Utah Weekly Forum With Rebecca Cressman

In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, Hale Center Theatre Co-Founder Sally Dietlein joins FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman and shares the exciting theatre productions this season in Sandy, Utah. Though the pandemic shuttered shows for a short-time, the return of world-class productions and actors on stage showcased just how important the arts and theatre is to the Wasatch Front community and beyond.

An unconventional convention designed for adults on the autism spectrum called Autcon will be back in Provo, May 13-14th.  In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Scenic View Academy's Program Director Jared Stewart and Benefits Skills Coordinator Sarah Heuser. They explain how Autcon creates an event where all who attend can feel they belong and gives opportunities for personal and professional growth and community connections with engaging speaker sessions and entertaining games and cosplay.  More information and ticket info can be found at SVAcademy.org.

Many people during the COVID-19 pandemic were suddenly faced with making vital decisions about their healthcare. Yet, some patients were too seriously ill to make those choices themselves. Since medical emergencies can happen at any time, every adult should put their future healthcare decisions in writing so loved ones and providers can know what kind of care they'd want. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3's Rebecca Cressman discusses how to make advance directives that reflect your wishes for the future with Dr. Dominic Moore, medical director of palliative care at Intermountain Healthcare and a pediatric palliative care physician with University of Utah Health. Advance care planning forms and info can be found at Intermountainhealthcare.org.

Over 100 years ago, a humble Hawaiian surfer named Duke Kahanamoku became an Olympic swimming legend, introduced the world to surfing, and saved so many lives in the ocean he became the inspiration of the modern-day Lifeguard. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3's Rebecca Cressman interviews Utah film director Isaac Halasima about his new documentary, "Waterman", and how the American hero called the "Father of Surfing" brought the world the spirit of Aloha and changed the way people viewed Hawaiians for generations. 

Spring is bringing a season of wildlife conservation inside and outside of Utah's Hogle Zoo. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Hogle Zoo's Jeff Meigs to get the latest on the zoo's animals large and small and on upcoming events where neighbors and volunteers can join the zoo to improve and preserve Jordan River habitats, Utah's wildlife, and partner together to conserve the natural world around us.

As world events highlight the increasing risk of cyberattacks upon the United States, there’s also greater worries of how cyberwarfare could affect businesses and individuals in Utah and beyond. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by cybersecurity expert Brandon Amacher, the Director of the Emerging Tech Policy Lab at Utah Valley University. Amacher explains why the U.S. is so vulnerable to cyberwarfare and the important steps each of us can take to personally secure our data, computer systems, and businesses.

There are nearly 75 Utah children on a waiting list hoping a volunteer steps into their lives to be a friend, mentor, and cheerleader.  You can help by sharing an hour or two of your time each month to help these children, some who live in poverty or who are refugees, or by joining events like Bowl for Kids' Sake on March 26th in Salt Lake City or April 20th & 23rd in Park City. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah President and CEO Nancy Winemiller-Basinger who shares more about these little brothers and sisters in need and the impact each volunteer can make in their lives. More info at bbbsu.org.

March is Women's History month and there are new insights on the common ways women in Utah feel undervalued and experience sexism.  In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, Tech-Moms Co-founder and Utah Women & Leadership Project Research Fellow Robbyn Scribner joins FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman to share the latest sexist comments and limitations Utah women have reported and what strategies the women use to push back. The Utah Women & Leadership Project is celebrating Women's History Month with many activities that the community is invited to attend. Details are on UTWomen.org.

Samira Harnish founded Women of the World to help women displaced from their home countries gain economic success, education, support, and to learn English. One of the main cultural and fundraising events the organization presents each year is the Fashion Show and Cultural Gala where refugees can showcase traditional garments from their home country and culture. This year's event is at Trolley Square, March 9th, 2022. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, Samira Harnish joins FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman with details on how the community can help support these women regain independence and celebrate their resilience and dignity. 

