
Healthier You: A Vanderbilt Health & Wellness Podcast is designed to help Vanderbilt faculty and staff live their healthiest lives. Join us for a short, 10-minute monthly episode packed with all the latest tips and resources you need on a variety of health and wellness topics.
Listen to 2 episodes from Season 3 and earn the Healthier You Podcast action in Step 2 of Go for the Gold.
Season 3, Episode 3: Stroke Awareness – Spot It Early, Treat It Fast, Prevent It Better

A stroke can happen suddenly and without any warning. A leading cause of disability in the United States, stroke can change lives in a matter of minutes. Understanding the symptoms and acting quickly in an emergency can make a big difference in treatment and recovery. More importantly, the risk of stroke can be greatly reduced through healthy lifestyle choices. Join us as Syra York, DNP, AGNP talks with Carolyn Cronin, MD, PhD, Professor of Neurology and Stroke Medical Director for the Vanderbilt Adult Hospital, and Kiersten Brown Espaillat, DNP, Assistant in Neurology and Stroke Program Manager at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, about how to recognize symptoms, why immediate treatment matters, and the everyday steps we can take to manage our health and reduce the risk of stroke.
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| Syra York, DNP, AGNP | Carolyn Cronin, MD, PhD | Kiersten Brown Espaillat, DNP |
Episode Resources
Season 3, Episode 2: When You Feel Like a Fraud: Breaking the Power of Self-Doubt

Have you ever worked really hard to achieve something only to feel completely unprepared and unqualified once you get there? Join us as Megan Bergfeld, LCSW, ACM-SW, talks with Adriana Kipper-Smith, PhD, HSP, about the surprisingly common experience known as imposter phenomenon and some effective ways to help remedy the cycle of self-doubt.
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| Megan Berfeld, LCSW, ACM-SW | Adriana Kipper-Smith, PhD, HSP |
Episode Resources
Self-Compassion Practices: Cultivate Inner Peace and Joy
Imposter Syndrome Test (CIPS) Anxiety Aid Tools
Imposter Phenomenon in US Physicians Relative to the US Working Population
Season 3, Episode 1: How Sleep Shapes Your Health

One of the most powerful and often overlooked pillars of wellness is sleep. In our fast-paced world, sleep is often sacrificed in the name of productivity. Join us as DeOnna Clark, MOT, OTR/L, talks with Raghu Upender, MD, MBA, medical director of the Vanderbilt Sleep Disorder Center, about the science of sleep and the impact that it has on our mental and physical health.
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| DeOnna Clark, MOT, OTR/L | Raghu Upender, MD, MBA |
Episode Resources
Vanderbilt Sleep Disorders Center
Season 2, Episode 9: Breaking the Habit: Your Path to Nicotine-Free Living

Quitting a nicotine habit is no easy feat. Join us as Syra York, DNP, AGNP-C, chats with Ashley Cleveland, DNP, to explore the challenges and triumphs of overcoming nicotine addiction, offering practical advice and support for those ready to take the first step towards a healthier life. Discover the health benefits of quitting, learn about effective cessation strategies, and explore the array of resources available to help you succeed. Whether you're considering quitting or supporting a loved one on their journey, this episode provides the encouragement and information you need to make a positive change.
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| Syra York, DNP, AGNP-C | Ashley Cleveland, DNP |
Episode Resources
Season 2, Episode 8: Lifestyle Coaching

Have youever struggled to meet your health goals or to make changes in your own lifestyle? In this Healthier You episode, DeOnna Clark, MOT, OTR/L chats with Madeline Morrison, PharmD, BCTXP, who shares her personal journey to a healthier lifestyle. Madeline gives candid insights into her struggles with stress, sleep, and sustainable habits, and explores how lifestyle coaching helped her redefine wellness on her own terms.
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| DeOnna Clark, MOT, OTR/L | Madeline Morrison, PharmD, BCTXP |
Episode Resources
Transcript (part A, part B)
Record Your Go for the Gold Participation
Madeline Morrison
DeOnna Clark, MQT, OTR/L
Health Plus
Season 2, Episode 7: Body Image: How NOT to Dread Summer
As the sun starts to shine brighter and the days grow longer, many of us face a familiar internal battle: the dread of summer and its accompanying body image woes. Join us as Megan Bergfeld, LCSW, ACM-SW chats with Lisa Jackson, LCSW about how to not dread the summer months. We'll explore practical tips for embracing your unique self, from mindful social media consumption to self-compassion and body neutrality. Learn how to silence the inner critic and cultivate a mindset that celebrates what your body can do rather than how it looks.
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| Megan Bergfeld, LCSW, ACM-SW | Lisa Jackson, LCSW |
The Body Image Workbook, Thomas Cash Ph.D.
The Body is not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love, Sonya Renee Taylor
More Than a Body: Your Body is an Instrument not an Ornament, Lindsay and Lexie Kite, Ph.D.
Season 2, Episode 6: Antibiotics: To Take or Not to Take

Join us for the latest episode of the Healthier You Podcast to discover valuable insights and tips for both healthcare providers and patients about the responsible use of antibiotics. In this episode, Syra York, DNP, AGNP-C from the Occupational Health Clinic talks with Milner Staub, MD, an infectious disease physician and director of antimicrobial stewardship. They discuss common misconceptions about antibiotic use from both prescriber and patient perspectives.
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| Syra York, DNP, AGNP-C | Milner Staub, MD |
Episode Resources
Season 2, Episode 5: Feeding Feelings: How to Conquer Stress Eating

Have you ever felt overwhelmed, turning to food for comfort? Tune into the latest Healthier You podcast episode as DeOnna Clark, MOT, OTR/L chats with Lisa Jackson, LCSW, about identifying triggers in the cycle of stress, developing healthier coping mechanisms, and finding balance in your eating habits.
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| DeOnna Clark, MOT, OTR/L | Lisa Jackson, LCSW |
Episode Resources
Transcript
Record Your Go for the Gold Participation
Lisa Jackson, LCSW
DeOnna Clark, MQT, OTR/L
Health Plus
Season 2, Episode 4: Green Flags in a Relationship

We've all heard about "red flags" to watch out for in a relationship, but what about "green flags"? What characteristics should we be looking for in a relationship (or friendship!) that are healthy and positive? Join Megan Bergfeld, LCSW, ACM-SW and Mackenzie Parks, LCSW, both from Work/Life Connections-EAP to learn more about "green flags" you can look for in your relationships with a partner or friend.
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| Megan Bergfeld, LCSW, ACM-SW | Makenzie Parks, LCSW |
Episode Resources
Transcript
Record Your Go for the Gold Participation
Megan Bergfeld, LCSW, ACM-SW
Makenzie Parks, LCSW
How to Establish Connections and Community
10 Green Flags for Great Relationships
Season 2, Episode 3: Working Smarter not Harder: The Value of Ergonomics in Healthcare

Join us for the latest episode of the Healthier You Podcast, where Lydia Gardner chats with Wilma Traughber, MSN, RN-BC, CEAS II, about the world of ergonomics at VUMC. We explore how working smarter, not harder, can help transform productivity, well-being, and job satisfaction in various roles across the enterprise.
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| Lydia Gardner | Wilma Traughber, MSN, RN-BC, CEAS II |
















