You’ve heard of the World Health Organization (WHO), but do you know how it actually works and why it matters in your everyday life? 

In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Garry Aslanyan, Manager of Partnerships and Global Engagement at the WHO’s TDR programme in Geneva, Switzerland. We dive into the fascinating origins of the WHO, explore how it's structured and funded, and unpack how its global decisions directly impact local public health efforts. 

From eradicating diseases like smallpox to coordinating international responses to COVID-19, we discuss how this global institution continues to shape the health of communities worldwide—and why understanding its role matters for every public health professional.

References for Our Discussion

◼️TDR

◼️Global Health Matters Podcast

Guest

◼️Dr Garry Aslanyan

Host(s) & Producer(s)

◼️ Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®

Production Notes

◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music Room

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Gun violence is now a leading cause of death in many demographics but how do you intervene when many of the underlying causes don’t have anything to do with guns in the first place?

In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Lori Toscano, Director of Justice Technical Assistance at WestEd, discusses using data analytics and machine learning to identify and address risk and protective factors for community violence. 

The conversation covers a new framework, the Violence Prevention Navigation Framework (VPNF), that leverages 70 community-level indicators to guide deeper root cause analysis and to prioritize interventions. 

Lori emphasizes intersectoral collaboration, historical community disinvestment, and primary prevention strategies to create systemic change. The episode showcases innovative tools to drive better understanding and actionable recommendations for improving community safety.

References for Our Discussion

◼️WestEd

◼️Violence Prevention Navigation Framework (VPNF)

Guest

◼️Lori Toscano

Host(s) & Producer(s)

◼️ Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®

Production Notes

◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music Room

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What does a meticulous career in criminal justice and violence prevention look like? Look no further than Lori Toscano. 

In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Lori joins to share her initial ambition to become a grade 5 teacher to now a devoted career in community violence intervention. The conversation dives into the importance of data, community involvement, and the challenges Lori faced while trying to balance enforcement and support. The episode concludes with insights into her role at WestEd, her approaches to technical assistance, and her passion for violence prevention.

References for Our Discussion

◼️WestEd

Guest

◼️Lori Toscano

Host(s) & Producer(s)

◼️ Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®

Production Notes

◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music Room

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe to The Insight newsletter so you don’t miss out on the latest podcast episodes, live events, job skills, learning opportunities, and other engaging professional development content here.

Leave Us Some Feedback

If you enjoy our podcasts, be sure to subscribe and leave us a rating on Apple Podcast or Spotify, and spread the word to your friends to help us get discovered by more people. You can also interact directly with the podcast episodes on Spotify using the new “comment” feature! We’d love to hear what you think.

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It’s understandable why many might think that burnout is inevitable when working in the field of public health? 

In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Marissa McCool, The Public Health Burnout Coach, joins to shatter those misconceptions. She discusses the signs, causes, and impacts of burnout, particularly within the public health field. 

The conversation explores how burnout can manifest in various aspects of life, including work, relationships, and health. Marissa shares insights on the systemic and personal factors contributing to burnout, emphasizes the importance of individual responsibility in managing it, and explains the misconceptions surrounding hustle culture. 

The episode also highlights strategies for mitigating burnout and enhancing workplace efficiency through better rest and self-care practices.

References for Our Discussion

◼️The Public Health Burnout Coach

Guest

◼️Marissa McKool, MPH

Host(s) & Producer(s)

◼️ Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®

Production Notes

◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music Room

Subscribe to the Newsletter

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Leave Us Some Feedback

If you enjoy our podcasts, be sure to subscribe and leave us a rating on Apple Podcast or Spotify, and spread the word to your friends to help us get discovered by more people. You can also interact directly with the podcast episodes on Spotify using the new “comment” feature! We’d love to hear what you think.

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A career in public health can twist and turn in almost limitless directions. 

In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Marissa McKool shares insights from her educational journey, her persistence in networking, and her time working at government institutions. The discussion includes her unexpected shifts due to personal and political events, her work at UC Berkeley, and her eventual burnout. The conversation provides valuable lessons on the importance of professional persistence, work-life balance, and the need for strategic career pivots in public health.

References for Our Discussion

◼️The Public Health Burnout Coach

Guest

◼️Marissa McKool, MPH

Host(s) & Producer(s)

◼️ Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®

Production Notes

◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music Room

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe to The Insight newsletter so you don’t miss out on the latest podcast episodes, live events, job skills, learning opportunities, and other engaging professional development content here.

Leave Us Some Feedback

If you enjoy our podcasts, be sure to subscribe and leave us a rating on Apple Podcast or Spotify, and spread the word to your friends to help us get discovered by more people. You can also interact directly with the podcast episodes on Spotify using the new “comment” feature! We’d love to hear what you think.

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The potential of blockchain and AI in revolutionizing healthcare is immense. In this episode of the Public Health Podcast, social change futurist Sheila Phicil discusses how these technologies empower patients with data ownership and control. Introducing her startup 'Phicil-Itate Change,' she explains her mission to guide healthcare organizations in developing patient-centered solutions. The conversation highlights the need for innovation in the healthcare system, the importance of social listening, understanding the context behind patient data, and future trends.

