Shush-Free Zone - Where librarians get loud!

In this episode of Shush Free Zone, host Dawn Brushammar sits down with Heather Johnson - a public health professional working at the intersection of evidence synthesis, health communication, and implementation science.Heather’s career is a powerful example of what this podcast is all about: taking core library and information science skills such as organizing knowledge, evaluating evidence, translating complexity and applying them in ways that go far beyond traditional roles.From systematic reviews to patient education to community health programming, Heather shows how getting the right information to the right people at the right time isn’t just good practice… it’s life-changing.Heather holds both an MLIS and an MPH and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), continuing to bridge librarianship and public health in meaningful, scalable ways.About Heather Johnson: Heather Johnson is a public health professional specializing in evidence synthesis, cancer screening initiatives, and implementation science.In her work within cancer diagnostics, she focuses on understanding what drives (or prevents) colorectal cancer screening, using systematic reviews and data-driven insights to inform real-world interventions.Heather's work also encompasses:Aydel Health - Where she is developing tailored patient education tools that improve understanding and reduce friction in healthcare. Sonoran Evidence Partners - Supporting libraries in designing and evaluating community health programs with measurable impact.Relevant Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherjohnson-publichealth/Aydel Health:https://www.aydelhealth.com/Sonoran Evidence Partners: https://www.sonoranevidencepartners.com/

In this episode of the Shush Free Zone, host Dawn Brushammar speaks with Angela Pashia, a leadership and career development coach, about her journey from academic librarian to coaching library professionals. They discuss the importance of curiosity in coaching, the challenges of leadership, and how librarians can translate their skills into new contexts. Angela shares insights on handling difficult conversations, the difference between coaching and advising, and the future of librarianship in a rapidly changing world. The conversation also touches on Angela's personal experiences moving to a new country and her coaching programs designed to empower library leaders.About Angela: Angela Pashia helps library leaders confidently manage change and conflict in their libraries. As an ICF-certified (ACC) leadership coach, Angela offers confidential individual coaching to navigate challenging team dynamics in a way that is aligned with your values. Angela also teaches Lead With Curiosity: Coaching skills for library leaders, adapting professional coaching skills to the complex practicalities of managing a team. Angela was an academic librarian for 12 years, focusing on teaching critical information literacy, working against structural oppression within libraries, and growing as a collaborative leader. In addition to leading a team within the library, Angela led change across campus through roles like chairing the Faculty Senate Diversity and Internationalization Committee, co-chairing the campus General Education Redesign Committee, and serving a term as President of the campus AAUP chapter. Related Links: Lead With Curiosity - https://leadwithcuriosity.org Individual coaching - https://angelapashia.com/coaching/ Coaching Librarian Newsletter (free!) - https://angelapashia.com/newsletter/ 

In this episode of The Shush-Free Zone, host Dawn Brushammar speaks with Matthew Noe, a health sciences librarian at Harvard Medical School who specializes in graphic medicine. Matthew shares his path into librarianship, how comics became central to his professional identity, and why storytelling is such a powerful tool in health education.They explore how graphic novels can deepen understanding of illness, support empathy in medical training, and create meaningful connections between clinicians, patients, and communities. Matthew also discusses building a major graphic medicine collection, fostering community through zines and book clubs, and teaching future librarians about the growing intersection of comics, health, and knowledge sharing.About Matthew: Matthew Noe is currently the Lead Collection & Knowledge Management Librarian at Harvard Medical School, an instructor for both the University of Kentucky and Library Juice Academy, and a Trustee for the Worcester Public Library. He is a former President for the American Library Association's Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table and the Treasurer for the Graphic Medicine International Collective. While continuing to take on far too many things, he tries to find time to be kind, do good, and read comics. Find him on social media at @NoetheMatt or by e-mail: matthew_noe@hms.harvard.eduRelevant Links: Graphic Medicine at Countway: https://countway.harvard.edu/services/collections/graphic-medicine-countwayGraphic Medicine International Collective: https://www.graphicmedicine.org/American Library Association, Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table: https://www.ala.org/gncrtSyllabus by Lynda Barry: https://drawnandquarterly.com/books/syllabus/Ripple Effects - an award-winning work of graphic medicine by Jordan Hart and Bruno Chiroleu, published by Fanbase Press. Matthew provided a foreword: https://fanbasepress.com/publishing/item/11960-ripple-effects/Gender Queer: The Annotated Edition by Maia Kobabe - Matthew provided annotations for this upcoming special edition: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Gender-Queer-The-Annotated-Edition/Maia-Kobabe/Gender-Queer-A-Memoir/9798894880822Library Juice Academy, Introduction to Comics Librarianship course: https://libraryjuiceacademy.com/shop/course/337-introduction-to-comics-librarianship/More about that smoky tea, called lapsang souchong: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapsang_souchong

Jessica Talisman, a librarian and semantic systems expert, shares her journey from GLAM institutions to the corporate world. She explores the necessity of library skills in making sense of messy data and discusses the importance of intentional semantic structures for AI. Jessica explains the difference between taxonomies and ontologies, and the Ontology Pipeline methodology, emphasizing how this can streamline information systems. The conversation turns to her vision for AI ontologies and building a knowledge commons, highlighting the essential role of librarianship in a tech-driven world.

