On this Highway to Health segment of Road Gang Radio, host Jimmy Mac welcomes Dr. Ben Kligler, Executive Director for the Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Together, they explore one of the most influential—but often overlooked—factors in overall wellness: the Power of the Mind.

As one of the eight components in the VA’s Circle of Health, the mind-body connection plays a critical role in shaping physical health. Dr. Kligler shares research-backed insight into how mood, stress, and thought patterns can directly affect the body—and how veterans and drivers alike can use tools like meditation, guided imagery, breathing exercises, and more to improve their well-being.

Learn how to take control of your health from the inside out with practical mind-body strategies, and explore more resources at va.gov/wholehealth.

In this bonus edition of Highway to Health on Road Gang Radio, host Jimmy Mac chats with lifestyle expert, podcast host, and mom of three Lizzy Mathis, founder of The Cool Mom Co. With summer in full swing, Lizzy shares practical wellness tips to help families stay balanced during the most hectic season of the year.

From juggling summer camps and road trips to handling snack cravings and sun protection, Lizzy offers easy, affordable ways to keep your family feeling their best—without adding more stress. Learn how she’s partnering with CVS Pharmacy® to highlight travel-friendly wellness essentials, and get the scoop on staying healthy on the go with probiotics, hydration boosters, and mess-free sunscreen.

Whether you’re a long-haul trucker trying to help your family stay grounded at home or a parent on the move, this conversation is full of helpful takeaways. Don’t miss it—and check out more at thecoolmom.co.

On this week’s Highway to Health segment of Road Gang Radio, host Jimmy Mac sits down with Dr. Naomi L. Friedberg, a licensed psychologist based in Lafayette, Louisiana, who specializes in treating anxiety disorders and stress-related conditions. Together, they explore the unique mental health challenges faced by long-haul truckers—from isolation on the road and missing life at home to the pressure of being both dependable and emotionally distant.

Dr. Friedberg breaks down the difference between stress, anxiety, and burnout—and why understanding them matters. She shares practical ways to identify when you're not just “tired” but burned out, when sadness might be something more, and how even the toughest drivers can benefit from real self-care (no bubble bath required).

They also tackle the stigma around mental health, discuss the value of seeking help, and explain how telehealth can make professional support more accessible for drivers on the move. It's a real, relatable conversation about being human in a hard job—and how taking care of your mind can keep your wheels turning.

On this week’s Highway to Health, Jimmy Mac welcomes Anna Grey Barbour—stretch practitioner and recent Exercise Science grad—to talk about how assisted stretching can improve flexibility, mobility, and overall wellness. With a background in collegiate volleyball and a passion for helping others feel their best, Anna Grey shares how truck drivers in particular can benefit from targeted stretching to ease tension, prevent injury, and stay limber behind the wheel. Plus, she offers tips for safe, effective stretches drivers can do on their own—no fancy equipment required.

This week on Highway to Health with Jimmy Mac, we welcome back a friend of the show—digital media expert and educational innovator Nicole Dreiske, Executive Director of the International Children’s Media Center. With summer in full swing and screen time at an all-time high, Nicole shares why excessive digital device use is a growing public health concern, especially for kids.

She introduces her two brand-new activity books aimed at combatting summer learning loss while promoting literacy, emotional intelligence, and healthier screen habits. Nicole brings practical advice, neuroscience-backed insights, and hope for parents trying to navigate the digital age with purpose. Don’t miss this important conversation packed with tools to make your child more screen smart and emotionally resilient.

On this week’s Highway to Health, host Jimmy Mac welcomes Dr. Ben Kligler, Executive Director for the Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation at the Department of Veterans Affairs. They dive into the importance of Rest and Recharge — one of the eight essential components of the VA’s Circle of Health. Dr. Kligler shares insights on why quality sleep and intentional rest are vital for both body and mind, especially for veterans and professional drivers. From the science of sleep to practical tips for relaxation, this conversation offers real strategies for lowering stress, boosting health, and living more fully.

Learn more and explore wellness tools at www.va.gov/wholehealth.

This week on Highway to Health, Jimmy Mac is joined by Dr. Franchesca Fiorito from the Association of Migraine Disorders for an eye-opening conversation that goes far beyond the term "bad headache." Together, they unpack the true definition of migraine, how it differs from other headaches, and why misdiagnosis is so common—especially for patients whose symptoms mimic other serious conditions.

Dr. Fiorito dives into triggers, treatments, and the critical role of CGRP inhibitors, a medication class many people—physicians included—still don’t know about. Plus, learn about the Shades for Migraine campaign and how stigma around migraine continues to affect those who suffer in silence. From lifestyle changes to alternative therapies, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who battles migraines or knows someone who does.

Find out more here:

https://shadesformigraine.org

@shadesformigraine #ShadesForMigraine

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