Route Notes
Route Notes is a podcast for public health professionals, nonprofit leaders, educators, and changemakers navigating the real work of leadership in complex systems. We’ve spent years working alongside leaders in public health, education, nonprofits, and advocacy. From board rooms to back roads, the challenges are always complex. Route Notes shares stories, strategies, and lessons we’ve learned along the way—and introduces you to the people who’ve helped us navigate the terrain. Because maps are made from the journeys behind us—not the road ahead.
Episodes
In this episode of Route Notes, we reflect on the central role of story in planning, leadership, and decision-making. Over years of working with organizations and communities, we’ve found that strategy doesn’t emerge from filling in templates—it emerges from narrative.
We talk about what changed in our own facilitation approach, including the moment we stopped asking people to start with templates and instead invited them to tell a...
In this episode of Campfire Chat, we dig into Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, a bold call to rethink how we approach public policy, innovation, and problem-solving. Framed around a powerful question—what if we planned for abundance instead of assuming scarcity?—this conversation explores the real potential of government-driven innovation, from Operation Warp Speed to climate tech, housing reform, and scientific research...
You’ve heard the phrase. You’ve probably said it: “Let’s not reinvent the wheel.” But what if that mindset is keeping us from real solutions?
In this episode, Wes and David take a hard look at the cliché—and argue that relying too heavily on other people’s answers can actually short-circuit innovation, especially in rural communities and complex systems.
They unpack:
- Why “not reinventing the wheel” can be lazy leadership
- The d...
In this first installment of a recurring series - Campfire Chat, we gather around the fire to explore Jonathan Haidt’s The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion. Through conversation that weaves together moral psychology, public health, theology, and community engagement, we reflect on what Haidt’s work can teach us about polarization and the limits of reason.
We discuss how moral intuitions often dri...
What do Jurassic Park, public health, and artificial intelligence have in common? More than you'd think. In this episode, David and Wes take a detour into the ILM docuseries Light & Magic and the story of Phil Tippett—the legendary visual effects artist who thought he was rendered obsolete by CGI, only to find himself more valuable than ever.
Using this moment in film history as a powerful metaphor, they explore the AI revoluti...
Route Notes is a weekly podcast hosted by David Tillman and Wesley Rich. Each episode dives into leadership, systems thinking, and the messy realities of making change—whether in organizations, communities, or everyday life. Smart, reflective, and occasionally funny on purpose. New episodes weekly on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
What does it mean to see someone—not just treat them?
In this episode of Route Notes, Dr. Shaunesse’ Jacobs Plaisimond joins Dr. Wesley Rich and Dr. David Tillman for a powerful conversation on person-centered care, maternal health, and how systems often fail to honor the full humanity of the people they serve. Drawing from her work in religion, ethics, and human rights, Dr. Plaisimond shares why personhood is not a soft concept—it...
What if the public health “magic bullet” isn’t a single program or intervention—but a mindset?
In this episode of Route Notes, Dr. David Tillman and Dr. Wesley Rich explore the astonishing 72% reduction in fentanyl-related deaths in Harnett County, NC, and unpack why it didn’t come from doing just one thing. Instead, it came from embracing complexity, honoring local wisdom, and resisting the urge to oversimplify wicked problems.
Th...
In this powerful first episode of Route Notes, Dr. David Tillman and Dr. Wesley Rich dive deep into the heart of public health in America—particularly in rural communities—and why this moment matters more than ever. From an unforgettable keynote in Iowa to honest reflections on vaccine hesitancy, polarization, and the overlooked power of relationships, this conversation is a hopeful call to action.
Hear why relationship-building—no...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!