All Episodes

In this special combined episode of Policy Connecting Communities, we bring together our Season 2 conversations exploring breast cancer beyond awareness—from personal experiences and survivorship to community support, health disparities, and medical care.
Across these conversations, we hear from survivors, advocates, community voices, and healthcare experts who share their perspectives on the realities of breast cancer and the importance of creating greater awareness, access, support, and culturally responsive care.
This episode brings together highlights and conversations from:
Martha Lee — More Than a Diagnosis: Breast Cancer Conversations
Talaya Dendy — Navigating Cancer Together
Dr. David Haynes — Understanding Breast Cancer Disparities and Community Solutions
Dr. Damé Idossa — Understanding Breast Cancer: What Every Woman Should Know
This combined episode offers an opportunity to revisit the key themes from our Season 2 series in one conversation.
Want to hear the full conversations? Check out Episodes 1–4 of Season 2 for the complete interviews and deeper discussions with each guest.
Policy Connecting Communities is produced by AG Consulting & Media. This episode was made possible in partnership with the Community Health Advisory Collaborative (CHAC), with sponsorship from Genentech. 

As we come to the final episode of our Breast Cancer Awareness Month series, we bring the conversation back to an important question: What should every woman know about breast cancer? In this episode of Policy Connecting Communities, we speak with Dr. Damé Idossa, an oncologist specializing in breast cancer, including triple-negative and early-onset breast cancer.
Dr. Idossa helps us better understand breast cancer, from risk factors and early detection to diagnosis, treatment options, clinical trials, and the importance of knowing your body. We also discuss why some women may face breast cancer at a younger age and the importance of seeking care, asking questions, and advocating for yourself throughout the cancer journey.
As we close this four-part series, we bring together the themes of lived experience, community support, health disparities, and medical care to emphasize the importance of awareness, early detection, and access to quality and culturally responsive cancer care.
Whether you are learning about breast cancer for yourself, supporting a loved one, or simply looking to become more informed, this final conversation offers important information and encouragement to help women and communities take a more active role in their breast health.
Policy Connecting Communities is produced by AG Consulting & Media. This episode was made possible in partnership with the Community Health Advisory Collaborative (CHAC), with sponsorship from Genentech. 
 

Continuing our Breast Cancer Awareness Month conversations, we turn our attention to the data behind breast cancer disparities and the factors that influence access to prevention, screening, treatment, and care. In this episode of Policy Connecting Communities, we speak with Dr. David Haynes, Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota and a health geographer specializing in the ways place, community, and social factors shape health outcomes.
Dr. Haynes helps us understand what the data tells us about breast cancer disparities, particularly among communities that experience barriers to timely and equitable care. We explore how geography, social conditions, access to healthcare, and other community-level factors can influence cancer outcomes.
The conversation also looks beyond the challenges to highlight potential community solutions and the importance of using data to better understand the needs of diverse populations. Together, we explore how communities, healthcare systems, and public health leaders can work toward more accessible, equitable, and culturally responsive breast cancer care.
Policy Connecting Communities is produced by AG Consulting & Media. This episode was made possible in partnership with the Community Health Advisory Collaborative (CHAC), with sponsorship from Genentech. 

Continuing our Breast Cancer Awareness Month conversations, we take a closer look at what it means to navigate cancer with support, compassion, and community. In this episode of Policy Connecting Communities, we sit down with Talaya Dendy, cancer doula and 15-year cancer thriver, to discuss her personal journey with cancer and the experiences that led her to support others through their own cancer journeys.
Talaya shares insights into the emotional and practical challenges that can come with a cancer diagnosis, the importance of having a strong support system, and the role cancer doulas can play in helping individuals and families navigate treatment and life beyond cancer.
We also explore the importance of culturally responsive care, community support, advocacy, and making sure people do not have to face cancer alone. Through Talaya’s story and experience, we look at how connection, education, and compassionate support can help individuals and communities navigate the cancer journey together.
Policy Connecting Communities is produced by AG Consulting & Media. This episode was made possible in partnership with the Community Health Advisory Collaborative (CHAC), with sponsorship from Genentech.

This month, as we recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re going beyond awareness to explore the personal stories, challenges, and experiences behind a breast cancer diagnosis. In this episode of Policy Connecting Communities, we sit down with Martha Lee, breast cancer survivor and founder of Ruthlessly Hopeful, to talk about her journey through diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and life beyond cancer.
Through Martha’s story, we discuss the importance of early detection, access to care, support systems, and the unique challenges that can shape the breast cancer experience for individuals and families from diverse cultural communities. We also explore the role of hope, advocacy, and community support throughout the cancer journey.
This conversation is about more than breast cancer statistics—it’s about seeing the person behind the diagnosis and understanding what it takes to create more informed, compassionate, and accessible support for those affected by cancer.
Policy Connecting Communities is produced by AG Consulting & Media. This episode was made possible in partnership with the Community Health Advisory Collaborative (CHAC), with sponsorship from Genentech.

