Episode 3

Cultural Appropriation, Allyship, and the Language We Choose with Dr. Neal Lester

Published on: 29th September, 2025

Dr. Neal Lester, cultural studies scholar and nationally recognized educator, joins us to discuss the often overlooked role of language in healthcare equity. He explores how words, cultural references, and communication styles can build or break trust between providers and patients. Using examples from both healthcare and everyday life, Dr. Lester illustrates how cultural competence starts with listening and evolves into true understanding.

We also talk about the difference between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation, and why getting it wrong can have lasting effects on patient care. For anyone working in diverse communities, this episode offers a powerful reminder that equity is not just about access to resources, but also about respect in every interaction.

-AT L.A.S.T.

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Artwork by Jason Eisenberg 

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Music by Willie B the Ichiban Don

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Production / Engineering / Editing / Content Creation by Gerson Sandoval

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-Guest

Website: https://projecthumanities.asu.edu/who-we-are/founding-director

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References

  1. https://www.campusreform.org/article?id=20384
  2. Bronson, P. and Merryman, A. (2009) Nutureshock. London: Ebury Publishing. 
  3. Brown, T.N., Tanner-Smith, E.E., Lesane-Brown, C.L. and Ezell, M.E. (2007), Child, Parent, and Situational Correlates of Familial Ethnic/Race Socialization. Journal of Marriage and Family, 69: 14-25. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2006.00339.x-i1
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About the Podcast

The AT Last Podcast
Sports medicine practitioners recognizing, addressing, and catalyzing change.
Sports medicine practitioners recognizing, addressing, and catalyzing change within their spheres of influence. Hosts Christopher Bates and Adam Cady focus on advancing health equity and DEIA in sports medicine, exploring how issues of race, representation, and systemic barriers shape the care and opportunities available to athletes and healthcare providers. Through candid conversations with leaders, practitioners, and changemakers, the podcast highlights both the challenges and the transformative possibilities of building a more just and inclusive future in sports medicine and beyond.
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About your hosts

Christopher Bates

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Christopher Bates is a proud family man and has passionately worked in sports medicine and human performance for over a decade. He is both a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC), as well as a Registered Strength & Conditioning Coach (RSCC). Bates' experiences and paradigms for excellence have led to the creation and establishment of several holistic sports medicine and athletic-performance skill development programs across all levels of athletics including Olympic, University, High School and youth.

Currently, Bates serves as the Sports Medicine Manager and Head Athletic Trainer for USA Water Polo’s Men’s Olympic team. Bates also directs the athletic-performance skill development for the team along with the team's dedicated strength and conditioning coach.

Adam Cady

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Adam C. Cady holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology/Athletic Training from California State University-Fullerton, and a Master of Health Science from Duke University. He is also a graduate of the sports medicine fellowship program at The Steadman Clinic, in Vail, Colorado. He currently works as a Physician Assistant at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles, where he specializes in sports medicine.

His current passions/research interests include improving health equity in underserved communities and Functional Medicine.