Virginia Focus

What does it take to break free from the cycles we're born into? In this episode, we revisit a powerful conversation with author Brittany Means, whose acclaimed memoir Hell If We Don't Change Our Ways chronicles a childhood shaped by poverty, addiction, and instability, and her journey toward healing and self-discovery. It's a deeply personal story that explores resilience, family, and the difficu...

Cyber breaches have evolved from simple experiments to malware like Trojans and email worms to phishing and botnets. The largest data breaches, often involving billions of records, have occurred since 2005, coinciding with the digital transformation of businesses and governments. How do you protect yourself? Let's talk to Colette Tomasiak, Director of Product Marketing at SpyCloud, to find out. 

As more people are working well into their 60s and 70s, a new survey shows most businesses aren’t taking advantage of their skills. Experts with the Society of Human Resources Management say tapping into the experienced workforce could be the solution to America's labor shortage. On this episode, we're talking to Dr. James Atkinson, the VP of Thought Leadership at SHRM, to find out  more.

Your car is one of the biggest purchases you'll ever make-but how well are you protecting it? Vehicle thieves are becoming more sophisticated, and more than 10,000 vehicles are stolen in Virginia each year. On this episode, we're joined by First Sgt. Peter Lazear,   Statewide Program Coordinator for the Virginia State Police Help Eliminate Auto Theft Program, to discuss the latest theft trends, si...

Ever noticed the exact same prescription drug cost one patient a few dollars and another thousands? A new report suggests the answer has less to do with the medicine itself and more to do with the complex world of pharmacy benefits, specialty drug classifications, and pricing practices that most consumers never see. On this episode, we're joined by Antonio Ciaccia, President of 46brooklyn, to pull...

Car seats have come a long way from simple safety restraints to sophisticated systems designed to protect children in a crash. But how did we get here, who decides the rules that govern child passenger safety, and where can parents turn for help making sure a seat is installed correctly? On this episode, we're joined by Suzanne Johansson, General Motors' Lead Engineer for Child Passenger Safety, f...

Some of the most important wounds of military service are the ones no one can see. Many veterans face mental health challenges long after returning home, often struggling in silence. Today, Rawle Andrews, Jr., Executive Director of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, joins us to discuss a new campaign featuring veterans and their families sharing powerful personal stories, and why see...

Few people know that not everyone accused in the infamous college admission bribery scandal, that included celebrities like Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, was guilty. One innocent family continues fighting to clear their reputation after being caught in the net of the Varsity Blues Scandal in 2019. Those parents have written a book called "Varsity Blues: The Scandal Within the Scandal" and st...

 The next time your insurance bill goes up, fraud could be part of the reason why. Insurance fraud isn't a victimless crime, and investigators say it costs American consumers billions of dollars each year. On this episode, we are talking 1st Sgt. Eric Futrell with the Virginia State Police Insurance Fraud Program about common scams, how to protect yourself, and how everyday citizens can help stamp...

Are vaccines one of the few issues still bringing Americans together? New polling suggests they might be, with broad support across political lines for maintaining access to recommended vaccines. In this episode, Dr. Larry Bucshon, former Congressman and physician, helps us unpack the results and what they could mean for healthcare policy moving forward.

Millions of Americans are turning to weight-loss drugs, but how can you know whether the product you're getting is safe? As federal regulators weigh important decisions affecting compounded GLP-1 medications and peptide products, questions about counterfeits, online scams, and patient safety continue to grow. On this episode, we're joined by Shabbir Imber Safdar, Executive Director of the Partners...

What if the most successful urban residents aren't humans at all? Across the globe, animals are adapting to city life at remarkable speed, evolving new behaviors-and even new biology-to thrive in our concrete landscapes. On this episode, Dr. Dan Werb joins us to discuss his eye-opening book, Our Wild Familiars, and the hidden wildlife revolution unfolding right outside our doors.

