Season 2 Now Available!
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.
Get notified of the latest episodes by subscribing to the Public Health Joy podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

About the podcast
What is Public Health Joy?
In my experience, building a public health research career has been hard, but what keeps me going is finding the joy in the journey.Perhaps the most valuable part of my public health research journey has been the relationships I’ve built along the way.
I’ve learned over the years that when research meets relationship, the possibilities are endless.
Every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month, I want you to join me as we share creative and innovative approaches to public health research and the relationships we build along the way that bring us joy!

Host: Dr. Joyee Washington
Episode Guide
Visit our episode pages to listen to the podcast, get show notes, and access transcripts! Just click the button next to the episode you want to explore. New episodes every 1st and 3rd Friday available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!
Episode 1: What is Public Health Joy?
In this episode, Dr. Joyee shares what is public health joy, why she started this podcast and what you can expect all season long.
Episode 2: Radical Healing
In this 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.
Episode 3: When Research Gets Real
In this episode, we are talking about what it is really like to work with communities in public health research. Special guest, Leonore Okwara, founder of the Association of Black Researchers shares her journey.
Episode 4: Revolutionary Public Health
In this episode, Dr. Joyee shares her journey of public health research and why a revolutionary approach to public health is necessary for change.
Episode 5: Public Health-The Next Generation Pt 1
In this episode, we are talking about what it means to be young, Black public health researchers. Dr Ashley White Jones and Dr. Antonio Gardner share their experiences and how public health research is changing for the next generation.
Episode 6: Public Health-The Next Generation Pt 2
In this BONUS episode, we are continuing the conversation with Dr Ashley White Jones and Dr. Antonio Gardner as we share our experiences on being young, Black public health researchers, not only healing our communities, but also healing ourselves.
Episode 7: Bringing the Couch to the Community
In this episode, we are talking all about community psychology with Dr. Jacque-Corey Cormier and what it means to “bring the couch to the community” in public health research.
Episode 8: A Public Health Journey-From Community College to Community Researcher
In this 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 college to community researcher.
In this episode, Dr. Joyee shares the story of transforming failure to joy on her PhD journey and how she got over to the other side.
Episode 10: The Secrets to Effective and Joyful Research and Evaluation
In this episode, we’re talking with Araba Assan about the secrets to not just effective, but joyful public health research and evaluation as she shares her public health journey.
Episode 11: Life As A Black Researcher
In this episode, Dr. Joyee shares what it’s really like to live life as a Black researcher in the public health space, how she learned to own her identity and show up unapologetically.
Episode 12: Community Tracking with The Data Bounty Hunter
In this 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.
Episode 13: Building Connections, Saving Lives
In this episode, we are talking with Brandon Johnson about building connections and saving lives as a tireless advocate for positive mental health and suicide prevention services.
Episode 14: Black Birthing Joy
In this 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.
Episode 15: The Power of Faith in Public Health
In this episode, we are talking with Ericka Horne about the power of faith in public health as she shares her journey working with faith based organizations to provide health program planning and implementation.
Episode 16: Mental Health in the Metaverse
In this episode, we are talking with Terrance Williams about how the metaverse can be a tool in improving our mental health.
Episode 17: The Power of Sacred Storytelling in Decolonizing Data
In this episode, we are talking with Heidi Berthoud about the power of sacred storytelling in decolonizing data and research.
Episode 18: Navigating the Challenges of Manuscript Writing & Publishing in Public Health Part 1
In part 1 of this episode, we are talking with Chioma Nnaji about navigating the challenges of manuscript writing and publishing, how we found purpose through writing, and how you can uncover your motivation to amplify the impact of your public health work.
Episode 19: Navigating the Challenges of Manuscript Writing & Publishing in Public Health Part 2
In this BONUS episode, we are continuing with part 2 of our conversation with Chioma Nnaji about not only navigating the challenges of manuscript writing and publishing, but also how we are joining forces to demystify the manuscript writing and submission process and how you can ride along.
Episode 20: The Impact of Unlearning in Community Engaged Research
In this episode, we are talking with community psychologist Dr. Tatiana Bustos about the impact of unlearning in community engaged research.
Episode 21: Get Plugged In-Language and Communication for Health
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.
Episode 22: Lived Experience is Data. Periodt.
In this episode, we are talking with Dr. Marissa Robinson about the power of qualitative research and recognizing our lived experiences as data.
Episode 23: Research and Work Reimagined-Finding Freedom In Wellness
In this episode, we are talking with Dr. Courtney McCluney about what it means to reimagine our lives as researchers by finding freedom in our wellness and wholeness.
Episode 24: Put The World Down and Rest-Preventing Burnout in Public Health
In this episode we are talking with rest coach, Marissa McKool about what it means to prevent burnout in the public health space and how we can put the world down and rest.

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Contact Us
publichealthjoy@joyeewashington.com