Podcast
The Healthy Project Podcast
Hosted by Healthy Project Media · EN
The Healthy Project Podcast explores the powerful intersection of health, society, and equity through real conversations with changemakers on the front lines of social impact. Each episode features thought leaders, researchers, and advocates who unpack how social structures — from policy to culture — shape the health of communities.
Topics we explore include:
Health equity and structural determinants
Community-driven research and innovation
Lived experiences of marginalized populations
Public policy, systemic bias, and health outcomes
Whether you're a public health professional, social science researcher, policymaker, or community advocate, this podcast brings you grounded insights, bold ideas, and practical tools to drive change where it matters most.
28episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Homelessness Is a Housing Problem with Dr. Margot Kushel
Feb 200:50:38Tap to summarizeCorey Dion Lewis sits down with Dr. Margot Kushel, a practicing general internist with over 30 years of experience at San Francisco General Hospital and Director of the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, to explore why homelessness is fundamentally a housing problem—not a healthcare problem—and what this means for medical professionals and communities.Dr. Kushel shares compelling insights from her three decades of clinical practice and research, revealing how the lack of affordable housing creates impossible situations for healthcare providers trying to treat patients experiencing homelessness. From managing diabetes in a tent to storing insulin without refrigeration, she illustrates why "there is no medicine as powerful as housing."What You'll Learn:Why regions with high homelessness rates are defined by housing affordability, not mental health prevalenceHow structural racism and redlining created the current crisis, with Black Americans 4-5 times overrepresented in homeless populationsThe stark reality: only 36 affordable housing units exist for every 100 extremely low-income households in AmericaWhy Housing First policies work better than Treatment First approaches, backed by evidence from veteran homelessness reductionThe hidden homeless population: workers living in cars, college students couch-surfing, and older adults losing housing for the first timeHow the politicization of Housing First policies threatens progress and patient outcomesPractical ways healthcare providers can advocate for housing as a health interventionKey Clinical Insights:Dr. Kushel explains why treating chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and mental health disorders becomes nearly impossible when patients lack stable housing. She shares real stories from her practice, including a 63-year-old patient who hadn't eaten in four days while fighting eviction, and discusses how readmission penalties unfairly penalize hospitals serving homeless populations.The Evidence for Housing First:Learn about the dramatic 85% housing retention rate of Housing First approaches compared to 5-10% success rates of traditional Treatment First models, and why the George W. Bush administration adopted this evidence-based policy. Dr. Kushel also shares findings from California's comprehensive statewide homelessness study, debunking myths about people traveling from other states.For Medical Professionals:This episode is essential listening for physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, medical students, residents, community health workers, social workers, case managers, and anyone in healthcare who treats patients experiencing housing instability. Dr. Kushel provides a framework for understanding how to advocate beyond the clinic walls.About Dr. Margot Kushel:Dr. Kushel is a physician and researcher who has dedicated her career to understanding and ending homelessness. She directs the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative and the Action Research Center for Health at the University of California, San Francisco. Her research informs policy at local, state, and federal levels.Resources Mentioned:UCSF Benioff Homelessness Initiative: homelessness.ucsf.eduCalifornia Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness"There Is No Place" by Brian GoldstoneEpisode Takeaway: "There is no medicine as powerful as housing. Homelessness is a housing problem."Whether you're a healthcare provider frustrated by social determinants of health, a medical student learning about population health, or a community advocate, this conversation will change how you think about the intersection of housing and health.SHOW NOTESEpisode: Housing as Medicine: Why Homelessness