The “Closer Look” team closes out 2025’s series of live coffee shop broadcasts with Coffee & Cocoa Conversations at Sidecar Coffee in Chamblee, Georgia. In a year that saw hardships for many communities, program host Rose Scott focuses on the people who make it their job to bring joy - Santa Rick & Mrs. Claus, Santa D. Sinclair, and Santa Bradley with the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta. Hosting this festive event is Leigh Heymann, the co-owner of Sidecar Coffee. We also hear what the “Closer Look” crowd is asking Santa to bring them this holiday, and the Santas & Mrs. Claus rate some contestants’ best Ho-Ho-Ho!

The &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a>&rdquo; team closes out 2025&rsquo;s series of live coffee shop broadcasts with <a href="https://www.wabe.org/coffeechat">Coffee &amp; Cocoa Conversations</a> at <a href="https://sidecarcoffeeshop.com/">Sidecar Coffee</a> in Chamblee, Georgia. In a year that saw hardships for many communities, program host Rose Scott focuses on the people who make it their job to bring joy - <a href="https://santarick.com/">Santa Rick</a> &amp; Mrs. Claus, <a href="https://therealblacksanta.com/">Santa D. Sinclair</a>, and <a href="https://www.wabe.org/first-santa-with-down-syndrome-continues-to-inspire-holiday-cheer-in-dunwoody/">Santa Bradley</a> with the <a href="https://www.dsaatl.org/">Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta</a>. Hosting this festive event is Leigh Heymann, the co-owner of Sidecar Coffee. We also hear what the &ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo; crowd is asking Santa to bring them this holiday, and the Santas &amp; Mrs. Claus rate some contestants&rsquo; best Ho-Ho-Ho!

"Closer Look with Rose Scott" brings you the issues that impact where we live, how we interact, and how we can all thrive. It’s not just about Atlanta; it’s a program for Atlanta. Rose connects with community leaders, CEOs, policymakers, and people who don't often get a platform, and she brings you in on the conversation.

"Closer Look with Rose Scott" brings you the issues that impact where we live, how we interact, and how we can all thrive. It’s not just about Atlanta; it’s a program for Atlanta. Rose connects with community leaders, CEOs, policymakers, and people who don't often get a platform, and she brings you in on the conversation.

Closer Look with Rose Scott

🔊 WABE Podcasts > News, Politics, Health

Coffee & Cocoa Conversations: Ending the Year with Holiday Cheer

The transportation advocates with Propel ATL return to “Closer Look” with their latest report, which reveals deaths from vehicular crashes outpaced homicides in metro Atlanta in 2024. Propel ATL Executive Director Rebecca Serna joins the program to detail the data in "The Human Cost of Mobility". We’re also joined by a local daughter who lost her father in a still unresolved, deadly hit-and-run crash.  

Plus, it was a year of Kendrick Lamar shading Drake at the Super Bowl, Beyoncé hosting a ho-down at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the Cowboy Carter Tour, and some Swifties giving mixed reviews of Taylor Swift’s latest album. We hear from music journalist and author Quentin Harrison.  He discusses some of the best songs that defined 2025, and we hear the “Closer Look”  team’s favorite albums of the year.

The transportation advocates with Propel ATL return to &ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo; with their latest report, which reveals deaths from vehicular crashes outpaced homicides in metro Atlanta in 2024. Propel ATL Executive Director <a href="https://www.letspropelatl.org/staff_board">Rebecca Serna</a> joins the program to detail the data in "<a href="https://www.letspropelatl.org/five_county_crash_report_2024">The Human Cost of Mobility</a>". We&rsquo;re also joined by a local daughter who lost her father in a still unresolved, deadly hit-and-run crash.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Plus, it was a year of Kendrick Lamar shading Drake at the Super Bowl, Beyonc&eacute; hosting a ho-down at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the Cowboy Carter Tour, and some Swifties giving mixed reviews of Taylor Swift&rsquo;s latest album. We hear from music journalist and author<a href="https://www.instagram.com/discowallflower/"> Quentin Harrison</a>.&nbsp; He discusses some of the best songs that defined 2025, and we hear the &ldquo;Closer Look&rdquo; &nbsp;team&rsquo;s favorite albums of the year.

