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A Healthier Michigan Podcast

Health & Wellness Podcasts

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.

Location:

United States

Description:

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.

Language:

English


Episodes
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From Green to Purple: What is the Air Quality Index?

9/4/2025
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by the Clinical Director of Blue Care Network, Dr. Peter Graham. Together, they talk about the AQI, what is it?, and how it can help prepare you for the day. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore:

Duration:00:16:30

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The Highs and Lows of Energy Drinks

8/21/2025
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Care Management Physician for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Dr. Angela Seabright. Together, they talk about the good and bad of energy drinks, what's in them, and some other ways you could get the energy you need to go about your day. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore:

Duration:00:21:56

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Eating for Healing: An Anti-Inflammatory Diet

8/7/2025
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Registered Dietitian for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Shanthi Appelö. Together, they explore ways to combat inflammation, why its bad long term and how small changes in your lifestyle can help fight it. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore:

Duration:00:19:02

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Community First-Partnering for Upstream Affordability

6/9/2025
Affordability isn't just about medical bills—it's about addressing what drives health in the first place. When people have stable housing, access to healthy food and support for mental health, they use the health care system less and live healthier lives. In this episode we explore how health care affordability starts far upstream—from food security and housing stability to behavioral health and chronic disease prevention. This episode will spotlight community-based partnerships that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has invested in to address these social determinants of health and ultimately reduce unnecessary costs across the system. Key Takeaways: · Community health is affordability. · Blue Cross is investing in upstream solutions that work toward health care affordability, access to health care and a healthier Michigan · Partnerships are scalable and sustainable. · Data backs this approach. · The future of affordability depends on partnership.

Duration:00:29:30

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Uncompensated Care and the Safety Net

6/4/2025
Uninsured individuals often rely on hospitals for emergency care, the most expensive part of the health system. That cost doesn’t disappear—it shows up in everyone’s insurance premiums. This episode helps reframe affordability by examining how charity care, Medicaid, and federal subsidies work together to manage that cost upstream. In this episode, we explore the hidden costs of uncompensated care, how hospitals and insurers work together to support vulnerable populations, and the impact of federal and state policy decisions on health insurance coverage rates in Michigan. Key Takeaways: · Uncompensated care impacts everyone. · Safety net programs are essential to affordability. · Policy decisions carry affordability consequences . · We need upstream solutions.

Duration:00:31:12

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Shared Responsibility for Affordability

5/30/2025
Health care affordability isn't just a consumer problem—it's a system accountability issue. Consolidated health systems promised lower costs. Insurers and employers are demanding more value. This episode brings together health systems, insurers and business leaders to explore how each player in the health care system can do more—collectively—to lower the cost of coverage. From legacy partnerships to forward-looking value-based models, what does meaningful collaboration look like? Guests: •Tricia Keith •Brian Peters •Brian Calley

Duration:00:26:48

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Shared Responsibility for Affordability

5/30/2025
Health care affordability isn't just a consumer problem—it's a system accountability issue. Consolidated health systems promised lower costs. Insurers and employers are demanding more value. This episode brings together health systems, insurers and business leaders to explore how each player in the health care system can do more—collectively—to lower the cost of coverage. From legacy partnerships to forward-looking value-based models, what does meaningful collaboration look like? Guests: •Tricia Keith •Brian Peters •Brian Calley

Duration:00:26:48

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Does Nutrient Timing Matter?

4/10/2025
From aging to genetics, we’re exploring the balance between nutrition and metabolism in this four-part series. On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Registered Dietitian for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Shanthi Appelö. Together, they explore the science behind nutrient timing. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore:

Duration:00:15:01

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Why You Should Focus on Nutrient Density

3/27/2025
From aging to genetics, we’re exploring the balance between nutrition and metabolism in this four-part series. On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Registered Dietitian for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Shanthi Appelö. Together, they explore how the nutritional value of food plays a bigger role than just calorie count. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: Calories aren’t the full story, but timing our nutrients could be the next big piece of the puzzle. Tune in for our final episode, where we’ll break down nutrient timing and if it can optimize our long-term health.

