The Mark White Show

On this Make a Difference Minute, I have John Ford Coley, one half of the legendary duo England Dan and John Ford Coley, as he reflects on the people who first encouraged his musical gifts. John shares how his parents recognized his love for music early on, providing piano lessons and nurturing the imagination of a young boy who would pretend the footrest in a barber chair was a piano keyboard. Th...

An early birthday present for this guy born at the tail end of the 70’s! Tonight, I’m honored to welcome one of my all-time favorite guests to The Mark White Show. Join me for a special conversation with John Ford Coley as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of two timeless classics, “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight” and “Nights Are Forever Without You.” John shares memories of his friendship wit...

On this Make a Difference Minute, I have Maelin Carlson and Landri Cruse, two Madison City School students who have turned a simple lemonade stand into something extraordinary. Together, they have now raised more than $21,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. What started with cups of lemonade has grown into a community effort that reaches far beyond their neighborho...

Tonight, I’m joined by two remarkable young ladies who are proving that you are never too young to make a difference. Maelin Carlson and Landri Cruse, along with Maelin’s mom, Megan Carlson, will share how a simple lemonade stand has grown into a mission of hope for the children and families served by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. What began with two best friends wanting to help has becom...

On this Make a Difference Minute, I have Robert Diamond, better known as Bobby the Balloon Guy with Balloon Masters Entertainment. I caught up with Bobby at the Sheffield Public Library during their Summer Reading Adventure, where he entertained children and families with his Zany Magical Balloon Show. While many people know him for the incredible balloon creations he makes, Bobby sees himself as...

On this episode, I'm joined by Robert Diamond "Bobby the Balloon Guy" of Balloon Masters Entertainment, the man behind The Zany Magical Balloon Show. Recorded on location at the Sheffield Public Library during its Summer Reading Adventure, this conversation goes beyond balloon animals and explores the people and purpose behind the smiles. Bobby shares how Balloon Masters Entertainment began, how h...

On this Make a Difference Minute, I have my friend, Fran Birdwell, who is living with stage 4 colon cancer while also carrying the profound grief of losing two sons, Jacob and Matthew. Rather than trying to “get over” grief, Fran has learned that grief becomes something we carry. Drawing from a poem by Jessica Watson, she shares the powerful image of grief as a pebble. It is something we never ful...

Tonight on The Mark White Show, I'm joined by Fran Birdwell for a deeply personal conversation about grief, hope, and learning how to live with both. Fran has been living with stage IV colon cancer and has endured the unimaginable loss of two sons. Through profound heartbreak, she has discovered that grief is not something we simply get over. It’s something we carry. It’s not easy. In fact, it can...

On this Make A Difference Minute, we share an important update about 4-year-old Miyanna Edmiston and her urgent need for a kidney transplant. As her kidney function continues to decline, her family is searching for a living donor in hopes of finding a match before dialysis becomes necessary. This segment highlights the medical, emotional, and financial challenges they are facing, while also remind...

On tomorrow’s Make a Difference Minute, I reflect on a word we don’t hear very often, but perhaps need more than ever: magnanimous. It means having a greatness of heart. It describes people who are generous in spirit, gracious in disagreement, and unwilling to let bitterness or resentment define them. Being magnanimous doesn’t mean ignoring wrong or pretending hurt doesn’t exist. It means choosing...

On this Make A Difference Minute, I share a message for those walking through grief and loss. This segment encourages listeners to honor their loved ones by continuing to live, grow, and find joy while carrying their love forward. This MADM is brought to you by Bama Estate Planning by Attorney Harlan D. Mitchell, proudly supporting stories and the people who make our communities strong. Real stori...

On this Make A Difference Minute, I’m remembering my friend, Chad Collins. Chad and I grew up together around Sanders Street and Second Avenue in Athens, Alabama. As the years passed, life took us in different directions, but the memories and friendship remained. Over the last several weeks, many people followed Chad’s battle with pancreatic cancer. Through it all, one thing remained constant, Cha...

On this Make A Difference Minute, I have Nona Adams, principal of Cedar Hill Elementary School in Ardmore, Alabama, sharing what it means to have a Connie’s Cabinet on campus. Created in memory of Connie Ridgeway, Connie’s Cabinet provides a way for families to receive help with dignity and without shame. Principal Adams explains that many families quietly struggle and often don’t let others know...

