Utah Weekly Forum With Rebecca Cressman

New research reveals attitudes and perceptions about women in the workplace have changed with more men and women agreeing that the gender pay gap exists, sexual discrimation is a serious concern, and that the government needs to address childcare.  Dr. Susan Madsen leads the Utah Women & Leadership Project that released the statewide study from the Fall of 2024. Dr. Madsen joins FM100.3's Rebecca Cressman to discuss what the latest survey reveals and how it supports the efforts of "A Bolder Way Forward" a movement to help women, children, and families thrive in Utah.

The Discovery Gateway Children's Museum in downtown Salt Lake City offers Utah children hours of imaginative play and hands-on adventure. But in 2025, both younger and older children will find new exhibits at the Children's Museum to explore indoors and on top of the roof.  In this week's episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Kathleen Bodenlos, Discovery Gateway Children's Museum CEO, who shares the details on the new areas for children and parents to explore and explains more opportunities for the community to become involved.  For more information, visit https://www.discoverygateway.org/

It is the start of the new year and Univeristy of Utah Hospitals and Huntsman Cancer Institute are short on every blood blood type needed to care for local patients. But, when local Utahns give blood to ARUP Blood Services, those donations go directly to Utah hospitals to meet the demand for life-saving blood transfusions.  That's because 100% of the blood and platelets given local through ARUP stay local.  In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by ARUP Blood Services Community Relations Supervisor Deborah Jordan who explains why its urgent that Utahns give blood now. Currently at least 75 donors per day are needed to meet the growing demand for blood transfusions to treat local patients recovering from trauma, surgery, complicated medical conditions, and cancer. ARUP has two locations in Sandy and at the University of Utah's Research Park open 7 days a week. Donors can call 801-584-5272 or visit UtahBlood.org.

Men in Utah are at higher risk of suicide than women. And, in the construction industry's predominantly male workforce, it's even more worrisome. Suicide is the leading cause of death for construction workers, claiming more lives than all workplace-related fatalities combined. In this episode, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Marissa Gallegos, Benefits Manager at Big-D Construction who is an expert on mentoring and policy work in the construction industry.  Marissa explains how employers can transform a work culture to make it safe and normal for an employee in crisis to get help and what policies a workplace can put into place that will help prevent suicide and create a culture that supports mental health. To learn more about how to help someone live on, visit LiveOnUtah.org. Or to reach immediate help in Utah, text or call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

As Utah's population grows, the number of people who need support grows, too. Community Action Services and Food Bank, or CASFB, is a non-profit organization that helps individuals and families develop long-term self-reliance in Utah, Summit, and Wasatch Counties. In this episode, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Community Action Services Chief Impact Officer Jessica Miller who explains that by first providing critical food and housing support, CASFB is able to connect those individuals with mentors, reources, and services to help them rebuild their social and financial self-suffiency. Donations and volunteers are always needed. To give help or to get help from Community Action Services and Food Bank, visit CASFB.org.

The 2024 Festival of Trees opens Dec 4th-7th at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy, Utah offering Utahns a chance to celebrate Christmas together while raising money for Intermountain's Primary Children's Hospital. In this episode, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by 11-year old Ruby Thackeray- a young childhood cancer survivor who received care at Primary Children's Hospital, her mother Alli Thackeray, and Festival of Trees Co-Chair Jonique Dyer who share festival details and how the event helps provide special medical care for children in Utah and throughout the country. Tix are at FestivalofUtah.org.

