Season 2 of No Longer Silent is bringing something fresh: the voices of national leaders joining our advocacy leader learning series. Each episode features influential change-makers who are out on the front lines championing healthcare access, equity, and justice for all communities. We’re centering real stories, candid strategies, and practical wisdom for dismantling barriers and moving the needle on the issues that matter most.
Racial Disparities In Healthcare Aren't Accidental
In our fifth episode of the season, titled Racial Disparities In Healthcare Aren't Accidental, patient advocate for disability justice Vanessa Lathan shares her personal journey with multiple invisible disabilities and chronic illness, and discusses the unique challenges faced as a Black woman navigating healthcare, workplace discrimination, and the stigma of “silent” diseases. The episode explores why authentic storytelling is crucial alongside data in advocacy, the urgent need for multigenerational collaboration, and the daily fight for equity in a system not built for everyone.
26 Aug 2025
Behind the Curtain: Barriers that Block Lifesaving Care
In our fourth episode of the season, titled Behind the Curtain: Barriers that Block Lifesaving Care, Tiffany Westrich-Robertson, Executive Director of Ai Arthritis, spotlights the real-life barriers blocking access to life-saving care, as federal funding cuts squeeze health services nationwide. She shares her personal journey from misdiagnosis to patient advocacy, highlights the gaps in research and representation for marginalized communities, and exposes how insurance practices like step therapy and non-medical switching undermine patient health. Listeners will hear why affordability reviews often leave out critical patient voices and how her organization is fighting to make systemic change by collecting and centering diverse patient experiences.
19 Aug 2025
Power Where It Belongs: Community-Led Blueprints for an Accountable Healthcare System
In our third episode of the season, titled Power Where It Belongs: Community-Led Blueprints for an Accountable Healthcare System, Dr. Alan J. Balch, CEO of the Patient Advocate Foundation, discusses the escalating challenges faced by safety net organizations as funding tightens and resource needs grow. He unpacks how fragmented systems impact low- and middle-income patients, why building strong local and national partnerships is key to resilience, and the critical need for effective, community-driven safety nets. This conversation dives into the realities of healthcare policy, the struggle for equitable access, and the importance of integrating compassion into advocacy.
12 Aug 2025
The System Listens When We Organize: Advocacy That Shifts Power
In our second episode of the season, titled The System Listens When We Organize, Jovan Agee shares his journey from a college internship to becoming a force in policy change. He reflects on his landmark win securing direct deposit for California’s domestic workers, his transition into health and breast cancer advocacy, and the importance of community power, political strategy, and holding leaders accountable.
A NOTE ABOUT THIS EPISODE:
An executive order from the current US administration has impacted federal employee unions. We weren't aware of this development until after Jovan's episode was recorded and edited. We've given him the opportunity update his statements regarding unions and he has the following to say:
Thank you for bringing to my attention the recent executive order impacting federal employee unions. This development does not, however, alter my stance on the importance of organizing. My discussion of unions in the interview serves as an example of a sophisticated organized political group, demonstrating a blueprint for influencing politics and policy that I believe warrants consideration.
It is important to clarify that my argument is not a defense or condemnation of unions themselves, but rather an emphasis on the strategic power of organized groups.
Thank you,
Jovan AgeeChief Executive OfficerAgee Global Solutions, LLCwww.ageeglobal.com
5 Aug 2025
Silence Won’t Save Us: Healthcare Advocacy Is a Matter of Life or Death
In this episode, “Silence Won’t Save Us: Health Advocacy is Literally a Matter of Life and Death,” host Rev. Dr. Tammie Denyse sits down with Sandra O. Poole, MPA, a renowned health policy advocate and champion for equity. Join us as we dig into real stories and practical strategies for breaking barriers to healthcare access, centering Black women’s experiences, and moving from just having a seat at the table to actually redistributing power in the policy process. Sandra shares candid lessons on self-advocacy, overcoming medical bias, the realities of advocacy under challenging political climates, and the necessity of self-care and community-building for activists. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about health equity, patient empowerment, and turning advocacy into action.
27 Aug 2024
Getting Loud With Rev. Carolyn Habersham
In the last episode of No Longer Silent: Patient Access Stories, Reverend Carolyn Habersham, affectionately known as Mother Carolyn, shares her harrowing journey through multiple cancer diagnoses and her fight for equitable healthcare. Diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1988, breast cancer in 1998, and upper palate cancer in 2002, Mother Carolyn recounts the systemic barriers she faced, including racism and discrimination, as a Black woman without health insurance. Despite these challenges, she persevered, advocating fiercely for herself and others in similar situations.
