Route Notes

Episode 20: Who Really Wrote 'Twas the Night Before Christmas?

In this special holiday episode of Route Notes, David and Wes are joined by returning guest and world-renowned St. Nicholas scholar, Dr. Adam English, for a conversation that unwraps the surprising backstory behind the most famous Christmas poem in American history: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. They dig into a centuries-old authorship controversy between Clement Clarke Moore—the wealthy professor long credited with the poem—and Henry Livingston, a lesser-known abolitionist, fiddler, and poet whose life and language align more closely with the spirit of the poem. Along the way, the trio explores how the poem shaped America's Santa Claus mythology and what it means to reexamine the traditions we hold dear. But this episode is about more than just literary detective work. The conversation takes us from Nicholas of Myra’s ancient acts of compassion—including negotiating grain during famine—to the joy of anonymous giving, Santa conventions, universal design, and the deeper purpose behind how and why we celebrate. Recorded (unintentionally!) on St. Nicholas Day, this thoughtful, funny, and surprisingly moving episode invites listeners to rediscover Santa not just as a symbol of excess, but as a reflection of justice, generosity, and joy.

Episode 19: Structures of Grace

In this episode of Route Notes, Wes and David reflect on inclusion, access, and the quiet power of systems designed with care. From a joyful moment of off-road driving with Wes’s newly licensed daughter to a breakthrough theater performance by David’s son Miles, they explore how moments of belonging—when thoughtfully created—can reshape lives and communities. They unpack the concept of universal design, tracing its implications from curb cuts and classroom accessibility to larger conversations about structural harm and structural grace. Along the way, David shares the remarkable public health story of how replacing coal gas with natural gas in mid-century Britain unexpectedly reduced suicide rates by one-third—an example of how systems can heal. This wide-ranging conversation weaves together personal stories, policy insights, and a compelling call to design for dignity—creating spaces where everyone can show up fully, thrive, and be heard.

Episode 18: This Is Your Captain Oversharing

In this episode of Route Notes, Wes and David explore what happens when leaders overshare, overprocess, or unravel in public—and the unintended consequences it can have on teams, trust, and momentum. A strange moment on a delayed flight (where the pilot shares a little too much about what went wrong) widens into deeper reflections on leadership and the tension between authenticity and stability. They recount one of their most bizarre and hilarious facilitations where the cost of oversharing in leadership moved past vulnerability into volatility.  Plus: David’s detour through Manhattan’s High Line and a Swiftie-approved backup plan for those staying grounded.

Episode 17: Faith-Rooted, Not Faith-Based

In this month’s Campfire Chat, Wes, David, and Adam gather fireside to discuss Faith-Rooted Organizing by Alexia Salvatierra and Peter Heltzel. What begins as a reflection on the role of churches in public health quickly deepens into a powerful conversation about moral imagination, structural injustice, and the difference between acting out of anger versus love. The episode dives into real stories of immigration reform, labor advocacy, and interfaith collaboration—each grounded in deep compassion rather than political expediency. They wrestle with how these lessons apply to their own work in public health and community partnerships, especially in regions like the rural South. Along the way, they explore the limitations of technical planning, the importance of trust-building, and why prayer—often dismissed as “soft”—can be one of the most radical acts of solidarity. Plus: a detour worth taking into the novels of Lisa Wingate, and a sneak peek at next month’s pick, Under the Sky We Make by Kimberly Nicholas.

Episode 16: Plan C: What Happens When Everything Breaks… Beautifully

In this episode of Route Notes, Wes and David debrief after a jam-packed weekend of community service and public health engagement. David shares the chaos and clarity that came from trying to over-engineer a complex event serving children with intellectual disabilities—only to have the day go off the rails and then somehow soar thanks to the brilliance of students, staff, and volunteers. Wes and David reflect on the danger of linear thinking in complex environments, the difference between systems like Chick-fil-A and community-based work, and the power of trusting your team and centering mission over meticulous plans. Along the way, they offer lessons for leaders, educators, and planners—plus a detour about hot peppers and poor choices. This one’s about humility, flexibility, and the incredible outcomes that emerge when people show up, lean in, and care deeply.