In this episode of The Health Disparities Podcast, host Ber‑Henda Williams sits down with Dr. Caira Boggs, Director of the Michigan Public Health Institute’s Center for Health Innovation and Practice and Detroit Health Initiatives. A proud Detroit native and Detroit Public Schools graduate, Dr. Boggs leads 16 initiatives focused on health equity, recovery, food access, chronic disease prevention, and community‑led grantmaking — all grounded in the lived experiences of Detroit neighborhoods.

Dr. Boggs shares the early moments that shaped her understanding of inequity, from growing up in a deeply connected Detroit community to witnessing stark disparities when she left home for college. Her path from kinesiology and pre‑med to public health leadership was fueled by a desire to advocate for people who look like her — especially after learning how maternal and infant health outcomes disproportionately impact Black women, regardless of income or education.

Together, Ber‑Henda and Dr. Boggs explore:

Dr. Boggs also reflects on the personal experiences that continue to motivate her — from loved ones whose health outcomes could have been different with better access, to the collective trauma and awakening brought on by the pandemic. Her message is clear: every person has the power to change someone’s trajectory, whether through advocacy, compassion, or simply knowing the people on your block.

This episode is essential listening for anyone working in community health, public health, philanthropy, health equity, or systems‑level change — and for anyone who believes in the strength and brilliance of Detroit’s neighborhoods.

In this episode of The Health Disparities Podcast, host Michael Randall talks with Danielle Lewinski, Chief Program Officer at the Center for Community Progress, about how vacant properties, neighborhood conditions, and public policy directly shape health outcomes.

Danielle breaks down why the U.S. has millions of vacant and substandard homes and how these conditions fuel chronic disease, mobility challenges, safety concerns, and long‑term disinvestment. She explains how public policy, code enforcement, tax foreclosure systems, and land banks can either reinforce inequity or create pathways to healthier, thriving communities.

You’ll learn about:

Perfect for viewers interested in health equity, urban policy, community development, mobility justice, and place‑based public health.

In this episode of The Health Disparities Podcast, host Ber‑Henda Williams sits down with Dexter Sullivan—global strategist, community builder, and CEO of the Black Legacy Advancement Coalition. Dexter opens up about his Detroit roots, the generational stories that shaped him, and the urgent work of preserving Black legacy as a pathway to better health and stronger communities.

He reflects on the influence of his grandparents, the educators who nurtured his identity, and the cultural traditions that continue to guide his leadership. Dexter also discusses the emotional realities Black men face, the importance of remembrance in community healing, and how culturally aligned approaches can transform health outcomes.

You’ll hear insights on:

This conversation is a must‑listen for anyone working in health equity, community leadership, Black mental health, public health, or culturally responsive care. It’s a grounding, heart‑centered reminder that love, memory, and community are essential parts of the health ecosystem.

In this episode of The Health Disparities Podcast, Dr. Mary O’Connor speaks with Stephanie A. Wynn—author, Crohn’s survivor, and founder of The Stephanie A. Wynn Foundation. Stephanie shares her powerful journey through years of misdiagnosis, medical dismissal, pregnancy loss, and a near‑death experience that ultimately shaped her mission to support underserved IBD patients.

She breaks down the barriers many patients face when navigating Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and explains how her IBD Patient Navigator® Program helps individuals access specialists, understand their diagnosis, reduce ER visits, and overcome social determinants of health.

You’ll hear insights on:

• The impact of delayed diagnosis and clinical bias

• The difference between IBS and IBD

• Why community health workers are essential to IBD care

• How journaling and documentation strengthen patient advocacy

• Expanding navigator programs into rural and underserved communities

This conversation is a must‑listen for anyone working in gastroenterology, community health, patient navigation, or health equity.

In this rewind episode, we explore the concept of weathering — the cumulative, biological toll that chronic stress from living in an unjust society can have on people from marginalized communities. This framework helps explain why health disparities persist, and why they often deepen over time.

Our guest is Dr. Arline Geronimus, a member of the National Academy of Medicine and a professor at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health and Institute for Social Research. She is also affiliated with the Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture and Health, and is the author of Weathering: The Extraordinary Stress of Ordinary Life in an Unjust Society.

