In this episode of The Health Literacy 2.0 Podcast, host Seth Serxner welcomes Dr. Archelle Georgiou – a physician, acclaimed health journalist, and patient empowerment advocate – to unpack the critical role of health literacy in navigating today's complex healthcare ecosystem.

With an impressive background that spans clinical care, health insurance leadership, media, and education, Archelle Georgiou is dedicated to equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to speak up for their health. As a longtime on-air health expert for ABC’s Minneapolis affiliate and host of her own podcast, "Speak Up for Your Health," she channels decades of experience into demystifying insurance, advocating true patient-centered care, and simplifying the medical decision-making process for everyone.

Seth and Archelle dive into:

☑️ Empowering the Patient Voice: True health outcomes are achieved when clinical expertise and patient self-expertise intersect – and individuals are taught how to actively advocate for themselves.

☑️ Demystifying Health Insurance: Understanding the nuts and bolts – premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, copays, and coinsurance – is essential for making smart healthcare decisions.

☑️ Practical, Real-World Examples: Sometimes, paying cash can be less expensive than using insurance. Knowing how to ask the right questions at the pharmacy or clinic can lead to better financial and health outcomes.

☑️ Choosing the Right Plan: The most expensive health insurance option isn’t always the best; it’s about understanding your personal health risks and financial situation.

☑️ HSAs and High Deductible Plans: Health savings accounts offer tax advantages, but only work well when individuals have the means and knowledge to use them effectively.

☑️ Addressing the Skills Gap: We've built tools to help people manage their health, but little investment has gone into actually teaching people how to use them—a critical gap in health literacy.

☑️ Laying Responsibility: Employers and insurance companies must do more than just promote wellness; they need to educate about insurance mechanics, appeals, and navigating denials.

☑️ The Power of Self-Reflection: Defining your values, priorities, and preferences allows for more personalized medical decisions—patients are experts in their own lives and should articulate what matters most.

☑️ Digital Health Tools: Large language models like ChatGPT can help patients formulate questions, aggregate information, and prepare for provider visits—if used wisely.

☑️ Speaking Up as a Skill: Empowerment isn’t intuitive; it can and should be learned and practiced, with support from all sectors of the health system.

Dr. Georgiou ultimately underscores: You’re the authority on your own life and health. Take time to reflect, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to speak up—whether in the doctor’s office or when choosing your health plan.

Learn About EdLogics

Want to see how EdLogics' gamified platform can boost health literacy, drive engagement in health and wellness programs, and help people live happier, healthier lives?

Visit the EdLogics website: www.edlogics.com.

In this episode of The Health Literacy 2.0 Podcast, host Seth Serxner welcomes Eric Zimmerman, Chief Market Solutions Officer at CredibleMind, for a compelling conversation about advancing mental health literacy and proactive behavioral health solutions in the workforce and beyond.

Eric Zimmerman brings decades of experience at the intersection of behavioral science, public health, and health IT, with a passion for population health and empowering individuals to engage with their own well-being. Now at CredibleMind, Eric leads strategies to blend evidence-based resources, personalized self-care, and digital innovation to fill critical gaps in mental and behavioral health care for employers, public agencies, and communities.

Eric shares how his journey from ecology and epidemiology studies to leadership roles in workforce health shaped his belief that true progress comes from meeting people upstream—educating, normalizing, and guiding before acute problems arise. At CredibleMind, he’s focused on building an accessible, evidence-informed platform that not only provides high-quality mental health resources but also helps users find what truly fits their preferences, life circumstances, and unique challenges.