It's the season of sickness, colds, and flus, and doctors’ offices often get crowded this time of the year. But, adults with basic medical concerns can access care without an appointment, video visit, or phone call by using "E-Visits" that cost $35 through the MyHealth+ app. In this episode, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Dr. Maurine Cobabe, an Intermountain Health Family Physician in West Jordan. Dr Cobabe explains what common medical illnesses can be addressed through E-Visits and how they make healthcare more accessible by allowing patients with an Intermountain Health patient portal account to send information about how they're feeling to a provider who reviews those symptoms, sends a diagnosis, and a treatment plan within a few hours. For more information, visit https://intermountainhealthcare.org/services/virtual-care/message-with-provider  

Cancer patients in Utah County will soon be able to find comprehensive cancer treatments and care closer to home. That's because Huntsman Cancer Institute is building a new campus in Vineyard situated close to I-15, a Frontrunner station, and Utah Valley University. In this episode, FM100.3 Host and Breast Cancer Survivor Rebecca Cressman is joined by Dr. Mary Beckerle, CEO of Huntsman Cancer Institute, Vineyard Mayor Julie Fullmer, and Lehi cancer survivor Jenni Thompson who share how the new center will give Utahns easier access to innovative treatments, enhance research collaborations with BYU and UVU, and improve the lives of cancer patients and their families. To learn more, visit HuntsmanCancer.org/Vineyard

Dr. Michael J Staley studies suicide in Utah and the data reveals that most of us would be surprised by who is most at-risk.  In this episode, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Dr. Staley, Utah's Suicide Prevention Research Coordinator, who shares how Utah is trending in regards to suicide and what specific things we can do to prevent it. For immediate help in a mental health crisis or to know what to do to help a loved one, text or call 988. The free Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is open 24 hours a day providing support from caring counselors and connections to helpful resources in Utah.

Award-winning composer and music artist Kurt Bestor will perform his annual A Kurt Bestor Christmas concerts on December 5-7, 2024 at the Eccles Theater in downtown Salt Lake City.  Bestor's shows will be one of the only Christmas concerts in the state that feature a full, live band comprised of some of Utah's and the country's most talented musicians. In this episode FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Kurt Bestor who reveals who this year's special guests will be and gives us a sneak peak of songs he'll be performing from his brand new album, "Etches." For show information and tickets, visit Artix or Live-at-the-Eccles.com.

From emergency food and shelter services to recovery programs, the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake has real and compassionate solutions to homelessness. In this episode, FM100.3 Rebecca Cressman is joined by Chris Croswhite, the Pastor and Executive Director of the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake and Curtis, an inspiring graduate of the programs that turn lives around. The Rescue Mission of Salt Lake receives no government funding and needs more community support to continue to change lives. To learn how to help, visit https://rescuesaltlake.org/

The legendary story of Jekyll & Hyde opens Ballet West’s season from Oct. 25 – Nov. 2 at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre. Though the adult psychological thriller is just in time for Halloween, audiences will see the company dance and act out the complex story in a new and surprising way. FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Ballet West's Artistic Director Adam Sklute who explains how the innovative storytelling in this new portrayal of Jekyll & Hyde pushes the boundaries of classical ballet while connecting the audience to modern themes like addiction, mental instability, and the complexity found within ourselves. For ticket info, visit balletwest.org.

Utah breast cancer survivor Cami Kapp has created "Pink Sync", offering free support and events for breast cancer patients dedicated to helping them connect and manage their lives while fighting the disease.  The main event is the free "Pink Sync: Lift & Support" gathering on Saturday, October 12th, from 10am-1:30pm at the Experience Event Center at 1440 Moon River Drive in Provo, Utah. In this episode, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Pink Sync Founder Cami Kapp and Volunteer Board Members Brenda Sanjuan and Toni Allman. All breast cancer survivors, they share the details of the event that provides classes and discussions about every stage of breast cancer with Intermountain Health physicans, nurses, local therapists, and provides local resources, a catered lunch, and time to meet and connect with other survivors experiencing similar treatments. To attend the free event, register at PinkSync.org. 

