Mile High Magazine Podcast

Guest: Paula Schriefer CEO

The immigration crackdown is having a devastating effect upon legal immigrants doing translation services for companies and government agencies. The Spring Institute provides these services while also assisting refugees with career pathways and assisting medical professionals to also become certified in America.

https://springinstitute.org/

Guest: Nancy McKay Founder

Nancy supports women in their healing journeys using horse‑assisted therapy. Many women feel pressure to be strong and handle everything, which becomes exhausting—especially during the holidays when perfection feels expected. Setting boundaries is healthy and helps protect your well‑being. Signs of overwhelm can show up as irritability with loved ones. The first step is recognizing you’re overloaded and can’t do it all. Even strong women need support, and asking for help is a sign of being human, not weak.

https://www.womenempoweredrecovery.com/

Guest: Nadine Cornish, Family Caregiving Consultant and Certified Senior Advisor

An estimated 600-870,000 persons in Colorado are presently performing an estimated 560 million hours of challenging work as unpaid caregivers. Between 2010 and 2020 Colorado’s aging 65+ population grew by over 58% on a pace to create a shortfall of caregivers by 115,000 by 2030. This program covered support for present caregivers and how to meet the caregiving shortfall.

Guest: Major Nesan Kistan, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army Intermountain Division

For 160 years, The Salvation Army has supported vulnerable communities across the U.S. through food pantries, shelters, financial aid, and youth programs. In Denver, its addiction recovery program helps 150 men every six months, while nationwide the organization has provided more than two million meals and 1.5 million shelter nights. On December 21, it will host a Christmas dinner from 4–6 p.m. at the Convention Center, welcoming anyone in need of holiday fellowship. Community members can also support the mission by donating to the iconic Red Kettles, where even small contributions make a big impact. Importantly, all donations remain within the donor’s local zip code, ensuring that neighbors directly benefit from the generosity of their community.

https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usa-western-territory/intermountain/

Guest: Nadine Cornish, Family Caregiving Consultant and Certified Senior Advisor

An estimated 600-870,000 persons in Colorado are presently performing an estimated 560 million hours of challenging work as unpaid caregivers. Between 2010 and 2020 Colorado’s aging 65+ population grew by over 58% on a pace to create a shortfall of caregivers by 115,000 by 2030. This program covered support for present caregivers and how to meet the caregiving shortfall.

Guest: Michael Rush Media Outreach Lead

The Giving Machines have been a Denver tradition since 2017, returning for the third year to the Cherry Creek North Shopping Center. These bright red vending machines offer a unique way to give back, allowing people to purchase donation items that benefit five local nonprofits—the African Community Center, Colorado National Guard Foundation, Project Cure, The Action Center, and Weecycle—as well as two global charities. Open 24/7 from November 19, 2025, through January 4, 2026, at 2nd and Fillmore next to the Winter Wonderland holiday market, the machines feature 30 items ranging from $5 to $250, such as food and clothing for families, Wi-Fi access for Guard members, hero dolls for children, and funeral funding. Sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which covers all operating costs, the Giving Machines provide a tangible, inspiring way to support those in need both locally and globally.

https://givingmachinedenver.org/

Guest: Eileen Doherty Executive Director

The Medicare and healthcare open enrollment period ends in a couple of weeks. This year the push by companies for Medicare Advantage versus traditional Medicare is causing a higher level of confusion. Add to this, information on cuts to health care out of Washington, DC and what people can do to protect themselves into this level of concern.

https://www.senioranswers.org/

Guest: Janine Jackson Sr. Advisor, Area Development – Rocky Mountain States

Country cares for St. Jude Radiothon is the largest fundraising event for St. Jude.  When St. Jude opened childhood cancer was largely considered incurable, but since then the survival rate has increased from 20% to more than 80%.  The money raised goes to life saving research and they share the research freely with doctors and hospitals.  The children who are seen at St. Jude, their diagnosis is often so rare that they're not able to get care where they live and St. Jude provides children cutting edge treatments not covered by insurance.  Families who are at St. Jude never receive a bill for travel, treatment, housing and even food.  December 10^th and 11^th is the annual Country cares for St. Jude Radiothon.  KYGO has been a partner for the event for over 30 years.  By donating just $19.00 a month you become a Partner in Hope and you help to fund the research and help the kids that are in their hospital, plus you also get a This Shirt Saves Lives shirts.  

stjude.org/radio/kygo

Guest: Tanya Davis, Director, Butterfly Rising Adrienne Moore, Director ENCANA cancer action network for African American women

Endometrial cancer takes the lives of over 13,000 women annually with an estimated 66,200 new cases being diagnosed each year in the U.S. Akin to uterine, endometrial affects the lining of the uterus. Incidents of this form of cancer has been increasing among Hispanic/Latino and African American women.

Guest: Jonna Busack Director, Marketing & Corporate Partnerships 

Ronald McDonald House provides temporary housing for families who've traveled to Denver to get medical treatment for their kids and no family is ever charged to stay there.  The families can stay at the Ronald McDonald House for as long as their child is receiving treatment.  The Ronald McDonald House is similar to a hotel room but they also provide free meals and even laundry.  Coming up on December 10^th is the annual Light the House Radiothon.  All the money raised that day goes directly to the Ronald McDonald House.  It starts at 6a and goes until the final total is revealed at 6p.

rmch-denver.org.

