I stumbled upon Children Under Fire: An American Crisis by John Woodrow Cox over two years ago. The topic of gun violence was overwhelming, and growing up as a gun owner in a rural community, I had always heard pro-gun arguments. My family owned guns, and when I moved to a “big city” just a few miles up the highway, I was given my own handgun “for protection.”

If you're a public health enthusiast or professional, you probably love a good read. As a self-proclaimed public health nerd, I’ve curated a list of must-read books to inspire, educate, and challenge your perspective in 2025. Let’s dive in!

A grant pursuit calendar is more than a list of deadlines. It’s a dynamic planning tool that ensures you’re always one step ahead. This calendar maps out not only the deadlines for key funding opportunities but also the lead times needed to prepare strong applications. I am talking big lead times - I start preparing for a grant application at least two months in advance and this two months is included on my grant pursuit calendar. With months of foresight built in, it helps you plan, execute, and win grants without the stress.

Small and medium nonprofits (those operating on budgets under $5 million) are powerhouses of passion and hard work. Built by small teams with big dreams, they achieve remarkable things on limited resources. However, managing everything—from payroll to social media to programs—often leaves staff stretched thin. When it comes to grant writing, it’s easy to think the solution lies in hiring a full-time, in-house grant writer. After all, if grants are a major revenue source, why not have someone dedicated entirely to them?

But here’s the truth: hiring a full-time grant writer is often an expensive mistake for small and medium nonprofits. Let’s debunk the myths that might have you thinking otherwise and show why contract grant writers are the better choice.

Chasing every available grant wastes time and resources, and it could actually hurt your overall funding strategy. In this post, I’ll break down the myth of “apply for every grant” and reveal what you should focus on instead to maximize your chances of securing impactful funding. By the end, you’ll know how to make smarter, data-driven decisions in your grant strategy.

Have you noticed how often the phrase “public health” or "social determinants of health" pops up these days? I’ve been seeing it everywhere—grant applications, news stories, and healthcare discussions. And let’s be real, every time you turn on the news, it feels like there’s another story about how broken the U.S. healthcare system is, or how patients barely get five minutes with their doctor.

Did you know that 68% of Americans do not get enough physical activity? Walking for just 30 minutes daily could be the key to transforming your physical and mental health. Here’s why lacing up your sneakers for a short stroll is one of the best investments you can make in yourself.

Congratulations—you just submitted your grant application! Wahoo! Submitting a grant is a big deal, and it takes time, energy, and focus to get it done. You might think your work is over now, but I’ve got some news: there’s still plenty to do. A strong grant writer knows that the process doesn’t end at submission. Being proactive after your submission can make all the difference. Here are seven essential steps to take after submitting your grant application.

At 304 pages, Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez is a powerful read published by Vintage. This book serves as both a feminist manifesto and a data-driven exposé of systemic gender bias. While social media often highlights how women are excluded from medical studies, Perez goes much deeper. She uncovers how data bias has shaped the very fabric of our world, leaving women at a disadvantage in ways most of us don’t even realize.

At its core, public health is about protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. It goes beyond individual doctor visits and focuses on populations as a whole. According to the CDC Foundation, public health works to “promote health, prevent disease, and prolong life among the population as a whole.”

Here are a few ways public health touches our lives…

I’m crazy detail-oriented. I make lists inside of lists and double-check my work like it’s my job (because it is). And still, sometimes I mess up. Shocking, I know—a human making mistakes.

When it comes to grant writing, this happens too. There’s always the risk of missing a document, forgetting to update a section, or overlooking a small error.

I’m a contract grant writer by choice. While I could settle into a traditional role as an in-house grant writer, I’ve embraced contract work because it fits my lifestyle and, more importantly, offers substantial benefits to the non-profits I work with.