The Buena Vida Podcast
Welcome to the Buena Vida Podcast!
Formerly known as the ERS Walk & Talk Podcast, the Buena Vida Podcast is brought to you by the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS). This podcast is designed to support state employees and employees of higher education institutions who receive benefits through our program.
In each episode, we explore topics that promote well-being, health, and balance, featuring expert guests, insightful discussions, and practical tips for living a healthier, happier life. From mindfulness and stress management to fitness, nutrition, and overall wellness, we’ve got you covered!
Our podcast library also includes all previous episodes from the ERS Walk & Talk Podcast (dating back to 2021), so you can catch up on all the great content while enjoying the fresh direction of Buena Vida — the good life.
Subscribe today and start taking steps toward living your best life!
Episodes
74 episodes
Heart Health: A Deep Dive with Dr. Jayne Morgan
This episode explores the vital connections between heart health, community, and overall well-being with cardiologist Dr. Jane Morgan. Emphasizing the role of friendships and preventive care in longevity, Dr. Morgan provides insights on managin...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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45:33
Habit Songs: Insights from BJ Fogg, Ph.D. and Stephanie Weldy M.Ed.
This episode dives into the transformative power of tiny changes, elaborating on the Tiny Habits method developed by Dr. BJ Fogg and his new creative project, Habit Songs for Kids. Listeners gain insight into how simple behavior modifications, ...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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43:17
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Embracing the Good Life: Join the Buena Vida Transformation
Our podcast is evolving from ERS Walk Talk to the Buena Vida Podcast, reflecting our commitment to support well-being as we enter 2025. Expect inspiring episodes, expert interviews, and practical tips dedicated to helping you live a "good life....
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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2:35
Transforming Mental Health: Dale Cook on Digital Therapy and Learn to Live
Explore the transformative world of mental health management with our guest Dale Cook, CEO and co-founder of Learn to Live. Dale shares his personal journey with cognitive behavioral therapy, which inspired him to create a platform that makes m...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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36:26
Revolutionizing Musculoskeletal Health with Daniel Perez, CEO of Hinge Health
Discover how you can finally conquer chronic pain without ever leaving your home. Daniel Perez, the CEO and co-founder of Hinge Health, joins us to reveal how his innovative digital health program is revolutionizing musculoskeletal care. You'll...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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29:58
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From $40K Debt to Financial Freedom: Kari Karber's Journey
Ever wondered how a single mom can pay off over $40,000 in credit card debt? Join us as we bring you the remarkable story of Kari Karber, Assistant Director of Customer Benefits at the Employees' Retirement System of Texas (ERS). Kari opens up ...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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29:46
Revolutionizing Heart Health: An Interview with Maayan Cohen of Hello Heart
What if you could take control of your heart health with the help of a simple app? Join us in this episode as we chat with Mayan Cohen, CEO and co-founder of Hello Heart, a groundbreaking digital health platform. Hello Heart combines a connecte...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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34:32
Strength Training Explained with Demetrius Bailey
Unlock the secrets to effective strength training with Demetrius Bailey, a seasoned coach with a wealth of experience training professional athletes and military personnel. Demetrius reveals practical strategies to integrate strength training i...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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43:31
Empowerment Through Wellness: One Trooper's Journey to Support Employee Wellness
In this episode Lacy chats with Corporal Harold Estep, a State Trooper from the Texas Department of Public Safety. Corporal Estep shares his inspiring story about how he lost 50 pounds and kept it off for over 10 years. He talks about his passi...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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38:16
Becoming Sugar Savvy with Alexis Schminke
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 physio...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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41:14
Dr. Benjamin Renfro: What is Airrosti and how can it help me?
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 a...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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25:12
Sarah Karnes & Andrew Glass: Beyond Bookshelves
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 stat...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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36:19
Oscar Mendoza: from Leadership to LeaderSHIFT
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 ...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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37:25
Dr. Jonathan Singer, Ph.D.: The Science of Grief
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). ...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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34:16
David Michel: Breaking down barriers to preventive health
Lacy talks with David Michel, CEO of Catapult Health, the provider of an exciting NEW benefit for those who want to stay healthy or improve their health – the Catapult Health VirtualCheckup®. By making it easy to get a check-up from the comfort...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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24:30
Todd Whitthorne: This is Water
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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28:01
Thrive by Design with Lacy Wolff
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. BehaviorUnderstanding the distinction between aspirations, goals...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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14:19
Noel Landuyt, Ph.D.: Measuring Employee Engagement to build Organizational Excellence
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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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41:56
Rebecca Castillo saved her own life
Lacy talks with Rebecca Castillo, who works for the TDCJ Training and Leader Development Division and is a mother of two boys. With her busy lifestyle, she had not been prioritizing herself, and knew something had to change. The decision to tak...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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27:22
Patricia Hord: Money Mindsets!
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 yo...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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43:51
Pre-paying for College with the Texas Tuition Promise Fund
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 Promis...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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30:37
When a state employee needed a kidney, his co-worker donated hers
Lacy interviews her ERS co-workers, Armando Villarreal and Amy Chamberlain about an unusual “office gift exchange.” When Amy learned that Armando was undergoing daily dialysis in January, she already knew what that meant… that his kidneys were ...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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48:24
Dr. Elisa Brown-Pruett, M.D: MORE Q&A about Women's Health
In the second part of this two-part series on women’s health, Lacy brings your questions about polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), urinary incontinence, sex drive, hormones and weight gain (and more!) to Dr. Elisa Brown-Pruitt, M.D., Regional D...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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36:58
Dr. Elisa Brown-Pruett: Menopause & Perimenopause Q&A
In this two-part series, Lacy brings your questions about menopause and perimenopause to Dr. Elisa Brown-Pruitt, M.D., Regional Director for the Laura Bush Institute for Women’s Health at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Profess...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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24:38
Dr. Alex Lesko: How we can support the health of men in our lives
Lacy talks with Dr. Alex Lesko, Executive Medical Director for the ERS HealthSelect health plans, about how we can support our male family members and friends when it comes to their health and well-being. Up to 60% of men do not see a doctor on...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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26:55