The Dr.Des Show

Dr. Des
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Join Dr. Des as she shares her journey, lessons, and expert advice to empower professionals and entrepreneurs to make an impact and build the life they deserve.

  1. 6D AGO

    What Do You Do After You Graduate?

    ▶ Join The Public Health Club You graduated — now what? The Public Health Club has everything you need to land your first public health job: resume workshops, a digital portfolio workshop, career coaching, interview prep, the Public Health Pivot course, and a community of professionals who actually want to see you win. Seven days free, then $29.99/month. 👉 Start your free trial at publichealthclub.com Graduation is a milestone — but nobody tells you what the job search actually looks like on the other side of it. In this episode, Dr. Des breaks down the full post-graduation playbook for public health grads at every level: when to start applying (hint: six months before you walk across the stage), what the hiring timeline really looks like at large organizations, how to build a resume that gets callbacks instead of silence, why you need a digital portfolio and what goes in it, and the job titles in health economics and biopharma that your professors never mentioned — but that you can absolutely get with your degree. She also shares the story of her own first public health interview, why she knew she didn't get the job the moment she left the room, and what she changed to start getting offers. In This Episode, You'll Learn Why Dr. Des recommends starting your job search six months before graduation — and how to handle it if you get hired while you're still in schoolThe full hiring timeline at large organizations (it's longer than you think — and now you'll know what to expect)What an outcomes-based resume actually looks like, with a concrete public health exampleWhy you need a different resume for every track you're applying to — data, policy, program management, evaluationWhat a digital portfolio is, how it differs from a resume, and what to put in it as a new gradHow to use AI to build your resume — and why you need to know what a good resume looks like before you let AI touch itThe six-figure job titles in health economics, outcomes research, and real world evidence that public health grads are overlooked for — and how to get themDr. Des's first public health interview story: what went wrong and what she did differently after Resources Mentioned The Public Health Club — publichealthclub.com (7-day free trial, then $29.99/month; career coaching, mentorship sessions, workshops on demand, job postings, consulting opportunities, 12+ Impact Lead chapters)Resume Development Workshop (two versions on demand) — inside The Public Health ClubBuilding Your Resume with AI Workshop — inside The Public Health Club; includes Dr. Des's custom GPT and Claude skills for resume buildingDigital Portfolio Workshop — inside The Public Health Club (AI-updated version coming soon)Interview 101 Workshop — inside The Public Health Club (revamp in progress)Public Health Pivot Course — inside The Public Health Club; teaches how to translate PH skills into healthcare, biopharma, and adjacent industries using their language and keywordsCareer Coaches inside PHC — office hours available for career and consulting coaching; Khaliah Fleming, Allie Piatkowski, Kristi Brown, Vanessa Da CostaAbout The Dr. Des Show The Dr. Des Show is the go-to podcast for public health career development, consulting, and entrepreneurship. Hosted by Dr. Desiree "Dr. Des" Strickland — DrPH, public health CEO, and founder of The Public Health Club. Connect with Dr. Des: Join The Public Health Club: publichealthclub.comInstagram @the_publichealthclubhttps://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    18 min

  2. MAY 4

    Public Health Careers You NEVER Knew Existed!

    Join The Public Health Club to access the Public Health Pivot Course to help you pivot into different industries, along with resume development workshops, mentorship and more! https://www.publichealthclub.com/ 🎙️ Episode Summary In this National Public Health Week episode of The Dr. Des Show, we’re diving into one of the most important conversations in the field right now—nontraditional public health careers. If you’ve ever felt boxed into government roles, nonprofit work, or underpaid positions, this episode will open your eyes to what’s possible beyond the traditional path. Dr. Des breaks down how public health professionals can leverage their skills in consulting, tech, entrepreneurship, strategy, and beyond to build careers that offer both impact AND income. This episode is your permission slip to think bigger about your career—and your earning potential. 🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔️ What “nontraditional public health careers” actually mean ✔️ Why traditional public health roles often limit income growth ✔️ High-paying, nontraditional career paths you should consider ✔️ How to pivot your skills into consulting, business, or tech roles ✔️ The mindset shift required to explore new career opportunities ✔️ Why public health professionals are uniquely positioned for entrepreneurship ✔️ How to align your career with both purpose AND profit 💡 Key Takeaways (Career + Income Strategy) You are NOT limited to traditional public health jobsYour skillset is transferable across multiple high-paying industriesNontraditional paths often lead to more flexibility, freedom, and incomeThe biggest barrier is not opportunity—it’s awareness and mindset2025–2026 is a major opportunity window for public health professionals to pivot 🧠 Real Talk Moments This episode addresses the realities many public health professionals face: Feeling stuck in low-paying rolesLack of exposure to alternative career pathsBurnout in traditional systemsThe fear of stepping outside the “expected” career trackDr. Des challenges listeners to stop playing small and start exploring opportunities that align with both their skills and financial goals. 👩🏽‍⚕️ About Dr. Des Dr. Desiree Strickland is the Founder & CEO of The Public Health Club, where she helps public health professionals build careers that increase their income, expand their impact, and create long-term wealth. 🚀 Resources & Next Steps 👉 Join The Public Health Club to learn how to pivot into consulting or entrepreneurship 👉 Follow Dr. Des for weekly insights on career growth + income building 👉 Share this episode with someone ready to explore nontraditional opportunities ⭐ Subscribe to The Dr. Des Show ⭐ Leave a review to support more public health professionals ⭐ Share this episode with a colleague who needs to hear this Join The Public Health Club! https://www.publichealthclub.com/ https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    1h 6m

  3. MAY 2

    AI for Public Health Entrepreneurs: 3 Workflows That Save Hours Every Week

    🎥 WATCH THE FREE AI WORKSHOP REPLAY Dr. Des walked through her exact AI workflows live — and built a working website on the spot using AI. Watch the full replay free. 👉 https://aireplay.publichealthclub.com 🚨 The 4-Day AI Intensive starts May 11 — doors close May 6 4 days live with Dr. Des. Building websites, custom GPTs, AI employees, and the automations she runs every day. Replay included. 👉 https://aicourse.publichealthclub.com Most public health professionals are using AI wrong — or not at all. In this episode, Dr. Des breaks down the 3 ways she's using AI to run The Public Health Club and her consulting business: automating her CEO weekly reset, replacing repetitive VA tasks, and building custom GPTs for her team. She also explains why she's moving from ChatGPT to Claude (Anthropic), what an "AI employee" actually is, and how solo public health consultants can run their businesses like a team of ten — without hiring one. IN THIS EPISODE - The 3 main ways Dr. Des uses AI in her public health business - How to automate your weekly CEO reset in 5 minutes - Why she's switching her team from ChatGPT to Claude - The Otter + Claude + Asana workflow for automatic team action items - How to build custom GPTs for email copy and proposal writing - Why "human approver" is non-negotiable in every AI workflow TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Why public health is slow to adopt AI 03:30 — Large language models 101 08:15 — Use #1: Automating your CEO weekly reset 09:00 — Use #2: AI as your virtual assistant 14:00 — Otter + Claude + Asana team workflow 16:30 — Use #3: Custom GPTs for your team 18:15 — Why prompting alone isn't enough 21:30 — Inside the AI Intensive 23:25 — How to join before May 6 RESOURCES - Free AI Workshop Replay: https://aireplay.publichealthclub.com - The AI Intensive: https://aicourse.publichealthclub.com - The Public Health Club: https://publichealthclub.com - 2026 Most In-Demand Consulting Skills Report: https://publichealthclub.com/free-resources - Tools: Claude, ChatGPT, Otter, Asana, Circle, Claude Design CONNECT WITH DR. DES - https://publichealthclub.com - Instagram @the_publichealthclub — The Dr. Des Show is the go-to podcast for public health career development, consulting, and entrepreneurship. Hosted by Dr. Desiree "Dr. Des" Strickland — DrPH, public health CEO, and founder of The Public Health Club. https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    24 min

