You can reach your goals without depriving yourself of your favorite foods! Dietician Jamison Worley tells us it's more important to listen to OUR OWN bodies than to our friends and diet fads that are promoted this time of year. She also gives tips like, "Set small goals and celebrate them when you reach them!" Get more tools to succeed at choosemyplate.gov and get a free 15 minute consultation with Jamison here!

So many kids are hurt during the summertime that medical personnel often call this "Trauma Season." Most of the ways kids get injured or killed are things parents say they never knew about until AFTER it happened to them! Learn more in this podcast, and get more.  Anna talks with Purnima Unni from The Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt!   SAFETY INFO HERE

Anna Marie interviews DeMonica Coverson, Metro Nashville Public Schools' Director of Social Work/ Bullying Prevention Trainer, and Dr. Megan Cusson-Lark, Metro Nashville Public Schools' Executive Director of School Counseling.

Nashville is more than honky-tonks and neon lights (not that there is anything wrong with that). Travel author Margaret Littman tells us there are dozens of unique experiences we've probably never heard of that we HAVE to check out (and some of them are absolutely FREE)! In this Focus episode, hear about cool things to do in and around the city; day trips and weekend getaways; arts and culture; locations for foodies; history; and sights and hikes!  Find out more about Margaret here and check out her book, Moon 52 Things to Do in Nashville!!

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is on a nationwide tour to educate us about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. We had the honor of interviewing one of their featured speakers who shared information about difficult behaviors related to dementias. Caregiver Support Coordinator Lynn Wood was also able to tell us how to get help and resources for any mental issue. You have more help available than you may have realized! Please listen to this interview with Lynn Wood from Mental Health America of the MidSouth, and please share!  The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide support, services and education to individuals, families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias nationwide and to fund research for better treatment and a cure. Get more info here! Get more info about Lynn Wood and Mental Health America of the MidSouth here!! 

Nurtured children grow into resilient, capable adults. Nurture the Next helps Tennessee families build the skills and confidence to create a caring environment needed for the healthy development of their children. Nurture the Next does this through in-home services, parent mentorship, educational classes and crisis support.  Hear Jen Vaida, Chief Program Officer of Nurture the Next, tell how these free, confidential services for families work! Get more information about all Nurture the Next has to offer here and click this link for parenting help!

f YOU'RE not talking with your child about drugs, and helping them make good choices about vaping, smoking or drinking, they're probably getting that information from other kids.  Darla DeLeon is the Co-founder and CEO of non-profit Steered Straight Inc. In this interview she talks about Steered Straight school assembly programs that aim to steer youth straight, by giving them information about what substances really do to their bodies, and a learning experience about the reality of substance abuse. The assemblies give young people what they need to make positive, informed choices.  Steered Straight is the #1 booked school drug prevention in America.   Steered Straight also offers books called Table Talk and Dashboard Conversations to help parents talk to their kids about the hard topic of drug and substance use.

Each time we get in our vehicles, we expect to arrive safely to our destination. However, we all know that isn't always what happens. The solutions seem simple, but where exactly do we begin? Megan Cooper from AAA says it starts with US and OUR OWN driving behaviors! In this Focus Cooper talks about the importance of defensive driving and avoiding risky behaviors, as well as the updates to the "Move Over Laws". She also shares what AAA has found in their research and their "Traffic Safety Culture Index".  Get more info about AAA and the work they do HERE!

The Greater Nashville Music Census, a survey for anyone working in the music industry, announces a week extension to its closing deadline. The Census is capturing key information about the Nashville music economy to help the city and community make informed, data-driven decisions to support our music ecosystem moving forward. The census will now remain open through Sunday, April 1 at 11:59 pm. “We have the highest concentration of musicians in the nation living here in greater Nashville,” said Dave Pomeroy, president of the Nashville Musicians Association. “So we’re asking each and every one of them to take the census, spread the word, and help us set the bar for all other cities moving forward.”  YOU can fill out The Music City Census HERE!!