is a Housing Crisis Guest: Dr. Margot Kushel, MD Host: Corey Dion Lewis Category: Medicine Duration: ~49 minutesABOUT THIS EPISODEDr. Margot Kushel, Director of the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, explains why homelessness is fundamentally a housing crisis and how this understanding transforms medical practice and healthcare advocacy.GUEST BIODr. Margot Kushel, MDPracticing General Internist, San Francisco General Hospital (30+ years)Director, UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing InitiativeDirector, Action Research Center for Health, UCSFLeading researcher on homelessness and health outcomesPolicy advisor at local, state, and federal levelsKEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS[00:00] Introduction: The Housing-Health Connection[02:00] Homelessness is a Housing ProblemWhy mental health and substance use don't explain geographic variationsThe role of affordable housing shortagesComparing high vs. low homelessness regions[05:00] The Clinical Reality: Hands Tied Behind Our BacksTreating diabetes in patients living in tentsWhy standard medical care fails without stable housingThe frustration of healthcare providers[08:17] The Numbers: America's Affordable Housing Crisis36 units per 100 extremely low-income households nationallySan Francisco: 24 units per 100 householdsOne million units short[09:15] "There is No Medicine as Powerful as Housing"Using physician voices in policy advocacyThe limitations of healthcare aloneAddressing root causes[13:55] Hospital Readmissions and Housing InstabilityHow readmission penalties penalize safety-net hospitalsPatients discharged to sidewalksThe need for systemic change[17:08] Structural Racism and the Homelessness CrisisBlack Americans: 4-5 times overrepresentedThe legacy of redlining and housing discriminationHow wealth gaps perpetuate housing instabilitySan Francisco example: 5% population, 37% of homeless[19:28] Historical Context: How Housing Policy Weaponized RacePost-WWII home ownership boomRedlining and mortgage discriminationIntergenerational wealth transfer blockedOngoing discrimination in rental housing[23:49] The Hidden Homeless PopulationWorkers living in cars (Uber drivers, janitors, fast food workers)College students experiencing housing insecurityThe invisible crisis in CSU, UC, and community collegesPeople with addresses who aren't truly housed[27:17] Older Adults: The Growing CrisisHalf of single homeless adults are 50+40% experiencing homelessness for first time after age 50Bodies breaking down from physical laborThe eviction-to-homelessness pipeline[28:14] Clinical Case: The Amoxicillin StoryPatient in garage without refrigerationAntibiotic treatment failure due to housingWhy "having an address" doesn't mean housed[29:11] Debunking the Migration MythCalifornia study: 90% lost housing in-state75% in the same county<...
Transcribe →ICE Killings in Minnesota: Why Silence Is a Choice | The Healthy Project
Jan 2600:08:00Tap to summarizeToday’s episode is not the one I planned to release. I was supposed to share an interview I was excited about, but it didn’t feel right to move forward after the tragic killings by ICE agents in Minnesota. Families are grieving. Communities are scared. And pretending everything is normal felt like the wrong move.In this solo emergency episode, I speak honestly about not having the right words, but choosing to not stay silent. The Healthy Project was created to shine a light on the systems that harm people, and what happened in Minnesota is not just a headline. It is state violence. It is the predictable result of a system built on fear and enforcement.This episode is about sitting with discomfort, naming what’s happening, and turning awareness into action. I share why immigration enforcement has always been violent, why no human being deserves to die because of documentation status, and what you can do right now to support impacted communities.We talk about:The ICE killings in Minnesota and why this matters to all of usHow silence protects harmful systemsThe human cost behind immigration enforcementWays you can take action through education, mutual aid, and community supportThis is a heavy episode. But it’s a necessary one. You don’t need perfect words to show up. You just need to refuse to look away. ★ Support this podcast ★
Transcribe →Healthcare at the Coverage Cliff: Sr. Mary Haddad on Medicaid Cuts and ACA Subsidy Expiration