Guest: Joanna Wise Press Relations Manager

Bonneville stations are partnering with Food Bank of the Rockies—the largest hunger-relief organization in the Rocky Mountain region—to collect donations at the Walmart Supercenter in Highlands Ranch, supporting food distribution across 33 Colorado counties where demand has risen by 40%. The Food Bank urgently needs canned protein, peanut butter, vegetables, fruit, soup, stuffing, and baking mixes, and welcomes both monetary and food donations. Those wishing to make a greater impact can also volunteer to help distribute food directly to families in need.

foodbankrockies.org

Guest: Corinna Comer Executive Director

For over 12 years the Healing Warriors program has been providing non-narcotic therapy and support at no-cost to veterans, service members and families through offices in Denver, Ft. Collins and Colorado Springs. The support includes anxiety and stress, PTSD, sleep disturbance, suicide prevention and wellness.

https://www.healingwarriorsprogram.org/

Guest: Dale Emme Executive Director and Co-Founder

The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program was founded 31 years ago after the loss of the founders’ youngest son, Mike, to suicide. From this tragedy came the phrase “It’s okay to ask for help,” printed on cards with crisis resources. One such card reached Wyoming, where a young woman in distress handed it to a counselor and received immediate support. The program stresses that in moments of crisis, people need simple, direct guidance. Research highlights three key steps: stay with the person, listen with compassion, and seek professional help right away. This straightforward approach continues to make it easier for individuals to reach out when they need it most.

yellowribbon.org

Guest: Peter Klades Executive Director

Next year Colorado celebrates its 150th Anniversary as a state. This is being coupled with the national 250^th Anniversary celebration of America as a country. A group of organizations and companies are working to support this state recognition. In addition to this, one foundation, Next 50, is also supporting new ways to make aging better for Coloradoans.

https://next50foundation.org/

Guest: Marnie Kamensky Director of Development

Three Birds Alliance is Aurora’s only 24/7 domestic violence shelter, supporting victims, their children, and pets. They offer emergency and extended-stay housing, counseling, and court advocacy. In 2024, they served over 1,750 survivors, provided 8,300 nights of shelter, and answered 3,500 crisis calls. Domestic violence often follows a cycle of abuse, making it difficult for survivors to leave—many attempt to escape multiple times before finding safety.

Threebirdsalliance.org

303-343-1851

Guest: Dr. Xavier Glover

The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommends that men discuss prostate cancer screening between ages 55-69.  About 6 in 10 prostate cancers are diagnosed in men age 65+ with the average age being 67. As too many men sneak out on anything that mentions prostate cancer, on this edition we bring the subject to them.

Guest: Dr. Xavier Glover

The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommends that men discuss prostate cancer screening between ages 55-69.  About 6 in 10 prostate cancers are diagnosed in men age 65+ with the average age being 67. As too many men sneak out on anything that mentions prostate cancer, on this edition we bring the subject to them.

Guest: Michelle Sie Whitten, Co-Founder, President & Ceo, Global Down Syndrome Foundation

Michelle founded the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, inspired by her daughter Sophia, who has Down syndrome. The foundation is dedicated to extending life expectancy and improving health outcomes through groundbreaking research and care.

It established the Crnic Institute, supporting over 400 scientists, and the Sie Center at Children’s Hospital Colorado—the largest Down syndrome medical care center in the U.S. They also operate an adult clinic at Denver Health and lead national advocacy efforts.

On October 18th, the foundation will host its 18th annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show—the world’s largest fundraiser for Down syndrome. The event features celebrities, professional models, and individuals with Down syndrome walking the runway to celebrate inclusion, beauty, and achievement. It’s a powerful night that raises critical funds and awareness.

https://bebeautifulbeyourself.org/

Guest: Eileen Doherty, Executive Director

Key important changes are coming to Medicare and Medicaid next year especially involving Medicare Advantage plans. With the release of the latest issue of Medicare rules by the Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services and the annual enrollment or changes period just a couple weeks away, accurate insight and information from the non-profit Senior Answers/Colorado Gerontological Society is highly necessary for Colorado older adults.

Guest: Eileen Doherty, Executive Director

Key important changes are coming to Medicare and Medicaid next year especially involving Medicare Advantage plans. With the release of the latest issue of Medicare rules by the Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services and the annual enrollment or changes period just a couple weeks away, accurate insight and information from the non-profit Senior Answers/Colorado Gerontological Society is highly necessary for Colorado older adults.

Guest: Dawn Guerrero Senior Manager, Patient & Community Outreach

Blood Cancer United, formerly known as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, changed its name to better represent all types of blood cancers—of which there are over 100. The organization funds research, advocates for patients, and offers financial, emotional, and educational support to individuals and families affected by blood cancer. Their Dare to Dream Project focuses on improving treatment for children, recognizing that pediatric blood cancers differ from those in adults and require tailored care.

bloodcancerunited.org

Guest: David Dani CDPHE Emerging Contaminants Coordinator

Colorado has an increasing problem of drinking water contaminated with PFAS, Polyfluoroalkyl substances. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment with its new PFAS Action Plan is working to eliminate theses substances from our water, lakes and streams. It is also working to eliminate PFAS from products being purchased by the public.

https://cdphe.colorado.gov/environmental-justice