The YMCA is so much more than a place to lift weights or workout! They offer summer camps, Special Needs/Diverse Abilities programs, water safety, youth sports, Health Care programs like the After Breast Cancer group, and Yoga and gentle workouts for older adults. The YMCA is a community gathering place, where members form friendships that last beyond the doors of the Y! Check out all the things that the YMCA can add to your life HERE!! 

By law, students with disabilities may stay in the public school system until age 21. But what happens to them after that? About 80% of young adults with special needs leaving high school never find employment, even those able and willing. That's where non-profit organization BrightStone comes in! They offer lifelong learning opportunities while teaching job skills, productive work habits, social skills, computer skills, health and nutrition, physical wellness, art, daily life skills, and leisure and learning activities. All designed to help adults with special needs thrive and live their best lives!  BrightStone is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, licensed by the state of Tennessee, yet receives no state or federal funds. That means they're depending on support from people like you! Hear BrightStone's Marketing and Communications Manager Kerri Bryant tell more about what BrightStone is about, how they can help someone you love, and how you can help them continue their mission to help adults with special needs! Get more info HERE!! 

Nashville Zoo is a family favorite in Middle Tennessee, with more than 1.2 million visitors last year! The zoological park located just 6 miles south of downtown Nashville has 188 acres, about half of which is developed. This makes Nashville Zoo the 9th largest zoo in the country by landmass! The Zoo is one of the top tourist attractions in the state, partly because of the popularity of its Jungle Gym. The 66,000 sq. ft. Jungle Gym is the largest community built playground in the United States! The Zoo's Mission is "To inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation and leadership." Hear more about the Nashville Zoo's role in conservation, both locally and globally, in this interview with Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Jim Bartoo. Get more details and check out the many upcoming events for children, families, and adults-only, HERE!

If you're looking for fun things to do with the family, remember Adventure Science Center! It's a science museum that's LITERALLY out-of-this-world! One of the things they're featuring this summer is a chance to TOUCH another planet! A special exhibit will include a rock from Mars and a life-sized model of the Mars Rover!   Adventure Science Center offers exhibits that involve the science of the body, of sound, of light, as well as a planetarium, and a Makers' space, where families can share hands-on programs to create together.  There are also special events for families, and even for adults only, at Adventure Science Center. Their focus is to find the most engaging, exciting way to embody science, and then make it accessible and available to the most people possible!  Get more info about all the amazing things going on at the Adventure Science Center and plan a trip to check it out HERE!!

Tennessee ranks 44th in the nation for Voter turnout. When you see numbers like that, you may think it's because people just don't care. Organize Tennessee says it's partly because we're nearly LAST in the nation for ease of voting. Organize Tennessee works to prevent and respond to issues that prevent Tennesseans from voting. The group also works to keep abreast of and inform voters about precinct changes that could affect them adversely, and help them learn about the voting process.  Hear how you can support Organize Tennessee and how they can help you make sure your vote counts! Get more info HERE!!! 

Family & Children’s Service is connecting individuals and families to hope, to healing, and to one another! They provide a variety of FREE counseling services for individuals and families for a range of issues from depression, domestic violence, substance abuse to suicide prevention and much more. This includes the Crisis Line (615-244-7444) which provides free telephone and text-based crisis intervention to anyone who needs it, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Crisis specialists assist callers struggling with thoughts of suicide, grief, depression, anxiety, domestic violence, addiction, or trauma.  F&CS is also a Healthcare Navigation Entity and can help you choose an insurance plan on the Healthcare Marketplace, at no charge.  In this episode, hear more from Family & Children’s Service CEO, Michael McSurdy, and find out more about their programs and services HERE! 

Our Nashville Symphony is known around the world for its Classical music performances of great composers such as Beethoven and Brahms. But there's SO much more going on with the Symphony and at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center! You can find free community programs, pay what you want programs, educational programs and even symphony musicians getting into local schools to teach, mentor, and play side-by-side with music students.  You'll also find annual favorites like the family night sleepovers at the Schermerhorn and the popular Movie Series with live-score accompaniment to movies playing on the big screen.  Hear about what else the Nashville Symphony is doing to uplift, educate and elevate music in our communities from Kimberly McLemore, VP of Education and Community Engagement with Nashville Symphony. Plus, get more info HERE!!