Nov 2400:30:10Tap to summarizeSister Mary Haddad, President and CEO of the Catholic Health Association, returns to The Healthy Project as 2025 ends with a major coverage threat ahead.In July 2025, Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act with major Medicaid changes that analysts warn will reduce access for millions. American Medical Association+1 At the same time, enhanced ACA premium tax credits are set to expire on December 31, 2025, which could raise premiums sharply and leave roughly 4 to 5 million more people uninsured in 2026 without an extension. KFF+2Thomson Reuters Tax+2Sister Mary explains what this means for working families, rural hospitals, emergency departments, and telehealth access. Many Medicare telehealth flexibilities are extended only through January 30, 2026, adding pressure for rural patients and health systems. telehealth.hhs.gov+1You will hear:How Medicaid cuts and expiring ACA subsidies collideWhy rural communities face higher riskWhat happens to EDs when coverage dropsWhy telehealth policy still feels temporaryWhat Congress must do nowHow you can take action beyond awarenessShow Notes 0:00 – Welcome and why this episode matters right now 2:10 – What changed with Medicaid in July 2025 American Medical Association+1 6:30 – The ACA subsidy deadline and what families are seeing in open enrollment KFF+1 11:20 – The size of the coverage risk for 2026 Thomson Reuters Tax+1 16:10 – Why rural markets and lower incomes create a sharper cliff 20:40 – Hospital strain, closures, and service reductions 25:15 – Emergency departments as the fallback system 29:50 – Telehealth lessons from COVID and what the January 30, 2026 deadline means telehealth.hhs.gov+1 34:10 – Healthcare as dignity and economic justice 38:25 – What Congress can do immediately 41:30 – What you can do as a citizen and advocate 45:00 – Closing and where to learn moreGuest Sister Mary Haddad, RSM President & CEO, Catholic Health Association of the United StatesResourcesCatholic Health Association: chausa.org Related Episode June 2025 – Medicaid at a Crossroads: A Conversation with Sr. Mary Haddad (Part 1)Call to action Follow The Healthy Project Podcast on Apple Podcasts. Share this episode with one person who cares about coverage, rural health, and health equity. ★ Support this podcast ★
Transcribe →How AI Tools Like Keikku Are Reshaping Clinical Work and Patient Care
Nov 300:20:59Tap to summarizeThis episode explores how technology and healthcare intersect. We talk with Jhonatan Bringas Dimitriades, MD, CEO of Lapsi Health, about Keikku, the first FDA-cleared smart stethoscope with an AI scribe. You will hear how this tool impacts clinical workflows, patient communication, and the broader healthcare system.Key points covered • How clinicians use AI during real-world visits • Measurable time savings in documentation • Data privacy and HIPAA/GDPR compliance • Effects on clinician burnout and emotional fatigue • Future applications of AI in public health and care settings • Skills health professionals need as tech advancesWhy it matters • You see how AI tools shape medical decision-making and patient engagement • You get insight into how tech adoption fits into social systems and workplace culture • You hear practical examples that support ongoing conversations in public health and social scienceThink about this • How does technology influence trust in the patient-provider relationship? • What skills will workers need as AI expands in healthcare? • What policies should protect patients and providers as these tools grow?Listen and reflect on how innovation, behavior, culture, and care systems interact.Resources Mentioned:Website: https://www.keikku.health/Connect with Jhonatan: LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter/XPhysician burnout researchStay Connected & Support the Show:Want to keep up with conversations like this that challenge the status quo and center community voices? Sign up for The Healthy Project newsletter at www.healthyproject.co for exclusive insights, resources, and updates you won't want to miss.Love what you're hearing? Support independent podcasting that prioritizes truth over trends. Join THP+ for just $5/month and get bonus content, early access to episodes, and the satisfaction of knowing you're fueling more conversations that matter.Visit www.healthyproject.co to subscribe and support today. ★ Support this podcast ★
Transcribe →When “Equity” Becomes “Fairness”: Dr. Philip Alberti on Trust, Language, and Community Power
