Public Health Joy: Community Power, Health Equity, and Leadership in Action

Swimming is more than just staying afloat in water; it’s a much deeper necessity that can also serve as a therapeutic outlet for communities in need. Today, we are joined by drowning prevention specialist Kiana Pauline, the Founder and CEO of Total Body Submersion – a community-centered organization geared toward building water confidence for people to fall in love with swimming and indeed, life.

Kiana begins by explaining who she is and what she does before detailing common swimming stereotypes that are best forgotten. Then, we learn about how adults approach swimming in communities of color, why Kiana founded Total Body Submersion, how her company affects her work in various communities, and how her background in healthcare administration influenced her approach to water safety.

Lastly, we discover the power of water as a healing tool, why swimming can be categorized as a public health concern, why our solutions need to evolve with ever-changing social determinants of health, and how today’s guest finds daily joy at work. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Drowning prevention specialist, Kiana Pauline describes her nature and work. [03:43]

• Swimming stereotypes that she is working hard to dispel. [05:59]

• How adults in Black and Brown communities approach swimming. [09:20]

• Why Kiana started Total Body Submersion and how it affects her community work. [11:36]

• Water therapy: Solving life’s biggest problems, one stroke at a time. [15:41]

• How Kiana’s past in health care administration informed her approach to water safety. [19:33]

• Why her work is an important public health concern. [22:20]

• How social determinants of health evolve, and why our solutions need to keep up. [29:00]

• Understanding what brings Kiana Pauline joy in her work. [30:55]

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and, leave a review! For more transcripts, show notes,and more visit: https://joyeewashington.com/public-health-joy-season-4/

What if government contracting didn’t have to be competitive but could be collaborative instead? Joining Dr. Joyee Washington today is Dr. Lauren Josephs, researcher, CEO of Visionary Vanguard Group, and self-proclaimed “destiny helper.”

Tuning in, you’ll hear all about our guest’s career, how she got into government contracting, the importance of embracing hard work, and so much more! We delve into some of Dr. Josephs’ strategies in handling challenges such as budget cuts before she shares the experience of being awarded her first contract.

We also discuss the power of gratitude in all endeavors, successful or not. Finally, our guest tells us what brings her joy in her work. To hear all this and find out how you can purchase The Bracing for 2025 Summit Replay, press play now!

P.S. Got a public health business and want to amplify your brand? Become a sponsor of the Public Health Joy Podcast today! Complete our sponsorship request form here: https://clients.joyeewashington.com/public/form/view/6685b1f173bbe6003a105903

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing today’s guest, Dr. Lauren Josephs. [02:15]

• How Dr. Josephs got into the world of government contracting work. [05:49]

• A reminder that all achievements require a certain level of hard work. [13:10]

• Practical strategies Dr. Josephs uses to handle challenges in her work. [14:58]

• Insight into her experience of being awarded her first contract. [20:29]

• Why she’s always grateful for every opportunity, no matter the outcome. [29:54]

• What brings Dr. Josephs joy in her work. [31:24]

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and, leave a review! For more transcripts, show notes,and more visit: https://joyeewashington.com/public-health-joy-season-4/ 

A lot of people don’t understand what diversity, equity, and inclusion actually are. That’s one reason why it’s such a hot topic today.  Lekeshia Hicks is a seasoned human resource strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of Lekeshia Angelique Consulting. She joins the podcast today to speak about the power of diversity, equity, and inclusion in public health.

Tuning in, you’ll hear Lekeshia’s perspective on what DEI does and does not mean, where equal employment opportunity finds relevance, and how government contracting interacts with DEI.

We also dive into the perspective of servant leadership in DEI work and what it means to approach leadership from a place of empowering others. Lastly, Lekeshia shares the true joy of her work, which is in seeing lives genuinely changed.

Key Points From This Episode:

How do structural inequalities shape public health and how can research be reimagined to dismantle them? In this episode, we speak with Dr. Andrea Mantsios, Founder and Principal Consultant of Public Health Innovation in Action (PHIA), a consultancy committed to centering community voices in health research and interventions.

As a passionate public health researcher, Andrea joins us today as we dive into the power of community-led research, how shifting public health work from academic institutions to grassroots settings drives meaningful change, and why centering lived experience is essential to advancing health equity.

If you’re ready to rethink who holds the knowledge, how change happens, and what solidarity in public health really looks like, tune in to this thought-provoking conversation with Andrea Mantsios!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to Andrea and her path into public health. [02:17]

• Why academic research and individual interventions aren’t enough. [05:35]

• Collaboration in action: the power of community-led research. [08:20]

• The impact of the current political climate on health outcomes. [11:56]

• Community as the antidote to broken systems. [14:14]

• Why it’s important to fight for those affected by systemic injustice. [17:32]

• The need to continuously adapt and re-evaluate what success looks like. [19:11]

• Resources and strategies to leverage in the midst of uncertainty. [23:24]

• The power (and joy) of prioritizing meaningful human connection. [29:13]

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and, leave a review! For more transcripts, show notes,and more visit: https://joyeewashington.com/public-health-joy-season-4/ 

What if we redefined healthcare beyond just doctor’s visits and medication? In this episode of The Public Health Joy Podcast, Dr. Joyee Washington welcomes Dr. Jacob Kendall, a passionate advocate for people with chronic illness, chronic pain, and disabilities.

