Virginia Focus

Cancer sucks. No argument there. But once you or a loved one has been diagnosed, what are the first steps and next steps to getting through this in one piece? On this episode, we're talking with Michelle Rapkin - a three-time cancer survivor who is deeply acquainted with the ins and outs of the disease. She decided to share her hard won lessons as an author herself in the new book, "CANCER SUCKS:...

Artificial Intelligence continues to gain ground in business and in our culture. From chatbots to software tools, this new technology will begin having a greater impact on many areas of our daily lives. On today's episode, we're talking to Revature Founder and CEO Ashwin Bharath about how generative AI is affecting employment opportunities and how each of us can prepare ourselves as employees for...

One small nonprofit hopes to help survivors of human trafficking and prior gang affiliation heal from the pain of their past by assisting them in the removal of “branding” tattoos and scars. To do that, they are trying to spread their message accross the country to create partnerships with organizations that employee certified and trained affiliate technicians in each state. On this episode, we're...

Several groups like to study the spending habits of the average American. A new study found that not only do customers enjoy bundled retail memberships from big box stores like Costco, Amazon Prime, BJs, and Walmart+, but also those memberships save consumers over a billion dollars annually. The Computer and Communications Industry Association research center conducted the study and Trevor Wagener...

Play is essential to kids’ healthy development but convenient and safe play spaces that fit into an existing daily routine can be difficult to find. KaBoom! is a non-profit dedicated to giving kids the childhood they deserve by updating and creating playgrounds and safe spaces for youth; especially for those living in poverty. On this episode, we're talking to April Lampkin the Vice President of K...

Electric cars are not new. In 1888, the German Andreas Flocken designed the Flocken Elektrowagen, regarded by some as the first "real" electric car and there have been plenty more built since then. Global EV sales more than doubled from 2020 to 2021 but seem to be stalling. On this episode, we're talking to the Director of Product at GM Energy, Derek Sequeira, about the myths surrounding buying an...

This episode is a two-part show. First, we'll be discussing how the Sierra Club's Military Outdoors Program hopes to get feedback from veterans on the best ways to use nature to help reduce the experiences of mental health distress commonly felt by servicemen and women. Vedia Barnett, a Senior Campaign Strategist with the Sierra Club will be our guest to help us learn more. Then, we'll talk to Bra...

Americans living in the White House today and throughout history are no strangers to critcism and controversy. However, one child of a former president seems to be a favorite because of her outlandish antics. On this episode, we're discussing the fascinating historical biography of America's most memorable first daughter, Alice Lee Roosevelt. Shelley Fraser Mickle is the author of the book "White...

In December 2023, the Housing Market Index showed that home builders reported an "uptick" in traffic among prospective buyers who previously felt priced out of the market. The Mortgage Bankers Association says mortgage refinancing applications are up the same month significantly for Federal Housing Association and Veterans Affairs refinance applications. Meanwhile, NBC Radio reports the average mo...

Some people enjoy drama-free get-togethers with their loved ones, while others feel anxiety at the thought of enduring a holiday party with their families. If you expect to hear critical or harsh remarks about your appearance, relationship status, mental or physical health, financial struggles, or career challenges, you likely know the struggles of being in a toxic family structure. On today's epi...

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 and sudden passing while on their family vacation. The book "End of the Hour" chronicles her journey trading the therapist’s ch...

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation hosted hundreds of school and district leaders at the "Americas Healthiest Schools Leaders Summit" in Washington, D.C. recently. They boast the title of "Americas Healthiest Schools", which is Healthier Generation’s annual recognition program that honors schools for adopting best practices to advance the physical, mental, and social-emotional health of staff...

Estimates suggest that advancements in generative artificial intelligence have the potential to drive a 5 to 6 percent per annum increase in global GDP over the next 10 years. A new report titled Beyond AI: Generative AI and the next wave of disruption highlights generative AI’s transformative capabilities and provides guidance on how organizations could embrace this rapidly evolving technology. G...

A Virginia-based business has employed over hundreds of employees over the past 35 years and is well versed in the latest food and catering trends in the industry. The pandemic gave them an opportunity to evolve and adapt to new ways of doing business which includes a new platform they plan to use to create more opportunities within the state. Windows Catering is now launching a new platform that...

Stories of survival can easily become inspiration to others. On this episode, we're talking to the author of "Hell If We Don't Change Our Ways", a People magazine pick for the Best Books Fall 2023. Descriptions call it, “A breathtaking memoir about surviving a horrifying childhood; Means...transforms memories...into a work of art.” Let's get inspired together and speak directly to the writer, Brit...

More than six million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease and by 2050, that number is expected to skyrocket to 13 million. The FDA approved two new treatments that slow the progression of the disease, but the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, also known as CMS, is setting a dangerous precedent by requiring consent from patients in a way that's never been demanded befo...

New proposed rules from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service require brokers of digital assets to provide clarity to taxpayers on tax requirements. They say the move is an effort to crack down on tax cheats while helping law-abiding taxpayers know how much they owe on the sale or exchange of digital assets. On this episode, we're talking to the Director of Governmen...

High food costs creating more food insecurity coupled with gas prices that are dollars away from the price four years ago - families making over $100-thousand dollars a year living paycheck to paycheck - these are the headlines that affect Americans in 2023. As well, about 362-thousand workers have gone on strike so far in 2023, compared with just 36-thousand over the same period two years ago. Th...

When you want to hear the inclusive story of Virginia's history, some people hope you turn to Encyclopedia Virginia. The mission of the site is to provide a free, reliable, multimedia resource for students, teachers, and communities who seek to understand how the past informs the present and the future. On this episode, we're focusing on the story of Thomas Fuller, an enslaved man born in the 1700...

During Green Career Week, participating businesses and organizations will connect with local schools, colleges and universities to showcase the various career paths at their business. Seed Your Future started the movement to promote horticulture and inspire people to pursue careers working with plants. They hope to introduce students to vital horticultural, agricultural, and floriculture jobs - in...

Since 1 in 3 children in the United States deal with food allergies, it's imperative that parents be prepared and help their children and their classmates learn about the possible consequences of allergic reactions. On this episode, we are discussing innovative treatments, that latest guidance for epi devices, legislation to increase research funding, and more. Let's get more information from FARE...

New groundbreaking investments hope to create jobs, improve graduation rates, and support thousands of students in over a thousand schools in America. Communities in Schools hopes to also help students in Virginia and across the nation overcome nonacademic challenges like poverty and health concerns by providing mentors, counseling, and access to essential resources. To learn more about this initi...

Soon borrowers who are out of college will have to resume paying back their federal student loans after more than three years. Some parents may prioritize their child's financial needs over their own need to prepare for retirement, which is not recommended. As federal student loan repayments restart, many who owe will wonder how best to prepare their budget for this returning expense. We're talkin...

Cybersecurity statistics from Astra Security indicate that there are 2,200 cyber attacks per day, with a cyber attack happening every 39 seconds on average. In the US, a data breach costs an average of $9.44M, and cybercrime is predicted to cost $8 trillion by 2023. As a result, there is a growing demand for skilled technology talent. In a 2021 survey of chief information officers from federal age...

Debt is the real factor that drives both economic growth and financial crises from recessions to extreme inequality. In order to understand this paradox, we need to address why a certain amount of private debt is vital to the economy. On this episode, we're talking to Richard Vague, an author, Former Secretary of Banking for Pennsylvania, and former CEO of two banks. His new book "Paradox of Debt"...