In this episode of the Shush-Free Zone, host Dawn Brushammar chats with MJ D'Elia, founder of Thirdway Think and Director of LLEAD, about his journey from academic libraries to teaching and creative facilitation. MJ shares insights on leadership, innovation, and the importance of stepping away from traditional roles to embrace creativity and collaboration. The conversation touches on MJ's unique career path, his passion for teaching, and the transformative power of play in professional settings.About MJ: MJ creates and facilitates learning adventures, workshops and custom courses related to leadership development, strategic thinking, and high-performance teams. After 20 years in academia, MJ launched Thirdway Think with a simple mission to instill creative confidence and build capacity for inventive thinking in emerging leaders and their teams. He is the current director for LLEAD, a six-month intensive leadership development program for the library and information sector. He facilitates with a variety of tools including Everything DiSC, The 5 Behaviors, and Lego Serious Play – yes, that’s a real thing. In his spare time, MJ doodles, reads far too many leadership books, and follows the Toronto Blue Jays. Links: Thirdway Thinkhttps://www.libraryleadership.org/

Clare Bilobrk, an information professional with over 25 years in law, school, and public libraries, shares her eclectic career journey. She discusses her early inspirations, like collecting cloth books and the pivotal Saturday job at Torquay Central Library. Clare reveals how she adapted to technology changes in law libraries and embraced remote work after a sabbatical picking olives in Croatia. She emphasizes the importance of connecting with communities, taming information overload, and advocating for the value of librarianship in a rapidly evolving landscape.

In this episode of Shush Free Zone, host Dawn Brushammar speaks with Mairead McKeown, Knowledge and Market Intelligence Manager at Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board. They discuss Mairead's journey into librarianship, the evolution of Bord Bia's library services, and the impact of AI and emerging technologies on knowledge management. Mairead shares insights on the importance of lifelong learning, the diverse requests received at Bord Bia, and her aspirations for the future of the library. The conversation also highlights the vital role librarians play in various industries and offers advice for aspiring librarians.About Mairead McKeown: Mairead McKeown is Head of Knowledge & Critical Capability at Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board. She holds a Higher Diploma in Library & Information Studies and has been recognised as a Senior Associate of the Library Association of Ireland. Mairead is also a Certified Knowledge Manager and a Certified Conversational Leadership Specialist.In her role she has overseen the transformation of Bord Bia’s library and information services into a forward-looking knowledge hub that supports market intelligence, insights, and decision-making across the food & drink sector. She’s deeply interested in emerging technologies such as AI, lifelong learning, and information governance.Mairead’s work bridges librarianship, business intelligence, and capability building; she is passionate about how libraries and knowledge services can drive innovation, strategic insight, and continuous learning.Connect with Mairead here: Mairead Mc Keown Snr. Assoc. SALAI HDip LIS | LinkedIn

Laura Pike Seeley, a knowledge management and digital workplace strategist with over 15 years of experience, shares her journey from libraries to the corporate world. They discuss how libraries are transforming into hubs of innovation and the importance of digital literacy. Laura dives into her creative 'Book Face Project,' blending photography and literature, and emphasizes the continuous need for curiosity among librarians. The chat highlights the unique role librarians play in navigating the challenges of an AI-powered future, ensuring knowledge flows effectively in modern workplaces.

Jennie Pu, Director of the Hoboken Public Library, is an advocate for intellectual freedom and a trailblazer in the library field. She discusses her journey transforming the library into a sanctuary for creativity while leading statewide efforts for the Freedom to Read legislation. Jennie emphasizes the importance of advocating against book censorship and creating inclusive spaces. With innovative initiatives like the abolition of fines and community-driven projects, she showcases how libraries can evolve into vibrant community hubs that cater to diverse needs.

In this engaging discussion, the host dives into her unique journey from political science to librarianship and consultancy. She highlights the evolving roles of librarians in today's world, emphasizing knowledge management and global collaboration. The conversation challenges traditional stereotypes of librarians, showcasing their innovative contributions beyond the library stacks. With personal anecdotes and insights, the episode aims to celebrate the dynamic profession and inspire others to view librarianship in a new light.