In addition to funding grants that transform schools and communities, TSET plays a big role in advancing cutting-edge scientific research in Oklahoma. Directors from Stephenson Cancer Center, Health Promotion Research Center and Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research share the work they do to save lives and improve health statewide.

School is back in session, and times are tough for all of us. This episode of the TSET Better Health Podcast provides listeners with informative interviews and lists of resources for those affected by food insecurity and COVID-19. Representatives from the Regional Food Bank and Hunger Free Oklahoma share the wide array of resources available to struggling Oklahomans, including senior meal boxes, prescriptions, food pantries, and more. Carrie Slatton-Hodges of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services details all the services the agency provides in the age of COVID-19. Additionally, TSET’s own Health Communication Manager Kelli Brodersen shares exciting developments in TSET’s new healthy youth and food access initiatives.

The TSET Healthy Living Program (HLP) and its coordinators have transformed communities across Oklahoma. Join James and Cate as they travel the state to share first-person perspectives of these grant-funded initiatives:

Muskogee has used the TSET HLP to implement vast changes from complete streets, childhood nutrition, community gardens and wellness in the workplace. The coordinator in Newkirk helped city leaders and advocates secure a large grant to connect the community through safe sidewalks. Cleveland County has made immense progress in increasing nutritional food access in rural areas, which not only improves the health of residents but also supports local farmers and the economy. Prague Elementary School has reimagined what education can be with the help of TSET HLP coordinators by incorporating physical activity into the learning process.

TSET HLP coordinators work with community leaders to implement strategic projects that create generational change. Tune in to learn more about TSET’s impact on the lives of everyday Oklahomans.

James and Cate head to McAlester to take a look at rural health care and the importance of the TSET-funded Physician Manpower Training Commission (PMTC) during COVID-19. Janie Thompson, PMTC executive director, and Michelle Mabray, physician recruiter at McAlester Regional Health Center, discuss how PMTC incentivizes physicians to practice at rural hospitals through medical student loan debt forgiveness. David Keith, CEO of McAlester Regional Health Center provides a bird’s-eye view of the state of rural health care in Oklahoma during the pandemic and the crucial services his facility provides. Dr. Kamron Torbati, an award-winning PMTC physician, tells his story from life in California to the Marines and what brought him to McAlester.

Music by Reverend Gary Davis, Doctor Turtle and Jason Shaw (1, 2), available at FreeMusicArchive.org.

Better Health is bringing healthy, local food to you in this episode. Your hosts James and Cate explore the sights, sounds and people at the Scissortail Park Farmers Market, have an informative conversation with Abbey Owens, Meredith Scott and Jade Owen of the Oklahoma Nutrition Information and Education (ONIE) Project, and dive into the story of Shelby Sieg, chef at Lua Mediterranean and Bottle Shop and a featured chef with Shape Your Future. Tune in to learn more about local farmers markets and the importance of nutritional food for the body and soul. 

Find your local farmers market at ShapeYourFutureOK.com. 

Mediterranean music: Yerbaguena by Gnawledge

Sunday, May 17, is No Menthol Sunday, a day for churches in the African American community to shine a light on the insidious nature of menthol and targeted tobacco advertising. Dr. Adam Alexander of the OU Health Sciences Center shares the latest research on the appeal and dangers of menthol, and Theodore Noel of Guiding Right shares the influential work of the organization and the importance of community outreach. Then firefighter and former smoker Shaun Pryor shares his experience with the tobacco helpline and the power of positive role modeling. 

James and Cate discuss important ways to stay physically and mentally healthy while practicing social distancing during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Jennifer Goodrich, licensed professional counselor and CEO of Pivot: A Turning Point for Youth, provides valuable insights and useful tips for nurturing your mental health and keeping perspective during unusual and traumatic times. 

Then, Melissa Oishi, RD/LD, Pediatric Dietitian at OU Physicians, explains the importance of keeping a well-balanced diet and best practices for safe and efficient grocery shopping. 

Your hosts provide a plethora of valuable resources for quitting tobacco, meal planning, exercising at home, finding food, accessing state resources, homeschooling and more. 

Links and resources: 

• Coronavirus helpline: 211 or 877-215-8336

Health communication consultant James Tyree and intern Cate Howell co-host this episode about Tobacco 21, the new federal law restricting sale of tobacco products to people under the age of 21. After taking a look at the research behind how and why the law originated, Cate shares an interview with Dr. Amy Cohn of the Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center. Dr. Cohn explains why this is the first step toward a broader movement in limiting tobacco use and how it affects youth and young adults. Then, James shares a conversation he had with Nancy Packwood, owner of Norman convenient store Alameda Market and Tackle, who discusses her perspective on how the new law has affected her business and why she supports it. Cate closes out the episode by sharing how and why she came up with the TSET podcast and how the TSET team hopes our listeners will benefit from it. 

Welcome to the TSET Better Health Podcast! Executive director Julie Bisbee and host James Tyree share information about TSET's mission and what to expect from the podcast moving forward. Join us for Better Lives and Better Health!