Dr. Geronimus joins us to unpack the science behind weathering, the lived realities it reflects, and what it means for public health, policy, and equity.

In this episode of The Health Disparities Podcast, host Joyce Knestrick sits down with Mia L. Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Agape Family Health, a community‑rooted health system serving Jacksonville with comprehensive medical, pharmaceutical, and behavioral health services.

Agape’s mission is simple and powerful: “everyone deserves quality, affordable care delivered with compassion, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.” Mia shares the experiences that shaped her path to leadership and the values that fuel her commitment to community‑centered care. She discusses the gaps she saw when stepping into her role and how Agape works every day to remove barriers to access—from sliding‑scale payment options to neighborhood‑based clinics across Jacksonville.

Together, Joyce and Mia explore:

Mia also shares powerful stories of impact—moments when Agape’s care changed the trajectory of someone’s life—and offers practical advice for clinicians and listeners who want to support health equity in their own communities.

This episode is essential listening for anyone working in community health, public health, philanthropy, health equity, or systems‑level change.

Subscribe for more conversations about community‑driven solutions, health equity, and the work to eliminate disparities.

In this episode of The Health Disparities Podcast, host Desiree Clemons talks with Maria Haugen, Founder and CEO of FoXX Health.

After experiencing months of dismissed symptoms, delayed testing, and uncertainty, Maria created FoXX—a daily health companion designed to help women track symptoms, prepare for appointments, and advocate for better care. Her story reflects a reality many women face in healthcare, and FoXX was built to ensure no woman has to wait months to be heard.

Maria shares how her personal health scare became the catalyst for a tool that turns lived experience into clarity, confidence, and actionable data. She explains the gaps she encountered—missed warning signs, lack of preparation tools, and the emotional toll of not being believed—and how those moments shaped the core features of FoXX from day one.

Desiree and Maria explore FoXX Health’s approach and discuss the broader landscape of women’s health, including:

How daily symptom tracking helps women communicate more effectively with clinicians

The importance of clinical credibility, privacy, and safety in digital health tools

Why women’s health is often treated as “niche,” and how that leads to worse outcomes

What developments give Maria hope for progress in women’s health equity

Lessons from fundraising and the challenges of building consumer‑focused health technology

Maria also reflects on earning third place at Movement Is Life’s 2025 PowerHER Pitch Competition—a recognition of her vision, momentum, and commitment to improving women’s health experiences.

This episode offers insights for anyone working in women’s health, digital health innovation, patient advocacy, community health, or health equity.

Subscribe to hear more conversations about community‑driven solutions, women’s health, and efforts to eliminate disparities.

What does real community‑centered health equity look like, and what does it take to sustain it? In this episode of The Health Disparities Podcast, host Jerail Fennell sits down with two powerful leaders in community health: Dr. Atiya Abdelmalik and ReGina Newkirk Rucci.

Together, they unpack the lived experiences, grassroots strategies, and relationship‑building that fuel their work across the country. From disrupting harmful systems to investing in local leadership, Dr. A and ReGina share what it truly means to listen to communities, partner with them, and build solutions that last. Drawing from their work with the Center for Thriving Communities, they discuss:

Dr. A also reflects on her book, A Life Worth Saving, and the belief that every life and every community deserves to thrive. A must‑hear conversation for anyone working in health equity, community engagement, philanthropy, public health, or systems change.

Subscribe for more conversations on health equity, community leadership, and the movement to eliminate disparities.

How do we protect and advance health equity in a rapidly changing political and legal landscape?

In this episode of The Health Disparities Podcast, host Christin Zollicoffer sits down with Dr. Giridhar Mallya — family physician, policy leader, and Senior Policy Officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation — to explore the future of health and racial equity work.

Dr. Mallya shares how his family’s immigrant story shaped his belief in the power of policy, and why funders must stay committed to equity even as restrictive laws and legal challenges grow across the country. He breaks down what organizations can do to stay mission‑aligned, legally sound, and resilient.

In this episode, Dr. Mallya discusses:

A powerful conversation for funders, practitioners, and community leaders working to advance equity in challenging times.

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