If your loved one needs blood, you're going to HOPE it's available.. but for many Americans, it's NOT THERE! The national blood supply remains at critically low levels and the American Red Cross needs our help to ensure patient care isn't disrupted. In this interview with Sherri McKinney, Regional Communications and Marketing Director of the American Red Cross - Tennessee Region, hear more about the emergency blood shortage and how YOU can help by giving blood, or donating your time, skills or money.  Give Blood. Find a Drive... HERE!

YEAH! (Youth Empowerment through Arts & Humanities) is an innovative program founded to empower young people through music! More broadly, participants take risks and create art representative of their similarities and uniqueness. Band collaborations develop entrepreneurial and life skills that lead to future success in all fields. YEAH!’s lending library provides personal instruments, and their scholarship program removes financial barriers for applicants. YEAH's other programs include: YEAH! Rocks - A one-week summer day camp for youths ages six to 17.  Community Music Workshop - A condensed three-day-weekend rock camp for adults who seek to develop musical interests and community. Rock Block – An abbreviated 10-week camp for participants age 11 - 17. Rock Block MNPS - A 10-week after-school enrichment program in the Spring and Fall meeting twice weekly at a title 1 Metro Nashville public middle or high school. Workshops – For participants age 11-17, including arts and activism, technology, songwriting, and artist development. Virtual programming is under development for these and others.   In this Focus episode, hear more about YEAH!, the programs they offer, and how you can get involved from their Executive Director, Mariela Moscoso!  For more info, click HERE! 

Local families who find their hearts are leading them to adopt a child face some big obstacles. Especially when there are plane fares, administration fees, and time off work to make it happen. One man, who was orphaned as a child, and KNOWS the struggles firsthand, started a non-profit that raises money to help families with adoption fees. The foundation is called "Both Hands" because volunteers serve a widow in their community with home improvements, while raising money and donations for orphan causes. You've GOT to hear more about it. It'll touch your heart, especially at this "Giving" time of year!  Find out more about Both Hands Foundation HERE! 

Diabetes affects about 1-in-10 of us here in the United States, and with obesity rates increasing, diabetes rates could climb as well!  Diabetes is one of the top 10 causes of death in America, and causes hundreds of thousands of cases of vision impairment, as well as blood flow problems that can lead to amputations.  YOU may be at risk and not realize it!  Shichun Bao, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. In this interview, she explains risk factors, how to reduce them, and the medical and technical advances that could save lives!  Get more info about Dr. Bao and how to make an appointment HERE! 

In Donelson, Tennessee there's a group of volunteers who've been buying, cooking, preparing, and handing out - for free - Thanksgiving meals to those who would usually go without.  Mark Dickerson - one of the owners of Donelson Cafe and Catering - says their "Truly Thankful Thanksgiving" meals are for those who don't have a plate or a place, and that they can come eat at the Cafe, and join in the fellowship, or just pick up a plate in the drive-through.  If you know someone who needs it, please share this! You can get more info HERE! Also in this Focus Interview, hear from Steve Anderson about Operation BBQ Relief, a group that's putting out hundreds of thousands of free meals to people who've been hit by a disaster of some sort. Like the flooding in Waverly, Tennessee, the fires in Hawaii, and wherever they're needed.  Their need right now, is local volunteers! Find out more, and how to volunteer HERE!

Like loaves and fishes, the Salvation Army takes the money you donate at Red Kettles, or online, and uses it to make a difference in the lives of THOUSANDS of local families. They help Nashville's unhoused population get off the streets, onto their feet, and into housing. The Salvation Army helps mothers and kids of domestic violence, get into a safe space, and into a home. And, they help thousands of families and senior citizens at Christmas-time find something under the tree.  Hear from Area Commander, Captain Philip Canning about the amazing work they're doing, how you can help, or how you can get help for someone you know! Get more info HERE and get ready to adopt Salvation Army Angels on the Air on Mix 92.9 SOON!!

