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The TSET Better Health Podcast is your go-to source for everything related to tobacco, health, fitness and community. Join us as we cover topics like health care in rural communities, mental health and tobacco use, childhood obesity and prevention, farmers markets, TSET grantees and more. You can find us on our website at ok.gov/tset/podcast or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Full transcripts for each episode are available on our website to support accessibility for all listeners. Welcome to Better Health!
Episodes

Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
#55: TSET: Improving Health in Oklahoma for 25 Years
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
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.

Thursday Oct 02, 2025
#54 On the Road to Reducing Cancer Mortality in Oklahoma
Thursday Oct 02, 2025
Thursday Oct 02, 2025
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.

Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
#53 Emerging Tobacco Products and Studying Vaping Behaviors
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
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.

Saturday May 31, 2025
#52 Walking and Pedaling to Better Health
Saturday May 31, 2025
Saturday May 31, 2025
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.

Monday Mar 31, 2025
#51 Swapping Up To Better Nutrition For All Ages
Monday Mar 31, 2025
Monday Mar 31, 2025
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.

Friday Jan 31, 2025
#50 Better Health and Wellness After the Pandemic
Friday Jan 31, 2025
Friday Jan 31, 2025
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.

Wednesday Nov 27, 2024
#49 Health Trends and Programs To Be Thankful For
Wednesday Nov 27, 2024
Wednesday Nov 27, 2024
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.

Monday Sep 30, 2024
#48 : Bringing Lung Cancer Screening Access to More Oklahomans
Monday Sep 30, 2024
Monday Sep 30, 2024
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.

Wednesday Jul 31, 2024
#47 Physical Activity For Any Age and Ability
Wednesday Jul 31, 2024
Wednesday Jul 31, 2024
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

Friday May 31, 2024
#46 Local Successes From Newer TSET Grant Programs
Friday May 31, 2024
Friday May 31, 2024
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.
