In this episode of the Public Health Joy podcast, Dr. Joyee interviews Dr. Renaisa Anthony, MD, MPH—physician, public health leader, and founder of Momentum Park. Dr. Anthony discusses her journey in maternal health, the importance of community, and the role of technology and AI in advancing healthcare equity. 

Dr. Anthony shares personal experiences that motivated her to create impactful solutions for marginalized populations and emphasizes the need for a supportive network in public health. The conversation also highlights the innovative work of Sheniece, an AI-driven support system for mothers, and the joy that comes from serving the community.

Key Points From This Episode:

• The Importance of Community in Maternal Health [2:00]

• Personal Experiences Driving Change [5:00]

• The Role of Technology in Healthcare [8:07]

• AI and Its Impact on Healthcare [10:57]

• Navigating the Tech Landscape [13:56]

• The Journey of Purpose and Innovation [16:49]

• Iterative Learning and Agile Methodologies [20:36]

• The Importance of Immersion in Learning [24:13]

• Mindset vs. Skillset in Professional Growth [26:31]

• Funding Dynamics in Public Health [29:09]

• Building Community and Support Systems [30:57]

• Joy in Service and Legacy Building [38:07]

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 this episode of the Public Health Joy podcast, we are joined by Cookie Miller, a functional wellness strategist. Cookie discusses the importance of self-care, emotional resilience, and time management for public health professionals. The conversation emphasizes the need for individuals in the public health sector to prioritize their own well-being in order to effectively serve others.

Cookie shares practical strategies for managing time, setting boundaries, and rediscovering joy in life, while Dr. Joyee Washington adds personal insights and experiences. Together, they explore how societal pressures impact health habits and the significance of building emotional resilience to navigate challenges in both personal and professional life.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Public health professionals often neglect their own well-being. [4:00]

• Self-care is essential for effective advocacy and service. [5:00]

• Time management is often a form of self-deception. [10:00]

• Societal pressures can distort our perception of time. [11:00]

• Slowing down can improve health and emotional well-being. [13:00]

• Rediscovering hobbies can enhance joy and fulfillment. [20:00]

• Emotional resilience is crucial for navigating challenges. [23:00]

• Setting boundaries is necessary for maintaining mental health. [27:00]

• Prioritizing what truly matters can lead to a more fulfilling life. [28:00]

• Finding joy in helping others can be incredibly rewarding. [36:00]

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/ 

True accessibility in public health education means designing with everyone in mind from the start, not treating it as an afterthought. Joining us today to talk about building more inclusive, learner-centered e-learning experiences is Leah Roman. Leah is the owner and principal consultant at Roman Public Health Consulting LLC, where she applies over 20 years of experience designing accessible training for public health and related workforces.

In this episode, she shares how flexibility, empathy, and intentional design can help meet the needs of all learners, especially in virtual spaces. From transcripts to alternative text for visual images, Leah offers practical ways to reach adult learners and be as inclusive as possible through thoughtful design. Whether you're creating a course or sharing resources online, this conversation will leave you rethinking how to make your work more inclusive and impactful!

Key Points From This Episode:

• How to gain access to the replay of the Bracing for 2025 Virtual Summit. [0:00]

• Introducing today’s guest, Leah Roman, and her career background. [02:19]

• How Leah was first exposed to e-learning and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. [05:42]

• What accessibility means in e-learning and virtual environments. [08:23]

• A story from Dr. Joyee Washington about teaching biostats online. [12:50]

• Helping clients shift from in-person to online by rethinking learning goals and delivery. [15:29]

• How to understand and match the needs of your audience. [21:06]

• The importance of creating flexibility and choice in online learning. [22:29]

• Adapting for learners with visual challenges and describing images accessibly. [26:11]

• How to keep accessibility top of mind by building it into checklists and daily workflows. [28:46]

• Unlearning old presentation habits to better serve all learners. [31:29]

• What brings Leah joy in her work as a consultant. [33:59]

• Ways to connect with Leah and learn more about her work. [35:56]

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/ 

We’re all touched by policies every day, and anyone can be a policy changemaker within their community. Today, we’re joined by the incredible lawyer, author, and DEI strategist, Kristi Guillory, to discuss the power of storytelling in public health and health policy.

Tuning in, you’ll learn about Kristi’s mission in the public health space, what policy, advocacy, and lobbying mean, how they are related, and so much more! Kristi walks us through what sparked her interest in becoming a lawyer and where her journey with storytelling started before discussing the positive sides of being an entrepreneur.

Kristi also reminds us that rejection is an opportunity to grow, and pain is a lesson in empathy. You’ll even learn more about her book on gratitude and what brings Kristi joy in her work. You dont want to miss this!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Welcoming today’s guest, Kristi Guillory, to the show. [02:24]

• Kristi tells us about herself and her career mission. [04:00]

• Differences and relationship between public health policy, advocacy, and lobbying. [08:21]

• What inspired Kristi to study law and the importance of being flexible in your career. [15:11]

• How the devastation of the public health sector can be seen as a growth opportunity. [28:53]

• Kristi’s book, Harper Counts Her Blessings, and the power of gratitude. [34:26]

• What brings our guest joy in her work. [36:10]

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/ 

Get ready for the next episode on the Public Health Joy Podcast!🔥This Friday, we learn from a trailblazer who's been changing the game in public health, policy, and funding. We will be joined by the incredible Elizabeth Peck — a public policy and philanthropy expert with over 20 years of experience in the field. 💼💪 Elizabeth is the founder of EP Strategies, a woman-owned consulting business that centers equity and community in everything it does.

From her early work at the Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy to her current leadership in helping organizations secure funding without compromising values, Elizabeth shares wisdom that will inspire professionals at every stage. This episode dives deep into the real-life impact of public health, the importance of equity centered funding strategies, and how to prepare for a future filled with uncertainty and possibility. 🌍✨ Don’t miss this honest, heartfelt, and strategic convo that reminds us why community-centered work matters more than ever.

Key Points From This Episode:

• How to gain access to the replay of the Bracing for 2025 Virtual Summit. [0:00]

• The community-centered approach that Elizabeth applies to her work. [02:19]

• Her systems-based understanding of public health work. [06:02]

• Her career start in adolescent sexual health at the Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy. [11:45]

• Finding diverse sources of funding in a competitive environment. [15:59]

• Preparing for the next chapter in a chaotic landscape through data and collaboration. [21:48]

• Keeping strategic focus while pursuing much-needed funding. [26:39]

• The opportunity for philanthropy to make progress in its definition of success. [29:00]

• Excellent results and value-aligned work: Elizabeth’s sources of Public Health Joy! [30:27]

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/ 

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/