Episodes

In this powerful episode, James Francis sits down with Christine Walchuk, an experienced educator and 360 Health trainer, to explore the often overlooked experience of compassion fatigue. While commonly associated with healthcare or first responders, compassion fatigue can affect anyone in a helping or service profession—including MTA employees who interact daily with the public under high-stress conditions. Christine explains how compassion fatigue differs from burnout and stress, outlines earl...

In this uplifting and practical episode, host James Francis welcomes health educator and exercise physiologist Diane Pulleyblank to discuss how families can improve their total wellbeing—physically, mentally, and emotionally—by prioritizing simple, intentional moments of connection. Diane shares evidence-based insights and personal stories about the benefits of shared meals, movement, and conversation. From helping kids build lifelong habits to showing busy families how to create new traditions...

***The following episode contains a discussion about suicide and mental health that may be difficult for some listeners. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please stop this podcast and dial 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is available 24/7—free and confidential. This is Whole Minds Healthy Bodies the podcast. A 360 Health initiative from Aetna exclusively for you…the MTA…where the goal is improving your total health and wellbeing. In this though...

This is Whole Minds Healthy Bodies the podcast. A 360 Health initiative from Aetna exclusively for you...the MTA...where the goal is improving your total health and wellbeing.... In this practical and motivating episode, host James Francis is joined by health and wellness coach Krystal Taylor to discuss how mindful grocery shopping can transform your overall health. Together, they explore how the choices made in the grocery store impact your success with nutrition, meal prep, and long-term well...

This is Whole Minds Healthy Bodies the podcast. A 360 Health initiative from Aetna exclusively for you...the MTA...where the goal is improving your total health and wellbeing.... In this episode of Whole Minds Healthy Bodies, Dr. Donna Thomas breaks down the essential facts about sun protection and skin safety. Whether you’re commuting, working outdoors, or relaxing on a weekend, protecting your skin from UV rays is a vital part of overall health. Dr. Thomas debunks common myths about melanin an...

This is Whole Minds Healthy Bodies the podcast. A 360 Health initiative from Aetna exclusively for you...the MTA...where the goal is improving your total health and wellbeing.... Episode Overview: In this enlightening episode, host James Francis speaks with nutritionist Michelle Beyer about the powerful connection between your gut and your brain. Together, they explore how gut health directly impacts mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall performance—especially for MTA employees with d...

In this heartfelt and insightful episode, James Francis is joined by emotional wellness expert Rah Kalon to discuss the unique challenges faced by working parents and caregivers—especially those in high-stress, high-impact roles like MTA employees. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, Rah provides powerful, compassionate strategies to support emotional resilience, manage guilt, and build healthy habits that promote overall wellbeing.

n this episode of Whole Minds Healthy Bodies, James Francis and Shanti Douglas discuss the significance of relaxation techniques, especially for workers in high-stress environments like the MTA. They explore various quick relaxation methods that can be integrated into daily routines, the importance of post-work activities for unwinding, and practical tips for improving sleep quality. The conversation emphasizes the need for mindfulness and self-care in maintaining overall health and wellbeing.

Welcome to “Whole Minds Healthy Bodies” the podcast. A 360 Health initiative from Aetna exclusively for you...the MTA...where the goal is improving your total health and wellbeing.... As an MTA employee, you're always on the go—whether you’re keeping the trains running, managing bus routes, or ensuring the city moves smoothly. But with long shifts, high demands, and a fast-paced work environment, taking time to unplug is more important than ever. In this episode, on-site trainers James Francis...

Welcome to “Whole Minds Healthy Bodies,” the podcast. A 360 Health initiative from Aetna exclusively for you...the MTA...where the goal is improving your total health and wellbeing.... Keywordsheart health, stress management, nutrition, hydration, healthy habits, healthcare partnership SummaryIn this episode, Dr. Donna Thomas discusses the critical importance of heart health, particularly for MTA members who may face elevated stress levels. She highlights actionable strategies for managing str...

In this episode of Whole Minds, Healthy Bodies the podcast, host James Francis sits down with Amy Grazen to explore the transformative power of gratitude. Together, they discuss how practicing gratitude can shift mindsets, enhance emotional wellbeing, and counteract negativity. Amy shares practical techniques for making gratitude a daily habit, such as journaling, expressing appreciation, and reflecting on challenges. The conversation also highlights mindfulness and habit stacking as effective w...

Welcome to “Whole Minds Healthy Bodies” the podcast. A 360 Health initiative from Aetna exclusively for you the MTA. Where the goal is improving your total health and wellbeing. In this episode of Whole Minds, Healthy Bodies - Diane Pulleyblank discusses the challenges of maintaining health during the holiday season. She explores the temptations of holiday foods, the impact of disrupted schedules, and the importance of planning to avoid overeating. Diane emphasizes the need for exercise, qualit...

