Dr. Mary Hayden recently traveled to Colombia to answer a question about mosquitoes that was actually about us humans. Specifically, she wanted to know how human behavior shapes the risk of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, Zika, and yellow fever. From unregulated areas with limited water access to neighborhoods in the U.S., she’s found that our daily habits, infrastructure, and even trust in information can either reduce or increase that risk.

Hear Mary talk about:

• How her interest in climate led to a focus on human behavior and disease transmission
• What she observed in Colombian communities where water access is scarce and mosquitoes thrive
• How perception of risk and trust in messengers impact public health efforts
• Practical ways you can protect yourself from mosquitoes and ticks
• Why some prevention strategies are simple, yet are still so hard to make stick

Mentioned in this episode:

• More about Dr. Mary Hayden
• BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) – Bacteria used to kill mosquito larvae in standing water
• Engineers Without Borders – Organization developing low-cost solutions for clean water and storage safety
• Permethrin – Insecticide applied to clothing to repel mosquitoes and ticks
• Bug repellents like Picaridin, DEET, and the plant-based Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus

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At 14, Brandon Phillips was a healthy kid with a passion for sports. Then one day he noticed his leg was swollen. Within 24 hours, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and the outlook wasn't positive. In this episode, Brandon shares what it was like to face a life-threatening diagnosis, fight through months of brutal chemotherapy, and go on to become a professional polo player, as well as a devoted advocate for families battling childhood cancer.

Hear Brandon talk about:

• The moment he realized something was wrong with his leg
• His swift cancer diagnosis and grueling treatment
• How mental strength and his athlete’s mindset helped him beat the odds
• Why he didn’t want to talk about cancer for years
• Founding Polo for Life to support families with a child fighting cancer

Mentioned in this episode:

• Polo for Life – Brandon’s nonprofit supporting families affected by childhood cancer
• Kids Cancer Foundation – Florida-based nonprofit supporting children and families fighting cancer, and one of Polo for Life’s beneficiary organizations
• Pediatric Oncology Support Team (POST) – Services and counseling for families of children with cancer in South Florida, and one of Polo for Life’s beneficiary organizations
• Miami Cancer Institute – One of Polo for Life’s partner hospitals and beneficiary organizations

Support this pod:

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• Share on social media and tag @rainemediaco

Carol Hoenig published her first novel in 2005. Years later, while driving home from work, one of her characters suddenly returned, insisting to Carol that her story wasn’t finished. That unexpected moment sparked a new novel about the character's story. In this episode, Carol reflects on her creative process, the career pivots that shaped her path, and the moments when fictional characters come to life.

Hear Carol talk about:

• The day her character, Grace, let her know there was more to the story

• Starting her business the same day she lost her job at Borders

• How her characters speak to her and sometimes surprise her

• The creative process behind Without Grace and Before She Was a Finley

• Why honoring the craft of writing matters

Mentioned in this episode:

• Without Grace by Carol Hoenig
• Before She Was a Finley by Carol Hoenig
• Her episode of My Hometown on 90.3 WHPC
• Learn more about Carol on her website
• Watch Carol's podcast, Wildflowers Podcast: Books, Booze and Banter, on YouTube

Support this podcast:

• Follow in your favorite podcast app
• Leave a rating and review
• Share with a friend and on social media and tag @rainemediaco