The Equity Matters Podcast

What does it mean to disappear in plain sight? In this episode of Equity Matters, we go inside Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz, a detention facility hidden deep in the Everglades and examine how isolation, bureaucracy, and profit intersect to erase human lives. We explore the systems that justify confinement, the historical patterns they echo, and the human cost of making suffering invisible. This episode asks hard questions about accountability, equity, and what it would take to put humanity before legality and profit. Listen & Subscribe to Equity Matters Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Follow us on Instagram Like us on Facebook Follow us on TikTok Check out our Free Resources on Gumroad Visit Dr. Bell’s Website

New episode of Equity Matters drops tomorrow. What does it mean to disappear in plain sight? In Ain’t No Sunshine, we go inside Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz and explore how isolation, bureaucracy, and profit erase human lives. Listen Friday to hear the full story and the questions it asks about accountability, equity, and humanity. Subscribe now so you don't miss it! 

What does it mean to live under siege in your own city? In this episode of Equity Matters, we examine the militarization of American communities and how public safety has too often meant control rather than protection. We explore the consequences of living under constant threat, from mental and physical health impacts to fractured trust in institutions, and ask what real security could look like if it were defined by care rather than force. Listen & Subscribe to Equity Matters Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Follow us on Instagram Like us on Facebook Follow us on TikTok Check out our Free Resources on Gumroad Visit Dr. Bell’s Website  

What do we lose when misinformation spreads faster than the truth? In this episode of Equity Matters, we confront the rise of misinformation, why it spreads, how it takes root, and the dangers it poses to public trust. From historical betrayals like Tuskegee and forced sterilizations to today’s viral claims linking Tylenol and autism, we trace how mistrust is both inherited and exploited. We break down the difference between correlation and causation, the limits of junk science, and why flashy headlines often distort more than they reveal. Listen & Subscribe to Equity Matters Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Follow us on Instagram Like us on Facebook Follow us on TikTok Check out our Free Resources on Gumroad Visit Dr. Bell’s Website

What does free speech really mean when power and platforms are controlled by so few and how do we speak truth to power responsibly? In this episode of Equity Matters, we explore the state of free speech in America, not as an abstract right, but as a fragile and contested space under pressure. We trace the long shadow of censorship and intimidation, from dictatorships and McCarthy-era blacklists to modern media consolidation and the silencing of critics. Along the way, we reflect on how fear, power, and self-censorship shape what we say and hear, why speaking truth to power still matters in 2025, and what it takes to act responsibly when the stakes are real both for society and in our own lives. Listen & Subscribe to Equity Matters Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Follow us on Instagram Like us on Facebook Follow us on TikTok Check out our Free Resources on Gumroad Visit Dr. Bell’s Website

The discussion dives into the chilling reality of modern lynching in America, exploring its historical roots and contemporary manifestations. It highlights the discrepancy between recorded incidents and the true scale of violence, along with the troubling trend of labeling recent hangings as suicides. With a critical eye on police complicity and cultural narratives, the talk emphasizes the importance of acknowledging this violence to combat erasure. Intergenerational trauma and the legacy of figures like Ida B. Wells are central themes, urging listeners to confront these realities head-on.

When most people hear the word lynching, they think of a distant past. But the truth is, lynching never really ended — it evolved, adapted, and still happens in America today. In this teaser for the next episode of Equity Matters, Dr. James Bell III confronts the spectacle, the silence, and the terrifying continuity of racial terror that remains in plain sight. Full episode available this Wednesday.

What happens when the nation decides which fathers, mothers, and children are worth mourning? In this episode of Equity Matters, we examine how assassinations, shootings, and state-sanctioned violence are remembered and reported differently depending on who is targeted. We explore how narratives of “innocence,” “radicalism,” and “family” shape national empathy and reveal deep inequities in whose grief prompts action.   Listen & Subscribe to Equity Matters Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube  Follow us on Instagram Like us on Facebook Follow us on TikTok Check out our Free Resources on Gumroad Visit Dr. Bell’s Website

Political violence is not new, but not all violence is treated the same. In this episode of Equity Matters, we explore how acts of political violence are remembered, mourned, and reported differently depending on who is targeted. Join me as we uncover how history, media, and power combine to dictate whose lives, and whose losses, truly matter. Listen & Subscribe to Equity Matters Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube  Follow us on Instagram Like us on Facebook Follow us on TikTok Check out our Free Resources on Gumroad Visit Dr. Bell’s Website

Public health, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are under attack—but what does that mean for practitioners on the front lines? In this episode of Equity Matters, we break down the coordinated efforts to dismantle public health infrastructure and DEI initiatives, the impact on communities, and the critical role of public health leaders in navigating this uncertainty. How do we stay focused? How do we push back against misinformation and political interference? And most importantly, how do we continue championing equity in every conversation? Join me as we unpack the challenges, strategies, and mindset shifts needed to keep equity at the center of public health—no matter what obstacles arise. Listen & Subscribe to Equity Matters Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube  Watch Words I’m Still Using and You Should Too… on YouTube Our Public Health Crossroads on LinkedIn Follow us on Instagram Like us on Facebook Check out our Free Resources on Gumroad Visit Dr. Bell’s Website