PHEC 447: Plain Language As Resistance, With Catherine Troisi, PhD, MS
After more than 600 media interviews in five years, Catherine Troisi learned a powerful truth: in public health, clarity beats credentials every time.
In this compelling episode, Dr. Troisi returns to the podcast six years later to reflect on what it really means to communicate science in a politically charged world. From managing jail health programs and serving as Incident Commander during Hurricane Katrina and the H1N1 pandemic at the Houston Health Department, to navigating pandemic-era media scrutiny, she shares hard-earned lessons on translating complex epidemiology into language that resonates beyond academia.
This conversation goes deeper than communication. It's about rebuilding public health at a time when systems feel fragile. It's about daily, strategic advocacy, including calling elected officials, writing consistently, and playing the long game. It's about finding hope in unexpected places, like the overwhelming public support she witnessed at the first-ever March for Public Health during the American Public Health Association conference.
If you've ever wondered how to use your voice more effectively, how to advocate without burning out, or how to make your science matter in real communities, this episode will challenge and inspire you.
Press play and discover why plain language may be your most powerful public health tool.
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