HER

Interested in running for office but don't know how to play the campaign game?Women are underrepresented in politics. Even if your desire is not to run for office, politics and campaigns play a role in regular living. One unique challenge women face in politics is fundraising. This space has been exclusive to men for a long time. Campaigns cost money. You don’t have to have personal wealth to run for office. Use your networks to help raise money, even if they aren’t what your male counterpart might tap. You don’t have to check the boxes of your predecessors to run for office, but you do have to be passionate about your community. Your experience benefits you. Listen as Kate Black joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to discuss some tips for women who need to campaign and want to play the political game. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

Have you ever gotten caught up in someone's web of lies without realizing it? You are not alone.“How could someone as smart as you fall for that?” It’s embarrassing to admit you’ve been duped. People are quick to point out how gullible you were and how there’s no way they would’ve ever fallen for something like this. The truth is that smart people are often duped because they think they’re smart enough to avoid deception. Intelligent people can have willful blindness, ignoring gut instincts and giving people and situations the benefit of the doubt. No one wants to think they can be manipulated. Additionally, ignorance can be bliss, even when it’s willful ignorance.  Deception isn’t limited to romantic relationships. Jobs, organizations, families and communities can all be duplicitous. Being duped can be psychologically traumatic. Talking about it can reduce the shame and trauma. Learn from your past by removing the rose-colored glasses to see the red flags. Listen as Abby Ellin joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to share what it’s like to be duped, and how to avoid it in future. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

Beware references of your job being called your second family.You spend thousands of hours of your life working. Is it accurate to call work your second family? Nope. You can have warm, caring relationships with your co-workers, but classifying it as a family puts workers at a disadvantage. Employees may feel guilty if they want to ask for a raise or days off, but they willingly put in extra time and take on additional work to help out. Be friendly while knowing these are business relationships. If you’re in a position of leadership and work with a family member, stick to business at work. Creating a family-like environment at work often stems from the best intentions. However, employees can be made to feel guilty for reporting problems or leaving to advance careers. This is especially prevalent in small businesses. A team is a better framework for a business setting; not a family. Listen as Alison Green joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to discuss why you shouldn’t refer to your job as your second family. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

Do video games really contribute to violence and women's self-esteem issues?While it’s easy to blame the uptick in video game play for violence and body image insecurity, there’s no research proving that video games are the cause. Today’s research is more transparent and diligent than earlier psychological research. There’s no evidence of strong effects of sexism, body image insecurity and violence from video game content. Of course, we should continue to advocate for female representation in games. Listen as Dr. Chris Ferguson joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to discuss how video games really affect people. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

Protect your heart and longevity by knowing the effects of drug and alcohol abuse.Excessive alcohol use takes a toll on your heart. Drug abuse, including prescription drugs, also has an effect on your ticker. Heart disease is the number-one killer of women in the United States, so it’s important to take care of your health. Alcohol is part of mixed messages. While it’s been said that red wine is good for the heart, there is no conclusive study that proves red wine is the factor that helps the heart. Moderate drinking (one drink a day) will probably not affect your heart. Drugs can also be confusing. Cannabis is getting lots of press as being beneficial for overall health, but those with heart disease could have negative effects from smoking marijuana. Even a single trial of cocaine can result in a cardiac event and maybe death. Listen as Dr. Jenn Haythe joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to discuss what drugs and alcohol do to your heart. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

What valuable information can you find in diet books?The diet industry is booming, and millions of Americans put their faith in popular diet books. In fact, many diet recommendations today are reshuffled versions of information available for decades. Cultural, medical and religious practices all influence diet. Listen as Dr. Adrienne Bitar joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to discuss the history of diet styles and their impact on public health. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

Changing your perspective can influence your wellness.You want to live your life on your terms with purpose and possibility. You need a reason to get up every day and to watch for opportunity. Hard work is required to get the life you want. You can choose to be bitter about the life you live or to make the best of it. Change your perspective and open up your horizons. Listen as Zack Friedman joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to discuss how to turn the lemons of your life into lemonade. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

How can you interact with the opposite sex at work without worries about being harassed?In the months since #MeToo began trending in social media, advancements have been made. There is greater awareness about sexual harassment. Bill Cosby has been convicted of sexual assault. However, not much has changed in the workplace. In fact, men are hesitant to interact with women in the workplace for fear of harassment accusations. No one wants friendliness to be perceived as flirtation or harassment. About one-third of male managers are concerned about meeting with women alone for mentoring or bonding. Formal mentorships can bridge the gap between the sexes. Women can maintain a paper trail and ask specific work-related questions when seeking advice from male managers. If a man is nervous about an accidental sexual harassment, he isn’t likely to be a harasser. Remember that Harvey Weinstein and Bill Cosby didn’t accidentally harm their accusers. If you are harassed, speak to human resources, your boss or the harasser’s boss. Sexual harassment is about power. Listen as Dr. Kim Elsesser joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to discuss the impact of #MeToo on sexual harassment, how to interact with the opposite sex in the workplace without worry, and what to do if you are harassed. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

Boost your mental strength.Bad habits hold you back. Eliminating those bad habits improve your chances at success and happiness. Amy Morin provides these tips: Know your values. Act according to those values. Don’t let the bad behavior of others bring out the worst in you. Take positive action. Set limits on your social media consumption. Don’t consider people as being above or below you. Reframe the way you think and view them as opinion holders instead of direct competitors. Cut back on the overthinking. Change the channel in your brain. Refocus your attention on something else or engage in a mood-boosting activity. Listen as Morin joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to share tips on developing mental strength. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

Live every day as if it is your last.Your hope is to be there for your family as they grow and change. But, sometimes life has other plans. Health conditions may mean you have to think about how your family will proceed without you. Each day could be your last day. Focus on what really matters to you. Live in the now and stay present. Listen as Mary Bergstrom joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to share her very personal story and preparation for the future. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins