Utah Weekly Forum With Rebecca Cressman

This year Utah Valley celebrated the opening of The Ruth, the new theater on the doTERRA campus in Pleasant Grove.  The new state of the art theatrical facility is part of the legacy of Ruth and Nathan Hale and replaced the smaller Hale Center Theater in Orem whose plays entertained audiences for 30 years. In this episode, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by The Ruth's Marketing Director Brighton Sloan and Director of Customer Experience Kristine Witdfeldt who highlight this season's plays and the new theater's impact on the arts in Utah Valley.  

The United Way of Utah County has 3 community centers throughout the valley that offer programs and experiences to help adults and families connect to each other and to emotional, social, and economic support. These local community centers make a big impact on the well-being of children and neighborhoods. In this episode, FM100.3's Rebecca Cressman is joined by United Way of Utah County's Katie Hoshino, Senior Director of Community Connections, and Michaelann Gardner, Senior Collbarative Impact Director, who explain the many ways United Way of Utah County works to change lives. 

Utah’s high altitude and genetics are just two of the reasons why Utahns are at higher risk of developing melanoma. That’s why it’s important to learn how to prevent skin cancer and to get your skin screened regularly. In this week's episode of Utah Weekly Forum,  FM100.3's Rebecca is joined by Dr. Breton Yates with Swinyer Woseth Dermatology, who explains what dermatologists are looking for during screenings and what you can do to safeguard your health during Skin Cancer Awareness Month and beyond. You can find more helpful information at www.dwoseth.com.

On June 9th, violinist Jenny Oaks Baker and her accomplished children, musical group Family Four, will present a new show called American Mosaic: Celebrating God, Country, and Culture" that commemorates the country's beauty and diversity through music, dance, and narration at the Sandy Amphitheater. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, the Grammy nominated musician Jenny Oaks Baker joins FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman to explain how the show narrated by actor Ben Lomu with music composed by Kurt Bestor will showcase voices, dances, and traditions that shaped the American experience to uplift and unite families and communities. Tickets are available at JennyOaksBaker.com - use code USA15 to save 15% off.

On May 17th, the community is invited to celebrate the birthday and life-changing services at Community Action Services and Food Bank in Provo. The free Saturday event runs from 11am-2pm and the first 200 attendees get free Food Truck vouchers. There will also be giveaways, games, crafts, a toddler bounce house for kids and hourly behind-the-scenes Food Bank Tours. In this episode, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Community Action Services and Food Bank Chief Impact Officer Jessical Miller, Executive Director Karen McCandless, and Chief Operations Officer who share more details of the Birthday Bash celebration and the emergency housing, food, and self-reliance resources, classses, and mentoring available to help to help individuals and families living in three Utah counties. More details at CommunityActionProvo.org .

A free community bike ride on May 10th, 2025 is giving beginning and advanced cyclists the chance to ride, celebrate, and explore the safe, connected trails and river parkways of the Wasatch Front Trail Network from Ogden to Provo. The Golden Spoke Ride offers free registration via GoldenSpoke.Net, different starting times and locations, kid friendly rides, pre-ride festivities and a 53 mile Nature Center Ride start at 9:00am at the Tracy Aviary’s Nature Center at Pia Okwai at 33rd South 1000 West in Salt Lake City.  In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Jordan River Commission Executive Director Soren Simonsen, Hugh Van Wagenen, Active Transportation Planner with the Wasatch Front Regional Council, and Jordan River Commission Event & Volunteer Manager Julie Williams who share all the ways Utahns can explore and enjoy interconnected trails along the Wasatch Front.

