Hope & Wellness 's Podcast

Former California Patrol Officer Kevin Briggs has helped save the lives of over 200 people contemplating suicide during his career as a law enforcement officer. How? By listening and showing respect to individuals who had made the decision to "go over the rails " of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. We discuss suicide prevention , community policing and best practices for deescslating crisis situations on today's show .

Sun safety is for everyone! From sunscreen to staying cool in the shade, we discuss how to protect your skin and eyes from the glorious sun. And as the temperature rises, beating the heat and staying cool is important for the young ,elderly, and everyone in between. And if that wasn't enough, ,preventing mosquito bites is critical this summer as the Zika virus spreads globally. Think you know everything about Zika? Listen in to learn how to keep your family safe from this mosquito born virus.

Elizabeth Fellowes, acupuncturist and owner of Center Point Healing in College Park, Md,, discusses the role of acupuncture and traditional Chinese herbal medicine in the management of infertility, fibroids, menopause and dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain). Many of the patients at Center Point Healing seek out acupuncture on the basis of referrals from friends, family and coworkers, instead of waiting for a referral from their allopathic physician. As more and more allopathic physicians learn about the benefits of Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture, this complementary medicine will become part of a integrated health care team that draws from the experiences of health care practitioners from across the globe.

Our guest ,Aaron Smith,RRT, MBA, is a registered respiratory therapist and clinical manager in Prince Georges County , Maryland. As a healthcare practitioner, Mr. Smith not only cares for patients with asthma, respiratory failure and cardiac failure, he also leads an education team that helps outpatients and physicians develop and understand their Asthma Action Plans-a management plan developed by physicians to help patients and caregivers manage asthma. We discuss the challenges of caring for a child with asthma , smoking cessation and COPD(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

In the US, hatred and interpersonal conflict continue to fuel violent confrontations that result in injury and , in too many cases, the loss of life. Mr. Christopher Page, the executive director of the Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery County (CRCMC) , discusses the use of mediation to foster peace, resolve ongoing conflict and prevent community violence in a variety of settings and situations. Reentry, senior, governmental, parenting plans, and even homeowner mediation services , are just some of the services available to help Montgomery County residents resolve disputes. Restorative justice circles bring victims and offenders together to rehabilitate ,and resolve conflict. Dialogue circles help police officers and community members, communicate, collaborate and build respect. Listen in to learn how to access mediation services in your community.

We discuss the legacy and lives of two great men gone too soon: Prince Rogers Nelson .and Muhammad Ali. Both men , with larger than life personalities, shared their talents, gifts and greatness with the world. Muhammad Ali, three time world heavyweight boxing champion, philanthropist and humanitarian, was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's Disease over 30 years ago at the age of 42 ;he died from septic shock after brief hospital admission for a respiratory illness. Prince , singer, songwriter ,musical genius and ,philanthropist, died from an accidental overdose from the powerful synthetic opioid analgesic, Fentanyl. We discuss the lives of these men and the millions of other people, living with Parkinson's Disease and opioid addiction.

Pennye Jones-Napier and Julie Paez are the founders and owners of the Big Bad Woof, the pet store that supplies the essentials for the socially conscious pet and their pet owners. The store offers a variety of pet food choices that address and help prevent the increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes in dogs and cats. Both owners also provide their customers with a wealth of information on choosing and providing the best care for cats, dogs and small animals. We discuss the latest in pet dog food trends, kangaroo and alligator, and how to pick the right animal for your family and lifestyle. Where can you find healthy animals, not at puppy mills, in need of loving homes? Listen in for the answer to this and many more questions about pets.

Chef Jerome Grant is currently the executive chef of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History. During our interview, he was the executive chef of Mitsitam Cafe in the National Museum of the American Indian. Chef Grant's road to the Mitsitam Cafe began in Maryland, with stops in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and St. Croix, and the influence of Jamaican , Native American and French cuisines. At Mitsitam Cafe, Chef Grant sources ingredients such as wild rice, chocolate, bison and wild elk to feed over 500,000 museum visitors authentic Native American dishes, and, just as importantly, support Native American tribes and small business owners. Whether preparing spiny lobster in St. Croix or bison, the national mammal of the US, in Washington, DC , Chef Grant understands food as the cultural heritage that both distinguishes and connects all of us .

Guest Shawn Blanchard is an author, mentor, mathematician and the former DIrector of Youth Services for the city of Detroit. His current book," How "Bout That For A Crack Baby: Keys to Mentorship and Success", highlights not only his personal story of overcoming family adversity at a young age, but the benefit of the consistent care and high expectations he received from his high school counselor. His practical approach, experiences and tips on the power of mentoring are lessons that will benefit parents, mentors and educators.Working in inner city schools in Detroit and New York, Mr Blanchard has guided young boys at risk for becoming high school dropouts, towards college application and acceptance with four year university scholarships.

Girl Trek is a nonprofit organization that promotes health, healing and community activism- all through walking. Girl Trek ,rooted in the history of the civil rights movement and the steps of freedom fighter Harriet Tubman, is a celebration of the power of walking to transform women ,families and communities. Each week, in cities across the US, Girl Trek members meet and walk together in neighborhoods, parks and on trails. In the month of May, the Girl Trek #Mamathon challenges women to walk 52.4 miles, in honor of mothers who always go above and beyond .

Our guest, Ebony Andrews,MPH, is the Director of Sports Initiatives,and Manager of Digital Communications for the President's Council on Fitness,Sports, and Nutrition. A fitness enthusiast and former high school track and field athlete, Ms. Andrews is also the CIty Captain of Girl Trek in the Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland region. Ms. Andrews discusses the history and health revival of the Girl Trek movement ,and members.