Y Health
Stay informed with Y Health–your reliable source for relevant public health information brought to you by the BYU Public Health Department. Learn how global and local issues apply to you, while considering aspects of faith. Discover new perspectives with the help of host Dr. Cougar Hall and expert guests. Join us for a new topic each episode as we navigate the world of public health together.
Episodes
46 episodes
Classroom Edition: Mind, Body, Health part 1 with Cougar Hall
In this Classroom Edition of the Y Health Podcast, host Cougar Hall introduces listeners to one of Brigham Young University’s most impactful courses: Mind-Body Health (HLTH 383). As Part 1 of this series, Cougar draws from over 15 years of teac...
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15:19
Progress with Patience: Marathon Training and the Spiritual Lessons of Running with Iain Hunter
In this episode of Y Health, host Dr. Cougar Hall sits down with renowned BYU exercise science professor and elite distance runner Dr. Ian Hunter to explore the lifelong impact of movement, motivation, and meaningful connection through...
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Episode 40
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48:00
PSA: National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month—a time to focus on prevention, early detection, and real conversations about a disease that affects far too many lives. In this episode, we take a closer look at colorectal cancer (CRC), the third most...
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11:37
Dave Waddell on Faculty Connection, Mentorship, and College Retention Strategies
In this episode of Y Health, Dave Waddell shares how experiential learning, faculty connection, and mentorship in higher education are transforming the student experience at BYU and beyond. We explore why the second year of college is sta...
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Episode 39
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44:31
Classroom Edition: Social Capital with Josh West
In this classroom edition of the Y Health Podcast, Josh West explores the powerful concept of social capital and its impact on health and community well-being. Drawing on ideas popularized by Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone, this episode...
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19:24
Sarah Harward: How Value-Based Care Is Transforming Children’s Health
Public health isn’t just community clinics and county programs — it’s shaping the future of healthcare from the inside out. In this episode of Y Health, BYU Public Health alum Sarah Harward shares how she’s redefining population...
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Episode 38
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41:47
Classroom Edition: Global Child Malnutrition with Ben Crookston — Why the First 1,000 Days Matter
Does height really matter? In this classroom edition, Ben Crookston explains how child malnutrition and stunting are more than physical measurements—they are powerful indicators of long-term health, cognitive development, and economic opportuni...
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14:12
Upstream Health: Preventing Injuries and Pain Before It Begins with Theron Hall
In this episode of the Y Health Podcast we welcome Theron Hall, he is a chiropractor with nearly 30 years of experience helping patients prevent and recover from common musculoskeletal injuries. In this episode, he shares practical, prev...
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Episode 37
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59:51
Evan Thacker: Metabolic Health Is Brain Health
In this episode of the Y Health Podcast, we welcome Dr. Evan Thacker, BYU epidemiologist and dedicated mentor, to discuss brain health, metabolism, and the power of student-driven research.Dr. Thacker shares his journey from neuroscience...
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Episode 36
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58:57
Alan Pruhs: Compassion, Community, and the Cost of Care
Join host Dr. Cougar Hall as he sits down with Alan Pruhs, Executive Director of the Association for Utah Community Health, for a powerful and heartfelt conversation about what it really means to make healthcare accessible f...
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39:07
Raising Strong Boys and Strong Women: A Conversation with Ayugi Ntambwe-Kalala
In this inspiring episode of Y Health, host Dr. Cougar Hall sits down with Ayugi Ntambwe-Kalala — public health professional, educator, and mother of three — to discuss her remarkable journey from a small fishing town in K...
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Episode 34
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48:53
Becoming Media Literate on Public Health Topics with BYU Alum, Journalist, and Public Health Advocate Christine Frandsen
As part of BYU’s Homecoming Week, we’re spotlighting alum Christine Frandsen—a journalist turned public health professional—who shares how media literacy can help us recognize bias and misinformation in health news. From understand...