Mother Carolyn's story is not just one of survival but of resilience and advocacy. She discusses the emotional and physical toll of her experiences, the critical role of allies within the healthcare system, and the ongoing fight for dignity and respect in medical treatment. Her journey also led her to a deeper understanding of her faith, transforming her theological perspective and inspiring her to become a healthcare advocate.
19 Aug 2024
Getting Loud With Leo Hickman
In this enlightening episode of the No Longer Silent podcast, Leo Hickman, a veteran and advocate for holistic health, discusses the complexities of healthcare access in America. Leo shares his personal experiences navigating the healthcare system as a veteran and the challenges faced with accessing timely care. He delves into the concept of "step therapy" and how it impacts treatment for non-emergency conditions.
Leo also introduces us to his innovative approach to healthcare through the creation of a co-op network of practitioners that focuses on holistic and preventative medicine. He emphasizes the importance of community support and mental health services, which have become integral parts of his practice since the COVID-19 pandemic. Leo's work is deeply rooted in his expertise in biomedical engineering technology and his passion for plant medicine.
***HEALTHCARE FOR VETERANS IS MULTIFACETED. WHILE VETERANS FACE SIMILAR CHALLENGES AS OTHER AMERICANS, THEIR WAIT TIMES TO SCHEDULE A DOCTOR’S APPOINTMENT OR TO SEE A SPECIALIST AT TIMES CAN TAKE TWICE AS LONG. FOR VETERANS WHO HAVE PRIVATE INSURANCE, THEIR CHALLENGES ARE EVEN GREATER.
13 Aug 2024
Getting Loud With Sharon Washington
In this emotionally charged episode of "No Longer Silent," Sharon Washington Barnes shares a deeply personal and tragic story about her brother, Shawn, who lost his life due to what she believes was systemic racism and medical negligence. Sharon recounts Shawn's harrowing experience with multiple healthcare facilities that failed to provide adequate care, ultimately leading to his untimely death at the age of 29. Despite the profound loss, Sharon has become a fierce advocate for healthcare reform, using her brother's story to push for legislative changes and to support other families facing similar injustices.
The episode delves into the systemic issues within the healthcare system, particularly how they affect Black and Brown communities. Sharon discusses her involvement with the Fairness for Patients Act, which seeks to dismantle predatory laws that limit compensation for medical negligence cases. She also highlights the importance of advocacy and education, sharing resources like the Change for Shawn toolkit, which empowers individuals to navigate healthcare systems and advocate for themselves and their loved ones.
6 Aug 2024
Getting Loud With Marielle Vaughn-Hickman
In this powerful episode, Marielle Vaughn-Hickman, a senior mental health counselor for Sacramento County, shares her personal experiences navigating healthcare access issues, particularly in relation to menopause and chronic migraines. Marielle discusses the challenges she faced with step therapy and the often dismissive attitudes of healthcare providers, which left her feeling unheard and unsupported. Despite dealing with debilitating symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and severe migraines, she found that many doctors failed to explore alternative treatments or adequately address her concerns. Marielle emphasizes the importance of being bold and advocating for oneself in medical settings, highlighting her journey from feeling neglected to finding a physician who truly listened and took her symptoms seriously.
30 Jul 2024
Getting Loud With Regina Smith
In this episode, Regina Smith shares her journey of overcoming systemic barriers and personal trauma to become a beacon of hope and resilience. The conversation delves into Regina's early life, marked by the loss of her mother and the challenges of growing up in a tumultuous environment. Regina discusses the profound impact of her faith and the pivotal moments that shaped her relationship with God, including a life-changing promise made during a traumatic event in her childhood.
Regina also reflects on her professional journey, highlighting her work as a social worker and her passion for crisis management. She candidly discusses the systemic failures she has encountered, both in her own education and in the healthcare system, particularly in the care of her mother, who struggled with addiction and mental health issues. Regina's story is one of perseverance, as she navigates these challenges while pursuing a PhD in social work, driven by a desire to effect change from within the system.
23 Jul 2024
Getting Loud With Rosemary Blashill
In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Rosemary Blashill, her daughter Lisa Peacock, and her husband Jim. Rosemary, a retired nurse with over 50 years of service, shares the challenges she faces after losing her insurance and transitioning to a Medicare Advantage plan, which has resulted in exorbitant out-of-pocket costs for essential medications. Lisa, also a nurse, provides insight into the systemic issues that prevent patients like her mother from receiving necessary treatments. The conversation highlights the emotional and financial toll of inadequate healthcare policies and the power of family advocacy.
