Best Wonks At Work Podcasts (2025)

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Golden Years: Rachel Bunch 17:14

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15d ago17:14

17:14

Arkansas is aging. By 2030, about 1 in 5 Arkansans will be 65 or older. Twenty years ago, that age group made up 14% of the state’s population. An aging populace requires an infrastructure that can accommodate increased demands on our healthcare system and a robust workforce that can provide the necessary long-term care and support. For an in-depth…

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Break on Through: Dr. Matt Deneke 16:21

26d ago16:21

16:21

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver and can be caused by a range of factors, such as viral infections, toxins, or some medical conditions. In 2018, Arkansas experienced a hepatitis A outbreak in which public health officials saw cases jump from just a handful to dozens each month. That outbreak subsided by the end of 2021, but hepatitis A isn’t …

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Law of the Land: Michelle Kitchens 20:20

1M ago20:20

20:20

Health care, public health, and the support systems we have in place to make Arkansans healthier were key areas of focus for state lawmakers during the 2025 regular session of the 95th Arkansas General Assembly. With the session now at an end, it’s time to look back from a healthcare perspective to understand what happened and what has become, or w…

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Pass the Peas: Dan Spatz 21:57

2M ago21:57

21:57

Although essential to overall health and well-being, not every Arkansan has access to fresh, healthy food. A working group appointed by former Gov. Asa Hutchinson found food deserts in 62 of Arkansas’s 75 counties in 2022. Filling some of those gaps, farmers markets and other community-focused solutions have evolved to serve areas that don’t have a…

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Redemption Song: Clay Hobbs 15:08

2M ago15:08

15:08

In Arkansas and around the country, private equity groups have a growing financial interest in health care. While private equity investment can revive struggling hospitals or reinvigorate stagnant ones, critics accuse some of loading hospitals with debt, stripping their assets, and leaving communities to deal with the aftermath. That’s what happene…

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These Are the Reasons: Dr. Ted Brown 29:32

3M ago29:32

29:32

As disturbing as the reported opioid overdose death toll has been over the past decade, a 2018 study suggested that many states were likely underreporting those deaths. The reason was that coroners and medical examiners were not specifying the drug contributing to the cause of death on death certificates. To better understand drug overdose deaths i…

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Mercy Mercy Me: Dr. Terry Fiddler 14:11

4M ago14:11

14:11

A little over half of Arkansans have dental coverage, and even among those with coverage, only 30% of adults and 50% of children used any services, according to an ACHI analysis. Forgoing oral health care can lead to infections, chronic pain, tooth loss, and exacerbation of other health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. Patients who do not…

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Ease My Mind: Dr. Ashley McMillan 20:02

6M ago20:02

20:02

Even if you may not look forward to going to the dentist, you could be taking your experience for granted. For individuals whose brains function differently, such as people with diagnoses like autism, going to the dentist can be an anxiety-inducing event. In this episode of the Wonks at Work podcast we speak with Lyon College School of Dental Medic…

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The Sum of It All: Dr. Sam Taggart 30:46

7M ago30:46

30:46

Non-medical vaccine exemptions for Arkansas kindergarten students continue to rise, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccine hesitancy, or a lack of confidence in vaccines, is a key factor contributing to this trend, but it is not a new phenomenon. On this episode of the Wonks at Work podcast, we’re join…

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Growing Pains: Dr. Paul Umbach 27:46

7M ago27:46

27:46

Rapid economic and population growth like what’s taking place in Northwest Arkansas can be exciting, but it can also stress existing housing, education, transportation, and healthcare infrastructure. The Health Care Transformation Division of the Northwest Arkansas Council, an organization established to help shape the region’s development, and Hea…

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School Days: Tamara Baker 15:17

8M ago15:17

15:17

Now more than ever, schools are seeking to provide students with a broad scope of wellness, prevention, and treatment so they can thrive inside and outside the classroom. Dozens of schools across Arkansas have adopted a model known as the school-based health center. These are staffed clinics on school grounds that provide medical and mental health …

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Answering Machine: Dr. Debbie Jones 20:12

8M ago20:12

20:12

Arkansas recently joined a growing number of states that support cell phone restrictions in schools, launching a $7 million pilot program to create “phone-free” schools as part of a broader effort to improve student mental health and curb screen addiction. While research on cell phone bans is mixed, some studies show associated improvements in stud…

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The Air That I Breathe: Dr. Matthew Steliga 31:29

9M ago31:29

31:29

Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death in Arkansas, claiming more lives each year than HIV, illicit drug use, alcohol, motor vehicle injuries, and firearm-related incidents combined. Tobacco use in the state has dropped significantly over the past decade, but Arkansas’s smoking rate still ranks among the highest in the U.S. Plus…

