Public Health Group Chat

A podcast more reliable than your federal government. Hosted by public health professionals Ariel, Mattie, and Olivia, this podcast breaks down what’s actually happening in the world of health—without the jargon or spin, no background required. Each episode feels like catching up with friends who know how the system works and can explain why it matters to your everyday life. Expect the topic of the week, public health in pop culture, weekly recall updates, and the good news we all need to hear. Informative, honest, and occasionally unhinged…in the best way. All views shared in this podcast are our own. Episodes drop every other Friday.

Public Health Group Chat is a science podcast hosted by Ariel, Olivia, and Mattie, with 16 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Ariel, Olivia, and Mattie hosts Public Health Group Chat, a science show with 16 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #16

  #CyclosporaSummer: Part I

  Aug 7, 202658 min

  Cyclospora is having a moment...and not because the parasite got scarier, but because the systems meant to catch it didn't. In this episode, Olivia breaks down what Cyclospora cayetanensis actually is, the history of outbreaks in the US, and the timeline of federal missteps (hi, FDA and CDC) that let this one spiral, including news of the first two deaths tied to the outbreak. This is part one of a two-part series, and part two brings in Dr. Alex Sundermann, DrPH, to dig into the outbreak detection and surveillance side. Also on the agenda: a rare bipartisan bright spot with the Patients Deserve Price Tags Act, and a truly unhinged recall roundup (steel in injections, plastic in baby food, and eggs everywhere). Recalls: Find all recent recalls at: https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts Referenced Article (if you wanna be a nerd and read it): https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cyclospora/cidrap-op-ed-cyclospora-outbreak-was-and-still-communications-failure Send us Fan Mail Support the show Want to support PHGC? Subscribe for special episodes or donate as a supporter . Want some PHGC merch? We now have a store on TeePublic! Check it out here . Give us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a friend! --- The views expressed on this episode are our own. We are available by email at publichealthgroupchat@gmail.com and on Instagram and TikTok at @publichealthgroupchat. Theme music generated in Soundful .

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  Episode #14

  WICked Games: Congress Plays with Benefits

  Jul 3, 202654 min

  In this episode, Ariel breaks down the WIC program (Women, Infants, and Children) as Congress moves to cut its benefits. She covers what WIC provides — cash benefits for healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to other services — plus eligibility and its history dating back to the early 1970s. She shares the data on WIC's impact, including major health care savings and improved birth and child health outcomes, then unpacks a House-passed bill that would strip $141 million in produce benefits from over 5.4 million participants, even as the administration's own MAHA report praises the program. The bill now heads to the Senate, and Ariel shares how to make your voice heard before the vote. This episode's good news is the reinstated flu vaccine mandate for U.S. service members after a major base outbreak. Also, stick around to hear Mattie talk about World Cup hospitality and what it says about public health. Recalls: Find all recent recalls at: https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts Clipped News & Media: Forbes Breaking News: Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-CT) criticized cuts to WIC. 4 News Now: "WIC prepares for, pushes back against potential funding cuts". Send us Fan Mail Support the show Want to support PHGC? Subscribe for special episodes or donate as a supporter . Want some PHGC merch? We now have a store on TeePublic! Check it out here . Give us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a friend! --- The views expressed on this episode are our own. We are available by email at publichealthgroupchat@gmail.com and on Instagram and TikTok at @publichealthgroupchat. Theme music generated in Soundful .

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  Episode #13

  This is an Ebola Episode

  Jun 19, 202657 min

  In this episode, Mattie walks us through Ebola as it returns to the headlines for the first time in years. She covers what the virus is, its history dating back to the 1976 outbreak near the Ebola River, how it spreads, and the treatments and vaccines in development. Then she gets into the current Bundibugyo outbreak in the DRC's Ituri province (now spilled into Uganda and declared a public health emergency), and why the response is not ideal, thanks to the dismantling of USAID, the US withdrawal from the WHO, and CDC cuts. She also unpacks the Trump administration's plan to build an Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya, a country that has never recorded a case. This episode's good news revolves around 1) a judge overturning the cancellation of $82.1 million in clean energy grants, and 2) major health insurers committing to cover all vaccines at no cost through 2027. Also, stick around to hear Ariel discuss Ladies First on Netflix and how she connects it to public health. Recalls: Find all recent recalls at: https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts 6/13/2026: Nara Organics, Whole Milk Powdered Infant Formula, Botulism Risk. 6/12/26: Azuma Foods, Seasoned Octopus with Wasabi, may contain undeclared fish. 06/12/26: Beekeeper's Naturals, Saline Nasal Spray, may contain Aspergillus spp. 06/11/26: TNVitamins (VITA-MINS) and Doctor's Pride, possible Salmonella contamination 06/09/26: Clover Hill Dairy, Soft Ricotta/Requeson Cheese, potentially contaminated with Listeria 06/08/26: BD, ChloraPrep Clear, possible fungal contamination 06/08/26: Freeze Dried Chicken Recipe Cat & Dog Food, may contain low levels of thiamine (vitamin B1) 06/05/26: Requeson 1lb Clamshell packages, possible listeria contamination 06/05/26: Up & Up Fragrance Free Baby Wipes AND Up & Up Fresh Cucumber Baby Wipes, may be contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia and Burholderia gladioli 06/05/26: Pearl Milling Company, Mezcla Para Panqueques Y Waffles, Debido a la presencia no declarada de leche y soya 06/04/26: No brand, Dried Herring Fish, may harbor botulinum 06/04/26: Gas-X Extra Strength (softgels 120 & 72ct), potential chemical contamination 06/03/26: TNVita Ultra Potent Complete Green Superfood Capsules and Doctor's Pride, Salmonella 06/01/26: Motor City Pizza Cheese Bread Single, Salmonella Send us Fan Mail Support the show Want to support PHGC? Subscribe for special episodes or donate as a supporter . Want some PHGC merch? We now have a store on TeePublic! Check it out here . Give us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a friend! --- The views expressed on this episode are our own. We are available by email at publichealthgroupchat@gmail.com and on Instagram and TikTok at @publichealthgroupchat. Theme music generated in Soundful .

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  Episode #12

  Oh SNAP

  Jun 4, 20261h 4mS0

  <p>In this episode, Ariel walks us through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). She traces its history from the Food Stamp Program of 1939 to its most recent changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (spoiler alert: changes made due to OBBBA aren’t good). In addition to reviewing major changes to SNAP through the years, she discusses what SNAP is and the eligibility criteria, why food assistance is important, the hypocrisy of the MAHA movement’s actions (they’re not making meaningful impacts to public health in the USA), and what is happening now in the SNAP landsc...

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  Episode #11

  It Hantas Me: Part II

  May 21, 20261 hourS0

  <p>If the MV Hondius Hantavirus outbreak hit the US tomorrow, would we be ready? In Part II of our Hantavirus/Andes virus coverage, Mattie and Olivia sit down with Dr. Elizabeth Soda, MD, infectious disease physician and former CDC insider who spent nearly a decade at the agency before resigning on principle in September 2025. Drawing on her years working from within, Dr. Soda explains why the systems that are supposed to protect us from outbreaks like this one are in a more precarious state than most people realize. She breaks down the mass exodus of career staff, the erosion...

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