Here's the Problem

The Teen Think Tank Project's 2022 Winter Research Cohort hosts their Policy Framework Launch Party to discuss the current state of the American Healthcare System. Our nine exceptional high school change agents conduct an in-depth analysis of the issues preventing meaningful healthcare reform in our country. Kimia Shahriyar, Avantika Malla, Moksh Patwari, Riya Mehta, Vaanya Salwan, Leyla Tiryaki, Jeyven Chhina, Gianna Grasso, and Keara Field discuss the economic, social, and legal impediments that have created a healthcare system that values profits over patients. In the season finale, the cohort not only gives us something to think about, as it relates to creating a more equitable healthcare system...they give us action items we can take to ensure that the basic human right of healthcare is attainable for all.

On this week's podcast we take a sneak peek into the inner workings of our Health Equity Research Cohort's work on access to care in America.  For the past three months, the research associates have been exploring the impediments inherent in the American healthcare system.  Through their conversations with many thought leaders, educators and advocates, the cohort learned that economic and social conditions overwhelmingly influence the differences in health status for individuals and groups, otherwise known as social determinants of health.  First, Valerie White, who is the Community Impact Manager for Health at United Way of the Plains joins the cohort to lay out the basic definition of health status and social determinants of health.   Then, Dr. Laura Haselden, an emergency room physician and co-founder  of IMPACT In Healthcare, walks the group through a very engaging discussion on social determinants in action by examining the social, environmental, and economical influences that are affecting healthcare outcomes from members of society.   Finally, Dr. Ruthann Russo, Associate Professor at Kean University, talks about the existential threat to healthcare as laid out by the American Medical Association.     These conversations offer valuable lessons about healthcare in America. Enjoy…

Teen Think Tank Project Co-Founder Matt DeSantis sat down with thought leaders and researchers back in January to talk about the economic, social, and political impediments that shape our societal response to the pandemic.   Matt is joined by Dr. Stacy Wood, the Langdon Distinguished University Professor of Marketing at North Carolina State who discusses Project Warp Speed in terms of “product roll out” and how society's response to the vaccine compares to its acceptance of other market innovations.   Matt then chats with Dr. Carl Latkin, the VICE CHAIR of the DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, BEHAVIOR, AND SOCIETY at Johns Hopkins University.  Dr. Latkin discusses the concept of vaccine hesitancy and what young change agents can do to help communicate with those who refuse to accept scientific advancement and dispel misinformation.   Finally, Scientific America Associate Editor and journalist Tanya Lewis talks about her experience reporting on the social impediments affecting Black and LatinX people's ability to receive equitable access to the COVID Vaccine.  

Dr. Erin O'Neill is an Assistant Professor of Public Health Education in the Health Sciences Department at New Jersey City University.  Dr. O'Neill's is a 2021 Fellow with the National Leadership Academy for Public Health (CDC). As a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES), she serves as a consultant to government and community health organizations for programmatic strategies to alleviate health disparities and to promote health justice and equity. She joins the podcast to explore the social and cultural aspect of public health and access to care.  We talk about the important role the community plays in crafting healthcare policy, the systemically rooted issues that create obstacles to health equity, and how policy and education work hand in hand.

Today Somerset County (New Jersey) Commissioner Sara Sooy joins the podcast to talk about the impediments constituents face in accessing care, even in the digital age.  We also explore the logistical challenges policymakers contend with to provide solutions and how the partnership between public and private entities is important to overcoming these challenges, especially during the pandemic.  We end on a high note with the possibly of finding a solution to health equity at the intersection of capitalism and coverage.  Enjoy!

New Jersey is known as the capital of the pharmaceutical industry; and Somerset County, which is where Bridgewater Township is located, is its epicenter.  Sharing his insights as the mayor of a town with major pharmaceutical companies, Bridgewater Matthew Moench joins the podcast to explore the intersection of politics and healthcare. We talk about how the healthcare debate, especially around phama, impacts local and federal elections, leading a community through covid and the importance of local politics.

Matthew is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Approved Clinical Supervisor in the state of New Jersey. He is the Director of Field Placement and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Professional Counseling at Monmouth University. His current research focus is on ethical disparities in the treatment of affectional and gender minorities. Today Matt joins the podcast to explore the cultural and psychological impediments to health equity

To explore the intersection of agriculture and healthcare, we're talking to Helen Labun. Helen is the program manager for the Food Access and Healthcare Consortium, which works to integrate food and healthcare in Vermont.  Helen's background spans economics, public policy and even the restaurant industry!  With all of this experience, Helen highlights how food access and agriculture integrate with healthcare, the challenges of rural access to care and how access to healthy foods is the responsibility of multiple industries, not just healthcare.  

