Julie Hantman has tackled some of the central crises of our times through an eclectic career as anthropologist, radio journalist, storyteller, policy advocate, and public health professional.
Working on the frontlines of AIDS in New York City in the 1990’s, Julie saw the uncontrolled spread of HIV/AIDS among illicit drug users as a horrifying and neglected part of this health crisis. She launched a study of activist-led needle exchange programs and the political and cultural forces aligned against them. Julie then pivoted to AIDS policy work.
Julie worked with public radio in the late 1990’s, starting as an intern at Marketplace Radio and a contributor to WNYC Radio Morning Edition. Julie then worked on two documentary-style specials with WNYC Radio. She produced a sixty-minute radio special on the psychological aftermath of September 11th in New York City. She was associate producer for a radio special on AIDS treatment. The AIDS special was awarded a regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Best News Documentary.
As a public health advocate in Washington, DC in the 2000’s, Julie worked with infectious diseases physicians to push Congress on disease control. See LinkedIn for more.
Julie heard a searing speech by Bill McKibben about the climate crisis in the early 2010’s. Establishing a DC chapter for Moms Clean Air Force, she organized mothers to advocate for methane reduction and climate mitigation.
To bring climate conversations to the public, Julie returned to radio in 2018 to create the Climate Seasons series on community radio station Takoma Radio WOWD-LP 94.3FM. Climate Seasons has a conversational tone that eases listeners into grappling with the climate crisis.
Julie holds a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree, specializing in medical anthropology, from Columbia University and a B.A. in philosophy from Yale University. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband and their vivacious daughter.