Communications Breakdown: What Works (and Doesn't) in Health and Science Communication

Send us Fan MailKatrina 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 default communications lead inside health departments • How child injury prevention research becomes press releases, interviews, and web content • Choosing the right channel and voice for parents vs clinicians vs researchers • Writing actionable safety guidance that goes beyond describing the problem • Working well with marketing teams, editors, and journalists through timelines and trust ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This podcast is a project of the Center for Injury Research Translation and Communication (CIRTC). Connect with CIRTC: www.cirtc.orgFind CIRTC on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.Note: all thoughts and opinions shared in this podcast are personal and not representative of any organization.

Send us Fan MailWe 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 public trust in science and scientists. He also Chairs the Fellows Program at RTI, is adjunct professor of Internal Medicine with Duke University, adjunct associate professor with UNC-Chapel Hill’s Gillings School of Global Public Health, and adjunct faculty member with the University of Delaware, and hosts the public radio show, The Measure of Everyday Life.ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Brian-Southwell~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This podcast is a project of the Center for Injury Research Translation and Communication (CIRTC). Connect with CIRTC: www.cirtc.orgFind CIRTC on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.Note: all thoughts and opinions shared in this podcast are personal and not representative of any organization.

Send us Fan MailWe 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” framing: upsides and risks• authentic voice inspired by Ms. Frizzle and Bill NyeLinks:Prevent Child Injury: Join UsCenter for Health Communication Newsletter~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This podcast is a project of the Center for Injury Research Translation and Communication (CIRTC). Connect with CIRTC: www.cirtc.orgFind CIRTC on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.Note: all thoughts and opinions shared in this podcast are personal and not representative of any organization.

Send us Fan MailSome 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 about evidence• Taking time to celebrate our achievements• Talk to us: let us know what you want to hear in 2026Links:Katelyn Jetelina (Your Local Epidemiologist): https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/about~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This podcast is a project of the Center for Injury Research Translation and Communication (CIRTC). Connect with CIRTC: www.cirtc.orgFind CIRTC on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.Note: all thoughts and opinions shared in this podcast are personal and not representative of any organization.

Send us Fan MailWe 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 message• ethics of lived experience and long‑term consent• two new coloring books!Communications Breakdown coloring book: https://www.cirtc.org/communications-breakdownNano Banana Pro: https://gemini.google/overview/image-generation/Nancy Duarte post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nancyduarte_datastorytelling-communicationskills-leadershipcommunication-activity-7396941884478218240-GoNKSteve Burns clip: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QIzjHSL5Lo8Gaping Void: https://www.gapingvoid.com/want-to-know-how-to-turn-change-into-a-movement/ Jamila Porter's new book: https://debeaumont.org/books/strategic-skills-for-public-health-practice-advancing-equity-and-justice/Media Institute: https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/research/areas-of-research/center-for-injury-research-and-policy/education-and-training/media-101-workshop ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This podcast is a project of the Center for Injury Research Translation and Communication (CIRTC). Connect with CIRTC: www.cirtc.orgFind CIRTC on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.Note: all thoughts and opinions shared in this podcast are personal and not representative of any organization.

Send us Fan MailBuilding 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 designing for dark mode.Topics:National Injury Prevention DayStart With Audience, Not MessagesChoosing Channels And Social ConstraintsData Informs Action, Emotion Drives AttentionAudit Existing Resources And Fill GapsPartner-Friendly Assets And FormatsTone, Music, And Visuals Set EmotionJargon, Plain Language, And TrustImage Licenses: Risks And Best PracticesDark ModeLinks:National Injury Prevention Day (NIPD): https://nationalinjurypreventionday.org/NIPD Post-Event Fireside Chat (Tracy is moderating!): https://nationalinjurypreventionday.org/kickoff-webinar#fireside-chatCopyright, Creative Commons, and Public Domain: https://youtu.be/BTNI1Od5IaAReverse Image Search: https://youtu.be/3JJdFfNpaz8Google License Sorting Tool: https://youtu.be/zjVgQgm7GY8If you liked what you heard today, please consider subscribing to or following us. We also love it when you like or comment on the episode. Share it with somebody you think might like it. If you want to get in touch with us, there's a link in the show notes that will send us a text.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This podcast is a project of the Center for Injury Research Translation and Communication (CIRTC). Connect with CIRTC: www.cirtc.orgFind CIRTC on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.Note: all thoughts and opinions shared in this podcast are personal and not representative of any organization.

