Anna Marie's Sunday Focus

It's the time to start thinking about which school is right for your child in the Metro system.  Anna talks with Shelby Doyle, Sr. VP of Policy and International Partnerships at the National School Choice Awareness Foundation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NASHVILLE AND MIDSTATE HOSPITALS NAMED TOP IN THE NATION* U.S. News and World Report and Forbes have listed several local hospitals as cream of the crop! For Maternity Care, Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown (sometimes called “The Baby Hospital”, for delivering more babies than any other hospital in the state) has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of 2026&rsq...

Anna speaks with Psychologist Dr. Kathryn Sherrod, PhD, about how children cope with the excitement and occasional overwhelming events of the holiday season.  Also, ways we as adults can face relatives who "push our buttons" and irritate us to the extreme on family get-togethers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anna Marie talks with Dawn Rutledge of the YMCA of Middle Tennessee about the organizations many activities.  They include: Northwest Xmas Tree1  – The YMCA of Middle Tennessee  invites the community to join in spreading some joy and give a little extra support to families who need it this holiday season. Several YMCA locations are partnering with various organizations and enc...

Anna discusses the work of the Greater Nashville United Way. At United Way of Greater Nashville, their mission is to unite the community and mobilize resources so that every child, individual and family thrives. So many people are struggling right now, and don't know where to start, to get help. Ace Timmermeier, the Director, Regional Community Impact, says United Way can be your first stop to fin...

As we turn the page on a new year, Paige Zulandt, Regional Communications Manager with the American Red Cross of Tennessee asks donors  to make an appointment to give lifesaving blood or platelets now to help keep the blood supply strong during National Blood Donor Month in January. As a special thank-you to donors for helping address the need for blood during the critical post-holiday time,...

Anna talks with Salvation Army Area Commander Bill Mockabee, who says our financial support  helps them provide clothing, food, rent and utility help for families in crisis, a summer camp for kids, supportive housing including life navigation education, disaster services, the Annual Angel Tree program, and so much more. You'll be surprised to hear how far-reaching those dollars given to the S...

Insurance is a Confusing topic. Health insurance, life insurance, homeowners insurance, disability and long-term care insurance.. How do we get what we need, and where do we even start? Today's guest is Paris Jackson, Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual, and she's going to give you some simple, do-able financial things today, with a focus on Insurance. Be ready to take some notes if you can...

Our tenth Mayor of Metro Nashville Davidson County joins us in this podcast. Mayor Freddie O'Connell updates us on the progress that's been made during the first two years of his term, including the "Choose How You Move" transportation program, which focuses on four key areas: sidewalks, signals, service, and safety. The initiative aims to make streets safer for everyone and includes upgrades like...

Anna talks with a representative of Get Covered Tennessee, which offers free, unbiased, one-on-one assistance to help people understand their health care options and sign up for health insurance coverage. It's led by  Family & Children’s Service that helps Tennesseans navigate their way through the confusion, and find the quality healthcare that fits their needs and their finances....

In this Podcast, Lieutenant Bill Miller shares some of the knowledge he's learned in his decades-long career with the Tennessee Highway Patrol. This includes keeping your child, and yourself, safe in vehicles. He also explains how to get your child safety seat installation inspected, or how to get the seat installed correctly, if you're not sure. Miller talks about the one demographic most likely...

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 vaccinated...

This podcast contains info to help you love life after 50 years of age.   Anna talks with Sallie Hussey, Chief Executive Officer of FiftyForward. The non-profit organization supports, champions and enhances life for those 50 and older. FiftyForward offers Adult Day Services, Supportive Care Services, Lifelong Learning Centers, FiftyForward Fresh/Meals on Wheels, Care Teams, and numerous...

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...

Faces of Hope are breast cancer survivors who share their stories to give hope to those diagnosed with breast cancer, or with a loved one who has been. Courtney Lewis, one of this year's American Cancer Society's Faces of Hope, says her cancer was a complete shock, since she was in her 20s when she detected it herself. She reminds younger women that they cannot take it for granted that they won't...

Faces of Hope are breast cancer survivors who share their stories to give hope to those diagnosed with breast cancer, or with a loved one who has been.  Nicole Ramey and Domonique Weakley talk with Anna about their battles with breast cancer, telling us what it's like to hear the diagnosis, what treatments they had, and what helped them get through the treatments. They talk about how importan...

Anna Marie talks with Shannon Geames (featured in the photo with her brother Matthew, who she lost to suicide in 2012). Shannon is a Board Member for the Tennessee Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. They talk about warning signs and risk factors for suicide, tell you how to get help if you're struggling, and how to talk about suicide with someone else who may be in trouble....

Anna talks with Dr. Lametra Scott, Executive Director and Founder of Breaking The SSickle Cell Cycle Foundation. She offered a brief history of sickle cell disease, her personal journey as a healthcare professional and parent to a child with the disease, and why it’s so important for people to know their sickle cell trait status. As a pharmacist, she also shared insights on supplements, nutr...

In this podcast, Jerrica Williams talks about the American Red Cross of Tennessee's need for compassionate individuals to step up and make a difference by becoming Red Cross trained and certified shelter volunteers. As natural disasters become more frequent and severe, the need for trained shelter volunteers has never been greater.  Here in the Nashville area, we frequently encounter tornados...

In this podcast, Emily McKinley at Tennessee Donor Services announces the new Donate Life Tennessee specialty license plate. It's not just to show support for organ donation; it directly funds education and donor registration efforts that save lives. And Author Lisa Boullt joins us to talk about her sister who died in a tragic car crash, and whose organs and tissues went on to change lives. Lisa h...

Anna talks with Financial Advisor Paris Jackson of Northwestern Mutual about upcoming changes in laws that might affect people receiving Social Security or who are on Medicare, as well as how to use financial planning to prepare for healthcare and health emergencies. She also discusses what families can do to make back-to-school easier NEXT time around, and how much of an impact food spending has...

In this interview, Leon Davis Jr. and his son Jonathan H.L. Davis, founders of Black Men Vent Too, talk about creating space for Black men - and all men - to feel safe to open up, to 'vent' and to let other men know they're not alone in dealing with pressure, anxiety, financial issues, social issues, job and family stress.  It's a game-changer for many men who may not have EVER had the chance...

In this Focus, Ty Garth, founder of O.L.L.I.E (Only Living Life in Excellence) Lifestyle, talks about the group, as well as the O.L.L.I.E. Life Youth Mentoring Program, and the difference it's making in the lives of young men between 12 and 18. Ty talks about the need to pour into young people who may have never had a male role model in their lives. They learn not only how to navigate their lives...

Anna welcomes Robyn Householder, President of the Better Business Bureau of Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky, who discusses the latest scams, including sneaky ways thieves get your information.  Some of her advice to avoid being scammed includes not responding to an unsolicited email, call or text from someone you don't know, hanging up and calling the organization itself rather than ta...

In this episode, Meagan Rust, Interpretive Director of  Nashville's Frist Art Museum, tells about current and upcoming exhibitions at the Frist, as well as the numerous related events and hands-on activities. The Frist features the Martin ArtQuest, videos, exhibition talks, tours, special nights with live music (It IS Nashville), and dining, all in addition to simply seeing the exhibitions.&n...