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We Can Do Better: Dr. Whit Hall 27:46

9M ago27:46

27:46

Firearms are the leading cause of death for children in the U.S., and the number of gun-related fatalities has continued to climb for the past decade. Following the September school shooting in Winder, Ga., that left two students and two teachers dead, the question of how to stem the tide has risen again. In this episode of the Wonks at Work podcas…

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Safe Passage: Craig Wilson 18:14

9M ago18:14

18:14

Data is great to have, but to work toward solutions to the challenges we face, it’s essential that we turn that data into understandable and actionable information. ACHI has been working with the Arkansas State Police on a deep dive into vehicular crash data to support strategic planning efforts for traffic safety. In this episode of the Wonks at W…

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On the Road Again: John Landosky 28:01

10M ago28:01

28:01

Arkansas has the fourth-highest roadway fatality rate of all the states. Fortunately, policymakers have begun to respond. In May, the Little Rock City Board voted to adopt the Central Arkansas Regional Safety Action Plan, part of which is to seek federal funding to address safety concerns by improving lighting, signals, and other roadway infrastruc…

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History Lesson: Dr. Sam Taggart 25:57

10M ago25:57

25:57

Arkansas’s rural communities face many challenges. Communities are shrinking due to out-migration, rural hospitals are under financial strain, and the state’s rural residents are, on average, older, poorer, and less healthy than their urban counterparts. Primary care physicians are also far less plentiful in rural areas, making the role of the fami…

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The Kids Aren’t Alright: Dr. Tiffany Howell 12:35

11M ago12:35

12:35

There is growing concern about the role social media plays in the mental health and development of young people. Arkansas’s governor, multiple other states, Congress, and the courts are all delving into this issue. The U.S. surgeon general has even called for warning labels on social media platforms. As those efforts move forward, it falls upon par…

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Sweetest Devotion: Tyler Faircloth 11:31

11M ago11:31

11:31

There are numerous risks along the birthing journey that contribute to poor outcomes for Arkansas moms and babies. One effective practice for promoting healthy outcomes for babies is breastfeeding, which supports their immune systems and cognitive development. Unfortunately, breastfeeding is not an option for some mothers. To learn more about a new…

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The Heat Is On: Todd Yakoubian 16:53

12M ago16:53

16:53

Hundreds of cities in nearly every U.S. state are on track for one of their 10 warmest summers on record. Besides posing immediate risk for illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, extreme heat can create cumulative stress on the human body over prolonged periods. Heat can also impact us in less obvious ways, such as worsening health risk…

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We Take Care of Our Own: Errin Stanger 29:37

1y ago29:37

29:37

Maintaining one's health is challenging for those whose basic needs such as housing and food are unmet. A new effort in Central Arkansas, Providence Park, seeks to address the needs of people who are chronically unhoused, offering permanent housing and wrap-around services including healthcare for those in need. Host Craig Wilson talks to Providenc…

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Now's the Time: Dr. Maria Rodriguez-Alcala 14:11

1y ago14:11

14:11

Maternal health has finally risen to the forefront of policy conversations in Arkansas, driven by the startling statistic that our state has the highest maternal mortality rate in the nation. Improving maternal health outcomes should be reason enough for policymakers to invest in positive change, but sometimes it helps to outline the economic benef…

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Behind the Wall of Sleep: Dr. Dimitry Fomin 17:28

1y ago17:28

17:28

When we’re well rested, we can start our day in a good mood and are better able to respond to whatever the day brings. There are, however, many different things that can keep us from getting a good night’s sleep. For some, minimizing common disruptions to sleep is not enough, as they deal with sleep disorders that cause problems with the quality, t…

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Home Sweet Home: Katherine Prentice 14:37

1+ y ago14:37

14:37

One impact of the pandemic on our healthcare system is that it inspired some necessary creativity and interest in new ways of providing care. One alternative care model that saw increased interest was the hospital-at-home model. About 150 hospitals have adopted this model, in which hospitals provide intensive care at home for patients with certain …

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Walk of Life: Dr. Kalena Jones 17:01

1+ y ago17:01

17:01

There are several programs underway in Arkansas aimed at improving maternal and infant health outcomes. One such program is Life360 HOMEs, part of Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me, or ARHOME, the latest iteration of Medicaid expansion in the state. Life360 HOMEs are designed to provide additional, intensive supports to a number of target popu…

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Management Consultant, Policy Wonk, and Christian Men’s Influencer: Interview with Aaron Renn, author of Life in the Negative World 44:20

