Battletested with Tanya Acker

Tanya talks to human trafficking expert Dottie Laster about the consequences of sex trafficking and the impact of the Gilgo Beach cases on the families of the victims.

Tanya talks to Paul McEnroe, author of The Barcode: How a Team Created One of the World’s Most Ubiquitous Technologies , about innovation at the dawn of the Computer Age.

They helped secure a $787 million settlement for their client, Dominion Voting Systems, against Fox News. Tanya talks to Megan Meier, Daniel Watkins, Dustin Pusch and Andy Phillips of Meier, Watkins Phillips Pusch LLP about when to sue and when to move on.

Tanya talks to John Ray, attorney for the families of Gilgo Beach victims Shannan Gilbert and Jessica Taylor, about the investigation, recent developments in the case, and additional evidence he’s collected that he hopes the prosecution will consider.

Tanya talks to (her cousin!) Major Marisa Barnes of the Kansas City Police Department about keeping communities safe while building trust; why her career compels her; and the excitement of exposing young people to careers as first responders.

WJBE-Knoxville owner completed his sentence for a tax crime but the FCC is threatening his license anyway. Listen as he talks about why he believes his fight for Knoxville’s only Black station is so important.

While Uvalde remains a community that mourns; heals, and remembers its victims, it is also a community that moved Albert Martinez to drive 140 miles to teach music at Uvalde High School. Listen to the story of how he got a group of unlikely musicians to open up, and how they all brought victory and triumph to Uvalde.

After online sextortionists drove his son Gavin to suicide, South Carolina state senator Brandon Guffey changed the law and created a forum for saving young people through his charity, LessThan3.com (<3).  LessThan3 provides resources for targets and potential victims of sextortion and an important reminder too - Tomorrow Needs You.

How can you get the most of A.I.? How do you protect against it going rogue? Greg Mushen, software engineer and former hater of running, used ChatGPT to help him develop a running habit which led to a 26-lb weight loss. Listen as he explains how he made the most of “The Machine” while also guarding against some of its more troubling habits (which include “hallucinating”!) Then, Tanya speaks to Mar...

This special re-release with Ambassador Robert O’Brien, where we talk Russia and China, remains particularly relevant. You should tune in.

Tanya talks to Nathan Firesheets, the engineer who rose to the Disney Challenge, about his hacks for having the most fun in the Magic Kingdom.

Tanya talks to the member of the House Armed Services Committee about Russia’s war on Ukraine; the price of gas; and his new book, Dignity in a Digital Age: Making Tech Work for All of Us.

Tanya talks to Nora Langdon, a champion powerlifter with many titles (!!) about her recipe for a great life. 

Tanya talks to nationally syndicated advice columnist Amy Dickinson (“Ask Amy”) about the problems we always seem to have; her mother’s triumph; good apologies; and her “life hacks”. Plus: relationships, blending families, bullies… and more. (Apparently, we can’t stop Asking Amy.)

Tanya talks to the Kool And The Gang frontman about being the most sampled group in hip hop; how the music business has changed over the years; music education for kids; and, making champagne.

Tanya talks to award-winning performer Melba Moore about breaking the mold throughout her life and career and staying ready for new adventures!

Tanya and the author of The Courage of Compassion: A Journey from Judgment to Connection talk about justice, accountability, and why an extra shot of empathy might go a long way everywhere.

An estimated 37 million Americans suffer from chronic kidney disease. Tanya talks to internist Dr. Sherril Rieux and nephrologist Dr. Vincent Anthony about beating this silent killer.

Tanya and Dr. Samuel talk about the lessons we learn from conflict and how it makes us stronger. They also discus having a vision worth fighting for and why it’s important to remember the end game.

Tanya talks to Justice Bolden, the first Black woman to sit on Michigan’s Supreme Court, about the injustice that drew her to a career in law and the passion for fairness that drives her today.

Take a break from the fight and do something kind. Tanya talks to Dr. David Cregg about his study on how good deeds make for better mental health.

Tanya talks to New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal about the bill that would prevent insurrectionists from serving in governments they’ve attempted to overthrow.

Tanya talks to political strategist Atima Omara about polls, why they go so wrong, and ways to give our democracy the constant love it always needs.

Tanya talks to Attorney Josh Tepfer, whose work has resulted in the exoneration of hundreds of wrongfully convicted people.

Tanya talks to the nationally recognized family and matrimonial law attorney about navigating divorce without losing more money —or peace —than necessary.