A Healthier Michigan Podcast

Red Light Therapy: is it a scam or does it have any real health benefits? On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Clinical Director of Blue Care Network, Dr. Peter Graham. Together they discuss Red Light Therapy, its effects and the differences between professional care and at-home devices.   In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore:   What are the benefits, if any, of Red L...

More than just the latest TikTok trend, fibermaxxing has real benefits. On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Registered Dietitian Shanthi Appelö, together they discuss what the trend is, why you need fiber and how much you should have. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: What are the benefits of fiber? What are some easy ways to increase fiber intake? How much does...

On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by the Director of Behavioral Health & Planning for BCBSM, Dr. Julia Isaacs. Together, they talk ways to enjoy exercising, what is temptation bundling?, and what other strategies are there to change your mindset? In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: How much exercise you need? What tools are there to help you workout more? How ca...

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: How to read the AQI? Who is most effected by air quality? What changes air quality? What you can do to help yourself

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: What's in energy drinks How they effect the body Are t...

On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Registered Dietitian for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Shanthi Appel ö. 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: What causes inflammation What some of the long term effects can be Diets that can re...

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 c...

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...

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...

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: What is nutrient timing? How intermittent fastin...

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: How n...

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: How different types of food affect en...

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: What exactly is metabolism? How much of our metabolism i...

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...

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 Healthi...

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: How genes provide...

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 Po...

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: How the holidays can be a source of stress for many due to factors like social obligations, gift-giving, family dyna...

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: How practicing gratitude for 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 6 weeks can improve m...

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: Practical steps individuals can take to improve their stress resilience Earl...

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: How doomscrolling can lead to feelings of anxiety and being unable to di...

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: Setting small, realistic goals to maintain an active routine and healthy habits...

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 to spot signs that work has become your identity. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore the importance of seeking balance, setting boundaries, and getting input from trusted support networks to prevent work from overshadowi...

On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Susanna Rickman, Suicide Prevention Manager for Gryphon Place. Together, they discuss ways to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: How talking openly about mental health issues, without shame or stigma, can be an important step to break down barriers. How listening for potential warning...

On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Dr. Angela Seabright, Care Management Physician of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Together, they discuss our biological age, or the age your body functions, and what we can do to improve it. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: How biological age can be improved through Diet Exercise Sleep Stress management