1+ y ago44:20

44:20

Author of "Life in the Negative World", Aaron Renn, joins me to discuss his new book. Key take-aways are: Dig your well before you’re thirsty. As I reflect on Aaron’s career in business, influencing public policy, and now helping readers and listeners directly, It’s clear how each piece of the puzzle builds on what went before in his career. Aaron …

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I’ll Cover You: Dr. Joe Thompson 8:48

1+ y ago8:48

8:48

January 2024 marks 10 years since several key provisions of the Affordable Care Act took effect in Arkansas. In this episode, host Craig Wilson sits down with ACHI President and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson to discuss their perspectives on this anniversary. Dr. Thompson focuses on the impact of the state’s innovative approach to Medicaid expansion, while o…

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Danger Zone: Dr. Nirvana Manning 23:48

1+ y ago23:48

23:48

Moms are more likely to die during pregnancy or shortly after giving birth in Arkansas than in any other state. This is a shocking statistic, especially because maternal mortality is largely preventable. In this episode, host Craig Wilson asks University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology Dr. Nirvana Manning what ca…

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Fight From the Inside: Jordan Murdoch 28:46

1+ y ago28:46

28:46

Antibiotic resistance and the inappropriate use of antibiotics pose growing threats to public health, both here in Arkansas and around the globe. For U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week, we’re joined by one of our public health partners to learn more about these issues and what healthcare professionals and the public should know about antibiotic resista…

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Live Bonus Episode 49:11

1+ y ago49:11

49:11

The United States Library of Congress selected Dr. Strangelove as one of the first 25 films in the National Film Registry. As we approach the 60th anniversary of Dr. Strangelove (in Jan 2024), our live podcast panel takes a critical look at the dark comedy and reveals how the satire is uncomfortably realistic, even to this day. Using dialogue from …

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Signs for the Future 39:53

1+ y ago39:53

39:53

Some questions fall far outside the scope of what governments are designed to answer. How will we explain ourselves to extraterrestrials? What can we say to warn humans 10,000 years in the future about the nuclear waste we’re leaving behind? Assuming we develop the proper technology, would it be beneficial to breed glowing cats? Two decades after N…

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Digital Witness: J. Foster Davis 20:26

1+ y ago20:26

20:26

Among the challenges currently facing rural hospitals is cybersecurity, which was one of the main concerns expressed in a recent report commissioned by the Arkansas General Assembly. According to Becker’s Hospital Review, nationwide there have been 327 data breaches reported to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights as …

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An Illegal Floating City 31:53

1+ y ago31:53

31:53

Fishermen dying mysteriously off the coast of Japan. Entire populations of sea animals disappearing. Despite decades of work by the international community, the high seas remain law enforcement’s biggest blind spot, and the site of environmental crimes whose effects reach around the world. But some people are attempting to stop these crimes: We fol…

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When You’re Smiling: Dr. Burke Soffe 19:11

1+ y ago19:11

19:11

Only 57% of Arkansas adults reported having a dental visit in 2020. Like other health professions, there is an enormous need to educate, train, and keep dentists here in Arkansas to address the state’s significant oral health needs. That's why the announcement of a planned dental school at the newly established Lyon College Institute of Health Scie…

1
The Leak from Compound 19 26:38

1+ y ago26:38

26:38

In February 2020, an elite group of biosecurity experts, worried about the threat of pandemics, plays a bizarrely prescient role-playing game. They run into an age-old pattern of secrecy and mistrust, one that thwarts their efforts to ‘beat’ the game. We travel back to a (real-life) period when dozens of mysterious deaths occurred in a closed Sovie…

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Atomic: Dr. Michael Birrer 22:04

1+ y ago22:04

22:04

More than 17,000 Arkansans are diagnosed with cancer each year. As of late September, the most advanced cancer radiation treatment in the world is now available in our state following the opening of The Proton Center of Arkansas. The center in Little Rock is the result of a collaboration between the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arka…

1
Ground Control to Space Junk 28:24

1+ y ago28:24

28:24

There are no international laws against littering in space, which is a shame, because individual governments love to blow things up in low-Earth orbit. The result? A crisis of ricocheting debris that goes on forever. As private industry sends an unprecedented number of satellites into orbit, security experts find themselves in a race against the cl…

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Windmills in a North Korean Cabbage Patch 35:59

2y ago35:59

35:59

An arms-control advocate accepts an invitation to the dacha of a hard-partying North Korean power broker. There, through a haze of smoke and propaganda, they identify some common ground and set out to test a hypothesis: That it’s possible for Americans and North Koreans to work together toward peace. The result is a tense but extraordinary moment i…

