Episodes

On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Tony Michaels, President and CEO of The Parade Company. Together, they pull back the curtain on what goes on behind the scenes of America's Thanksgiving Parade as they prepare to stroll down Woodward Avenue once again. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: The post Behind the Scenes of America’s Thanksgiving Parade appeared first... Source

On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Shanthi Appelö, registered dietitian for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Together, they debunk myths surrounding eating during the holidays. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: How the holidays may cause us to rethink our eating habits Holiday food myths How to approach eating if you struggle with food or worry about weight... Source

On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Shanthi Appelö, registered dietitian for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Together, they debunk myths surrounding vegan and vegetarian diets. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: What the similarities and differences between veganism and vegetarianism Myths surrounding both diets What someone should consider when deciding to go... Source

On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by LaTrisha Lake. Together, they discuss Lake's experience of living with ADHD and how she wasn't diagnosed until adulthood. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: What led Lake to get a diagnosis and what the process was like How she felt after receiving her diagnosis Lake's advice for others that think they might have ADHD but have... Source

On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Ann Marie Wakula, certified personal trainer and macro nutrition coach. Together, they discuss low impact workouts and why they're worth adding to your workout routine. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: The difference between low and high impact workouts Reasons for focusing on low impact workouts If low impact workouts are... Source

On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Shanthi Appelö, registered dietitian for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Together, they explore intuitive eating and how to approach it. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: What is intuitive eating How to eat intuitively The benefits and drawbacks of this approach to eating Who intuitive eating is best suited for The post... Source

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 importance of getting outside of our comfort zone. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: The benefits of exploring new opportunities that might make us uncomfortable. Ways we can overcome our fears of trying things... Source

On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Shanthi Appelö, registered dietitian for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Together, they explore the latest health drink trends on social media and uncover whether or not they're actually healthy for you. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: What's the appeal of juice cleanses and health drinks that draws us to them. Source

On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Ann Marie Wakula, certified personal trainer and macro nutrition coach. Together, they discuss how to maintain and improve flexibility at any age. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: Why flexibility is important to our overall health At what age flexibility should be a larger focus of our day-to-day Exercises and activities we... Source

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 healthy while traveling. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: Shanthi's approach to food options while on the road Meal ideas that are quick and easy to make in a hotel or rest stop Shanthi's go-to healthy snacks when... Source

On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Michelle Phalen, program coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter. Together, they discuss what we can to keep our brain healthy as we age. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: What is brain health What affects our memory and brain health positively and negatively How we can exercise our brains to improve brain... Source

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 health impacts their longevity and things they can do throughout their lives to potentially improve their lifespans. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: Why men typically live shorter lives than women. Source

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 community’s changing civic role in polarizing times. Throughout the conference, Michigan’s business community will focus discussions and learnings around areas they can lead in advancing diversity as a strength, utilizing civility and facts in... Source

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 community’s changing civic role in polarizing times. Throughout the conference, Michigan’s business community will focus discussions and learnings around areas they can lead in advancing diversity as a strength, utilizing civility and facts in... Source

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 community’s changing civic role in polarizing times. Throughout the conference, Michigan’s business community will focus discussions and learnings around areas they can lead in advancing diversity as a strength, utilizing civility and facts in... Source

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 community’s changing civic role in polarizing times. Throughout the conference, Michigan’s business community will focus discussions and learnings around areas they can lead in advancing diversity as a strength, utilizing civility and facts in... Source

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 how to cope with postpartum depression. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: What is postpartum depression Postpartum depression risk factors and symptoms How it feels to have PPD The difference between the baby blues... Source

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 our mind before bed. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: Why our minds ramp up and race as we're turning in for the night. What we can do to ease our minds before bed. Tips on how to get back to sleep if we wake up in... Source

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 to get your garden ready for spring. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: The most important things to take into consideration when starting a vegetable garden. Whether you should start your plants from seed or... Source

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 impact our living space has on our well-being. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: How our living space can affect our mood Changes we can make that are within our control Recommendations on how to approach making... Source

On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Susan Okonkowski, registered dietitian for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Together, they discuss whether or not food can positively impact our sleep. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: If what we eat impacts our sleep How we can approach nutrition to improve our sleep Foods we should limit or avoid to get better rest at... Source

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 dropping for the past 30 years, it is still the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. The overall lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is: 1 in 21 for men and 1 in 23 for women. These statistics are quite staggering... Source

On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Shanthi Appelö, registered dietitian for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Together, they discuss what uncommon spices you should consider adding to your pantry. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: Shanthi's method for discovering new spices Experimenting with spices in your dishes Shanthi's top spices to try that aren' Source

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 producing the show. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we look back on episodes featuring: Goal setting Physical and emotional well-being Positive psychology The importance of taking control of our health The post Reflecting on 100... Source