Seth and Eric dive into:

• Preventive Proactive Approach: We can’t “treat our way out” of the mental health crisis. Early education, screening, and risk reduction are essential.
• The Power of Health Literacy: Most people want to start addressing their mental well-being on their own, but need trusted guidance to know what works.
• Evidence-Based, Personalized Resources: CredibleMind curates and rates tens of thousands of resources—articles, podcasts, videos—helping users navigate the overwhelming digital health landscape.
• Bridging East and West: The platform integrates both Western medical evidence and Eastern traditions of mental and emotional flourishing, recognizing diverse paths to well-being.
• Reducing Stigma & Normalizing Help-Seeking: Making mental health support relatable, accessible, and free from judgment, especially at key life transitions and in underserved populations.
• Technology with Guardrails: CredibleMind leverages AI and machine learning—not to diagnose, but to personalize resource recommendations and conversations while keeping clinical accuracy and safety paramount.
• Community & Organizational Impact: Their coalition model brings together health systems, universities, and public agencies to create wide-reaching, community-branded solutions.
• Stepped Care and Navigation: Empowering users and care providers to take first steps in self-guided therapy, understand treatment options, and navigate complex benefit systems.
• Whole-Person Health: Mental and physical health are inseparable—addressing mental health improves outcomes and lowers costs for every part of the health journey.

As the episode closes, Eric and Seth reaffirm the importance of lighting the path—demystifying mental health, enhancing literacy, and supporting the whole person to build a healthier, more resilient future.

Learn About EdLogics

Want to see how EdLogics' gamified platform can boost health literacy, drive engagement in health and wellness programs, and help people live happier, healthier lives?

Visit the EdLogics website: www.edlogics.com.

In this episode of The Health Literacy 2.0 Podcast, host Seth Serxner welcomes Jesse Gavin, Well-Being Officer at Baylor College of Medicine, to talk about building thriving, prevention-oriented cultures and the critical role of health literacy in organizational well-being strategies.

Dr. Jesse Gavin shares his unique career journey - beginning with aspirations in veterinary medicine, pivoting to health promotion, and ultimately pioneering employee well-being at Baylor College of Medicine.

With over 11 years of leading Baylor’s acclaimed initiatives, Jesse Gavin brings award-winning experience and a passion for practical, people-centered innovation. His background spans roles in academia, major corporations, and third-party wellness organizations, recently culminating in a DrPH focused on the intersection of workplace well-being and public health.

Seth and Jesse also discuss:

• Rooting Well-being in Core Values: Baylor’s “thriving tree” approach ties every branch of well-being to institutional values like teamwork, respect, and integrity.
• Evolving from Siloes to Integration: Merging recognition programs, on-site wellness centers, and year-of-service awards under a unified mission fosters greater alignment and engagement.
• The Power of Personal Recognition: From e-cards to milestone panoramas, creating a culture of thanks builds daily motivation and connection—no job is too small to acknowledge.
• Demonstrating Value Without the ROI Burden: Consistent 2:1 ROI, national awards, and unsolicited stories of lives changed make the case for investing in people - beyond numbers alone.
• Engaging the Full Workforce: Flexibility is key—presentations are recorded, the team attends 4am meetings, and well-being is made accessible for all, from surgeons to support staff.
• Health Literacy as Essential Infrastructure: Education happens year-round, not just at open enrollment; from understanding urgent care vs. ER to navigating self-funded benefits, continual learning is the norm.
• Teaching, Not Just Doing: Beyond concierge services, employees are empowered to learn the why and how of navigating their care—moving from handholding to skill-building.
• Low/No Cost, High Impact: Health literacy and prevention don’t have to break the bank. Simple, targeted presentations and resource sessions fill critical knowledge gaps at scale.
• Reducing Barriers and Building Relationships: Onsite screenings with actionable education, incentives for physician follow-up, and open communication channels drive engagement and long-term well-being.

This episode demonstrates how organizational culture, strategy, and small but consistent actions can move the needle on health literacy and well-being - making lasting change accessible for all.

Learn About EdLogics

Want to see how EdLogics' gamified platform can boost health literacy, drive engagement in health and wellness programs, and help people live happier, healthier lives?

Visit the EdLogics website: www.edlogics.com.