Virginia Focus
Virginia Focus is a half hour weekly Public Affairs program from the Virginia News Network hosted by Rebecca Hughes. The program features interviews about issues if importance and interest to Virginians such as politics, non profits, history and economic development.
Episodes
May 10, 2024 • 30 mins
Those looking to strike out on their own may enjoy today's segment about being a Solopreneur. On this episode we're talking to the author of the book "Succeeding As A Solopreneur", Liz Steblay. She says her book helps you achieve success at every stage of your solopreneur journey, from determining if you’re ready to “go for it,” to setting a marketing and pricing strategy, to lowering your tax rate to keep more of what you earn.
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May 3, 2024 • 30 mins
A new study shows the majority of teens are confident about retirement but only 60% understand what the term means. Junior Achievement and MissionSquare Foundation commissioned the study that questioned kids between the ages of 13 and 18. Let's learn more by chatting with Ed Grocholski, the Chief Marketing Officer at Junior Achievement.
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April 26, 2024 • 30 mins
On average, every 10 seconds, a food allergy sends a patient to the emergency room. May 12 to May 18 is Food Allergy Awareness Week, and while it's two weeks away, we're taking advantage of an opportunity to help raise awareness of food allergies and anaphylaxis. We'll do that by talking to a representative of FARE, which stands for Food Allergy Research and Education. They are the leading nonprofit working to enhance the lives of ...
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April 19, 2024 • 30 mins
If you are a parent, you are likely hoping to raise your kids to develop strong and resilient brains so they can live happy and productive lives. A new book written by Child Psychologist Dr. Charles Fay and Neuropsychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen gives pratical, easy to understand advice that encompasses your childs brain and their mind to help them become adults who can successfully navigate life on their own. Let's hear more about the ...
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April 12, 2024 • 30 mins
When the time feels right to sell your business, how do you even get started? On this episode we're talking about what business owners need to know when selling their business to avoid making the mistake of a lifetime and what factors they should consider in today’s dynamic marketplace. The guest on the show is Andy Goldberg. He's an attorney with decades of experience in the field of business and the author of a new book, "THE BI...
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April 5, 2024 • 30 mins
A controversial federal program known as “340b” was created to cover the costs for uninsured and vulnerable patients by providing medicine discounts to hospitals, who would then pass the savings on to its patients. However, a new report highlights that the opposite is occurring. Instead of saving money, patients are spending 2.5 times more on medicines at 340b program entities than at non-340b entities. On this episode, we're talki...
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March 29, 2024 • 30 mins
President Biden continues pushing his “green agenda” with a goal of requiring two-thirds of new car and light truck sales to be electric vehicles by 2032, but automakers have been calling foul. They say they simply cannot meet these requirements while remaining profitable. Today we're talking with Mike Spagnola, President and CEO of the Specialty Equipment Market Association, also known as SEMA about how rushing into this change to...
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March 15, 2024 • 30 mins
Many businesses are currently struggling to calculate the tax owed on their crypto investments, giving way to questions about what is required of them in this upcoming tax season. Additionally, many wonder when and how they should start adopting new reporting practices in order to comply with looming changes to crypto tax requirements. On this episode, we are talking to the Senior Director of Government Solutions for TaxBit, Miles ...
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March 8, 2024 • 30 mins
Cancer sucks. No argument there. But once you or a loved one has been diagnosed, what are the first steps and next steps to getting through this in one piece? On this episode, we're talking with Michelle Rapkin - a three-time cancer survivor who is deeply acquainted with the ins and outs of the disease. She decided to share her hard won lessons as an author herself in the new book, "CANCER SUCKS: But You’ll Get Through It."
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March 1, 2024 • 29 mins
Artificial Intelligence continues to gain ground in business and in our culture. From chatbots to software tools, this new technology will begin having a greater impact on many areas of our daily lives. On today's episode, we're talking to Revature Founder and CEO Ashwin Bharath about how generative AI is affecting employment opportunities and how each of us can prepare ourselves as employees for what is to come.
