Talk! with Audrey

Don Greco always dreamed of writing stories. He grew up in Youngstown, Ohio and has lived there his entire life. Had a wonderful career as a fifth grade school teacher, high school geometry teacher and professor of mathematics, all while quietly writing in his spare time. And he's written four books so far. He joins me today to talk about his passion for writing and two of his books,  Abramos Gift, a family saga and love story that takes place in Youngstown, Ohio in 1920. And a children's book he's written called Whatever Happened to The Smooth Tongue Cats.

Bobbi Rebell a certified financial professional and author, has information about what consumers should consider when considering flexible financing options for their health and wellness not covered by insurance.

John Madinger has dedicated his career to fighting the drug war, serving as a sheriff’s deputy, narcotics agent, and special agent with the U.S. Department of the Treasury. His previous works include the memoir “Going Under: Kidnapping, Murder, and a Life Undercover and he joins me today to talk bout his latest book, LETHAL DOSES: The Story Behind ‘The Godfather of Fentanyl, delves into the life of George Erik Marquardt.

Nikola Tesla: The inventor, the scientist, the visionary, but who really was the man behind it all? When author, Barbara Daddino moves into a Long Island cottage where Nikola Tesla,  the visionary once lived, she wanted to know  more about the man behind it all. She joins me to talk about her new biography/memoir Tesla’s Cottage: The Lost History of Tesla at Wardenclyffe (And How it was Recovered).

According to a new survey from Quickbooks, for small business owners across the country, the holiday hustle and pressure to make sales is real. In fact, U.S. small business owners may depend on holiday sales to make up at least a third of their annual revenue this year. Business owners across the country have to work extra hard— especially women business owners. Pam Seagle, Global Women’s Program Executive at Bank of America, joins me to talk about the challenges that women business owners may be facing this holiday season and how consumers can support women-owned businesses. 

A new survey of a thousand parents from The Toy Guy found parents are looking for toys that deliver outstanding and engaging play experiences. But, you know, not every toy works for every kid. Chris Burns. Also known as The Toy Guy, wants parents to know that the hot toy is only hot if it's hot for your kid. And he joins me today and he's also going to share some of the best strategies for finding, buying, and delivering great play experiences.

the deadline for Medicare's annual enrollment period, also known as AEP, is quickly approaching. And for those who qualify, the Medicare AEP is open now through December 7th. And this is going to be the last opportunity to secure comprehensive health coverage for 2025. And this includes Medicare Advantage plans, which are affordable and offer options beyond original Medicare. Joining me now, Gary Culp, the Chief Distribution Officer for Cigna Healthcare's Medicare Business, to tell us more about the different Medicare options.

New York City public schools are constantly facing financial pressures with the looming threat of losing funding for extracurricular activities, and often administrators have no choice but to reallocate funds, leaving less money available for after school programs, art, music, and cultural enrichment activities, such as off campus field trips and educational excursions abroad. The New York non profit, The Trip Foundation,  aims to bridge the gap by providing funds for public high schools in underserved areas so that all students can have the opportunity to explore a world that so many of us take for granted. My guest today is founder and CEO of the Trip Foundation, Lidge Lewis, and we're going to talk about the positive impact of educational field trips across the U.S.

Montez Davidson and her daughter and advocate, Kasara Davidson graciously share what it’s like to live with sickle cell disease.

The entrepreneurial journey can be a roller coaster of triumphant victories and humbling defeats, born from sweat, tears, and relentless determination. Shawn Nelson, founder and CEO of Lovesac, launched his business out of his parents’ house when he was still a student. Nelson won Richard Branson's "The Rebel Billionaire" on Fox and he joins me to share his personal story, his podcast series and new book, LET ME SAVE YOU 25 YEARS: A HOW-TO GUIDE FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS.

Dr. Phil Nimoityn with the Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia explains how heart disease develops and how to reduce certain risk factors through lifestyle changes and a new medication.   

Summer in Death Valley may be hot, but it offers a unique advantage: fewer crowds. This translates to a more intimate, affordable, and secluded experience in Death Valley National Park. If prepared for the heat, this could be the perfect time to explore one of America’s true national treasures. Laura Begley Bloom, a senior contributor with Forbes and senior writer for TripAdvisor, has an insider’s look at how to enjoy the park in the summer

Older adults (age 65 and over) often shoulder a significant portion of healthcare costs but may not always receive the care they prefer. This month, FAIR Health, with generous support from The John A. Hartford Foundation, launched FAIRHealthOlderAdults.org, a free website that offers tools, educational content and resources to help older adults and family caregivers plan for care relevant to older adults. FAIR Health Executive Director of Grants and Consumer Education,  Nicole Iny joins me to tell us more about the new website and how patients can have a voice in what happens as their health needs grow.  

Dr. Joanne Mortimer, a medical oncologist at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Jessica, who was diagnosed with breast cancer join me to talk about the importance of BRCA mutation testing, and how knowing her BRCA mutation status led to routine cancer screenings that Jessica says saved her life.

