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

On today’s Closer Look, more than two-million people cast a ballot in the Georgia primary election on Tuesday night. As results from the Democratic and Republican gubernatorial primaries came in, the numbers revealed sharply different paths toward the November general election. Who advanced? Who’s going to a runoff? And how will the results shape up the November midterm race? We ask a panel of political analysts to give their perspective.

 

But first, we discuss the Changing Our Mental and Emotional Trajectory program. Data show farmers are 3 to 5 times more likely to die by suicide than the average American. The COMET program was especially designed for rural neighbors to help each other during difficult times. We speak to officials from Georgia Agricultural Wellness Alliance and High Plains Research Network about how they’re getting mental health resources to areas that are usually under-resourced.

On today&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a>, more than two-million people cast a ballot in the <a href="https://www.wabe.org/whats-settled-and-unsettled-in-georgias-midterm-primary-elections/">Georgia primary election</a> on Tuesday night. As results from the Democratic and Republican gubernatorial primaries came in, the numbers revealed sharply different paths toward the November general election. Who advanced? Who&rsquo;s going to a runoff? And how will the results shape up the November midterm race? We ask a panel of political analysts to give their perspective.
&nbsp;
But first, we discuss the <a href="https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/family-medicine/research-and-innovation/pbrns/hprn/projects-and-programs/comet">Changing Our Mental and Emotional Trajectory</a> program. Data show farmers are 3 to 5 times more likely to die by suicide than the average American. The COMET program was especially designed for rural neighbors to help each other during difficult times. We speak to officials from <a href="https://gafarmstress.org/">Georgia Agricultural Wellness Alliance</a> and High Plains Research Network about how they&rsquo;re getting mental health resources to areas that are usually under-resourced.

2026 Primary Election Analysis; COMET program helping Georgia farmers with mental health

On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” just as emergency room visits for child overdoses seeing a slight increase in Georgia, Emory University is expanding its adolescent addiction care. We speak with Dr. Joe Mathias, an addiction psychiatrist and an associate medical education director for the Addiction Alliance of Georgia, about how they’re assisting kids who are struggling with substance use disorder.

 

Then, we speak with Lamar Stewart, the Interim Executive Director of Showcase Atlanta. With less than a month before thousands of international visitors roam the city streets for a series of eight match ups, Stewart shares how the city is preparing local businesses to take advantage of the boost in foot traffic and how Atlanta will keep World Cup fans entertained.

 

And finally, our graduation series continues with Kathy from Freedom University. She faced many challenges as an undocumented student – with no access to in-state tuition or admission to the top state public schools. However, Kathy remained ambitious and graduated from Freedom University, majoring in psychology and public health. Hear the next goals she’s setting for herself.

On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>,&rdquo; just as emergency room visits for child overdoses seeing a slight increase in Georgia, Emory University is expanding its <a href="https://news.emory.edu/stories/2026/03/hs_bhc_aag_adolescent_program/story.html">adolescent addiction care</a>. We speak with <a href="https://med.emory.edu/departments/psychiatry/programs/addiction/staff.html">Dr. Joe Mathias</a>, an addiction psychiatrist and an associate medical education director for the Addiction Alliance of Georgia, about how they&rsquo;re assisting kids who are struggling with substance use disorder.
&nbsp;
Then, we speak with Lamar Stewart, the Interim Executive Director of <a href="https://showcaseatlanta.com/">Showcase Atlanta</a>. With less than a month before thousands of international visitors roam the city streets for a series of eight match ups, Stewart shares how the city is preparing local businesses to take advantage of the boost in foot traffic and how Atlanta will keep World Cup fans entertained.
&nbsp;
And finally, our <a href="https://www.wabe.org/closer-look-graduation-series-2026/">graduation series</a> continues with Kathy from <a href="https://www.freedom-university.org/">Freedom University</a>. She faced many challenges as an undocumented student &ndash; with no access to in-state tuition or admission to the top state public schools. However, Kathy remained ambitious and graduated from Freedom University, majoring in psychology and public health. Hear the next goals she&rsquo;s setting for herself.

Emory expands addiction recovery services for youth; Showcase Atlanta prepares city for World Cup; Freedom University Graduate

DreamHack returns to the Georgia World Congress Center on Friday for three days of 

competitive gaming, esports entertainment, indie game showcases, cosplay championship, live entertainment and more. Special guests include NBA Hall of Famer Dwight Howard and Atlanta-based cosplayer and designer Yaya Han. On Thursday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Han and Nordlander joined the program to share more about the history of DreamHack and what attendees can expect this weekend.

 

Plus, the legendary rock band The Black Crowes just released their 10th studio album, “A Pound of Feathers.” Brothers Chris and Rich Robinson, who are Atlanta natives, are currently traveling for their global tour, the"Southern Hospitality Tour." Rose talks with guitarist and vocalist Rich Robinson, ahead of the band’s performances in Alpharetta on May 23 and in Augusta on June 4.

 

Lastly, for “Closer Look’s” annual graduation series, we hear from Kimberly Sanabria. The 2026 Agnes Scott College graduating senior majored in chemistry and minored in artificial intelligence. Sanabria discusses her academic journey as a first-generation college student and her plans to pursue a career in pharmacy. 

<a href="https://dreamhack.com/atlanta/">DreamHack</a> returns to the Georgia World Congress Center on Friday for three days of&nbsp;
competitive gaming, esports entertainment, indie game showcases, cosplay championship, live entertainment and more. Special guests include NBA Hall of Famer <a href="https://dreamhack.com/atlanta/guest/dwight-howard/">Dwight Howard</a> and Atlanta-based cosplayer and designer <a href="https://dreamhack.com/atlanta/guest/yaya-han/">Yaya Han</a>. On Thursday&rsquo;s edition of <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">&ldquo;Closer Look,&rdquo;</a> Han and Nordlander joined the program to share more about the history of DreamHack and what attendees can expect this weekend.
&nbsp;
Plus, the legendary rock band <a href="https://theblackcrowes.com/">The Black Crowes</a> just released their 10th studio album,<a href="https://shop.theblackcrowes.com/products/a-pound-of-feathers-cd"> &ldquo;A Pound of Feathers</a>.&rdquo; Brothers Chris and Rich Robinson, who are Atlanta natives, are currently traveling for their global tour, the"Southern Hospitality Tour." Rose talks with guitarist and vocalist Rich Robinson, ahead of the band&rsquo;s performances in Alpharetta on May 23 and in Augusta on June 4.
&nbsp;
Lastly, for <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">&ldquo;Closer Look&rsquo;s&rdquo;</a> annual<a href="https://www.wabe.org/georgia-gwinnett-college-graduate-turns-personal-growth-into-public-health-purpose/"> graduation series</a>, we hear from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DL2ofPPRDbZ/">Kimberly Sanabria</a>. The 2026 Agnes Scott College graduating senior majored in chemistry and minored in artificial intelligence. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DL2ofPPRDbZ/">Sanabria</a> discusses her academic journey as a first-generation college student and her plans to pursue a career in pharmacy.&nbsp;

Coffee & Cocoa Conversations: Ending the Year with Holiday Cheer

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