Having undergone two open-heart surgeries and served as a caregiver for loved ones with heart disease, Dr. Kendall brings a deeply personal perspective to this conversation. He introduces his "four-dimensional health" framework, highlighting how health is not just medical but also social, financial, and systemic.

He also explores the challenges of navigating the healthcare system, the power of self-advocacy, and the vital role of caregivers (as well as practical tips to help them care for themselves). If you’ve ever struggled with managing chronic illness or supporting a loved one, this episode is packed with insights to help you build resilience and find joy in the process!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Dr. Kendall’s journey with chronic illness and caregiving. [02:15]

• Redefining health beyond the medical model: what is four-dimensional health? [06:15]

• The social and financial barriers to managing chronic illness. [12:01]

• How mortality and intellectual curiosity shaped Dr. Kendall’s approach. [15:02]

• The disconnect between medical research and its impact on communities. [18:26]

• Navigating the healthcare system as a patient and advocate. [20:33]

• Practical self-advocacy strategies for chronic illness. [23:41]

• Ways that asking for help is part of your prevention plan. [27:06]

• The emotional toll of caregiving and how to manage it. [29:28]

• How small actions can create meaningful, big-picture change. [31:11]

• Finding joy and purpose despite health challenges. [33:08]

Key Points From This Episode:

• Dr. Kendall’s journey with chronic illness and caregiving. [02:15]

• Redefining health beyond the medical model: what is four-dimensional health? [06:15]

• The social and financial barriers to managing chronic illness. [12:01]

• How mortality and intellectual curiosity shaped Dr. Kendall’s approach. [15:02]

• The disconnect between medical research and its impact on communities. [18:26]

• Navigating the healthcare system as a patient and advocate. [20:33]

• Practical self-advocacy strategies for chronic illness. [23:41]

• Ways that asking for help is part of your prevention plan. [27:06]

• The emotional toll of caregiving and how to manage it. [29:28]

• How small actions can create meaningful, big-picture change. [31:11]

• Finding joy and purpose despite health challenges. [33:08]

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and, leave a review! For more transcripts, show notes,and more visit: https://joyeewashington.com/public-health-joy-season-4/ 

Workplace culture has changed drastically (especially since the pandemic), and employers can no longer afford to put the well-being of their employees on the back burner. Today on the Public Health Joy Podcast, Jennice Chewlin, founder of Chewlin Group, joins us to discuss workplace well-being and how to find joy in ordinary moments in your career.

Tuning in, you’ll hear about Jennice’s career, what her organization does to help nourish work environments, the issues with the ‘old’ way of working, what we can learn from it, and what joy in the workplace means to Jennice. We delve into the importance of allowing your joy to exist, even in moments of pain before discussing the positive impact of bringing joy into the workplace consciously.

Jennice even shares some advice for any leaders who want to make changes to the culture of their organization so that they can nourish their employees and foster a sense of joy and purpose. Finally, our guest tells us what brings her joy in her work. Thanks for listening! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing Jennice Chewlin to this episode. [2:06]

• What the Chewlin Group does to nourish work environments. [3:50]

• Why the old way of working was problematic and what we can learn from it. [14:33]

• Jennice shares her definition of joy in the workplace with listeners. [16:02]

• The importance of allowing your trauma and joy to co-exist. [24:11]

• Outcomes of intentionally bringing joy into the workplace. [31:08]

• Advice for anyone who wants to make these changes in their organization. [31:08]

• What brings Jennice joy in her work. [36:13]

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and, leave a review! For more transcripts, show notes,and more visit: https://joyeewashington.com/public-health-joy-season-4/ 

In a world that is so preoccupied with assigning blame instead of looking inward, quantitative data provides a fact-focused reprieve, especially when paired with a human-centered approach to data equity. Today, we are joined by Heather Krause, a cross-sector thought leader and speaker on data equity issues with a cutting-edge approach to project design, data collection analysis, reporting, and visualization.

As its founder, Heather begins by detailing the work of We All Count before explaining why quantitative data cannot be ignored no matter what circumstance. We learn about the burdens of responsibility of how data is understood and processed, how to change our biased mindsets around data and numbers, the importance of art and creativity in numbers, and why there’s a need to think more critically about quantitative data and approach it from a human-centered perspective.

We also gain insight into the impact We All Count is having in the communities it serves, the value of threading the needle back to find the source of information (or, in our case, the formula), where AI fits in, and all the things that bring Heather Krause joy while she’s at work.

