Amazon AI Shopping, Grill Dads & Lifesaving CPR | Rise & Unwind S2E43

Smarter holiday shopping, easier weeknight dinners, and a story of friendship and lifesaving action! Dan Gutierrez welcomes animal trainer Andrew Simpson, the Grill Dads, and experts in digital safety, family fitness, and health for Rise & Unwind, Season 2, Episode 43. Plus, discover how Amazon is using AI to help shoppers find gifts, explore active screen time with Nex Playground, and learn what questions to ask about menopause symptoms and prescription benefits. 📺 EPISODE BREAKDOWN 00:00 – Welcome to Rise & Unwind A preview of this week’s conversations, from holiday shopping ideas to one man’s experience helping save a friend’s life. 00:31 – Andrew Simpson: Behind the Scenes of Heart of the Beast Animal trainer and coordinator Andrew Simpson shares how four dogs brought Odin to life alongside Brad Pitt in this wilderness survival film. Hear how Pitt built a bond with his canine costars and how preparation, training, and safety measures helped create intense animal action. 04:05 – The Grill Dads: Solving the Dinner Dilemma Mark Anderson and Ryan Fey share practical ways to simplify meal planning with Johnsonville, including sausage-and-pepper tacos and a “cook once, eat twice” approach to leftovers. They also discuss the Sausage for Dinner campaign and its support for Hunger Free America. 07:10 – Cathy Pedrayes: Simple Steps for Staying Safer Online Digital safety expert Cathy Pedrayes teams up with TikTok for Cybersecurity Awareness Month. She discusses two-step verification, stronger passwords, spotting suspicious offers, reporting scams, and using Family Pairing to encourage conversations about teens’ online habits. 12:54 – Amanda Doerr: Holiday Shopping with Amazon AI Amazon’s Vice President of Core Shopping, Amanda Doerr, explains how conversational AI can help generate personalized gift ideas and narrow down choices. Get tips for shopping for hard-to-buy-for loved ones, saving inspiration throughout the year, and using photos and screenshots to find gifts. 15:32 – Dr. Emily Greenwald: Screen Time That Gets Kids Moving Pediatrician and Nex Playground Chief Pediatric Advisor Dr. Emily Greenwald explores what screen time may be replacing in children’s daily routines. She discusses active digital games, family connection, and choosing holiday gifts that encourage movement. Plus, learn about her podcast, Active Play Every Day. 19:03 – Dr. Diana Bitner: Understanding Menopause Hot Flashes Board-certified OB-GYN Dr. Diana Bitner, Chief Medical Officer of true. Women’s Health, explains how hot flashes can affect sleep and daily activities. She discusses tracking symptoms, preparing for a conversation with a healthcare provider, and asking about treatment options, including Lynkuet. 21:31 – Joshua Fredell: Making Sense of Prescription Benefits Pharmacist and CVS Caremark Senior Vice President Joshua Fredell breaks down formularies, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums. Hear questions to ask about lower-cost medications, pharmacy support, and resources that may help you get more from your prescription plan. 24:33 – Wallis Marsh: A Survivor Becomes a Lifesaver After surviving a heart attack, Wallis Marsh learned CPR—and later used that training to help save a friend. The American Heart Association Nation of Lifesavers honoree shares his emotional story and explains why he helped bring CPR training to more than 100 employees. 27:46 – Closing Wrapping up this week’s episode. 🔗 FEATURED RESOURCES Johnsonville’s Sausage for Dinner: https://johnsonville.com/sausage-for-... TikTok Safety Center: https://www.tiktok.com/safety Amazon: https://www.amazon.com Nex Playground: https://www.nexplayground.com Lynkuet: https://www.lynkuet-us.com/ CVS Health: https://www.cvshealth.com American Heart Association Nation of Lifesavers: https://www.heart.org/nation 👍 Enjoyed the episode? Like, subscribe, and share! Tell us in the comments: What’s your favorite way to make weeknight dinners easier? #RiseAndUnwind #TampaBay #HolidayShopping #GrillDads #OnlineSafety #NexPlayground #MenopauseAwareness #HandsOnlyCPR