Talk! with Audrey

Each year an estimated 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma. It's a rare type of cancer that forms in the lining of major organs in the chest or the stomach. The most common form is malignant pleural mesothelioma, but less than 30% of patients were candidates for surgery to remove the tumor. Dr. Rupesh Kotecha, a radiation oncologist at Miami Cancer Institute. We're going to talk about the facts of mesothelioma and how a technology already approved for brain cancer is offering a new innovative option for treatment.

The United Negro College Fund is the nation's leading minority education organization and was founded in 1944 to help more African American students attend and graduate from college. Dr. Michael Lomax, President & CEO, UNCF has information about this years revamped and highly anticipated UNCF National Virtual Walk for Education® that aims to raise funds to support HBCUs and the students they serve.

Many of us may likely know someone living with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and not even realize it. In fact, a genetic, progressive form of PKD, known as auto-somal polycystic kidney disease, or ADPKD, is the most common inherited kidney disorder you've likely never heard of. Joining me today in honor of PKD Awareness Day, is Dr. Meyeon Park, a leading nephrologist with the University of California San Francisco.

This year, more than 175,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with a blood cancer, such as lymphoma, leukemia, or myeloma. Dr. Caron Jacobson, Medical Director, Immune Effector Cell Therapy Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, joins me to discuss potentially life-saving therapy treatment options for patients with certain difficult-to-treat or advanced blood cancers.

Equifax, one of the leading credit reporting agencies, was recently sued in federal court in Virginia for including false information on credit reports. That court - the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia - approved a nationwide Settlement with Equifax related to claims that it included inaccurate information on its credit reports tax liens and civil judgments, including how they were disposed (or described) or that did not belong on the credit reports. Consumer law attorney, Jim Francis joins me to discuss the recent settlement, consumers rights, and how and why to check your credit report.

Up to 11% of new breast cancer cases are initially stage IV or metastatic. While there have been many advances in treatment, metastatic breast cancer remains incurable. Despite treatment advancements, metastatic breast cancer continues to take the lives of approximately 113 people in the US every day. Dr. Denise Yardley Senior Investigator, Breast Cancer Research Program, Sarah Cannon Research Institute at Tennessee Oncology has some positive news for advanced breast cancer patients.

As homes have become school for millions of children, parents across the country are caring for families in new ways. With the extra time at home comes extra time to involve kids in the day-to-day chore responsibilities, To find out why today's parents are struggling to engage their children in household chores, Whirlpool enlisted the help of a developmental psychologist and a child development expert joining me with the results of the research paper and some help, lifestyle expert and mom Brooke Parkhurst.

With the current state of school closures, families in communities throughout the US who rely on schools for their children's meals are at risk of experiencing food insecurity. As a result, food agencies have experienced a growing need to provide food for children who have been released from annual school schedules due to COVID-19. This has resulted in record lows for food bank inventories across the country. Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communication at Grocery Outlet Layla Kasha, joins me with information about the current state of food banks across the country, and details about Grocery Outlet's 10th Annual Independence from Hunger (IFH) National Food Drive Campaign.

The College Board has launched College Board Opportunity Scholarships with 5 million dollars of scholarships each year. It started with the class of 2020 and is open now for the class of 2021. This isn't your typical scholarship program! Lacey Allen, Associate Director of Scholarships Strategy at the College Board has the details.

As millions of Americans continue to spend unprecedented amounts of time at home, it also means spending more time with their pets – including cat owners with cat allergen sensitivities. A team of innovative scientists has developed a new way to manage allergens through cat food. Dr. Kurt Venator, Chief Veterinary Officer, Purina joins me to talk about the science behind this breakthrough and he has some tips for bonding with your cat while managing cat allergens at home.

Approximately 44 million Americans are uninsured, making it nearly impossible for them to regularly fill their prescription medications and get regular access to healthcare. Even many of those with health insurance – more than 40% - still find that it doesn't always cover every type of medication or healthcare service. This often results in people making the difficult decision to forego medically necessary medications and skip doctor visits due to cost. Tori Marsh MPH, public health expert and Health Insights Analyst for GoodRx joins me to talk about what Americans can do when health insurance doesn't cover your healthcare needs.