Gillian Gmitter is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Virginia. She is the Assistant Program Manager for one of the State's Community Service's Board Adult Behavioral Health Same Day Access Unit.  She currently sits on the Marcus alert response planning team for her local jurisdiction and has specialized leadership training in Racial Equity. Gillian is helping us dive deep into the mental health component of health equity and access to care.  We talk about  how to provide services to people who already have a hard time accessing care in the community, breaking down stigmas surrounding mental health and transforming behavioral healthcare in Virginia.  Enjoy!

Dr. Marc Hurlbert, a pharmacologist by training, serves as Chief Science Officer for the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) where he guides scientific strategy, forges collaborations, and oversees the $10-million annual international grants program. Marc is a nonprofit leader for over 20 years, advancing biomedical research and programs to reduce or eliminate health disparities.  Today, he joins the podcast to discuss the roll of nonprofits in the healthcare delivery system, bias in healthcare, and disparities when it comes to accessing care.  

Today we're jumping into the pharmaceutical industry with Phil DeSantis. Phil brings over fifty years of executive experience with firms such as Merck, Squibb and J&J. He is also the past Chair of the Parenteral Drug Association Science Advisory Board and is active in the International society for pharmaceutical engineering. He has published numerous articles, technical reports and books in the area of pharmaceutical engineering and is the co-editor of the forthcoming book Handbook of Validation of Pharmaceutical processes. Phil and Kelly breakdown "Big Pharma" and shed some light on misconceptions about the pharmaceutical industry. They also talk about the balance between innovation and expense, how the pharmaceutical industry intersects with the larger conversation of healthcare policy and the effect of over regulation.

Vicki Loner, the CEO of OneCare Vermont, joins the podcast to talk about healthcare reform.  Specifically, Vicki talks about  accountable care organizations, or ACOs, and the process of moving from a fee for service system to value based care.  Vicki covers a lot of ground to help us better understand the way our healthcare system currently exists, how innovative practices are changing how we deliver care, and what the future of healthcare may look like. 

What a better way to kickoff a season about health equity and access to care than with John Essien, M.D., a Junior Consultant Health Economist with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.  Dr. Essien joins the podcast for an enlightening and wide-ranging conversation about health equity, economics, and public health policy.  

How can a country with some of the most advanced medicines, practitioners, and facilities in the world still be struggling with affordable and equitable healthcare?  We isn't America making progress in closing gaps in healthcare? As Season 3 investigates these questions, host Kelly Nagle is joined by medical professionals, health economists, public policy professionals, pharmaceutical executives, and politicians to explore the issues, obstacles, and impediments that are preventing the United States from providing affordable and equitable access to healthcare as a basic human right.     

In yet another behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of our Winter Research Cohort, we watch our change agents absorb, process, and adapt to new information.  In this episode, Tom Leatherbury, the Director of SMU Dedman School of Law's First Amendment Clinic, visits the cohort to discuss what happens when you try to incorrectly apply the First Amendment, helping our cohort avoid taking a costly wrong turn during the early stages of our research.     Here's the Problem is a production of the Teen Think Tank Project, a student-run policy institute that develops policy frameworks for social justice issues and empowers students to become agents of change.  

Former NBA player and social justice advocate, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf stopped by the Teen Think Tank Project Winter Research Cohort earlier this season to chat about social protest, racial inequality in America, and the need for change agents to challenge existing constructs in order to bring about true change (as well personal growth.)  This compelling Q&A didn't make the cut from the original podcast's edit, but we are happy to bring it to you as part of a this bonus episode. Here's the Problem is a production of the Teen Think Tank Project, a student-run policy institute that develops policy frameworks for social justice issues and empowers students to become agents of change.  

The Teen Think Tank Project's inaugural research cohort presents their public policy framework. The group outlines how to most effectively address racial inequality and systemic racism by outlining the obstacles that athletes face when attempting to affect change and how we as allies can help empower these individuals and elevate their voices. Teen Think Tank Members include: Jack Baranoksi, Jared Cannon, Jeremy Cimino, Gwyneth Craney, Nolan Eichorn, Jack James, Savannah Riera, Rohan Rathod, and Kyra Turpie.  The Teen Think Tank Project is a student-run policy institute that develops policy frameworks for social justice issues and empowers students to become future change makers.   The Teen Think Tank Project is a student-run policy institute that develops policy frameworks for social justice issues and empowers students to become future change makers.

