Anna Marie's Sunday Focus

Tala talks with a representative of Music & Miracles.  Their website is HERE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former host and TV Personality Laura Schweizer decided to walk away from her role with Local on 2, WKRN News Channel 2 lifestyle show to tell stories on an even deeper level. With a heart that beats for serving others and telling meaningful stories, Laura is stepping into her new role as Executive Director of Change the Stars, a nonprofit organization that serves the needs of children in Haiti. Th...

Tala Shatara sits down with Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell to discuss the many ways he is fast tracking the city's needs. From year-round childcare centers that support parents to the importance of music education, Mayor O'Connell is keeping our city's children and their needs at the forefront. We also get to know him and his interests, which can sometimes be buried behind the policies and pres...

While she is continuously focusing on the storms moving through Middle Tennessee and South Kentucky,  WKRN Chief Meteorologist was facing a storm behind closed doors. She uses her platform to discuss her recent diagnosis of Endometriosis and her hysterectomy, helping women and men understand the complexity of this diagnosis, how she received help and how you can help others going through the...

2026 has been coined as the year of health and wellness, and here in Nashville, that movement is stronger than ever. From fitness and nutrition to recovery, mental health, and preventative care, more Tala spoke with Terry Barga and Vanessa Hampton, co-founders of Nashville Fit Magazine, B2 Wellness Suites and Bodywell, about the importance of health and wellness, and why the movement is larger tha...

Today is World Blood Donor Day, an international day of recognition dedicated to honoring blood donors and raising awareness about the constant, life-saving need for blood donations around the world. It’s a reminder that one simple act can make an extraordinary difference for patients facing emergencies, surgeries, cancer treatments, chronic illnesses, and more. Tala Shatara sits down with J...

This Father’s Day, The Father’s House is redefining fatherhood—helping men show up for their families in meaningful, lasting ways and making every day feel like Father’s Day. The nonprofit supports fathers and all men transitioning back into society after incarceration, offering structure, mentorship, and life skills to help them rebuild their lives and reconnect with their...

Nashville is a hub for healthcare and medicine in Middle Tennessee. As the area grows in population and older nurses are retiring, the need for new nurses is growing.  In this Focus Interview, you'll hear from Amanda Pingston, assistant chief nursing officer at Ascension Saint Thomas West, who'll talk about why nursing is so important and fulfilling a career. She'll also talk about the affili...

In this Focus interview, Brittany Lee, Nurse Manager for the Maternal/Newborn Center at Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown, joins Anna to give expectant moms and parents info on what to expect when they deliver. The Maternal/ Newborn Center focuses on the baby and the mother, as well as education and guidance after they're released to go home.  Ascension Saint Thomas calls itself The Baby Hospita...

Anna talks again with Paris Jackson, a Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual, to discuss essential tax credits and deductions to keep in mind before filing. A number of changes have been made to the 2026 tax laws, including the fact that tips are no longer taxable. Paris also outlines exactly which documents you should have ready or updated to ensure a fresh financial start this spring. Addit...

For most of our lives, there's been stigma and misinformation about women's pelvic floor disorders. It is common, but not NORMAL for a woman to experience leakage, pain and other issues. But if no one talks about it, it can't be treated. Dr. Lisa Jambusaria, MD, FACOG, is an urogynecologist with Ascension Saint Thomas in Nashville and Murfreesboro and she's our guest today. She's board-certified i...

Anna talks with Brandon Dyce, President & CEO of the  Pet Community Center  in Nashville.   With so many animal shelters experiencing an emergency overflow of unwanted pets, Pet Community Center's mission is to work on PREVENTIVE care for pets, including low-cost spay and neuter, vet services, vaccines and more... but work on a sliding scale. You can get your pets...

ShowerUp  provides healthful, clean opportunities for those experiencing homelessness in Nashville, TN with mobile showers and personal hygiene necessities. Their mission is to build relationships, restore hope and dignity, to those in those in need in our city by providing them with shower services and personal care.  ShowerUp  volunteers make people experiencing homelessness feel...

