Pulse Check

Pulse Health Guide of Alabama

At Pulse Check, we’re bringing healthcare conversations closer to home. Pulse Check is the official podcast of Pulse Health Resource Guide, bringing listeners conversations with healthcare professionals, nonprofit leaders, wellness advocates, and experts making a difference in our communities. From mental health and cancer wellness to safety tips, prevention, and everyday healthy living, each episode delivers insightful discussions designed to educate, inspire, and empower. Whether you're a healthcare professional or simply passionate about living well, Pulse Check keeps you connected to the people and topics shaping better health.

  1. 1d ago

    Healthy Habits For Every Body

    Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed by the endless, conflicting nutrition advice on your social media feed? If you’ve ever felt guilty about not eating a "perfect" diet, it's time to take a deep breath and take stress off the menu. In this episode, host Angie Jordin sits down with Lita Chatham—a registered dietitian, public health advocate, and president-elect of the Alabama Dietetics Association. Working with the Alabama Department of Public Health, Lita is on a mission to shift our state's health conversations away from weight-obsessed numbers and toward achievable, behavior-focused lifestyle changes. Lita introduces us to the Alabama Wellness Alliance’s "For Everybody" campaign, a movement designed to prove that wellness belongs to every Alabamian, regardless of starting point or ability. She breaks down how to spot marketing tricks pretending to be health science, explains why frozen and canned vegetables are total lifesavers for busy parents, and highlights incredible state resources like the Alabama 100 Miles Challenge. Explore community health toolkits at AlabamaPublicHealth.gov/npa. Remember, it's okay to suck, but it's not okay to skip. Tune in to find out how to add more joy—and fewer unrealistic expectations—to your plate today.

  2. 3d ago

    The Teaching Kitchen: Closing the Gap Between Knowing and Doing

    Do you know your way around an Instant Pot, or does the thought of cooking a healthy meal from scratch feel a bit overwhelming? Across generations, many of our everyday kitchen skills have been lost to the convenience of highly processed foods and drive-thrus—but our health is paying the price. In this episode, host Angie Jordin sits down with Dr. Bryan Strickland, a Montgomery-based internist with over 30 years of medical experience and a faculty member at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine. Dr. Strickland explains how an innovative new "Teaching Kitchen" partnership between UAB and Baptist Health is aiming to give Alabamians the hands-on skills they need to turn nutrition advice into everyday habits. Tune in to learn why you don't have to give up Southern food culture to live a healthier life—and how adding just one extra serving of fruit or vegetables this week can jumpstart your wellness journey.

  3. Jul 16

    More than Medicine: How Community Support Changes Lives

    When you think of a large healthcare system, you probably picture brick-and-mortar hospitals and busy doctors. But what happens when families living in rural Alabama can't make it to those buildings for life-saving care? In this episode of Pulse Check, host Angie Jordin goes behind the scenes with Tommy McKinnon, Vice President of Community Engagement for Baptist Health and Executive Director of the Baptist Healthcare Foundation. Tommy brings over 30 years of expertise and a deep heart for service to a conversation mapping out how healthcare is being taken directly into the communities that need it most. What We Discuss: The 17-County Reach: Expanding outpatient and community services far beyond the Montgomery area.Meet "JOY": How a mobile mammography unit and a traveling wellness bus are saving lives on-site in places like Barbour County.Caring for Our Most Fragile: How the 31st annual Birdies for Babies golf tournament raised over $215,000 for advanced neonatal cooling technology in local NICUs.Hospice & Compassion: Providing underinsured and uninsured Alabamians with dignified end-of-life care.The Next Generation: Awarding a historic 62 local scholarships totaling $202,000 for the 2027 school year to keep bright medical minds in Alabama. Healthcare is more than an industry—it's a shared ministry of looking after one another. Listen in to discover how you can engage with the health roadmap being built right in your backyard.

  4. Jul 14

    Behavior is a Language: Here's How to Listen

    Do you ever feel entirely overwhelmed by your child's challenging behavior and secretly worry that you’re failing as a parent? In this episode of Pulse Check, host Angie Jordin sits down with Dr. Beth Long, a licensed professional counselor, board-certified behavior analyst, and founder of Works of Wonder in Montgomery, Alabama. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Long offers a beautifully liberating perspective: behavioral struggles are not character flaws or signs of bad parenting—they are simply skill deficits. What We Discuss: Why "acting out" is usually a child's way of saying, “I don’t know how to use my words right now.”The power of pausing: Why you don’t need to solve a behavioral problem in the heat of the moment.The three proactive golden rules: Following through, teaching children to ask for permission, and practicing skills through play.How childhood skill deficits follow us into adult relationships and the modern workplace.An exclusive look at Dr. Long's brand-new resource for potty training children with developmental delays.If you are navigating behavioral hurdles or want to explore family counseling, check out the free resources and clinic services at Works of Wonder Therapy in Montgomery. Remember, behavior change isn't a straight line, and repetition is the best teacher. Be gentle with yourself today as you take the next step on your family's wellness journey.