  4. APR 27

    From Practitioner to Entrepreneur: Turning Your Expertise Into Income and Impact

    Join The Public Health Club! In this special National Public Health Week episode of The Dr. Des Show, Dr. Desiree Strickland is joined by Dr. Brittny Wells (Doc B) for a powerful conversation on public health careers, consulting, and entrepreneurship. If you’ve ever wondered how to make more money in public health, transition into consulting, or build a career that goes beyond traditional roles, this episode breaks it all down. Dr. Des and Dr. Wells share their real journeys into entrepreneurship, how they started their consulting businesses, and what public health professionals need to know to increase income while still doing meaningful work. This episode is perfect for anyone ready to elevate their public health career, explore consulting, and build long-term financial growth in the field. 🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔️ How Dr. Des built a public health consulting business from scratch ✔️ Dr. Brittny Wells’ journey into consulting starting during her MPH program ✔️ How to turn your public health skills into paid consulting opportunities ✔️ Why public health professionals need to focus on income growth + career elevation ✔️ The truth about traditional public health jobs vs entrepreneurship ✔️ How mentorship, networking, and visibility can open doors in your career ✔️ Why now is the BEST time to explore consulting in public health 💡 Key Takeaways Public health careers don’t have to be limited to low-paying roles Consulting is one of the fastest ways to increase income in public health Your existing skills (evaluation, research, program management) are highly valuable Entrepreneurship in public health is growing—and there is space for YOU You can build a career that aligns with both your passion AND your financial goals 👩🏽‍⚕️ About the Speakers Dr. Desiree Strickland Founder & CEO of The Public Health Club + Strickland Health Consulting Helping public health professionals grow careers, build income, and launch consulting businesses Dr. Brittny Wells (Doc B) CEO & Founder of Insight Consulting Public health consultant with over a decade of experience in evaluation, research, and business strategy 🚀 Resources & Next Steps 👉 Join the Public Health Club for career support, networking, and consulting resources 👉 Follow Dr. Des for weekly strategies on public health careers + entrepreneurship 👉 Share this episode with a public health professional ready to level up If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Subscribe to The Dr. Des Show ⭐ Leave a review to help more public health professionals find this content ⭐ Share this episode with someone ready to increase their income in public health https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    1h 4m

  5. APR 17

    The Truth About Public Health Jobs in 2026: Trends, Transitions & Opportunities

    Join The Public Health Club: https://www.publichealthclub.com/  In this powerful panel episode of The Dr. Des Show, we dive into one of the most pressing topics facing public health professionals today: job searching in the current political and economic landscape. Featuring a dynamic panel of leaders across policy, academia, and community health, this conversation unpacks what’s really happening behind the scenes in the public health job market—from funding shifts and policy changes to career pivots and emerging opportunities. You’ll hear insights from experts who have worked across federal government, CDC, academia, healthcare systems, and consulting, giving you a well-rounded understanding of where the field is headed—and how to position yourself to succeed. Whether you're navigating layoffs, considering entrepreneurship, or trying to secure your next role, this episode gives you the clarity and strategy you need. 👩🏽‍⚕️ Meet the Speakers Dr. Angelica Hardee (Host) Vice President of Community Impact at the American Heart Association, APHA Section Chair, and Adjunct Professor. Leads multi-million dollar community health initiatives across regions. Ryann Hill Founder & CEO of Indigo Hill Strategies. Former leader at the Federation of American Hospitals and Scan Health Plan with deep expertise in Medicare, aging policy, and government relations. Dr. Ashley Townes Assistant Professor at Texas Woman’s University and former CDC professional. Expert in social epidemiology, health equity, and Black women’s health, recently transitioned roles in today’s evolving landscape. 🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔️ Current public health job market trends and why many professionals feel stuck ✔️ How political shifts and funding changes are impacting hiring ✔️ Where the money is still flowing in public health (and how to follow it) ✔️ Real examples of career transitions from CDC, academia, and consulting ✔️ The rise of entrepreneurship and consulting as alternative career paths ✔️ How organizations like The Public Health Club are helping professionals land roles ✔️ What skills and strategies you need to stay competitive in 2026 🚨 Key Takeaways The public health job market is not shrinking—it’s shifting Understanding policy and funding flows gives you a major advantage Career pivots (government → academia → consulting) are becoming more common Entrepreneurship is no longer optional—it’s a strategic advantage Community, networking, and positioning matter more than ever 🎯 Who This Episode Is For Public health professionals struggling to land jobs MPH graduates navigating today’s competitive market CDC, government, or nonprofit professionals considering a pivot Aspiring public health consultants and entrepreneurs Anyone looking to increase income and career stability in public health 📌 Resources & Next Steps 👉 Join The Public Health Club for job leads, consulting opportunities & career support 👉 Connect with today’s speakers on LinkedIn to expand your network 👉 Start exploring consulting if traditional roles feel limited 💬 Let’s Continue the Conversation What trends are YOU seeing in the public health job market right now? Drop your thoughts in the comments or share this episode with a colleague navigating their next career move. 🔔 Don’t Miss Out Subscribe to The Dr. Des Show for weekly insights on: ✔️ Public health careers ✔️ Consulting & entrepreneurship ✔️ Income growth strategies ✔️ Industry trends & opportunities Join The Public Health Club: https://www.publichealthclub.com/ https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    1 hr

