In this first episode of our two part series on yoga and addiction, we sit down with Noelle, a trauma informed yoga teacher who leads Recovery Yoga in Iowa City. Her work brings movement, breath, and community into addiction treatment settings, creating a space where people can reconnect with their bodies and experience healing without judgment. Host Lauren, a yoga teacher of nine years, reflects on attending one of Noelle’s Tuesday night classes and witnessing firsthand how intentionally crafted the environment is. The conversation explores Noelle’s path into yoga, the experiences that shaped her interest in addiction and trauma, and the unique role yoga can play for individuals in recovery. Listeners will hear about what yoga looks like inside treatment programs, why safety and choice are essential, and how even simple practices like breathwork can begin to shift long standing patterns of disconnection. Part Two continues next week with a deeper look at trauma, healing, and long term recovery through yoga. Link to Recovery yoga class information: https://www.resurrectionassembly.com/recovery A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-yoga-in-recovery-reconnecting-mind-body-and-community-part-1/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected] You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #yoga #mindbodyconnection #community #trauma #healing #addiction #recovery #addictiontreatment #therapy

How we talk to older adults matters more than we think. In this episode of Plugged into Public Health, host Lauren Lavin talks with Dr. Claire Shaw, assistant professor at the University of Iowa College of Nursing, about her research on dementia care and the communication patterns that shape it. Dr. Shaw explains what elderspeak is, why it often appears in caregiving settings, and how even well-meaning speech can unintentionally trigger stress, confusion, or care refusal in people living with dementia. Drawing from her work in nursing homes and hospitals, Dr. Shaw breaks down how communication can influence patient behavior, why certain caregiving habits persist, and how small changes in tone, wording, and approach can lead to better outcomes. She also shares practical tools for both healthcare professionals and families who want to communicate more respectfully and effectively with loved ones experiencing cognitive decline. This conversation offers a thoughtful look at the intersection of language, dignity, and care, and it highlights how awareness and intention can meaningfully improve the experiences of older adults and their caregivers. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-understanding-elderspeak-in-dementia-care-with-dr-claire-shaw/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected] You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #elderspeak #dementia #dementiacare #cognitivedecline #nursing #caregiver #communication #aging #olderadults #patientcare

In this episode, Lauren talks with second year MHA students Hayden Malven and Gracie Petersen about their summer internships and the lessons they carried forward from those experiences. Hayden spent her summer working in finance and service line strategy at University of Iowa Health Care, while Gracie completed an operations internship at UNC Children’s in North Carolina. They share how they chose their placements, what surprised them once they arrived, and how stepping into real health systems helped them connect classroom theory with day to day leadership challenges. The conversation covers everything from navigating uncertainty on large projects to discovering leadership styles they admire and hope to emulate. Hayden reflects on gaining confidence through early trust from her preceptor and finding meaning in work she never expected to enjoy. Gracie describes the value of being welcomed into a leadership culture that views interns as contributors and how intentional mentorship shaped her understanding of effective operations. Together, they offer thoughtful advice to first year students preparing for their own searches and a grounded look at how internships help future healthcare leaders grow. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-inside-the-mha-summer-internship-experience/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected] You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #healthmanagement #healthadministration #MHA #internships #leadership #mentorship #continuingeducation #graduatedegree

In recognition of National Injury Prevention Day on November 18, this episode takes a closer look at pediatric agricultural injuries and what prevention looks like in real farm communities. Host Lauren sits down with Dr. Jenna Gibbs from the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital and Libby Richie from the Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health to discuss the risks children face on farms, how those risks develop, and the practical steps families can take to keep kids safe. Dr. Gibbs and Libby share years of experience in injury prevention, farm safety, and youth agricultural work guidelines. Together they break down why falls, lawnmower incidents, and ATV crashes remain leading causes of severe injury for kids, why certain tasks are not safe until age ten or older, and how parents can balance tradition with evidence based safety practices. Learn more about National Injury Prevention Day at nationalinjurypreventionday.org. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-national-injury-prevention-day-and-pediatric-farm-safety/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected] You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #nationalinjurypreventionday #injuryprevention #safety #pediatricsafety #farmsafety #childsafety #agriculturalhealth #GreatPlainsCenter #evidencebased #safetypractices

In this second episode of our two-part series on trade and economics, Plugged into Public Health host Lauren Lavin continues her conversation with Dr. Anne Villamil, professor of economics at the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business. Dr. Villamil breaks down what tariffs really mean, such as who pays for them, how they influence industries like manufacturing and agriculture, and why trade wars can have lasting effects on local communities. She also explains how tariffs tie into larger issues like global competition with China, inequality in the U.S., and the challenge of making sound policy in a changing world. This episode offers a clear, accessible look at how economics, politics, and public health intersect, and why thoughtful trade policy matters for everyone. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-understanding-global-trade-and-tariffs-with-dr-anne-villamil-part-2/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected] You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #globaltrade #tariffs #trade #internationaltrade #economics #politics #policies #tradewars #healthcare

Trade policies shape everything from the price of goods to the stability of global economies, but how do they actually work? In part one of this two-part series, Plugged into Public Health host Lauren Lavin sits down with Dr. Anne Villamil, professor of economics at the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business, to unpack the history and complexity of international trade. Dr. Villamil shares her experience working at the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office in Washington, D.C., and explains how trade institutions like the World Bank and World Trade Organization came to exist after World War II. Together, they explore how trade agreements are negotiated, what lessons past trade wars can teach us, and why tariffs are back in the spotlight today. Tune in next week for part two, where Dr. Villamil breaks down how tariffs work in the modern U.S. economy. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-understanding-global-trade-and-tariffs-with-dr-anne-villamil-part-1/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected] You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #globaltrade #tariffs #trade #internationaltrade #economics #politics #policies #tradewars #healthcare

