The Buena Vida Podcast

In her final episode as host, Lacy Wolff shares insights on financial wellness through the ERS Buena Vida program and discusses how financial stress affects overall health and wellbeing. Subscribe to ERS Money Talks Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts or through this link.   • Buena Vida ("the good life") is a comprehensive wellness program offering resources for physical, mental, an...

Sean Duffy, co-founder and CEO of Omada Health, shares how his company is supporting diabetes care by providing continuous support between doctor visits through digital health technology. His journey from medical school to creating a healthcare solution that puts a "care team in your pocket" demonstrates how technology can help bridge critical gaps in traditional healthcare delivery. Key...

Michael Bates' journey from correctional officer to Deputy Director of Rehabilitation and Reentry at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice reveals what true transformation looks like, both personally and systemically. When Bates began his career in 2008, he saw TDCJ primarily through the lens of security and public safety. Today, he champions a more holistic vision: one where rehabilitatio...

Kristi Docwra shares insights about intuitive eating, a science-backed approach that helps us reject diet mentality and rebuild trust with our bodies to find freedom in how we nourish ourselves. • Intuitive eating is about connecting with bodily cues and rebuilding interoceptive awareness • Mindful eating focuses on the eating experience while intuitive eating addresses the diet mentality • Childr...

Ever sneezed and leaked a little? Felt an urgent need to use the bathroom the moment your key touches your front door? You're not alone—and contrary to what many believe, these symptoms aren't just normal parts of aging or motherhood that you have to accept. In this conversation with Dr. Bijal Toprani, physical therapist specializing in pelvic floor health, we unpack the hidden world of...

Susan Combs shares how her upbringing on a remote West Texas ranch shaped her leadership philosophy and approach to public service, highlighting resilience and optimism as essential qualities for navigating challenges.  • Growing up in Brewster County taught self-reliance and community support through experiences with limited water, unreliable electricity, and geographical isolation • As Agricultu...

In this episode of the Buena Vida Podcast , we’re joined by Dr. Tabbetha Lopez—a registered dietitian, licensed dietician, who holds a Ph. D. in Kinesiology and is a former collegiate athlete—for an inspiring and practical conversation about nutrition, movement, and well-being. Dr. Lopez shares her personal journey and professional insights into how we can shift from a restrictive mindset around f...

Your environment plays a crucial role in shaping your health and well-being. In this episode of the Buena Vida Podcast, Lacy interviews with Trent Matthias, Director of the National Fitness Campaign, to explore how thoughtfully designed public spaces can inspire healthier lifestyles. With nearly 40 years of history, the National Fitness Campaign is transforming communities by creating free outdoor...

This episode explores the vital connections between heart health, community, and overall well-being with cardiologist Dr. Jane Morgan. Emphasizing the role of friendships and preventive care in longevity, Dr. Morgan provides insights on managing heart health through lifestyle changes and addressing issues like high blood pressure. • Exploring the link between friendships and longevity  • Understan...

This episode dives into the transformative power of tiny changes, elaborating on the Tiny Habits method developed by Dr. BJ Fogg and his new creative project, Habit Songs for Kids. Listeners gain insight into how simple behavior modifications, music, and emotional understanding can foster lasting change and kindness in children and adults alike in a deep dive discussion with BJ Fogg, Ph. D. and St...

Our podcast is evolving from ERS Walk Talk to the Buena Vida Podcast, reflecting our commitment to support well-being as we enter 2025. Expect inspiring episodes, expert interviews, and practical tips dedicated to helping you live a "good life." Today's episode covers the following topics:   • Announcement of the podcast name change to Buena Vida • Meaning behind the new name and it...

Explore the transformative world of mental health management with our guest Dale Cook, CEO and co-founder of Learn to Live. Dale shares his personal journey with cognitive behavioral therapy, which inspired him to create a platform that makes mental health support accessible to everyone, everywhere. Discover how Learn to Live is tackling the stigma associated with mental health and offering digita...

Discover how you can finally conquer chronic pain without ever leaving your home. Daniel Perez, the CEO and co-founder of Hinge Health, joins us to reveal how his innovative digital health program is revolutionizing musculoskeletal care. You'll learn how Hinge Health's cutting-edge software and algorithms create personalized exercise therapy plans, health coaching, and educational resour...

Ever wondered how a single mom can pay off over $40,000 in credit card debt? Join us as we bring you the remarkable story of Kari Karber, Assistant Director of Customer Benefits at the Employees' Retirement System of Texas (ERS). Kari opens up about her inspiring journey from financial struggle to stability, sharing the practical strategies and mindset shifts that helped her achieve this incr...

What if you could take control of your heart health with the help of a simple app? Join us in this episode as we chat with Mayan Cohen, CEO and co-founder of Hello Heart, a groundbreaking digital health platform. Hello Heart combines a connected blood pressure monitor with personalized AI coaching is nothing short of inspiring. Together, we explore the challenges of managing cardiovascular conditi...

Unlock the secrets to effective strength training with Demetrius Bailey, a seasoned coach with a wealth of experience training professional athletes and military personnel. Demetrius reveals practical strategies to integrate strength training into your daily routine, helping you prevent injuries and improve functional movement. Learn how key exercises like squatting, deadlifting, and pressing can...

In this episode Lacy chats with Corporal Harold Estep, a State Trooper from the Texas Department of Public Safety. Corporal Estep shares his inspiring story about how he lost 50 pounds and kept it off for over 10 years. He talks about his passion for health and fitness and gives practical tips on how to stay in shape. Key Takeaways: Harold’s  Journey: Learn how and why Harold became a state troope...

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 intak...

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...

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 Progra...

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...

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 ca...

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: t...

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 w...

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. Behavior Understanding 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 Method Introduction to BJ Fogg, a Stanford behavior s...