Talking with Thalia on TV: Tuesday's at 6am

A familiar and trusted voice is stepping into a powerful new role.

Thalia Hayden is launching her weekly segment on TV, Talking with Thalia, airing every Tuesday with a mission that goes beyond headlines — creating space for honest, sometimes uncomfortable conversations that can strengthen the Coachella Valley community.

“I think if we don’t listen to one voice at a time, we can’t really make change,” Hayden shared. “Our motto is connecting the Valley — and with Talking with Thalia, it’s one voice at a time.”

The debut segment aligns with National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, shining a spotlight on prevention and early detection. With the recent news surrounding actor James Van Der Beek and his battle with colorectal cancer at age 48, the topic feels especially urgent.

Joining Hayden was DAP Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Aquilina, who emphasized that colorectal cancer is largely preventable — if caught early.

“Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer,” Aquilina explained. “And if you catch it early, you can prevent it.”

The challenge? Early stages often show no symptoms.

“You don’t want to wait,” he cautioned. “No symptoms is not ‘no problem.’”

For many, the word “colonoscopy” can feel intimidating. Hayden candidly admitted she knows she’s in the recommended screening age range but, like many, has hesitated. Aquilina reassured viewers there are multiple screening options available.

Screenings now begin at age 45 and include:

• FIT Test – A simple at-home stool sample mailed to a lab.

• Cologuard – A more comprehensive at-home stool test that, if negative, is effective for three years.

• Colonoscopy – The most thorough option, offering up to ten years of reassurance if results are clear.

“The bottom line,” Hayden concluded, “Go get screened.”

But health is just the beginning.

Future episodes of Talking with Thalia will tackle representation and equity within the LGBTQ+ community, including a sit-down with the CEO of the world’s largest lesbian party to discuss why gay men in the Valley often receive more media attention and support than queer women.

In addition, Hayden’s “Coffee Talk” series takes her directly into neighborhoods and local cafés across the Valley. The goal: listen first.

By highlighting local coffee shops and sitting down with residents city by city, Hayden uncovers grassroots concerns that can shape future reporting and community solutions.

“Sometimes I’ll sit down with a resident and hear something I didn’t know was an issue,” she explained. “Then we investigate and dig deeper.”

The new segment reflects a broader belief: connection drives change.

With compassion, curiosity, and courage, Talking with Thalia is poised to become more than just a weekly feature — it’s a platform for dialogue that could make the Valley healthier, stronger, and more informed.

One conversation at a time.