Hope & Wellness 's Podcast

Chef Freddie Bitsoie is an award-winning Navajo chef and now, the new executive chef of the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian. There are over 500 Native American tribes in the US and all have a distinct cuisine served in family homes, community events, and restaurants. During childhood, Chef Bitsoie traveled and lived throughout the Southwest and understands the central role that food plays in culture, history, health ,and tradition. Chef Freddie Bitsoie shares his personal story and discusses how Native American food helped create cuisines enjoyed across the globe.

Justin and Terry Raimey,two brothers from Youngstown, Ohio, write and illustrate the novel and first of a kind anime comic series, Black Streak Kitchen, dedicated to cooking and nutrition. Chopped and Iron Chef winner Ed Harris is the culinary creative behind some of the recipes in the online videos and 2017 digital comic series. Join us in the studio and the Black Streak Kitchen as we learn more about the "personified anime cake characters" bringing a healthier life and recipes to kitchens around the globe.

The history of the first Thanksgiving highlights the generosity and hospitality of Native Americans who shared fish, fowl, cranberries, corn and venison with the Pilgrims. Their example should be a lesson for us all in grace ,compassion, and service to others. After this election cycle ,however, more than the turkey may become heated at the Thanksgiving table. Hosting friends and family for Thanksgiving can be stressful, but we share some tips to keep your the food hot and conversations cool. Introducing new plant- based dishes to the Thanksgiving meal, especially vegetarian ones, can increase fiber intake and decrease the intake of rich and calorie dense side dishes such as macaroni and cheese and candied yams. While this holiday begins a season of celebration, for many, it is a reminder of the absence of loved ones at the dinner table. Adequate sleep, physical activity, and moderation at the dinner table can help all of us enjoy this special time with family and friends.

January 20, 2017, a new president will take office and lead this country, What is not known, is how much of the Affordable Care Act will remain intact for the over 20 million US citizens that rely on it for health insurance. Since November 1, over 100,000 people have signed up for this signature legislation by President Obama that affects the daily health of many Americans, previously denied health insurance. We celebrate and recognize another man committed to peace and healthcare for all, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, On Nov 13, 1913, Dr Daniel Hale Williams was the first African-American to be elected to the American College of Surgeons and is the first surgeon to operate on the heart.

The 2016 election is an opportunity to vote for national and local leaders and officials, and also for the future of health care in the United States. One of the signature pieces of legislation during the Obama administration is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act . This signature legislation has provided over 8 million people with health insurance and for some, tax credits and cost-sharing reduction subsidies that reduce premium and out-of-pocket medical expenses for eligible enrollees. At stake with this election is access to healthcare for millions of Americans that were previously denied health insurance due to preexisting conditions. We discuss the importance of voting, addressing voter intimidation, and healthcare costs .

October 29 is World Stroke Day and the data is startling- more women die from stroke than from breast cancer. F.A.S.T. is an easy acronym that helps bystanders, friends and family members recognize the signs of a stroke and call 911. Remember- Time is Brain! People in Blue Zones live longer and fuller lives due to a variety of reasons and simple lifestyle choices. It's never too late to adopt simple lifestyle choices that can improve your health and prevent or manage chronic health care conditions.Can the suburban DC area become a Blue Zone.? We discuss bucket lists, cancer vaccines, healthy competition, and goal setting on the road to wellness.

The American Heart Association recently recommended a limit on the amount of added sugar that children 2-18 years of age eat on a daily basis. The incidence of childhood Type 2 diabetes and obesity are continuing concerns for families , physicians and public health officials. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the role of individual dietary habits and intake of saturated fats during adolescence specifically, was recently evaluated in a study by the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Another clinical research study, The Philadelphia Immediate Transport in Penetrating Trauma, is an automatic opt-in study that will evaluate the role of prehospital treatment in some adult victims of major penetrating trauma in the city of Philadephia.Some community members however, are concerned about the unique design of this study.