Welcome to “Whole Minds Healthy Bodies” the podcast. A 360 Health initiative from Aetna exclusively for you...the MTA...where the goal is improving your total health and wellbeing.... In this podcast episode, Patricia Raskin discusses the critical balance between caregiving and self-care, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, effective communication, and financial planning for caregivers. She highlights the emotional challenges faced by caregivers and the necessity of building a support...

Welcome to “Whole Minds Healthy Bodies” the podcast. A 360 Health initiative from Aetna exclusively for you...the MTA...where the goal is improving your total health and wellbeing.... In this episode, we’re diving into a critical topic that impacts all of us—women’s health. Women’s health isn’t just a women’s issue; it’s a human issue. Prioritizing women's health uplifts families, strengthens communities, and creates a healthier society as a whole. Our guest today is Theresa Francois who you ma...

Welcome to this deeply important episode of "Whole Minds Healthy Bodies," a podcast dedicated to improving the total health and well-being of MTA employees. As part of Aetna’s 360 Health initiative, today’s discussion centers around a topic that impacts millions of lives: suicide prevention. In this episode, we address the alarming statistics surrounding suicide, a crisis that continues to devastate families and communities. In 2022 alone, over 13.2 million Americans seriously considered suicid...

Welcome to the "Whole Minds Healthy Bodies" podcast, a 360 Health initiative from Aetna exclusively for you, the MTA. Our goal is to improve your total health and wellbeing. In this episode, we discuss strategies to navigate the grocery with Jamie Kaplan, an Integrative Health and Nutrition Coach that specializes in helping individuals implement diet and lifestyle changes tailored to their unique goals and needs. From planning your shopping trip to sticking to the store's perimeter, we cover es...

Welcome to the “Whole Minds Healthy Bodies” the podcast. A 360 Health initiative from Aetna exclusively for you...the MTA...where the goal is improving your total health and wellbeing.... As we enter the thick of summer, it’s more important than ever to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. In this episode, your host Kai sits down with Dr. Yarisa Bonet, an expert in health promotion and education programs. Dr. Bonet holds a Doctor of Education degree and has dedicated her career to deve...

Welcome to the “Whole Minds Healthy Bodies” the podcast. A 360 Health initiative from Aetna exclusively for you the MTA where the goal is improving your total health and wellbeing. Today is all about Maximizing Your Brain's Potential! So we've asked Nathalie Sessions, a Registered & Licensed Dietitian and Wellness Coach, onto the podcast to talk to us about how what we put into our bodies impacts our brain's ability to function at it's highest level.

It's May and that means it's Mental Health Awareness Month. Terms like stress, overwhelmed, and burnout have been thrown around so loosely the last few years. But did you know that each of these terms has a specific definition with actionable steps that provide real time relief? Human beings are much more resilient than we give ourselves credit for...we just need to know how to tap into our superpower and unlock the power of our minds. But where do we start? Licensed Professional Counselor and...

Today is about managing fear and anxiety and that should come as no surprise to the employees of the MTA. Here at 360 Health, we are acutely aware of the day-to-day operations of this community and how unpredictable the job site can be. So today I’ve asked Rah Kalon onto the podcast to coach us through managing these complicated emotions so that they don’t consume our daily lives. Rah is a national speaker, trainer, and Toastmasters graduate. Rah got their Bachelors in Strategic Communication ...

It’s Women’s History Month and in honor of that, today’s episode is all about Women’s Health. Dispelling myths by addressing facts and learning how the women of the MTA community can address risk factors and lead happier and healthier lives. And while we may use gender specific language in today’s episode it is not intended to exclude or marginalize any gender identity. And to help us separate fact from fiction when it comes to women’s health, I’m joined by Dr. Donna Thomas and Diane Pulleybla...

The levity we feel in the moments after exercise and beyond is no coincidence...there is a scientific connection between exercise and our mental health. And where we see a positive impact on our mental health due to exercise...there are dangers with an inactive lifestyle. So, I’ve invited Diane Pulleyblank onto the podcast to talk about WHY there’s a connection but more importantly...creative tips on how to exercise and how to get started! Diane has been actively working in the health and well...

Today’s episode is all about setting our intentions for 2024. And as we reflect on 2023, how do we want to feel one year from now as we look to 2025? Today we're talking to John Ebron about how we can become renewed with a personal mission statement. John Ebron has spent 20+ years in the military in various leadership positions as a Senior Enlisted Advisor, Religious Affairs Specialist, and Master Resilience Trainer. He holds a Bachelors of Art in Organizational Leadership and is a certified ...

It's the holiday season! With so much joy and excitement in the air it is important to recognize that there can also be a lot of anxiety and frustrations too. So how do we navigate the financial burdens, family obligations, over eating, and "Uncle Frank's" hot take on the upcoming election? Qualandria S. Brookens (therapist, life coach and fourth year Ph. D in Counseling Psychology) joins the podcast to discuss how to effectively navigate the upcoming holiday season so that you and your mental...