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In this episode, we highlight practical communication strategies that professionals can apply right away to extend their reach and impact. We start with insights from our CIRTC YouTube channel, where viewer trends reveal which skills are in highest demand. From there, we discuss why virtual conferences offer unique advantages that often go overlooked. We also spotlight compelling examples of health communication in action, from an Instagram post that makes you stop and think to an ER physician’s authentic video on medication safety. Finally, we share a simple but powerful messaging tip that can make your cause-and-effect statements clearer and more persuasive.

Links from the episode:

• CIRTC YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CIRTC_
• Donkey Brays https://www.instagram.com/p/DOlu8D1ERmN/
• Brain and Beyond https://www.instagram.com/p/DOOHKzVE8qY/
• BeachGem10 https://www.tiktok.com/@beachgem10/video/7483119035765296414
• Harvard SPH newsletter https://t.e2ma.net/message/fphqtj/jkgp9ksc

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This podcast is a project of the Center for Injury Research Translation and Communication (CIRTC). Connect with CIRTC: www.cirtc.org

Find CIRTC on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.

Note: all thoughts and opinions shared in this podcast are personal and not representative of any organization.

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Tracy and Katrina reflect on the podcast launch and explore the rapidly evolving social media landscape for scientists and researchers, plus share insights from experimenting with AI-generated music.

Chapters:

• Podcast Launch Reflections
• Social Media Evolution Post-Twitter
• Platform Selection Strategy
• Music Selection with AI Tools
• Human Creativity vs AI Generation
• Closing Thoughts and Encouragement

Resource from this podcast: Prompts and Keywords for AI Music Generation

Article referenced: "Scientists no longer find Twitter professionally useful, and have switched to Bluesky" https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40637733

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This podcast is a project of the Center for Injury Research Translation and Communication (CIRTC). Connect with CIRTC: www.cirtc.org

Find CIRTC on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.

Note: all thoughts and opinions shared in this podcast are personal and not representative of any organization.

Send us a text

What happens when classroom theory meets real-world health communication? Our three-part series concludes with a deep dive into the perspectives of emerging professionals as they navigate the transition from academic training to practical application in health communication.

We explore how creativity, feedback, and real-world practice shape the future of health communication. From graphic design and Canva challenges to the value of iterative feedback, we hear from the next generation of public health professionals what surprised them most about the field and what it really takes to move from creating materials do getting them out into the world.

We wrap up with big-picture takeaways about accessibility, dissemination, and why health communication can (and should) be a space for creativity and fun.

If you are interested in seeing the documents we use to onboard our interns, you can find them on our website in the Resources from CB box.

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This podcast is a project of the Center for Injury Research Translation and Communication (CIRTC). Connect with CIRTC: www.cirtc.org

Find CIRTC on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.

Note: all thoughts and opinions shared in this podcast are personal and not representative of any organization.

Send us a text

What happens when academic language meets real-world health communication needs? In this episode—the second in a three-part series—we continue to explore some of the gaps between academic training and practical application in health communication.

At the end of Part 1, our conversation turned toward accessibility, and Part 2 picks up there, expanding into language and word choice and how to translate data into compelling stories that resonate with audiences. We close this session by discussing skills like evaluating resources for credibility and using programs like Canva for health communication.

Check out for Part 3 where we continue our conversation about graphic design, creativity, and planning for effective dissemination of health information.

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This podcast is a project of the Center for Injury Research Translation and Communication (CIRTC). Connect with CIRTC: www.cirtc.org

Find CIRTC on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.

Note: all thoughts and opinions shared in this podcast are personal and not representative of any organization.

Send us a text

What do emerging professionals in health communication wish they'd learned in school? In a long, revealing conversation, we dive into candid interviews with three recent interns who came to us from diverse educational backgrounds.

Our discussion centers on a critical reality: students pursuing careers in public health communication receive minimal hands-on experience during their formal education. While they may learn theoretical frameworks and analyze existing campaigns, it’s challenging to replicate the work environment in an academic setting, so skills like accessibility and translating data for different audiences are often new concepts to the students who pass through our program.

This episode, the first in a three-part series, offers valuable insights for educators, health communication professionals, and students alike about bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice.

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This podcast is a project of the Center for Injury Research Translation and Communication (CIRTC). Connect with CIRTC: www.cirtc.org

Find CIRTC on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.

Note: all thoughts and opinions shared in this podcast are personal and not representative of any organization.

Send us a text

Remember when social media was just typing out a quick message and hitting “post”? Those days are long gone, replaced by the constant pressure to create eye-catching visuals that also have impact. This isn't just about aesthetics—it's about whether important health messages are being seen at all in today's crowded digital landscape.

In this candid conversation, we pull back the curtain on a struggle facing countless health communicators: the growing demands of visual communication in a field where most practitioners received little to no visual design training. We explore the disconnect between what public health students learn in school versus what they need in practice, and whether the return on investment for visual-first platforms justifies the resources required. Beyond identifying problems, we discuss strategic approaches to platform selection, ways to develop visual communication skills, and how reframing challenges through positive motivation can transform outcomes.

Have you experienced similar challenges in your health communication work? We'd love to hear your thoughts and strategies! Talk to us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube, or text using the link at the top of this box.

In the episode we refer to the PH Wins report (Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey). You can find that document at: https://debeaumont.org/phwins/2024-survey/

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This podcast is a project of the Center for Injury Research Translation and Communication (CIRTC). Connect with CIRTC: www.cirtc.org

Find CIRTC on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.

Note: all thoughts and opinions shared in this podcast are personal and not representative of any organization.

Send us a text

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of public health messaging? How scientific research moves from dense academic journals to information that actually changes lives? Communications Breakdown is a new podcast that invites you into the world of strategic communication planning, message crafting, and research translation.

We're your hosts, Tracy Mehan and Katrina Boylan, and in this first episode, we'll talk you through:

• why we started Communications Breakdown
• how we each found the field of health communication
• the education and experiences we draw on to create accurate, accessible, eye-catching health promotion campaigns

Whether you're a researcher wanting to share your work more effectively, a communication professional looking to sharpen your skills, or simply someone interested in how health information reaches the public, we're sharing our insights with warmth, humor, and expertise.

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This podcast is a project of the Center for Injury Research Translation and Communication (CIRTC). Connect with CIRTC: www.cirtc.org

Find CIRTC on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.

Note: all thoughts and opinions shared in this podcast are personal and not representative of any organization.