Straight Talk For Real Life

Dr. Sue Varma talks about her groundbreaking work showing that “optimism” goes beyond just having a positive outlook—it brings about better outcomes: more success, higher incomes and job satisfaction, healthier habits, stronger relationships, and greater overall life satisfaction. And it ultimately can lead to increased happiness. In this episode, we discuss the 8 pillars of Practical Optimism—fro...

Is there more to life than happiness? For decades, positive psychologists have agreed that there are two crucial dimensions to living a happy and fulfilling life: An overall sense of happiness, and a sense of purpose. In recent years, Dr. Oishi has uncovered a third dimension needed to have a fuller, better life: psychological richness. A psychologically rich life prioritizes curiosity, exploratio...

The foods we eat are directly linked to our health and health issues. Recently, scientific studies have shown that what you eat can have a big impact on your mind: how clearly you think, how much energy you have, how you feel . . . even your mood. Learn how to eat a brain-healthy diet. It can optimize your thinking today and can even help prevent brain disorders like MS, ALS, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s...

For over 100 years, scientists have searched for a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Now, for the first time ever, there is hope. Dr. Dale E. Bredesen, a neuroscientist and neurologist, has announced groundbreaking results from decades of research and a precision-medicine-based protocol that has not only reversed cognitive decline, but has even improved brain function in patients with Alzheimer’s dise...

Dr. Elisa Song is a trusted pediatrician who provides science-based, easy-to-understand ways to raise happier and healthier kids—starting with a healthy gut microbiome. After training to be a medical doctor, Dr. Song realized that conventional medicine was missing some key components to raising resilient kids with strong immune systems. Today, Dr. Song is an integrative pediatrician who has shared...

Many new mothers experience “baby blues” after giving birth. However, some new moms—and even dads!—experience more intense and prolonged feelings of depression that can interfere with their ability to care for their baby and perform other daily tasks. This condition is known as postpartum depression (PPD), sometimes referred to as peripartum depression or perinatal depression in certain countries....

What are the secrets of living a longer, more fulfilled life? Answering that big question has been the quest of a company called Blue Zones for more than 2 decades. “Blue zone” is a term coined by its founder, Dan Buettner, to describe specific locations around the world where people regularly live to be 100 years old and beyond. The company examines how and why these people live far longer and ha...

In today's fast-paced society, many of us spend our days balancing countless meetings and endless work with school and family responsibilities. If we have any free time, we might complete a few more errands or perhaps squeeze in some exercise. But something critically important to your health and happiness is missing: Social connection. Loneliness is at epidemic levels. How do we break the barrier...

Is there truly a road to happiness? And if so, how can we get there? You might be surprised! This episode contains many practical tips—“happiness hacks”—that can help you increase the happiness level in your life. Guest: Stella Grizont, positive psychology and happiness expert.

No one ever imagines, much less prepares, for the day they will become a caregiver—providing necessary care for a loved one whose health is declining because of age or a disability, or whose health is affected because of a sudden accident or serious illness. But there’s a good chance that most of us will become caregivers during our lives. Learn practical tips about caregiving for your loved one ....

When a loved one dies—whether a parent, a child, a life partner, a family member, or a friend, or even a beloved pet—giving yourself time and permission to grieve that loss is an important step in healing. Although grief might include feelings of sadness and heartbreak, just remember that those feelings are not because of the love you’ve lost. Rather, they are proof that love is still there. Guest...

Whether at work, in the community, or at home, you want to create an environment that brings out the very best in everyone, so your “team” can thrive. Years of research have revealed that the most important ingredient in “super-charging” any team—at work or at home—is to ensure a “psychologically safe” environment. In this episode, we’ll tell you how to do it. Guest: Brad Shuck, PhD, University of...

Addiction affects many people . . . people you know, love, or work with—perhaps even you. What happens to our brains when we become addicted to substances like alcohol or drugs or to behaviors like gambling? And what can we do about it? In this episode, we hear a very personal story about how alcohol addiction affected an HPE team member’s life. We also talk to an addiction and medical expert who...

Imagine having a disability or condition that no one can see. For a majority of people around the world—and even people you may know—it’s a reality. They might have autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or other conditions that affect how they learn and think. In this episode, we explore the benefits of neurodiversity, and we provide helpful tips for colleagues, managers, and those with hidden disabilities. Gue...

Nearly all women go through menopause—and many younger women go through perimenopause. But because it’s a subject we rarely talk about, many women don’t know what to expect, especially when they start to experience mental health issues. Guest: Catherine O’Keeffe, known as the Wellness Warrior and “Ireland’s first menopause coach.” Guest hosts: Holly Greer, HPE’s Global Wellness Program Manager; an...

Did you know that changing your diet can help you to feel happier? In this episode, we explore the science of nutritional psychiatry—how food can improve symptoms of behavioral health issues like depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorder, PTSD, Alzheimer’s disease, and more. Guest: Uma Naidoo, M.D., Harvard-trained psychiatrist, Cornell-trained nutrition expert, and professional chef.

To honor our team members who are veterans, this Veterans Day episode focuses on the invisible wounds of military service—mental health issues of veterans—and the resources HPE offers to these brave women and men who have done so much for us. Guests: Guy Strawder, Revelations Counseling and Consulting; and Joseph Mack and Todd Sullivan, HPE team members who lead HPE’s Veterans Employee Resource Ne...

The creative arts have the power to change our brains, making us feel happier, healthier, and even smarter. Scientists can see that when we look at or engage in the creative arts, an area of the brain lights up and releases chemicals that can help us cope with stress, depression, and much more. Guest: Susan Magsamen, executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab, from the Brain Science I...

A happier and healthier life is within your reach! This episode looks at 3 keys to unlocking it: gratitude, compassion, and self-care. We'll look at the science behind a few simple habits that can lead to better physical and emotional health, improved sleep, stronger relationships, and more happiness overall. Guest: Dr. Brad Shuck, Associate Professor and Program Director of the Human Resource and...

For many of us, money issues can add a lot of stress and anxiety to our lives. In this episode, we talk to an expert about how financial stress can create health problems—and what you can do to reduce that stress. Guest: Jeanne Thompson, Senior Vice President, Workplace Solutions Thought Leader, Fidelity Investments.

What are the top men's health questions on your mind? That's the question we posed to HPE team members all over the world. In a special Straight Talk For Real Life podcast episode in support of International Men's Day (November 19), HPE's Chief People Officer, Alan May, talks with Ronesh Sinha, M.D. (aka "Dr. Ron"), an internal medicine physician, author, and popular speaker, to get answers to man...

Parenting is a demanding job even in the best circumstances. However, it can be even more difficult for parents who have children with learning, social, or behavioral challenges. In this episode, we discuss how to best support children with special needs and their families. Guest: Angela Nelson, vice president and executive director of clinical services at Rethink Benefits.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of stress and anxiety. But now it's time to journey from the "fear zone" to a place that is healthier and happier. This short episode—part of a collective mini-series about navigating the uncharted road ahead—contains helpful tips to build your emotional fitness and find purpose and a sense of personal growth from what you experienced (called Post-Traumatic G...

As schools, daycare centers, and camps reopen, parents and children may be dealing with stress and anxiety about what's ahead—and whatever that's like. Parents will play an enormously important role in helping the transition be successful. In this episode, we provide expert tips for reassuring children to feel prepared and confident as they step out into this "new normal." Guest: Ellen Contente, p...

We've all endured some big changes over the past several months due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. As we prepare to return to work and a new world, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is there for you, offering resources and expertise you need. In this episode, we'll talk about those resources. Guest: Liam Coffey from Optum EAP, UK.