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In this episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis chats with Pleasant Radford, Health Equity Officer at UCare, a health equity expert, community advocate, and podcaster himself. They delve into the roots of Pleasant's passion for health equity, his experiences of community service and engagement, and the inspiring story behind his podcast, the Heart of Equity. This conversation is a deep exploration of how health equity extends beyond one's job and permeates every aspect of life. It's a testament to the power of community and the importance of actively shaping its future.
About the Guest:
Pleasant Radford hails from the Chicago area and has been a Minneapolis, Minnesota resident for over a decade. With a deep interest in healthcare ingrained from an early age, thanks to his mother who served as a nurse, Pleasant has dedicated his life to improving health equity in communities, particularly within the black community. He works as a health equity officer and is deeply involved in volunteering and advocating for his community. He's also the host of the Heart of Equity podcast, where he discusses the ongoing issues and potential solutions related to health equity.
Timestamped Shownotes:
00:02 - Introduction of the guest, Pleasant Radford.
00:30 - Pleasant shares his background, his passion for healthcare, and what motivates him.
02:23 - Discussing the importance of representation and community in Pleasant's life.
03:52 - Conversation about how Pleasant promotes equity at work and in his community.
06:16 - Pleasant highlights the significance of self-care and living the message of health equity.
07:38 - In-depth discussion about community service and engagement.
08:38 - Pleasant shares his personal experience with community service.
10:37 - Discuss the challenges and privileges associated with volunteering and community work.
12:14 - Pleasant gives examples of health equity initiatives in his community.
15:06 - Humorous interlude about learning how to swim.
16:23 - A conversation about advocating for underserved communities.
20:29 - Discuss strategies for effective community advocacy.
21:57 - Introduction to Pleasant's podcast, the Heart of Equity.
26:17 - Corey shares his appreciation for the Heart of Equity podcast.
26:45 - Pleasant shares how listeners can connect with him.
27:32 - Conclusion and thanks to the guest.
00:30 - Pleasant shares his background, his passion for healthcare, and what motivates him.
02:23 - Discussing the importance of representation and community in Pleasant's life.
03:52 - Conversation about how Pleasant promotes equity at work and in his community.
06:16 - Pleasant highlights the significance of self-care and living the message of health equity.
07:38 - In-depth discussion about community service and engagement.
08:38 - Pleasant shares his personal experience with community service.
10:37 - Discuss the challenges and privileges associated with volunteering and community work.
12:14 - Pleasant gives examples of health equity initiatives in his community.
15:06 - Humorous interlude about learning how to swim.
16:23 - A conversation about advocating for underserved communities.
20:29 - Discuss strategies for effective community advocacy.
21:57 - Introduction to Pleasant's podcast, the Heart of Equity.
26:17 - Corey shares his appreciation for the Heart of Equity podcast.
26:45 - Pleasant shares how listeners can connect with him.
27:32 - Conclusion and thanks to the guest.
"For me, promoting health equity is making sure that I'm taking care of myself... making sure that I am spending time with the people that I love. Those are things that are important to me and I think are important to the members that I serve. They want to be able to do that. And we want to make sure that we are providing the resources and the support for them to do that as well." - Pleasant Radford
Connect with Pleasant
Heart of Equity Podcast
Connect with Corey:
YouTube
Website
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: Apple
Creators and Guests
What is The Healthy Project Podcast?
The Healthy Project Podcast explores the powerful intersection of health, society, and equity through real conversations with changemakers on the front lines of social impact. Each episode features thought leaders, researchers, and advocates who unpack how social structures — from policy to culture — shape the health of communities.
Topics we explore include:
Health equity and structural determinants
Community-driven research and innovation
Lived experiences of marginalized populations
Public policy, systemic bias, and health outcomes
Whether you're a public health professional, social science researcher, policymaker, or community advocate, this podcast brings you grounded insights, bold ideas, and practical tools to drive change where it matters most.