Talk! with Audrey

As a result of the pandemic, 86% of Hispanic small business owners reported significant negative impacts, including complete closure, and were only half as likely as their white counterparts to receive PPP loans. Esperanza Teasdale, VP and GM of Hispanic Business at PepsiCo will be joined by Lupillo Ramirez, President of the Latino Food Industry Association join me information about Juntos Crecemos (Together We Grow).Their partnership to raise awareness about Juntos Crecemos, which will invest more than $50 Million in strengthening Hispanic owned businesses.

Despite the economic uncertainty over the past year due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the average U.S. FICO® Score currently stands at 716. Joanne Gaskin, Vice President of Scores and Analytics, for FICO joins me with the latest credit score data released by FICO, what impact COVID-19 had on credit scores and FICO's commitment to financial education, inclusion and ability to score more people.

Studies have shown that students who have health insurance, and access essential medical care, are less likely to miss class than their peers without coverage and are more likely to complete high school and graduate college. And unfortunately, there are still many who don't have health insurance. Joining me with information about how uninsured eligible children and teens up to age 19 in families with limited incomes can get health coverage through Medicaid and CHIP, Dr. LaShawn McIver, Director of the Office of Minority Health, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Since 2014, 30 vehicles have been added to the National Historic Vehicle Register, a program created in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior and Library of Congress to celebrate and catalog the world's most significant automobiles. Joining me live from the National Mall in Washington D.C. Diane Parker, VP, Hagerty Drivers Foundation and Jonathan Klinger, Executive Director of the Hagerty Drivers Foundation to talk about the cool and important cars that will be shown during "Cars at the Capital" this September.

A recent UNCF survey of more than 5,000 students across 17 HBCUs found that many are dealing with difficulties such as sick family members, trouble paying bills and general stress from the ongoing pandemic and recent protests against police brutality. Support is needed now more than ever as students and institutions are faced with challenges including COVID-19 and racial disparities. Maurice E. Jenkins, Jr., executive vice president for field development of UNCF has the details of the UNCF National Virtual Walk for Education® aims to raise funds to support HBCUs and the students they serve.

From ancient to modern times, battles, war campaigns, bureaucratic decision making and the psychological makeup of the main players is explored by author Jared Knott in his Amazon Best-seller 'Tiny Blunders, Big Disasters 39 Tiny Mistakes That Changed the World Forever.

The economic disruption of COVID-19 has challenged small business owners and entrepreneurs to adopt fresh approaches to become more competitive in the post-pandemic marketplace. This is especially true for minority-owned and women businesses in underserved communities. To address this issue, Maggie Ference, Senior Vice President, BB Credit & Ops Director, Huntington National Bank joins me to offer tips to help empower your small business and community.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital, in Illinois wants to encourage us to learn the truth about organ and tissue donation. Most organ donations take place after the donor has died however, some organs can be donated while the donor is still alive. This can be a great alternative to waiting on the ever growing transplant list and can help save lives. Dr. Juan Caicedo, Director of the Liver Transplant Program, Living Donor Liver Program and Hispanic Transplant Program at Northwestern Medicine joins me to talk about organ donation and discuss some of the latest research available and Northwestern Memorial's role in advancing treatment.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM jobs are projected to grow 8.8% from now until 2029. STEM education encourages critical thinking skills, innovation and creative problem-solving. Competency in these areas is a strong indicator of future career success. Joining me to talk about the importance of STEM education as kids head back-to-school, Phil Cook, high school chemistry teacher and TikTok star (@chemteacherphil 3.3M followers.

Kevin L. Schewe has penned another action-packed romp in his critically acclaimed Bad Love series his latest, Bad Love Medicine takes readers from the deep-space beauty of Planet Azur back to a WWII Europe riddled with danger and espionage, bringing the Bad Love Gang face-to-face with one of history's greatest villains—Adolf Hitler himself , the Bad Love Gang (based on his own friends in high school) once again set out to save history—this time, by stopping the Nazis from creating a time machine of their own.

Cobra Gold is an annual multinational military exercise co-hosted by the United States and Thailand and involves 29 participant nations. PETA has exposed a dark secret: One Cobra Gold drill billed as "survival" training is in reality a gruesome macho party. Joining me with the details, Shalin Gala, Vice President, International Laboratory Methods at PETA.

After four years of collecting data, the first scientifically authenticated documentation of unidentified aerial phenomena UAP's was released by the Genesis 2 Project (G2P) and Primeau Forensics in 2020 which included images captured with infrared technology. Former Los Alamos National Labs biophysicist Dr. Jennifer van Velkinburgh and former FBI Special Agent and Forensic Scientist in the Evidence Response Team Unit at the FBI Lab Debra LaPrevotte to discuss the report and the ongoing release of scientifically-authenticated UAP recordings . . . from the Genesis 2 Project.