Send us Fan Mail"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, inclusion • empathy for trade‑offs and offering workable alternatives • new research on the "truth sandwich" and correcting misinformation~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Links from the episode:Quote: https://quoteinvestigator.com/2014/08/31/illusion/Thinking, Fast and Slow: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thinking,_Fast_and_SlowCPSC links: https://www.instagram.com/uscpsc/; https://bsky.app/profile/cpsc.govDumb Ways to Die:Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJNR2EpS0jwWebsite: https://www.dumbwaystodie.com/Aaron Carroll, MD, MS: https://academyhealth.org/about/people/aaron-e-carroll-md-msHealth Podcast Summit: https://summit.healthpodcast.co/Some research on the backfire effect:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11109-010-9112-2https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/133/4/e835/32713/Effective-Messages-in-Vaccine-Promotion-A?redirectedFrom=fulltexthttps://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2819073Truth sandwich: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truth_sandwich“The truth sandwich format does not enhance the correction of misinformation” (Swire-Thompson et al) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40860910/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This podcast is a project of the Center for Injury Research Translation and Communication (CIRTC). Connect with CIRTC: www.cirtc.orgFind CIRTC on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.Note: all thoughts and opinions shared in this podcast are personal and not representative of any organization.

Send us Fan MailIn 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 an ER physician’s authentic video on medication safety. Finally, we share a simple but powerful messaging tip that can make your cause-and-effect statements clearer and more persuasive.Links from the episode:CIRTC YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CIRTC_Donkey Brays https://www.instagram.com/p/DOlu8D1ERmN/ Brain and Beyond https://www.instagram.com/p/DOOHKzVE8qY/ BeachGem10 https://www.tiktok.com/@beachgem10/video/7483119035765296414Harvard SPH newsletter https://t.e2ma.net/message/fphqtj/jkgp9ksc~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This podcast is a project of the Center for Injury Research Translation and Communication (CIRTC). Connect with CIRTC: www.cirtc.orgFind CIRTC on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.Note: all thoughts and opinions shared in this podcast are personal and not representative of any organization.

Send us Fan MailTracy and Katrina reflect on the podcast launch and explore the rapidly evolving social media landscape for scientists and researchers, plus share insights from experimenting with AI-generated music.Chapters:Podcast Launch ReflectionsSocial Media Evolution Post-TwitterPlatform Selection StrategyMusic Selection with AI ToolsHuman Creativity vs AI GenerationClosing Thoughts and EncouragementResource from this podcast: Prompts and Keywords for AI Music GenerationArticle referenced: "Scientists no longer find Twitter professionally useful, and have switched to Bluesky" https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40637733~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This podcast is a project of the Center for Injury Research Translation and Communication (CIRTC). Connect with CIRTC: www.cirtc.orgFind CIRTC on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.Note: all thoughts and opinions shared in this podcast are personal and not representative of any organization.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when classroom theory meets real-world health communication? Our three-part series concludes with a deep dive into the perspectives of emerging professionals as they navigate the transition from academic training to practical application in health communication.We explore how creativity, feedback, and real-world practice shape the future of health communication. From graphic design and Canva challenges to the value of iterative feedback, we hear from the next generation of public health professionals what surprised them most about the field and what it really takes to move from creating materials do getting them out into the world. We wrap up with big-picture takeaways about accessibility, dissemination, and why health communication can (and should) be a space for creativity and fun. If you are interested in seeing the documents we use to onboard our interns, you can find them on our website in the Resources from CB box. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This podcast is a project of the Center for Injury Research Translation and Communication (CIRTC). Connect with CIRTC: www.cirtc.orgFind CIRTC on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.Note: all thoughts and opinions shared in this podcast are personal and not representative of any organization.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when academic language meets real-world health communication needs? In this episode—the second in a three-part series—we continue to explore some of the gaps between academic training and practical application in health communication.At the end of Part 1, our conversation turned toward accessibility, and Part 2 picks up there, expanding into language and word choice and how to translate data into compelling stories that resonate with audiences. We close this session by discussing skills like evaluating resources for credibility and using programs like Canva for health communication.Check out for Part 3 where we continue our conversation about graphic design, creativity, and planning for effective dissemination of health information.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This podcast is a project of the Center for Injury Research Translation and Communication (CIRTC). Connect with CIRTC: www.cirtc.orgFind CIRTC on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.Note: all thoughts and opinions shared in this podcast are personal and not representative of any organization.

