Shows / A Healthier Michigan Podcast
A Healthier Michigan Podcast
A Healthier Michigan Podcast is dedicated to navigating how we can improve our health and well-being through small healthy habits we can start implementing today. Every other week, host Chuck Gaidica will sit down with a certified health expert from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to deep dive into topics covering nutrition, fitness and much more.
Episodes
A Healthier Michigan PodcastHow to Eat Healthy While Traveling
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Shanthi Appelö, registered dietitian for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Together, they discuss how to eat…
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Do This to Keep Your Brain Healthy
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Michelle Phalen, program coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter. Together, they discuss what…
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Why Men Have Shorter Lifespans Than Women
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Dr. Raymond Hobbs, senior medical director for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Together, they discuss how men’s…
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Inside the 2022 Mackinac Policy Conference – Part 4
For the next few episodes, we’ll be bringing you conversations from the Mackinac Policy Conference. This year, the conference is focusing on the business…
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Inside the 2022 Mackinac Policy Conference – Part 3
For the next few episodes, we’ll be bringing you conversations from the Mackinac Policy Conference. This year, the conference is focusing on the business…
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Inside the 2022 Mackinac Policy Conference – Part 2
For the next few episodes, we’ll be bringing you conversations from the Mackinac Policy Conference. This year, the conference is focusing on the business…
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Inside the 2022 Mackinac Policy Conference – Part 1
For the next few episodes, we’ll be bringing you conversations from the Mackinac Policy Conference. This year, the conference is focusing on the business…
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How to Cope with Postpartum Depression
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Naomi Savoie-Miller and Dr. Andrea McFerren of Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. Together, they discuss…
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How to Quiet Your Mind Before Bed
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by April Kaiserlian, co-founder of the Grand Rapids Center for Mindfulness. Together, they discuss how we can quiet…
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How to Get Your Garden Ready for Spring
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Sue Hudnut, president of the Master Gardeners Association of Northwest Michigan. Together, they discuss tips on how…
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How Your Living Space Affects Your Well-Being
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Marissa Jarrett, onsite well-being coordinator for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Together, they discuss the…
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Can Food Positively Impact Your Sleep?
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Susan Okonkowski, registered dietitian for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Together, they discuss whether or…
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
In Jamie’s Memory: Christy McDonald Shares Her Family’s Personal Journey with Colon Cancer and the Importance of Early Screening
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the U.S., and although the death rate from colorectal cancer has been…
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Uncommon Spices You Should Add to Your Pantry
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Shanthi Appelö, registered dietitian for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Together, they discuss what uncommon…
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Reflecting on 100 Episodes
We've reached our 100th episode! On this episode, Chuck Gaidica reflects on the last 100 episodes sharing a few takeaways we've learned over the years…
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How Does Stress Impact Our Heart Health?
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Jana Siminski, executive director of the West Michigan American Heart Association. Together, they discuss how…
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How Micro Habits Can Elevate Your Fitness Goals
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Cindy Bjorkquist, director of health and well-being programs for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Together, they…
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Is It Possible to Lose Weight with Diet Alone?
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Shanthi Appelö, registered dietitian for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Together, they explore if it's…
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How to Maintain Your Mental Health This Winter
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Dr. Amy McKenzie, Associate Chief Medical Officer of Provider Engagement for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan…
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How to Maintain Good Immunity This Winter
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Dr. Gina Lynem-Walker, Medical Director for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Together, they discuss what we can…
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How to Be Mindful During the Holidays
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Marissa Jarrett, onsite well-being coordinator for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Together, they discuss how…
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
What Your Mouth Says About Your Health
Our mouths play such an important role when it comes to how our bodies function, but can we get a snapshot of our overall health by looking in our mouths?
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Why You Shouldn’t Solely Focus on Weight Loss for Good Health
When looking to get healthy, we may associate weight loss with the gold standard for success when it comes to being healthy, but there's more to it than that.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Macronutrients – What They Are and How to Calculate Them
Counting macros can feel overwhelming as it's a little more involved than simply counting calories. Here are tips on how to simplify tracking them.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How to Fight Fatigue with Food
We've all experienced that midday slump where it feels like our energy levels are tapped. What we eat throughout the day might be the reason we're so tired.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Inside the 2021 Mackinac Policy Conference – Part 3
Wrapping his time at the Mackinac Policy Conference, Chuck Gaidica chats with attendees about the impact the pandemic has had on the health of Michiganders.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Inside the 2021 Mackinac Policy Conference – Part 2
Chuck Gaidica is back for another bonus episode to talk to conference attendees about the health of Michiganders at the Mackinac Policy Conference.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Inside the 2021 Mackinac Policy Conference – Part 1
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica talks to conference attendees about the hurdles they've overcome the past 18 months and the impact it's had on Michiganders.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How to Improve Your Health with Technology
With constant advancements in technology, our options for self-care have increased tremendously. So how do we take advantage of this tech to improve our health?
