Sound Living

Kansas State University

Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more. Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu. K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.

  1. 5d ago

    Are You Skipping Annual Wellness Exams?

    According to the National Institutes of Health, even if you feel fine, it's important to see your health provider for regular checkups because annual wellness exams can help you avoid problems in the future. For example, the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly, and regular blood tests can check for high blood sugar and high cholesterol which may not have any symptoms in the early stages. The Kanas Health Foundation's Distinguished Professor of Community Health, Elaine Johannes, says we should stop making excuses for skipping our annual wellness exam and start making it a priority. Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more. Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu. K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.

  2. Aug 3

    Back-to-School Planning and Budgeting

    According to the annual survey by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics, consumers are getting an early start on back-to-school shopping, with 62% of shoppers having already started shopping for the school year by early July. In looking at this year's survey results, Kansas State University professor and Extension family resource management specialist, Elizabeth Kiss (kish), says many consumers are delaying purchases until later in the school season or spreading out their shopping to better manage their budgets. Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more. Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu. K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.

  3. Jul 27

    K-State Extension Helps Combat Food Insecurity

    Kansas State University Extension is piecing together a statewide network of programs to strengthen local food systems, while ensuring Kansans have access to healthy food now and in the future. K-State Extension focuses its statewide outreach on five primary challenge areas: global food systems, water and natural resources, health, community vitality, and developing tomorrow's leaders. For the July K-State Garden Hour, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Small Farms agent, Anthony Reardon, discussed how Extension is working to support local food systems through those five primary challenge areas. Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more. Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu. K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.

  4. Jul 20

    Heat-Related Problems for Older Adults

    As the summer heat continues, it's important to remember that we all need to stay cool and hydrated. However, this is especially true for people aged 65 years or older. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, older adults are more prone to heat-related health problems. K-State Extension adult development and aging specialist, Erin Martinez, says older adults don't adjust as well as young people to sudden changes in temperatures and they are more likely to take prescription medicines that can affect the body's ability to control its temperature or sweat. Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more. Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu. K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.

  5. Jul 13

    K-State Research Focuses on How To Reduce Sedentary Habits

    An associate professor in Kansas State University's School of Health Sciences directs a lab that focuses on teaching individual behavior change strategies and developing support systems to enhance adoption and maintenance of physical activity. Dr. Emily Mailey, the Director of K-State's Physical Activity Intervention Research Lab, discusses their research into reducing sitting and being sedentary, motivation and identifying barriers to physical activity, messaging and promotion of physical activity, and the connection between physical activity and mental health. Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more. Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu. K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.

  6. Jul 6

    Survey Shows Hopeful Signs for Kansas Youth

    The 2026 student survey results from Kansas Communities That Care shows positive trends continue in terms of mental health and substance use, while bullying at school or  cyberbullying remain consistent or slightly below 2025. Kansas Health Foundation's Distinguished Professor of Community Health at Kansas State University, Elaine Johannes, says more than 26,000 students in 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th grade in 153 public and private school districts in Kansas participated in the assessment. According to Johannes, the survey provides a snapshot of youth attitudes, perception of risk, and behaviors regarding alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, bullying, school safety, depression and thoughts of suicide. Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more. Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu. K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.

About

Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more. Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu. K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.