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Episode 33
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39:29
How Inclusivity Has Become Part of BYU Belonging
Professor Cougar Hall sits down with Greg Hooke, a senior in Public Health and member of the College of Life Sciences Student Belonging Council, to explore what “belonging” really means at BYU—and how simple acts of connection can...
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Episode 32
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40:03
From Bus Burning to Healing: Lessons from the Civil Rights Movement
What can public health learn from the Freedom Riders? In this deeply moving conversation, Dr. Cougar Hall is joined by Georgia Calhoun, Trudy Munford, and Dr. Anthony Bates to discuss the intersection of faith, forgiveness,...
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Episode 31
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1:12:40
Dr. Lori Spruance on Nutrition Policy, Australia, and Public Health Research
In this episode of the Y Health Podcast, Dr. Cougar Hall welcomes back one of BYU Public Health’s most dynamic voices, Dr. Lori Spruance, to share insights from her recent Fulbright Fellowship in Australia, her groundbrea...
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Episode 30
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38:56
Special Edition Announcement and General Conference PSA
In this episode of the Y Health Podcast, Dr. Cougar Hall announces two exciting new formats being added to the show: Y Health Classroom Edition – Faculty members will highlight key concepts from their...
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4:49
Rachel Higginson on Intuitive Eating, Body Image, and Sports Nutrition
In this episode of the Y Health Podcast, host Dr. Cougar Hall interviews Rachel Higginson, the Director of Sports Nutrition for BYU Athletics, about the evolving role of nutrition in athletic performance and everyday...
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Episode 29
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54:40
Navigating Public Health Challenges: Leiema Hunt’s Mission to Improve Community Health
Public health isn’t just about policies—it’s about people. Leiema Hunt, MPH, talks about her work in American Samoa, the unique health challenges her community faces, and the role of cultural traditions in promoting well-being. From leading COV...
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Episode 28
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34:25
A Legacy of Global Health with Dr. Randy Page
In this episode of the Y Health Podcast, host Cougar Hall sits down with Dr. Randy Page, a recently retired professor from BYU’s Department of Public Health, to reflect on his 40-year career in academia and global health. From his earl...
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Episode 27
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32:56
Kilns, Dust, and Hope: A Fight for Health and Learning with Dr Jim Johnston
Summary: In this episode, Dr. Jim Johnston shares his powerful experiences researching occupational health in Nepal’s brick kilns, where workers face constant exposure to hazardous dust and air pollution. Beyond the health risks, h...
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Episode 26
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46:34
Cultivating Belonging with Alisha Redelfs and Julianne Grose
In this episode of the Y Health podcast, Dr. Cougar Hall, alongside Dr. Alisha Redelfs and Dr. Julianne Grose, explores the intersection of public health and the creation of a sense of belonging within academic communities. The convers...
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Episode 25
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1:01:04
Global Health Journeys: From Quito to BYU with Ricardo Noriega
Summary:In this episode, Dr. Ricardo Noriega, a physician turned public health professional, shares his journey from medical school in Ecuador to BYU’s Public Health program. He discusses how the realization of the disparit...
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Episode 24
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30:48
Community Health: Bridging Borders with Marco Verdeja
Summary:In this episode, Dr. Marco Verdeja, a physician turned public health advocate, shares his journey from working in rural Mexican communities to his current role in Utah with Intermountain Health. He discusses how witness...
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Season 3
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Episode 24
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35:24
Finding Purpose in Public Health with Emma Drybread
Summary: In this inspiring episode, we chat with Emma Drybread, a passionate Master of Public Health student, about her journey from volunteer trips to Baja California to her vision of empowering underserved communities. Emma share...
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Episode 23
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30:47
Nourishing Your Microbiome with Zach Aanderud
In this insightful episode of Y Health, Dr. Cougar Hall from BYU's Public Health Department is joined by Professor Zach Aanderud from BYU's Plant and Wildlife Science to explore the fascinating world of the human microbiome. They discuss ...
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Season 3
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Episode 22
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40:22