Send us Fan MailWhat do emerging professionals in health communication wish they'd learned in school? In a long, revealing conversation, we dive into candid interviews with three recent interns who came to us from diverse educational backgrounds.Our discussion centers on a critical reality: students pursuing careers in public health communication receive minimal hands-on experience during their formal education. While they may learn theoretical frameworks and analyze existing campaigns, it’s challenging to replicate the work environment in an academic setting, so skills like accessibility and translating data for different audiences are often new concepts to the students who pass through our program. This episode, the first in a three-part series, offers valuable insights for educators, health communication professionals, and students alike about bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This podcast is a project of the Center for Injury Research Translation and Communication (CIRTC). Connect with CIRTC: www.cirtc.orgFind CIRTC on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.Note: all thoughts and opinions shared in this podcast are personal and not representative of any organization.

Send us Fan MailRemember when social media was just typing out a quick message and hitting “post”? Those days are long gone, replaced by the constant pressure to create eye-catching visuals that also have impact. This isn't just about aesthetics—it's about whether important health messages are being seen at all in today's crowded digital landscape. In this candid conversation, we pull back the curtain on a struggle facing countless health communicators: the growing demands of visual communication in a field where most practitioners received little to no visual design training. We explore the disconnect between what public health students learn in school versus what they need in practice, and whether the return on investment for visual-first platforms justifies the resources required. Beyond identifying problems, we discuss strategic approaches to platform selection, ways to develop visual communication skills, and how reframing challenges through positive motivation can transform outcomes. Have you experienced similar challenges in your health communication work? We'd love to hear your thoughts and strategies! Talk to us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube, or text using the link at the top of this box.In the episode we refer to the PH Wins report (Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey). You can find that document at: https://debeaumont.org/phwins/2024-survey/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This podcast is a project of the Center for Injury Research Translation and Communication (CIRTC). Connect with CIRTC: www.cirtc.orgFind CIRTC on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.Note: all thoughts and opinions shared in this podcast are personal and not representative of any organization.

Send us Fan MailHave you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of public health messaging? How scientific research moves from dense academic journals to information that actually changes lives? Communications Breakdown is a new podcast that invites you into the world of strategic communication planning, message crafting, and research translation. We're your hosts, Tracy Mehan and Katrina Boylan, and in this first episode, we'll talk you through:why we started Communications Breakdownhow we each found the field of health communicationthe education and experiences we draw on to create accurate, accessible, eye-catching health promotion campaignsWhether you're a researcher wanting to share your work more effectively, a communication professional looking to sharpen your skills, or simply someone interested in how health information reaches the public, we're sharing our insights with warmth, humor, and expertise. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This podcast is a project of the Center for Injury Research Translation and Communication (CIRTC). Connect with CIRTC: www.cirtc.orgFind CIRTC on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.Note: all thoughts and opinions shared in this podcast are personal and not representative of any organization.