Episode 12: U-Turns, Eagle Scouts, and Second Chances

In this special holiday episode of Route Notes, David and Wes are joined by returning guest and world-renowned St. Nicholas scholar, Dr. Adam English, for a conversation that unwraps the surprising backstory behind the most famous Christmas poem in American history: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. They dig into a centuries-old authorship controversy between Clement Clarke Moore—the wealthy professor long credited with the poem—and Henry Livingston, a lesser-known abolitionist, fiddler, and poet whose life and language align more closely with the spirit of the poem. Along the way, the trio explores how the poem shaped America's Santa Claus mythology and what it means to reexamine the traditions we hold dear. But this episode is about more than just literary detective work. The conversation takes us from Nicholas of Myra’s ancient acts of compassion—including negotiating grain during famine—to the joy of anonymous giving, Santa conventions, universal design, and the deeper purpose behind how and why we celebrate. Recorded (unintentionally!) on St. Nicholas Day, this thoughtful, funny, and surprisingly moving episode invites listeners to rediscover Santa not just as a symbol of excess, but as a reflection of justice, generosity, and joy.

In this episode of Route Notes, Wes and David reflect on inclusion, access, and the quiet power of systems designed with care. From a joyful moment of off-road driving with Wes’s newly licensed daughter to a breakthrough theater performance by David’s son Miles, they explore how moments of belonging—when thoughtfully created—can reshape lives and communities. They unpack the concept of universal design, tracing its implications from curb cuts and classroom accessibility to larger conversations about structural harm and structural grace. Along the way, David shares the remarkable public health story of how replacing coal gas with natural gas in mid-century Britain unexpectedly reduced suicide rates by one-third—an example of how systems can heal. This wide-ranging conversation weaves together personal stories, policy insights, and a compelling call to design for dignity—creating spaces where everyone can show up fully, thrive, and be heard.

In this episode of Route Notes, Wes and David explore what happens when leaders overshare, overprocess, or unravel in public—and the unintended consequences it can have on teams, trust, and momentum. A strange moment on a delayed flight (where the pilot shares a little too much about what went wrong) widens into deeper reflections on leadership and the tension between authenticity and stability. They recount one of their most bizarre and hilarious facilitations where the cost of oversharing in leadership moved past vulnerability into volatility.  Plus: David’s detour through Manhattan’s High Line and a Swiftie-approved backup plan for those staying grounded.

In this month’s Campfire Chat, Wes, David, and Adam gather fireside to discuss Faith-Rooted Organizing by Alexia Salvatierra and Peter Heltzel. What begins as a reflection on the role of churches in public health quickly deepens into a powerful conversation about moral imagination, structural injustice, and the difference between acting out of anger versus love. The episode dives into real stories of immigration reform, labor advocacy, and interfaith collaboration—each grounded in deep compassion rather than political expediency. They wrestle with how these lessons apply to their own work in public health and community partnerships, especially in regions like the rural South. Along the way, they explore the limitations of technical planning, the importance of trust-building, and why prayer—often dismissed as “soft”—can be one of the most radical acts of solidarity. Plus: a detour worth taking into the novels of Lisa Wingate, and a sneak peek at next month’s pick, Under the Sky We Make by Kimberly Nicholas.

In this episode of Route Notes, Wes and David debrief after a jam-packed weekend of community service and public health engagement. David shares the chaos and clarity that came from trying to over-engineer a complex event serving children with intellectual disabilities—only to have the day go off the rails and then somehow soar thanks to the brilliance of students, staff, and volunteers. Wes and David reflect on the danger of linear thinking in complex environments, the difference between systems like Chick-fil-A and community-based work, and the power of trusting your team and centering mission over meticulous plans. Along the way, they offer lessons for leaders, educators, and planners—plus a detour about hot peppers and poor choices. This one’s about humility, flexibility, and the incredible outcomes that emerge when people show up, lean in, and care deeply.

In this episode of Route Notes, David and Wes unpack the future of public health education against the backdrop of Campbell Cares Community Days—service-based learning grounded in interprofessional collaboration. They dive into the tension between machine-driven public health and the human-centered practice that's urgently needed, arguing that the curriculum of the future must move beyond technical training toward embedded community relationships, ethics, and real-time apprenticeship. The episode explores real examples of students doing windshield surveys with tribal partners, running health fairs in unexpected places, and hosting deeply personal talking circles with survivors of violence. Along the way, they discuss the role of AI, the dangers of replacing lived experience with simulation, and why "fixing problems you can touch with people you know" might be the most important learning outcome of all.

In this episode of Route Notes, Dr. David Tillman responds directly to recent statements by political leaders, including RFK Jr. and Donald Trump, about autism rates and causes. Drawing from his experience as a public health professor, researcher, and father of a son with autism, David walks listeners through the science behind rising autism diagnoses—explaining what has changed in diagnostic criteria, awareness, and demographic risk factors. He breaks down why the one-in-10,000 claim is misleading, what large-scale studies like CHARGE have actually found, and how the vaccine-autism myth took root from a now-discredited study. With clarity and compassion, this episode challenges misinformation while championing evidence-based research and greater inclusion for individuals with autism.

What do birds, highways, coffee, camping, and peanut butter & jelly have in common? In this unexpected and wide-ranging conversation, David and Wes unpack the viral TikTok moment that sparked a deeper dialogue about structural racism, public health, and the power of storytelling. Together, they reflect on how these layered stories shape opportunity, health outcomes, and cultural participation across generations. Along the way, they discuss implicit bias, rural health, medical education, marketing, and the subtle power of association—what peanut butter and jelly can teach us about racism. 

In this episode of Route Notes, we explore the power—and necessity—of the U-turn. What happens when leaders, communities, or even parents choose to pause, reflect, and reroute? Wes shares a personal parenting moment that sparked the episode, along with a hilarious cautionary tale involving an overconfident Eagle Scout, an underprepared hike, and a poorly chosen shortcut. Along the way, we reflect on what it means to admit a mistake in public health and leadership without losing trust. Spoiler: Done well, it can actually strengthen it. If you've ever barreled ahead only to realize you're off-course—this one’s for you.

In this episode of Route Notes, we dive into Moral Ambition by Rutger Bregman—a book that asks a direct and timely question: what are you doing with your life, and why not work on something that matters? Inspired by the energy of a new academic year, we reflect on what it means to channel ambition toward meaningful change, especially in public health and community work. The conversation ranges from tech-driven distraction to the joy of deep purpose, from purity politics to the unexpected ways people show up for change in their everyday lives. We talk about noble losers, idealism without action, and why real progress often depends not just on inspiration but on tactical, resilient work behind the scenes. Whether you're just getting started or looking to reconnect with the “why” behind your work, this episode is a challenge to step in—and step up. Next up: Faith-Rooted Organizing by Alexia Salvatierra. Join us for the next Campfire Chat as we explore how faith communities can be mobilized toward justice and transformation.