Lori James is one of the American Cancer Society's Faces of Hope this year.  She is a breast cancer survivor who doesn't sugar-coat what it's like to be diagnosed, treated for, and survive breast cancer. She says it doesn't end after the treatments have ended. Lori reminds us that for breast cancer survivors and thrivers, things are never the same.  Hear her story, and what she hopes we can take away from hearing it.  Get more information about breast cancer and all the wonderful programs and services the American Cancer Society offers HERE! 

In this interview, Dena Oneal, Executive Chair of the Rutherford County Walk to End Alzheimer’s gives us info about how to tell the difference between what happens during the normal aging process, and signs that may be symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer's. You can find the Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer's HERE! Dena also tells how to get involved in a local Walk to End Alzheimer's, and gives info about the Rutherford County walk, on Saturday, October 28th. You can get more details HERE!  The Alzheimer’s Association has free resources for individuals, caregivers, medical professionals and groups working with people with dementia. Find out more HERE!

Hear all about the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event happening THIS WEEKEND from the Senior Development Manager, Tara Shirer! Not only is she involved with this event as a manager, but she is also a breast cancer SURVIVOR!! Hear her journey and about how important the Making Strides walk - and the many other programs the American Cancer Society offers - are in this episode.  Get more info about the American Cancer Society HERE!  We hope you'll join us as at Making Strides of Nashville THIS SATURDAY! Get all the details HERE! 

HERE is one of the reasons we KEEP working to increase awareness about breast cancer: Lance Edmiston. He had breast cancer, but didn't get it checked out sooner because he didn't realize it's not just a women's disease. Lance is one of this year's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer's Faces of Hope survivors, and an ambassador for the 'Men Wear Pink' campaign. Then, Rashed Fakhruddin, also an ambassador for the 'Men Wear Pink' campaign, joins us to talk about the importance of fitness in preventing breast cancer AND about a program that raises funds for breast cancer awareness and promotes fitness. It's something you may want to be a part of!!  Here are the events for Week 2 of the Fitness Crawl to Fight Breast Cancer: Tues. Oct. 10th  – 10 am BARRE3 NASHVILLE Gulch Wed. Oct. 11th – 7:30 pm NASHVILLE BALLET Intro to Ballet Wed Oct. 11th - Wear Pink Wednesday to OrangeTheory Fitness ORANGETHEORY FITNESS Brentwood, Downtown, Green Hills, Melrose, Midtown & Nolensville Thurs. Oct. 12th – 4:30, 5:30 & 6:30 pm MELIORA MOVEMENT Sat. Oct. 14th – 8:20 & 9:30 am SHED FITNESS Germantown Sat. Oct. 14th  – 10 am FAHRENHEIT YOGA PINK in the Park at Sevier Park Follow @fitcrawl2fightbreastcancer on Instagram to stay updated throughout the month of October!!  And of course, please join us at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21st at Walk of Fame Park in Nashville!! 

What a team we have working to spread breast cancer awareness here in Middle Tennessee! In this interview, meet Dr. Richard Martin (yes, Ricky Martin), a Doctor of Hematology, Medical Oncology at Tennessee Oncology. He talks about new technologies to detect and fight breast cancer, he's part of the American Cancer Society's Men Wear Pink campaign, and he's spreading the word that the BEST outcomes after a breast cancer diagnosis, come from early detection.  Dr. Martin also says that because of the COVID pandemic, many people waited to get medical care, and when cancers were found, they were more advanced, which means for the first time in years, we may see death rates from breast cancer go back up.  Dr. Martin says as we keep researching, detecting earlier, and coming up with new treatments, we're making progress, but MUCH more needs to be done. That's why he's part of the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.  Get more information about... The American Cancer Society HERE Tennessee Oncology HERE Making Strides Nashville HERE

Thousands of students in Metro Nashville Public Schools are experiencing hardships, and for the past 18 years, the all-volunteer, non-profit Assistance League of Nashville has been working to help make their lives easier. In this interview, The Assistance League President Cindy Pramuk says their goal is to help take the burden of finding and buying school uniforms off the shoulders of these kids and their families.  As The Assistance League of Nashville keeps growing its network to help more children, Cindy says they've teamed up with the Nashville Children's Alliance and Operation School Bell.  The group's major Fall Fundraiser is Thursday, September 28th, and you're invited! If you can't be there in person, please bid online for great auction items, or just make a donation if you can! 