New study finds Metro Atlanta traffic deaths exceeded homicides in 2024; Music journalist details top albums of 2025

Amid the national immigration crackdown under the Trump administration, family members of an Atlanta-area rapper have decided to self-deport. We hear from Victor Marachi. He shares how the unfolding situation is affecting his artistic work and upcoming album.

 

Plus, a history-making move is coming for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. After 157 years, the AJC is ending its print edition while expanding its digital footprint—including its mobile app, newsletters, podcasts, and more. Leroy Chapman Jr., the editor-in-chief of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, discusses the past, present, and future of the publication and the evolving local news media landscape

Amid the national immigration crackdown under the Trump administration, family members of an Atlanta-area rapper have decided to self-deport. We hear from<a href="https://www.victormariachi.com/"> Victor Marachi</a>. He shares how the unfolding situation is affecting his <a href="https://www.wabe.org/rapper-victor-mariachi-on-his-love-for-hip-hop-and-family-overcoming-adversity-and-the-inspiration-behind-latest-album/">artistic work</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DR59W_jDlZm/?hl=en">upcoming album</a>.
&nbsp;
Plus, a history-making move is coming for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. After 157 years, the AJC is<a href="https://www.ajc.com/about-us/2025/08/the-atlanta-journal-constitution-to-become-exclusively-digital-in-january-2026/"> ending its print edition</a>&nbsp;while expanding its digital footprint&mdash;including its mobile app, newsletters, podcasts, and more.<a href="https://www.ajc.com/staff/leroy-chapman-jr/"> Leroy Chapman Jr., </a>the editor-in-chief of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, discusses the past, present, and future of the publication and the evolving local news media landscape

Atlanta-area rapper’s family self-deported due to political climate; Atlanta Journal-Constitution modernizes and prepares final print edition  

Oglethorpe University and The King Center are partnering to teach Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s way of leadership – centering nonviolence, civic responsibility, courage and compassion. Under their new partnership agreement, four selected Oglethorpe students will participate in The King Center Scholars Program and receive The King Center's Nonviolence365 training. We hear from Oglethorpe University’s Dr. Kendra King Momon, a politics professor and the associate provost of academic affairs, and Dr. Gabriel Barreneche, a provost and vice president for academic affairs. They discuss details about the partnership that allows students to learn more about Dr. King’s principles.

Plus, data from the National Alliance for Caregiving reveals 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. are caregivers. Along with caring for a loved one, many caregivers are juggling careers and other responsibilities. It’s something Chanel T. Rowe, an Atlanta-based attorney and caregiving advocate, understands. Since 2019, she’s been navigating the many experiences that come with being a caregiver. Rowe talks with program host Rose Scott about her journey and the hope and inspiration she wants readers to gain from her new book, “Finding Balance: A Devotional to Help Caregivers Move from Suffering to Strength.”

Oglethorpe University and The King Center are<a href="https://oglethorpe.edu/news/oglethorpe-university-announces-partnership-with-the-king-center/"> partnering to teach</a> Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.&rsquo;s way of leadership &ndash; centering nonviolence, civic responsibility, courage and compassion. Under their new partnership agreement, four selected Oglethorpe students will participate in The King Center Scholars Program and receive The King Center's Nonviolence365 training. We hear from Oglethorpe University&rsquo;s<a href="https://oglethorpe.edu/academics/faculty/kendra-a-king-momon/"> Dr. Kendra King Momon</a>, a politics professor and the associate provost of academic affairs, and<a href="https://oglethorpe.edu/academics/academic-resources/provost/"> Dr. Gabriel Barreneche</a>, a provost and vice president for academic affairs. They discuss details about the partnership that allows students to learn more about Dr. King&rsquo;s principles.
Plus, data from the <a href="https://www.caregivingintheus.org/">National Alliance for Caregiving</a> reveals 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. are caregivers. Along with caring for a loved one, many caregivers are juggling careers and other responsibilities. It&rsquo;s something Chanel T. Rowe, an Atlanta-based attorney and caregiving advocate, understands. Since 2019, she&rsquo;s been navigating the many experiences that come with being a caregiver. Rowe talks with program host Rose Scott about her journey and the hope and inspiration she wants readers to gain from her new book,<a href="https://www.caregiversdevotional.com/"> &ldquo;Finding Balance: A Devotional to Help Caregivers Move from Suffering to Strength.&rdquo;</a>

Coffee & Cocoa Conversations: Ending the Year with Holiday Cheer

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