The remarkable story of Dr. Jack Dillenberg, an international public health leader, educator, and change-maker. Whether delivering free dental health care to the citizens of Jamaica, educating residents of Calcutta on cholera prevention, or founding the most innovative dental and public health school in the country, Dr. Jack leads with heart and humor. Read his memoir, out August 14 at Olympia Publishers!
The year was 1975, and Dr. Jack was drowning in grief after the back-to-back losses of his girlfriend, Susan, who was killed in a car accident, and his mother, Rita, who passed away at the age of 64. At the suggestion of some friends, he took a solo vacation to Negril, Jamaica, hoping to get some rest and relaxation.
While Jack fell in love with Jamaica's untamed beauty, he also saw need everywhere. It wasn't long before he accepted a job with the Jamaican Ministry of Health as a dentist in a defunct free clinic on Green Island, the island's most remote, impoverished fishing village.
Over the course of two years, Jack worked tirelessly to remodel the rustic clinic and served hundreds of thousands of patients, free of charge. He had many adventures along the way, encountering celebrities, rock stars, pirates, smugglers, former CIA agents, and more.
This is the story of how Jack found his way out of his grief and rediscovered his passion for helping others. Listen to Jack's tale of how a two-week vacation turned into a two-year public health mission that changed the course of his entire life.
Episode notes:
Rick's Café Negril: https://www.rickscafejamaica.com/
Jamaica's history of Democratic Socialism: https://www.bostonreview.net/articles/when-jamaica-led-fight-against-exploitation/
History of Air Jamaica: https://old.jamaica-gleaner.com/pages/history/story0071.html
History of Bob Marley and Stevie Wonder's friendship: https://artsandculture.google.com/story/bob-marley-amp-stevie-wonder-bob-marley-legend/nwXx58m8epaCKg?hl=en
18 Sept 2024
Episode 5: BONUS EPISODE! Live Interview with Dr. Jack and Brett Dillenberg
We are thrilled to bring you this BONUS episode of You Don't Know Jack! Listen to this live interview with the man himself, Dr. Jack Dillenberg, and his nephew, Brett Dillenberg. Live from Dr. Jack's home in Jerome, Arizona. Learn more about the Dillenberg family dynamic, how they worked to heal their relationships, and lessons that have been passed down through generations.
17 Jul 2024
Episode 4: The Resilience of Dr. Jack
How can we stay positive and resilient, even when the odds are stacked against us?
In this episode, we share an update on Dr. Jack's current health battle as he recovers from a serious incident.
We look back at the many obstacles Jack has overcome, both personally and professionally, over the course of his life. We dive into his time in California, where he learned about mindfulness and meditation as the personal dentist of Swami Satchidananda Saraswati, an Indian guru and yogi. We also learn about his role as a resident dentist at the Southbury Training School in Connecticut, where he learned the importance of treating disabled patients with dignity and respect. We hear from another one of Jack's friends and colleagues, Dr. Steven Perlman.
During this time, Jack suffered back-to-back personal losses that would change the course of his life.
Episode notes:
Swami Satchidananda: https://swamisatchidananda.org/
Seal Team ONE: https://www.navysealmuseum.org/naval-special-warfare/men-green-faces
Rosemary Kennedy: https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/the-kennedy-family/rosemary-kennedy
Southbury Training School: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southbury_Training_School
Dr. Steven Perlman: https://www.jointherevolution.org/50-game-changers/dr-steven-perlman
15 May 2024
Episode 3: Changemaker
What is a changemaker?
This episode highlights the beginning of Jack's career as a changemaker. We dive into his leadership as a student activist in the 1970s. He and his best friend, Dr. Jon Nash, dragged the NYU dental school kicking and screaming into the culture wars. Along the way, they helped found the American Student Dental Association and the anti-war protest group Health Professions for Peace. Their work helped to reshape the dental profession and give dental students more input into their dental education.
Episode notes:
American Student Dental Association: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Student_Dental_Association
https://www.asdanet.org/
Hard Hat Riot: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/hard-hat-riot-1970-pitted-construction-workers-against-anti-war-protestors-180974831/
Kent State Shootings: https://www.library.kent.edu/special-collections-and-archives/mission-betrayed-richard-nixon-and-scranton-commission-inquiry
Chicago Seven: https://www.britannica.com/event/Chicago-Seven-law-case
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21 Jan 2024
Episode 2: How Are Leaders Made?
How did Jack from Queens become Dr. Jack Dillenberg, public health leader, educator, and mentor? This is his origin story.
Jack Dillenberg was born on Thanksgiving Day, 1945, in Harlem, New York. This episode covers his early life, from his birth to graduating from Tulane University in 1967. Learn more about Jack's family dynamic, his spiritual and educational training, and other events and influences that shaped his life.
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2 Jan 2024
Episode 1: Who is Dr. Jack Dillenberg?
Who is Dr. Jack Dillenberg? And why are we doing this podcast about him?
If you were a kid in the early 90s, especially if you grew up in Arizona, you might remember a series of public service announcements/television ads (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3uziN7eFTc&list=PLUqJ4ll0NMziNtCFYNTjtY2vdHYDtB6qe&index=4) with the slogan, “Tobacco: The Tumor-Causing, Teeth-Staining, Smelly, Puking Habit.”
That slogan came from the mind of Dr. Jack Dillenberg, who was the Director of the Arizona Department of Health at the time. The slogan inspired an award-winning public health campaign that became a national sensation. And it actually achieved the goal of preventing youth tobacco use.
It’s just one example of the many ways that “Dr. Jack” has impacted global public health--maybe even yours.
You Don’t Know Jack!
But you should. And that's why we are launching this podcast!
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Reach and audience
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YouTube views
16,046,004
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
15
Social presence
0
YouTube
93
Engagement
60
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