The My City Talks Podcast spotlights individuals and organizations worldwide that profoundly impact their communities' health and well-being. Hosted by the My City My Health team, each episode dives into the inspiring stories of change-makers, health advocates, and community leaders who challenge the status quo to create healthier, more equitable environments for all. From grassroots initiatives to large-scale health equity efforts, this podcast explores the diverse strategies and innovative ...
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Corey Dion Lewis Podcasts
The Healthy Project Podcast features genuine conversations about community, equity, and the social forces that influence our health. Each episode features thought leaders, advocates, and changemakers who share stories, research, and practical insights on public health and social determinants of health. We focus on: Health equity and access Community-driven solutions The voices and experiences of those most impacted The intersection of health, culture, and society Whether you’re a public heal ...
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Grab a cup of coffee and join Corey Dion Lewis, community health champion and founder of Healthy Project Media, for candid conversations about mental health. On Coffee Can’t Fix Everything, we sit down with guests from the community—leaders, advocates, and everyday people—to have real, unfiltered discussions about mental health, wellness, and the struggles we all face. No scripts. No pre-planned topics. Just open and honest dialogue over a good cup of coffee. Because while coffee helps, it c ...
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Fighting Food Insecurity with Jazzmine Brooks | Double Up Iowa & Community Health
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In this episode of My City Talks, powered by My City My Health, host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Jasmine Brooks, project manager for the USDA-backed Double Up Food Bucks program in Iowa. Together, they explore the realities of food insecurity, the cultural significance of food, and the importance of choice in nutrition. From the lost art of coo…
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Black Men’s Health, Prevention & Equity in Iowa w/ Dr. Gregory Johnson
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34:53
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👉 Want to continue the conversation in person? Join us at the My City My Health Conference in Des Moines on November 14. Register here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/my-city-my-health-des-moines--2025 In this episode of My City Talks, Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Dr. Gregory Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at UnityPoint Health, to discuss…
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Closing the Oral Health Gap with Technology | Pamela Oren-Artzi , COO of GRIN
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In this episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis talks with Pamela Oren-Artzi, COO and co-founder of GRIN, a digital oral health platform reimagining how care is delivered for underserved communities. Pam shares her journey from technology leader to health innovator, the challenges of addressing oral care deserts, and how GRIN’…
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Civic Power, Real Talk, and Black Health in Des Moines (with Abena Sankofa Imhotep)
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Abena Sankofa Imhotep—author, podcaster, and moderator of the Civic Engagement Panel at this year’s My City My Health Conference—joins Corey Dion Lewis to talk about what civic power really looks like in 2025. From voting and fundraising to storytelling and showing up in community spaces, this conversation unpacks the layers of visibility, accounta…
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Stacy Wells on Health Equity, DEI, and Leading with Purpose
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In this episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Stacy Wells, a purpose-driven leader and DEI practitioner working at the intersection of behavioral health, education, and public service. From her early days in the classroom to her current role leading health equity efforts in Minnesota’s direct care and treatmen…
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Alzheimer’s in Our Backyard: The Urgency of Early Detection and Black Community Support
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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, w…
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Medicaid at a Crossroads: A Conversation with Sr. Mary Haddad
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In this episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis is joined by Sister Mary Haddad, President and CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the United States. Together, they get into the pressing issue of proposed Medicaid funding cuts and the far-reaching implications for millions of Americans, particularly those in underserved …
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Rallying Community Support Through Tennis
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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 circl…
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What Is Preventative Health? (The Most Overlooked Tool in Healthcare)
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What if the key to better health isn’t treatment—it’s prevention? In this episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, Corey Dion Lewis breaks down the true meaning of preventative health and why it matters. From early screenings to lifestyle changes, Corey explains how staying ahead of illness can save money, boost energy, and extend your life. We cove…
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I Didn’t Feel Seen Until I Started Podcasting (with Emili Johnson)
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In this episode, I’m joined by Emili Johnson, creator of the Black Girl Iowa podcast. Emili shares how starting a podcast became a powerful act of self-love and resistance. We talk about finding your voice when you’ve spent years feeling invisible, navigating mental health as a Black woman in Iowa, and the unexpected burnout that comes with podcast…
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Community Healing, Group Therapy & Mental Health Access with Tamar Blue of Mental Happy
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ITamar Blue, founder of Mental Happy, joins Corey Dion Lewis on The Healthy Project Podcast to explore how group therapy and community-based care are changing the future of mental health. In this episode, you’ll hear: • Why group support is often more effective than one-on-one therapy • How Mental Happy empowers both participants and providers • Th…
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Pressure, Identity & Mental Health as a Creative
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Steven Lewis joins the show to talk pressure, identity, and mental health as a creative. From routines to social media stress, we unpack how to stay grounded while building your brand. Mental Health Resources: Therapy for Black Men: https://therapyforblackmen.org NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): https://nami.org Mental Health America: ht…
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Handmade Purses, Healing, and Creative Expression
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In this episode of the Healthy Project Podcast, we feature an inspiring artist interview with Ariel, part of the Freedom of Expression Project. Ariel shares her journey into sewing art, creating handmade purses, and how sewing by hand supports mental health and creativity. We talk about creative coping strategies, colorful yarn projects, and beginn…
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What does inclusive public art look like when it comes from lived experience? In this episode of Coffee Can’t Fix Everything, I sit down with Marissa Hernandez—a artist from the Des Moines art scene—to talk about mental health, faceless portraits, and how her murals bring representation and healing to public spaces across Iowa. Topics we cover: Art…
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How Art Helped Me Heal: A Story of Creativity, Anxiety, and Belonging
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In this heartfelt episode of the Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Sadie, a creative soul whose journey with mental health, adoption, and anxiety has been transformed through art. Sadie shares how drawing, painting, origami, and glitter have become more than just hobbies—they’re her tools for healing, self-expression, an…