From cash stuffing to loud budgeting, when there’s a new personal finance trend every month, it can be challenging to decipher the best way to keep your finances in shape. Rising costs haven’t made it easier, especially as consumers navigate building up their savings amidst higher costs of living.  America Saves Week is a time for people at all stages of their financial journey to reevaluate their finances, identify smart saving strategies and take control of their financial futures. Robin Growley, Head of Consumer Deposits at Bank of America, is available to discuss strategies for conducting a financial wellness check.

What would make Tamim Hamid, a former NASA biomedical engineer working at the Kennedy Space Center invent a device that regrows hair and write a book about it? Well, today we're going to find out; he's the author of Grow It Back, How Laser Phototherapy Stops Hair Loss and Regrows Your Hair.

Registered nurse and psychotherapist Laurie Elizabeth Murphy draws on her own experience working in the field to create a uniquely intellectual and entertaining mystery in her new book, Dream Me  Home. It's a chilling mystery, a story of betrayal, infidelity, and love.

Genealogist and health educator Bernice Bennett, host of Alnylam’s  Family Health History Road Trip program, traveled and visited families affected by an inherited condition called hereditary ATTR amyloidosis – She is joined by Giselle, whose father’s diagnosis solved her own health puzzle and why it’s so important for families to discuss their health history with each other, and with their doctors. 

Did you know? That Black Americans are up to 50 percent more likely to have high blood pressure when compared to other racial and ethnic groups, and Black/African American men have the highest rate of uncontrolled blood pressure?  Joining me to talk about the importance of controlling blood pressure in midlife (particularly for Black men ages 28 to 45 who are most at risk) to help reduce the risk of having a stroke and developing dementia and Mind Your Risks® campaign, Dr. Richard T. Benson, Ph.D. – Director, Office of Global Health and Health Disparities at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Despite representing a large proportion of the general population with a high disease burden, racial and ethnic minority populations have been consistently underrepresented in clinical trials. Dr. Elizabeth Ofili, professor of medicine at Morehouse School of Medicine and a practicing cardiologist with Morehouse Healthcare in Atlanta has information about a collaboration between Amgen, the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) and the Morehouse School of Medicine.

According to PETA, a Harvard Medical School experimenter is permanently removing newborn monkeys from their mothers and depriving them of normal visual input, and students, faculty, and scientists—Including Dr. Jane Goodall— are demanding an end to outdated, curiosity-driven experiments. Katherine Roe, Ph.D., former NIH neuroscientist and chief scientist with the Laboratory Investigations Department at PETA, joins me to talk about the Harvard experiments and what PETA is doing to stop them.

33 Million Americans suffer from bothersome over-active bladder symptoms  or OAB,  a highly stigmatized condition, and many patients may feel embarrassed to talk about it or assume it is a normal part of aging. You don’t have to suffer unnecessarily, actor Holly Robinson Peete started having OAB symptoms several years ago and she joins me today to share her story. 

There are over 4,000 Medicare Advantage plans to choose from this year. It can be overwhelming, and confusing trying to understand if you need Parts A, B, C, or D. With the deadline looming it’s easy to make hasty decisions but that can all be avoided with careful planning. Medicare expert Fran Soistman, CEO of eHealth, joins me with tips to help you  beat the clock and make smart coverage selections. 

In California, the largest use of all urban water happens outdoors while watering landscapes.  Master Gardener and Community Restoration Ecologist, Cris Sarabia has tips to help you  transform your yard and outdoor space with beautiful native, water wise plants this fall.

Even though it affects nearly two-thirds of U.S. women, talking about bladder leaks, incontinence has always been taboo. Something to be embarrassed about. Well it’s time to talk about this very common condition and take control. Laura Gimbert is a certified doula, understands female biology, the challenges woman can face, and what they can do to help themselves. 

At 31-years-old, Meghan McKee was the picture of health. She worked as a physical therapist, ran, biked and did yoga, often exercising twice a day. She also ate a healthy diet filled with raw, unprocessed foods. Unfortunately, her healthy lifestyle wasn’t enough to stop a stroke. Meghan McKee, Stroke Survivor and Dr. Sheryl Martin-Schild, Stroke Medical Director at Touro Infirmary join me to talk about why everyone needs to learn the signs of a stroke.   

Dr. Ken Mask is a diagnostic radiologist and a true Renaissance man, with deep ties to New Orleans. He has written suspense novels inspired by New Orleans and produced a feature film, entitled "The Opera Game" set against the backdrop of 1850s New Orleans when child prodigy Paul Morphy rose to world chess champion stature. He also co-produced and directed the short film "Building Minds With Chess" a documentary focusing on the brain-building impact of chess and the value the game could have to children.  Building Minds With Chess, is an official selection of the 2023 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase.

An estimated one in 23 men and one in 25 women will develop colon cancer in their lifetime and with colorectal cancer, now the second most common cancer death in the US, it's vital that all adults get regular screenings for the disease. My guest today is Dr. Brian Caveney, Chief Medical Officer and president of LabCorp Diagnostics. We're going to talk about Labcorp's Count On You campaign and why early detection of colorectal cancer is vital, and an at-home test collection screening option.

