ERS Walk & Talk Podcast

In this episode of the ERS Walk & Talk Podcast, host Lacy sits down with Alexis Schminke, a Senior Training Specialist at DPS in the Aircraft Division, and a Certified Holistic Nutritionist with a background in chemistry and exercise physiology. They delve into key takeaways from the book "Metabolical" by Robert Lustig and discuss strategies for understanding and reducing sugar intake for improved health.Key Points Discussed:What is sugar? and how it's hidden in foods.How sugar gets processed in the bodyHow sugar is hidden in foods and why juice isn't good for usThe NOVA food scale- what is processed foodStrategies to eliminate some sugar from our dietsCheck out our full Sugar Savvy webinar for more info or read Metabolical for yourself! 

Lacy interviews her own Airrosti (AIR-ROSTI) health care provider who has helped every member of her family with their injuries and pain over the years. Dr. Renfro talks about the most common types of pain he treats, like lower back, shoulder and neck pain, and some of the more interesting cases he’s treated. Airrosti’s unique approach to the recovery of soft tissue resolves most issues in roughly three visits. Find out what an hour of one-on-one, individualized patient care looks like with Airrosti providers, who are in-network (no referral necessary) to HealthSelect of Texas plan participants for a $25 copay.Resources: https://www.airrosti.com/

Lacy talks with Sarah Karnes, Director of Library Development and Networking at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) and Andrew Glass, Director of Records Management at ERS about the boundless resources available through state and local libraries!  Resources: Texas State Library and Archives Webpage Current Lobby Exhibit: Extra, Extra, Eyes of the World on Texas TexShare Program Find your Local Library 

Lacy talks with Oscar Mendoza, Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, who experienced a profound shift in his leadership after experiencing profound grief and introspection. When he lost Warden Sergio Perez to a preventable health event that cut his life short in his forties, Mr. Mendoza started to ask himself how he, a longtime TDCJ employee and a leader, could be contributing to a culture in which an employee would prioritize work over their own health, and how he could change that by changing himself. He talks about how “we can still be committed, … but not at the cost of neglecting ourselves,” and what TDCJ is doing to shift agency culture to one that values not just the employee, but also the person.Resources to help you prioritize your health:  Order a VirtualCheckup home kit and complete your annual preventive examWondr HealthReal AppealERS Wellness WebinarsFree Virtual Fitness Classes TDCJ Employees Check out TDCJ PEAK Performance Webpage for more info  

Lacy talks with Dr. Jonathan Singer, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology and director of the GRILL Lab at Texas Tech University, which studies and provides support around Grief and Response to Illness into Late Life (GRILL).  Dr. Singer shares his scientific understanding about the grieving process (spoiler alert: it looks different for everyone), how long grief can last, ways we can prepare ourselves to face grief, and when it may be appropriate to seek professional help with your grief. You are sure to learn something new, positive and useful in this episode, including the free resources available to family caregivers of someone with life-limiting illnesses, such as cancer or dementia. Jonathan SingerGRILL LabHealthSelect Mental Health Resources The Grieving Brain: the Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss by Mary-Frances O’Conner, Ph.D. (book)

Lacy talks with David Michel, CEO of Catapult Health, the provider of an exciting NEW benefit for those who want to stay healthy or improve their health – the Catapult Health VirtualCheckup®. By making it easy to get a check-up from the comfort of your home, David embodies the adage: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Hear about the personal journey that led him to his new purpose: to improve the lives of others.You’ll also learn:what a VirtualCheckup looks like,top conditions that VirtualCheckups catch, helping you prevent a life-threatening health event. Whatever stands in the way of getting your annual check-up with your doctor, you will want to get a VirtualCheckup after listening to this episode. HealthSelect plan participants pay nothing for VirtualCheckups. Apply for your Virtual Checkup KitMore Resources:  Virtual Checkup FlyerGovernment Code Chapter 664- State Agency Wellness Policy

