Discover Season 5 of “Good Health, Better World” — a Podcast by UPMC Health Plan

UPMC Health Plan proudly presents Season 5 of its podcast, "Good Health, Better World," now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major platforms. Hosted by Ellen Beckjord, PhD, MPH, vice president of clinical strategy and program optimization, UPMC Health Plan, this season continues the series’ mission of bringing together experts to explore health care’s most pressing and complex topics.

Good Health, Better World season 5 is out now! | Image Credit: © UPMC Health Plan

Season 5 dives into the theme of “Good health in today’s world,” examining how our physical, social, and psychological environments shape our ability to pursue wellness. From the food we eat and the air we breathe to the digital spaces we navigate, each episode offers insights into how these systems can either support or challenge our health—and what we can do about it.

Listeners will hear from thought leaders across disciplines, including:

• Tracey Conti, MD, chair, Department of Family Medicine, UPMC, on preventive care and social needs
• Dan LaVallee, senior director, Social Impact, UPMC Health Plan, and Charles "Boo" Hagerty, president, Hamot Health Foundation, on community health
• Shandong Wu, PhD, director, Intelligent Computing for Clinical Imaging Lab, on AI’s role in health care
• Steve Downs, co-founder, Building H, on food systems
• Brad Hesse, PhD, on health misinformation
• Chris Loggins, Fred Rogers Productions, and Hedda Sharapan, Familyi Communications Inc, on childhood development and empathy
• Crystal Clark, MD, MPH, chief medical officer, UPMC Community HealthChoices, on whole-person health and resilience

Each episode blends expert interviews with actionable advice, helping listeners make informed decisions for themselves and their communities. Topics range from sustainability and digital literacy to emotional well-being and systemic barriers to care.

New episodes are released biweekly throughout the fall, offering a timely and thoughtful guide to navigating health in an increasingly complex world.

Listen now at https://www.upmchealthplan.com/goodhealth or on your favorite podcast platform.