A precedent of overworking yourself and only resting when you hit burnout in order to work even more has been set in the workplace and it has to change. In this episode, we are joined by the award-winning educator and social scientist, Dr. Courtney McCluney to hear about her research in codeswitching and how she has found freedom in wellness and reimagining how we should work through her company, Equiwell Partners Group. We are reminded that it is okay to remove yourself from work...

When it comes to qualitative research, lived experience offers a wealth of valuable information that can shape and enhance the quality and relevance of public health studies. Few researchers know this better than Dr. Marissa Robinson, DrPH, MPH, RPCV, a strategic leader, visionary, and disruptor within the field of infectious disease. In today's episode, Dr. Robinson shares her perspective on the power of qualitative research, recognizing our lived experiences as data, and breaking into the...

In this episode we are talking with Marline Edmond founder of Plug Communications, LLC about how she is developing culturally competent health communication strategies in "Plain Language U Get" to promote equitable health information targeting the Black diaspora. Marline is a public health communications strategist, a third-year postgraduate student at Howard University Cathy Hughes School of Communications, and a self-proclaimed optimist who also goes by the moniker Munchy da Plug. In her...

Community-engaged research is a collaborative and participatory approach to public health research and evaluation that includes those affected by the issue at hand. Ultimately, this means going beyond the textbook to understand these issues from a different (and sometimes uncomfortable) perspective. In this episode, we talk to community psychologist and committed equity and social justice advocate, Dr. Tatiana Bustos, about the impact of “unlearning” in community-engaged research and the...

In this BONUS episode, we continue with part two of our conversation with Chioma Nnaji about the challenges of manuscript writing and publishing. During the first half of our conversation, we learned about the work Chioma does at the intersections of immigrant rights and racial justice in public health along with the biggest challenges of manuscript writing within public health. For the second part of our conversation, we explore how to navigate a system that was not designed to be...

Serving your community is central to public health. But what happens when particular communities are excluded from certain spaces? Or are prevented from being included in important research and sharing of knowledge? These are some of the key questions that today’s guest, Chioma Nnaji, MEd, MPH, has grappled with on her journey as an organizer, community health worker, and researcher. Today’s episode features part one of our conversation with Chioma, where we explore how to navigate the...

When it comes to data collection and research within indigenous communities, we need to honor the sacred stories of those communities in order to support the decolonization of this data. In this episode, public health entrepreneur, Heidi Berthoud, joins the conversation as we discuss importance of listening to indigenous communities during data collection, how we can support them more authentically, why their data belongs to them, the importance of giving that data back, and so much more!...

We have made huge strides in how we treat mental health over the course of the past century, from the development of targeted pharmaceuticals to establishing newer and more effective methods of therapy. Yet, the possibilities of utilizing emergent technologies in treating mental health have largely been left unexplored until now. In this episode, we discuss the role of virtual reality (VR) in mental health with Terrance Williams, Founder of Meta Wellness, a company that is harnessing the...

How can we equip those in faith-based spaces to guide not just the spiritual needs of their communities but their overall health too? This is the question posed by today’s guest, Ericka Horne, who is the CEO and Founder of AKCIRE Consulting, LLC, where she supports nonprofits and faith-based organizations with program planning and implementation.  In this episode, Ericka offers some insight into her public health journey, her passion for faith-based partnerships, and how she uses her...

Welcome to the Public Health Joy podcast, the safe space for real and honest conversation about what building a public health research career is really like: the challenges, the triumphs, and all the lessons we learn along the way.   I’m your host, Dr. Joyee, a Public health researcher, PhD survivor, and entrepreneur. In today’s episode, we are talking with Tamara Mason about her work with the March of Dimes and as a doula to support Black maternal health and Black birthing joy.    This...

Welcome to the Public Health Joy Podcast. The safe space for real and honest conversation about what building a public health research career is really like. The challenges, the triumphs, and all the lessons we learn along the way. I'm your host, Dr. Joyee, a public health researcher, Ph.D. survivor, and entrepreneur.  In today's episode, we are talking with Brandon Johnson about building connections and saving lives as a tireless advocate for positive mental health and suicide prevention...

Welcome to the Public Health Joy podcast, the safe space for real and honest conversation about what building a public health research career is really like: the challenges, the triumphs, and all the lessons we learn along the way. I’m your host, Dr. Joyee, a Public health researcher, PhD survivor, and entrepreneur. In today’s episode, we are talking with Princess Jennings also known as The Data Bounty Hunter about what it takes to track down and collect data with the community.  This is...

Welcome to the Public Health Joy podcast, the safe space for real and honest conversation about what building a public health research career is really like: the challenges, the triumphs, and all the lessons we learn along the way. I’m your host, Dr. Joyee, a Public health researcher, PhD survivor, and entrepreneur. In today’s episode, I’m sharing what my life is like as a Black researcher in this space and how I learned to own my identity and show up unapologetically.   This is where...

