In this episode of Route Notes, Dr. David Tillman responds directly to recent statements by political leaders, including RFK Jr. and Donald Trump, about autism rates and causes. Drawing from his experience as a public health professor, researcher, and father of a son with autism, David walks listeners through the science behind rising autism diagnoses—explaining what has changed in diagnostic criteria, awareness, and demographic risk factors.

He breaks down why the one-in-10,000 claim is misleading, what large-scale studies like CHARGE have actually found, and how the vaccine-autism myth took root from a now-discredited study. With clarity and compassion, this episode challenges misinformation while championing evidence-based research and greater inclusion for individuals with autism.

What do birds, highways, coffee, camping, and peanut butter & jelly have in common? In this unexpected and wide-ranging conversation, David and Wes unpack the viral TikTok moment that sparked a deeper dialogue about structural racism, public health, and the power of storytelling.

Together, they reflect on how these layered stories shape opportunity, health outcomes, and cultural participation across generations. Along the way, they discuss implicit bias, rural health, medical education, marketing, and the subtle power of association—what peanut butter and jelly can teach us about racism. 

In this episode of Route Notes, we explore the power—and necessity—of the U-turn. What happens when leaders, communities, or even parents choose to pause, reflect, and reroute? Wes shares a personal parenting moment that sparked the episode, along with a hilarious cautionary tale involving an overconfident Eagle Scout, an underprepared hike, and a poorly chosen shortcut.

Along the way, we reflect on what it means to admit a mistake in public health and leadership without losing trust. Spoiler: Done well, it can actually strengthen it.

If you've ever barreled ahead only to realize you're off-course—this one’s for you.

In this episode of Route Notes, we dive into Moral Ambition by Rutger Bregman—a book that asks a direct and timely question: what are you doing with your life, and why not work on something that matters?

Inspired by the energy of a new academic year, we reflect on what it means to channel ambition toward meaningful change, especially in public health and community work. The conversation ranges from tech-driven distraction to the joy of deep purpose, from purity politics to the unexpected ways people show up for change in their everyday lives.

We talk about noble losers, idealism without action, and why real progress often depends not just on inspiration but on tactical, resilient work behind the scenes. Whether you're just getting started or looking to reconnect with the “why” behind your work, this episode is a challenge to step in—and step up.

Next up: Faith-Rooted Organizing by Alexia Salvatierra. Join us for the next Campfire Chat as we explore how faith communities can be mobilized toward justice and transformation.

In this episode of Route Notes, we explore how constraints—those limits we often try to eliminate—can actually fuel creativity, collaboration, and community. From policy and innovation to loneliness and shared norms, we reflect on what gets lost when we remove the very boundaries that once held us together.

We talk about the unintended consequences of convenience, the erosion of social connection, and why policymaking might benefit from asking one simple question: what good might this constraint be doing? Whether it’s the shift to telemedicine, the decline of shared public spaces, or the overwhelming paradox of choice, this episode invites listeners to think differently about what holds us back—and what might be holding us together.

In this episode of Route Notes, we’re joined by Dr. Michael Forde—public health leader, equity strategist, and master storyteller—for a conversation about what really drives change in health and healthcare. From his current work in health equity to his experience at the NIH during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Forde shares what he's learned about trust, empathy, and the stories that stay with us.

We explore how storytelling isn't just a tool—it's a core skill for public health, strategic planning, and systems change. This conversation moves from personal experience to national policy, from implicit bias in healthcare settings to the hopeful power of cultural humility and connection. If you've ever felt the gap between the data and the humans behind it, this one's for you.

In this episode of Route Notes, we reflect on the central role of story in planning, leadership, and decision-making. Over years of working with organizations and communities, we’ve found that strategy doesn’t emerge from filling in templates—it emerges from narrative.

We talk about what changed in our own facilitation approach, including the moment we stopped asking people to start with templates and instead invited them to tell a story. 

This is an episode about how humans are wired for meaning, not metrics—and how facilitators, leaders, and strategists can harness the power of story to unlock clarity, alignment, and momentum.

In this episode of Campfire Chat, we dig into Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, a bold call to rethink how we approach public policy, innovation, and problem-solving. Framed around a powerful question—what if we planned for abundance instead of assuming scarcity?—this conversation explores the real potential of government-driven innovation, from Operation Warp Speed to climate tech, housing reform, and scientific research.

We discuss the book’s techno-optimism, the role of crisis in mobilizing action, and why some of our biggest wins—like the COVID-19 vaccine rollout—became political orphans. We also wrestle with the deeper tradeoffs, like red tape and risk aversion, that slow down real progress. Along the way, we reflect on what this framework could mean for universities, health departments, and anyone leading through complexity. Spoiler: it starts with being willing to change.

Want to read along for next time? We’ll be tackling Moral Ambition by Rutger Bregman in the next Campfire Chat. Grab a copy and join the conversation.

You’ve heard the phrase. You’ve probably said it: “Let’s not reinvent the wheel.”

In this episode, Wes and David take a hard look at the cliché—and argue that relying too heavily on other people’s answers can actually short-circuit innovation, especially in rural communities and complex systems.

They unpack:

This one’s for the leaders who are tired of copy-paste planning and want to build strategies that actually fit their communities.

In this first installment of a recurring series - Campfire Chat, we gather around the fire to explore Jonathan Haidt’s The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion. Through conversation that weaves together moral psychology, public health, theology, and community engagement, we reflect on what Haidt’s work can teach us about polarization and the limits of reason.

We discuss how moral intuitions often drive human behavior more than evidence or logic—and what that means for professionals working in divided communities. Drawing on real-world examples from public health practice and education, we consider how relationships, trust, and shared values might offer a better path toward understanding and collaboration. This episode also touches on broader questions of relevance facing both the church and higher education, and the importance of reimagining connection in a fragmented world.