2025. While politicians argue, public health is paying the price:

• CDC and HHS furloughs slow outbreak surveillance
• WIC funds could run out in weeks
• SNAP families face uncertainty, and SNAP-Ed was just eliminated
• Immigrant families are afraid to seek care, worried about ICE and data sharing
• Flu, measles, whooping cough, and COVID continue to spread

This isn’t just politics. It’s people’s lives. From food security to outbreak control, shutdowns create a ripple effect that leaves families suffering in silence and communities more vulnerable.

Public health doesn’t stop for politics, but politics can stop public health.

Chapters:
@0:00 Impact of Government Shutdown on Public Health
@2:46 Consequences for Vulnerable Communities
@4:45 The Role of Public Health Workers
@7:14 Call to Action for Community Engagement

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Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks Tosin Ogunsola, MPH and Tobi Dare, MPH. They are co-creators of the Health Whiz game.

In this conversation, Tobi Dare and Tosin Ogunsola, co-founders of Health Whiz, share their journey in creating a board game aimed at improving public health literacy. They discuss their backgrounds in public health, the inspiration behind Health Whiz during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of gamification in health education.

The duo highlights the positive community response to their game, the mechanics of gameplay, and their long-term goals for expanding its reach. They also reflect on their professional experiences, the lessons learned in co-founding a business, and offer advice for aspiring public health professionals.

🎉 Enter Health Whiz Giveaway!

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Chapters:
@0:00 Introduction to HealthWhiz and Its Founders
@6:37 Inspiration Behind HealthWhiz
@9:14 The Role of Gamification in Public Health Education
@12:04 Community Response and Engagement with HealthWiz
@14:43  Game Format and Mechanics
@17:36 Understanding Health Literacy
@20:10 Expanding HealthWhiz's Reach
@22:44 Defining Public Health
@25:29 Educational Backgrounds and Their Influence
@28:03 Professional Experiences and Insights
@40:29 Epidemiology in Action
@43:12 Learning and Growth in Public Health
@45:29 Internships and Early Experiences
@47:03 Formative Experiences in Public Health
@50:57 Building HealthWhiz: A Collaborative Journey
@54:36 Lessons from Co-Founding HealthWiz
@59:28 Hard Lessons in Public Health
@1:04:40 Advice for Aspiring Public Health Professionals

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In this conversation, Omari Richins, MPH discusses the importance of taking time off for mental health, shares insights on public transit accessibility, and addresses the challenges faced in public health today. He emphasizes the need for optimism and community support while navigating the complexities of public health advocacy and the systemic issues that affect communities.

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Chapters:
@0:00 The Importance of Taking Time Off
@3:11 Public Transit and Accessibility
@6:12 Navigating Public Health Challenges
@8:55 The Role of Optimism in Public Health Advocacy

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In this conversation, Dr. Jamila Porter shares her journey as a community health advocate and her commitment to health equity. 

She discusses the importance of physical activity, the MADE for Health Justice initiative, and the challenges posed by structural racism in public health. Dr. Porter emphasizes the need for long-term systems change, interdisciplinary approaches, and community engagement in public health efforts. She also reflects on her academic journey and current role at the de Beaumont Foundation, offering valuable advice for future public health professionals.

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Full episode shownotes

Chapters:

@0:00 Introduction to Dr. Jamila Porter, DrPH, MPH
@7:58 The Importance of Physical Activity in Public Health
@11:52 Commitment to Transforming Health Systems
@14:54 MADE for Health Justice Initiative
@18:57 Confronting Structural Racism in Public Health
@22:54 Long-Term Systems Change in Public Health
@26:01 Interdisciplinary Approaches to Public Health
@29:01 Defining Public Health and Community Health
@33:08 Educational Pathways and Career Reflections
@43:24 Transitioning to Public Health and Research
@48:16 The Importance of Pedestrian Safety and Complete Streets
@54:51 Lessons from International Development Work
@55:46 Role of Big Cities Health Coalition in Public Health
@58:41 Current Role at De Beaumont Foundation
@1:04:05 Leading at the Intersection of Strategy and Justice
@1:08:17 Challenges and Rewards in Public Health Work
@1:15:09 Advice for Aspiring Public Health Professionals

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In this conversation, Omari Richins, MPH discusses the current crisis in public health, highlighting the turmoil within the CDC, the rollback of vaccine requirements, and the implications of job market collapse in the field. He emphasizes the importance of resilience and the need for public health professionals to adapt and advocate for community health amidst these challenges.

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Chapters:
@0:00 The Crisis in Public Health
@4:33 The Impact of Job Market Collapse
@6:25 The Consequences of Policy Rollbacks
@6:37 Resilience and Reinvention in Public Health

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Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks with Dr. Daniella Thorne, DrPH, MPH.

In this conversation, Dr. Daniella Thorne shares her journey as a public health professional, emphasizing the importance of sexual health education, bodily autonomy, and the need for culturally relevant curricula.

She discusses her personal experiences with fitness, the challenges of navigating the public health landscape, and the significance of youth voices in shaping health education. Dr. Thorne also reflects on her academic journey, the realities of the job market, and the impact of imposter syndrome, while offering valuable advice for those pursuing careers in public health.

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Chapters:
@0:00 Introduction to Dr. Daniella Thorne
@05:20 Journey to Fitness and Health
@08:07 Early Conversations on Sexual Health
@14:15 The Importance of Bodily Autonomy
@20:17 Effective Sex Education in Schools
@26:15 Public Health as a Life Skill
@32:16 Academic Pathway and Career Choices
@38:21 Transformative Education Experiences
@40:36 Pursuing a Doctorate: A Personal Journey
@43:02 The Value of a Doctorate in Public Health
@51:49 Career Progression in Public Health
@56:20 Advocacy and National Impact
@1:02:43 Scaling Up: Transferable Skills in Public Health
@1:04:44 Navigating Challenges in Public Health
@1:08:16 Insights from Teaching
@1:13:07 Advice for Aspiring Public Health Professionals

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In this conversation, Omari Richins, MPH emphasizes the importance of intentionality in public health education and career development. 

He discusses how students can set clear goals, build skills, and create a supportive network to navigate their public health journey successfully. The PACE framework is introduced as a practical tool for setting achievable goals, while the significance of networking and mentorship is highlighted. He encourages students to take proactive steps in their career planning, especially as they approach graduation, to ensure they are prepared for the evolving public health landscape.

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Chapters:
@0:00 Setting the Vision for Your Public Health Journey
@02:18 Building Your Career Incubator
@04:58 The PACE Framework for Success
@07:39 Creating Your Own Support System
@09:22 Taking Action in Your Final Year

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