Subscribe
Share
Share
Embed
Dr. Philip Alberti joins Corey Dion Lewis to unpack what organizations risk when they remove words like equity and justice overnight without community input. The conversation focuses on trust, decision-making speed, and the difference between changing language and changing relationships.
You will hear:
- Why fast brand shifts can damage credibility
- What authentic community engagement requires
- How to talk about equity for all communities without creating a zero-sum story
- What leaders can protect when the environment turns hostile
- A practical path to rebuilding trust through process, not slogans
This episode is for health equity leaders, communicators, and community partners who want strategy that keeps values and trust intact.
Show Notes
0:00 – The post that sparked the conversation and the trust problem
3:10 – The pressure behind rapid language changes
5:29 – Why speed sent the wrong signal
8:18 – Who exited the work and what that reveals
9:09 – Why equity messaging became more contested in 2025
11:25 – Equity for all communities and why that framing matters
13:10 – The myth that equity creates winners and losers
16:30 – The burden of bridge-building and a fresh way to share it
18:09 – What should stay non-negotiable in public messaging
19:00 – Core principles for real community engagement
22:01 – How to begin partnerships by listening first
24:43 – The internal systems that make engagement real
27:57 – Public opinion signals that point to shared ground
31:49 – Example of cross-community relationship building
32:14 – Health justice as a practice that treats process as the outcome
0:00 – The post that sparked the conversation and the trust problem
3:10 – The pressure behind rapid language changes
5:29 – Why speed sent the wrong signal
8:18 – Who exited the work and what that reveals
9:09 – Why equity messaging became more contested in 2025
11:25 – Equity for all communities and why that framing matters
13:10 – The myth that equity creates winners and losers
16:30 – The burden of bridge-building and a fresh way to share it
18:09 – What should stay non-negotiable in public messaging
19:00 – Core principles for real community engagement
22:01 – How to begin partnerships by listening first
24:43 – The internal systems that make engagement real
27:57 – Public opinion signals that point to shared ground
31:49 – Example of cross-community relationship building
32:14 – Health justice as a practice that treats process as the outcome
Key Resources Mentioned
AAMC Center for Health Justice AAMC Principles of Trustworthiness Toolkit AAMC CHARGE “Health Equity Benefits All Communities” National Academies engagement model Dr. Sarah Gollust’s research The Vital Conditions for Health and Well-being
Guest Bio
Dr. Philip Alberti is the founding director of the AAMC Center for Health Justice. He focuses on community engagement, health equity research, and policy change, with an emphasis on partnerships that respect community expertise.
Dr. Philip Alberti is the founding director of the AAMC Center for Health Justice. He focuses on community engagement, health equity research, and policy change, with an emphasis on partnerships that respect community expertise.
Support the Show
The Healthy Project newsletter
THP+
healthyproject.co
★ Support this podcast ★
The Healthy Project newsletter
THP+
healthyproject.co
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.