Welcome to the Public Health Joy podcast, the safe space for real and honest conversation about what building a public health research career is really like: the challenges, the triumphs, and all the lessons we learn along the way. I’m your host, Dr. Joyee, a Public health researcher, PhD survivor, and entrepreneur. In today’s episode, we’re talking with Araba Assan about the secrets to not just effective, but joyful public health research and evaluation.  This is where research meets...

Welcome to the Public Health Joy podcast, the safe space for real and honest conversation about what building a public health research career is really like: the challenges, the triumphs, and all the lessons we learn along the way. I’m your host, Dr. Joyee, a Public health researcher, PhD survivor, and entrepreneur. In today’s episode, I’m sharing the story of transforming failure to joy on my PhD journey and how I got over to the other side. This is where research meets relationship and...

Welcome to the Public Health Joy podcast, the safe space for real and honest conversation about what building a public health research career is really like: the challenges, the triumphs, and all the lessons we learn along the way. I’m your host, Dr. Joyee, a Public health researcher, PhD survivor, and entrepreneur. In today’s episode, we’re talking with Mississippi native Dr. Marshae McNeal about how she is driving positive impact as she shares her public health journey from community...

Welcome to the Public Health Joy podcast, the safe space for real and honest conversation about what building a public health research career is really like: the challenges, the triumphs, and all the lessons we learn along the way.  I’m your host, Dr. Joyee, a Public health researcher, PhD survivor, and entrepreneur. In today’s episode, we’re talking with Community Psychologist Dr. Jacque-Corey Cormier about bringing the couch to the community in public health.  This is where research meets...

Welcome to the Public Health Joy podcast, the safe space for real and honest conversation about what building a public health research career is really like: the challenges, the triumphs, and all the lessons we learn along the way. I’m your host, Dr. Joyee, a Public health researcher, PhD survivor, and entrepreneur. In today’s episode, we’re continuing the conversation in part 2 of Public Health: The Next Generation with Dr. Ashley White Jones and Dr. Antonio Gardner as we share our...

Welcome to the Public Health Joy podcast, the safe space for real and honest conversation about what building a public health research career is really like: the challenges, the triumphs, and all the lessons we learn along the way. I’m your host, Dr. Joyee, a Public health researcher, PhD survivor, and entrepreneur. In today’s episode, we’re talking with Dr. Ashley White Jones and Dr. Antonio Gardner about what it means to be young, gifted, and Black public health researchers changing the...

Welcome to the Public Health Joy podcast, the safe space for real and honest conversation about what building a public health research career is really like: the challenges, the triumphs, and all the lessons we learn along the way. I’m your host, Dr. Joyee, a Public health researcher, PhD survivor, and entrepreneur. In today’s episode, I’m sharing why revolutionary public health is necessary for change. This is where research meets relationship and together, we will find our Public Health...

Welcome to the Public Health Joy podcast, the safe space for real and honest conversation about what building a public health research career is really like: the challenges, the triumphs, and all the lessons we learn along the way. I’m your host, Dr. Joyee, a Public health researcher, PhD survivor, and entrepreneur. In today’s episode, we are talking all about when research gets real as we work with communities to make positive impacts. Special guest, Leonore Okwara, founder of the...

In today’s episode, we are talking all about mental health and the radical healing necessary to make a positive impact in communities with special guest Lamarr Lewis, a mental health therapist and advocate. Lamarr Lewis, LAPC CPRP, is a mental health therapist, consultant, dedicated advocate, author, and agent of change. On this podcast episode, he explains the importance of rest and self-care for public health workers. We cannot serve the community members who need us most if we aren’t...

Welcome to the Public Health Joy podcast, the safe space for real and honest conversation about what building a public health research career is really like: the challenges, the triumphs, and all the lessons we learn along the way. I’m your host, Dr. Joyee, a Public health researcher, PhD survivor, and entrepreneur. In today’s episode, I’m sharing what public health joy means, why I started this podcast, and what you can expect all season long. This is where research meets relationship and...

What’s up, I’m Dr. Joyee, I’m a public health researcher, PhD survivor, and entrepreneur. But most of all, I’m a southern girl from Mississippi with a passion for community. After shifting my dreams from med school to grad school, I launched my public health career. Now the road to becoming a public health researcher ain’t easy. But I overcame the challenges by building relationships and finding joy in the journey. Every 1st and 3rd Friday, I’m sharing my story and bringing along my research...

In this episode, we speak with public health professionals Marline Edmond, Nikita Boston-Fisher, Dr. Bryan Buckley, and Dr. Mary Wesley about their decision to pursue a PhD or DrPH and how it has impacted their public health journey.