Humans tell stories to make sense of birthing and dying and everything in between. Defining Moments Podcast showcases stories about living well in the midst of inescapable illness, suffering, and hardship. Episodes feature an eclectic group of guests who share moments of uncertainty, innovation, and…
Each year, thousands of premature and vulnerable infants receive the life-sustaining gift of donor breast milk. On this episode of Defining Moments, Dr. Sarah Jones shares how her discovery of human milk banks catalyzed a surprising personal and scholarly journey that continues to this day. Dr. Jones is an Assistant Professor of Organizational Communication in the School of Communication Studies at Ohio University. You can read Dr. Jones' article published in Health Communication at https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2021.1941644
When patient safety scholar Dr. Annegret Hannawa suffers a massive stroke at age 39, her life becomes a case study from her own books. Her journey toward recovery is as surprising as the stroke itself, taking her from the despair of hospital rehabilitation units to joining helicopter rescue missions in the Swiss Alps. On this episode of Defining Moments podcast, Hannawa reflects on stroke recovery and the profound healing capacity of simple acts of communication. Dr. Hannawa is an Associate Professor of Communication Sciences at the University of Lugano. She is also the Founding Director of the Center for the Advancement of Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety. You can read Dr. Hannawa's Defining Moments article in Health Communication at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2021.1994254
Patty Mitchell, Susan Dlouhy, and Tad Semsel of Passion Works Studio join co-host Dr. Lynn Harter to explore the healing potentials of collaborative art and cottage industry employment. The mission of the studio is to inspire and liberate the human spirit through the arts. In living out this mission, the studio has revolutionized societal perceptions of developmental differences, fostered more inclusive communities, and created employment opportunities through a cottage industry model. You can read their article in Health Communication here: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2022.2037863
Asha Winfield, Assistant Professor in the Manship School of Mass Communication at Louisiana State University, joins guest host Dr. Jill Yamasaki to explore her journey as a Black woman scholar with uterine fibroids. Asha gets personal as she reflects on silences in Black families, the myth of the Strong Black Woman, and the importance of representation for envisioning otherwise. She calls for loud healing in scholarship, healthcare, and communities to diversify how we care for and write about Black women and other minoritized individuals with health disparities. You can read the article by Asha Winfield in Health Communication at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2020.1818959 You can view Asha's upcoming documentary on Black experiences with COVID-19 at: https://www.productionsbyasha.com/date
Tiandra Finch, Founder and CEO of Spirit Over Flesh, joins co-hosts Dr. Lynn Harter and Dr. Joe Bianco to explore her journey to heal through words. Spirit Over Flesh prioritizes and supports black women on their wellness journeys. Tiandra gets personal as she reflects on health inequities connected to race, systemic biases amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the role of storytelling and narrative medicine in imagining healthier futures. You can read the article by Tiandra Finch in Health Communication at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2020.1818959
As we enter year three of the COVID-19 pandemic, cases are starting to decline in the U.S. For front-line health care professionals, this is a welcome reprieve from the back-to-back surges caused by Delta and Omicron variants. For the public health workforce, however, there is no respite from the pandemic's demands; the pace of their work is as relentless between surges as during. In this episode of Defining Moments, Dr. Gillian Ice joins co-host Dr. Joe Bianco to talk about her experiences overseeing Ohio University's COVID Operations team. She reflects on the emotional toll of the pandemic on public health workers and shares a hopeful vision for how public health systems can help communities navigate post-pandemic life. Dr. Ice is Special Assistant to the President for Public Health Operations and a Professor of Social Medicine at Ohio University.
Hylie Voss, President of Sugar Bush Foundation Board of Directors, joins co-host Dr. Lynn Harter to explore campus and community partnerships that seek to improve quality of life in Southeastern Appalachian Ohio. Voss highlights projects supporting local agricultural systems and housing security, both of which reveal how the environment and human health are connected.
