CPH 18 — Self-Love, Representation, and Advocacy: A Conversation with Dr. Ericka Horne
Release Date: 08/19/2025
CPH 42 — Strong Boundaries and Women’s Health in the Soft Life Era: A Conversation with Dr. Zupenda Davis
Courageous Public Health
In this episode, Dr. Zupenda Davis shares what it looks like to choose yourself — in your work, your relationships, and your health. From setting boundaries that protect her peace to speaking openly about women’s health and menopause, Dr. Davis brings a vision of public health that centers the whole person. This is a conversation about courage, freedom, and what becomes possible when women stop shrinking and start naming what they need. Meet Dr. Zupenda Davis Dr. Zupenda Davis is the Assistant Vice President of Student Health and Wellness at Stockton University, where she has strategic...
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CPH 41 — Pull Up a Chair: A Conversation with Indya Hairston
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In this episode of the Courageous Public Health Podcast, Indya Hairston—Johns Hopkins DrPH student, founder of Community Speaks Consulting, and advocate for Black women’s reproductive and maternal health—shares how courage defined her pivotal year of 2023. She talks about moving across the country for a fresh start, applying to only one doctoral program because it aligned with her purpose, quitting a stable nonprofit job to launch her consulting firm without guaranteed income, and choosing faith over fear at every step. Indya reflects on taking up space as a Black woman in environments...
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CPH 40 — Purpose, Possibility, and Black Men’s Health: A Conversation with Dr. Krista Mincey
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In this episode of the Courageous Public Health Podcast, Dr. Krista Mincey—public health professor, researcher on Black men’s health, and daughter and granddaughter of first-generation college students and rural Southern farmers—shares how courage has shaped both her life and her work. She talks about picking up and moving across states alone to say yes to opportunities that scared her, walking away from relationships that didn’t honor her worth even when it meant letting go of deeply held dreams, and learning when to stay quiet to survive a system and when to use her voice to protect...
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CPH 39 — Finding Your Happy and Your Health: A Conversation with Ashley Carter, MS, RD, LDN
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In this episode of the Courageous Public Health Podcast, Ashley Carter, MS, RD, LDN—registered dietitian, co-founder of Eat Well Exchange, and unapologetic foodie—shares how courage has shaped her path from youngest child to first in her family to leave home for college, and from secure government job to full-time nonprofit founder. She talks about building Eat Well Exchange to teach communities how to eat healthy with cultural foods that feel like home, and what it took to trust herself enough to “let the boats get close” and finally make the leap. Ashley also reflects on what it...
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CPH 38 — Courage in the Questions: A Conversation with Dr. Sandte Stanley
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In this episode of the Courageous Public Health Podcast, Dr. Sandte Stanley—public health scientist, sociologist, and founder of Atlas Collaborative Consulting Network—shares how courage has guided every step of her journey. She talks about discovering public health through an ACES internship, navigating personal loss during graduate school, and later earning a PhD in sociology so she could ask the structural questions that public health can sometimes overlook. She also reflects on how her identity as a Black and Native woman shapes her experience in professional spaces—where her...
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CPH 37 — What This Year Taught Me About Courage: A Solo Episode with Dr. Kristi McClamroch
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In this episode, as we wrap up 2025, Dr. McClamroch reflects on what this year’s conversations have revealed about courage in public health — and what that means for her work with women leaders and organizations. Because if this year taught her anything, it’s that courage isn’t optional anymore — it’s part of how we change the landscape of public health. Conversation Highlights Seeing Courage in Real Time — Dr. McClamroch reflects on the moment guests begin to recognize their own courage during interviews, and how that shift opens something powerful in them. The Patterns Behind...
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CPH 36 — From First-Gen to Trailblazer: A Conversation with Dr. Maram Museitif
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In this episode, Dr. Maram Museitif shares what it means to be a first-generation college graduate, a Palestinian American public health doctor, and the “empathy princess” in systems that weren’t built for her. She talks about fighting for the chance to go to college, becoming the first doctor in her family, and then watching her sister, niece, and cousins follow—turning one act of courage into generational change. She also speaks honestly about being a visibly Palestinian, hijab-wearing woman in predominantly white spaces—about being misjudged before she even speaks, even being...