Treatments for breast cancer can impact a survivor's self-image and change a woman's body creating menopausal, pelvic floor, and intimacy issues. On Saturday, April 12th, the Image Reborn Foundation is hosting their 3rd annual Breast Cancer Conference to build understanding and give tools to manage the symptoms, increase body positivity, and help restore sexual health after breast cancer.  In this episode, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Image Reborn Program Director Ally Morrison, Board Member & Breast Cancer Survivor Mary Nickles, and Retreat Volunteer and Breast Cancer Thriver Anna Jensen who explain why the support the conference provides. Rise & Reginite: Embracing Love, Confidence, and a New You is Saturday, April 12th, from 9:00am-4:30pm at the Park City Hospital Blair Education Center and features speakers that include Dr. Camille Moreno, OBGYN, Dr. Jordan Rullo, certified sex therapist, and Dana Levy, Survivor Wellness Executive Director. Registration is a sliding scale from $

Alma Richards, a high school teen from Parowan Utah, won Utah’s first gold medal in the high jump in the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games. A new film called “Raising the Bar, the Alma Richards Story” tells the story of how the young farm boy jumped onto the world stage. In this episode, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Filmmaker T.C. Christensen who shares why he chose to create a film about Alma Richards and what audiences will find inspiring when the movie opens in theaters starting April 24th.

Do you know who in your circle or community is disenfranchised or disconnected from others? Have you taken the time to check on them and to tell them that they matter to you? Did you know that bystanders and not just close friends and family can help someone in a suicidal crisis? Dr. Michael Staley is Utah’s Suicide Prevention Coordinator with the Office of Medical Examiner. In this episode he joins FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman to share what Utah has learned about lifesaving conversations and relationships that can prevent suicide. For immediate and professional support for you or someone you care about who may be in an emotional crisis, text or call 988. To learn more, visit LiveOnUtah.org

The Feed Utah food drive on March 15th is a statewide effort to collect food and refill the shelves and local pantries of Utah Food Bank's 270 partner agencies throughout Utah. It's more important than ever as Utah's cost of living spikes have left nearly 415 thousand Utahns without enough money to afford their next meal. In this episode, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Utah Food Bank CEO Ginette Bott who shares the details on how to help and what to donate to help provide meals to neighbors in need. More info is on UtahFoodBank.org

A slate of new films by local and international film directors and producers will be debuted at the 2025 Zions Indie Film Festival February 24th-March 1st at the Scera Center in Orem. In this episode, FM100 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by festival owners and co-directors Marshall and Michelle Moore who share the details on the lineup that includes short films, documentaries, features, music videos, screenplays and expert panel discussion. For more info, visit ZionsIndieFilmFest.com

A Utah family has formed the non-profit Power Forward Utah to advocate for those living with substance use to find meaningful recovery. In this episode, FM100's Rebecca Cressman is joined by Founder and Co-Founder Tiffany and Raven James who explain that the advocacy and sober living resources they provide honor their son and brother Zane James and are based on a model created by NHL Hall of Fame Power Forward Kevin Stevens, a partner who founded Power Forward in Massachusetts. For more info visit, PowerFowardUtah.com.

Each year, Utah welcomes new refugees escaping violence, danger, and hardships in countries around the world. But starting new lives in new communities has its own unique challenges for families. That's why local volunteers with the nonprofit WARD foundation are working to provide them necessities like food, diapers, bikes, household goods, clothing, and commuity support. In this week's edition of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Jessica White and Marty Bodell, board members of the WARD Foundation, who explain their mission and how others can get involved.   For more information or to volunteer, visit the WARD Foundation Facebook page.  

In Utah, you can connect to a trained mental halth counselor confidentially and almost immediately by calling or texting 988. The 988 lifeline and the SAFEUT app are two essential tools that provide anyone in Utah help in an emotional crisis. In this episode, FM100.3's Rebecca Cressman is joined by Rachel Lucynski who directs Huntsman Mental Health Institute's Commuity Crisis Intervention who explains how real-time mental health support is providing urgent support to thousands of Utahns at home, work, and in Utah's schools.

Being outdoors is good for our minds and bodies and a non-profit called Veterans in the Wild creates expeditions specifically to help military veterans access those benefits. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by retired Navy Commander Brandon Harding who explains his mission to provide transformative wilderness expeditions, some of them here in Utah, to help empower veterans to find healing and connection in nature.

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.