Workplace Health & Wellness

To listen to any of the following workplace health & wellness related podcasts, simply click on the title of each episode below.

  1. Episode 253 – How to Talk to Employees About Stress. Since the beginning of the pandemic, stress has been at an all time high. In this interview from November 2020, Luci Payne and Barb Furst of IMPACT Solutions EAP joined us to discuss how we can talk to employees about stress. (41:03) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  2. Episode 252 – How to Prevent Compassion Fatigue & Employee Burnout. From compassion fatigue to burnout, Barbare Rubel, keynote speaker and Executive Director at the Griefwork Center, shares with us how employers can use her FABULOUS model to prevent these and more. (32:10) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  3. Episode 234 – [OSC22 Preview] Work Fatigue and Burnout: Why Exhaustion in the Workplace is Different. Emil Kresl, Director of Learning and Development at The University of Texas at Austin, joined us to give us a preview of his 2022 Ohio Safety Congress presentation on burnout & fatigue in the workplace! (20:23) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  4. Episode 233 – How to Reduce the Effects of Sedentary Work. Physical Therapist, Dr. Stefan Zavalin, Founder of Love to Move and author of Sit Less: Evolve Your Work and Life Without Compromising Your Health, joined us to talk about how to reduce the effects of sedentary work. (24:09) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  5. Episode 231 – Keys to Staying Fit (Live). Leslee Keegan of I’m Power Fitness Center in Ravenna, OH, presented to our safety council on how to incorporate exercise into our daily lives at work & home. She also answered several questions from our members. (33:27) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  6. Episode 230 – [Workplace Wellness] Fitting in Fitness. Chase Leonelli, Wellness Manager for Sequoia Wellness at NEOMED in Rootstown, OH, joined us to talk about how to fit fitness in our every day lives. (18:07) Listen/Download via Google Drive.  
  7. Episode 229 – [Workplace Wellness] Keep Moving! Leslee Keegan of I’m Power Fitness Center in Ravenna, OH, joined us to talk about how to improve your health & longevity for both your personal & professional life. (13:40) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  8. Episode 227 – When to Know You Need Help. Jennifer Parmenter, Clinical Counseling Supervisor at Family & Community Services, Inc., in Kent, OH, joined us to talk about how stress is affecting us since the pandemic. She also gives us advice on when to know we need help beyond self-care and our personal support systems. (39:51) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  9. Episode 223 – [Workplace Wellness] Prediabetes Prevention. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “more than 84% of those with prediabetes don’t even know they have it since prediabetes often has no symptoms.” In this episode, we’re joined by Nicole Smith, Diabetes Program Consultant, & Liz Curry, Diabetes Coordinator at the Ohio Department of Health, to talk about prediabetes and why employers should be concerned about it. (23:56) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  10. Episode 222 – [Health Talk] Stroke Awareness. University Hospitals Portage Medical Center briefly shared about strokes at one of our virtual meetings for Stroke Awareness Month. (6:13) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  11. Episode 221 – Overcoming Stress at Work & Beyond! Clinical Consultant Kelly Bako Younkins,  joined us to talk stress at work and beyond! (53:33) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  12. Episode 215 – Suicide Prevention Stand Down. In accordance with OSHA’s Suicide Prevention Stand Down Week – September 6-10, 2021, we made this episode to increase awareness & prevention of suicide at work. (17:05) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  13. Episode 206 – Get Outside with Portage Parks! Andrea Metzler and Jennifer White of the Portage Park District, joined us on Zoom to chat about their parks and the benefits of spending time outdoors! Click here to watch the video. Click here to get a free poster today. (51:46) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  14. Episode 204 – How Stress Affects Rest & Anxiety. Joshua Hill, Therapist at Preferred Care Counseling, joined us to chat about how stress affects anxiety, rest, health, performance and more! (37:12) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  15. Episode 202 – Health Talk] Heart Disease Prevention (Live). This is a live recording of a public service announcement presented by UH Portage Medical Center at our Virtual Safety Council meeting on Thursday, February 11, 2021, on Zoom.  (7:49) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  16. Episode 201 – Combating Fatigue in the Workplace (Live). This is a live recording of our Virtual Safety Council meeting on Thursday, January 14, 2021. The topic was Combating Fatigue in the Workplace and it was presented by Dr. Bruce Hensley, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center. (36:05) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  17. Episode 195 – Avoiding Burnout During COVID-19 & Beyond. Dr. Kristen Dickerson, Statewide Health, Wellness, & Special Program Manager at the Ohio Center for Occupational Safety & Health (Ohio BWC), joined us to talk about how to avoid emotional burnout caused by social pressure during the pandemic and more!  (32:28) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  18. Episode 194 – Dealing with Others During the Holidays. Dawn Yoder of Global Priority Solutions & Tanya Miller of Anti-Virus Youth Education, joined us on Zoom and gave us some tips on how to handle people different than us during the holidays! Check out their podcast, Living Like a Leader, available on your favorite podcast apps. Please note: this is an excerpt from e193. (12:09) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  19. Episode 192 – How Stressed are Your Employees? How stressed are your employees since COVID-19? Does stress cause them to work unsafely? Should you talk to your employees about stress? In this episode, Mike & Nic answer these questions and more while discussing the results of a recent, eye-opening PCSC survey. (18:54) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  20. Episode 190 – Diabetes Awareness Month. Jodi Neu, Community Outreach Nurse at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center, joined our Zoom meeting to talk about Diabetes Awareness Month and services they provide for the community. (5:01) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  21. Episode 187 – [Get Outside] Enjoying Fall in Portage Parks.Jennifer White of the Portage Park District joined us to chat about the best places to enjoy the beautiful fall colors in Portage County, OH! (20:10) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  22. Episode 179 – A Closer Look: 4 Keys to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 at Home or Work. Dr. Kristen Dickerson, Statewide Health, Wellness, & Special Program Manager at the Ohio Center for Occupational Safety & Health (Ohio BWC), joined us for a post-presentation interview to take a closer look at COVID-19 and answer some of the tougher questions. (29:54) Listen/Download Google Drive.
