In this episode of the ERS Walk & Talk Podcast, host Lacy sits down with Alexis Schminke, a Senior Training Specialist at DPS in the Aircraft Division, and a Certified Holistic Nutritionist with a background in chemistry and exercise physiology. They delve into key takeaways from the book "Metabolical" by Robert Lustig and discuss strategies for understanding and reducing sugar intake for improved health. Key Points Discussed: What is sugar? and how it's hidden in foods. How sugar gets processed in the body How sugar is hidden in foods and why juice isn't good for us The NOVA food scale ..read more

Lacy interviews her own Airrosti (AIR-ROSTI) health care provider who has helped every member of her family with their injuries and pain over the years. Dr. Renfro talks about the most common types of pain he treats, like lower back, shoulder and neck pain, and some of the more interesting cases he’s treated. Airrosti’s unique approach to the recovery of soft tissue resolves most issues in roughly three visits. Find out what an hour of one-on-one, individualized patient care looks like with Airrosti providers, who are in-network (no referral necessary) to HealthSelect of Texas plan participant ..read more

Lacy talks with Sarah Karnes, Director of Library Development and Networking at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) and Andrew Glass, Director of Records Management at ERS about the boundless resources available through state and local libraries!   Resources: Texas State Library and Archives Webpage Current Lobby Exhibit: Extra, Extra, Eyes of the World on Texas TexShare Program Find your Local Library  ..read more

Lacy talks with Oscar Mendoza, Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, who experienced a profound shift in his leadership after experiencing profound grief and introspection. When he lost Warden Sergio Perez to a preventable health event that cut his life short in his forties, Mr. Mendoza started to ask himself how he, a longtime TDCJ employee and a leader, could be contributing to a culture in which an employee would prioritize work over their own health, and how he could change that by changing himself. He talks about how “we can still be committed, … but not a ..read more

Lacy talks with Dr. Jonathan Singer, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology and director of the GRILL Lab at Texas Tech University, which studies and provides support around Grief and Response to Illness into Late Life (GRILL).  Dr. Singer shares his scientific understanding about the grieving process (spoiler alert: it looks different for everyone), how long grief can last, ways we can prepare ourselves to face grief, and when it may be appropriate to seek professional help with your grief. You are sure to learn something new, positive and useful in this episode, including the ..read more

Lacy talks with thought leader Todd Whitthorne about the ways our environment is designed for us not to be healthy – to move very little, to eat processed food, and spend vastly more time passively consuming than actively connecting or creating. Because of our environment, it takes intention to act in ways that support our health and happiness. The first step is to be aware of what stands in our way… is it the distractions of your cell phone or the processed food that’s available everywhere? Is it living in a neighborhood that’s not “walkable”? Learn Todd’s favorite strategies for building a p ..read more

Lacy goes solo in this episode to guide you through the essential steps for cultivating healthy habits in 2024.  Segment 1: Aspirations vs. Goals vs. Behavior Understanding the distinction between aspirations, goals, and behaviors. Lacy shares personal insights on setting realistic health and wellness goals. Segment 2: BJ Fogg's Tiny Habit Method Introduction to BJ Fogg, a Stanford behavior scientist, and his revolutionary Tiny Habit method. Exploring how starting with small changes can lead to lasting habits. Segment 3: B=MAP - Behavior = Motivation, Ability, Prompt Breaking down th ..read more

In this episode, Lacy sits down with Dr. Noel Landuyt, Ph.D. principal researcher, adjunct professor, and Director of the School for Organizational Excellence at the University of Texas' Steve Hicks school Social Work to learn about the Survey for Employee Engagement (SEE). The SEE for is a survey instrument that many state agencies, including ERS,  use to provide valuable insights for organizational development and strategic planning.  Dr. Landuyt, shares the history of the survey, going back to the 70s,  how it has changed over the years and how agencies are using it to improv ..read more

Lacy talks with Patricia Hord, the Grant Education and Communications Specialist at the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner. How does your personality and family background shape your relationship with money and spending habits. Was your family often struggling financially or were you often the recipient of enormous generosity? These experiences can shape a person’s money mindset. Are you a saver/splurger? A compulsive saver or a worrier? A gambler or a compulsive spender? A compulsive money earner are are you indifferent to money? Find out how to manage these tendencies by understanding yo ..read more

Imagine the comfort of knowing that your child (or grandchild) will to be able to go to college. Texas college savings plans can help you turn that dream into a reality. Lacy talks to Linda Fernandez about one of these: The Texas Tuition Promise Fund, which allows participants to prepay their future undergraduate tuition and school-wide required fees at Texas public colleges and universities…  without the worry of investment risks. Linda is the Director of Educational Opportunities and Investments for the Comptroller and answers questions about the 15-year-old program. Do you have to sele ..read more