Kimberly Fielding, founder of Kicks and Flutters Mobile Ultrasound, discusses her service.  They allow Nashville-area residents the flexibility to choose where to have your ultrasound, and who to invite. The At-Home Pregnancy Ultrasound Boutique offers 4D, 3D, & 2D technology, progress packages, live ultrasound gender reveal parties and live ultrasound baby showers. All services are in-ho...

Anna talks with Gabe Horton, Executive Director of Pawster, which is a pet fostering non-profit for pets whose person is in a crisis situation.   He discusses the reasons one might find themselves unable to care for their pets, including loss of housing, leaving a domestic violence situation, or health crisis.  Listeners also learn how they can support Pawster, either financially or...

Dean Miller  has developed a powerful and revolutionary new approach to dog training. His teaching methods begin to show results in the first few minutes. In fact, in one hour, most dog owners find they have changed their relationship with their dog for the better! In this podcast, hear how that works!  In Dean's book "A Dogs Way," he helps you discover how dogs think, what motivates the...

In this focus, Angelica Franzino-Brown, the Vice President of Artistic Planning at the Nashville Symphony, talks about the new Music Director, new shows on the way (including a collaboration with Dolly Parton), ways YOU can see a free concert, family shows, a musical petting zoo and something newcomers to symphony shows should know about CLAPPING during a performance.  She also shares some sp...

Anna learns something about cars, how they work, and how to keep them working from Charlie Dubois, lead technician of Good Honest Mechanic in Hendersonville, TN. Charlie includes things you need to know about your car that are COMPLETELY different from cars just a few years ago. What systems are being run from computers, and what happens if the computer needs a tweak?  Plus, things that wear...

Heather Gallagher Director of the Beaman Park Nature Center, gives info about what’s happening in this Spring at Beaman Park, and tells us the SYSTEMS in place to help you know where you are, where you’re headed, or how easy it is to get help if you get lost! There are three main trailheads, located in the northwest edge of Davidson County on the Highland Rim. Walking or hiking levels...

As many Nashvillians and Middle Tennesseans continue to rebuild after our massive ice storm, Anna chats with someone who knows all about insurance claims.   The guest is Kevin Walters, spokesperson for the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance who advises you on the importance of filing claims rather than just waiting/hoping for FEMA checks that many never come.  He offers...

There's a lot of damage to clean up after Nashville's recent deadly ice storm. Before you hire ANYONE to help you recover from the winter storm and ice damage, know that scammers are here NOW, knocking on doors, claiming they can help, repair, even file your insurance claims for you. Robyn Householder, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky lists...

Financial Advisor Paris Jackson with Northwestern Mutual talks to Anna about paying for the repairs to your property caused by the recent Middle TN ice storm. She talks about where to find the money in your budget to build your savings or emergency fund - including how to "buckle down!" Paris also gives ideas about ways to pay for repairs (since every repair doesn't have to be made immediately) an...

In this episode, the guest is Dr. Joseph Sharpe, Chief Medical Officer at Ascension Saint Thomas Behavioral Health Hospital. He talks about how to beat the winter blues.  He says it can be a serious issue in January and February, especially, here in Middle Tennessee with the short days, cloudy conditions, and isolation caused by weather.  He says regular sleep is vital, as well as exerci...

Anna talks with Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Stephen Rich of Ascension Saint Thomas in Murfreesboro.  The doctor discusses various weight loss options, including medication, Behavior changes and surgery. Dr Rich says obesity is a disease, not a character fault. Everyone is different and may need a different approach from someone else with the same illness. Hear more options, and why not to give up h...

Anna interviews Alan Pruitt, Tennessee State Advocate for the Middle Tennessee Area of Tops (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly). They talk about the power of starting SLOW with Weight Loss. Most people have started, and stopped, and started again, on various weight-loss plans, and lost (then gained back) hundreds of pounds.  Alan discusses some things we're missing in sustaining weight loss: startin...