  5. Jul 9

    Food, Stress & Survival: The Hidden Cost of Food Insecurity

    What if the person sitting next to you at church, your child’s school friend, or a hardworking coworker was secretly skipping meals just to make ends meet? In this vital episode of Pulse Check, host Angie Jordin sits down with Varina Mead, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Heart of Alabama Food Bank. With a rich career dedicated to strengthening families across Central Alabama, Varina shines a compassionate light on what food insecurity actually looks like in our state, shattering old stereotypes and laying out a clear connection between nutrition and long-term health. Resource Highlights: The 211 Statewide Hotline: A free, confidential, nationwide helpline. In Alabama, simply dial 2-1-1 and provide your zip code to be immediately connected to local food pantries, clothing, shelter, or utility assistance.Heart of Alabama Food Bank (HAFB): Serving 35 counties with dignity. Learn how to volunteer, donate, or access mobile food programs at HAFB.org.Map the Meal Gap: An interactive tool by Feeding America that lets you see exact food insecurity data down to your specific Alabama county. Remember, food security isn't "their" problem—it’s a community-wide mission. Listen in to find out how you can share resources, reduce stigma, and help your neighbors thrive.

  6. Jul 7

    The Health Benefits of Belonging

    Did you know that loneliness and social isolation can drain our emotional health just as heavily as a physical illness? In a digital age where we are more connected yet more siloed than ever, how do we rebuild our real-world "emotional intelligence" and find a true sense of belonging? In this episode of Pulse Check, host Angie Jordin sits down with Amerika Blair, the Director of Innovation for the Montgomery Mayor's Office, a military leader in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, and the current President of the Junior League of Montgomery. Amerika shares her passionate approach to "doing government differently" by putting the lived experiences of everyday residents at the center of city policy, and reflects on the power of community service to ground and heal us. We dive into actionable steps to break down digital silos, including Montgomery's civic innovation programs, the Junior League's annual Holiday Market and College and Career Night, and a simple 4-hour digital boundary challenge to get you back out into your neighborhood. If you've been feeling disconnected or are looking for your true purpose, this episode is your invitation to take a step outside your comfort zone and find your community home.

  7. Jul 2

    When Help is Hours Away

    What does it actually mean when a community becomes a "maternal healthcare desert"? In rural Alabama, it means that checking a routine pregnancy headache or finding a doctor you trust isn't just an errand—it can be a matter of life and death. In this episode of Pulse Check, host Angie Jordin sits down with Aretha Dix, a rural healthcare strategist, Air Force veteran, and dedicated Black Belt community advocate. Aretha pulls back the curtain on the hidden barriers facing our communities—from a lack of transportation and broadband internet to the foundational need for a true "healthcare home." She shares her deep belief that quality care shouldn't be a luxury reserved for certain zip codes. We dive into the life-changing innovations happening right now across Alabama, including upcoming digital "med stations" (miniature local health booths connecting you to off-site doctors), community-led senior stepping walking clubs, and local farmers' markets offering fresh food access. Grab a comfortable seat and tune in to discover how local partnerships are shifting the landscape of healthcare across our state, and how you can take ownership of your family’s wellness roadmap today.

  8. Jun 30

    Inside Alabama's Emergency Medical Services

    When crisis hits at 3 a.m., we dial 911 expecting a lifeline to appear. But who are the human beings behind the sirens, and how can we help them long before an emergency ever happens? In this episode, host Angie Jordin sits down with Jamie Gray, the State EMS Director for the Alabama Department of Public Health. With over 25 years of boots-on-the-ground experience—ranging from dispatcher and paramedic to disaster medic and statewide leader—Jamie pulls back the curtain on the quiet emergencies, the mental health strain on first responders, and the unique funding and staffing struggles facing rural Alabama communities from the Wiregrass to the Black Belt. Jamie shares a practical checklist every Alabamian can use to prepare their home for an emergency, explains why "ambulance driver" is a major misnomer, and challenges us all to step up and learn basic CPR and "Stop the Bleed" techniques. Learn more about state initiatives at AlabamaPublicHealth.gov/ems.Find local CPR classes through the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. Our first responders show up for us on our worst days. Listen in to find out how you can show up for them.

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About

At Pulse Check, we’re bringing healthcare conversations closer to home. Pulse Check is the official podcast of Pulse Health Resource Guide, bringing listeners conversations with healthcare professionals, nonprofit leaders, wellness advocates, and experts making a difference in our communities. From mental health and cancer wellness to safety tips, prevention, and everyday healthy living, each episode delivers insightful discussions designed to educate, inspire, and empower. Whether you're a healthcare professional or simply passionate about living well, Pulse Check keeps you connected to the people and topics shaping better health.

Information

  • Creator
    Pulse Health Guide of Alabama
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Pulse Health Guide of Alabama
  • Show Website
    Pulse Check