EPISODE SUMMARY:

From clothes and groceries to movies and family dinners, it’s often expected to have both convenience and choice when getting services or products for yourself or a loved one. So, what about caring for your health? Kristy Duffey from Optum Home & Community Care and Kim DeMasie, a nurse practitioner and nonprofit founder, join our latest episode to talk about the demand for health care outside of a doctor’s office or hospital and the growing options for getting the right care at the right time from the comfort of your home.

HIGHLIGHTS:

[5:50] Kim DeMasie talks about how her work as a HouseCalls nurse and passion for volunteering come together in her community food pantry.

[16:42] Kristy Duffey talks about how home and community care are helping people get the care they want, where they want it. 

RESOURCES:

home-clinical-assessment.html">Housecalls: In-Home Clinical Assessment Program | Optum

aem.optum.com/content/dam/optum4/resources/pdf/ohb-housecalls-bd-sell-sheet.pdf">HouseCalls Infographic

HouseCalls-program.html">Newsroom - Indiana Nurse Practitioner Goes the Extra Mile Providing Home Visits (uhc.com)

GUESTS: 

Kim DeMasie, Clinical Team Manager and Nurse Practitioner at Optum, nonprofit organizer and volunteer

Kristy Duffey, Chief Nursing Officer at Optum Health and Chief Operating Officer at Optum Home & Community Care

The views, opinions, endorsements and content expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of Optum.

Visit optum.com for more information about how Optum is helping to create a healthier world.

Think about your workday- what your environment looks like, how you interact with co-workers, how you prefer to communicate. If you identify as neurodivergent, that means your brain works differently. Things such as background noise, bright lights, crowded spaces or pings from colleagues may lead to feeling overwhelmed, uncomfortable or anxious. We’ll talk with Amy Root, UnitedHealth Group Director of Neurodiversity Inclusion, about the one thing you can do today to create a neuro-inclusive work environment.

GUEST:

Amy Root, Director of Neurodiversity Inclusion at UnitedHealth Group

RESOURCE:

diversity.html">Advancing DE&I - UnitedHealth Group (uhg.com)

For more on what neurodiversity is and how we can better recognize and value thinking differently, check out the full episode.

The views, opinions, endorsements and content expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of Optum.

Visit optum.com for more information about how Optum is helping to create a healthier world.

EPISODE SUMMARY: 

There is no 'normal' when it comes to the human brain. We all experience the world uniquely and learn, think and communicate in different ways. However, there’s a generally accepted range of what’s considered ‘typical,’ and brain activity outside of that range is considered ‘neurodivergent.’ This includes people with conditions like ADHD, autism, dyslexia, OCD, and Tourette's.

It’s estimated that up to 20% of the U.S. population identifies as neurodivergent.* While this may bring challenges in social, work or school settings, differences can be real strengths. We talk with KC Davis, licensed professional counselor, author of the book How To Keep House While Drowning and host of the podcast Struggle Care as well as Amy Root, Director of Neurodiversity Inclusion at UnitedHealth Group, about their personal journeys as well as what needs to be done to better support thinking differently. 

HIGHLIGHTS:

[08:16] Amy Root and KC Davis discuss why there’s increased conversations about neurodivergence, including recent research, advocacy and activism.

[14:53] Amy and KC talk about how women and girls are often overlooked when diagnosing neurodivergent conditions and share their personal journeys to diagnoses.

RESOURCES:

How to Keep House While Drowning

How to do laundry when you're depressed | TED Talk

What is Struggle Care? — KC Davis

Neurodiversity in Cybersecurity – Amy Root - NeuroSec (captivate.fm)

GUESTS: 

Amy Root, Director of Neurodiversity Inclusion at UnitedHealth Group

KC Davis, licensed professional counselor, author of How to Keep House While Drowning and creator of mental health platform and podcast Struggle Care.

The views, opinions, endorsements and content expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of Optum.

Visit optum.com for more information about how Optum is helping to create a healthier world.

EPISODE SUMMARY:

Research shows that women spend 32 hours per week on childcare and housework compared to just 18 hours for men.* Special guest Eve Rodsky, bestselling author of Fair Play, attorney, and activist, translates this stat to real life by talking trash — literally. She illustrates how a simple task like taking out the garbage led to conflict with her husband, and offers one thing you can do today to have an honest and productive conversation about household chores.

*Pew Research Center

GUEST:

Eve Rodsky, bestselling author, Fair Play, attorney and activist

RESOURCES:

The text from Eve Rodsky's husband that made her say "I'm done" with their division of labor | Salon.com

For more on how primary caregivers and women are affected by the division of labor at home and in the workplace, check out the full episode.

The views, opinions, endorsements and content expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of Optum.

Visit optum.com for more information about how Optum is helping to create a healthier world.

EPISODE SUMMARY:

How we divide chores and childcare is an age-old problem, with women historically handling most of the work in the home. Laundry, cleaning and carpool may seem like personal issues, but they can cause burnout, anxiety, depression and other illnesses like any job outside the home. This makes “invisible labor” a matter of public health. If you work at home, you may feel what you do isn’t acknowledged or seen as valuable. If you work outside of the home, you may feel you’re also working a “second shift” with your family responsibilities. Eve Rodsky, New York Times bestselling author of the book Fair Play, which inspired a documentary by Hello Sunshine, shares her personal story and offers actionable tips to find better balance.