Mr. Diallo Sumbry is a father, artist, mentor. and one of the founders of the Adinkra Group in Mount Rainier, Maryland. This collective focuses on the culture and arts from the African diaspora, West Africa, the Carribean, Cuba and Latin America, and includes choreographer and personal trainer Akosua Akoto of ASA!Fitness , musician and cancer survivor Emerson Gibson, aka Spyda the DJ, the intergenerational dance group Farafina Kan ,and educator and photographer Kofi Handon of Loves Life Photography. The current GoFundMe campaign for the Adinkra Cultural Arts Studio will help the artists renovate and expand their current studio , and offer more African-centered arts programs to students of all ages. We speak with the Mr. Diallo Sumbry and discuss the economics of art in general, with a focus on the Adinkra Cultural Arts Studio . #SpydaStrong #EngageYourCore

Ms.V. Davis was a 23 year old college student and pharmacy technician when she learned about her non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis. Her family and co-workers rallied to her side during her journey to fight cancer. From long days in the Howard University Cancer Center to enduring the side effects of chemotherapy, Vandrea's family and friends helped make a challenging medical journey , easier. Sister-in-law Mrs. Tosha Davis, who is more like a sister, joins us in the studio and shares her insight on supporting a loved one with their cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery. We discuss risk factors and treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on the Hope and Wellness Show. Our #MoveMusic for this Sunday is "Isn't She Lovely" ,from the timeless album released 40 years ago, "Songs in the Key of LIfe' , by Stevie Wonder.

Our guest, podiatrist Dr. Jennifer Gerres, joins us to discuss the foot and ankle in sickness and health. From strains and sprains to bunions, we cover a lot of ground in the field of podiatry,pun intended. Choosing the right shoe is important for everyday and athletic activity but what should you look for, and how high is too high for heels? And for all those that enjoy pedicures, what is a go and what is a no when you are in the salon? Listen in as we discuss pedicures, high heels and even "Cinderella feet" with Dr. Jennifer Gerres. Our Move Music today, you guessed it, the Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown with "Get on the Good Foot."

Dr. Nancy Young , Vice President of Student Affairs at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, joins us to discuss how parents can help their college student navigate university campuses successfully, and ultimately, graduate. Preparing for college these days starts before the move-in day with conversations on alcohol use, nutrition, and the importance of a adequate sleep schedule . Parents remain important sources of wisdom and advice, even to college students, and can help them access services, academic advisory and mental health, on college campuses. Millions of college students live with medical diagnosis that require continued care and support during the school year. During college visits, parents and students should ask about the services and health care professionals available in university health centers. We discuss HIPAA, FERPA, and unexpected student health emergencies during the college years with our guest on the Hope and Wellness Show.

On this day , we remember and honor the victims , survivors and responders of the September 11,2001 attacks on New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The World Trade Center Registry, in New York, is a voluntary registry that continues to identify and monitor the health of those affected by these attacks. So far, an increase in asthma, PTSD , heart disease and certain cancers have been noted. For the victims and their families, the costs of care were covered , to a degree, by the September 11 Victims Compensation Fund from 2001-2004. Now, the 9/11 James Zadroga Health and Compensation Act , signed into law by President Obama in 2011, offers financial assistance for healthcare costs for all those directly affected by the 9/11 attacks. Continued awareness and permanent funding is necessary to cover the health related costs of all those directly affected by the 9/11 attacks.

Guest Changa Bell is a yogi and health coach, who learned yoga from his father as a child. Fast forward to today, and Mr. Bell teaches his six children and community members yoga ,as well. Through his work with foster children and juvenile offenders, Changa Bell has learned that yoga offers children an opportunity for calm and peace in their otherwise uncertain environments. Through his nonprofit, The Black Male Yoga Initiative, Changa Bell understands the necessary role that yoga plays in individual and community health benefits to men , women, and children, in inner city Baltimore. We speak with Changa Bell and discuss his road from the campus of American University as a student, to the White House , where he received the President's Volunteer Service Award.