Matt Blashaw, licensed contractor; television host on HGTV and DIY Networks joins me with a rundown of the most common summer home repair issues and how to tell when a project has become too big or dangerous for you to handle yourself and how to find qualified, vetted professionals when you need them!

Now that summer is well underway, it's a great time to revisit your budget to make sure you are on track with your spending and saving goals, while still enjoying all that summer has to offer.Jason Gaughan, Consumer Card Product Executive at Bank of America, is here to discuss his top tips for keeping your spending in check.

A year and a half ago, a family received a devastating diagnosis in the midst of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, that mother is sharing her son's experience with (SMA), a rare, devastating genetic disease that is also a leading genetic cause of infant death, and how early diagnosis and treatment transformed his life. My guests are Dr. Sandy Reyna, Vice President of Global Medical Affairs, Head-Therapeutic Area at Novartis Gene Therapies and Kathryn McBride, parent of child with SMA. We talk about the signs of SMA, the importance of newborn screening and an early diagnosis, and new treatment options.

According to PETA, instead of using modern research methods to find a cure, billions of taxpayer dollars have been spent and more are set to be spent on sepsis experiments on animals, while the more than 150 medicines that have effectively treated sepsis in other species have then failed in humans. . . . joining me to discuss the very real cost to animals and humans of this failure to switch gears, EMILY TRUNNELL, Ph.D., Neuroscientist and Research Associate for PETA joins me with information about state-of-the-art, human-relevant research methods that are available and the very real cost to animals and humans of this failure to switch gears.

Bob is back, and this time he shares his easy to read, but challenging "thought-starters" to help spark your new found freedom in retirement and to think beyond your past career. Retirement: Your New Adventure! challenges you to move forward with creativity, joy, and great hope to seize the opportunity brought by retirement or other changes by looking to the many new adventures ahead.

Jeanneane Maxon, 41, was living the life of a "work hard, play hard" non-profit executive in Washington, D.C. However, her migraine headaches which she had suffered from since age six were becoming increasingly debilitating. A subsequent MRI revealed a lime-sized tumor in her brain which would ultimately be diagnosed as glioblastoma (GBM), a rare and aggressive form of cancer, but the most common type of primary brain cancer in adults. Jeanneane and her physician, Dr. Karen Fink, a Neuro-oncologist at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas join me to help raise awareness of GBM, and the latest treatments and technology available to help treat this debilitating disease.

More Than Words advisors Dr. Monique Gary, a board-certified fellowship-trained breast surgical oncologist and medical director of the Grand View Health Penn Cancer Network cancer program and Ricki Fairley Co-Founder and CEO of TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance and a stage 3A triple negative breast cancer survivor, and thriver. They speak with me have about a New initiative launched by Novartis called More Than Just Words, a multi-year commitment to promote health equity in breast cancer care and the disparities in breast cancer for black women.

One out of four women 20 years or older will experience a pelvic floor disorder (PFDs) yet not seek treatment due to embarrassment. Are you one of them? Well, today we're going to talk about it with My guest is, Dr. Kimberly Kenton, a board-certified in OB/GYN and Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Tech and Digital Creator Justine Ezarik joins me to talk about how spending more time at home due to the pandemic has created 'smart living' and how new tech habits have evolved over the past year.

Weight bias, it appears in every aspect of life including employment, health care, education, media and personal life. Joining me to talk about what you can do to help end this form of bullying from the Obesity Action Coalition,Joseph Nadglowski, President & CEO and Patricia Nece, J.D., Chair of OAC.

Our thoughts define who we are. But for many of us, thoughts of work and the things we need to get done consume our waking hours. How can we achieve a more balanced life if we are so overwhelmed? Bob Boylan, a retired presentation skills trainer, professional landscape photographer, seasoned traveler, and the founder of Successful Presentations. Wrote his new book, 4 Ideas With Actionable Wisdom, to present concrete, actionable suggestions to inspire you and get you on your way!

It's summer and that means backyard barbecues! Celebrity chef Josh Capon joins me live from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Culinary Center with his favorite grilling tips and crowd-pleasing recipes for a weekend of grilling.

For childhood cancer survivors, learning to protect their health and embrace survivorship is a lifelong job. Dr. Timothy Pearman, a psychologist at Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern Medicine joins me to talk about the center's STAR Program (Survivors Taking Action & Responsibility) and how they are addressing the psychological needs of cancer survivors who were diagnosed before the age of 21.