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February 16, 2024 • 30 mins
One small nonprofit hopes to help survivors of human trafficking and prior gang affiliation heal from the pain of their past by assisting them in the removal of “branding” tattoos and scars. To do that, they are trying to spread their message accross the country to create partnerships with organizations that employee certified and trained affiliate technicians in each state. On this episode, we're talking to Soul Survivor Ink's Exe...
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February 9, 2024 • 29 mins
Several groups like to study the spending habits of the average American. A new study found that not only do customers enjoy bundled retail memberships from big box stores like Costco, Amazon Prime, BJs, and Walmart+, but also those memberships save consumers over a billion dollars annually. The Computer and Communications Industry Association research center conducted the study and Trevor Wagener, the Chief Economist, will help us...
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February 2, 2024 • 30 mins
Play is essential to kids’ healthy development but convenient and safe play spaces that fit into an existing daily routine can be difficult to find. KaBoom! is a non-profit dedicated to giving kids the childhood they deserve by updating and creating playgrounds and safe spaces for youth; especially for those living in poverty. On this episode, we're talking to April Lampkin the Vice President of Kaboom! about their discuss their ne...
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January 26, 2024 • 29 mins
Electric cars are not new. In 1888, the German Andreas Flocken designed the Flocken Elektrowagen, regarded by some as the first "real" electric car and there have been plenty more built since then. Global EV sales more than doubled from 2020 to 2021 but seem to be stalling. On this episode, we're talking to the Director of Product at GM Energy, Derek Sequeira, about the myths surrounding buying an electric vehicle.
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January 19, 2024 • 30 mins
This episode is a two-part show. First, we'll be discussing how the Sierra Club's Military Outdoors Program hopes to get feedback from veterans on the best ways to use nature to help reduce the experiences of mental health distress commonly felt by servicemen and women. Vedia Barnett, a Senior Campaign Strategist with the Sierra Club will be our guest to help us learn more. Then, we'll talk to Bradley Phifer, the Executive Director...
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January 12, 2024 • 30 mins
Americans living in the White House today and throughout history are no strangers to critcism and controversy. However, one child of a former president seems to be a favorite because of her outlandish antics. On this episode, we're discussing the fascinating historical biography of America's most memorable first daughter, Alice Lee Roosevelt. Shelley Fraser Mickle is the author of the book "White House Wild Child: How Alice Roosev...
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December 29, 2023 • 30 mins
In December 2023, the Housing Market Index showed that home builders reported an "uptick" in traffic among prospective buyers who previously felt priced out of the market. The Mortgage Bankers Association says mortgage refinancing applications are up the same month significantly for Federal Housing Association and Veterans Affairs refinance applications. Meanwhile, NBC Radio reports the average monthly new mortgage payment national...
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December 22, 2023 • 30 mins
Some people enjoy drama-free get-togethers with their loved ones, while others feel anxiety at the thought of enduring a holiday party with their families. If you expect to hear critical or harsh remarks about your appearance, relationship status, mental or physical health, financial struggles, or career challenges, you likely know the struggles of being in a toxic family structure. On today's episode, we're talking to Licensed Cli...
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December 15, 2023 • 30 mins
When a trauma therapist is traumatized by loss, where do they turn? Trauma Therapist Meghan Riordan Jarvis knew how to help her patients process grief. Although, she came undone when her father died after a year-long battle with cancer, followed by her mother’s unexpected and sudden passing while on their family vacation. The book "End of the Hour" chronicles her journey trading the therapist’s chair for the patient’s couch, where ...
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December 8, 2023 • 29 mins
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation hosted hundreds of school and district leaders at the "Americas Healthiest Schools Leaders Summit" in Washington, D.C. recently. They boast the title of "Americas Healthiest Schools", which is Healthier Generation’s annual recognition program that honors schools for adopting best practices to advance the physical, mental, and social-emotional health of staff and students. On today's episode w...
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