CEO Allyse Jackson founded Beehive Meals in her northern Utah kitchen in 2019. Now the woman-led business delivers thousands of sets of fully prepped freezer meals throughout the state (and beyond) making Beehive Meals one of America's fastest growing private companies as named by Inc. 5000. The success hinges not just on the recipes, but on how Beehive Meals freezer meals make it quick and easy for families to have dinner together. In this episode, Beehive Meals Founder Allyse Jackson joins FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman and talks about how she and her husband, Adam, have created a business that is not only successful but grounded in giving back to the community. Beehive Meals is FM100.3's Think Pink Breast Cancer Awareness partner helping to lighten the load of those whose lives are affected by breast cancer.

Freight, passenger, and Frontrunner trains and light rail crisscross across Utah's roadways and neighborhoods. The trains travel at forceful speeds, yet many drivers and pedestrians underestimate the danger of crossing and trespassing railway tracks.  For Rail Safety Week, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined in this episode by Vern Keesler, Executive Director of Utah Operation Life Saver, who shares why approaching railway crossings with extra caution is vital to saving lives. To learn more about how to avoid tragic collisions at Utah's railways, visit UtahOperationLifeSaver.org.

All across the country, community gardens create a space for people to connect to each other and to enjoy helping each other plant and harvest healthy, locally grown food. Community Action Services and Food Bank in Utah County now has 3 community gardens in Provo City and 1 in Spanish Fork City created with partnerships with local cities and volunteers. In this episode, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by CASFB Community Garden Program Manager Hillary Wittaker and Angie Hatch, the volunteer leader of the Spanish Fork Community Garden. They share how the gardens are just one of the many supportive programs and resources that Community Action Services and Food Bank offers to help individuals and families gain self-reliance, financial stability, and food security. To volunteer or to learn more visit,  https://www.communityactionprovo.org/

Some of Utah's best dancers are now zombies, vampires, and other Halloween villains as Odyssey Dance Theatre reprises it's legacy show 'Thriller' to the stage. In this episode, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by ODT Founder and Executive Director Derryl Yeager who shares what new  surprises have been added to the family-friendly show. Thriller, the Musical is touring in 5 Utah cities but will now have an extended theatrical run from October 14th-26th at the Grand Theater in Salt Lake City. For more information, visit https://odysseydance.com.

Expectant mothers have many decisions to make before they welcome a baby, like who will provide her prenatal care and where will she labor and deliver her baby. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Elaine Thompson - Certified Nurse Midwife and Family Nurse Practitioner at Intermountain Health Sanpete Valley. As a skilled provider in obstetrics and midwifery, Thompson shares the benefits of community hospitals where mothers can choose Certified Nurse Wives or OB-GYNs for pregnancy care and opt for low-intervention childbirths in smaller settings, closer to home, and with the safety net of advanced expertise and higher-level care if needed. Learn more about Pregnancy and Baby care options on Intermountainhealthcare.org.

September marks the beginning of free classes and neighbor-to-neighbor service projects at West Valley City's My Hometown Community Resource Centers (CRCs) in Northeast Granger, Central Granger, West Granger, & Central Valley View. The centers are staffed by neighborhood volunteers who help coordinate Days of Service to improve local homes in need and who teach everything from English as a second langauge to parenting, and from pathways to citizenship to piano. The goal? To help others, expand opportunities, and to form friendships and connections within WVC communities. The My Hometown Initiative is expanding to other cities along the Wasatch Front. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by West Valley Mayor Karen Lang, My Hometown Initiative leaders Craig and Linda Burton, and WVC My Hometown Chair Randy Whitehead who share the impact of this partnership between the city's community members, the Interfaith Council, local businesses, local churches, and The Church o

Utah's Spanish-speaking population is growing and their financial needs are as diverse as their backgrounds. So, how can an organization or business develop strategies that will better serve, engage, and connect with Hispanic communities?  In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Ileana McDonald, Granite Credit Union's Director of Community Relations, and Juan Londono, Marketing & Communication Specialist, who share how the credit union created initiatives and thoughtful outreach to give Hispanic Utahns greater access and connection to local financial services & resources.