Experience the Pageantry and beauty of a Native American Pow Wow this weekend, September 23rd and 24th, at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center in Lebanon!  In this interview Cindy Yahola, President and Organizer of the WilCo Pow Wow explains the meanings and origin of some of the traditions, including the dancers' Regalia and more.   Everyone is welcome! Come enjoy Native American Food, Arts and Crafts!  Get admission info and more details HERE!

Youth suicide is one of the LEADING causes of death of young people.  Here in Tennessee Suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death for kids ages 10-14, and it's the THIRD leading cause of death for all people between 10 and 24 years old.  The Jason Foundation believes that awareness and education are the first steps to suicide prevention. In this episode Clark Flatt, Founder and President of The Jason Foundation, tells his heartbreaking story of his son's suicide, which moved him to create the non-profit. He also talks about what they're doing to help make people aware of the issue and educate them about what to look for, and how to get help. Including their "A Friend Asks" App which is FREE!! The app includes how to help a friend, what TO do and what NOT to do, and resources for help.  Get more information about youth suicide prevention and The Jason Foundation HERE! The Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 9-8-8

Moves and Grooves is a non-profit  focusing on enriching the lives of local youth by empowering them to discover their potential through academic achievement, support, and the arts.  Emerald Mitchell, Founder and Executive Director of Moves and Grooves, says this month they're celebrating 20 YEARS of success with an Anniversary Gala, and a big announcement about a way to help even more children and community members!  You're invited to attend the Anniversary Gala - get the details HERE!  Get more info about all the amazing things going on at Moves and Grooves HERE!

School's back, and so are the scammers who target KIDS! In this interview Robyn Householder, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky, gives tips to keep your kids safe from crooks who prey on them via technology.  Householder also explains why you should never say, "Yes," when someone calls and asks, "Hi, is this (insert your name here)?" It's called the, "Say Yes" scam.  Please listen and please SHARE this on your page and with your friends! It could save someone a lot of money and heartache.  Get more info on scams,  make a report, and look for accredited businesses HERE!

Many of us experienced at least a measure of isolation during the recent Pandemic. But for some people, that isolation is every day. There are thousands of senior citizens across the state who can't get out, aren't physically able to drive, who've outlived their friends or family, or for some reason are just stuck at home, alone. There's no quick trip to the grocery store for them, and sometimes not enough money to buy groceries even if they could get out.  That's where organizations such as Mid-Cumberland Meals-on-Wheels come into play. They, and their volunteers, deliver meals to hundreds of home-bound seniors, and are sometimes the only company the recipients see.  In this interview. Sharon McDaniel with Mid-Cumberland Meals-on-Wheels, tells more about the program, and how you can volunteer to help a senior have food and friendship!  Click HERE for more information about Meals-on-Wheels and HERE if you - or someone you know - need meals!

In this interview, our guest Fett from Azalea Music Group talks about the way the recording industry has changed, and why it's important to get more women into the business.  He also talks about a women-only clinic this fall, called "Empowering Women in Audio". Here are some of the reasons he and his wife Nancy hold the clinics:  The role of women in music production and the recording arts is changing very quickly. It used to be an almost exclusively “man’s game” — especially in the studio. Until a few years ago, with a few notable exceptions, nearly all recording engineers and producers were men. Now, that’s no longer the case. The business has truly opened up for women. Women bring an entirely different sensibility to the studio and the music production process than men do. That’s not “guy-bashing;” it’s simply an observation. It’s not that men or women are “better” in the studio — they’re just different. Some of it is biological (women have different hearing sensitivity and frequency range than men do, for example), but it’s also cultural. Women bring a certain empathy and insight to the music and to the recording process that men don’t. And their recordings and production actually sound different as a result. When women get together to work exclusively with other women, there’s an entirely different dynamic in the room than when they are working together with men. Again, that’s not intended to dis the guys; it’s simply that the whole “gender factor” isn’t present when it’s a women-only crowd. The result is that women are able to simply be themselves, and different things happen. And the results for the music can be fantastic. Get more info about Azalea Music Group HERE and more info about the Empowering Women in Audio clinic HERE!