Oct 2700:39:14Tap to summarizeDr. Philip Alberti joins Corey Dion Lewis to unpack what organizations risk when they remove words like equity and justice overnight without community input. The conversation focuses on trust, decision-making speed, and the difference between changing language and changing relationships.You will hear:Why fast brand shifts can damage credibilityWhat authentic community engagement requiresHow to talk about equity for all communities without creating a zero-sum storyWhat leaders can protect when the environment turns hostileA practical path to rebuilding trust through process, not slogansThis episode is for health equity leaders, communicators, and community partners who want strategy that keeps values and trust intact.Show Notes 0:00 – The post that sparked the conversation and the trust problem 3:10 – The pressure behind rapid language changes 5:29 – Why speed sent the wrong signal 8:18 – Who exited the work and what that reveals 9:09 – Why equity messaging became more contested in 2025 11:25 – Equity for all communities and why that framing matters 13:10 – The myth that equity creates winners and losers 16:30 – The burden of bridge-building and a fresh way to share it 18:09 – What should stay non-negotiable in public messaging 19:00 – Core principles for real community engagement 22:01 – How to begin partnerships by listening first 24:43 – The internal systems that make engagement real 27:57 – Public opinion signals that point to shared ground 31:49 – Example of cross-community relationship building 32:14 – Health justice as a practice that treats process as the outcomeKey Resources MentionedAAMC Center for Health Justice AAMC Principles of Trustworthiness Toolkit AAMC CHARGE “Health Equity Benefits All Communities” National Academies engagement model Dr. Sarah Gollust’s research The Vital Conditions for Health and Well-being Guest Bio Dr. Philip Alberti is the founding director of the AAMC Center for Health Justice. He focuses on community engagement, health equity research, and policy change, with an emphasis on partnerships that respect community expertise.Support the ShowThe Healthy Project newsletter THP+ healthyproject.co ★ Support this podcast ★
Transcribe →83,000 Lives Lost to Health Inequity: Dr. George Rust | The Healthy Project
Oct 1300:45:57Tap to summarize83,000 Americans die needlessly every year due to health inequity and systemic racism in healthcare. Dr. George Rust has spent 40 years fighting health disparities in America's most underserved communities, from migrant farmworker clinics in rural Florida to leading public health initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.In this powerful conversation, Dr. Rust reveals the structural inequities, racial health gaps, and preventable suffering he's witnessed throughout his career in medicine and public health. He shares hard-won lessons about earning trust in marginalized communities, navigating cultural competency challenges, and building coalitions for systemic change in American healthcare.THE REAL COST OF HEALTH INEQUITY: Research shows that eliminating the Black-white gap in health outcomes would save 83,000 lives annually. In Atlanta alone, closing premature death rates between Black and white populations would restore 43,000 person-years of life every year to Black communities. These aren't just statistics—they represent grandmother-years, wisdom-years, and family-years lost to needless suffering caused by barriers to healthcare access, discrimination in medicine, and social determinants of health.KEY TOPICS IN THIS EPISODE:Why health disparities persist in American healthcare and how systemic racism drives preventable deathsThe concept of "trust adjacency" and how healthcare providers earn trust in communities of colorWhat 40 years serving underserved populations taught one doctor about cultural humility and respect in medicineHow COVID-19 exposed America's public health vulnerabilities and political interference in scienceThe difference between "me all vs. we all" – individual autonomy versus community responsibility in public healthReal stories of needless suffering: from the $500 hand surgery barrier to cervical cancer from lack of pap smearsLessons from Morehouse School of Medicine, Dr. David Satcher, and Dr. Louis Sullivan on health justiceWhy respect matters more than you think in clinical settings and the "Lou Sullivan name tag" storyThe Tallahassee measles case and what happens when ideology trumps evidence-based medicineHow to avoid physician burnout while fighting for social justice and health equityBuilding coalitions and community partnerships for sustainable systemic changeABOUT DR. GEORGE RUST: Dr. Rust is a public health physician and professor at Florida State University with over 40 years of experience in community health, health policy, and medical education. His career spans Cook County Hospital in Chicago, the Farmworker Health Association in rural Florida, and 25 years at Morehouse School of Medicine, where he worked alongside public health legends Dr. David Satcher (former U.S. Surgeon General) and Dr. Louis Sullivan (founding president of Morehouse