Just after the conclusion of the NBA's 2020 season "in the bubble," USA Today's National NBA Reporter, Mark Medina, joined the podcast to talk with host Kelly Nagle about the social protest efforts of NBA players, former president Donald Trump's divisive rhetoric, human rights issues in China, and whether or not other sports can replicate the impact that the NBA has had when it comes to elevating athlete voices in furtherance of social justice issues.   Here's the Problem is a production of the Teen Think Tank Project, a student-run policy institute that develops policy frameworks for social justice issues and empowers students to become future change makers.

This week the podcast drops in on the Winter Research Cohort as they host a panel of sports business educators who joined the conversation to discuss the impact that sport business has on social justice issues in society.  Professor Mike Finkelstein of Rutgers University, Professor Dave Torromeo of Manhattanville College, and Professor Dave Perricone of Centenary University join Teen Think Tank Project co-founder Matt DeSantis to talk about the impact that sports has on society, the economics of professional athletics, and the role sports industry sponsors play in facilitating social change.  

At the conclusion of 2020 WNBA Season and fresh out of the bubble, WNBA champion, All-Star, musician, humanitarian, and advocate Essence Carson joined the podcast to talk about racial inequality in America, the quest for basic human rights, the pandemic, and her summer in the social justice spotlight.   

Former collegiate standout and international basketball player Dominique Wilson  joins the podcast to discuss her experience with social and racial injustices across the world and the importance of mental health when playing abroad.   Find your voice and create a better future at teenthinktankproject.com or on social media @teen_thinktank. Contact us at info@teenthinktankproject.com.

In the second part of our conversation with former NBA player and social justice advocate, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf joins Matt DeSantis and the Teen Think Tank Project Winter Research cohort for spirited, insightful, and heartfelt conversation on what it takes to effect meaningful change in society.  The dialogue left our research cohort inspired and armed to make progress in their quest for social change. Find your voice and create a better future at teenthinktankproject.com or on social media @teen_thinktank. Contact us at info@teenthinktankproject.com.

Former NCAA & NBA stand out and social justice advocate Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf sits down with host Kelly Nagle to talk about the misconceptions surrounding his protest, his inspiration for seeking social justice and how to think outside the box to create change in the first part of a multi-episode discussion. Find your voice and create a better future at teenthinktankproject.com or on social media @teen_thinktank. Contact us at info@teenthinktankproject.com.

New Jersey City University Associate Vice President & Director of Athletics Shawn Tucker joins Kelly Nagle to discuss racial inequality, social justice, and empowering student-athletes on the collegiate level.  The Rutgers University alums talk about the impact that the pandemic, the murder of George Floyd, and social protests have had on the community, both on campus and off.        

Jeremy Evans, Esq. returns to the podcast for a one-on-one conversation.  Host Kelly Nagle and Jeremy expound upon last week's discussion about the First Amendment vis-a-vis athletes' rights before veering into Hollywood to uncover why actors and athletes are treated differently when it comes to advancing social justice initiatives.  Finally, the conversation examines how sports represents some of society's most revered ideals like equity, fairness and competition.  

Matthew DeSantis and the Social Protest and Sports Research Cohort examine the origins, implications and limitations of the First Amendment, specifically as it relates to social protest in sports with the help of the Director of the First Amendment Clinic at SMU's Dedman School of Law, Thomas Leatherbury; NPR's Michigan Radio Morning Edition host, Doug Tribou; and the Founder and Managing Attorney of California Sports Lawyer, Jeremy Evans who's the Founder and Managing Attorney of California Sports Lawyer.    

As we continue of our exploration of racism in society and social protest in sports, we are joined by Dr. Richard Lapchick, the nation's  preeminent voice on social issues in sports.  The noted activist, academic, author, and scholar joins Kelly Nagle to discuss his lifelong fight against racism, not only in American but around the globe. 

The Teen Think Tank Project Winter Research Cohort is joined by four college and high school student-athletes who discuss their experience with racism in sports and society.  NJIT Highlanders Andrew Elcock and Sydney Watson discuss what life is like for an NCAA Division I athlete juggling academics, athletics, and social justice issues.  While high school basketball players Jordana Codio and Khadee Hession discuss their experiences with activism and censorship as they don Black Lives Matters shooting shirts in response to a racially-charged incident that drew national attention.  http://bit.ly/BLMCodioHession

Matthew DeSantis is back to talk about the inspiration behind the social protest and sports research focus, his role as research coordinator with the Teen Think Tank Project's inaugural cohort, and the lessons he's learned working alongside these exceptional teens.  