ShowerUp provides those experiencing homelessness in Nashville, TN with mobile showers and personal hygiene necessities! Their mission is to build relationships, restore hope and dignity, and show the love of God with those in need by providing them with shower services and personal care. ShowerUp volunteers make people experiencing homelessness feel "seen" and "known".  The non-profit started in Nashville, and has since spread to other cities. In this Focus Interview, ShowerUp's Executive Director, Paul Schmitz, says they're grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve in this amazing city! Click HERE to find out how to help, and to stay updated you can follow their ShowerUp  Facebook and Instagram pages!

Hear about the life-saving initiatives - like Slow Down Tennessee - and resources - like Child Passenger Safety Fitting Stations - being created and provided by the Tennessee Highway Safety Office from their Public Info Officer, Arriale Tabson!  Get more info about the Tennessee Highway Safety Office and ways you can get involved with their campaigns HERE! 

Beaman Park Nature Center is a hidden gem here in Middle Tennessee!! With over 15 miles of trails, beautiful wildflowers, and tons of birds to watch it's one of the best places to hike and have picnics! Hear about all the extraordinary wildlife and features Beaman Park has to offer from Director, Heather Gallagher! Also, hear more about the free programs they are offering at the Nature Center every Saturday this summer focusing on reptiles and amphibians (June) and bugs (July)!  Get more info HERE and follow Beaman Park on Instagram HERE!

Columbia, Tennessee residents Annie and Josh Belcher did something amazing, they won more than $100,000 on a game show. They then did another amazing thing, they started Annie Belcher's Foundation, and have been using the money to help single moms cover their expenses for a year!  They're now holding fundraisers so they can help more women.  At this year's fundraiser award-winning comedian Moody Molavi is the headline act! He's family-friendly and uses his comedy for HIS mission, of helping others. We got to talk to Moody about the fundraiser, his comedy and his unusual mantra,"Take the LSD" which stands for "Take the Least Stressful Decision". It's a method to help de-stress your life! Find out more about Moody Molavi HERE and get all the details for the fundraiser HERE!

For Mental Health Awareness Month, we've called back one of our favorite mental health experts, Dr. Kathryn Sherrod, licensed Nashville psychologist, to give us some advice for good mental health. We've had to navigate through so many stressors the past few years, that we sometimes forget to do what we NEED to do to stay mentally healthy. Dr. Sherrod helps us lay out a plan of action that includes improving mental health by making sure we're working on physical health (getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, eating healthy/nourishing foods, and knowing when to reach out for help).  You can get more info about Dr. Sherrod or reach out to her here!

It's been an unusual few years for Metro Nashville Public Schools. In this interview, we check in with Dr. Joe Gordon, Coordinator of School Counseling, and Dr. Mary Crnobori, the Coordinator of Trauma-Informed Schools, to find out what challenges the students, families and educators of MNPS are facing, and what's being done to meet those challenges. For example, hear about the MNPS Advocacy Center - one of the resources being used to meet those needs! The Advocacy Center is a fully staffed regulation space and includes an array of intentionally designed strategies to promote social emotional and behavioral health and wellness for all MNPS elementary-aged students. The Advocacy Center Coach is an emotional regulation coach who works to help students successfully navigate life’s ups and downs. The Advocacy Center Coach works to: build caring relationships with students, preventatively teach important skills such as learning to manage and regulate emotions and behavior, and provide individualized support on-the-spot when needed to help students handle stressors or strong emotions such as frustration or sadness.  Want more info? Check out these videos!  Advocacy Center Overview Advocacy Center Strategies

Over the past few years, almost EVERYTHING has become accessible online! More of us than ever before are clicking to make purchases, and the scammers know that... which puts us at a higher risk for online scams. Robyn Householder, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau, lists some of the riskiest scams, tells how to identify them, and why you should NEVER click pop-up ads.  Check out the BBB website to find BBB-approved businesses for the services you need, plus find a list of common scams or report one!