How does storytelling foster resilience amidst inescapable suffering, trauma, and vulnerability? In this episode, new co-host and co-producer Dr. Joe Bianco joins Dr. Lynn Harter to explore this question and kick-off Season 3 of the Defining Moments Podcast. Listen as two narrative enthusiasts share the role that storytelling plays in their personal and professional lives and enjoy a preview of some of the speakers and topics slated for Season 3. Lynn is a Professor in the School of Communication Studies at Ohio University. Joe is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Medicine at the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Together, they form the leadership team of the Barbara Geralds Institute for Storytelling and Social Impact. You can read the article by Dr. Harter in Health Communication that launched the Defining Moments Series at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410230903242440 You can read a Defining Moments essay by Dr. Joe Bianco also published in Health Communication at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10410236.2010.550023 Finally, you can read an article on Storytelling and Podcasting from Dr. Harter here : https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2018.1517549
How do you reframe a terminal disease as a life-limiting experience? In this episode of Defining Moments, guest host Dr. Erika Kirby speaks with Dr. Chad McBride and Dr. Kathy Miller on how they’ve been co-narrating Chad’s life in the wake of his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. In raw and honest form, Chad reflects on the diagnosis and its impact. Together, Chad and Kathy describe their joint efforts of legacy leaving and memoir writing. Beyond clarifying these narrative endeavors, Chad and Kathy challenge listeners to cherish relationships lost and found. Dr. McBride and Dr. Kirby are Professors in the Department of Communication Studies at Creighton University. Dr. Miller is a retired academician who now writes fiction and nonfiction professionally. You can read more about Dr. McBride’s ALS experiences in Psychology Today at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/medical-humanities-mamas/202008/experiencing-the-unimaginable-dying-and-leaving-your-child
Childbirth is a biological and cultural experience. Birthing practices and women’s experiences of childbirth are shaped by ever-shifting medical practices and societal values and preferences. On this episode of Defining Moments, Dr. Jackie Wolf talks about the intersections between her personal experiences with social birthing and her scholarly work on the history of birthing and breastfeeding practices in the U.S. Dr. Jackie Wolf is Professor in the Department of Social Medicine at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. You can read Dr. Wolf’s article in Health Communication: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2020.1719317
Managing food allergies is a communicative process. In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Bute reflects on her family’s personal experiences with food allergies, and how her personal experiences led her to become a public advocate. She discusses her work with Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), the largest private funder of food allergy research in the U.S. Dr. Bute is an Associate Professor of Communication at IUPUI. You can read Dr. Bute’s work published in Health Communication at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2020.1731779
On this episode of Defining Moments Podcast, Guest Host Dr. Jill Yamasaki talks with Dr. Leandra Hernandez and Dr. Sarah De Los Santos-Upton on how they live out the values of Chicana Feminism in their work as health communication scholars and activists. Leandra and Sarah share reflections on their work on reproductive healthcare at the Mexico-U.S. Border. They challenge listeners to join with Latinx communication scholars and border studies scholars to translate research into practices that can work to change lives. Dr. Hernandez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at Utah Valley University. Dr. Upton is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Texas at El Paso. Dr. Yamasaki is an Associate Professor in the Valenti School of Communication at the University of Houston. You can read Drs. Hernandez and Upton’s work published in Health Communication at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2019.1602819
On this episode of Defining Moments Podcast, Guest Host Dr. Laura Ellingson talks with Dr. Leland Spencer about the vulnerability of storytelling and its emancipatory potential. Spencer challenges systemic barriers that limit opportunities for individuals based on gender and sexual identities, disabilities, and spirituality. The conversation offers a hopeful vision of inclusion and respect in settings that range from coffee shops to college classrooms. Dr. Spencer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Interdisciplinary and Communication Studies and affiliate faculty in the Department of Media, Journalism, and Film and the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program at Miami University. Dr. Ellingson is the Patrick A. Donohoe Professor of Communication and Women’s and Gender Studies at Santa Clara University. You can read Dr. Spencer’s work published in Health Communication at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2019.1598617
Every year over 3 million dogs enter rescue shelters in the U.S. alone. Rescue organizations are short on resources and rely heavily on volunteers. On this episode of Defining Moments, Dr. Jill Yamasaki invites listeners into the trauma-filled world of animal rescue. She reflects on her own journey characterized by both compassion fatigue and resilience. Dr. Yamasaki is an Associate Professor in the Valenti School of Communication at the University of Houston. You can read her story about compassion fatigue and resilience published in Health Communication at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2018.1545337
Communicating about cancer across the natural progression of the disease is challenging and complicated. In this episode, Dr. Wayne Beach reflects on his research about family communication and patient-oncologist communication and the translation of his findings in the form of theatre productions and documentary films. Beach’s work illustrates the power of moving between personal stories and the public expression of those experiences. Dr. Beach is a Professor of Communication at San Diego State University. You can read Dr. Beach’s work published in Health Communication at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2020.1731777