Lacy talks with thought leader Todd Whitthorne about the ways our environment is designed for us not to be healthy – to move very little, to eat processed food, and spend vastly more time passively consuming than actively connecting or creating. Because of our environment, it takes intention to act in ways that support our health and happiness. The first step is to be aware of what stands in our way… is it the distractions of your cell phone or the processed food that’s available everywhere? Is it living in a neighborhood that’s not “walkable”? Learn Todd’s favorite strategies for building a personal system for a healthy habit, like regular movement. More resources to support your health and build healthy habits:Check out healthy lifestyle programs programs available to HealthSelect participants.Download our free habit tracker Join the Get Fit Texas! Challenge taking place between January 22-March 31st, 2024Watch a webinar on  a health topic you are interested in. Reach out with comments, questions and ideas to lacy.wolff@ers.texas.gov 

Lacy goes solo in this episode to guide you through the essential steps for cultivating healthy habits in 2024. Segment 1: Aspirations vs. Goals vs. BehaviorUnderstanding the distinction between aspirations, goals, and behaviors.Lacy shares personal insights on setting realistic health and wellness goals.Segment 2: BJ Fogg's Tiny Habit MethodIntroduction to BJ Fogg, a Stanford behavior scientist, and his revolutionary Tiny Habit method.Exploring how starting with small changes can lead to lasting habits.Segment 3: B=MAP - Behavior = Motivation, Ability, PromptBreaking down the B=MAP equation and its role in shaping behavior.Lacy reviews how motivation, ability, and prompts influence habit formation.Segment 4: Making New Habits StickPractical tips for making new habits stick in your daily routine.The importance of celebration in creating new health behavior.Creating a supportive environment and staying consistent as key factors for success.Conclusion:Lacy wraps up the episode with a reminder that small changes can lead to significant results and key resources to start off 2024 with a healthy mindset. Resources: Download the Habit TrackerSign up for the full Thrive by Design Workshop (Jan 18th) with Lacy or Watch the RecordingERS Wellness Calendar- Register for upcoming EventsGetFit! Texas LinkWondr Health Registration LinkReal Appeal Registration Link

Lacy talks with Patricia Hord, the Grant Education and Communications Specialist at the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner.How does your personality and family background shape your relationship with money and spending habits. Was your family often struggling financially or were you often the recipient of enormous generosity? These experiences can shape a person’s money mindset. Are you a saver/splurger? A compulsive saver or a worrier? A gambler or a compulsive spender? A compulsive money earner are are you indifferent to money? Find out how to manage these tendencies by understanding yourself (personality and beliefs about money) and how this shapes your financial tendencies. She also talks about important steps for making financial decisions that are more in alignment with your money goals or achieve financial wellness.Resources Mentioned: Enneagram InstituteRamsey Solutionshttps://www.fdic.gov/https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ 

Imagine the comfort of knowing that your child (or grandchild) will to be able to go to college. Texas college savings plans can help you turn that dream into a reality. Lacy talks to Linda Fernandez about one of these: The Texas Tuition Promise Fund, which allows participants to prepay their future undergraduate tuition and school-wide required fees at Texas public colleges and universities…  without the worry of investment risks. Linda is the Director of Educational Opportunities and Investments for the Comptroller and answers questions about the 15-year-old program. Do you have to select a college or university when you enroll? (No) Can any family member enroll a beneficiary in the program? (Yes) Are there different payment options? (Yes) What can you use the funds for? How are they used if a child does not attend a Texas public college or university? Listen in to find out.Tuitionpromise.org 