  23. Episode 172 – [Get Outside] Disc Golf. Scott Campbell designed “The Grassman” disc golf course at West Branch State Park!  He called in to share about disc golf and courses throughout Portage County and NE Ohio. He’s a member of the NEO Disc Golf Alliance, check out their Facebook Group for more info. Also check out the UDISC app which has a directory of over 10,000 disc golf courses! (16:15) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  24. Episode 169 – How Chiropractic Care Can Help You Return to Work. Dr. Tyler Munn of Munn Chiropractic in Aurora, OH, stayed over with us after a recent workplace safety luncheon to chat about how chiropractic care can help you to both prevent workplace injuries and return to work much faster! (12:14) Listen/Download Google Drive.
  25. Episode 164 – Why Employers Should Promote Spending Time Outdoors. Research shows spending more time outdoors not only improves health but also focus, creativity & productivity! Should employers implement a #GetOutside campaign for their employees? We think so! Join Mike & Nic as they discuss this and more! For free employer related Get Outside articles, resources & campaign ideas, check out our For Employers campaign page. (15:25) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  26. Episode 163 – [Get Outside] Park Rx. Andrea Metzler & Jennifer White share about the Portage Park District’s Park Rx program! Also, check out their new Remote Education Programs that were launched as a result of COVID-19. This is an excerpt from e156, click here to listen to the full episode. (4:11) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  27. Episode 160 – [Get Outside] Why You Should Spend More Time Outdoors. Andrea Metzler & Jennifer White of the Portage Park District, joined us to chat about the health benefits of spending time outdoors at least 120 minutes a week! (5:46) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  28. Episode 159 – Overcoming Loneliness During COVID-19. According to the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration, “loneliness and social isolation can be as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day!” As the COVID-19 crisis continues, we asked Jennifer Parmenter, Clinical Counseling Supervisor at Family & Community Services, Inc., in Kent, OH, to call in to give us some tips on how to overcome loneliness & avoid its deadly consequences! (56:32) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  29. Episode 156 – [Get Outside] Portage Parks. Andrea Metzler and Jennifer White of the Portage Park District, joined us to chat about their parks, the benefits of spending time outdoors and the new Get Outside campaign with the Portage County Safety Council! Follow the links to get a free campaign poster or flyer today! (59:36) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  30. Episode 152 – [Get Outside] 2020 Campaign Launch! Are there advantages of spending more time outdoors? Should employers implement a #GetOutside campaign to their employees? Join Mike & Nic as they answer these two questions and chat about the Portage County Safety Council’s new Get Outside Campaign with Portage Parks! Follow the campaign link to download a free campaign poster or flyer today! (16:36) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  31. Episode 149 – How Stress Affects Workplace Safety. Is stress really a safety concern? In this episode, Mike & Nic chat about stress before & during the COVID-19 pandemic and how it significantly impacts your workforce, even in regards to safety! (22:52) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  32. Episode 148 – Embracing Self-Care During the COVID-19 Crisis. Jennifer Parmenter, Clinical Counseling Supervisor at Family & Community Services, Inc., in Kent, OH, called in to give us some tips on how to take care of ourselves and our mental health during the COVID-19 crisis! (28:37) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  33. Episode 146 – Staying Active at Home During the Lockdown. Leslee Keegan of I’m Power Fitness Center in Ravenna, OH, called in to give us tips on how to stay active at home during the COVID-19 lockdown! Check out her Facebook page for more info today! (12:31) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  34. Episode 144 – [Health Talk] COVID-19. Becky Lehman and Ali Mitchel of the Portage County Combined Health District, joined us to talk about COVID-19 and what we can do to prevent it! Please Note: this episode was recorded on 3/18/20 and at the time of this publishing, state & federal agencies are providing updates multiple times a day. Please visit the CDC or coronavirus.ohio.gov for more up to date information. (16:08) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  35. Episode 141 – [Safety Blast] Proper Handwashing Tips. Justin Rechichar, Program Supervisor from the Portage County Health District gives us some tips on how to wash our hands properly to prevent the spread of illnesses! (2:07) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  36. Episode 136 – [Live Training] Reboot Your Health. This is a live recording of our monthly workplace safety luncheon on January 9, 2020, presented by Dr. Aubree Jones of Peak Family Chiropractic. Our members overwhelmingly rated this presentation “Excellent! (33:32) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  37. Episode 135 – The 6 P’s of Workplace Wellness. We caught up with Katy Tombaugh of Wellness Collective, at the 2019 SCSC Wellness Conference in Akron, to talk about how employers can improve & develop their workplace wellness programs! (31:31) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  38. Episode 134 – Stress Management 101. We caught up with Dr. Aubree Jones of Peak Family Chiropractic, at the 2019 SCSC Wellness Conference in Akron, to