Healthier Me with Alexandria Renee

In this indoor episode of Sidewalk Talks, the host sits down with Alexandria Renee over coffee to talk about local coffee shops, the Healthier Me podcast, and her work in public relations. Alexandria explains how Healthier Me began through Be Well Saginaw coalition partners after Saginaw County learned in January 2024 that it ranked number one in Michigan for obesity, with the goal of encouraging residents to talk to providers and pursue healthier lifestyles.

Healthier Me just launched its second season, expanding the conversation to maternal health, mental health, and substance use. Alexandria previews Season 2 guests and stories, including Donna Clark of Emmaus House, Demetrius Braddock, journalist/PR professional Bob Johnson discussing infant death and safe sleep, and mental health advocate Charles Allen.

Alexandria outlines what PR is—communicating an organization’s message, building trust, and telling your story—shares tips for handling negative reviews, budgeting for marketing, setting goals, and seeking specialized help. Viewers are directed to watch/listen to Healthier Me on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify, visit Be Well Saginaw’s site for local resources, and connect with Alexandria through her work at CMU Health and her business Rewrite Media.

00:00 Cold Open: Going Live + Coffee Talk (Mocha Love)
01:07 Local Coffee Spots in Saginaw: Live Oak, Red Eye & Why Local Wins
02:01 Meet Alexandria Renee + Sidewalk Talks Inside Edition
02:44 What Is the 'Healthier Me' Podcast? Why It Started
05:28 Season 1 vs Season 2: From Obesity to Maternal Health, Mental Health & Substance Use
07:59 Season 2 Sneak Peek: Donna Clark, Recovery Stories & Powerful Guests
15:37 The Spiritual Power of Face-to-Face Conversation (and Actually Listening)
18:13 Lessons Learned: Weight-Loss Bias, 'Food Noise' & Compassion in Health Journeys
23:00 Saginaw’s Obesity Ranking, Community Awareness & Be Well Saginaw Resources
26:38 Her First Show: 'Stay Dumb' Podcast—The Meaning Behind the Name
27:45 From Behind-the-Scenes PR to Facing the Camera (and the Fear)
28:42 Getting Reps In: Facebook Live, Buying Gear, and Finally Hitting Record
29:24 “Book Your First Five Guests”: The Fastest Way to Start a Podcast
30:06 Recording Realities: Home Setup, Video Headaches, and Why Production Matters
31:08 Meet the Producers: JNC Media, the Midland Studio, and Paying for Help
33:24 Podcaster Lessons: Stop Overcomplicating and Just Start Talking
36:21 PR 101: What Public Relations Actually Is (and Why It Matters)
40:00 Handling Bad Reviews: Negativity Bias, Don’t Feed the Fire, Take It Offline
47:19 PR & Business Strategy: Delegation, Budgeting Marketing, Goals + SWOT Planning
50:12 Health, Shame, and Taking the First Step: Breaking the Loop
55:29 Where to Find Her Work: Healthier Me, Rewrite Media, and Final Wrap-Up