Thomas Rhett, Cruise Getaways & Family Care | The Dallas Download S2E27

Country music memories, family cruise adventures, and conversations that matter—this week on The Dallas Download! Kayla G welcomes experts on multiple myeloma and vacation planning, while Dan G chats with Thomas Rhett and the creative talent behind PBS KIDS’ Donkey Hodie. Plus, explore furniture safety, World Cup tourism, school food waste, and support for families balancing care for children and aging parents. 📺 EPISODE BREAKDOWN 00:00 – Welcome to The Dallas Download Kayla G previews this week’s entertainment, travel, health, and family features on KDAF in Dallas–Fort Worth. 00:22 – Donkey Hodie: Finding the Little Wins Co-executive producer Kristin DiQuollo and actor and advocate Jay Thomas Manuel join Dan to discuss the PBS KIDS series inspired by Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Discover how Jeff Mouse brings authentic wheelchair representation to the screen, and how humor, friendship, and celebrating small victories help children build resilience. 04:39 – Thomas Rhett’s Soundtrack to Life Tour Thomas Rhett talks with Dan about the songs that become part of our biggest life moments—including fans choosing “Die a Happy Man” for their first dance. He shares how he balances longtime favorites with newer music, celebrates his tour’s rising artists, and hopes audiences leave each concert feeling a little lighter. 08:41 – Multiple Myeloma: A Patient’s Perspective Dr. Joseph Mikhael of HonorHealth Research Institute and Tara, a nurse practitioner living with multiple myeloma, join Kayla for a conversation about diagnosis, relapse, and access to care close to home. Dr. Mikhael discusses BLENREP, treatment considerations, and eye monitoring, while Tara shares the emotional impact of becoming a patient and the importance of communication with her healthcare team. 14:22 – Bahamas Cruise Adventures & Great Tides Waterpark Cruise Critic editor-in-chief Colleen McDaniel shares her firsthand experience at Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Tides Waterpark on Great Stirrup Cay. Hear about waterslides, family attractions, and private-island experiences, plus planning tips for Dallas travelers considering departures from Galveston or Florida. Kayla is already ready to request time off! 17:32 – Furniture Safety Week: Five Hazards to Know Emmy-winning consumer advocate Elisabeth Leamy highlights furniture safety concerns, including dresser tip-overs, mattress foam certification, older upholstery, bunk beds, and glass tabletops. Learn what to look for when shopping and where to find recall information and additional safety resources. 19:46 – World Cup Tourism Beyond the Stadiums Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, discusses how World Cup visitors explored communities beyond the host cities. The conversation looks at spending at local businesses, the broader economic impact of travel, and opportunities to build on the tournament’s tourism momentum. 23:11 – Food Waste Warriors: Rethinking School Lunch Pete Pearson, World Wildlife Fund’s vice president of food loss and waste, explains how students are tackling cafeteria food waste through hands-on waste audits. Discover how share tables, composting, meal planning, and using the freezer can help schools and families make better use of food. 26:06 – Caring for Kids & Aging Parents Visiting Angels president Scott Parrish discusses the pressures facing the “sandwich generation.” Hear findings from a caregiver survey and practical ways families can prepare: start conversations early, understand local resources, and build a shared caregiving plan. 28:09 – Thanks for Watching! Kayla wraps up this week’s Dallas Download. 🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS Donkey Hodie / PBS KIDS: https://pbskids.org/donkeyhodie/ Thomas Rhett: https://www.thomasrhett.com/ Norwegian Cruise Line: https://www.ncl.com/ Cruise Critic: https://www.cruisecritic.com/ Furniture Safety: https://saferhome.info/ Product Safety & Recalls: https://www.saferproducts.gov/ U.S. Travel Association: https://www.ustravel.org/ WWF Food Waste Warriors: https://www.worldwildlife.org/fww Visiting Angels: https://www.visitingangels.com/ 👍 Enjoyed the episode? Like, subscribe, and share The Dallas Download! Tell us in the comments: Which Thomas Rhett song is part of your life’s soundtrack? Follow us on social media for more interviews and helpful tips between episodes. #TheDallasDownload #DallasFortWorth #ThomasRhett #DonkeyHodie #CruiseTravel #MultipleMyeloma #FoodWaste #FamilyCaregiving