As many Nashvillians and Middle Tennesseans continue to rebuild after our massive ice storm, Anna chats with someone who knows all about insurance claims. The guest is Kevin Walters, spokesperson for the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance who advises you on the importance of filing claims rather than just rather than just waiting/hoping for FEMA checks that many never come. He offers info to help you file correctly, as some just don't understand their homeowners' insurance policy. He also tells you what to do if you feel you've been wrongly denied a claim.

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There's a lot of damage to clean up after Nashville's recent deadly ice storm. Before you hire ANYONE to help you recover from the winter storm and ice damage, know that scammers are here NOW, knocking on doors, claiming they can help, repair, even file your insurance claims for you. Robyn Householder, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky lists the top scams, and tells you how to NOT get taken advantage of. Robyn lists "Red Flags" to look out for when someone offers you a deal, including a company vehicle that's NOT marked with company logo, or someone urging you to make a decision NOW. Don't do it! Hear more in this interview, and make the BBB one of your first calls if you have any questions about a business, or if you think you've been scammed. More info at bbb.org or www.bbb.org/scamtracker

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Financial Advisor Paris Jackson with Northwestern Mutual talks to Anna about paying for the repairs to your property caused by the recent Middle TN ice storm. She talks about where to find the money in your budget to build your savings or emergency fund - including how to "buckle down!"

Paris also gives ideas about ways to pay for repairs (since every repair doesn't have to be made immediately) and the deductibles involved, and what to look for in your homeowners insurance policy. Most importantly, she says, is to ASSESS where you are, what expenses you're facing, and - if needed - ask for help.

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In this episode, the guest is Dr. Joseph Sharpe, Chief Medical Officer at Ascension Saint Thomas Behavioral Health Hospital. He talks about how to beat the winter blues. He says it can be a serious issue in January and February, especially, here in Middle Tennessee with the short days, cloudy conditions, and isolation caused by weather. He says regular sleep is vital, as well as exercise and healthful food. Getting out of the house and socializing is also important. Hear more about how to deal with it, in this interview. Read more about Dr. Sharpe HERE.

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Anna talks with Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Stephen Rich of Ascension Saint Thomas in Murfreesboro.

The doctor discusses various weight loss options, including medication, Behavior changes and surgery. Dr Rich says obesity is a disease, not a character fault. Everyone is different and may need a different approach from someone else with the same illness. Hear more options, and why not to give up hope that you can get back to a healthy body and a healthy life.

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Anna interviews Alan Pruitt, Tennessee State Advocate for the Middle Tennessee Area of Tops (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly). They talk about the power of starting SLOW with Weight Loss. Most people have started, and stopped, and started again, on various weight-loss plans, and lost (then gained back) hundreds of pounds.
Alan discusses some things we're missing in sustaining weight loss: starting slow, making sustainable goals, SUPPORT, and taking advantage of digital tools we didn't have before. The non-profit, noncommercial weight loss support and education group TOPS Club, Inc. can help. Read more at https://www.tops.org/home

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It's the time to start thinking about which school is right for your child in the Metro system. Anna talks with Shelby Doyle, Sr. VP of Policy and International Partnerships at the National School Choice Awareness Foundation.

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NASHVILLE AND MIDSTATE HOSPITALS NAMED TOP IN THE NATION*

U.S. News and World Report and Forbes have listed several local hospitals as cream of the crop!
For Maternity Care, Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown (sometimes called “The Baby Hospital”, for delivering more babies than any other hospital in the state) has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of 2026’s “Nation’s Best Hospitals.”
In this episode of Focus, Richelle Graham, Chief Nursing Officer at Ascension Saint Thomas, Midtown, tells what it takes to reach that level of excellence. Specialized areas include Care for Moms and Babies, including even the most complex pregnancies, and a full continuum of services, including certified nurse midwives and an experienced team of OB physicians, neonatal nurses and maternal fetal medicine specialists. She also talks about pre and post natal support and educational programs. You can find out more about them HERE.

*U.S. News and World Report also ranked Vanderbilt University Medical Center as number 1 in Nashville and Tennessee, and the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt recognized as one of the top Children’s Hospitals in the nation.

And Williamson Medical Center has been named on Forbes Magazine’s inaugural “Top Hospitals” 2026 list.

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