HIGHLIGHTS:

[04:30] Interview: Eve Rodsky, author of Fair Play, attorney, and activist | Rodsky defines the terms “invisible labor” and “mental load” and examines how caregiving and chores are viewed in our society.

[13:16] Rodsky discusses how the unfair division of labor affects the health of women and primary caregivers – as well as what we can do to fix it.

RESOURCES:

Fair Play documentary

The Fair Play method

GUEST: 

Eve Rodsky, bestselling author of Fair Play, attorney and activist

The views, opinions, endorsements and content expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of Optum.

Visit optum.com for more information about how Optum is helping to create a healthier world.

EPISODE SUMMARY:

One big thing that affects your health is diet – and when it comes to eating better, fruits and vegetables are key. But did you know only about 9% of Americans are getting enough greens (and yellows, reds and oranges?)* Special guest Dr. Edwin McDonald shares one thing you can do today to improve your eating habits at home.

* Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

GUEST:

Dr. Edwin McDonald, Assistant Professor UChicago Medicine, Gastroenterologist, Project Brotherhood Leader, and Culinary Arts/Nutrition Advocate 

RESOURCES:

The Doc's Kitchen - A Blog of Healthy Recipes from a Doctor and Chef (thedocskitchen.com)

For more on how health disparities impact the Black community and how local organizations are working towards better Black health outcomes, check out the full episode.

The views, opinions, endorsements and content expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of Optum.

Visit optum.com for more information about how Optum is helping to create a healthier world.

EPISODE SUMMARY:

There are major health disparities facing the Black community: Black people are at higher risk for heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and more. They also live about six years less on average compared to other racial and ethnic groups. * During Black History Month, our hosts talk with Norman Wright from UnitedHealth Group and Edward Walton from Black Men Run about how we got here, what needs to be done to improve health care for Black Americans and how community organizations are leading the way.

* Kaiser Family Foundation

HIGHLIGHTS:

[04:28] Interview: Norman Wright, Executive Vice President, Health Equity Strategy for UnitedHealth Group | Wright discusses healthcare access in underserved communities by examining barriers and the history of racism in the United States. 

[25:57] Interview: Edward Walton, Co-Founder, Black Men Run | Walton shares the origin story of Black Men Run, emphasizing its status as more than just a running club, but as an accessible space for Black men to take control of their health and well-being.

RESOURCES:

06-08-committing-100-million-to-advance-diverse-health-workforce.html">The United Health Foundation Commits $100 Million to Further Advance a Diverse Health Workforce - UnitedHealth Group

scholars.html">Building a Diverse, Culturally Competent Health Workforce - UnitedHealth Group

Black Men Run

GUESTS: 

wright.html">Norman Wright, Executive Vice President, Health Equity Strategy, UHG

Edward Walton, Co-Founder, Black Men Run

The views, opinions, endorsements and content expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of Optum.

Visit optum.com for more information about how Optum is helping to create a healthier world.

EPISODE SUMMARY:

Spirituality and religion aren’t things we typically think about when it comes to health and health care—and they can be intimidating to talk about with your doctor. This week, Callie and Dr. Poole share how to think about, write down and share how spirituality and/or religion affect your care preferences so you feel prepared to talk about them—both now and in the future.

For more on how your spiritual and/or religious practices relate to your health and health care, check out the full episode. 

The views, opinions, endorsements and content expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of Optum.

Visit optum.com for more information about how Optum is helping to create a healthier world.

EPISODE SUMMARY:

Spirituality and religion play an important role in many people’s lives—but they may not feel comfortable bringing up these topics with their care providers. As we continue to look at ways to better support your health and well-being, Dr. Mary Jo Kreitzer and Reverend Brian Hughes join our hosts for a discussion about how spirituality and religion affect health care—and how to get the conversation started.

HIGHLIGHTS:

04:10 Interview: Dr. Mary Jo Kreitzer, Director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality & Healing | Dr. Kreitzer has spent much of her career as a physician, educator, and researcher studying the connection between our spiritual practice and our health. She talks about the importance of asking the question “what matters?” when it comes to health and health care, instead of the traditional question, “what’s the matter?”

024:35 Interview: Rev. Brian Hughes, spiritual care specialist and chaplain at UnitedHealth Group | Rev. Hughes shares anecdotes from his personal experiences as a hospital chaplain, including what it’s like to put aside his own perspective and focus on being present for another person in need. 

RESOURCES:

How to talk to someone who is seriously ill or dying (optum.com)

How to live well with chronic illness (optum.com)

Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing

GUESTS:

Dr. Mary Jo Kreitzer, Founder & Director, Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing

Brian Hughes, Chaplain & Spiritual Care Specialist at UnitedHealth Group

The views, opinions, endorsements and content expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of Optum.

Visit optum.com for more information about how Optum is helping to create a healthier world.

EPISODE SUMMARY: 

With a topic as big as therapy, where do you even begin looking for help? Callie and Dr. Poole share some tips for how to define and narrow down the options you have for mental health resources—whether they’re in-person or online. 

For more on how important it is to take care of our mental health, check out the full episode. 

If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed with stress or thinking about suicide, seek help right away. If someone is in immediate danger, call 988 or go to the closest emergency room. To talk with a trained counselor, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline anytime at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

The views, opinions, and content expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of Optum.

Visit optum.com for more information about how Optum is helping to create a healthier world.