It’s Giving Health

Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro… GLP-1 medications are everywhere. Your social feeds are flooded with transformation stories, celebrities are open about using them, and with summer approaching, the pressure to achieve that "perfect beach body" is at an all-time high. But what's actually true about these weight loss medications? 
In this episode of It's Giving Health, Hot Seat Edition, host Donnae Ward puts Aries Hamlet, PA-C, a Physician Assistant at Advance Community Health, in the hot seat to get real answers about GLP-1s, weight management, and the toxic culture around "summer bodies." Through rapid-fire Q&A, myth-busting games, and straight talk, this episode cuts through the noise to give you science-backed facts without the judgment.
 
0:54 – Meet Aries Hamlet, PA-C
1:15 – Hot Seat
1:33 – What are GLP-1s & how do they work?2:05 – Who qualifies? Can anyone just get Ozempic/Wegovy?3:02 – Common & serious side effects of GLP-1s3:34 – Do you gain all the weight back after stopping?3:56 – Myth-busting Game
7:02 – Wellness Toolbox: Healthy snacks & hydration7:51 – Why these snacks matter, especially on GLP-1s8:50 – Giveaway reminder & where to watch/listen
 

The postpartum period is one of the most vulnerable, isolating, and under-supported times in a person's life. In this episode of It's Giving Health, Donnae Ward sits down with two experts from Advance Community Health's OB/GYN department: Brenda Gartrell, NP, an experienced Nurse Practitioner, and Victoria Johnson, LCSW, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works exclusively with OB patients.
From postpartum depression and anxiety to physical recovery that nobody warns you about, this conversation gets real about what happens after the baby arrives. We're talking about the shame that keeps people from asking for help, the relationship strain that catches couples off guard, the chronic pain that gets dismissed as "normal," and more.
Whether you're currently postpartum, planning to have a baby, supporting someone who just gave birth, or working in maternal health, this episode offers validation, practical guidance, and a reminder that struggling doesn't make you a failure, it makes you human.
 
00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview
01:16 – Guest Intro
02:21 – Framing the Postpartum Conversation
02:51 – Hot Takes & Community Questions Setup
04:21 – Mental Health Impact of Bounce-Back Pressure
05:21 – Social Media, Unrealistic Bodies, and Self-Compassion
07:26 – The “Superwoman” Pressure
10:17 – Poll Results: How Do You Feel Most Supported Postpartum?
11:08 – “Apple of the Day”: Small Things That Make a Big Difference
13:53 – Audience Mailbag: Supporting a New Mom
16:33 – How to Recognize Postpartum Depression
20:30 – Intimacy, Consent, and Mental Readiness

Grillz, veneers, charcoal toothpaste, oil pulling… Social media is full of viral dental trends, but which ones are actually safe for your teeth? In this episode of It's Giving Health, Hot Seat Edition, host Donnae Ward puts Tabitha Richardson, a dental hygienist at Advance Community Health, in the hot seat to separate dental facts from fiction.
From rapid-fire questions about the latest TikTok trends to a game of "What's Tea?" where myths get debunked in real time, this episode brings practical oral health advice with fun games. 
Plus, stick around for a wellness toolbox reveal, practical tips you can use today, and your chance to enter this month's giveaway!
 
About Advance Community Health
At Advance Community Health, we believe everyone deserves a healthy smile. Our comprehensive dental services include preventive care, cleanings, fillings, extractions, and oral health education for patients of all ages. Whether you need a routine checkup, have a dental emergency, or want to discuss cosmetic options safely, our experienced dental team is here to help.
Call us at 919-833-3111 or visit our website for more information. Your smile matters, and we're here to take care of it.
 