talk about stress! (18:37) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  39. Episode 133 – [Workplace Wellness] Mindfulness in the Workplace. We caught up with Jennifer Stefanak, Market Well-Being Partner at Mercy Health, to chat about mindfulness at work after her presentation at the Northeast Ohio Safety Expo! (12:08) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  40. Episode 132 – Healthy Workers are Safer Workers (Live Campaign Launch). This is a live recording of our Healthy Workers are Safer Workers campaign launch at our monthly workplace safety luncheon on January 9, 2020. PCSC Manager, Mike Thompson, shares the insight from a recent survey that led to the development & launch of the campaign as well as the free resources that are available online aimed at helping employers promote & improve workplace wellness. (10:17) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  41. Episode 130 – [Workplace Wellness] Small Changes Can Make Big Improvements. We caught up with personal trainer, Lisa Kelleman-McClain, owner of Build A Body Personal Training LLC, at the 2019 SCSC Wellness Conference in Akron, to talk about workplace wellness! (10:02) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  42. Episode 123 – Talking Wellness with Kay Frances. We caught up with Motivational Humorist, Kay Frances, after her keynote presentation at the 2019 SCSC Wellness Conference in Akron, to talk about workplace wellness! Michelle Francisco, Safety Council Program Manager for the Ohio BWC, also joined in on the conversation. (16:59) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  43. Episode 120 – [Health Talk] Diabetes 101. Mindy Gusz, Community Outreach Coordinator at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center, gives us a crash course on diabetes and how to overcome it! (5:08) Listen/Download via Google.
  44. Episode 97 – Health Talk: The Power of Mindful Eating. In this month’s Health Talk, Mindy Gusz, Community Outreach Coordinator at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center, shares about the power of mindful eating! (3:35) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  45. Episode 93 – Health Talk: Overcoming Stress. Mindy Gusz, Community Outreach Coordinator at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center, explains what stress is & how we can overcome it! (4:24) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  46. Episode 87 – Problem Gambling Awareness at Work. March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month and Dr. Amanda Burke, Prevention Specialist at Townhall II, tells us how problem gambling can cause big problems at work, especially around the time of March Madness! (11:04) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  47. Episode 86 – Health Talk: Overcoming Fatigue. In this short Health Talk, Mindy Gusz, Community Outreach Coordinator at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center, gives us a snapshot of fatigue and how to overcome it! (3:55) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  48. Episode 82 – Health Talk: How to Reduce the Risks of Heart Disease & Stroke. Mindy Gusz, Community Outreach Coordinator at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center, shares how to reduce the risks of heart disease & stroke! (4:36) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  49. Episode 70 – Health Tip: How to Reduce High Blood Pressure. Mindy Gusz, Community Outreach Coordinator at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center, gives us a 90-second crash course on high blood pressure and how to reduce it! (2:30)
  50. Episode 62 -Ohio BWC has expanded their “Better You, Better Ohio!” Workplace Wellness Program. The Ohio BWC has expanded their Better You, Better Ohio! workplace wellness program to include employers up to 150 employees! In this interview replay, Mark Clendenin, Ohio BWC Regional Business Development Manager for Northeastern Ohio, sits down with us to talk about the ins & outs of this program aimed at helping employers promote health & wellness at their workplaces. (14:07) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  51. Episode 49 – Mental Health First Aid. Ashley Baden, certified Mental Health First Aid Trainer at Coleman Professional Services, gives us a snapshot of the internationally recognized Mental Health First Aid training! (12:45) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  52. Episode 46 – The Dangers of High Blood Pressure. After completing free health screenings at a couple of our events, Mindy Gusz, Community Outreach Coordinator at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center, noticed that many of our members had high blood pressure. As a result, Mindy sat down with us to get the word out about the dangers of high blood pressure! (11:16). Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  53. Episode 5 – The Costs of Improper Handwashing at Work. In this interview, Justin Rechichar of the Portage County Health District shares that according to CDC statistics, employers lose an average of $1,685 in production per employee every year. Something he says that can be significantly reduced by proper handwashing. (14:21) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  54. Episode 4 – Safety Talk: Workplace Handwashing. Justin Rechichar, Program Supervisor from the Portage County Health District gives us a crash course on the importance of proper handwashing at work. (4:43) Listen/Download via Google Drive.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in the podcasts may not reflect the views of any affiliated or sponsoring individuals or organizations. Listeners should carefully weigh information provided and seek advice from an appropriate professional before implementing. Listener discretion is advised.