Prior to the pandemic, the disability community advocated to work from home, as a reasonable accommodation, and was often denied. Ongoing stay-at-home orders in many U.S. states and cities have normalized working from home and modified work schedules. Managers are seeing that being in the office is not the only path to collaboration and creativity. The new workplace environment is a 'silver lining' that may create employment opportunities for people with disabilities. My guests are David Shurna, No Barriers USA executive director and Kathy Martinez, Disability and Accessibility Strategy for Wells Fargo.

Every year, close to 800,000 Americans have a stroke. Even during a pandemic, stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency and health officials and medical groups across the country, including the American Heart Association, are urging people to seek immediate medical attention. Joining me with the signs and symptoms, world-renowned stroke expert Dr. Patrick Lyden, Professor of Neurology at Cedars-Sinai – Los Angeles.

The ESSENCE Festival, is an unprecedented weekend of cultural celebrations, empowerment seminars and nightly musical performances by top tier artists is regarded as the event of the year for black talent and culture. For the first time ESSENCE Festival 2020 is going to be virtual. Head of Brand Strategy and Growth Audience Marketing at Ford Motor Company, Raj Register joins me to talk about their commitment to African American women, their presence at ESSENCE Festival and what we can expect to see from the panel discussions.

Patients with autoimmune diseases are at higher risk for severe complications of COVID-19 which means that social distancing guidelines may be in place for autoimmune patients longer than the general public, joining me with information about a new online platform to offer personalized resources and unite patients with Myasthenia Gravis in a time of social distancing, Dr. Ericka Greene, Program Director, Neurology Residency and Neuromuscular Medicine Residence, Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas and Rachel Higgins, patient and Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America Community Leader, from Austin, Texas.

We all love our pets and want to keep them healthy. Merck Animal Health created the BRAVECTO Cares program, which focuses on the wellness of family pets and also supports National Education for Assistance Dog Services, NEADS® – an organization that trains service dogs. Joining me to discuss the program and share some pet wellness tips are veterinarian and U.S. Army Major with the Veterinary Corps, Dr. Mark Pelham, and NEADS® service dog trainer, Becca Hill.

It's no secret that loneliness among our older adult population was at an all-time high even before COVID-19. With orders to stay at home blanketing the nation, the issue of isolation and loneliness was magnified. Cox Communications addressed this issue head-on with their One Call a Day volunteer program. To tell us all about it, Cox Broadcasting Order Management, San Diego volunteer and mom of 4, Cynthia Fletes and her friend Lucy, 82 years young and grandma to 19. We talk about how the program has made a positive impact on their lives.

Businesses across the country are preparing to reopen their offices, and with that, health and safety has become the number one priority. Workplace solutions expert and Vice President, Members and Brand at The HON Company, Jennifer Petersen joins me has insight into what the traditional office setting will likely look when employees return to work.

Dr. Cherian Karunapuzha discusses the impact of Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) and how it can cause physical changes that may lead to functional and emotional changes.

Dr. Jay Shubrook, is a board certified Family Physician and a Fellowship Trained Diabetologist.He provides clinical care at Solano County Family Health Services and NorthBay Diabetes and Endocrine Center and Director of Clinical Research and Diabetes Services, Touro University California, College of Osteopathic Medicine. We talk about COVID, diabetes and testing.

The current pandemic has upended so many aspects of everyday life, but for people considering pregnancy or already pregnant, those changes can feel even more overwhelming. Women's health expert and genetic counsellor Julia Wilkinson has some specific steps you and your partner can do during this time while you're at home to make sure you're ready for your next appointment – either via telemedicine or in person.

Have you packed on a few pounds recently and want to shed a few pounds? Conventional diet wisdom tells us we should avoid carbs, have an early dinner, and never eat before bedtime. My guest is fitness expert, nutritionist, and BioTrust Co-Founder, Joel Marion. He's authored the book Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight and he tells us all about it.

For many businesses, e-commerce is booming but others are scrambling to get customers to their website and funnel. Every year, tens of thousands of businesses start and fail because the entrepreneurs don't understand one essential skill: the art and science of getting consumers to find you. My guest is best selling author and CEO of $100M software company ClickFunnels, Russell Brunson. We talk about his new book Traffic Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Filling Your Websites and Funnels with Your Dream Customers.

The coronavirus pandemic has reminded us all about the power and importance of helping each other. For many people, there seems to be little that they can do to help scientists find medical treatments for coronavirus, or they might be unsure how to get involved in the fight against COVID-19. Juan Hindo, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, IBM joins me to discuss their World Community Grid project on coronavirus, "OpenPandemics - COVID19," the potential for the research and how everyone can get involved and join the fight against COVID-19.