Families play a pivotal role in helping members make sense of mental illness and other health challenges. In this episode, Dr. Kellas invites listeners to consider how the process of family storytelling and the types of stories told can foster and/or disrupt stigma and healing. She offers suggestions for research-informed and narrative-based interventions for individuals, families, and groups. Dr. Kellas is a Professor and Chair of Communication Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. You can read Dr. Kellas’ work published in Health Communication at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2019.1683952 https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2018.1431016
Defining Moments Podcast is hosting multiple episodes about how food communicates and how we communicate about food. On this episode, host Dr. Lynn Harter talks with Dr. Kristen Okamoto and Sonia Ivancic about the unique challenges and possibilities of addressing hunger in rural contexts characterized by high rates of poverty. They discuss their research with justice-oriented organizations that seek to go beyond providing access to food. They offer lessons learned about disrupting narratives of desperation and dependency and fostering narrative resilience. Dr. Okamoto is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at Clemson University. Dr. Sonia Ivancic is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at University of South Florida. You can read Dr. Ivancic’s work published in Health Communication at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2020.1724644 You can read Dr. Okamoto’s work published in Health Communication at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2020.1773706
Defining Moments Podcast is hosting multiple episodes about how food communicates and how we communicate about food. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca de Souza discusses her research on communication processes at food pantries, a primary form of access for those who are food insecure. de Souza invites listeners to consider the limits of charitable organizing as a response to hunger. She urges us to re-imagine food pantries as activist spaces that challenge systemic racism, privilege, and stigma. Dr. de Souza is a Professor in the Department of Communication at University of Minnesota at Duluth. You can read Dr. de Souza’s work published in Health Communication at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10410236.2020.1731778
Childhood cancer is the number 1 disease killer among children in the U.S. Worldwide, a child is diagnosed with cancer every 3 minutes. Behind every statistic are stories. On this episode of Defining Moments, Dr. Joe Bianco talks about his family’s experience with childhood cancer. His professional world collided with his personal one when his 11 year-old son Andrew was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma. Joe reflects on the importance of understanding cancer and its care from a communal perspective. Dr. Joe Bianco is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Medicine at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. You can read an article about childhood cancer activism that includes the Bianco family’s journey published in Health Communication at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10410236.2019.1651624
Shortages of primary care physicians in medically underserved areas are well-documented across the United States. Medical schools are developing curricular innovations to prepare primary care physicians for medical practice in rural and urban underserved communities. On this episode of Defining Moments, Dr. Sharon Casapulla and Dr. Alyssa Gerth talk about the Rural and Urban Scholars Pathways (RUSP) Programs at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OUHCOM). RUSP adopts an asset-driven, place-based, and narrative orientation to the practice of medicine. Its goal is to prepare future physicians to foster inclusive healthcare. Dr. Casapulla is the Director of RUSP and an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Family Medicine and Social Medicine at OUHCOM. Dr. Gerth is a graduate of OUHCOM and RUSP and a resident physician at the Christ Hospital/University of Cincinnati Family Medicine Program. You can read an article about RUSP in an article published in Health Communication at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2020.1712529
Positive Deviance is an approach to public health that flips the script of traditional top-down and deficit-based communication. On this episode of Defining Moments, Dr. Arvind Singhal shares how he has embraced an assets-based, grassroots approach to social change in the midst of natural disasters, disability rights, domestic violence, and family planning. The reach of his work spans numerous countries including Japan, India, the Netherlands, and the U.S. Dr. Singhal is the Samual Shirley and Edna Holt Marston Endowed Professor of Communication and Director of the Social Justice Initiative at the University of Texas at El Paso. Since 2010, he has been the William J. Clinton Distinguished Fellow at the Clinton School of Public Service in Little Rock, Arkansas. You can view follow his TEDx Talk at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-NAvN-PLW0&feature=youtu.be
Humans tell stories to make sense of birthing and dying and everything in between. Defining Moments Podcast showcases stories about living well in the midst of inescapable illness, suffering, and hardship. Season 2 launches on Memorial Day, May 25th, and features an eclectic group of guests who share moments of uncertainty, innovation, and resilience. Host Dr. Lynn Harter draws on twenty years of experience in health contexts to spark conversations that move between personal anecdotes and societal health challenges including food hardship, mental illness, opioid use and abuse, racial health inequalities, cancer care and other complex chronic conditions. Episodes are accompanied by articles published in Health Communication and other online resources. Defining Moments Podcast disrupts the silence that too often surrounds vulnerability, and allows narrators and audiences to imagine new normals.