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world, but why? In this episode of Plugged In to Public Health, host Maxwell Hanson talks with Dr. Patrick Sinn, a pediatric pulmonologist and researcher at the University of Iowa, whose work has reshaped how scientists understand measles transmission. Dr. Sinn’s lab made a surprising discovery that challenged decades of assumptions about how the virus infects airway cells, revealing new insights into why measles spreads so efficiently. Together, they explore what makes measles different from other respiratory viruses, how vaccine hesitancy has fueled recent outbreaks, and why effective communication remains a cornerstone of public health. Dr. Sinn also shares how moments of unexpected results in research can lead to major scientific breakthroughs. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-the-science-of-measles-and-what-makes-it-so-contagious/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected] You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #contagions #contagiousdiseases #pediatrics #vaccines #pediatrician #healthcare #pulmonology #community #personalchoice #evidence #research

Ticks, mosquitoes, and climate change are shaping the future of infectious disease and public health. In this episode, host Lauren Lavin talks with Dr. Kathryn Dalton, a veterinarian turned researcher and assistant professor at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, about the rise of vector borne diseases. Dr. Dalton explains how environmental changes are expanding the reach of ticks and mosquitoes, what that means for both people and pets, and how the One Health approach connects human, animal, and environmental well-being. Together, they explore simple ways to prevent exposure, why farmers and outdoor workers face unique risks, and how collaboration across disciplines can help protect communities from emerging health threats. It is a reminder that public health begins in the spaces we live, work, and play every day. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-understanding-vector-borne-disease-with-dr-kathryn-dalton/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected] You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #research #environmentalhealth #iowacity #ticks #mosquitoes #OneHealth #animalhealth #vectorborne #airborne #epidemiology #parasites

When a mumps outbreak hits a small progressive school in Berkeley, California, parents who once agreed on everything find themselves suddenly divided. Eureka Day, a play by Jonathan Spector, uses humor and heart to explore the messy intersection of personal choice, public health, and community trust. In this episode of Plugged into Public Health, we talk with Kathleen Johnson, Director of Outreach and Education at Riverside Theatre and the director of Eureka Day in Iowa City. Kathleen shares how the production connects with real-world public health issues—especially vaccine hesitancy and communication across different beliefs—and why theater can sometimes say what data alone can’t. From PTA politics to social media comment sections, this conversation dives into how we navigate disagreement, how empathy shapes public dialogue, and what it means to keep communities healthy and connected. Show link: https://riversidetheatre.org/eurekaday/ A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-when-public-health-takes-the-stage/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected] You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #riverside #theatre #iowacity #vaccines #healthcare #outbreaks #community #personalchoice #evidence #misinformation #politics

Pregnancy pain is common, often dismissed, and rarely easy to manage. At the same time, recent headlines have stirred anxiety by suggesting that acetaminophen (Tylenol) use in pregnancy may be linked to autism. These claims spread quickly online, leaving many parents-to-be with more questions than answers. In this episode of Plugged into Public Health, host Lauren Lavin talks with Dr. Julie Vignato, assistant professor at the University of Iowa College of Nursing and a leading researcher on pain in pregnancy. Dr. Vignato brings both professional expertise and personal insight as a mother, helping us unpack what the science actually says, where misinformation creeps in, and how healthcare providers and public health communicators can share clearer messages. Topics discussed include: -Why pregnancy pain is too often under-treated and misunderstood -What the evidence shows about acetaminophen and NSAIDs during pregnancy -How a large Swedish “sibling study” helps rule out Tylenol as a cause of autism -The role of maternal guilt, stigma, and communication in shaping these conversations -Practical advice for both pregnant people and healthcare providers navigating pain management -How to identify trustworthy evidence and avoid misinformation online Resources mentioned in this episode: -Swedish sibling study on acetaminophen and autism: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2817406 -Cochrane Library – Plain language reviews: https://www.cochrane.org/evidence -Dr. Vignato’s study on OTC pain relievers during pregnancy: https://pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/37365704/ A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-tylenol-pain-in-pregnancy/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected] You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #pregnancy #autism #pain #painmanagement #healthcare #acetaminophen #NSAIDs #maternalhealth #evidence #misinformation

Part 2: Care-giving, Innovation, and Lessons from Older Adults: what does it take to age well in practice—and what can younger generations learn from those who’ve gone before us? In Part Two, we continue our conversation with Jennifer Jones and Angela Charsha-Harney to look at the realities of care-giving, promising practices like age-friendly health systems, and the power of inter-generational connection. You’ll hear stories from the nonprofit thinkJOY, lessons Jennifer and Angela have learned from working closely with older adults, and reflections on why joy, dignity, and storytelling are vital for public health. This episode is packed with insights for anyone—whether you’re caring for aging parents, thinking about your own future, or curious about how public health can shape healthier communities for all ages. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-aging-joy-and-changing-the-narrative-part-2/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected] You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #aging #joy #thinkjoy #csomaycenter #gerontology #connection #preparedness #personalhealth #mentalhealth