Daniel Krook, the Chief Technology Officer of IBM Code and Response and Call for Code joins me with information about IBM Call for Code, a $30 million five-year global challenge, working with the global developer community to find new solutions to help fight the pandemic now and in the future.

With the spread of COVID-19, the dental profession is doing its' part to mitigate the spread of coronavirus by postponing non-emergency dental procedures. But what should people do in a true dental emergency? What constitutes a dental emergency and where to go so as not to further overload already overwhelmed hospitals? My guest is Dr. Alan H. Gluskin, D.D.S: President of the American Association of Endodontists.

When crises occur, our first responders put their own lives on the line to save others. Part of the mission of the Gary Sinise Foundation is to serve and protect those who so bravely protect us. Jess Egerton, Director of Brand Development for Cooper Tires, and Elizabeth Fields, COO at the Gary Sinise Foundation, join me to recognize the heroic work of our nation's first responders.

Whether it is automobile, homeowners, renters, or life insurance, now is a good time to review your current policies to see how you can save money on premiums and; which policies may need to be adjusted. Janet Ruiz, Director, Strategic Communication, the Insurance Information Institute has tips to help you make remain savvy with your coverage during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Contracting and treating COVID-19 can be worrisome for people with diabetes, with this in mind, Eli Lilly and Company and Beyond Type 1, a diabetes advocacy group, are working to ensure that people living with diabetes are prepared to manage their condition throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. My guests are Andy Vicari, Senior Director & U.S. Brand Leader, Insulins, Eli Lilly and Company and Dr. Anne Peters, Beyond Type 1 Science Advisory Committee.

As the COVID-19 outbreak quickly evolves, the USO, with nearly 80 years of experience, pivoted their resources across the entire global enterprise to help care for military members and their families, while also aiding to reduce the spread of the virus. To tell us about How the 'Force Behind the Forces' Keeps Our Military Strong During COVID-19 Alan Reyes, Chief Operating Officer, USO.

More than half of American workers have seen their hours reduced and, even before the crisis, 78% of workers were living paycheck to paycheck. To help provide relief during this time, PayActiv, the leading provider of employee earned wage and tip access, has waived its fees until further notice to help workers access their earned wages instantly. My guest is Safwan Shah, Co-Founder & CEO, PayActiv.

Are the days of inhumane laboratory experiments on animals a thing of the past? According to PETA, millions of taxpayer dollars are still being used to perform unnecessary experiments on monkeys. Katherine Roe Research Associate, PETA Laboratory Investigations Department has the details.

Do you have a college senior at home ready to enter the job market? For those just graduating college, there is no doubt that the job search process will be a lot different than it has been in the past. Michelle Armer, Chief People Officer, CareerBuilder has information to help college seniors network and position themselves for employment in an ever-changing market.

There's a new IBM education platform that is going to help the next generation acquire the skills they need for a career in technology. It's a free online platform for young people and adults called open P tech. And to tell us all about it. Cliff Archey, the senior program manager of education, IBM corporate citizenship.

Dr. Regina Benjamin, the 18th Surgeon General of the United States, member of the American Heart Association Board of Directors, and Founder & CEO of Bayou Clinic/Gulf States Health Policy Center in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. We talk about why COVID-19 and cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, are affecting African Americans, U.S. Hispanics and rural populations at disproportionately higher rates.

As the Corona Virus claims more American lives, and the rate of infection rises, the question of health and equity is rapidly becoming a major issue in underserved communities. Who has access to testing, and when will they have access? It's a question Angela Clabon, CEO of CareSTL Health in North St. Louis is facing daily as are many other health care providers in regions across the country. Visit https://carestlhealth.org/ for the latest update.

COVID-19 continues to upend normal life and put stress on individuals, families, communities and businesses, alike. While much of the world's population exercises social distancing or experiences total lockdown to protect one's physical health, the resulting feelings of isolation may exacerbate two other growing health problems – loneliness in the elderly, and the ongoing, global mental health crisis. Dr. William Kassler, Deputy Health Officer and Lead Population Health Officer, IBM Watson Health. We talk about how technology can help individuals, businesses and communities protect mental health and alleviate loneliness during COVID-19 pandemic.