College Brain Drain explores why some college graduates stay and build careers in their home state while others leave for opportunities hundreds of miles away? Dr. Peter Bahr, of the Strada Education Foundation joins us to explore new research on where graduates relocate after college, what drives those decisions, and what it all means for states hoping to attract and retain talent. On this episod...

When it comes to literacy, Americais a nation at risk. The results of a study by the National Assessment of Educational Progress Reading shows in 47 states at least 60% of 8th grade students are below reading level. On this episode, we are talking to Pam Good, CEO and President of Beyond Basics, to find out just how bad is the problem and what is neccessary to fix 

If it feels like everything is getting more expensive, you're not imagining it. From grocery stores and gas stations to airfare and family vacations, a new analysis finds Americans are paying significantly more for many of the staples that define daily life. Let's chat with Angela Hanks, Chief of Policy Programs at the Century Foundation, we'll break down what's driving those higher costs, why inf...

When temperatures soar, your pets may be facing dangers you can't see. From heat-related illnesses to disease-carrying insects, summer can pose serious risks for animals of all kinds. In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Michael Bailey, President of the American Veterinary Medical Association, to discuss the warning signs every pet owner should know, simple steps that could save an animal's life,...

You might think you're burned out but what if the real problem is that you're simply not being challenged? A growing number of workers are experiencing what's known as "career rust out"; feeling stuck, disengaged, and disconnected from meaningful work. In this episode, we are talking with Keith Spencer, Career Expert with Resume Now, to explore the warning signs of rust out, why it happens, and wh...

Major changes to federal student loans took effect July 1st, affecting the way millions of current and future borrowers pay for college. The reforms reshape borrowing limits, eliminate several repayment options, and could leave some students searching for new ways to cover the rising cost of higher education. On this episode we're talking to Financial Expert Brian Walsh with So-Fi Bank. He's going...

What if the earliest voices of American democracy weren’t speeches, but handwritten petitions from everyday Virginians? On this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Falls, Chief of Researcher Engagement at the Library of Virginia, to talk about a powerful new exhibit, “Ideas in Action: Virginians Petition their Government, 1776-1786.” It brings to life the real concerns of people during the Revolutionar...

When we think about something like the World Cup, we often picture the matches, the crowds, and the global spotlight, but behind all of it is a workforce that keeps everything running, and keeps communities moving long after the games are over. A new analysis from Zety is putting that into focus, breaking down the high-demand, high-paying jobs that make events like this possible, many of which don...

This Father’s Day weekend, we’re stepping beyond the picture-perfect images of fatherhood we scroll past every day, and getting real about what it actually means to be a good dad, partner, and man right now. In a world where many men feel pressure to stay strong, stay silent, and somehow get everything right, today’s conversation is about breaking that mold—opening up about doubt, vulnerability, a...

Every time you get behind the wheel, there’s one simple choice that can mean the difference between life and death - and yet, thousands of people still don’t make it. Seatbelts. It sounds basic, but the numbers tell a different story, and that’s exactly why Virginia is launching a new push to get drivers and passengers to buckle up. Today, we’re talking about a new seatbelt safety campaign from th...

A Virginia family answered the call on their hearts when they made the leap from being homesteaders to a full scale farming in 2022. The Weldon Cooper Center reports the number of farms in Virginia was falling and dropped 18 percent between 2002 to 2022 - not to mention the drought that year. In 2025, Maranatha Farms seems to be thriving with a new storefront. On this episode, we're talking to Phi...

When a trauma therapist is traumatized by loss, where do they turn? Trauma therapist Meghan Riordan Jarvis knew how to help her patients process grief. Although, she came undone when her father died after a year-long battle with cancer, followed by her mother’s unexpected passing while on their family vacation. The book "End of the Hour" chronicles her journey trading the therapist’s chair for the...

Dating back to the earliest broadcasts of Sunday services at the beginning of the 1920s, religious radio stations now number over 4,000 in the U.S. On  A new Pew report examines the impact of religious radio in America. On this episode, we're talking to Sam Bestvater, Senior Data Scientist at Pew Research Center, to learn more.