Here's the Problem

Teen Think Tank Project
  • 4.8 (14)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Here's the Problem

Here’s the problem...the world is a mess; but a mediator and political scientist think they have figured out a way to change the current disheartening trajectory of our society. Motivated by a shared passion for creating a positive change in the world and empowering others to rise as leaders, Matthew DeSantis and Kelly Nagle founded the Teen Think Tank Project, with the vision of giving a future generation of change agents a voice in the world they will inherit. In order to facilitate the goals of the Teen Think Tank Project and engage both our students and our listeners in thought-provoking conversations, we’ve created this podcast. Each week, thought leaders and experts will join Kelly to explore a specific problem facing our society. We will rely on fact-based information, listen to understand and challenge our own ingrained perspectives. Because at Here’s the Problem Podcast we believe that this is the only way to chart a course towards cooperation, empathy and ultimately effective change.

  1. 04/20/2022

    Ensuring Equitable Access to Healthcare in America: 2022 Winter Research Cohort Policy Framework Launch Party

    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.

    1h 8m

  2. 04/11/2022

    Social Determinants of Health

    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…

    45 min

  3. 04/04/2022

    COVID-19 Vaccines: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

    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.

    56 min

  4. 03/28/2022

    Awareness + Education + Advocacy = Healthcare Policy w/ Dr. Erin O'Neill

    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.

    53 min

  5. 03/21/2022

    Local Government's Response to Health Equity w/ Sara Sooy

    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!

    41 min

  6. 03/14/2022

    National Healthcare Policy vs. Local Politics w/ Matthew Moench

    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.

    58 min

  7. 03/07/2022

    Heteronormativity: A Barrier to Health Equity w/ Matthew Tirrell

    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

    1h 2m

  8. 02/28/2022

    The Intersection of Healthcare & Agriculture w/ Helen Labun

    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.

    50 min
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4.8
out of 5
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About

Here’s the problem...the world is a mess; but a mediator and political scientist think they have figured out a way to change the current disheartening trajectory of our society. Motivated by a shared passion for creating a positive change in the world and empowering others to rise as leaders, Matthew DeSantis and Kelly Nagle founded the Teen Think Tank Project, with the vision of giving a future generation of change agents a voice in the world they will inherit. In order to facilitate the goals of the Teen Think Tank Project and engage both our students and our listeners in thought-provoking conversations, we’ve created this podcast. Each week, thought leaders and experts will join Kelly to explore a specific problem facing our society. We will rely on fact-based information, listen to understand and challenge our own ingrained perspectives. Because at Here’s the Problem Podcast we believe that this is the only way to chart a course towards cooperation, empathy and ultimately effective change.

Information

  • Creator
    Teen Think Tank Project
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2022
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Teen Think Tank Project 2023
  • Show Website
    Here's the Problem

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