Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage

In this episode of Coffee & History , we celebrate a major milestone— Alabama Heritage's 40th anniversary —and take you inside the Summer 2026 issue. From a special concept cover design to a timeline of Alabama's past 40 years, this issue is packed with stories that honor the magazine's legacy and future. We also preview fascinating features, including a Gilded Age dining experience, a Civil War–e...

In this episode of Coffee & History , host Caroline Gazzara-McKenzie chats with archivist Caity Bell about the fascinating story of Fort Payne, Alabama—once known as the "Sock Capital of the World." From the rise of the hosiery industry to the preservation of local landmarks like the historic opera house, Caity shares how small-town history connects to larger national narratives. The conversation...

In this episode of Coffee & History , the hosts sit down with archaeologist and historian Raven Christopher to explore the story of Alabama's Old Federal Road. This early route shaped migration, communication, and settlement across the Southeast. Raven shares insights from her extensive research and fieldwork, including tracking the road across ten counties and uncovering the challenges of mapping...

In this episode of Coffee & History , host Caroline Gazzara-McKenzie sits down with archivist and curator Heather M. Adkins at the Alabama Historical Association conference in Fairhope, Alabama, for a lively discussion about history, pub food, and more. Heather shares the powerful story of Alabama A&M University's founding and the legacy of William Hooper Councill, as well as her work revitalizing...

Join hosts Rebecca Minder and Susan Reynolds for a lively episode of "Coffee and History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage" as they welcome two of Tuscaloosa's most dynamic community leaders— Johnnie Aycock and Lisa Sledge Jones . Discover how this powerhouse duo blends civic leadership, academic insight, and a passion for storytelling on their midday radio show, "The Noon Show," and their new...

This week on Coffee & History , we sit down with historian Dr. John Giggie to uncover one of Alabama's most powerful and long‑hidden civil rights stories: Bloody Tuesday. From the walls of First African Baptist Church to the streets of downtown Tuscaloosa, Dr. Giggie walks us through the events of June 9, 1964, when hundreds of Black citizens gathered to march for justice and were met with violenc...

In this week's episode of Coffee & History, we dive into the world of ham radio, storytelling, and military history with Don Keith, an award‑winning broadcaster, best-selling author of nearly fifty books, and proud Springville, Alabama, native. Don traces how a childhood fascination with shortwave signals led to a career in radio, a passion for communication, and a writing life that spans submarin...

Quilts are more than keepsakes—they're historical records stitched with memory, resilience, and community. In this episode of Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage , we're joined by Beth Hunter, historian, quilter, and instructor in the Department of History at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. From the Freedom Quilting Bee to christening gowns transformed into heirloom art...

In this episode of Coffee and History , we sit down with Julie Mann , Vice President of Communications for the United Way of West Alabama, to explore what the organization truly does beyond fundraising. Julie breaks down how United Way of West Alabama supports 30 local partner agencies, responds to urgent community needs, and tackles challenges ranging from food insecurity to rural transportation...

In this episode of Coffee and History , we sit down with longtime Tuscaloosa News writer Mark Hughes Cobb , whose three‑decade career has made him one of West Alabama's most recognizable voices. Mark reflects on the evolution of local journalism—from bustling newsrooms to today's lean operations—and shares what it was like to be a part of the Tuscaloosa News' Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the...

In this episode of Coffee and History , we sit down with ethnomusicologist, author, and Alabama folk‑music expert Joyce Cauthen for a rich conversation about the state's deep musical roots. Joyce shares the story behind Alabama's Primitive Hymns , the evolution of old‑time fiddling, and the cultural blend of African, Irish, Scottish, and English traditions that shaped Southern music. She also refl...

From moon landings to newsroom front lines, award-winning journalist Pat Duggins has spent a career telling stories that matter. In this episode of  Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage, we sit down with the longtime News Director of Alabama Public Radio Pat Duggins to talk about his extraordinary journey in journalism—from witnessing Apollo launches as a child to covering more t...

In this inspiring episode, the Coffee & History team sits down with Ellen Woodward Potts, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa and proud Birmingham-Southern College alumna. Ellen shares her remarkable journey—from her family's deep ties to Birmingham-Southern to her decade‑plus leading transformative housing efforts across West Alabama. She also takes us behind the scenes of he...

