Trust in Crisis
Five years after COVID, America is facing a crisis of trust in public health, medicine, and science. Trust in physicians and hospitals dropped from around 70% in April 2020 to just 40% in 2024. While the emergency phase of COVID is over, its impact continues to ripple through society, influencing everything from vaccination rates to political allegiances.
In the weekly podcast Why Should I Trust You?, hosts Brinda Adhikari, Tom Johnson, Dr. Maggie Bartlett, and Dr. Mark Abdelmalek dive into the crumbling trust in science and public health. Each episode examines the reasons behind this trust breakdown and considers how we might rebuild it.
With the Trump administration taking charge of public health—under the leadership of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—a new era of health policy is beginning to unfold. As this shift takes place, Americans and the global community continue to combat ongoing threats from diseases and pathogens. And questions remain: How will the public respond if another health crisis emerges? What does public health in this country look like moving forward and what does it mean for medical research?
The hosts are seasoned experts with a wealth of experience in news, science, politics, health reporting, and medicine. They tell stories that capture what people want to talk about, with a sharp sense of what matters. These masters of storytelling have earned dozens of prestigious awards, including Emmy, Peabody, and DuPont Awards.
This is not just a place for experts- you’ll also hear from everyday Americans whose views have been shaped by leaders from all sides of the political spectrum—stories that reflect the larger national shift and show how deeply the pandemic changed how people view science and authority.
So far, the podcast has tackled topics like how COVID radicalized America, the ongoing debate over ivermectin, conflicts of interest in pharma and government agencies, RFK Jr.’s hearings, declining vaccination rates, potential changes to the vaccine schedule, and the powerful story of researchers who dedicated their lives to creating a vaccine after witnessing immense suffering and death.
We hear from a science writer offering an honest perspective on the COVID origins debate and a leading vaccine advocate grappling with rising vaccine hesitancy and the challenge of countering influential voices sowing doubt. You’ll also meet a once-healthy Army veteran questioning whether the COVID vaccine harmed his health, highlighting the frustration of those who feel unheard by the medical establishment. You’ll hear from MAHA moms too. The podcast also takes a deep dive into what you can—and can’t—do when it comes to suing vaccine manufacturers, surprising experts on all sides.
Join us on this journey….How did we get here, and what does it mean moving forward?