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The Practice of Cultural Sensitivity in Counseling: A Conversation with Jahnavi Pandya
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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 …
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The Power of Community Health Workers in Diabetes Care and Health Equity
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In this episode of The Healthy Project, host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Brian Foster to explore how community health workers are transforming diabetes care—especially in underserved communities. Brian shares his personal journey with type 1 diabetes and his work with the American Diabetes Association. They discuss the connection between diabet…
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Understanding Food Swamps: How Your Environment Shapes Health and Access to Nutrition
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In this eye-opening episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis explores the concept of food swamps—urban environments where unhealthy food options far outweigh nutritious ones. While much attention has been given to food deserts, food swamps reveal a deeper layer of the public health crisis tied to systemic racism, zoning laws, a…
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AI’s Role in the Future of Mental Health Care with Cole Smith
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Try Opal AI Today! 🔗 For Therapists: heyopal.com 💬 Free AI Chat for Anyone: chat.heyopal.com 🎉 Exclusive Discount for Clinicians! Get 40% off your first year + 1 month free with code: PODCAST In this episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Cole Smith, founder of Opal, to explore the intersection of AI and mental…
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From Research to Action: Advancing Holistic Mental Health Care
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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, th…
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Caring Across Cultures: Bridging Gaps in Migrant Healthcare with Naomi Marroquin
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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, t…
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Leading Through Life: Navigating Disappointment, Balance, and Growth
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In this episode of Coffee Can’t Fix Everything, we sit down for a raw and insightful conversation on the realities of leadership, parenting, and personal growth. We dive into the mental health challenges that come with leading in both professional and personal spaces, the impact of burnout, and how to develop emotional resilience in the face of set…
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Forgiveness vs. Healing: Overcoming Trauma with Courageous Fire
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In this episode of Coffee Can’t Fix Everything, I sit down with Courageous Fire, a survivor, advocate, and author of The Other Child. We unpack the complicated relationship between forgiveness and healing—why they aren’t always the same and why choosing self-compassion over forced forgiveness can be the key to true healing. Courageous shares her jo…
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Health Justice Explained: Dr. Seun Ross on Ending Medical Racism and Healthcare Disparities
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In this episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Dr. Seun Ross, a leading expert in health justice and racial disparities in medicine. They discuss the difference between health equity and health justice, the impact of medical racism, and the role of policy change in health equity. Dr. Ross also shares her work i…
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Improving Healthcare Access for Farmworkers
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In this special episode of the Healthy Project Podcast, based on questions from the My City My Health conference, host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Daniel Zinnel, CEO of Proteus, to explore the intersections of health equity, farm worker health, and immigrant health care. They discuss Proteus' innovative programs, including mobile healthcare del…
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Uncovering Health Disparities: Dr. Julian Lee on Racism, Diabetes, and Health Equity
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46:09
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In this episode of the Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis and guest Julian Lee dive into crucial topics like health equity, type 2 diabetes, and African American health disparities. Together, they explore systemic racism in healthcare, aversive racism, healthcare structural barriers, and health outcomes disparities, with a focus on the …
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Asking for help isn’t failure—it’s survival.
37:56
37:56
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In this heartfelt episode of Coffee Can't Fix Everything, we sit down with Max to have an open conversation about mental health, the challenges of asking for help, and the barriers many face in seeking therapy. From breaking the stigma around mental health in the LGBTQ+ and Black communities to discussing communal burnout, Max shares their insights…
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Breaking HIV Stigma: Real Talk on U=U, Treatment & Community Support | My City Talks
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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…
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Breaking Down Medical Debt: How It Impacts Under-Resourced Communities & Solutions for Change
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DiscussIn this episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis dives deep into the often-overlooked topic of medical debt and how it disproportionately affects under-resourced communities. Corey is joined by Jenifer Bosco, a Senior Attorney at the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) and co-author of the Model Medical Debt Protection A…
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How Air Pollution Took Ella's Life: A Wake-Up Call for Public Health and Climate Justice
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In this powerful episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, Corey Dion Lewis revisits a heartbreaking yet vital story that shines a light on the devastating impact of air pollution on public health. Inspired by his 2022 interview with Marisol Iglesias-Gonzalez on the health impacts of climate change, Corey shares the story of Ella Roberta Kissi-Debrah…
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Prostate Cancer in Black Men: Health Disparities, Early Detection, and Equity with Kris Bennett of Movember
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In this episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis speaks with Kris Bennett, Director of Prostate Cancer Health Equity Initiatives at Movember, about the pressing issue of prostate cancer in Black men. September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and Kris shares key insights on how early detection, increased awareness, and addre…
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Access Denied: The Real Impact of Healthcare Access on Health Disparities
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In this episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis dives deep into the concept of healthcare access and how it drives health disparities. What does it mean to have access to healthcare truly, and how do barriers like cost, location, and cultural competency create massive gaps in health outcomes? We explore the five dimensions of …
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Fighting Childhood Obesity with Coach Melody: Prevention, Nutrition, and Movement
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In this episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis is joined by Coach Melody, President and Chief Wellness Strategist at Unwrap U, to discuss one of the most pressing health issues affecting our youth: childhood obesity. They dive deep into the alarming statistics, practical solutions for families, and the importance of physical …
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