Talk! with Audrey

The 2019 Homebuyer Insights Report found that the youngest generation of homebuyers aren’t dragging their feet, as nearly 60 percent of prospective Gen Z homebuyers between the ages of 18 and 23 want to buy within the next five years, meaning they would own a home before the age of 30. AJ Barkley, is SVP, Neighborhood Lending Executive, Consumer Lending at Bank of America has tremendous insight to home buying trends.

NAACP recently announced its historic Jamestown to Jamestown event partnership, marking the 400th year enslaved Africans first touched the shores of what would become America. NAACP President Derrick Johnson joins me to discuss this historic event and the issues still facing the African-American community.

In today’s world of toxic dialogue and vitriolic political overload, too many of us spend time engaging negativity and giving away our power. What would it look like for us to lead where we are? Civil Rights Attorney and Activist Charles Coleman Jr. the founder and CEO of The Black SuperHero Project aims to do just that . . . by challenging himself and others to embrace the spirit of leading where you are.

Looking for a good book to read? Anthony Schneider joins me to talk about his latest novel, Lowdown-a Mafia romantic thriller. The story is set in Brooklyn and Sicily, spans three decades, and follows a twisting road strewn with sorrow and desire, deceit and ecstasy, shocking violence and intimate tenderness, to arrive at a surprising, bittersweet redemption.

Summer vacation for students is a time to enjoy the sun and recoup after 10 months of hard-work. While it is crucial to give our brains a break, research has found that over the summer students will experience 2 months of learning loss, the highest losses occurring in math and spelling. Joining me with tips to keep our students brains healthy and active in preparation for the upcoming school year, Nathan Hemmelgarn, Sr. Brand Director for Consumer Business at Carson Dellosa Education.

It’s that time of year again when Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and graduations are only days apart from one another. There is no need to go crazy waiting in lines to purchase your gifts . Because there are options. Gift cards! Joining me  with the hottest trends in gift cards that work perfectly for every gifting occasion. Shelley Hunter, a.k.a. the Gift Card Girlfriend.

The BIO International Convention, the world’s premier life sciences event, will return to Philadelphia, PA, from June 3-6 and is expected to attract more than 16,000 attendees and 1,800 exhibitors from 67 countries. The theme of this year’s convention is “It Starts with One.” Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization talks about the challenges, obstacles and future of biotechnology.

Whenever there is a crisis, our first responders put their own lives at risk to save others. These are individuals who answer the call, rush toward danger, and lead the way to safety. The Gary Sinise Foundation is an organization that serves our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. Jessica Egerton, Director of Brand Development, Cooper Tiresand Elizabeth Fields, Director of Development and Chief Operating Officer for The Gary Sinise Foundation talk about their work and how you can support first responders.

 From inventing the implantable cardiac pacemaker to helping develop the brain-computer interface, with numerous advances in treating chronic disease, spinal cord injury, mental health, and countless other conditions and diseases, VA Research has been improving the lives of all generations of Veterans for more than nine decades. Dr. Patricia a. Dorn, Director, Rehabilitation Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs joins me to discuss VA Research Week and their award-winning scientific discoveries.

When making purchases both large and small, today’s American consumer is looking beyond product price and quality. They’re also taking into account what a brand says, what it does and what it stands for, and ultimately buying from companies that have a strong purpose that aligns with their personal values and beliefs. Accenture Strategy’s latest Global Consumer Pulse Research surveyed nearly 8,000 American consumers to gauge their expectations of brands and companies today. My guest is senior managing director at Accenture Strategy, Bill Theofilou.

As the 24-hour information cycle fills our airwaves and social media feeds, we are faced with a choice; give in to constant connectivity or take a time out to focus on what really matters. Life is Good Marks their 25th Anniversary by igniting a movement to Share Something Good. The Co-founders of Life is Good, Bert Jacobs, Chief Executive Optimist and John Jacobs, Chief Creative Optimist are my guests.

Filing an income tax return can be scary and overwhelming. What if you make a mistake? What if you use the wrong form? What are the new tax reform laws? It’s no surprise that 4 in 5 Americans say they want help when they file their taxes. Fortunately, there are resources available to take the stress out of filing and give you the assurance you’ve done it right. Financial expert, Nicole Lapin joins me with information about the new tax reform laws and how they might affect returns this year. 

The administration announced the President’s FY2020 budget proposal and it does not include federal funding for after school programs. If that happens, after school programs for more than 1.7 million students will be in jeopardy. My guests are Jodi Grant, Executive Director, Afterschool Alliance and Barry D. Ford, President and CEO, Council for a Strong America.

This year, Californians faced a number of tragic events, many losing their homes to fire and flooding or experiencing other unexpected traumas. And for some, the emotional and psychological impacts of life-altering events could be difficult to overcome. Joining me with information about how families can recognize when stress and anxiety have exceeded manageable levels and when to ask for help, Nabil El-Ghoroury the Executive Director of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

The Verizon 5G EdTech Challenge is a new initiative to bring cutting-edge technologies to underserved middle school classrooms throughout the country. My guests are, Justina Nixon-Saintil, Director, Corporate Social Responsibility for Verizon and two of the winners, Glenn Cantave, Founder and CEO, Movers and Shakers and Idris Brewster, Co-Founder and CTO, of Movers and Shakers.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Dr. Charles Davidson, Clinical Chief of Cardiology at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, has information about non-surgical treatments for coronary valve disease.

Nearly 100 million Americans experience chronic pain. Dr Corey Hunter, a pain management specialist at the Ainsworth Institute of Pain Management and his patient, Doug Rodd, a medically retired U.S. Army paratrooper join me to discuss DRG therapy, as a possible way to manage chronic pain. 

The arts matter: they help economies thrive, help individuals connect with each other and across cultures, and educate and enrich societies. Rena De Sisto, Global Arts and Cultures Executive for Bank of America has information about the 2,000 visual and performing arts organizations that they support.        

   According to the CDC, the number of cancer patients and survivors will reach almost 18 million in the next decade, and almost half will be diagnosed at a working age. The ability to manage employment after a cancer diagnosis can be complex, which means working people with cancer need support to balance work and health demands. Sonia Kashuk, cancer survivor and founder, Sonia Kashuk Beauty and Rebecca Nellis, Executive Director of Cancer and Careers, the only national non-profit dedicated solely to serving the growing population of people working during and after cancer treatment, talk with me about the challenges cancer patients and survivors face while working or looking for work during or after treatment, and tips on how to navigate workplace conversations.

Alzheimers and dementia memory care is evolving. Loren Shook, Chairman and Co-Founder of Silverado, a senior living provider, discusses the latest ways memory care is delivered.