The Scraps of the Heart Project sponsors creative arts workshops for bereaved parents coping with baby loss and infertility. On this episode of Defining Moments, Dr. Erin Willer shares her personal story and how it informed the development of The Scraps of the Heart Project and its efforts. Dr. Willer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Denver. She is the author of several publications, and has worked with individuals of all ages ranging from elementary school through retirement. You can read Dr. Willer’s recently published article on in Health Communication at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10410236.2018.1550470 To learn more about The Scraps of The Heart Project, visit its website: https://www.scrapsoftheheartproject.com/our-story
Racial inequalities in healthcare are well-documented across the United States. Medical schools are developing curricular innovations to reduce implicit racial bias and other forms of discrimination. On this episode of Defining Moments, Dr. Tracy Shaub talks about the Open Book Project at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. The Open Book Project is based on the principles of narrative medicine and its goal is to foster inclusive healthcare. Dr. Shaub is Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. She has more than twenty years of experience as a practicing physician specializing in geriatric care. You can read an article about the Open Book Project published in Health Communication at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2018.1551302
First responders, crisis communicators, and the general public rely on new media to communicate during natural disasters and in the aftermath. On this episode of Defining Moments, Dr. Keri Stephens shares her personal story as a flood survivor and how it informs her research funded by the National Science Foundation. Her work focuses on new media usage in rescue and evacuation efforts during Hurricane Harvey and in post-disaster recovery. Dr. Keri Stephens is an Associate Professor and a Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin. She has authored dozens of journal articles and two books, and is featured in a TedxTalk. You can read Dr. Stephen’s recently published article on in Health Communication at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10410236.2019.1580995 Her book published Routledge is available at a 20% discounted rate with the code ASFLYQ6 at: https://www.routledge.com/New-Media-in-Times-of-Crisis/Stephens/p/book/9781138570290 You can view follow her team’s work at: https://orgcommtech.org
Athlete safety and concussion injuries are public health concerns. Athletes sometimes conceal injuries or delay disclosure of symptoms to avoid injury treatment protocols. In this episode of Defining Moments, Dr. Alaina Zanin links failure to disclose injuries to sports narratives in the U.S. Dr. Zanin and a team of researchers from the Arizona State University Center for Strategic Communication are partnering with the NCAA and the U.S. Department of Defense in the Mind Matters Challenge. Dr. Zanin and colleagues are developing narrative interventions to change the culture of concussion reporting among college athletes. You can two of Dr. Zanin’s articles on sports narratives in Health Communication at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2019.1587693 https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2019.1598742 You can learn more about the Arizona State University Center for Strategic Communication and its Mind Matters Challenge here: http://csc.asu.edu/projects/
Teenagers experience loss in unique ways and their expressions of grief do not always conform to adults’ expectations. In this episode of Defining Moments, Dr. Stephanie Pangborn reflects on her work with teens coping with the loss of a loved one. From hospital bedsides to campfires, she explores the use of art and family storytelling to help teens grieve and imagine new normals. Dr. Pangborn is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at Clemson University and a Faculty Associate for the Institute of Engaged Aging. She is an award-winning teacher, film producer, and author.