How have social justice movements in sports evolved from John Carlos to Mohammad Ali to Colin Kaepernick and today's athletes? Why are players, teams and leagues so divided on how to integrate social justice issues into sports?  Is social protest in sports an effective and sustainable way to generate change?  The upcoming season of Here's the Problem podcast sifts through these questions by examining the history of protest in sports and the influence of government and business and generates ideas about the propensity for change.  

In the final episode of our first season, host Kelly Nagle reminisces about the season with her Teen Think Tank Project co-founder Matthew DeSantis. The pair recap the great conversations they had with students & thought leaders and reflect on some impactful moments.  Plus, we find out what the Teen Think Tank Project's inaugural research cohort is about to unveil.  Thanks to all our listeners, guests and friends for supporting Here's the Problem podcast's debut season! Season 2 is right around the corner and we jump into the conversation about sports & social protest with some recognizable guests from the sports world.

Kelly Nagle sits down with Kira Sanbonmatsu, Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University and Senior Scholar at the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at the Eagleton Institute of Politics.  In the final episode of our series featuring thought leaders addressing the social justice topics that are important to our Teen Think Tank Project students, Kelly chats with the noted political scientist, professor, and author to discuss gender equity in American politics. 

Teen Think Tank Project co-founder Matthew DeSantis continues his series of engaging and insightful conversations about the social justice issues that TTTP research cohort members care most passionately about.  This week, he is joined by Savannah Riera, a high school senior and Coast Guard Academy appointee.  The two discuss Savannah's life as an expat student living in South America, how she found her passion, and gender equality in America.  It is a truly fascinating conversation with an absolutely wonderful Teen Think Tank Project group member.  Enjoy!    

As a follow-up to our conversation with student healthcare advocate Jeremy Cimino, Kelly Nagle chats with Suzanne Crincoli, Vice President of Clinical Quality at HealthChannels to discuss the current state of our healthcare system, access to care, the importance of local activism, and improving health outcomes.      

In an ongoing attempt to identify the societal issues that are troubling today's teens, Matt DeSantis continues our series of enlightening discussions with Teen Think Tank Project research group members.  In this episode, he sits down for a entertaining, informative, and solution-focused conversation about access to healthcare with Jeremy Cimino, a high school honor student who is living with Type 1 diabetes.  

Host Kelly Nagle sits down with Eagleton Institute of Politics's Jessica Ronan.  In part two of our discussion about voting rights, the two political scientists (and former Rutgers University MA Program in Politics classmates) discuss their own experiences as voters, issues with equal access to the process, election integrity, and Jessica's work to mobilize youth voters in her role as Program Coordinator for the Center for Youth Political Participation.   

Recorded just after the 2020 presidential election, Teen Think Tank Project co-founder Matthew DeSantis sits down with research group member and aspiring political filmmaker Jack Baranoski to discuss America's dubious history with "the right to vote," passive & active voter suppression, felon voter rights, and the "weaponization" of disenfranchisement.   

In the follow-up to last week's discussion with Jared Cannon on how teens are dealing with mental health issues, host Kelly Nagle sits down with her friend Chelsea Williamson, MSW, LCSW from Penn Medicine Princeton House Behavioral Health to discuss the stigma surrounding mental illness, navigating powerful environments, and finding ones "solid object." 

In the first in a series of insightful and honest conversations with Teen Think Tank Project research group members to discuss the societal issues that they feel the most compelled to change, Matthew DeSantis sits down with Archbishop Wood High School honor student Jared Cannon to to discuss the stigma surrounding mental illness, changing the landscape surrounding mental health, and their shared loved of Wegmans.      

Kelly Nagle sits down with Matt DeSantis to talk about their shared "love" of conflict, Jerry Maguire, starting a teen-run policy institute, questionable life advice, "social disability" insurance, identifying future thought leaders...and giving them a voice in the world they will inherit.   

Teen Think Tank Project co-founders Matthew DeSantis and Kelly Nagle introduce the program, its mission and the upcoming winter session to Archbishop Wood High School St. Thomas More Honors Program students.    

A mediator and a political scientist think they have figured out a way to change the disheartening trajectory of our society....by going back to high school!