Finally, here’s some good news for all Joyriders: Official Public Health Joy Podcast merchandise is now available on our website! Thanks for listening, see you next time. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Data Scientist Heather Krause explains who she is and what she does. [01:21]

• The ins and outs of the organization she founded – We All Count. [03:57]

• Recognizing that you’re the problem by societal constructs and how to move forward. [06:19]

• Why stats and numbers are always important, regardless of how we feel. [09:16]

• Art therapy: why numbers are art, and being more creative in teaching and learning. [13:12]

• The importance of unlearning our fear of numbers and data. [17:45]

• Thinking more critically and doing so from a human-centered perspective. [23:30]

• More details on the overall impact of the work being done at We All Count. [25:02]

• Why it matters to understand who designed the formula and a quick look at AI. [29:38]

• Heather describes all the things that bring her joy at work. [35:48]

• It’s time to get your official Public Health Joy Podcast merchandise; now available on our website! [38:26]

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and, leave a review! For more transcripts, show notes,and more visit: https://joyeewashington.com/public-health-joy-season-4/ 

A loved one’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis brings life-altering challenges not only for the individual but for the entire family. In this heartfelt episode of The Public Health Joy Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Herb Caldwell, who opens up about the deeply personal journey that led him to create the Mama Joe Project, a groundbreaking initiative named after his late mother, who inspired his mission to support families facing Alzheimer's and dementia.

The Mama Joe Project is a community-centered initiative focused on raising awareness and reducing health disparities. With over two decades in higher education and community engagement, Dr. Caldwell is uniquely positioned to address the critical need for accessible resources in Black communities, where Alzheimer’s affects women over 60 at disproportionately high rates.

He shares the importance of vulnerability in caregiving, the personal and systemic challenges that so many families face, and practical strategies to support your loved ones with dignity and care. Tune in to discover caregiving insights, actionable resources, and a powerful story of resilience that calls upon all of us to support one another in the face of life-altering diagnoses!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to Dr. Herb Caldwell and the Mama Joe Project. [04:45]

• Key risk factors for Alzheimer’s: age, racial background, and gender. [06:50]

• Background on Dr. Caldwell's mother, the inspiration for the Mama Joe Project. [08:38]

• The importance of vulnerability and personal stories to support community health. [12:07]

• Insight into the realities of being a caregiver and why healthy outlets are crucial. [14:04]

• Community engagement and the value of the Mama Joe Project documentary film. [17:38]

• FUBU and the need to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s in Black communities. [22:27]

• The importance of early detection, especially if you’re a high-risk candidate. [28:31]

• What Dr. Caldwell has learned about himself through the Mama Joe Project. [32:59]

• The joy of knowing that his mother’s legacy will continue to help others. [35:33]

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and, leave a review! For more transcripts, show notes,and more visit: https://joyeewashington.com/public-health-joy-season-4/ 

Language is more than just words; it’s a powerful tool for connection and understanding, especially in public health. Today, Dr. Joyce Senior, founder of Dr. J. Senior Consulting, LLC, and co-founder of My Hair My Health PDX, joins us to discuss how translation and cultural competency can bridge gaps between healthcare providers and communities.

With her bilingual upbringing in Costa Rica, Dr. Senior has dedicated her career to ensuring that the voices of marginalized communities are heard and understood. In our conversation, she describes how she started her business, the ways it’s helped her serve the community, and what she’s learned about the role of interpretation and translation in public health.

We also discuss the role of AI in translation work, with Dr. Senior explaining that while technology can aid in communication, it lacks the cultural sensitivity and emotional understanding that only people can provide.

Key Points From This Episode:

• A warm welcome to today’s guest, Dr. Joyce Senior. [02:10]

• Her bilingual upbringing in Costa Rica and how she started her consultancy in the US. [05:02]

• Reflections from Dr. Joyee Washington’s first trip abroad to Mexico. [11:38]

• Differences between interpretation and translation in public health. [19:53]

• Navigating the benefits and shortcomings of AI in translation work. [23:15]

• Language and translation in public health: Dr. Senior’s advice to professionals. [27:54]

• What brings Dr. Senior joy in her work: being of service to others. [30:31]

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and, leave a review! For more transcripts, show notes,and more visit: https://joyeewashington.com/public-health-joy-season-4/ 

What if public health could be approached from a place of abundance instead of scarcity? In this episode of The Public Health Joy Podcast, Dr. Joyee reflects on the journey to 2025 and sets the stage for a year of abundance, resilience, and growth.

Broadcasting from her personal “war room,” she explores the lessons learned from challenges and the power of shifting perspectives toward joy and hope in public health. She dives deep into the significance of finding purpose when facing challenges, nurturing seeds of growth, and preparing for both the trials and triumphs ahead.

Hear her personal stories, uplifting insights, and actionable reflections to prepare for the year ahead. Join us to discover how to embrace the concept of abundance and create a lasting impact in your community. Tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode: