In this powerful solo Season 4 finale of The Public Health Joy Podcast, Dr. Joyee Washington shares a deeply personal reflection on what 2025 demanded of her — and what it revealed about all of us in public health.

After reaching a long-dreamed-of six-figure milestone, Dr. Joy entered 2025 expecting abundance. Instead, she encountered one of the most challenging years of her life — marked by financial strain, caregiving, spiritual warfare, and the continued dismantling of public health systems. In this episode, Dr. Joyee unpacks the truth many don’t talk about: abundance is not accessed without first confronting scarcity.

This is a conversation about endurance — not as survival, but as preparation. About joy — not as softness, but as strategy. And about rebuilding public health not from institutions rooted in extraction, but from communities rooted in healing, power, and faith.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Health professionals are burned out, underfunded, and under attack.[1:00]

• We need more than just another conference; we need restoration. [3:00]

• Joy is a strategic choice in public health. [5:00]

• You can't step into abundance until you face scarcity. [6:00]

• Scarcity mindset affects both mental and physical health. [7:00]

• Endurance is built through challenges, not ease. [17:00]

• Abundance and scarcity cannot coexist. [20:00]

• Choosing joy amidst adversity is an act of resistance. [21:00]

• Public health is at a reckoning, exposing old systems. [23:00]

• Community is essential for transformation and healing. [25:00}

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/