Joy as Resistance: Redefining Health Narratives for Black Communities

Health Equity In Action: Insights from Rebekah Gee and the Quest for Accessible Family Health Care

From our companion podcast series, The Skin You're In [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-skin-you-re-in--5832057]: host Thomas LaVeist chats with Dr. Rebekah Gee [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekahgeemd/], CEO of Nest Health [https://www.nesthealth.com/], about her journey from academia to government and now to the private sector. They discuss the successful implementation of Medicaid expansion in Louisiana, which provided coverage to over 600,000 residents, and the innovative at-home care model Nest Health offers for families lacking access to primary healthcare. Dr. Gee addresses systemic inequities in Louisiana's healthcare system and advocates for ongoing efforts in health equity, emphasizing the need for solution-focused discussions that harness the potential of the private sector. This episode is essential for anyone interested in healthcare access and equity.   Host: Thomas LaVeist, PhD [https://sph.tulane.edu/hpam/thomas-laveist-phd], Dean and Weatherhead Presidential Chair, Tulane Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine [http://www.sph.tulane.edu], Principal Investigator, Partners for Advancing Health Equity [http://www.partners4healthequity.org], Writer and Director, The Skin You’re In [http://www.tsyi.org] documentary.   Guest: Rebekah Gee [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekahgeemd/], CEO and Founder, Nest Health [https://www.nesthealth.com/] Transcript [https://files.constantcontact.com/4c2e156f801/3da611de-3716-499f-bdee-27e0be133710.pdf]   Video version [https://youtu.be/tNGobBsmKU0]

Joy as Resistance: Redefining Health Narratives for Black Communities

This episodes explores Black joy, resilience, and health equity. Host Dr. Caryn Bell [https://sph.tulane.edu/sbps/caryn-bell-phd] and guests Dr. Yanica Faustin [https://www.elon.edu/u/directory/profile/yfaustin/] and Dr. Tiffany Ford [https://publichealth.uic.edu/profiles/ford-tiffany/] discuss how structural racism impacts health outcomes, especially in maternal health. They advocate for strength-based approaches in health equity research that celebrate Black experiences, emphasizing community-led solutions.   The guests urge a shift from deficit-focused narratives to thriving ones, calling for more funding for successful initiatives. Listeners are encouraged to foster supportive environments that uplift Black narratives, aiming to amplify stories of healing and creativity.   Join this enlightening discussion on reimagining health equity through joy and empowerment.   Host: Dr. Caryn Bell [https://sph.tulane.edu/sbps/caryn-bell-phd], Associate Director, Partners for Advancing Health Equity [http://www.partners4healthequity.org/], Assistant Professor, Tulane Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine [https://sph.tulane.edu/sbps/caryn-bell-phd]   Guests: Dr. Yanica Faustin [https://www.elon.edu/u/directory/profile/yfaustin/], Founder and CEO, Impact Health Equity [https://impacthealthequity.org/], Associate Professor, Elon University [https://www.elon.edu/]   Dr. Tiffany N. Ford [https://publichealth.uic.edu/profiles/ford-tiffany/], Assistant Professor,  University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health [https://publichealth.uic.edu/profiles/ford-tiffany/]   Video Version [https://youtu.be/4UgqMVpscV0] Transcript [https://files.constantcontact.com/4c2e156f801/5852e267-1441-4629-a9c0-eb5843019992.pdf] https://files.constantcontact.com/4c2e156f801/5852e267-1441-4629-a9c0-eb5843019992.pdf

Navigating Public Health and Policy: Insights from APHA’s Georges Benjamin

From our companion podcast series, The Skin You're In [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-skin-you-re-in--5832057]: In this insightful episode, we talk with Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association (APHA). Georges reflects on the nuances of navigating policies and politics and APHA’s influence in advocating for impactful initiatives. The conversation also addresses the diverse political landscapes within public health, highlighting the need for inclusivity while maintaining a commitment to health equity. Also discussed is guidance to future public health leaders, stressing the importance of community engagement and understanding systemic barriers to health outcomes. Host: Thomas LaVeist, PhD [https://sph.tulane.edu/hpam/thomas-laveist-phd], Dean and Weatherhead Presidential Chair, Tulane Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine [http://www.sph.tulane.edu], Principal Investigator, Partners for Advancing Health Equity [http://www.partners4healthequity.org], Writer and Director, The Skin You’re In [http://www.tsyi.org] documentary.   Guest: Georges C. Benjamin, MD [https://www.apha.org/about-apha/executive-board-and-staff/apha-executive-board/georges-benjamin], Executive Director, American Public Health Association [https://www.apha.org/] Transcript   [https://www.partners4healthequity.org/sites/default/files/2026-05/Dr-Georges-Benjamin_TSYI%20Podcast_Transcript_508c.pdf] Video version [https://youtu.be/KUoRI-NLFQ4?si=OSKDNjNXP_qEufuv]

Part Two: Live from Montgomery: Conversations with the Men of The Skin You’re In documentary

In part one from our companion podcast series, The Skin You're In [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-skin-you-re-in--5832057],  we heard from the filmmakers and featured participants as they discussed the making of the documentary and the broader forces shaping health disparities in America. In this second installment, the conversation expands beyond the stage. Panelists and audience members offer their own perspectives, highlighting the importance of community dialogue, shared experience, and sustained engagement in advancing better health outcomes for all. Moderator: Dean Meminger [https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/on-air/2017/09/26/dean-meminger], Spectrum News NY1 Anchor   Panelists: Dr. Thomas LaVeist [https://www.tsyi.org/bio/dr-thomas-laveist/], Writer and Director Dr. Wil LaVeist [https://www.tsyi.org/bio/wil-laveist/], Producer Alejandro Orengo [https://www.tsyi.org/bio/alejandro-orengo/], Director of Photography Scheron Bryant, Jr. Tevon Robinson  Transcript [https://files.constantcontact.com/4c2e156f801/6c517c8f-1fbc-4337-9508-f5f4ae32d8af.pdf]

Part One: Live from Montgomery: Conversations with the Men of The Skin You’re In documentary

In part one of this two part episode from our companion podcast series,The Skin You're In [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-skin-you-re-in--5832057], we delve into the critical question: Why do Black Americans face poorer health outcomes and shorter life expectancies? Centered around the documentary, The Skin You’re In [http://www.tsyi.org], this conversation was recorded live, December 2025, at the film's premiere in Montgomery, Alabama—a city steeped in civil rights history. Moderated by Spectrum News NY1 Anchor Dean Meminger [https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/on-air/2017/09/26/dean-meminger], the filmmakers and the men featured in the film share their insights on how history, public policy, and community narratives intertwine to impact health equity in America.   Moderator: Dean Meminger [https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/on-air/2017/09/26/dean-meminger], Spectrum News NY1 Anchor Panelists:  Dr. Thomas LaVeist [https://www.tsyi.org/bio/dr-thomas-laveist/], Writer and Director Dr. Wil LaVeist [https://www.tsyi.org/bio/wil-laveist/], Producer  Alejandro Orengo [https://www.tsyi.org/bio/alejandro-orengo/], Director of Photography Scheron Bryant, Jr. Tevon Robinson  Transcript [https://files.constantcontact.com/4c2e156f801/d497ae8d-62c0-4bad-9c7d-57dc1ca33d65.pdf]