All around us are unhealthy messages about dieting and unrealistic expectations towards body images.  Those influences and others can leave teens and adults vulnerable to developing an Eating Disorder. In this week’s edition of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Huntsman Mental Health Institute Psychiatrist Dr. Kristin Francis who shares how they are complex, yet treatable, but require urgent care at the first sign that an Eating Disorder may be developing. For more information, visit https://healthcare.utah.edu/hmhi/conditions/eating-disorders/

The LDS Film Festival will soon rebrand itself as Zion Film Festival, but that new vision will start after this year’s festival draws its curtains. The 2022 festival runs March 2nd-March 5th at the Scera Center for the Arts giving audiences a chance to see the new documentary “Waterman” narrated by Jason Mamoa, view other highly anticipated films, join panel discussions, and meet filmmakers, actors, and producers. In this week’s episode of Utah Weekly Forum, festival owners and co-directors Marshall Moore and Michelle Moore join FM100.3’s Rebecca Cressman to share the details of this year’s festival and their vision moving forward.

The last two years have been challenging healthcare providers and therapists as the pandemic and the quarantine upended the lives, workflows, and emotions of both patients and professionals. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3’s Rebecca Cressman is joined by Psychologist Dr. Denise Lash, Director of Therapy for Intermountain Healthcare who shares the different causes and effects of therapist burnout and what mental health professionals can do to cope. 

It may seem natural to you to have a dozen or more books in your children's rooms, but only 1 in 300 children living in high poverty areas have age-appropriate books in their homes.  A new initiative called the TABC Book Drop is changing that. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, New York Times Bestselling author Jennifer Nielsen and Author and Teen Author Boot Camp Executive Director Jennifer Jenkins join FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman to explain how they're bringing free books to Title One schoolchildren and personal visits from authors to ignite a love of reading that will springboard the kids on to future success. To help or learn more, visit TeenAuthorBootCamp.com.

Dramafy launched in July of 2021 and now hosts over 1,000 audio dramas and stories. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, Dramafy Founder Elizabeth Hansen, an award-winning Utah writer, director, and actor,  joins FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman to share how her love of old-fashion radio dramas inspired her to create a new family friendly streaming service called Dramafy.

The well-loved Christmas story of how the fictional George Bailey discovers how important his life is to others is brought to stage in music and dance with Odyssey Dance Theatre. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, ODT Founder and Director Derryl Yeager, joins FM100.3’s Rebecca Cressman and shares how this unique portrayal of the classic story underscores the extraordinary value of our ordinary lives. 

A new radio drama called "A Nightshift Christmas" fictionalizes a chapter in the life of Richard LedBetter, an 89-year-old retired Security Guard whose poetry and life lessons captured the hearts of Utah. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Richard Ledbetter and Bonneville producer Candice Madsen who share the touching real-life story behind the radio drama that can be heard on the "Tales of Christmas" podcast, KSLNewsradio, and FM100.3 this holiday season. 

The pandemic not only caused a surge in anxiety and depression in students, but those students faced other dangers as new research shows middle school aged children abused more prescription sedatives. In this week’s edition of Utah Weekly Forum, Intermountain Healthcare Pain Management Services Vice-President Kim Compagni joins FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman to explain what parents and the public need to know about the very real danger of prescription medications and what they can do now to prevent misuse by children, teens, and adults. More information about safe storage, disposal, and support can be found at KnowYourScript.org.

For years when a child’s health was on the line, parents across the Intermountain west knew they could turn to Primary Children’s Hospital for life-saving or life changing specialty care. On December 3rd, Utahns will have the chance to come together to support the hospital during the annual KSL Give-a-thon on Bonneville Media. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by KSLTV Anchor and Reporter Ashlee Moser who shares her own personal experience the moment she entrusted her newborn daughter that the care of Primary Children’s Hospital. Guest KSLTV Special Projects Producer Angie Denison explains how community donations are vitally connected to the heartfelt stories broadcast on KSL5TV & Newsradio during the Give-a-thon and why more support is needed to care for the child, first and always.

After its big screen debut and short hiatus from the stage, The Forgotten Carols returns to its home on the stage with nine performances along the Wasatch Front beginning on Monday, December 13. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by show creator Michael McLean who pulls back the curtain on the suprising changes coming on stage to mark the 30th anniversary of The Forgotten Carols.

Veterans Day falls on November 11th but there are many ways communities can show their appreciation and give veterans meaningful support all year long. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3's Rebecca Cressman is joined by Jill Atwood, Veterans Affairs Salt Lake Healthcare's Director of Communications who shares the powerful impact military service has on our veterans and ways we can honor that sacrifice.