CPH 28 – Courage Feeds Courage: A Conversation with Mully Chea, MSHI
Release Date: 10/28/2025
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...
info_outlineCourageous Public Health
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...
info_outlineCourageous Public Health
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...
info_outlineCourageous Public Health
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...
info_outlineCourageous Public Health
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...
info_outlineCourageous Public Health
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...
info_outlineCourageous Public Health
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...
info_outlineCourageous Public Health
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...
info_outlineCourageous Public Health
In this raw and deeply honest conversation, Keylynne Matos-Cunningham, MPH, M Ed, LPC-A—licensed trauma therapist, former public health professional, and dance-loving entrepreneur—shares how walking away from a “dream” racial justice/public health role became an act of survival. She traces her path from burnout, workplace trauma, and suicidal ideation to rebuilding her life as a trauma therapist, integrating EMDR and brainspotting, and reclaiming her lived experience as a clinical superpower. Along the way, she offers a sharp public health lens on racism, complex trauma,...
info_outlineCourageous 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_outlineMully Chea, MSHI, is a first-generation Cambodian-American, the first in her family to graduate college, and now a mom to a lively toddler. In this episode, she shares how encouragement from loved ones gave her the courage to move alone to a new city, how each brave step fueled the next, and how she’s learning to balance motherhood with a demanding career. From teaching herself English with Sesame Street to championing education for immigrant communities, Mully shows us that courage often begins with believing in yourself—and grows into a force that shapes families and futures.
Meet Mully Chea, MSHI
Mully Chea, MSHI, is a first-generation Cambodian-American, born and raised in West Philadelphia. She is a proud Temple Alumni. Mully is passionate about education, child and maternal health, minority health, and nutrition. She is deeply rooted in the community and uses her background in Public Health and Information Technology to help others.
Listen To This Episode of The Courageous Public Health Podcast
Conversation Highlights
- Leap of Faith: Mully shares how moving alone to a new city—leaving behind friends and family—pushed her to trust herself and discover new courage.
- Courage Feeds Courage: Reflects on how that first bold move built her confidence to keep taking brave steps in both career and life.
- Motherhood & Grace: Talks candidly about the challenges of balancing career ambitions with being a new mom, and the ongoing practice of giving herself grace.
- Power of Encouragement: Highlights how the support of a few trusted voices helped her push past fear—and how she now aims to be that voice for others.
- Education as Transformation: From teaching herself English with Sesame Street to becoming the first in her family to earn two degrees, she champions education as a powerful equalizer.
- Choosing Community with Intention: Shares the importance of surrounding herself with people who inspire and uplift her—and being that example for others, especially first-generation immigrants.
“I had to teach myself English with Sesame Street. Education became the foundation no one could ever take away.” — Mully Chea, MSHI
Stay In Touch:
Mully Chea on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mullychea5/
Dr. Kristi McClamroch on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-mcclamroch/
www.CourageousPublicHealth.com
Subscribe to Weekly Courageous Public Health Podcast Updates - http://eepurl.com/jcgQv6
**Remember to Like the Episode, Subscribe, and Leave a Review!**
Public Health Consulting To Support You
We partner with public health, healthcare, nonprofit, philanthropic, and government organizations to design workshops and facilitated sessions that help women leaders recognize, strengthen, and intentionally use courage as a leadership skill — especially in times of uncertainty, burnout, and systems under strain.
If your organization would benefit from this kind of support, we’d love to connect. Reach out on LinkedIn or on our website!