The coastal prairies, marshes and bays of the Gulf of Mexico are among North America's most productive wetland systems. Tragically, they are also among the most threatened, Adam Putnam, CEO of Ducks Unlimited, the leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation joins me to talk about the crucial conservation work being done along the gulf coast and how their partnership with the James M. Cox Foundation will the enhancement of high-quality coastal marsh and rice prairie wetland complexes.

In celebration of Healthy Vision Month in May, the Focus on Diabetes™ initiative is launching The Next Step Eye Health Challenge to raise awareness of diabetes-related eye disease and the steps people can take to maintain better eye health. My guest is Dr. Robert Gabbay, the Chief Scientific and Medical Officer for the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Does your back hurt? Could your back pain be something more? Perhaps, axial spondyloarthritis or axSpA, commonly known as inflammatory arthritis of the spine? My guests are, Dr. Hillary Norton a rheumatologist living with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a form of axSpA and Jill, a patient living with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA), a form of axSpA.

In the US about 3 million people have Celiac disease, a serious genetic autoimmune disease. A gluten-free diet is currently the only available treatment, joining me with information about innovations for people living a gluten free lifestyle, the chief scientific officer and co-founder of Provention Bio, Dr. Francisco Leon.

After a car accident almost claimed his life, Kenneth James Moore was overcome with a renewed sense of motivation to pursue the promise he had made to his mother at age eight—that he would unravel the mystery behind the disappearance of her youngest brother, Lt. Billy Weber, a B-29 Bomber pilot during WWII. This pledge led him to Saipan, a US-held island in the Pacific, bringing him face to face with the horrific realities of Japanese rule and the inspiration for his first novel and first instalment of a trilogy. Pieces of Wood explores a dark piece of World War II history not often talked about in the West, bringing to light the atrocities Imperial Japan inflicted on millions of innocent women.

CONTRAVE® recently launch its Why Weight: Communicate initiative to address the gap in communication between patients and health care professionals when it comes to weight loss. The goal is to encourage adults to take control of their health by engaging in meaningful conversations about their weight with their doctors. Joining me with the results of the national survey, the most recent statistics on obesity in this country and the initiative, Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine physician scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School.

Every moment of our lives, we make choices. Some of our choices can change the world, and some of our choices only change one moment of the day, but each choice we make has the potential to change the world for the better. Dr. Christopher Gilbert is a senior international ethics consultant and popular keynote speaker, co-founder of NobleEdge Consulting, and the author of The Noble Edge: Reclaiming An Ethical World One Choice At A Time.

According to Dr. Nate Link, the Chief Medical Officer at Bellevue Hospital, the nation's oldest public Hospital, and the author of The Ailing Nation, Lessons from the Bedside for America's Leaders, "Standards of leadership in our political world are sadly deficient." Dr. Link is on a mission to bring evidence and politics together by using narratives of patient care and leadership challenges at Bellevue to underline what good leadership should look like.

According to Edward Jones and Age Wave's latest study, "The Four Pillars of the New Retirement: What a Difference a Year Makes," following a year of unprecedented volatility across economic markets, physical and mental health and social justice issues; 76% of Americans credit the pandemic with helping them refocus on what's most important in life. Joining me to discuss the results: Ken Cella, Principal, Client Strategies Group, Edward Jones and Ken Dychtwald, PhD, Retirement specialist and Co-founder and CEO, Age Wave.

Chandler Crews was born with achondroplasia, a serious, progressive and lifelong condition that is the most common form of dwarfism. In 2010 at the age of 16, she made the choice to undergo a series of limb lengthening surgeries. In 2018, she founded The Chandler Project, a non-profit organisation dedicated to connecting people with achondroplasia resources and community. Chandler joins me to share her personal story of living with achondroplasia, why she made the choice to get limb lengthening surgery and the latest news about the condition and what to expect from the upcoming annual conference.

If you're a man over the age of 45 experiencing urgent or frequent urinary symptoms, or if you feel like you're spending a lot of time planning your next bathroom trip, it might be time to talk to your doctor about your prostate health. Urologist, Dr Gregg Eure joins me to talk about the condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and new minimally invasive treatment options.

June is Men's Health Month, a good time to remind men and everyone who loves them to practice healthy lifestyle habits. Joining me to talk about how, despite his hectic lifestyle, he prioritises health and good nutrition and how we can do the same. Husband, and father, Two-time Emmy® Award nominated television, film and theatre actor and philanthropist John Stamos.

The diary aisle is a go-to for staples like milk, butter, eggs, and cheese, this aisle has evolved over the years. Joining me with some tips to help you step up your culinary game by incorporating new, versatile, and nutritious recipes and ingredients from the new modern dairy aisle, Chef Jamie Gwen.