In this episode, we are grateful for the opportunity to have a conversation with a panel of experts from Mayo Clinic about Hepatitis B and C, and their relationship with HIV. Given the disparity in how these viruses are infecting immigrant communities and African-American communities in Minnesota, we wanted to shed light on the work that is being done to better understand the prevalence of these illnesses in the African population, and how equitable research is leading to improved community-based education and intervention. 
These three distinguished researchers-providers-educators share their lived experiences growing up in a healthcare system that's hobbled by a scarcity of resources, and where the intersectionality and comorbidity of liver and auto-immune illnesses has devastating effects.
In addition, we'll learn about:
Current data regarding racial disparities in rates of Hepatitis B and C, and HIV,
Endeavors to ensure equal representation of women and racial ethnic minorities in medical and scientific research and clinical trials.
Outreach efforts to address cultural and social stigma around illnesses such as Hepatitis B, C and HIV, and
Community-based networks to provide early detection, early intervention, and early treatment
Additional Resources, including: the Center for Disease Control, the MN Department of Health, Mayo Clinic, and the local Somali Health Advisory Committee
 

In this episode, we interviewed Ruth Richardson–lawyer, health equity champion, and trailblazer. Ruth made history in 2018, becoming the first Black person elected to represent her district in the Minnesota House. Additionally, Ruth is the first Black woman to serve as President and CEO of Planned Parenthood in the North Central States in its over 100-year history.
From the story of Ruth’s mother’s varied experiences of giving birth with Ruth’s great grandmother as midwife, compared to her birthing experience in a segregated Mississippi hospital, to the recent stories of traumatic birthing experiences endured even by wealthy, famous individuals like Serena Williams, Ruth dives into some of the most prevalent issues around health care inequity impacting African and Black community members, and more specifically, women and mothers.
Join us for an in-depth conversation spanning several topics, including:
Insights from Ruth’s unique journey in health equity awareness, advocacy and leadership.
Language and misconceptions around health disparities and health inequity.
Real data and disparities related to African and Black women’s maternal mortality, infant maternal health, domestic violence, human trafficking and more.
The importance of educating people about systemic errors like the Black race coefficient and its effects on Black mortality rates.
How community collaboration, patient stories and personal experiences shape legislative policy and build better systems.
Ensuring legislative policy translates into day-to-day practice.
Tips for getting involved in issues important to you!

Understanding Vaccine Hesitancy & Measles
Mawduuc Ku Saabsan Cabsida Talaalka iyo Jadeecada: Somali Language Edition Episode.
Ku soo dhawaada Policy Connecting Communities Podcast.  Aniga oo ah Anab Adan Gulaid, xidhiidhiyaha barnaamijka.
Podcastan waxa soo sayaray oo isku dubariday sirkada AG Consulting & Media, oo kashaqaysa how galinta, horumarinta,  cilmi baarista bulshada,  iyo xog wareysi .    
Barnaamijkan Maanta waa mid qiimo  badan oo ku saabsan Tallaalka iyo sababaha keenay in ay cabsi dheerada ah ay  jirto  iyo  xanuunka jadeecada oo  dhawaan ku soo batay Gobolka Minnesota. Waxaan duubnay mowduucan September 30-keedii, 2024, iyo, sida ay sheegtay Waaxda Caafimaadka ee Minnesota, ma jiraan kiisas cusub tan iyo September 29-keedii.
Waxa marti sharaf noo ah, aqoonyahano kaladuwan oo khibrad u leh caafimadka bulshada. Kuwaas oo kala socda Hayado laka duwan.
Munira M. Maalimisaq, Family Nurse Practitioner with expertise in diversity, inclusion, and health equity and Founder/CEO of Inspire Change Clinic,
Jamila Abdulkadir, Nurse Practitioner at Axis Medical Center and Co-founder & Clinical Director at Inspire Change Clinic
 Iman Sharif Mohamed is a co-founder of Dar-Al Hijrah Mosque in Minneapolis and the co-founder and director of Open Path Resources.

In this episode, we invite a panel of community leaders and experts to engage in a discussion about the impact of vaccines in disease prevention and the multidimensional contributing factors resulting from vaccine decline and hesitancy, as well as the recent measles outbreak disproportionately impacting the Somali community in Minnesota.

This month as we unmasked mental health, we dive deeper into what recent data is showing regarding mental health trends in Minnesota with a focus on our students and and populations from diverse cultural backgrounds. With experts from the National Association on Mental Illness (NAMI) MN as well as public health officials and local practitioners, we'll highlight some of the most important data points, key challenges in addressing mental health within specific communities or demographic groups, as well as the solutions that are currently working and where we need to increase availability and access to those solutions.