Millions of people in the United States live with eye conditions that can cause blindness if left untreated. One of the most common causes of vision loss later in life is age-related macular degeneration and wet AMD, an advanced form that can cause severe and rapid vision loss, but it can be stopped or slowed if caught early enough. Dr. Talia Kaden, is an ophthalmologist at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital joins me ways to help you prioritize your eye health and about treatments for wet AMD.

According to a recent Bank of America survey, more than three-in-four (77%) consumers think inflation will impact their ability to save toward their goals. Joining me, Robin Growley, Head of Consumer Deposits at Bank of America has some tips to help us reach our financial goals and information about America Saves Week.

The birth of a child is a joyous occasion for an entire family.  But for the families of American babies born each year with congenital heart disease (CHD), it can also bring fear and uncertainty. Dr. Matthew O’Connor, attending cardiologist and the Medical Director of the Heart Failure and Transplant Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)has information about innovations in cardiac care that can save and improve the lives of children with heart disease worldwide.  

Technology innovation continues to accelerate exponentially and become more deeply linked with human capabilities. Jim Wilson, Global Managing Director of Thought Leadership & Technology Research at Accenture and co-author of “Radically Human” joins me  to talk about why companies are taking a human-centric approach to using technologies to innovate, grow and transform their businesses.

Following its groundbreaking announcement of the first scientifically-authenticated documentation of unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP) in 2020, Genesis 2 Project LLCÔ (G2P) has continued their investigations of UAP recordings. Former Los Alamos National Labs biophysicist Dr. JC Van Velkinburgh and  former FBI Special Agent and Forensic Scientist in the Evidence Response Team Unit at the FBI Lab, Debra LaPrevotte join me to talk about  the worldwide expansion of its investigations into unidentified aerial phenomenon and the ongoing release of scientifically-authenticated UAP recordings from the Genesis 2 Project.

American Legion National Commander Vincent “Jim” Troiola  is hoping that Americans use Veterans Day as a time to remember and honor all who have served in the U.S. military since the nation’s founding. This year he is also imploring all Americans to “Be the One” to stop veteran suicide.

Michael Kelley, author of The Lost Theory and The Devil's Calling, sci-fi, action/adventure metaphysical fiction that blends science, spiritualism, advanced AI (artificial Intellegence). 

Fionne Foxxe Farraday is a doctor working in the area of pulmonary and critical care medicine. After years of working with patients, Farraday faced medical issues in March 2020 that put her on enforced medical leave without call responsibilities. She is the author of KAIRN: Mates of the Alliance, a science-fiction adventure romance, she is also a 2022 International Impact Book Award winner: Best Romance.

Oscar winning director, Cynthia Wade and Jessica, a mom with Metastatic Breast Cancer join me to talk about a new digital platform that uncovers the difficult, unspoken, and real stories about people living with metastatic breast cancer called MBC Unspoken.

Now that school is back in session, parents are thinking about ways to set themselves up for financial success. Chris Curtin, Social Media & Rewards Executive at Bank of America, has his top tips for strategizing and utilizing reward points to maximize and save money throughout the school year.

A recent Harris Poll survey, Working Through Migraine (n=1,000), found that 1 in 3 people say their performance at work is impacted by migraine more frequently than in pre-pandemic years. Jenn Tardy, an inclusive recruiting expert and career coach, and Dr. Merle Diamond, an internal medicine and headache expert,  talk with me about the survey findings, the impact of migraine in the workplace and  information about an FDA-approved medication available for the preventive treatment of episodic migraine in adults. 

Are you getting ready to fire up on the grill this summer  and looking for new mouthwatering recipes? Celebrity Chef Lamar Moore and Jason Jerome, the Senior Executive Director of Supply Chain for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association have budget-friendly tips and recipes to help you add some sizzle to your summer menu.

BPH, a common men's health condition, its effects on lifestyle, and a treatment that can improve quality of life. 

Skin cancer remains the most common cancer in the U.S. despite preventative sun care measures like sunscreen use and UV-protective clothing. Fortunately, scientific advances have helped bring hope to patients facing advanced melanoma. Dr. Jason Luke, Director of Cancer Immunotherapeutic Center at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, and Kyleigh LiPira, Melanoma Research Foundation, First-of-its-Kind Dual immunotherapy treatment for advanced melanoma patients talk about a new treatment option and what it may mean for patients facing the disease.

Charter schools are unique public schools that operate outside the local school district, offering flexibility and individualized learning options for families and students. Debbie Veney, Senior Vice President of Communications & Marketing at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (a non-profit) we talk about how proposed regulations by the U.S. Department of Education could threaten charter schools and why parents should be concerned.

There are 200 million people in the world living with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). In 1989 Anthony Shriver, son of Eunice Kennedy Shriver (founder of the Special Olympics) started an organization while a student at Georgetown university that paired individuals with an IDD (buddies) and those without an IDD (peer buddies).  That organization has evolved into Best Buddies International, which today has nearly 3,000 chapters around the world, Best Buddies founder Anthony K. Shriver and MOD Pizza co-founder, Ally Svenson to discuss how Best Buddies is teaming up with MOD Pizza to help support their mission.