School of Medicine and former Secretary of Health and Human Services).His new book, "Healing in a Changing America: Doctoring a Nation of Needless Suffering" (Johns Hopkins University Press), examines how America's healthcare system creates preventable suffering through structural inequities, racial discrimination, and barriers to healthcare access. The book offers a roadmap for achieving health justice and eliminating health disparities across race, class, and geography.WHY THIS MATTERS NOW: America is undergoing demographic transformation into a multicultural, pluralistic democracy, yet health inequities continue to widen. With political polarization affecting public health policy, attacks on diversity initiatives in medical education, and ongoing debates about vaccine mandates, quarantine protocols, and government intervention in healthcare, this conversation offers critical insights for healthcare professionals, policy makers, community organizers, and anyone committed to social justice.Dr. Rust shares practical strategies for cross-cultural healthcare delivery, building trust with patients from different backgrounds, working within broken systems while advocating for reform, and maintaining resilience as a health equity advocate. His perspective combines clinical experience, public health expertise, academic leadership, and lived experience navigating racism in medicine as a white ally working in predominantly Black and Latino communities.QUOTABLE MOMENTS: "You don't come into communities carrying trust with you. You have to earn it." "83,000 lives could be saved annually just by eliminating the Black-white health gap." "It's what Fitzhugh Mullen called tin cup medicine: 'Now please sir, may I have some healthcare?'" "Would you rather deal with having somebody not go to work for two weeks, or would you rather be explaining to the public why you let a measles outbreak happen?"CONNECT WITH DR. RUST: Email: george.rust@med.fsu.edu Book: "Healing in a Changing America" available on Amazon and Johns Hopkins University PressABOUT THE HEALTHY PROJECT: The Healthy Project Podcast explores the intersection of health, equity, and justice through conversations with leaders transforming healthcare and public health. Host Corey Dion Lewis brings you stories of systemic change, health advocacy, and the fight for health justice in America.Subscribe for weekly episodes on health equity, racial justice in healthcare, public health policy, community health, and social determinants of health.Support The Healthy ProjectNEW! THP+ Premium Newsletter Get exclusive behind-the-scenes access, early episode releases, merch shop access, and more!$5/month or $50/yearSubscribe at: healthyproject.coFree Newsletter: Stay updated on new episodes and health equity resources at healthyproject.co ★ Support this podcast ★
Transcribe →Teleaudiology and Early Hearing Care: Advancing Health Equity for Infants
Sep 2200:32:53Tap to summarizeHow can families in under-resourced communities access timely, culturally responsive hearing care for infants who are deaf or hard of hearing?Corey Dion Lewis is joined by Pamela Rowe, MA, CCC-SLP, and Dr. Lauren Ramsey to unpack the barriers that shape early hearing care and where teleaudiology can improve access.You will hear:How health literacy, transportation, and mistrust delay early careHow policy and insurance shape pediatric hearing accessWhy trusted relationships drive long-term engagementWhere teleaudiology fits and where it does notPractical steps providers, advocates, and policymakers can take nowThis episode is for professionals and advocates working in maternal and child health, health policy, early intervention, and community-based care.Show Notes 0:00 – Welcome and why early hearing care is a health equity issue 1:10 – Meet Pamela Rowe and Dr. Lauren Ramsey 3:00 – The current landscape of early hearing care access 5:20 – Health literacy gaps and family navigation challenges 8:10 – Transportation and time barriers for follow-up visits 11:00 – Medical mistrust and why relationships matter 14:30 – Insurance and policy drivers of access 18:00 – What teleaudiology can solve for families 21:10 – Limits of virtual care and where in-person still leads 24:00 – Building culturally responsive systems and workflows 27:10 – Action steps for providers 30:00 – Action steps for policymakers and advocates 33:00 – What success looks like for infants and families 35:10 – Closing and how to connectAbout the Guests Pamela Rowe, MA, CCC-SLPSpeech-language pathologist, public health consultant, and advocate for equitable access to communication servicesFounder of a private practice serving diverse populationsDr. Lauren RamseyPublic health researcher and consultant with 20+ years of experience in maternal and child health, health equity, and disparities in care accessLinks and ResourcesConnect with Pamela Rowe on LinkedIn Connect with Dr. Lauren Ramsey on LinkedIn Contact: hello@healthyprojectmedia.com Join the movement: healthyproject.co Follow The Healthy Project Podcast on Apple Podcasts. Share this episode with one person working in maternal and child health or early intervention. ★ Support this podcast ★