  6. MAR 26

    How to Scale Your Public Health Consulting Business Beyond Solo Consulting

    Register for the Business of Public Health Summit! [April 10, 2026, Atlanta, GA] In this podcast conversation, Dr. Desiree “Dr. Des” Strickland and Dr. Brittny Wells (Doc Bee) explored what it really means to scale a public health consulting business—and why many consultants remain stuck trading time for money. The discussion began by unpacking what solo consulting often looks like in practice: professionals securing contracts while still maintaining full-time roles, with income directly tied to the number of hours they personally work. While consulting can offer flexibility and additional income, the speakers emphasized that it does not automatically eliminate burnout. Without clear boundaries and thoughtful decision-making, consultants can still take on too much work or commit to contracts that do not align with their long-term goals. The conversation then shifted to what scaling actually means for public health consultants. Rather than simply working more, scaling involves increasing impact and revenue without proportionally increasing personal workload. Dr. Des and Doc Bee discussed the signs that a consultant may be ready to scale, including consistent demand, repeat clients, a clearly defined area of expertise, and established credibility. They also highlighted practical ways consulting businesses grow beyond solo work, such as hiring subcontractors, developing structured service offerings, implementing repeatable systems, and strategically expanding the client base. Ultimately, scaling requires an identity shift—from consultant to firm owner, and from operator to leader. The episode concluded by connecting these concepts to the upcoming summit, where attendees will learn the foundational business strategies necessary before attempting to scale a consulting practice. 5 Key Takeaways Solo consulting often means trading time for money. Many consultants increase income by taking on more contracts, but their earning potential remains tied to the hours they personally work.Consulting doesn’t automatically prevent burnout. Without careful consideration of contract scope, workload, and capacity, consultants can still experience the same pressures as traditional employment.Scaling means increasing impact without increasing personal workload. True growth happens when systems, services, and teams allow work to expand beyond one individual’s time.Clear signals show when it’s time to scale. Consistent demand, repeat clients, a defined expertise area, and established credibility often indicate that a consulting practice is ready to grow.Scaling requires an identity shift. Moving from consultant to firm owner means transitioning from doing all the work yourself to leading people, systems, and strategy.https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    23 min