Duration:00:14:46

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Fueling Your Body for Energy

3/13/2025
From aging to genetics, we’re exploring the balance between nutrition and metabolism in this four part series. On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Registered Dietitian for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Shanthi Appelö. Together, they explore how to optimize food choices to fuel our body. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: In the next episode, we’ll go beyond calorie counts to uncover the truth about nutrient quality and whether it matters for your metabolism.

Duration:00:16:10

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The Truth About Metabolism

2/27/2025
From aging to genetics, we’re exploring the balance between nutrition and metabolism in this four part series. On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Registered Dietitian for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Shanthi Appelö. Together, they explore the truth about metabolism. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: Join us in our next episode as we explore the power of nutrition and how our food choices can energize us and support our metabolic health.

Duration:00:14:11

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Lifestyle Changes for Longevity

2/13/2025
In this series, we’re exploring the balance between what you can and can’t control when it comes to your health. On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Dr. James Grant. Together, they explore how small changes to our lifestyle can positively impact longevity. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore:

Duration:00:15:18

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What You Can Control for Healthy Aging

1/30/2025
In this series, we’re exploring the balance between what you can and can’t control when it comes to your health. On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Senior Medical Director for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Dr. Raymond Hobbs. Together, they explore how to embrace the natural aging process while focusing on the areas of our health we can actively maintain. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: Heading into our final episode of this series, we’ll look at the role of lifestyle in disease prevention – especially when faced with risk factors beyond our control. Join us to learn how small changes we make today can help protect our health in the long run

Duration:00:30:19

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What You Can't Control with Your Health

1/16/2025
In this series, we’re exploring the balance between what you can and can’t control when it comes to your health. On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Care Management Physician of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Dr. Angela Seabright. Together, they explore the role of genetics and family history in our health. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: While we can’t change our genetics, aging brings its own set of challenges. In our next episode, we’ll talk about how to embrace the changes that come with age while focusing on what you can control to thrive at any stage of life.

Duration:00:15:50

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What You Can Control with Your Health

1/2/2025
in this series, we’re exploring the balance between what you can and can’t control when it comes to your health. On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Care Management Physician of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Dr. Angela Seabright. Together, they explore how small changes to our lifestyle now can make a big difference for our health long-term. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: Next up, we’ll take a closer look at the impact our genetics and family history have on our health. Ever wonder how much your health story is written in your DNA? Join us as we explore what you inherit, what you can’t change, and how understanding these factors can empower you.

Duration:00:15:34

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How to Cope with Holiday Stress

12/19/2024
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Senior Health Care Analyst for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Josh McCullough. Together, they explore how we can better manage stress and set boundaries this holiday season. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore:

Duration:00:21:33

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How to Practice Gratitude

12/5/2024
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by VP of Clinical Partnerships & Associate CMO for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Dr. Amy Milewski. Together, they explore how practicing gratitude can bring us better health and positive relationships. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore:

Duration:00:14:48

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How to Identify and Manage Stress Triggers

11/21/2024
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Senior Health Care Analyst for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Josh McCullough. Together, they explore ways to build resilience through stress, develop better strategies to cope and not let the cycle repeat itself. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore:

Duration:00:24:32

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Doomscrolling - What It Is and How to Stop It

11/7/2024
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Jessica Chester, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and University Counselor of the Counseling and Psychological Services Department for Wayne State University. Together, they discuss what is doomscrolling and how to stop it. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore:

Duration:00:22:56

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How to Stay Productive Leading into Winter

10/24/2024
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Ann Marie Wakula, certified personal trainer and macro nutrition coach. Together, they discuss how we can navigate colder months to keep our bodies active when all one might feel like doing is sitting on the couch. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: You can learn more about Ann Marie at her website, or Instagram page.

Duration:00:23:56