Lacy interviews her ERS co-workers, Armando Villarreal and Amy Chamberlain about an unusual “office gift exchange.” When Amy learned that Armando was undergoing daily dialysis in January, she already knew what that meant… that his kidneys were failing and that his life had become extremely difficult. In this episode, Amy and Armando share their story about what it’s like to be in need of a kidney and what it’s like to become a living donor. Although Amy’s kidney was not a match for Armando, she decided to donate to a stranger through the National Kidney Registry (NKR) so that Armando can be matched with another donor and return to living a long and full life.  https://www.kidneyregistry.org/https://freakonomics.com/podcast/make-me-a-match-update/https://www.kidney.org/transplantation/livingdonors/general-information-living-donationShare your well-wishes for Armando to wellness@ers.texas.gov  

In the second part of this two-part series on women’s health, Lacy brings your questions about polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), urinary incontinence, sex drive, hormones and weight gain (and more!) to Dr. Elisa Brown-Pruitt, M.D., Regional Director for the Laura Bush Institute for Women’s Health at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center in Odessa. In a recent webinar with Dr. Brown, we received more questions from participants than we had time for, many of them on this topic. In Part 2 of this two-part episode series, Dr. Brown gives her thoughtful answers to questions like:What is PCOS and is it our fault? (no!)How can I treat the symptoms of PCOS, like weight gain, at any age? How should birth control pills be used as a treatment for PCOS?What impacts lack of sex drive in women and how can we address it?What causes urinary incontinence in women, and how can we prevent and treat it?What kinds of specialists can best diagnose and treat pelvic floor disorders?What causes vaginal atrophy and how can we treat it?Resources: Link to full Webinar RecordingLink to CDC Women's Health Information

In this two-part series, Lacy brings your questions about menopause and perimenopause to Dr. Elisa Brown-Pruitt, M.D., Regional Director for the Laura Bush Institute for Women’s Health at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center in Odessa.In a recent webinar with Dr. Brown, we received more questions from participants than we had time on this topic, so we’re using the podcast to share the answers. In Part 1 of this two-part episode series, Dr. Brown gives her thoughtful answers to questions like:What are the causes of and the difference between menopause and perimenopause, and how long does each stage last?How can you treat symptoms like hot flashes, poor sleep and mood, or a slow-down in libido and metabolism? For treating symptoms, what kind of hormone replacement therapies are safe and effective, and which over-the-counter supplements do you recommend? Can you become pregnant when you are in the perimenopausal stage? Resources:  Link to full Webinar RecordingLink to CDC Women's Health Information

Lacy talks with Dr. Alex Lesko, Executive Medical Director for the ERS HealthSelect health plans, about how we can support our male family members and friends when it comes to their health and well-being. Up to 60% of men do not see a doctor on a regular basis and are less likely to take ownership of their health and well-being than those who do. For example, 36% of men (vs. 50% of women) get annual check-ups in the ERS HealthSelect plans; compared to women, men are also more likely to develop a chronic condition, such as hypertension, have shorter life spans, and are more likely to die by suicide. Why? And what can we do about it?Lacy and Dr. Lesko talk able the key reasons that keep men from seeing the doctor and the important role their spouses play in changing that. They also discuss the cues to look for when someone is struggling with a mental health issue, and the ways that the ERS HealthSelect plans can help them access the care they need.Registration link for Dr. Lesko's webinarWebinar ArchivesERS Wellness PageHealthSelect Men's Health Webpage

Lacy talks with Tara Humphreys, Field Interpretation Coordinator with Texas State Parks, who shares her passion for connecting our hearts and minds with all that our state parks have to offer. With 89 parks that are as varied as this state, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department celebrates 100 years our Texas State Parks with special events – making this a particularly fun time to visit! Whether you are seasoned park visitor or brand new to experiencing the outdoors, Tara says “We’ve got you!”Tara shares the resources for planning your visit and your activities (including accessible options) – from walking to hiking, to kayaking and birdwatching. Or just sit and take in the sights, sounds. Never camped? Tara shares information about an affordable program for a group of up to 6 people called Texas Outdoor Family that will provide all the camping gear you need and teach you how to use it.Resources:LINK to Andy Walton’s song about the Frio River or Garner State ParkAnnual Park Pass – 512-389-8900 or purchase at a local state park $70 for a primary holder (valuable if you visit more than a couple of parks a yearTPWD Centennial Celebration Information - check out all of the celebration opportunities at State Parks around the state! State Parks for Beginners - easy steps to get started using our beautiful state parks! Texas Outdoor Family Page - let the experts take you out camping! Groups of 6 can learn how to camp through this program

