Faith Communities and Public Health Strategies with Professor Heidi Larson and Dr. Nduku Kilonzo

In this episode of A Shot in the Arm podcast, host Ben Plumley is joined by Professor Heidi Larson, co-founder of the Global Listening Project, and Dr. Nduku Kilonzo, managing director of Yemaya Health Advisory. Recorded in during IAS 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda, the discussion centers on the essential contributions of faith leaders to global health, particularly in engaging communities and influencing public health decisions. The episode explores findings from the Global Listening Project's studies in Kenya and Nigeria, highlighting the deep trust communities place in faith leaders and the necessity of including them in health initiatives. The conversation emphasizes the need for health professionals to rethink their engagement strategies with faith communities, the role of digital technologies, and the importance of co-creating health solutions with faith leaders. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:17 Meet the Guests: Professor Heidi Larson and Dr. Nduku Kilonzo 00:35 The Role of Faith Leaders in Global Health 02:20 Insights from the Global Listening Project 03:54 Challenges and Opportunities in Engaging Faith Leaders 05:17 Deep Listening Techniques and Findings 07:49 Faith Leaders' Perspectives on Health Issues 09:53 The Importance of Trust and Engagement 19:11 Digital Technologies and Faith Communities 24:27 Future Directions and Final Thoughts 28:30 Closing Remarks and Thanks 💬 Join the Conversation! How do you see the future of global health unfolding? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🔔Subscribe & Stay Updated: Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. Watch on YouTube & subscribe for more in-depth global health discussions: www.youtube.com/@shotarmpodcast