Talk! with Audrey

Medical expert, Dr. C.K. Babcock, Clinical Associate Professor at Marshall University in West Virginia joins me to talk about the importance of getting vaccinated and ways to stay healthy as the pandemic moves into a new phase.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to rapidly spread across the nation and cases surge, hospitals are filling up again, mostly with unvaccinated people. Vaccines continue to decrease the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID. Infectious disease physician at Northern Light Health in Bangor, ME, Dr. Mark Abel, talks with me about the impact of the Omicron variant and ways to stay healthy and the three W's of Covid 19 Boosters: Who, When and Why another shot will help.

Each January brings a new wave of high healthcare costs as deductibles reset, premiums increase, and formularies change. That means many people are stuck paying more out-of-pocket. In fact, it's estimated that it now takes the average American almost half a year to satisfy their deductible so they can shoulder less of the financial burden. As you plan for the new year, make a resolution to take control of your healthcare costs without having to sacrifice the quality of care. Cindy George, is the Personal Finance Editor for GoodRx and has tips to help you reduce your healthcare costs.

Automation technology has become a powerful tool to help businesses in any industry run more efficiently and find new opportunities for value. Intelligent automation goes one step further, bringing in artificial intelligence and machine learning to reinvent business processes, guide better decisions and free up employees to take on more challenging and creative work. RAJENDRA PRASAD, is a senior managing director and global lead for Automation at Accenture and the co-author of The Automation Advantage; we talk about how automation can benefit businesses and employees.

Veterinarians from around the world gathered recently at the NAVC's annual Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) 2022 to learn the latest innovations in veterinary medicine that are helping animals of all kinds live longer, better quality lives. Dr. Dana Varble, Chief Veterinary Officer, The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) and Gene O'Neill, CEO, The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) join me to talk about the unsung heroes in veterinary practices -- veterinary technicians/nurses who perform essential lifesaving and enhancing roles.

According to The American Cancer Society, Metastatic breast cancer (mBC) is the most serious form of the disease and takes a life in the United States approximately every 12 minutes creating an urgent need for treatment proven to extend life while preserving quality of life. My guests, Dr. Denise A. Yardley, a MONALEESA-2 Investigator, Breast Cancer Research Program, Sarah Cannon Research Institute and Shirley A. Mertz, President, Metastatic Breast Cancer Network, join me with the updated results of a targeted treatment from the Monaleesa-2 trial.

From worries about the pandemic, to concerns about curriculum, parents are looking for flexible K-12 learning options for their children. National School Choice Week, January 23 through January 29, is parents' best opportunity to discover schools in their area. Andrew Campanella, President of National School Choice Week is my guest.

Alcohol-related problems - which result from drinking too much, too fast, or too often - are among the most significant public health issues in the United States. Dr. George Koob, Director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and a world-renowned expert on how alcohol affects health, joins us to talk about Dry January, recognizing signs of an alcohol problem and ways to get help.

Who am I? What is my purpose? How do I find and pursue my heart's desire? Author Kenny G. Down hopes you'll find the answers to these questions within the pages of his book, The Mirror, The Window and the Wall.

November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated as he rode in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas, Texas Fred Litwin, the author of On The Trail of Delusion - Jim Garrison: The Great Accuser turns the tables on conspiracy theorists with a scenario of President John F. Kennedy's assassination that debunks the conspiracy theories of district attorney Jim Garrison, exposes the nonsense behind Oliver Stone's film JFK, and offers restitution for the lives that were destroyed through false claims.