Public Health Careers

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast discusses the current challenges facing public health, emphasizing the need for community empowerment and the importance of addressing systemic barriers in education and career development.

He reflects on the evolving landscape of public health careers, the necessity of grassroots advocacy, and the critical role of mentorship in fostering a diverse workforce. Richins enc...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast addresses the pressures faced by graduates as they transition into the public health workforce. He emphasizes the importance of navigating this phase with intention rather than rushing into job applications.

Omari encourages listeners to define their personal anchors, choose guiding themes for their career journey, and focus on commitments that shape their actions. He ad...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast welcomes Nadia Tekkal, an independent public health consultant based in Dubai.

Nadia shares her unique journey through five countries, highlighting how her diverse experiences have shaped her understanding of public health. She emphasizes the importance of cultural context in health, noting that health is influenced by more than just access to services; it encompasses th...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast critiques the new US dietary guidelines, arguing that they prioritize industry interests over public health.

Omari compares these guidelines with those of other wealthy nations, highlighting the detrimental health outcomes associated with high red meat consumption. Richins emphasizes the need for evidence-based nutrition policies that genuinely promote health and sustain...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks with Erin Williamson, LCSW, MPA.

Erin Williamson is Chief Programs and Strategy Officer at Love 146, discusses her journey in the field of public health and anti-trafficking. She shares insights on the misconceptions surrounding human trafficking, the vulnerabilities that lead to it, and the role of technology in both facilitating and preventing trafficking. Erin em...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast discusses the significant public health victories of 2025, highlighting the resilience and innovation of health professionals worldwide. Despite challenges like funding cuts and public skepticism, breakthroughs emerged, including the world's first pandemic agreement, advancements in HIV prevention, and new treatments for malaria and tuberculosis. These achievements underscore...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks with Thelma Thiel.

In this conversation, Thelma Thiel shares her personal journey of loss and advocacy for liver health, stemming from her son's struggles with liver disease. She emphasizes the importance of educating the public about the liver, a silent organ often overlooked in health discussions. Thelma discusses the systemic challenges in public health, pa...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast discusses the unique challenges faced by public health professionals in setting and achieving personal goals. He emphasizes the importance of intentional goal setting, reflection, and finding one's purpose through the Ikigai framework. Richins provides a structured approach to creating a vision for the upcoming year and turning that vision into actionable SMART goals. He also...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks with Dr. Tista Ghosh.

In this conversation, Tista Ghosh, a physician and epidemiologist, shares her journey in public health, discussing her experiences during the pandemic, the importance of frontline workers, and the lessons learned for future preparedness. She emphasizes the need for cultural shifts in public health communication, the role of everyday people in d...

In this chat, Omari Richins, MPH discusses the alarming proposed changes by the US Department of Education regarding the definition of professional degrees, which excludes public health degrees. This exclusion could significantly impact financial aid access for public health graduates, amidst a backdrop of increasing burnout and disillusionment within the field. He emphasizes the essential role of public health in society and encou...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks with Alexandra Piatkowski, MPH, PMP.

In this conversation, Alexandra Piatkowski, founder and CEO of Piat Public Health, shares her journey in public health, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, mentorship, and effective data communication. She discusses her academic background, co-op experiences, and the transition to her consulting business, highligh...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks with Brittaney Jenkins, BS, CHES.

In this episode, Public Health Consultant and CEO of Jenkins Public Health Consulting, Brittaney Jenkins, BS, CHES, shares her 20-year journey from local health educator to entrepreneur.

She dives into the importance of chronic disease prevention, how mindset and mentorship shape career growth, and why nonprofits can offer...

The conversation focuses on the critical impact of the government shutdown on SNAP benefits, highlighting the struggles faced by millions of Americans relying on food assistance. It discusses the severe cuts to SNAP, the implications for families and local economies, and emphasizes the importance of community action and support for food justice initiatives. Resources for assistance and upcoming community events are also shared to e...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks with Dr. Walker Tisdale III.

In this episode, Dr. Walker Tisdale III—nationally recognized leader in suicide prevention and Director of Outreach at Johns Hopkins University—shares his powerful journey from broadcast journalism to public health leadership.

We dive into the evolving field of suicide prevention, the role of diversity and equity in mental healt...

In this conversation, Omari Richins, MPH Host of Public Health Careers discusses the challenges faced by public health professionals, emphasizing the importance of resilience, purpose, and community support. He addresses the weight of current issues in public health, including burnout and job competition, while encouraging listeners to reconnect with their motivations and take actionable steps to navigate their careers effectively....

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks with Nishat Uddin, MPH. 

She shares her journey from moving to the West Coast from Florida, to founding South Asian Care, an organization aimed at addressing healthcare disparities within the South Asian community. She discusses the importance of culturally sensitive health communications, the challenges of public health messaging, and the significance of storytelling in...

Public Health on Pause: The 2025 Government Shutdown and What It Means for You

The U.S. government shut down on October 1, 2025. While politicians argue, public health is paying the price:

• CDC and HHS furloughs slow outbreak surveillance
• WIC funds could run out in weeks
• SNAP families face uncertainty, and SNAP-Ed was just eliminated
• Immigrant families are afraid to seek care, worried about ICE and data sharing
• Flu, measles,...

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks Tosin Ogunsola, MPH and Tobi Dare, MPH. They are co-creators of the Health Whiz game.

In this conversation, Tobi Dare and Tosin Ogunsola, co-founders of Health Whiz, share their journey in creating a board game aimed at improving public health literacy. They discuss their backgrounds in public health, the inspiration behind Health Whiz during the COVID-19 pandemic,...

In this conversation, Omari Richins, MPH discusses the importance of taking time off for mental health, shares insights on public transit accessibility, and addresses the challenges faced in public health today. He emphasizes the need for optimism and community support while navigating the complexities of public health advocacy and the systemic issues that affect communities.

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