In this week's episode of Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage , the team sits down with writer, researcher, and lifelong learner Katharine Armbrester—a cherished colleague whose curiosity and creativity have helped shape some of Alabama Heritage's most beloved stories. From uncovering the life of writer Sara Haardt to spotlighting artists through the Alabama Makers department, K...

In this mini‑episode of Coffee and History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage , Caroline and Susan take listeners behind the scenes of our upcoming Spring issue (Issue 160) of the magazine. From endangered historic sites to forgotten political milestones, this issue is filled with powerful Alabama stories waiting to be rediscovered. Spring into Alabama's history with us! Subscribe to the print...

What does America's 250th anniversary mean for Alabama? In this episode of Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage, Caroline and Susan sit down with Natalie Steed and CJ Guercio of America 250 – Alabama , housed at American Village in Montevallo, Alabama, for a lively, wide-ranging discussion about how our state is preparing to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of I...

Join hosts Susan Reynolds and Caroline Gazzara-McKenzie as they sit down with Dr. Bill Bomar, executive director of UA Museums, for a lively conversation about Alabama's most fascinating historical spaces. From the state fossil hanging in Smith Hall to the mysteries of Moundville, the Hodges meteorite, and even Tuscaloosa's bicentennial time capsule, this episode dives into the surprising and insp...

Join  Coffee and History as Rebecca Todd Minder visits Nashville, Tennessee, for a captivating conversation with Bob Stewart, former executive director of the Alabama Humanities Foundation (now the Alabama Humanities Alliance). Bob reflects on his 25 years leading humanities programming across the state—teacher institutes, statewide cultural collaborations, signature awards events, and disaster re...

In this week's episode of  Coffee & History , we're joined by Exa Johnston Skinner, executive director of the Kentuck Arts Center and Festival , for an inspiring journey through Alabama's creative landscape. Exa walks us through Kentuck's history, its mission to uplift folk and self‑taught artists, and the community programs that keep the arts accessible to everyone. She shares how her background...

In this episode of  Coffee and History , hosts Rebecca Minder and Susan Reynolds sit down with acclaimed Alabama author and historian Frye Gaillard—freshly inducted into the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame. From the deep‑rooted history of Bayou La Batre and Coden to the powerful legacy of Alabama's civil rights movement, Gaillard shares stories from his decades of writing, reporting, and interviewing...

In our 50th episode of Coffee & History, Rebecca Todd Minder, Susan Reynolds, and Caroline Gazzara-McKenzie welcome former Alabama Poet Laureate and former Alabama Heritage editorial assistant Jennifer Horne for a lively, wide‑ranging conversation about writing, archives, ghosts, creativity, and the unexpected paths that shape a literary life. From her years researching the enigmatic Sara Mayfield...

In this episode of Coffee and History , hosts Rebecca Todd Minder, Susan Reynolds, and Caroline Gazzara-McKenzie sit down with Bob Friedman—founder and director of the Birmingham Black Radio Museum —for a fascinating journey through Alabama's broadcasting past. From his New York roots to his decades of community organizing, political work, and radio storytelling in Birmingham, Friedman shares vivi...

In this episode of Coffee & History , Caroline and Susan sit down with Dr. Sonjia Parker Redmond and Dr. Beatrice J. Adams—co‑editors of the forthcoming book  Children of the Struggle and the Ancestors Who Stayed by the University of Alabama Press, 2026. Together, they explore 21 powerful stories of the Tuskegee Institute High School Class of 1964 and the families who remained in the South during...

In this episode of Coffee and History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage , we sit down with Henry Sledge, author, historian, and son of Eugene Sledge—the Marine whose iconic memoir With the Old Breed shaped our understanding of the Pacific War. Henry shares the deeply personal journey behind his new book, The Old Breed: The Complete Story Revealed , which combines never-before-published materia...

Grab your favorite cup and join us for a lively chat with author and journalist Kelly Kazek, the queen of quirky Alabama tales! From Huntsville's butter-producing cow to the legacy of Kathryn Tucker Windham, Kelly shares stories that celebrate Southern culture, folklore, and roadside oddities. Hear about her writing adventures, her friendship with Fannie Flagg, and why Harper Lee tops her dream di...