"Corporate sustainability" and "conscious capitalism" have become the new buzzwords for social good initiatives, but for Carrie Freeman, co-CEO of SecondMuse, social good is more than just a buzzword. Carrie has been named the 2021 YPO Global Impact Award winner, a prestigious honor that celebrates CEO impact that is both significant and sustainable, for her work with SecondMuse. She speaks with me about what it means to win the award and what employers can do to create diversity in the workplace.

Back in November 2019, bed bug experts Allergy Technologies went on the attack against a pervasive pest, bed bugs, launching the Allergy Technologies' Affordable Housing Control and Prevention or ATAHC Program, a first-of-its-kind strategic approach to create an affordable and sustainable model of bed bug control and prevention. Joseph Latino, Bed Bud Expert & President of Allergy Technologies . . . tips for preventing bed bug infestations in homes, dwellings, and when traveling.

Lynette Kahlfani-Cox joins me to talk about tools needed to better understand your credit and financial health. She will explain the facts and dispel the myths around credit scores and discuss how to develop a plan to achieve your financial goals and the "FICO Score Open Access" program, which enables over 200 financial institutions to share free access to FICO Scores used by lenders in credit decisions.

The issues of diversity and inclusion in the workplace remain at the forefront of the national conversation. The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed and heightened glaring inequalities around the world, especially when it comes to income and employment, access to health care, protection under the law, and political inclusion. My guest today is Carla Grant Pickens, IBM Chief Diversity Officer and we are going to talk about neurodiversity and how to bring new perspective and talent to your team by embracing a rainbow of thought.

Across the span of his career, Norman Bacal, a retired entertainment attorney and founder of the Toronto Office and former national co-managing partner of Canadian law firm Heenan Blaikie noticed a void between what he was taught in law school and the practical skills he later developed that actually made a difference in building a successful career. Last week we spoke about his book, Take Charge, The Skills to Drive Professional Success. I asked him to come back to talk about how to tackle fear, failure, and risk.

Across the span of his career, Norman Bacal, a retired entertainment attorney and founder of the Toronto Office and former national co-managing partner of Canadian law firm Heenan Blaikie noticed a void between what he was taught in law school and the practical skills he later developed that actually made a difference in building a successful career. He joins me now to talk about his book, Take Charge-The Skills to Drive Professional Success.

In 2011, author Norman McCombs stood outside the East Wing of the White House before receiving the National Medal of Technology from President Obama, he asked himself a simple question: How did I come from the circumstances of my birth to the steps of the White House? After losing his wife to a battle with Alzheimer's, McCombs was left devastated until a chance encounter with a sharp, compassionate librarian named Suzy Hamilton on the steps of the New York Public Library shakes him from the throes of grief, and encourages him to research his ancestry. The result? A Reason To Be, his historical novel, a poignant tale of loss, hope and the transcendent power of the love that binds us to one another.

According to the FDIC, 7.1 million U.S. households were unbanked in 2019, meaning they do not use banks or banking institutions at all, and nearly 12 percent were STILL utilizing expensive methods like check cashers, money orders, and bill pay services to access the cash they need. My guest is Craig J. Lewis, Founder & CEO of Gig Wage – a fast-growing FinTech start-up exclusively focused on bringing better financial tools to the 65-75 million people in the gig workforce.

The recent wave of attacks against Asian Americans is extremely troubling. A coalition of The Asian American Business Development Center, US Black Chambers, US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and 100 Black Men issued an open letter to America's CEO's along with a CEO Pledge to address the issues rise in hate crimes, discrimination and harassment of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. My guests are John Wang, President, Asian American Business Development Center, and Aldrin K. Enis, President of 100 Black Men of NYC.

Many parents have decided to homeschool their children, feeling that the virtual programs provided by their children's schools aren't adequate. To help, PETA's humane education division, TeachKind, is providing free humane education materials for parents to use at home. PETA's Lisbet Chiriboga, and Teachkind Program Manager is my guest.

The pandemic has kept many of us at home, making our furry friends some of the happiest members in the household. On the flip side, some of our pets are probably counting down the days until kids go back to school and offices reopen so they can have the house to themselves again! Either way, as we look to leave the house more, it's important for families to start preparing their pets for this transition period. Pet Behavior Scientist at Purina, DR. RAGEN MCGOWAN has Tips to help address separation anxiety and create a smooth transition into the post-pandemic world.

In the United States, approximately 6.5 million people have autism, an intellectual and/or developmental differences. And, of these adults, an astounding 8 out of 10 with developmental differences are unemployed because of the lack of job opportunities in their communities, despite having the skill sets and expertise to excel in the workplace. Author, talk show host, activist and philanthropist, Holly Robinson Peete joins me to talk about how we can all work together to build a more inclusive workforce in our communities.