Straight Talk For Real Life
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
#037: The Power of Positivity: Quick Wins for Mental Health
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Sue Varma talks about her groundbreaking work showing that “optimism” goes beyond just having a positive outlook—it brings about be...
#036: Life In Three Dimensions
Contributed by Lukas
Is there more to life than happiness? For decades, positive psychologists have agreed that there are two crucial dimensions to living a happy...
#035: Ending Alzheimer’s: How to Improve and Protect Your Brain for a Lifetime
Contributed by Lukas
For over 100 years, scientists have searched for a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Now, for the first time ever, there is hope. Dr. Dale E. Bre...
#034: Food for Thought: Optimizing Your Brain Health
Contributed by Lukas
The foods we eat are directly linked to our health and health issues. Recently, scientific studies have shown that what you eat can have a big ...
#033: The Secret to Raising Much Healthier and Happier Kids
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Elisa Song is a trusted pediatrician who provides science-based, easy-to-understand ways to raise happier and healthier kids—starting wit...
#032: Postpartum Depression and Anxiety? Here’s What You Need to Know
Contributed by Lukas
Many new mothers experience “baby blues” after giving birth. However, some new moms—and even dads!—experience more intense and prolonge...
#031: Lessons from the Blue Zones: The Real Secrets to Living a Longer and Happier Life
Contributed by Lukas
What are the secrets of living a longer, more fulfilled life? Answering that big question has been the quest of a company called Blue Zones for...
#030: Loneliness: Social Connections—Why Your Health Depends on Them
Contributed by Lukas
In today's fast-paced society, many of us spend our days balancing countless meetings and endless work with school and family responsibilities....
#029: Happiness Hacks
Contributed by Lukas
Is there truly a road to happiness? And if so, how can we get there? You might be surprised! This episode contains many practical tips—“hap...
#028: Caregiving: Preparing for the Unexpected
Contributed by Lukas
No one ever imagines, much less prepares, for the day they will become a caregiver—providing necessary care for a loved one whose health is d...
#026: Psychological Safety: Creating a Happier, Healthier Team at Work and at Home
Contributed by Lukas
Whether at work, in the community, or at home, you want to create an environment that brings out the very best in everyone, so your “team” ...
#025: Allison’s Story: Hope for Addiction
Contributed by Lukas
Addiction affects many people . . . people you know, love, or work with—perhaps even you. What happens to our brains when we become addicted ...
#024: Neurodiversity: Hidden Challenges of Invisible Conditions
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine having a disability or condition that no one can see. For a majority of people around the world—and even people you may know—it’...
#023: Menopause and How It Can Affect Your Mental Health
Contributed by Lukas
Nearly all women go through menopause—and many younger women go through perimenopause. But because it’s a subject we rarely talk about, m...
#022: Food and Your Mood: What You Eat Can Impact How You Feel
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that changing your diet can help you to feel happier? In this episode, we explore the science of nutritional psychiatry—how food c...
#015: ABCs of Optimal Health: Training for the Pandemic
Contributed by Lukas
How can we prepare our minds and bodies to successfully win the fight against COVID-19? In this special mini-episode, a medical doctor provides i...
#014: Be Kind to Your Mind in Times of Uncertainty
Contributed by Lukas
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many things have been out of our control—causing fear, stress, sleeplessness, and anxiety. Mindfulness and medita...
#013: Help Along the Way: Moving Toward Tomorrow
Contributed by Lukas
We've all endured some big changes over the past several months due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. As we prepare to return to work and a new ...
#012: Parents: Helping Children Prepare for What's Ahead
Contributed by Lukas
As schools, daycare centers, and camps reopen, parents and children may be dealing with stress and anxiety about what's ahead—and whatever that...
#011: Let the Journey Begin: Moving from Fear to Growth
Contributed by Lukas
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of stress and anxiety. But now it's time to journey from the "fear zone" to a place that is healthier and ...
#027: Grief: Coping with Loss Through the Love That’s Left Behind
10 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When a loved one dies—whether a parent, a child, a life partner, a family member, or a friend, or even a beloved pet—giving yourself time a...
#021: Supporting Our Heroes: Resources for Veterans
29 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
To honor our team members who are veterans, this Veterans Day episode focuses on the invisible wounds of military service—mental health issues ...
#020: Releasing the Superpower of the Brain: When Art and Science Come Together
16 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The creative arts have the power to change our brains, making us feel happier, healthier, and even smarter. Scientists can see that when we look ...
#019: The Keys to Unlocking a Happier, Healthier Life: Gratitude, Compassion, and Self-Care
22 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A happier and healthier life is within your reach! This episode looks at 3 keys to unlocking it: gratitude, compassion, and self-care. We'll look...
#018: Is Financial Stress Affecting Your Mental and Physical Health?
30 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
For many of us, money issues can add a lot of stress and anxiety to our lives. In this episode, we talk to an expert about how financial stress c...
#017: Man to Man: Men's Health Questions—Suggested by You
26 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What are the top men's health questions on your mind? That's the question we posed to HPE team members all over the world. In a special Straight ...
#016: Helping Families with Children Who Have Special Needs
04 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Parenting is a demanding job even in the best circumstances. However, it can be even more difficult for parents who have children with learning, ...
#010: Meditation: Could It Work for You—Like It Has Worked for Millions of Others?
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In today's stress-filled world, we're all looking for healthier ways to cope. For years, meditation has been standard practice for some of the mo...
#009: Kelly McGonigal: The Joy of Movement
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Exercise—walking, running, dancing, moving—enhances and extends our lives. Yet many of us think of exercise as a chore. Discover how exercise...
#008: Stress and Your Heart
09 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Stress can make your life miserable, but could it be killing you? Recent research shows that your mental state can have a big impact on your phys...
#007: What's Keeping You Up at Night: The Secrets to Improving Your Sleep
06 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sleep is incredibly important to your mental and physical health—and your overall performance. In this episode, we explore things you should—...
#006: The Facts About Smoking and Vaping
06 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Ultimately, it's your decision whether to smoke tobacco or use a vaping device, or perhaps your children have jumped on the vaping bandwagon, so ...
#005: Men's Health
04 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In recognition of International Men's Day on November 19, this episode focuses on men's health issues and what it takes to live a longer, happier...
#004: Addiction: What you need to know
23 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we look at drug and alcohol addiction, a complex health issue affecting every region of the world today. An estimated 107 millio...
#003: Olympic medalist Deena Kastor: The secret to reaching your potential
23 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
American record holder, Olympic medalist, and New York Times best-selling author Deena Kastor has discovered what it takes to win. Hear how you c...
#002: You're not alone: Where to turn when you or someone you care about is facing real life challenges
04 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It's OK to not be OK. It just means that you're human. Things like stress, anxiety, and depression can affect anyone. The important thing to know...
#001: Angst, the documentary: A closer look at anxiety
04 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Anyone can experience anxiety—even Olympic champions like Michael Phelps. In this episode, we discuss anxiety and a documentary titled Angst (2...