Follow us on Social:
IG: @advanechc
FB: Advance Community Health
X: @AdvanceCHC
 
0:25 – Meet Tabitha: Registered Dental Hygienist1:21 – Are Grills Bad for Your Teeth?1:54 – Purple Toothpaste: Does It Really Whiten?2:17 – Oil Pulling: Is It Worth the Hype?2:48 – Veneers in Your 20s: Good Idea or Risky Trend?3:16 – DIY Braces?3:24 – Game Intro: “What’s Tea?” Dental Myths7:10 – Wellness Toolbox: Interdental Brush7:49 – Giveaway Reminder & How to Stay Connected8:20 – Where to Watch/Listen

Joy isn't just a nice feeling, it's actual medicine for your mind and body. In this episode of It's Giving Health, Donnae Ward sits down with Melody Washington, Director of Behavioral Health at Advance Community Health, to explore how intentional joy impacts our mental health, physical well-being, and overall quality of life.
From breaking down the cultural messages that tell us we have to earn happiness through suffering, to understanding why choosing joy isn't selfish, this conversation gets real about what it means to prioritize joy in a world that often feels heavy. Whether you're burnt out, grieving, dealing with depression, or simply trying to find more lightness in your daily life, this episode offers permission, practical tools, and a reminder that joy is your birthright.
About Advance Community Health Advance Community Health offers FREE health insurance enrollment assistance to community members who need help enrolling in Medicaid or marketplace health insurance. Our Financial Navigators are here to walk you through the application process, answer any questions you may have, and ensure you obtain a health insurance plan that meets your needs!
 
Follow us on Social:
IG: @advanechc
FB: Advance Community Health
X: @AdvanceCHC
 
00:40 – Introducing “Joy as Medicine”
01:50 – Hot Take #1: “Suffering vs. Joy” (Joy vs. Happiness, Resilience)
05:00 – Hot Take #2: When Your Job/Relationship Steals Your Joy
07:33 – Social Media Poll Results: How Often Do You Prioritize Joy?
08:46 – “Apple of the Day”
09:52 – Let's Check the Mail
14:10 – Closing: Where to Listen, How to Submit Questions & Raffle Winner
 
 

Medicaid can feel complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of It’s Giving Health, Health Equity Coordinator Donnae Ward sits down with Scot McCray, CEO of Advance Community Health, to break down what Medicaid really is, who it serves, and how it connects to the whole-person care we believe in.
But this isn’t your typical sit-down interview… It's a Hot Wing Challenge episode. As the questions get spicier, so do the wings!
 
About Advance Community Health
Advance Community Health offers FREE health insurance enrollment assistance to community members who need help enrolling in Medicaid or marketplace health insurance. Our Financial Navigators are here to walk you through the application process, answer any questions you may have, and ensure you obtain a health insurance plan that meets your needs!
 
Follow us on Social:
IG: @advanechc
FB: Advance Community Health
X: @AdvanceCHC
 
0:00 – Intro & Hot Seat Setup
0:28 – Meet the CEO in the Hot Seat
1:16 – Q1: “Can Medicaid Patients Just Get a Job?
2:46 – Q2: Biggest Medicaid Myth
3:49 – Q3: What Medicaid Cuts Mean for Patients
5:20 – Q4: Message to State Legislators 
6:59 – Q5: “Medicaid Is Just Welfare” 
9:34 – Q6: If I Ran the Country for a Day
11:19 – Sponsor Shoutout & Giveaway Details
 
 

Get an exclusive first look at Episode 2 of It’s Giving Health, where Host, Donnae Ward sits down with Scot McCray, CEO of Advance Community Health, for a conversation that breaks down the basics of Medicaid in a way that’s easy to understand. This isn’t your typical sit-down conversation, this episode brings a fun twist with a Hot Wing Challenge. As the questions get more intense, the wings get hotter!
Follow us on Social:
IG: @advanechc
FB: Advance Community Health
X: @AdvanceCHC

The official trailer for Season 2, Episode 1 — “Showing Up: Why Fatherhood Matters” is here. In this upcoming episode, host Donnae Ward sits down with Scot McCray, CEO of Advance Community Health, and Kerry Mackey, PA-C, to have an honest and meaningful conversation about fatherhood. Together, they explore how being a present and engaged father can shape a child’s mental health, physical development, and overall well-being far beyond the home. This episode highlights the real impact of fatherhood on long-term health outcomes and why showing up matters! Watch the trailer now and don’t miss the full episode premiere on April 1, 2026.
 