“Why do patients with strong convictions about stopping aggressive care when a cure is no longer possible sometimes then agree to pursue it when it is suggested by their physicians?” asks Dr. Lori Roscoe, a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of South Florida. On this episode of Defining Moments, Dr. Roscoe explores the ethical dilemmas surrounding medically unnecessary care from plastic surgery to aggressive treatment at the end-of-life. You can read two of Dr. Roscoe’s recently published articles in Health Communication at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10410236.2018.1550470 http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/hhth20 Her latest co-book (with Dr. David Schenck) published by Springer is available at a 20% discounted rate with the code bAR5MHyHqm55qyX at: https://www.springer.com/us
The lifecycle of early motherhood is characterized by challenges including infertility, baby loss, post-partum depression, and gaps in healthcare. On this episode of Defining Moments, Dr. Maggie Quinlan and Bethany Johnson historically frame these challenges often intensified by social media. Quinlan and Johnson are award-winning teachers and researchers at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte who have recently published a book by Rutgers University and authored dozens of journal articles. You can read their co-authored article in Health Communication at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2019.1587694 Their book published by Rutgers University is available at a 30% discounted rate with the code 02AAAA17 at: https://bit.ly/2Mmdec0 You can learn more about their ongoing efforts on their website: https://johnsonquinlanresearch.com/
Sheltered workshops refer to rehabilitative and vocational programs for individuals with developmental differences. On this episode of Defining Moments, Patty Mitchell and Susan Dlouhy reflect on their efforts to revolutionize sheltered workshops through the Creative Abundance Model. This model relies on collaborative art programming to foster self-expression, create employment opportunities, and build inclusive communities. Patty is the Founder and Executive Director and Susan is the Director of Operations for Passion Works, a community arts center located in Athens, Ohio. You can read Patty and Susan’s Health Communication article at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2019.1596868 Their book published by Swallow Hills/Ohio University Press is available at a 20% discounted rate with the code PODCAST on the Passion Works website: https://www.passionworks.org/ They are featured in the documentary Creative Abundance available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HMGjsH
Americans’ use of social media is on the rise as are their levels of stress, anxiety, and loneliness. On this episode of Defining Moments, Dr. Sarah Tracy discusses the importance of face-to-face conversation as it relates to individuals’ physical and mental health. She argues that humans’ capacity to respond compassionately to others’ suffering is key to individual well-being and the vibrancy of community life. Dr. Sarah Tracy is the Herberger Professor in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University. She is an award-winning teacher and researcher whose work focuses on emotion, identity, compassion, and work-life wellness. You can read Dr. Tracy’s recently published article conversation, compassion, and social connections in Health Communication at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10410236.2018.1550470 Her latest book can be ordered on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Qualitative-Research-Methods-Collecting-Communicating/dp/1119390788/ref=dp_ob_title_bk Check out her YouTube channel on qualitative research methods: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs650R3zTPitGjT2GuqUGuw
Virtual visits can increase access to specialized medicine without overburdening care providers. On this episode of Defining Moments, Dr. Pete Anderson reflects on his use of telemedicine to develop therapeutic alliances with cancer patients and families. Dr. Anderson is an oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic Pediatrics Institute, and a professor at the Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University. His team’s approach to caring for young cancer patients involves facilitating outpatient care with fewer side effects of therapy. He has published over 13- peer reviewed journal articles. You can view a short digital film that features Dr. Pete and his use of virtual visits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xA8H5aVbME You can read Dr. Pete’s recently published article on virtual visits in Health Communication at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10410236.2019.1587695 He also is featured in the documentary The Art of the Possible: https://amzn.to/2YY76I2
Scientific advancements in the detection and treatment of cancer have improved survival rates. Even so, long term survivors of cancer face emotional, physical, and cognitive challenges in the aftermath of treatment. On this episode of Defining Moments, Dr. Laura Ellingson shares her personal story of cancer survivorship and how it informs her work with the American Cancer Society. Dr. Ellingson is the Patrick A. Donohoe Professor of Communication and Women’s and Gender Studies at Santa Clara University. She is the author of three award-winning books, and dozens of journal articles and book chapters. You can read Dr. Ellingson’s recently published article on cancer survivorship in Health Communication at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10410236.2018.1550470 Her latest book published by Routledge is available at a 20% discounted rate with the code IRK71 at: https://www.routledge.com/Embodiment-in-Qualitative-Research/Ellingson/p/book/9781629582313 Dr. Ellingson also journals about long term cancer survivorship on her blog Realistically Ever After: https://realisticallyeverafter.blog
Humans tell stories to make sense of birthing and dying and everything in between. Defining Moments Podcast showcases stories about living well in the midst of inescapable illness, suffering, and hardship. Episodes feature an eclectic group of guests who share moments of uncertainty, innovation, and resilience. Host Dr. Lynn Harter draws on twenty years of experience in health contexts to spark conversations that move between personal anecdotes and societal health challenges. Each segment is accompanied by articles published in Health Communication and other online resources. Defining Moments Podcast disrupts the silence that too often surrounds vulnerability, and allows narrators and audiences to imagine new normals. Look for our first episode to launch June 2019.
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