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One Horse Town: Randy Barymon 23:21

2y ago23:21

23:21

Arkansas hospitals continue to face financial challenges coming out of the pandemic as inflation outpaces revenue. Earlier this year, the state established a new designation, the rural emergency hospital, following a move by Congress in late 2020. The new designation could make financial sense for some hospitals with lower inpatient volume, but the…

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Skinny-Dipping in the USSR 27:43

2y ago27:43

27:43

As the Cold War draws to a close, a group of American scientists hatches a plan to board a Soviet warship with a nuclear weapons detector to prove to their own government that the USSR is open to nuclear arms verification. Meet the guys who brought a slug of depleted uranium through security at LaGuardia Airport, sat atop a Soviet nuclear device in…

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Not Afraid: Chris Thompson 23:41

2y ago23:41

23:41

New digital technologies can boost our individual health and well-being and make the healthcare system more accessible, personalized, efficient, and cost-effective. This has created fertile ground for health technology startups exploring innovative ways to address patient and consumer needs. Recently, we've seen a flurry of startup activity in the …

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You’re Welcome (A Prologue) 9:32

2y ago9:32

9:32

If you’re reading this, and you’re not in some sort of irradiated, post-apocalyptic hellscape… well, you can thank our host Jeffrey Lewis. He studies nukes—who has them, who wants them, and how to prevent them from going off—so that we’re less likely to die in a nuclear war. The thing is, lots of people have jobs like this. They’re not celebrities …

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Introducing: The Reason We’re All Still Here 2:46

2y ago2:46

2:46

With the Iran nuclear deal dead as a doorknob, Jeffrey Lewis set out to make a new podcast, one that tells stories of scientists, journalists and maybe a vigilante or two... private citizens who are working to solve diplomatic problems and prevent the next global catastrophe. Yes this podcast is about saving the world – one arduous, unlikely, under…

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Learning To Fly: Robin Howell 29:21

2y ago29:21

29:21

Cultivating interest in healthcare careers among students earlier in the educational process is key to ensuring a sufficient workforce pipeline to respond to the needs of Arkansans. That has been the focus of Robin Howell, senior program manager for regional campuses at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, for more than 35 years. In thi…

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The Long and Winding Road: Dr. Joe Thompson 12:33

2y ago12:33

12:33

Findings from research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on minority communities have largely been uniform in showing overwhelmingly disparate health outcomes. In this episode of Wonks at Work, host Craig Wilson discusses findings from ACHI's analysis of Arkansas-specific data on COVID-19 health disparities with ACHI president and CEO Dr. Joe …

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The Heart of the Matter: Dr. Anthony Fletcher 21:00

2y ago21:00

21:00

The COVID-19 public health emergency may have ended, but some Arkansans who were infected are still experiencing health impacts. In this episode, host Craig Wilson welcomes CHI St. Vincent cardiologist Dr. Anthony Fletcher, who discusses findings from ACHI’s analysis of COVID-19 disparities and long COVID in Arkansas. Dr. Fletcher also gives a firs…

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Living with the Law: Michelle Kitchens 27:37

2y ago27:37

27:37

Several new laws passed by the Arkansas General Assembly during its most recent session have already taken effect or will go into effect at the end of this month. In this episode of the podcast, we revisit the session through a healthcare lens for a review of what has already changed, what will soon become the law of the land, and what it all means…

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Love Your Family and be the Classiest Corpse in the Graveyard – Interview with Abby O’Leary, founder of Fare Well Associates 35:52

2y ago35:52

35:52

Abby O’Leary is founder of Fare Well Associates, a consultancy that helps families deal with details during times of grief and loss. Key takeaways: 1. We’re all going to die, so die in style! Make an estate plan, then execute it and fund it. 2. You can make a business out of anything. Some businesses may be easier than others, but if there’s a way …

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You'll Never Walk Alone: Lt. Tim Shepard 21:47

2y ago21:47

21:47

In this episode, we revisit the intersection of mental health and law enforcement, a space in need of innovative solutions and a topic that has been the focus of two previous episodes. Host Craig Wilson welcomes Fayetteville Police Lt. Tim Shepard for a discussion of his work in Northwest Arkansas as the supervisor of the Crisis Intervention Respon…

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Justice Bites and Redemption Restores – Interview with Attorney Josh Walthall of Boerema Blackton 35:49

2y ago35:49

35:49

Josh Walthall, a former prosecutor for New Hanover County and the North Carolina State Bar brings career and life advice – and great stories – for licensed professionals and everyone else trying to do the right thing in their job. Key take-aways are: 1. Many situations that give rise to complaints or enforcement actions can be avoided by treating o…