16 Jul 2024
Getting Loud With Dr. Le Ondra Clark Harvey
In this vulnerable episode, Dr. Le Ondra Clark Harvey shares her deeply personal journey with breast cancer, from the initial shock and sadness to finding strength and purpose in spreading awareness. She recounts how she used humor and social media to cope, wearing funny t-shirts post-surgery to spark conversations. Dr. Clark Harvey also delves into the emotional challenges, including her struggles with her scars and feelings of guilt for not undergoing chemotherapy or radiation like her mother and aunt. Through raw photography and public sharing, she found healing and aimed to break the stigma around breast cancer, especially within the African-American community.
Editors Note: Dr. Clark Harvey is a psychologist, not a psychiatrist as stated in the intro.
9 Jul 2024
Getting Loud With Jess Isomoto
In this inspiring episode, Jess Isomoto, a stage 3 breast cancer survivor, shares her journey from diagnosis to advocacy. Diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in February 2020, Jess discusses the challenges she faced accessing care, especially as an Asian American woman during the COVID-19 pandemic. She highlights the importance of patient advocacy, the need for better representation and support for communities of color, and the systemic issues in healthcare that often leave patients feeling unseen and unheard. Jess's story is a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength required to navigate cancer and the critical need for equity in healthcare.
2 Jul 2024
Getting Loud With Rev. Tammie Denyse, PhD.
In this illuminating episode, Reverend Tammie Denyse, a breast cancer survivor, ordained minister, tireless advocate for Black women's health, and co-founder of Carrie's TOUCH, shares her story of dedicating nearly two decades to addressing the alarming 41% higher mortality rate for Black women with breast cancer compared to white women.
We explore Reverend Tammie's inspiring journey from diagnosis to advocacy and learn about groundbreaking initiatives like Project SOAR (Speaking Our African American Realities). She also discusses the unique challenges Black women face in healthcare, the importance of culturally sensitive support, and how Carrie's TOUCH is working to empower patients through education, advocacy, and research.
20 Jun 2024
Getting Loud With Tonya Benefield
In this eye-opening episode, Tonya Benefield shares her challenging journey to diagnosis and treatment. Tonya faced numerous obstacles, including being initially told she was too young for a mammogram, experiencing multiple appointment cancellations and referral issues, and dealing with insensitive medical staff. She highlights the critical support she received from Carrie's TOUCH, which helped her navigate the complex healthcare system.
Tonya also speaks on the emotional and physical toll of her experience, including unexpected surgical outcomes and the lasting impact on her self-image. Finally, Tonya emphasizes the need for more patient advocates, culturally competent care, and ongoing support for cancer patients beyond their initial treatment.
11 Jun 2024
Getting Loud With Dr. Kasandra
In this insightful episode, Dr. Kasandra White, an obstetrician-gynecologist, discusses the critical issues surrounding healthcare access and the patient experience, particularly for Black women. She shares her personal and professional perspectives on the systemic challenges within the healthcare system, emphasizing the importance of trauma-informed care and the need for empathy and individualized attention in patient interactions.
Dr. White also highlights the legislative efforts to protect healthcare workers from discrimination and retaliation, and the broader implications for patient care. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding and improving the healthcare experience for marginalized communities.
29 May 2024
Getting Loud With Rev. Tawana Angela Davis, PhD
Reverend Tawana Angela Davis, PhD shares her eight-year journey battling metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer. Diagnosed in 2016, she underwent extensive treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery, and a clinical trial for immunotherapy, which significantly reduced her cancer. Throughout her journey, she emphasized the importance of community support, self-advocacy, and maintaining faith. She also highlighted the systemic challenges Black women face in healthcare and urged politicians to prioritize equitable access to care. Her story is one of resilience, self-love, and the power of collective support.
29 May 2024
Introducing No Longer Silent
Rev. Dr. Tammie Denyse, a 19-year breast cancer "overcomer," shares her powerful story advocating for timely, equitable healthcare access. As a Black woman who defied her 5-year survival odds, she illuminates the harsh realities many patients face due to utilization management barriers imposed by health plans.
Protocols like step therapy prevent cancer patients from accessing medications recommended by their doctors, causing harmful delays and disrupting continuity of care. While clinically proven treatments exist, these access issues disproportionately impact communities of color and the elderly.
Through the "No Longer Silent" campaign, Rev. Dr. Denyse amplifies the voices of real patients navigating the murky waters of the healthcare system. Their harrowing stories expose the dire consequences of delayed care and suboptimal treatment, calling for reform to allow patients and physicians to choose the best treatment plans.
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