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee provides food to people facing hunger and works to advance hunger SOLUTIONS.  Part of their work includes Nutrition Training, so people can make the best decisions possible in their food choices and meal planning.  Second Harvest's mission is funded by people like us, donating food, funds and time! And by special events like the Generous Helpings Tasting Event, April 19th, 2023, at 6pm, at Marathon Music Works! Get tickets HERE, and "Eat, Drink, Give Back" to Second Harvest of Middle Tennessee!

Want to do something good, and create some breathing space at your house?  Matthew Bourlakas, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee says it's as easy as a click or a phone call to donate clothes and household items to  Goodwill, and change lives!  In this interview, hear some of the surprising things that ARE accepted as donations, and what happens to them after that!  You'll also find out how Goodwill helps any member of our community who's looking to get a job, or better their employment situation! Plus, click HERE for more info!

Local author and publisher Vince Pinkerton is FULL of information about how to write a book and get it published. In fact, he knows the process, start-to-finish, because he's done it, himself!  In this episode, Vince tells you how to get your ideas together, choose your topic, and walks you through the process of getting the book from your head, into print, and onto store shelves!  He also talks about - and reads an excerpt from - one of his two (so-far) published books! 

Late freezing temperatures, torrential rains, thunderstorms and extreme wind gusts this winter have been destroying local trees, and leaving yards without shade, and with dead trees to take out and replace. That's a lot of expense! In this interview Rob Kraker of Davey Tree of Southeast Nashville tells how to give your trees their best fighting chance, how to tell if they're gone or may come back this season, and what kinds of trees do best in our area.  He also tells you how to get a free inspection and estimate for tree work if you need it!  Get more info about Davey Tree of Southeast Nashville HERE!

Graduation time is just around the corner and Tennessee Highway Patrol Lt. Bill Miller says parents who host graduation parties where there's alcohol and underage drinkers need to know they're also responsible if something bad happens. Lt. Miller also says with all the options available, there's NO excuse to drink and drive, or to ride with someone who has been drinking.  In this episode hear the LEADING contributing factor for most crashes and how law enforcement officers can tell if you're on the phone while you're driving.  Find out more and hear more ways to stay safe on the roads here!

This is a group you probably have never HEARD about, but that you will definitely want to TELL SOMEONE about. From the free S.A.L.T program for people 50-and-over, to the free "Dial-Down Diabetes" program, they're doing great things in our community! In this interview, hear more about the services Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center provides and how you can access them!  Get more info here!

If YOU'RE not talking with your child about drugs, and helping them make good choices about vaping, smoking or drinking, they're probably getting that information from other kids.  Darla DeLeon is the Co-founder and CEO of non-profit Steered Straight Inc. In this interview she talks about Steered Straight school assembly programs that aim to steer youth straight, by giving them information about what substances really do to their bodies, and a learning experience about the reality of substance abuse. The assemblies give young people what they need to make positive, informed choices.  Steered Straight is the #1 booked school drug prevention in America.   Steered Straight also offers books called Table Talk and Dashboard Conversations to help parents talk to their kids about the hard topic of drug and substance use.

When you think of the American Red Cross, you may imagine volunteers on the ground, helping with food, shelter, even physical and mental health needs. But many of the disasters they deal with are EVERYDAY disasters, including Home Fires!  In this interview with Sherri McKinney, hear how to get a free smoke detector and how to get it installed, as well as other safety tips, and information about putting together your disaster kits. Also hear how you can help by giving blood, or donating your time, skills or money.

Nashville's unhoused population includes close to 200 veterans. City leaders and a group of nonprofits are working to help get them into housing. One way they're doing this is with the recent purchase of Glastonbury Woods Apartments in Nashville that'll eventually house 72 veterans. The plan leaves the other 72 apartments for middle-income renters having a hard time finding affordable housing.  In this Focus episode, hear more about their plans and get more information HERE!