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CPH 35 — Do It Scared: A Conversation with Dr. Bertha Hidalgo
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In this insightful and resonant conversation, Dr. Bertha Hidalgo—epidemiologist, associate dean, president-elect of the American College of Epidemiology, and multi-hyphenate creative—shares what it means to “do it scared.” She talks about building a fashion and lifestyle platform while hiding her identity, navigating academic spaces as a Latina scientist, and learning to step into courage even when her voice shakes. Dr. Hidalgo reflects on becoming a trusted public health communicator during COVID-19, bridging the gap between evidence and community, and redefining what it means...
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CPH 34 — From Breakdown to Breakthrough: A Conversation with Keylynne Matos-Cunningham, MPH, M Ed, LPC-A
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CPH 33 — Boundaries, Belief, and Becoming: A Conversation with Dr. Janelle Taveras
Courageous Public Health
In this heartfelt and powerful episode, Dr. Janelle Taveras shares how courage, faith, and self-worth have shaped her journey as a public health professional, evaluator, empowerment coach, and mother. She speaks candidly about learning to honor her value in toxic systems, choosing boundaries over burnout, and embracing her full identity—rather than watering herself down to fit into spaces not built to receive her. Dr. Taveras also reflects on integrating her faith, her purpose, and her passion for uplifting others into a life that feels whole, aligned, and authentically hers. Before we jump...
info_outlineIn this authentic and inspiring conversation, Dr. Ericka Horne shares how courage, self-love, and faith have shaped her journey as a Black woman in public health. From boldly shaving her hair as an act of personal liberation to standing up against injustice in the workplace, she reflects on the moments that called her to take action despite fear—and how those moments continue to fuel her purpose today.
Dr. Horne invites us into her story of modeling as a plus-size woman, where she champions body positivity and helps young women embrace self-love at every stage of life. She also speaks to the power of preparation, self-knowledge, and faith as tools for navigating spaces that don’t always welcome Black women’s leadership.
Meet Dr. Ericka Horne
Dr. Ericka Horne is a public health consultant who is passionate about faith-based partnerships. She holds a DrPH from Florida A & M University, and an MPH from Benedictine University. She has certificates in Health Education & Promotion and Epidemiology.
Dr. Horne is the Founder and CEO of Ackire Consulting. Though she serves on several national and local boards, most of her time is spent volunteering and mentoring within her community. Dr. Horne uses her platform to engage others in prioritizing self-care, education, and most importantly, their health.
As a Certified Health Education Specialist, she spends her time providing health education to the community and through Akcire Consulting, she assists with program planning and evaluation for Non-profits, Faith Based Organizations (FBOs), and underrepresented and Caribbean populations.
Listen To This Episode of The Courageous Public Health Podcast
Conversation Highlights
- Courage as Personal Liberation – Dr. Horne reflects on how boldly shaving and coloring her hair became a transformative act of courage that helped her embrace freedom and authenticity in new ways.
- Modeling for Self-Love and Representation – She shares her journey as a plus-size model advocating for body positivity and inspiring young women to love themselves fully, in every season of life.
- Advocating in the Workplace – Dr. Horne describes standing up to workplace injustice, learning to advocate for herself effectively, and using that experience to help others advocate for their health and dignity.
- Power Through Authenticity and Faith – She explains how knowing herself, leaning into her faith, and surrounding herself with supportive people helped her embody her power in spaces not always built for Black women.
- Preparation as a Form of Courage – Dr. Horne emphasizes the importance of being ready for opportunities, even when they aren’t immediately available—and the courage it takes to keep preparing despite setbacks.
- A Vision for Health as a Right – She shares her vision for a future where health is universally accessible, Black women continue leading change, and public health work centers equity, dignity, and well-being for all.
“Once I knew me, I knew me—and no one could tell me who I was because I knew who I was.” — Dr. Ericka Horne
Stay In Touch:
Dr. Ericka Horne on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericka-horne/
Dr. Kristi McClamroch on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-mcclamroch/
www.CourageousPublicHealth.com
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