References for Our Discussion

◼️ Phicil-Itate Change 

Guest

◼️ Sheila Phicil, MPH, MS, PMP, FACHE

Host(s) & Producer(s)

◼️ Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®

Production Notes

◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music Room

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe to The Insight newsletter so you don’t miss out on the latest podcast episodes, live events, job skills, learning opportunities, and other engaging professional development content here.

Leave Us Some Feedback

If you enjoy our podcasts, be sure to subscribe and leave us a rating on Apple Podcast or Spotify, and spread the word to your friends to help us get discovered by more people. You can also interact directly with the podcast episodes on Spotify using the new “comment” feature! We’d love to hear what you think.

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Who is a social change futurist? 

Whether you’re aspiring to make an impact in public health or curious about the intersection of finance, healthcare administration, and project management, Sheila’s career journey offers valuable insights into the future of social change in health. Learn more in this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast.

References for Our Discussion

◼️ Phicil-Itate Change 

Guest

◼️ Sheila Phicil, MPH, MS, PMP, FACHE

Host(s) & Producer(s)

◼️ Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®

Production Notes

◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music Room

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe to The Insight newsletter so you don’t miss out on the latest podcast episodes, live events, job skills, learning opportunities, and other engaging professional development content here.

Leave Us Some Feedback

If you enjoy our podcasts, be sure to subscribe and leave us a rating on Apple Podcast or Spotify, and spread the word to your friends to help us get discovered by more people. You can also interact directly with the podcast episodes on Spotify using the new “comment” feature! We’d love to hear what you think.

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 Why are hospitals closing and what is their role in addressing health disparities?

In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Sheila Phicil, a social change futurist, joins to talk about the complexities and challenges faced by the U.S. healthcare system in addressing social determinants of health. 

The discussion begins with defining health equity in simple terms then delves into framing healthcare as a 'sick care' system. The conversation shifts to unpacking the disproportionate access to healthcare for already underserved communities, and why healthcare costs are so high.

References for Our Discussion

◼️ Phicil-Itate Change 

Guest

◼️ Sheila Phicil, MPH, MS, PMP, FACHE

Host(s) & Producer(s)

◼️ Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®

Production Notes

◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music Room

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe to The Insight newsletter so you don’t miss out on the latest podcast episodes, live events, job skills, learning opportunities, and other engaging professional development content here.

Leave Us Some Feedback

If you enjoy our podcasts, be sure to subscribe and leave us a rating on Apple Podcast or Spotify, and spread the word to your friends to help us get discovered by more people. You can also interact directly with the podcast episodes on Spotify using the new “comment” feature! We’d love to hear what you think.

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“There are consultants for healthcare and public health making more than $1,200 an hour..."

"Why does Quisha make more than some of the on-call docs?” 

"Close your business or be terminated.” 

“Nobody becomes an entrepreneur to live paycheck to paycheck”


Tune into this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, where Quisha Umemba, CEO of Umemba Health, recounts her transition from a nurse facing an ultimatum to a successful public health consultant. 

She details overcoming initial fears, leveraging her expertise in virtual diabetes education, and now incorporating AI to stay ahead in public health trends. 

In the episode, she also shares her strategic business decisions, the importance of balancing purpose with profit, and navigating corporate conflicts of interest while working on your side hustle. 

References for Our Discussion

◼️Quisha Umemba Biography

◼️ The PublicHealthPreneur™

Guest

◼️ Quisha Umemba

Host(s) & Producer(s)

◼️ Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®

Production Notes

◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music Room

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe to The Insight newsletter so you don’t miss out on the latest podcast episodes, live events, job skills, learning opportunities, and other engaging professional development content here.

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If you enjoy our podcasts, be sure to subscribe and leave us a rating on Apple Podcast or Spotify, and spread the word to your friends to help us get discovered by more people. You can also interact directly with the podcast episodes on Spotify using the new “comment” feature! We’d love to hear what you think.

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Career paths in public health are rarely linear, and today’s guest proves it. From discovering the unexpected challenges of clinical nursing to earning an MPH for a broader perspective, Quisha Umemba shares how bold practical decisions—like taking a pay cut to leave nursing for public health—shaped her leadership journey. Along the way, she uncovered the power of social determinants of health and how individual motivation influences health.

References for Our Discussion

◼️Quisha Umemba Biography

◼️ The PublicHealthPreneur™

Guest

◼️ Quisha Umemba

Host(s) & Producer(s)

◼️ Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®

Production Notes

◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music Room

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe to The Insight newsletter so you don’t miss out on the latest podcast episodes, live events, job skills, learning opportunities, and other engaging professional development content here.

Leave Us Some Feedback

If you enjoy our podcasts, be sure to subscribe and leave us a rating on Apple Podcast or Spotify, and spread the word to your friends to help us get discovered by more people. You can also interact directly with the podcast episodes on Spotify using the new “comment” feature! We’d love to hear what you think.

Send us a Text Message to let us know what you think.