Transcribe →Closing the Oral Health Gap with Technology | Pamela Oren-Artzi , COO of GRIN
Aug 12, 202500:48:25Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis talks with Pamela Oren-Artzi, COO and co-founder of GRIN, a digital oral health platform reimagining how care is delivered for underserved communities. Pam shares her journey from technology leader to health innovator, the challenges of addressing oral care deserts, and how GRIN’s accessible, affordable tools are transforming the way providers reach patients—no broadband required.We explore why oral health must be recognized as a core social driver of health, the connection between oral disease and chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes, and the ripple effects that poor access to dental care can have on individuals, families, and the economy. Pam also offers valuable insights for health tech innovators on how to build equity into products from the ground up.📌 Sponsored by GRIN – Learn more at https://www.get-grin.com/Shownotes: 00:00 – Introduction & Welcome 00:45 – Meet Pam Orrin & the GRIN Mission 03:15 – Why Oral Health is Overlooked in Health Tech 06:35 – The Global Oral Health Crisis 09:00 – Early GRIN Impact Stories in Underserved Communities 12:20 – The Link Between Oral Health & Full Body Health 14:30 – Why Oral Health is a Social Determinant of Health 17:10 – Economic & Social Ripple Effects of Poor Oral Care 19:40 – Absenteeism, Malnutrition, and Hidden Impacts 23:30 – Building Equity into Product Design 25:15 – Serving Digitally Excluded Communities 26:40 – Measuring Equity, Efficiency & Behavioral Change 31:20 – Reducing Health System Burden 34:10 – Making Care Efficient for Patients & Providers 36:05 – Uplifting Communities Through Health Technology 38:25 – The Future of Digital Oral Health 43:20 – Advice for Health Tech Innovators 44:12 – How to Connect with GRIN 46:52 – Closing Thoughts ★ Support this podcast ★
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How Art Helped Me Heal: A Story of Creativity, Anxiety, and Belonging
Apr 21, 202500:20:17Tap to summarizeIn this heartfelt episode of the Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Sadie, a creative soul whose journey with mental health, adoption, and anxiety has been transformed through art.Sadie shares how drawing, painting, origami, and glitter have become more than just hobbies—they’re her tools for healing, self-expression, and emotional strength. She talks about the power of community, her dream to open an inclusive art studio, and how creativity gives people a sense of purpose and belonging.This episode is part of our collaboration with the Freedom of Expression Project, highlighting voices that use art for emotional resilience and empowerment.🎨 Topics Covered:Art therapy and mental healthOvercoming anxiety through creativityBuilding community through self-expressionThe role of faith and support systemsFinding purpose through art🔗 Learn more about the Freedom of Expression Project and how you can support inclusive creative spaces in the video description.#mentalhealth #arttherapy #creativeexpression #freedomofexpression #belonging #anxietyrelief #healthypodcast #publichealth #youthempowerment #healingthroughart #communitysupport ★ Support this podcast ★
Transcribe →The Power of Community Health Workers in Diabetes Care and Health Equity
Apr 7, 202500:21:57Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Healthy Project, host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Brian Foster to explore how community health workers are transforming diabetes care—especially in underserved communities. Brian shares his personal journey with type 1 diabetes and his work with the American Diabetes Association. They discuss the connection between diabetes and heart disease, health equity, patient trust, and why community-based care is critical for improving outcomes.Topics: type 1 diabetes, diabetes education, community health workers, healthcare access, health equity, social determinants of health, American Diabetes Association, chronic disease management, public health policy, Black health equity, Healthy Project Podcast ★ Support this podcast ★
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