Communications Breakdown: What Works (and Doesn"t) in Health and Science Communication

Send us Fan Mail Katrina talks with research writer Laura Dattner about how a health communication career grows from press releases into national injury prevention campaigns and hands-on training for future pediatricians. They break down how to tailor the same research for parents, clinicians, policymakers, and industry while staying clear, useful, and evidence-based. • Her path into health communication through public health campaigns and mentorship • What it’s like being the de...

Send a text We sit down with health communication researcher and podcaster Brian Southwell to explore why misinformation spreads, what trust really means, how to talk about uncertainty, and where AI helps without replacing humans. We share concrete steps to bridge research and practice and lessons from podcasting that make messages feel human and useful. Dr. Brian Southwell is Distinguished Fellow at RTI International where he oversees research on mental models of scientific concepts and publ...

Send us a text We break down how we plan six months of social content while staying nimble for real‑time events, and we debate a counterintuitive framing tactic that might raise engagement but risks exclusion in public health. We close with a nod to Miss Frizzle and Bill Nye as models for authentic, audience‑first science communication. • how a two‑level calendar keeps us on track • tailoring topics to local audience cues • reading the room and crisis pause protocols • the “not for you” fram...

Send us a text Some years ask for grit; this one demanded it. We’re closing out the year with a quick conversation about what felt heavy, what still matters, and how we plan to communicate with more heart and clarity in 2026. Our strategy: find the helpers, connect intentionally, and elevate the people doing work we admire. In this episode: • Reflections on burnout, fear, and uncertainty • Authenticity as a strategy in an AI and misinformation era • Courage to take risks and speak clearly abo...

Send us a text We hit our 10th episode by tackling two big tensions in health communication: AI’s fingerprints on our writing and images, and the real work of turning data into stories that lead to decisions. We end with a thoughtful look at trauma‑informed storytelling and a few fun extras for our listeners. • em dashes and other AI tells • what storytelling means beyond personal anecdotes • how to turn data into decisions with “so what” • a lightning talk example that finds the real messag...

Send us a text Building a public health campaign shouldn’t start with what we want to say—it should start with who needs to hear it and what decisions they’re making in the moment. In this episode, we break down some of the things we think about when we create or participate in national campaigns, from pinning down primary and secondary audiences to finding the messengers they trust. We also get into why you shouldn't just use the photos you find on Google, and we close with a tip on designin...

Send us a text "The great enemy of communication...is the illusion of it." In this episode, we pull apart why your message might not be landing with your intended audience—or reaching them at all. From System 1 vs System 2 to creative risk, trade‑offs, and trusted messengers, we cover: • getting your audience's attention in a crowded media climate • from the Health Podcast Summit: three reasons messages fail • health literacy beyond reading level: access, design, incl...

Send us a text 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...