Public Health SPOTlight Podcast
Sujani Sivanantharajah, the founder of PHSPOT.org sits down with public health heroes of our time to share career stories, inspiration, and guidance for building public health careers. The message she hopes to share through these conversations is that building a career is not only about climbing up the ranks, but about crafting a life that you want, around your unique needs, and one that gives importance to your mental health, wellbeing, and building relationships and friendships: you can only do good in the world if you take care of yourself. Through PH SPOTlight, you will connect with peers you have never met before, and build relationships in a deep and meaningful way.
Episodes
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Last week I talked about "Leadership Skills Every Public Health Professional Should Develop" and mentioned two episodes from 2020 where I sat down with two amazing guests to discuss leadership.
This week, I wanted to make sure you had a chance to listen to the second one of these episodes - with Anjum Sultana.
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In this episode, Sujani sits down with Anjum Sult...
Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!
Last week I talked about "Leadership Skills Every Public Health Professional Should Develop" and mentioned two episodes from 2020 where I sat down with two amazing guests to discuss leadership.
This week, I wanted to make sure you had a chance to listen to one of these episodes - with Dr. Nadia Akseet.
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In this episode, Sujani speaks Dr. Nadia Akseer, an Epide...
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Leadership in public health transcends job titles—it's about how we inspire action, communicate vision, and guide others regardless of our position. This essential skillset helps navigate the complex, messy work of creating healthier communities through building trust and mobilizing stakeholders toward common goals.
Discussed in this episode:
- What leadership really me...
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We're back with our monthly update on what's happening inside the Public Health Career Club - our membership community designed to support you in building your dream public health career. Whether you're looking for accountability partners, financial guidance, or mentorship opportunities, our May 2025 lineup has something to help you advance your career goals.<...
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Public health careers extend far beyond traditional roles, with exciting opportunities in tech, communications, behavioral science, and entrepreneurship that offer both impact and excellent compensation.
The roles explored in this episode include:
- UX designers in health tech creating intuitive tools while ensuring clinical accuracy
- Digital health communications specialists ...
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Networking isn't about schmoozing with random people or handing out business cards—it's about building genuine relationships rooted in curiosity, generosity, and mutual benefit that can transform your public health career journey.
What we talk about in today's episode:
- Up to 80% of jobs are filled through networking connections rather than job boar...
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Career plateaus in public health are common experiences that leave professionals feeling stuck and unmotivated, but with reflection and strategic action, they can become springboards for renewed passion and growth.
What's discussed in this episode:
- Four main reasons career plateaus happen: outgrowing your current role, lacking career clarity, not seeing growth opportu...
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This is a new monthly series to provide you with updates on events happening inside the Public Health Career Club community:
The Public Health Career Club has moved to an always-open enrollment model to provide support whenever public health professionals need it, with a new seven-day free trial available for both premium and light memberships.
Here's what to ex...
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Landing that first public health job can feel impossible when every posting requires experience you don't yet have. We explore four powerful strategies to break this cycle and position yourself as a strong candidate even without traditional job experience.
- Reframing what counts as experience beyond full-time paid positions
- Using course projects, volunteerin...
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The PH SPOT podcast returns after a ten-month unplanned break with host Sujani sharing personal updates and outlining future plans for the show.
• Unexpected 10-month podcast hiatus
• Solo episodes will be the primary format moving forward to accommodate scheduling constraints
• Selected recordings from Public Health Career Club events may be released as podcast epis...
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In this episode, Sujani sits down with Glenn Laverack, a seasoned public health professional whose career has spanned continents and been shaped by his diverse experiences. His early years engaged with grassroots initiatives laid the foundation for a deep understanding of the local context, an asset that would become invaluable as he navigated the complex world of global hea...
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This week, our guest Christie VanHorne shares her career trajectory into public health from a background in history and involvement in humanitarian efforts. From working as a health educator to creating her own public health consulting business and teaching at Vassar College, Christie's story highlights how hard work, staying true to yourself, and having a solid networ...
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In our latest podcast episode, we delve into a story of transition, courage, and the unwavering human spirit as our guest, Yasir Essar, swapped his dentistry scrubs for a career in public health amid the chaotic backdrop of a global pandemic and geopolitical turmoil. Yasir shares how visualizing achievements can provide a push to overcome challenges and demonstrates the powe...
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In this episode, Sujani delves into her personal struggles with speaking in public and how it affected her career in public health. She reflects on her initial reluctance to speak in various settings and her journey of self-improvement through the creation of her podcast. Sujani shares that by creating opportunities to practice speaking, she was able to progressively build ...
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Today's episode features Dr. Charlotte Huntley, a public health entrepreneur and leader. We peel back the layers of her dynamic journey from a liberal arts and microbiology background to an influential career in epidemiology and entrepreneurship. Our dialogue uncovers her dive into the pharmaceutical industry and how the entrepreneurial flame was kindled within her. As...
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Welcome to the Public Health Career Club. From sitting down with accomplished public health professionals who will spill the beans on making the most of your degree, to personalized career advice during our office hours – it's all happening here. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. We've packed our calendar with monthly resume clinics, mentorship sessions,...
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This week Sujani unveils the transformative power of weaving relationship-building into the very fabric of your daily life. From striking up a conversation with a colleague to reaching out to a professional you admire online, I'll demonstrate the omnipresence of networking opportunities. Whether you're taking your first steps in public health or you're a seaso...
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Have you ever found yourself at a career crossroads, contemplating a leap into uncharted territory? Join us as we navigate the captivating realm of public health careers with Dr. Vinu Ilakkuvan. She shares her remarkable shift from engineering to public health, shedding light on the serendipitous ways that one's professional journey can unfold. We discuss the strategic ...
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Unlock the code to public health job success with Zoila Reina of Public Health Hired, who graces our podcast with expert tips on mastering the language of the sector. If you've ever felt lost in a sea of job applications, Zoila's creation, the Public Health Key Terms Guide, is your beacon. We zero in on the power of terms and how they're not just buzzwords but...
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Our guest this week, Angeza Mohammed, is a testament to the power of aligning one's passions with their profession. Follow her strategic yet dynamic career path and learn how mentally and physically envisioning her ideal life, strategic networking, and taking risks led to her creating The Consulting Nest and How did you learn to do that?, The Successful Candidate.
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