Advertise on podcast: The TSET Better Health Podcast

Children and teenagers need a nutritious diet for strong physical and mental development, but consistently eating healthy can be challenging for youths trying to balance busy schedules and those who struggle with food security. In this episode, Melissa Veatch, a registered dietician at the University of Oklahoma Healthy Futures Clinic, offers tips for helping kids eat healthier consistently, and Jeff Marlow, president and CEO of the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, talks about a bold new program that will provide kid-approved healthy meals to students in all 77 counties in Oklahoma.

Though school is out for summer, the learning hasn’t stopped for some Oklahoma kids and teens interested in health and healthcare. From the Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL) Summit in June to the Youth Medical Summits in July – followed by the August launch of TSET’s new interactive nicotine addiction website called Worth It – Episode 59 of the TSET Better Health Podcast explores how the summer of 2026 provided golden opportunities for youth to learn and lead Oklahoma into a healthier future.

As our nation celebrates 250 years of independence this summer, more Oklahomans are also enjoying the freedom that comes with healthier living. Episode 58 explores how and why individual choices and public policy can improve wellness over the long run. Today's guests are DeLanie Brewer, an Oklahoma City resident who has shared her inspiring health journey with Shape Your Future, Katie Qualls Fay of the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, and McKenzie Cowbeck, Oklahoma Public Health Association executive director.

Route 66 got Americans moving across much of the country when it opened 100 years ago. As Oklahoma celebrates the Mother Road's Centennial, the TSET Better Health Podcast will drive conversation on upcoming Route 66 events that feature healthy fun and physical activity, including a big band dance in Weatherford, the Andy Payne Run in Claremore that honors a local legend and the "Kickin' It On Route 66" centennial event in Oklahoma City.

Adults should get 150 minutes or more of physical activity each week for good health. Busy schedules can make reaching that goal consistently difficult, and for those who go it alone, decreased motivation and even discouragement can derail one's desire to get up and moving. Group- and community-based can provide the encouragement needed to get and stay physically active, and this episode will delve into some Oklahoma programs that provide such social supports. Guests are Lance Walker of the Human Performance and Nutrition Research Institute at Oklahoma State University, Mitch Drummond of the non-profit Activate Oklahoma and Angela Daly, a program manager of TSET's newest physical activity grant program.

The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust was created by a statewide vote 25 years ago this month to reduce cardiovascular disease, cancer and other diseases often caused by tobacco use and obesity. In Episode 55 of the TSET Better Health Podcast, TSET Executive Director Julie Bisbee and longtime family physician Dr. Steven Crawford discuss, from their perspectives, the many impacts TSET has made on gradually improving health indicators in Oklahoma. Melissa Cunningham offers a local view of TSET impacts as she shares how wellness discussions and implementations in Delaware County have gone from "crickets to transformation" in less than 10 years.

Oklahoma has the fourth-highest age-adjusted mortality rate for all cancers in the nation, despite ranking much lower in overall cancer incidence. Early detection is crucial for successful treatment, but lack of information and barriers to accessing cancer screening often delay detection until the cancer reaches an advanced stage. Research and innovative resources -- including a lung screening mobile unit that will travel the state -- are underway to address and narrow cancer disparities in Oklahoma. Dr. Mark Doescher of the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center shares details on the mobile unit and how it can impact health in rural communities, Dr. Darla Kendzor of the TSET Health Promotion Research Center talks about four new research projects that aim to reduce cancer among Native and African Americans and tobacco use, and Dr. Kathryn Klump of OU Health share routine ways for everyone to reduce their cancer risks.

As cigarette smoking gradually declines in Oklahoma and the U.S., other nicotine products are being marketed to attract and addict new consumers – especially youth and young adults. What are these products, what should be known about them and how can Oklahomans addicted to any tobacco product find help to quit for good? Episode 53 of the TSET Better Health Podcast explores and answers these questions with guests Matt Glanville of the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network and TSET Brand Manager Chase Harvick. In addition, Dr. Emily Hebert of the TSET Health Promotion Research Center explains her innovative new five-year research grant to study behaviors and trends of young adults who vape from information gathered in real time.

Walking, bicycling and other forms of person-powered active transportation are great for recreation, getting from point A to point B and improving one's health and wellness. Episode 52 explores state- and community-based efforts to keep Oklahomans moving in fun and safe environments. Guests are ODOT Active Transportation Coordinator Bart Vleugels and TSET Healthy Living Program coordinators Shelby Keller of Payne County and Stephanie Pendergraft and Kate Ladwig of Garfield County, who discuss Walk This May events in Stillwater and Enid.

People of all ages feel better when they eat healthier, and there are programs that are helping Oklahomans choose and access nutritious foods. For National Nutrition Month, Episode 51 of the TSET Better Health Podcast features Meredith Scott, director of the Oklahoma Nutrition Information and Education (ONIE) Project, and Melissa Vilas of Rescue Agency and the Swap Up nutrition education program for teens.

The TSET Better Health Podcast dropped its first episode in March 2020, coinciding with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Episode 50 revisits some health challenges many faced during the lockdown and offers tips to improve health and well-being now, almost five years later. Jennifer Goodrich, a licensed professional counselor, CEO of Pivot, Inc., and featured guest in Episode 2, returns to discuss barriers to wellness and lessons learned from the pandemic, and advice on caring for one’s mental, emotional and physical health today. In addition, TSET Campaigns Manager Chase Harvick explains how and why the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline is helping more Oklahomans than ever quit tobacco use, the leading cause of preventable health in our state.

In this season of Thanksgiving and the holidays, Episode 49 shines a warm glow upon health programs and trends in Oklahoma to be thankful for. Project ECHO Director Dr. Tara Jackson explains how the international program extends health and medical expertise to underserved areas in Oklahoma through tele-mentoring, and Cushing Asst. Superintendent Mike Wayland shares how the new Tiger Trail connects community members and all Cushing schools with physical activity.

Lung cancer screenings save lives by detecting cancer early, but only 1.7 percent of eligible Oklahomans get screened. TSET and OU Health are teaming to bring screening to more people by launching a Mobile Lung Cancer Screening bus this fall. Episode 48 provides insights on lung cancer screening from OU Health thoracic surgeon Dr. J. Matthew Reinersman and a person who shares their personal experience with screening, and information on the bus from Terry Rousey, TSET associate director of statewide initiatives.

Physical activity is not just for the young and athletic, it's for Oklahomans of any age and ability. Episode 47 of the TSET Better Health Podcast introduces listeners to Mark Ivy of NewView Oklahoma and his promotion of adaptive sports like beep ball -- a new take on baseball -- and other physical activities for fellow visually impaired persons. Executive Director Kathleen Fitzgerald talks about the Oklahoma Senior Games' variety of sports and activities, and OSG competitor Jamie Moore and her coach, Brock Hunter, explain their enjoyment for line dancing. Finally, TSET Campaign Manager Kelsey Nation discusses the many helpful physical activity resources found on the Shape Your Future website.   Shape Your Future - NewView Oklahoma https://youtu.be/8ij9dupY9FA

Discovery and Built Environment Innovations are newer TSET grant programs that already are benefiting Oklahoma communities. Episode 46 provides an overview of the new community grant programs and shares two Built Environment success stories. One is a Parks and Recreation master plan in Pauls Valley to boost livability and physical activity for years to come, the other is a new Horticulture Education Building for the Botanic Garden at Oklahoma State University that welcomes scores of thousands of visitors each year.