  7. MAR 19

    How to Diversify Your Income Beyond a 9–5

    Register for the Business of Public Health Summit! [April 10, 2026, Atlanta, GA] In this podcast conversation, Dr. Desiree “Dr. Des” Strickland and Dr. Brittny Wells (Doc Bee) explored how public health careers are evolving—and why the future public health professional will likely rely on multiple income streams rather than a single traditional role. The discussion highlighted broader shifts happening across the field, including funding instability, limited job openings, and a growing reliance on contract-based work. Without focusing on partisan politics, the speakers acknowledged that many organizations are navigating changing budgets and priorities, which has made hiring more competitive and less predictable. As a result, more agencies, nonprofits, and institutions are turning to consultants and short-term contracts to meet their public health needs. Dr. Des and Doc Bee emphasized that diversification is becoming a practical career strategy rather than a luxury. Relying on one role or funding stream can be risky when organizations restructure, programs lose funding, or opportunities for advancement are limited. Drawing from their own professional experiences, they shared examples of how public health professionals can diversify their work across consulting, contract work, advisory roles, teaching and training, speaking engagements, and program evaluation. Together, these roles allow professionals to expand their impact while building more stable and sustainable careers. The conversation concluded by connecting these ideas to the upcoming summit, where speakers from consulting, academia, entrepreneurship, and leadership will share practical strategies for building diversified public health careers. 5 Key Takeaways Public health careers are becoming more flexible and contract-based. As funding and organizational priorities shift, many agencies are relying more on consultants and short-term contracts to complete public health work.One income stream is often no longer enough. Funding losses, organizational restructuring, and limited advancement opportunities make it increasingly risky to rely on a single role for long-term career stability.Diversification can strengthen both income and impact. Public health professionals can expand their careers through consulting, advisory roles, teaching, speaking, contract work, and evaluation.Your expertise can translate across multiple types of work. Skills developed in traditional public health roles—such as program evaluation, strategy, and community engagement—can support a variety of professional opportunities.Building a diversified career requires intentional positioning. Learning how to package and present your expertise allows you to access opportunities across multiple sectors and income streams.https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    34 min

  8. MAR 12

    How to Sell Your Public Health Consulting Services (Without Feeling Salesy)

    Register for the Business of Public Health Summit! [April 10, 2026, Atlanta, GA] In this podcast conversation, Dr. Desiree “Dr. Des” Strickland and Dr. Brittny Wells(Doc Bee) explored a topic many public health professionals avoid but ultimately need to understand: how to sell consulting services without feeling “salesy.” The discussion reframed sales as an extension of public health practice—identifying problems and offering solutions—rather than persuasion or transactional pitching. Dr. Des and Doc Bee emphasized that most public health professionals are already solving complex problems through program design, evaluation, policy work, and community engagement. The missing piece is not capability, but the ability to clearly communicate that value to organizations that need those solutions. The conversation also unpacked why sales feels uncomfortable for many in the field. Academic culture often discourages self-promotion, and many professionals fear appearing transactional in a mission-driven space. However, the speakers explained that consulting opportunities rarely come from aggressive pitching. Instead, clients typically find consultants through referrals, prior work, reputation, and visibility in the right professional spaces—such as networking events and industry mixers. They also discussed what builds trust with potential clients: clearly defined expertise, confidence in delivery, and professional presence. The episode closed by emphasizing that effective sales is rooted in listening and problem-solving, not convincing, and by connecting these lessons to the upcoming summit, where speakers and sessions will focus on helping public health professionals position themselves so opportunities naturally come their way—including through structured networking and the summit’s pitch competition. 5 Key Takeaways Sales in public health is service, not persuasion. At its core, sales is about identifying a problem and presenting a clear solution—something public health professionals already do in their everyday work.Discomfort with sales often comes from academic culture. Many professionals avoid promoting their expertise because public health training discourages self-promotion and frames sales as transactional.Consulting opportunities usually come through relationships. Referrals, prior work, reputation, and being visible in the right spaces—such as professional mixers—are how most clients find consultants.Trust comes from clarity and confidence. Clients are more likely to work with consultants who clearly articulate their expertise, demonstrate professionalism, and communicate how they will deliver results.Focus on fit, not forcing the sale. Effective consulting conversations prioritize listening, understanding the client’s problem, and presenting a practical solution—or referring them to someone else if it’s not the right fit.https://www.drdesshow.com/ https://www.publichealthclub.com/

    34 min
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Join Dr. Des as she shares her journey, lessons, and expert advice to empower professionals and entrepreneurs to make an impact and build the life they deserve.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Des
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    58
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Dr.Des Show
  • Show Website
    The Dr.Des Show

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