Pulse Check

What if the person sitting next to you at church, your child’s school friend, or a hardworking coworker was secretly skipping meals just to make ends meet? In this vital episode of Pulse Check , host Angie Jordin sits down with Varina Mead, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Heart of Alabama Food Bank. With a rich career dedicated to strengthening families across Central Alabama, Var...

Did you know that loneliness and social isolation can drain our emotional health just as heavily as a physical illness? In a digital age where we are more connected yet more siloed than ever, how do we rebuild our real-world "emotional intelligence" and find a true sense of belonging? In this episode of Pulse Check , host Angie Jordin sits down with Amerika Blair, the Director of Innovation for th...

What does it actually mean when a community becomes a "maternal healthcare desert"? In rural Alabama, it means that checking a routine pregnancy headache or finding a doctor you trust isn't just an errand—it can be a matter of life and death. In this episode of Pulse Check , host Angie Jordin sits down with Aretha Dix, a rural healthcare strategist, Air Force veteran, and dedicated Black Belt comm...

When crisis hits at 3 a.m., we dial 911 expecting a lifeline to appear. But who are the human beings behind the sirens, and how can we help them long before an emergency ever happens? In this episode, host Angie Jordin sits down with Jamie Gray, the State EMS Director for the Alabama Department of Public Health. With over 25 years of boots-on-the-ground experience—ranging from dispatcher and param...

Did you know that taking care of your heart is actually one of the absolute best ways to protect your brain? In Alabama—where heart disease and stroke are critical community challenges—understanding this powerful connection can truly be a life-saving roadmap for your family. In this episode, host Angie Jordin sits down with Dr. Sharlene Newman, an accomplished cognitive neuroscientist and the Exec...

Ever feel completely overwhelmed by the endless health trends, detoxes, and "biohacks" flooding your social media feed? With so much noise out there, how do you know what actually works for your unique body and what is just clever marketing? In this episode of Pulse Check , host Angie Jordin sits down with Tiffany Smith, a certified family nurse practitioner and founder of Apex Infusion & Well...

Have you ever received a text or email that looked so perfectly professional you didn't question it for a second? In Alabama, financial scams are evolving fast, and artificial intelligence is making them personal. Financial stress doesn't just hurt your wallet—it takes a massive toll on your sleep, your relationships, and your mental health. In this episode of Pulse Check , host Angie Jordin sits...

Navigating military benefits can feel like a daunting, confusing battle—but it doesn't have to be, and you don't have to do it alone. In this episode of Pulse Check , we sit down with Brigadier General (Ret.) Jeff Newton, the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA). With 41 years of military service in the U.S. Air Force and Alabama National Guard, Commissioner Newton now...

They greet us at the door with wagging tails, curl up with us when we’re down, and bring pure joy into our homes. But did you know that owning a pet is also a major boost for your family’s mental and emotional health? In this episode of Pulse Check , we sit down with Jenny Warren, the Director of Development at CARE Humane Society in Auburn, Alabama. Jenny shares her inspiring journey from corpora...

What happens when the person who spent years championing cancer patients suddenly has to walk that exact same path with her own family? In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with Carol Gunter, the Executive Director of the Cancer Wellness Foundation of Central Alabama. After a career dedicated to helping patients navigate the practical hurdles of a cancer diagnosis, Carol's world shifted enti...

It’s all fun and games until the grill flares up or the Alabama humidity hits. Do you know the "Two-to-One Rule" for staying hydrated this summer? We sit down with Captain Jason Cupps of the Prattville Fire Department. With nearly 20 years of experience in Montgomery and Prattville, Jason pulls back the curtain on the life of a first responder and shares essential advice on fireworks, grilling, an...