In this episode Lacy talks with Todd Whitthorne, a nationally recognized health and wellness speaker about the one key driver for health and happiness, the quality of our relationships.  Todd shares insight on what distracts us from our relationships and strategies for how to be more intentional in building healthy relationships at work and home.  Register for Todd's Webinar through this registration link. Watch recordings of previous webinars through the ERS Wellness Channel. Learn more about wellness offerings, upcoming events and more through the ERS Wellness Webpage. Links to resources mentioned in the webinar:Harvard Study of Adult Development The Good Life Surgeon General's Advisory on LonelinessLondon Black Cab Study 

If you’re a State of Texas employee, you might already know about the free fitness classes offered online almost every day of the work week. The new Virtual Wellness Calendar features a range of classes lead by other state employees, including Jewell Smith of Office of Attorney General; Mackenzie McIntyre of Texas Department of Transportation, and , Rachel Schey of Alamo College District.In part 2 of this series  you will hear why these wonderful people are providing this resource and how Virtual Fitness classes may help to support mental health as well! Join and share this resource with your friends and colleagues: Resources: http://www.wellness.texas.gov/Challenge.htmProvide feedback or ask questions:  lacy.wolff@ers.texas.gov 

Meet our fitness instructors!If you’re a State of Texas employee, you might already know about the free fitness classes offered online almost every day of the work week. The new Virtual Wellness Calendar features a range of classes lead by other state employees, including Jewell Smith of Office of Attorney General; Mackenzie McIntyre of Texas Department of Transportation, and , Rachel Schey of Alamo College District.Get to know these inspirational women and why they teach, in addition to their day job. What motivates them? (spoiler alert… it’s YOU!) And hear their passion for meeting people at their own fitness level!Resources: http://www.wellness.texas.gov/Challenge.htm 

In this episode Lacy talks with Lesley Jimenez, MPH, who serves as the Statewide Wellness Coordinator at Texas Department of State Health Services. Lesley shares how the Get Fit Challenge came to be, what she does to support health and wellness of state agencies and how we can participate and get the most of out the Get Fit Texas Challenge! Learn more about the challenge through the Get Fit Texas Website.Enjoy a virtual fitness class with other participants through the Virtual Fitness Calendar.and read the code that supports wellness policies and initiatives at our state agencies.Register to see who won the challenge in our webcast or attend other wellness events through the ERS Wellness Calendar.  If you have feedback or questions, please email me at lacy.wolff@ers.texas.gov. 

In this episode, Lacy sits down with Dr. Noel Landuyt, Ph.D. principal researcher, adjunct professor, and Director of the School for Organizational Excellence at the University of Texas' Steve Hicks school Social Work to learn about the Survey for Employee Engagement (SEE).The SEE for is a survey instrument that many state agencies, including ERS,  use toprovide valuable insights for organizational development and strategic planning. Dr. Landuyt, shares the history of the survey, going back to the 70s,  how it has changed over the years and how agencies are using it to improve leadership and support employees. The SEE is a survey gives leaders valuable information to understand and improve their organizational culture and it provides employees a place to share their thoughts and insights. In this interview you will hear why employees leave jobs in state government and what we can do about it. Spoiler, it is much more than pay! Whether you're leading a state agency, are part of a team within a large organization I know you are going to gain some valuable insight from this conversation. Learn more about the Survey for Employee EngagementCheck out the video mentioned about TxDOT leadersConnect with and learn more about  Dr. Noel Landuyt, Ph.D.