The new number one Netflix docuseries 'Tiger King" is full of eccentric stories and characters, however the criminal histories from the underworld of wild and exotic animal exhibitors are far more broad-reaching and serious. The legal team at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is leading the charge against colourful, criminal, captive wildlife exploiters in the United States. Jeff Kerr General Counsel to PETA.

Over the last decade, the circular economy movement has offered a powerful way for companies to enable greater production and consumption with fewer negative environmental impacts. As the 50th anniversary of Earth Day approaches, Jessica Long, Managing Director at Accenture Strategy and co-author of "The Circular Economy Handbook" released this January at the World Economic Forum in Davos, joins me to discuss how companies can eliminate waste by fundamentally changing the way we produce and consume – creating a healthier, thriving environment and economy.

Throughout the national emergency, Vietnam War veteran and American Legion National Commander Bill Oxford has continued to lead the nation's largest veterans' organisation as many American Legion posts closed their homes and postponed events due to coronavirus concerns. Commander Oxford tells us how they are supporting national, community recovery efforts throughout the Coronavirus Epidemic.

Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, recent surveys found a broad worsening of mental health indicators among college students. Two leading groups specialising in evidence-based technology to support youth well-being have teamed up to help students cope with these challenges and combat isolation, filling the gap widened by COVID-19. Hopelab and Grit Digital Health recently released NOD, an app that helps young adults develop and cultivate deep social connections and develop resilience . My guest is Dr. Danielle Ramo. Senior Director of Research at Hopelab and Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UC San Francisco.

COVID-19 is affecting communities around the world. To support communities, IBM is offering a Watson-based virtual agent dubbed "Watson Assistant for Citizens" to government agencies, healthcare and academic institutions free of charge for at least 90 days so they can provide their citizens/constituents with answers to their questions about the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. My guest is Toby Cappello, Vice President in IBM's Data and A.I. business.

In honor of the Month of the Military Child in April , Hunt Military Communities (HMC) is recognising dependent children of military members nationwide, who are making a difference, with its "Hunt Little Heroes" program. Lynette Hegeman, Marketing Director, Hunt Military Communities has the details.

The Wounded Warrior project has made a $10 million commitment to help meet the immediate needs of warriors who are in financial crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic, Retired Lieutenant General Mike Linnington the CEO of the Wounded Warrior Project is going to tell us how they're helping these veterans and their families.

Dr. Stella Safo is an internist and primary care physician, based in New York City, Chief Clinical Transformation Officer for Premier Applied Sciences. In 2020, Modern Healthcare listed Safo as a "Top 25 Minority Leader to Watch". She has served as lead for the Minority in Medicine special interest group for the Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM) and is an active member of the Health Equity Committee (HEC) at SGIM. We talk about the Covid- 19 Pandemic, some of the challenges that healthcare providers are facing in treating patients, the racial disparities in healthcare, the emotional and psychological impact on healthcare workers, how the decision is made to take someone off a ventilator and more!

Insurers pay billions of dollars each year to cover losses caused by severe weather but, unfortunately, sometimes those payments end up in the pockets of unscrupulous contractors. Those contractors follow the path of damage caused by severe storms around the country soliciting business door-to-door. Dr. Tanya Brown-Giammanco, Managing Director of Research at IBHS joins me to talk about common roofing scams and the fight to stop the criminals who commit them.

As companies nationwide begin to implement new measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, hundreds of thousands of employees are now finding themselves working from home, many for the first time. Many schools have also adopted an online learning system, putting wi-fi networks to the test, potentially leaving them vulnerable to capacity issues as well as security risks. Mike Caudill, Technology Expert, and Dad, has tech tips to help keep your network secure while navigating the new landscape of conducting business and learning from home.

As millions set up shop / school at home, learn how to become "Good Stewards" of your home network; Tech expert Sarah Evans gives her best bandwidth savings tips!

As COVID-19 continues to spread across the country, IBM is offering free tools to help consumers track the reported cases of coronavirus in their local communities. Sheri Bachstein, Global Head of Consumer Business, The Weather Company is my guest.

I wanted to speak with a medical professional who is on the front lines each and every day when it comes to the risk of exposure to all sorts of illness and so I asked my dentist, Dr. Donna Williams, who has a solo practice in Harlem NY called Morningside Dental Care. Her practice, Morningside Dental Care, is celebrating 25 years in Harlem.