On this Make A Difference Minute, I have Steffenie Jenkins sharing the journey she and her family have faced as they searched for answers for their son, Jacob. Now 21 years old, Jacob is battling bronchiolitis obliterans, a rare and irreversible lung disease, and is receiving treatment through Mayo Clinic in Arizona. As Jacob’s health declined, Steffenie found herself in a position many families k...

On tonight's show, I'm joined by Steffenie Jenkins as she shares the story of her 21-year-old son, Jacob, and the medical battle that has changed their family’s life. After years of unanswered questions, Mayo Clinic diagnosed Jacob with Bronchiolitis Obliterans, a rare and irreversible lung disease. More recently, doctors determined the condition was likely caused by rheumatoid arthritis affecting...

On this Make A Difference Minute, I have Andy Esser with Edward Jones sharing why 529 education savings plans can be a valuable tool for families planning for future education expenses. While many people associate 529 plans with college savings, today’s plans offer more flexibility than ever before. Funds can be used for qualified educational expenses ranging from K-12 programs and trade schools t...

Tonight, we’re bringing you two conversations centered on investing in the future, whether that’s through education planning or meeting practical needs within our schools and communities. In the first segment, I’m joined by Andy Esser with Edward Jones, for a national conversation tied to 529 Day, which took place last Friday. We’ll discuss new research showing many families are concerned about ri...

On this Make A Difference Minute, we’re remembering Joe Negri, the beloved musician and actor known to generations of children as Handyman Negri on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. While many remember him as the friendly neighbor who walked through Fred Rogers’ television neighborhood, Joe’s contributions went far beyond a television role. An accomplished jazz guitarist and educator, he became an impo...

On this Make A Difference Minute, I have Marlee Phillips with the North Alabama Homebuilding Academy sharing how the Girls Inc. Eureka program is introducing young women to career paths they may have never considered before. For many students, exposure is everything. If they've never met a woman working in construction, design, architecture, marketing, project management, or the skilled trades, th...

On this Make A Difference Minute, I have Ashley Russell of Athens, Alabama, sharing how small acts of kindness have helped carry her through cancer treatments and chemotherapy. When people hear about a cancer diagnosis, they often wonder what they can do to help. Ashley's answer is simple: the little things matter. A surprise package in the mail filled with items to help during chemotherapy. A bag...

Tonight, I'm joined by Ashley Russell of Athens, Alabama. What started as a back injury and time away from work quickly turned into something much more serious when doctors discovered a mass on her kidney and adrenal gland. Since then, Ashley has faced countless doctor visits, scans, testing, surgery, chemotherapy treatments, and the uncertainty that comes with a cancer diagnosis. Ashley is not on...

On this Make A Difference Minute, I have Dr. Tommy Davis, Executive Director of the North Alabama Homebuilding Academy, sharing why their mission goes far beyond preparing people for careers in the skilled trades. While the academy was created to help address workforce needs, Dr. Davis quickly realized something even more important was happening. Lives were being changed. He shares the story of a...

Tonight, I’m joined by Dr. Tommy Davis of the North Alabama Homebuilding Academy and Marley Phillips as we highlight a partnership focused on creating opportunities and building futures for young people in our community. Dr. Davis will share how the North Alabama Homebuilding Academy is helping prepare the next generation workforce through hands-on skilled trades training, while Marley Phillips wi...

On this Make A Difference Minute, I have Keri Morrison, Executive Director of Live Like Jake, sharing why swim lessons and water competency can save lives. Through Live Like Jake, thousands of swim lesson scholarships have been provided to families across the country, helping children gain critical self-rescue swimming skills. Keri also shares a heartbreaking reality many families may not realize:...

On this edition of TMWS, I’m joined by Keri Morrison, Executive Director of Live Like Jake, for a conversation every parent, grandparent, caregiver, teacher, and community member needs to hear. After the heartbreaking loss of her son Jake, Keri turned unimaginable grief into a mission focused on childhood drowning prevention, water safety awareness, and helping families protect their children thro...