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’s accessible, affordable tools are transforming the way providers reach patients—no broadband required.We explore why oral health must be recognized as a core social driver of health, the connection between oral disease and chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes, and the ripple effects that poor access to dental care can have on individuals, families, and the economy. Pam also offers valuable insights for health tech innovators on how to build equity into products from the ground up.📌 Sponsored by GRIN – Learn more at https://www.get-grin.com/Shownotes: 00:00 – Introduction & Welcome 00:45 – Meet Pam Orrin & the GRIN Mission 03:15 – Why Oral Health is Overlooked in Health Tech 06:35 – The Global Oral Health Crisis 09:00 – Early GRIN Impact Stories in Underserved Communities 12:20 – The Link Between Oral Health & Full Body Health 14:30 – Why Oral Health is a Social Determinant of Health 17:10 – Economic & Social Ripple Effects of Poor Oral Care 19:40 – Absenteeism, Malnutrition, and Hidden Impacts 23:30 – Building Equity into Product Design 25:15 – Serving Digitally Excluded Communities 26:40 – Measuring Equity, Efficiency & Behavioral Change 31:20 – Reducing Health System Burden 34:10 – Making Care Efficient for Patients & Providers 36:05 – Uplifting Communities Through Health Technology 38:25 – The Future of Digital Oral Health 43:20 – Advice for Health Tech Innovators 44:12 – How to Connect with GRIN 46:52 – Closing Thoughts

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, accountability, and connection that drive public health outcomes for Black communities.They also explore the myth of “Iowa Nice,” why storytelling personalizes health data, and how public health can’t be a one-and-done conversation. This episode is personal, rooted, and full of real takeaways.🎟️ Register for My City My Health Des Moines (Nov 14): https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/my-city-my-health-des-moines--2025—Show Notes:00:00 – Intro: Why This Conversation Matters01:10 – Abena’s Roots and Love for Des Moines03:00 – What Civic Engagement Means06:45 – Showing Up, Boards, and Community Work10:15 – Fundraising, Bake Sales, and Local Impact12:30 – The Bike Lane Analogy & Marginalized Communities15:00 – Deconstructing “Iowa Nice” and Accountability19:40 – Public Health Is Personal22:00 – Storytelling that Humanizes Data25:30 – Stephen’s Story: Prostate Cancer in the Black Community28:40 – Abena’s Work: Sankofa Group, Substack, Podcast33:30 – Final Thoughts + Conference PreviewFollow Abena: 🌐 https://www.abenasankofa.com 📰 The Imhotep Report on Substack 🎙️ Black and Privileged in America PodcastSubscribe to My City Talks for more real conversations at the intersection of health, equity, and community.

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 treatment system, Stacy shares the challenges and lessons of navigating systemic racism, healthcare disparities, and the politicization of equity work.Together, they explore how cultural humility, lived experience, and community input must shape our systems of care, and why staying committed to the work matters now more than ever.Follow and subscribe to The Healthy Project Podcast for more conversations that push health equity forward.🔗 For health information and resources, visit: www.healthyproject.co📌 Shownotes: 00:00 – Welcome and intro to Stacy Wells 01:10 – Stacy’s shift from PR to education to public health 03:45 – Minnesota’s persistent disparities in education and health 06:30 – The intersection of youth education and healthcare systems 09:15 – Supporting individuals with complex behavioral health needs 13:30 – Why cultural humility matters in direct care 18:00 – Including lived experience in designing care 22:15 – When community feedback challenges systems 28:00 – Speaking truth in professional spaces 30:50 – DEI backlash and its toll 36:15 – Holding space for joy and rest as a Black woman in the work 42:00 – Why staying curious and connected is key 43:30 – Final thoughts and how to connect with Stacy Wells

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, and real solutions — from the 14 modifiable risk factors to the upcoming Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Des Moines.Whether you're a caregiver, a healthcare provider, or just someone who wants to understand the impact of dementia better, this conversation is for you.Show Notes: 0:00 – Welcome to My City Talks 1:05 – Meet Jessica & Keisha from the Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter 2:12 – What gets them up in the morning 3:30 – Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s explained 4:55 – The current state of Alzheimer’s in Iowa 6:15 – The hidden burden on caregivers 8:00 – Why early detection makes all the difference 10:40 – The stigma in Black and rural communities 13:10 – How the healthcare system can do better 14:55 – 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia (2024 Lancet Study) 19:00 – Why sleep, exercise, and connection matter 21:10 – The Walk to End Alzheimer’s – what it is and why it matters 25:30 – How to get involved, register, and support 28:50 – Encouragement for caregivers and families 30:15 – Resources and contact infoResources Mentioned:Alzheimer’s Association Iowa: https://www.alz.org/iowaWalk to End Alzheimer’s: https://act.alz.org24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900Hosted by Corey Dion Lewis | My City My Health We are a community on a mission — and the mission is just getting started. 🎟️ Register now for the My City My Health Des Moines event at www.mycity.health

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 communities. Sr. Mary offers expert insight into what these changes could mean for access to care, the healthcare workforce, and the moral responsibility we share in supporting those who are vulnerable. This is a timely and vital conversation about healthcare, equity, and advocacy.📌 Show Notes:Introduction to Sister Mary Haddad and her role at CHA (00:33)Overview of Medicaid and why it's essential (02:48)Details on proposed funding cuts and their potential impact (04:50)The urgency of the moment and why it matters now (08:51)Who is most at risk from these changes (10:53)Consequences for emergency rooms and healthcare access (12:23)Discussion on work requirements and policy misconceptions (13:07)Effects on state governments and local economies (15:30)Broader societal impact beyond Medicaid recipients (16:30)Consequences for healthcare providers and Catholic health systems (19:13)CHA’s advocacy efforts and how citizens can get involved (23:44)A message of hope and community resilience (27:36)Where to learn more and take action (29:48)