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Fatherhood can shape a child’s life in ways that go far beyond the home. In this episode of It’s Giving Health, Donnae Ward sits down with Scot McCray, CEO of Advance Community Health, and Kerry Mackey PA-C, Certified Physician's Assistant,  to talk about the impact of having a present, engaged father, and how it supports children’s mental health, physical development, and overall well-being.
This conversation explores how fatherhood plays a powerful role in a child’s long-term health outcomes. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or simply part of a community that wants to see families thrive, this episode offers insight, encouragement, and perspective on why fathers matter.
 
00:40 – Today’s Topic: Fatherhood & Family Health
02:10 – Hot Take #1 – “We Celebrate Dads for the Bare Minimum”
06:20 – Hot Take #2 – Fatherhood and Mental Health
14:27 – Audience Poll – Favorite Ways to Spend Time with Your Child
19:40 – Apple of the Day
24:16 – Let's Check the Mail - Audience QnA
32:51 – Partners Having the Hard Conversation
37:00 – Raffle Announcement & Winner
 

The holidays bring joy, togetherness, and plenty of food, but for many, it also means navigating traditions while trying to stay on track with health goals. In this special holiday episode, host Donnae Ward sits down with Jasmine Westbrooks-Figaro, MS, RD, LDN, CDCES, co-founder and director of Eatwell Exchange, Inc. Jasmine shares her expertise as a registered dietitian to help us rethink holiday meals with flavorful, culturally relevant swaps that don’t compromise on taste or tradition. Together, they discuss strategies for mindful eating, how to enjoy seasonal favorites without guilt, and why small changes can make a lasting impact on health. Plus, Jasmine walks us through two holiday-ready recipes: a savory Sweet Potato & Collard Green Hash from Eatwell Exchange and Green Beans with Mushrooms and Onions from DiabetesFoodHub.org.
00:00:44 – Guest Introduction: Jasmine Westbrooks Figaro00:01:14 – The Vision Behind Eat Well Exchange00:02:07 – Recipe 1: Green Beans & Mushrooms00:03:24 – Inspiration for Recipe & Cultural Connections00:04:23 – Debunking Myths: Healthy Food & Flavor00:05:48 – Portion Size Tips00:07:06 – Healthy Holiday Swaps00:09:23 – Tips for Eating More Vegetables00:10:22 – Recipe 2: Sweet Potato & Collard Green Hash00:12:09 – Nutrition Tips for Diabetes & Chronic Conditions00:20:52 – Small, Sustainable Steps to Healthier Eating00:23:54 – Tasting Both Dishes
 

Stress and anxiety are affecting children and teens at younger ages than ever before, but treatment doesn’t always have to start with a prescription. In this episode of It’s Giving Health, host Donnae Ward sits down with Director of Pediatrics, Patera Foye-Fuller, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, to explore the power of nonpharmacological care. Specifically, how practices like yoga and mindfulness can help young people regulate emotions, reduce anxiety, and build resilience.
 
00:00:00 - Intro
0:00:38 -  Yoga and Mental Health for Children
0:01:34 - Dr. Patera's Background in Pediatrics
0:02:02 - How Yoga Helps Manage Anxiety and Stress
0:03:22 - Signs of Stress in Children Parents Might Overlook
0:05:23 - What Yoga Practice for Kids Looks Like
0:08:56 - Integrating Calming Techniques at Home
0:09:24 - Health Equity and Free Yoga Resources
0:11:41 - What Parents Should Discuss with Providers
0:14:00 - How Advanced Community Health Supports Families
0:15:54 - Closing Remarks