Alzheimer’s isn't just something that happens “later” — it's impacting thousands of Iowans right now , and Black and rural communities are being hit the hardest. In this episode of My City Talks , I sit down with Keesha Ward and Jessica Duncan of the Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter to break down the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, why early detection is so powerful, and what’s stopping our communities from getting the support they need. We also talk real numbers, real stories, ...
Jul 14, 2025•32 min•Ep. 23
In this episode of My City Talks , Corey sits down with Krisha Keeran, former intern, medical school hopeful, and co-founder of Club Kids for a Cause. After surviving a devastating accident, Krisha turned her recovery into a purpose, raising over $65,000 through tennis tournaments to support healthcare causes. This summer, her story comes full circle as she hosts a tournament in her honor to fund continuing education for nurses at UIHC. Listen as Krisha shares how Iowa City saved her life and wh...
Jun 30, 2025•15 min•Ep. 22
In this episode of My City My Health, host Laurna Evans Lindsay sits down with Jahnavi Pandya, a counseling psychologist with a passion for cultural sensitivity and inclusive mental health care. Jahnavi shares her journey from India to the U.S., her experiences working with diverse populations, and the importance of tailoring therapy to individual cultural backgrounds. From addressing trauma and grief to fostering self-worth and self-compassion, this conversation explores how mental health care ...
Apr 07, 2025•25 min•Ep. 21
In this episode of MyCityMyHealth , host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Khyathi Gadag, a PhD candidate in Health Policy and Management at the University of Iowa. Khyathi shares her journey from dentistry to mental health research, highlighting the crucial intersection of mental and physical health. They discuss holistic mental health approaches, the role of social determinants like housing and income, and how policy changes can improve access to care. Khyathi also dives into her work as the fou...
Mar 17, 2025•27 min•Ep. 20
In this episode of My City, My Health, host Laurna Evans Lindsay sits down with Naomi Marroquin, a dedicated healthcare team leader serving migrant and seasonal farmworkers in Iowa. Naomi shares her journey from growing up in an immigrant-rich community to advocating for better healthcare access. She discusses the challenges migrant workers face, the impact of mobile clinics, and the importance of bilingual and bicultural healthcare professionals. 00:00 - 00:18 | Introduction to the Podcast &...
Mar 10, 2025•22 min•Ep. 19
In this inaugural episode of My City Talks Health, host Larry Twitty Jr. sits down with HIV advocates Destiny Smith and Alicia Mercado for an enlightening discussion about HIV awareness, treatment advances, and breaking down persistent stigmas. From explaining U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) to navigating healthcare systems in Iowa, our guests share personal insights and vital information about HIV resources and support services. Show Notes: Key Topics Discussed: Understanding U=U (Undetect...
Dec 16, 2024•49 min•Ep. 18
In this episode, host Elizabeth Dix interviews Dr. Lucas Carr about his work with the Community Health Collaborative and the Vitalis study, as well as the importance of addressing physical inactivity in primary care settings. They also discuss the role of equity in their mission and ways for students and community members to get involved. Show notes: 0:00 Introduction 1:12 Dr. Lucas Carr's background and work with the Community Health Collaborative 4:35 The importance of addressing physical inac...
Apr 30, 2023•27 min•Ep. 12
"When these communities allow you in their spaces, please be humble and allow the trust to build so that you can get the work done. If you don't have the trust, then there's no basis to build up on, no foundation at all." - Aloha Wilks In this episode, host Olivia Machaccio talks with Aloha Wilks, a passionate advocate for health equity and community engagement. They discuss the challenges of achieving health equity in Iowa City, the importance of community involvement, and the role of trust in ...
Apr 26, 2023•23 min•Ep. 17
"I think probably to really think deeply about the amount of othering that we all do every day in our lives and how to start reversing that, how to understand where it comes from, and how we start to keep ourselves to account in that process because we really need to change the way that we interact with people if we are going to ever get to health equity." - Dr. Rima Afifi In this episode of My City My Health Podcast, host Ellery Winterbottom is joined by Dr. Rima Afifi, a public health expert, ...
Apr 26, 2023•27 min•Ep. 16
"I would like to see more effort being put into job creation for retaining local talent. Iowa is great at attracting the best from all over the world, but I cannot see the same for retaining them." - Onyeche Oche Join host Caleb as he talks with Onyeche Oche, a healthcare researcher and advocate, about her work in telemedicine, cultural competency in healthcare, and her vision for job retention in the Iowa City area. They discuss the challenges and benefits of telemedicine, especially for older ...
Apr 26, 2023•33 min•Ep. 15
In this episode of the My City My Health Podcast, host Brooklyn talks with Dr. Marta Van Beek, a dermatologist and executive medical director at the University of Iowa. They discuss the importance of health equity and the work being done to improve it in dermatology and medicine overall. Dr. Van Beek also shares her experience in addressing health disparities and the impact of community involvement in achieving health equity goals. Show Notes: [00:00] Introduction to the My City My Health Podcas...