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
What You Need to Know About Colonoscopies
We know once we reach a certain age, it's recommended we get a colonoscopy - but why? Here, we uncover everything you need to know about colonoscopies.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How to Get Organized and Feel Better About Your Space
For some, staying organized is an ongoing battle and it fills us with stress and anxiety. But maybe we just haven't found an organizing style that works for us.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Is It Possible to Make Working Out Fun?
For the most part, working out feels like...well, work. But is there a way to make our workouts something we look forward to doing. Here's how to make it fun.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How to Take Care of Your Gut
Our gut impacts our immune system, heart, weight, and even mental health so it's important to keep it healthy. Here's what you can do to take care of it.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Why Food Is the Best Way to Explore New Cultures
There are so many ways that different ingredients from all over the world are making it onto our plate. Exploring new cultures through food is easier than ever.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Michigan Bucket List: Hidden Gems to Visit This Summer
With more than 13,000 miles of trails and 11,000 inland lakes, Michigan has quite the offering. Discover hidden gems across the state to check out this summer.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How Mental Health Stigma Affects Men
When it comes to their mental health, men struggle to ask for help, but what is holding them back from seeking the care they need? Listen to find out.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Why We Crave Junk Food and Ways to Curb It
For some, we've leaned on junk food to get through the daily stressors of life, especially this past year. Learn how to curb your cravings and eat healthy.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How to Get and Stay Motivated
Motivation feels like the main ingredient to get things done, but it isn’t a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits all desire to act. Learn how to get motivated here.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Pandemic Stress: How It’s Impacting the Emotional Well-Being of Women
This last year has taken a bigger toll on women's mental health than men, but what can be done to help ease the stress of the pandemic? We unpack that here.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Stress and Alcohol: What It’s Doing to Our Health
During the pandemic, alcohol consumption has grown from 21% to 40.7%. People are turning to alcohol to ease stress, but how is it affecting our overall health?
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Laughter – What is It Doing for Our Health?
We've all heard that laughter is the best medicine, but what is it doing for our health? Find out how laughter benefits us both mentally and physically.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Is Blue Light Bad for Our Eyes?
On average, we spend three hours and 43 minutes on our phone per day. It's clear screen time has increased, but what is it doing to our eyes? Find out here.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
The Effects of Emotional Eating on Our Health
Food can impact our mood greatly, but when we’re feeling down or upset, it can be tempting to eat our emotions. Hear how to take control of emotional eating.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Is My Diet Affecting My Heart Health?
Using crash diets to lose weight quickly can do more harm than good to our heart health. Here are our recommendations on the best diets for healthy hearts.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How to Emotionally Strengthen Relationships
We've all experienced emotional fatigue at some point during the pandemic and it can weigh on our relationships. Here are tips on how to emotionally reconnect.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How Housing Instability Affects Our Health
Each night, more than 8,300 Michiganders face the possibility of not having a place to go home. Find out how this can cause a cascading effect on one's health.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
COVID-19 Vaccine – What We Know
With the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S., there are still a lot of questions about what we can expect with the vaccine. Here's what we know.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
The Importance of Making Time for Self-Reflection
Aristotle said, "Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom." Looking within is part of personal growth. Discover how to make the most of self-reflection.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Food Forecast: Diet Trends for 2021
With 2021 right around the corner, we share our predictions of what diet trends we'll see in the new year.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How to Overcome Cabin Fever
Cabin fever can feel like the walls are closing in around us. As we head into winter, here's what we can do to avoid feeling stir crazy, irritable and restless.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How Vaping Affects Your Health
In recent years, vaping has exploded in popularity. It's been touted as a safer form of smoking. But without much evidence, is it really safer than cigarettes?
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How Daylight Savings Affects Our Sleep
The time change is something we experience every year, but it doesn't change the fact that it can disrupt our sleep cycle. Here's how to adjust to the shift.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How Food Insecurity is Contributing to Poor Health
In the past year, 1 in 8 households had difficulty providing food for all members living together. Learn how food insecurity is impacting communities.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How to Handle a Mental Health Crisis
A mental health crisis can happen to people in all walks of life, but they don't have to go it alone if they're struggling. Discover how to help those in need.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
What is Clean Eating?
With clean eating, there's this perception that certain foods may be bad or even dirty. Can some foods actually be cleaner than others?
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How to Build Resilience
Life brings new challenges at every turn. No matter the obstacle, building resilience in the face of adversity can be powerful for our emotional well-being.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Myths and Misconceptions About Immunization
Understanding immunization can be information overload - both good and bad - causing us to wonder if we should or shouldn't get vaccinated. We unpack that here.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
Preparing for Back to School During a Pandemic
A new school year is quickly approaching, yet there's uncertainty as to what that will look like this fall. Here's how to prepare based on what we know.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How to Get Healthy Skin with Diet and Exercise
Good skincare isn't only about what we apply to our skin, but also what we put into our bodies. Here are tips on how to get healthy skin with diet and exercise.
- A Healthier Michigan Podcast
How to Ease Summer SAD
Seasonal affective disorder isn’t just a winter condition. It can also occur in summer, disrupting your sleep and altering your mood.