For millions of students in the US, back-to-school means the return of students , as well as medications to backpacks and the nurses office. The recent increase in the cost EpiPen to treat allergic reactions has resulted in a sticker shock at the checkout line and parents are fighting back .Not far behind, the cost of insulin also continues to surge for over 5 million children with Type 1 diabetes. And for college students , parental access to education and health information stops once the child reaches the age of 18. We discuss FERPA, and HIPAA ,and the steps parents can take to assist their adult children during their college years- including conversations on consent. WIth the recent rape controversy involving actor Nate Parker, parents, and other role models, can help young adults understand the importance of consent and mutual respect .

Chef Herbert Holden, chef and SNAP-educator at the University of the District of Columbia,shares tips on keeping you , your family and guests safe during family meals and family reunions. From what to look for in a caterer to keeping food poisoning at bay at home, Chef Holden knows, from years of experience, the do's and don'ts for making school lunches and staying food safe during power outages. And our MoveMusic for the week? Jidenna and his new release,Chief Don't Run, delivers a funky beat mixed with poignant childhood memories and a powerful message.

And history is made at the Rio 2016 Olympics! Simone Manuel swims to two gold medals in the Rio 2016 Olympics. Simone Biles' precision moves in the same Olympic games lands more gold medals for the US gymnastic teams. In Baton Rouge, record flooding has devastated homes , families and communities. The city of Milwaukee, the most segregated metropolitan US city, is burning after another fatal police involved shooting. A gas explosion, in Silver Spring, Md ,displaced hundreds of families, as the search continues for victims and answers. Marion Christopher Barry, son of former DC Mayor Marion Barry and a community activist, died of an overdose on August 14,2016. We discuss the impact of these victories, and tragedies, on the Hope and Wellness Show.

One of the members of the Growing Healthy Families sessions, at the Anacostia Library ,has lost over 100 pounds through a variety of lifestyle changes. This weekly class, by 5 A DAY CSA, emphasizes vegetable and fruit intake as part of a healthy plate, as well as other lifestyle changes. We discuss the challenges of eating a balanced diet in food deserts ,and the dense landscape of fast food outlets in food swarms. For some with extreme obesity, bariatric surgery can help manage obesity as well as uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes , and heart disease. The basis of all options in obesity management, however, require lifestyle changes that remain elusive for some.

This July, a heat wave , the Zika virus, and mental health, take center stage. As the summer heat wave continues, young people across the nation participate in football conditioning camps and team practices, in preparation for the upcoming season. The risk of exercising in the intense summer heat has resulted in the death of one child from a heat stroke . Education and increased awareness of parents, visitors and coaching staff , can help prevent dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke in young athletes. In Florida, local Zika virus transmission has resulted in infections in at least 4 people. July is National Minority Mental Health Month, and we discuss the importance of staycations, vacations and successfully managing depression with your healthcare provider.

Raising a child with autism can be challenging for parents and families.Our guest, Mrs. Janel Diggs, is the mother of a son, now a young adult, with autism spectrum disorder. Recognizing communication delays when her son was two years of age, Mrs. Diggs notified her pediatrician, who recommended a "wait and see" approach to care, despite her concerns. Instead, this mom contacted Child Find and a developmental pediatrician for early screening , intervention and therapeutic services. Mrs. Diggs continues to advocate for services for her son, now a young adult. We discuss early detection,and challenges in the educational system for children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder.

Behind the Headlines- Endemic Structural and Gun Violence in America Dr. Joseph Richardson joins us to discuss an important root cause for gun violence-structural violence. As the director of the Capital Regional Violence Intervention Program at Prince George's Hospital Center in Cheverly, Maryland, Dr. Richardson researches the impact of structural violence in the escalating numbers of gun and state violence victims in the US. Mr Bristol Mayo is a resident of Baton Rouge, La., and recently, a peaceful protestor in the march for justice for Mr. Alton Sterling, a father of five fatally shot by the Baton Rouge police. Mr. Mayo joins us to discuss the conditions, and dangers marginalized communities face in North Baton Rouge in the midst of economic development throughout the rest of the city. From Baltimore to Baton Rouge, structural violence remains a daily threat to public health and safety.