Apr 26, 2023•17 min•Ep. 14
In this episode of the My City My Health podcast, host Natalie Rutledge talks with LaTasha DeLoach about her work in community outreach and connecting people, particularly women of color and older adults, with resources and social spaces for health equity. LaTasha shares her insights on the importance of taking the pressure off of black women, erasing the super-strong black woman trope, and creating safe social spaces for people of color. Tune in to learn more about actionable steps toward healt...
Apr 25, 2023•27 min•Ep. 13
Join host Lauren Whiteman as she discusses achieving health equity through community empowerment with Dr. Ebonee Johnson, an expert in health equity research and the project director of PEER, a community-based organization focused on HIV and substance abuse prevention. In this episode, Dr. Johnson shares her insights on the importance of community engagement in healthcare, the challenges of health literacy, and the power of shifting power dynamics to empower communities. 00:00 - Introduction 01:...
Apr 25, 2023•24 min•Ep. 11
In this episode of the My City, My Health podcast, host Sophie Woodley, discusses health equity and community well-being with Cady Gerlach, executive director of Better Together 2030. They delve into the social determinants of health, such as housing, access to healthy food, and education, and how these factors impact access to healthcare. They also discuss the importance of including diverse voices in community conversations and ways for individuals to get involved in collaborative efforts to p...
Apr 24, 2023•23 min•Ep. 10
In this episode, host Norielle Blanco speaks with Krisha Karen, a junior at the University of Iowa majoring in psychology and minoring in gender, health, and healthcare equity on the pre-med track. Krisha is also the founder of Club Kids for a Cause, an organization that raises funds for cancer patients through tennis tournaments. In this conversation, Norielle and Krisha discuss the importance of mental health and health equity, particularly in Asian American communities, and the initiatives Kr...
Apr 24, 2023•16 min•Ep. 9
In this episode of the My City My Health Podcast, host Maddie Kerr talks with Kellee Forkenbrock, Public Services Librarian at the North Liberty Community Library, about the Lighthouse in the Library series and the importance of digital access in the community. Kellee discusses how the Libraries Transforming Communities grant has allowed them to create a platform for community conversations and collaborations with other local organizations. She emphasizes the role of libraries in providing acces...
Apr 24, 2023•18 min•Ep. 8
In this episode of the My City My Health podcast, host Jillian Reedy speaks with Dr. Jodi Tate, MD, a psychiatrist and leader in the field of healthcare for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Dr. Tate discusses her work in promoting health equity for this unique population and shares insights on the importance of building rapport and trust with patients. She also shares a personal experience that led to the development of an inclusive hair and beard products program across her hospital....
Apr 21, 2023•23 min•Ep. 6
"I think sometimes like you have to acknowledge where those privileges are so that you can kind of work on dismantling that because we can't put that work on folks who have been oppressed." In this episode of the My City My Health podcast, host Alison interviews public health professional Danielle Pettit-Majewski, Director for Johnson County Public Health about the challenges and opportunities in the field of public health, particularly in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss the...
Apr 20, 2023•26 min•Ep. 5
Join Maya for a conversation with Corey Dion Lewis, founder of The Healthy Project, and My City My Health, a company that aims to improve health equity in communities. In this episode, Corey shares his journey and motivation behind starting My City My Health, his biggest takeaways from the Des Moines conference, and tangible ways for people to get involved with his work. Listen in to learn how you can take action toward health equity in your own community. About the guest: Corey Dion Lewis is a ...
Apr 19, 2023•29 min•Ep. 4
In this episode, Katherine speaks with Caleb Thomas, a licensed mental health counselor and the founder of Thomas & Associates. Caleb shares his journey into holistic counseling and his passion for supporting at-risk youth in his community. He also discusses the importance of self-care for health professionals and shares valuable advice for those looking to improve their community's well-being. About the Guest: Caleb Thomas is a licensed mental health counselor and the founder of Thomas &...
Apr 18, 2023•21 min•Ep. 3
Against the odds and amidst inequalities, Fredrick Newell, a pastor, social worker, and executive director of a nonprofit, is determined to create a thriving, equitable community in Iowa City by advocating for father rights, providing access to arts, and promoting wellness. In this episode, you will be able to: Appreciate the role of health equity in shaping education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Understand the importance of advocating for fathers' rights and providing support to f...
Apr 17, 2023•19 min•Ep. 7
In this episode of the My City My Health podcast, host Caroline Carlson speaks with Dr. Candyce Briggs, a licensed clinical psychologist and mental health advocate based in Iowa City, about the importance of prioritizing self-care and mental health in underserved communities. Dr. Briggs shares her experiences working with community organizations and non-profits to increase access to mental health services for Black and culturally diverse families, as well as her insights on the challenges faced ...
Apr 17, 2023•28 min•Ep. 2
"It's really important that we try and engage folks again from different cultures, different identities, different backgrounds in order to make that rich workforce and learning environment for our learners and our employees." Driven by her passion for health equity, Dr. Nicole Del Castillo embarks on a mission to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all at the Carver College of Medicine, only to discover an ironic twist - mistreatment of employees and learners in the clinical environ...
Apr 12, 2023•19 min•Ep. 1
