Midday

Theater critic J. Wynn Rousuck joins Tom to share another weekly review of a local theatrical production. This week, Iron Crow Theatre’s production of An Act of God continues at the Theatre Project through January 26.

Iron Crow is a theater company that describes itself as “renegade” and “unorthodox.” Can we assume the tone of An Act of God is less than reverent?

Pinky Cole-Hayes is the founder of a nationwide chain of restaurants called Slutty Vegan. She grew up on Baltimore’s East Side, and now calls Atlanta home. Her restaurant company that has been valued at more than $100 million dollars. Slutty Vegan’s newest location is here in Baltimore in the Baltimore Peninsula.

Cole-Hayes joins Midday to talk about growing up in Baltimore, and what it means to expand into a new location here.

Last Monday, Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen, flanked by members of the Council, announced some of the bills that are being introduced in the early days of the Council’s new term. There are four new faces on the council who will have their say on city issues.

Today, we speak to two of the freshman members. Zac Blanchard represents the 11th district, and Jermaine Jones is District 12’s new representative.

Next Tuesday, Council President Cohen is set to join Midday to discuss the year ahead.

Today on Midday, its time to talk football. The Baltimore Ravens and the Washington Commanders won this weekend. The Ravens played their longtime division rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers Saturday night at M&T Bank Stadium. They came away with a decisive win, 28-14.

Midday discusses the latest with Gabe Ortis, a host and producer here at WYPR. He has covered the Ravens on the staff of several news organizations for the past several years.

Lifelong Detroit Lions fan Jonathan Blakely also joins. He is the Chief Content Officer at Baltimore Public Media, which includes WYPR and our sibling station WTMD.

And later, sports psychologist Daniel Zimet, Ph.D., joins Midday to talk about the mental side to sports competition. How do professional athletes maintain their physical and mental wellbeing?

Theater critic J. Wynn Rousuck joins Tom to share another weekly review of a local theatrical production. This week, she spotlights "Annie" at the Hippodrome which features a 12-year-old Towson native in the lead role. Theatre-goers have until January 12th to see this classic Broadway musical.

When President Carter entered hospice care in February 2023, he was 98 years old and battling cancer. Many assumed the decision by his family to place him in hospice care indicated he was near death, but the former president died nearly two years later. In October, Carter celebrated his 100th birthday.

Today, a conversation with expert on hospice care, palliative care, and the challenges caregivers face navigating difficult decisions for their loved ones and themselves.

Dr. Marian Grant has a doctor of nursing practice, or DNP, degree and is a policy consultant to several palliative care and hospice advocacy organizations.

Dr. Timothy Doran is a pediatrician and immediate past Chair of the Board of Directors of Gilchrist, which offers Geriatric, Palliative and Hospice care in homes and at their centers in Towson and Baltimore. Dr. Doran is also the past Chair of Pediatrics at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center.

Dr. Delia Chiaramonte is a Palliative Care physician and founder of The Integrative Palliative Institute, as well as the author of Coping Courageously: A Heart-Centered Guide for Navigating a Loved One’s Illness Without Losing Yourself.

Craig Swagler is the President and General Manager of Baltimore Public Media, the parent company of WYPR 88.1, and WTMD 89.7.

He joins Midday to discuss the company's outlook for 2025, including the future of public broadcast funding, ongoing local coverage and community engagement through in-person events.