Good Neighbor Podcast: Auburn and Opelika

We sit down with Jenny Warren from Care Humane Society to talk about what a modern animal shelter actually does and why fostering, rescue partnerships, and community support create real second chances. We also get honest about funding realities, emotional burnout in animal welfare, and simple ways anyone can help even without adopting.  • Care Humane Society’s mission of adoption, education, and c...

We sit down with Lara Potts of Redeeming Grace Ministries to talk about what women need after rehab or incarceration so recovery can last. We explore why long-term healing takes time, what keeps people from relapsing, and how the community can step in with practical support and real compassion.  • the mission to help women live an everlasting life of recovery  • a residential home model that suppo...

We talk with Anna Hovey from the Auburn Chamber of Commerce about what the Chamber is building right now, literally and relationally, to support businesses and the wider community. We dig into the new facility plans, who the Chamber serves, and how focus and mindset drive real results for teams and entrepreneurs.  • current Chamber activity including ribbon cuttings and small business support  • p...

We sit down with Crystal Russell from MidSouth Bank to talk about what real community banking looks like in Auburn and Opelika and why relationships still matter. We also dig into practical tools that make business banking simpler, safer, and more flexible while Crystal shares the career choices that brought her into banking.  • MidSouth Bank’s community banking approach and local presence in Aubu...

We talk with Mollie Robinson from Seniors Helping Seniors East Central Alabama about how non-medical home care can bring real peace to families before burnout, conflict, or a fall forces a crisis.  We break down what their peer-based caregiver model looks like, the biggest misconceptions families have about aging parents, and why early companionship matters.  • Seniors Helping Seniors as a home ca...

We sit down with Dr. Phillip Snider, an Osteopathic Physician in Auburn, to talk about treating head and neck pain and why whole-body structure can change how you feel day to day. We also dig into his work with vocal performance and the mindset that helped him pivot from nutrition to medicine and build a life that keeps evolving.  • his work at Auburn Pediatric and Adult Medicine and the condition...

We talk with Greg Doepke of Aspire to Give about why humans are wired to give and how purpose helps us navigate life’s toughest transitions. Greg shares how small, everyday generosity builds self-leadership and mental agility, especially for young adults trying to find their way.  • Aspire to Give’s core belief that giving is part of human nature  • Using “the power of purpose” to move through unc...

We sit down with Brooks Fuller to hear how a spring 2020 dorm shutdown turned into Room2Room Movers, a college-focused moving company built in Auburn and now expanding beyond it. We dig into what makes college moves uniquely stressful, how Brooks handles the hard parts of the moving industry, and what he’s learned about mentors and building a strong team culture.  • The moment COVID-19 closures cr...

We sit down with Carrie Thomas and Beth Lomenick to share how the Nonprofit Center of East Alabama turns a renovated building into real, affordable support for 501(c)(3) organizations. We walk through office rentals, event space, collaboration perks, and the outdoor expansion plans that aim to bring more community events to the Auburn and Opelika area.  • the mission to strengthen nonprofit capaci...

We sit down with Dr. Susannah Cash from Lane Dermatology to talk about their growing Auburn clinic and what full service dermatology looks like in real life. We also clear up dangerous myths about skin cancer, including why younger people still need regular skin exams even when nothing hurts.  • how Lane Dermatology expanded from Columbus to Auburn and why the Sanford Village area is a great fit ...

We sit down with Auburn and Opelika REALTOR Lori Fuller of eXp Realty to talk about what real estate really looks like behind the scenes and why Auburn pulls people back for life. Lori shares her path from marketing and event work into a relationship-driven real estate career built on service, speed, and deep local love.  • serving Auburn, Opelika, surrounding areas, and Lake Martin  • building a...

Susannah sits down with Coach Mark Fuller to talk about his path from baseball coaching to life coaching and why discipline, failure, and resilience translate directly into everyday life. We dig into the myths around life coaching, the pressure entrepreneurs carry, and what it looks like to help people find their true identity. • Mark’s transition from athletics coaching to life coaching and publi...

We sit down with Auburn home builder Tim Murphy to hear how his company grows from small service work into remodels, renovations, and full custom builds.  We talk through common construction misconceptions, what entrepreneurship really demands, and how a design-build process can make a home feel truly personal.  • licensed Auburn home builder services from renovations to custom builds  • career pa...

We sit down with Chris Lewis of Lewis Benefits Solutions to cut through Medicare noise and explain what seniors and soon to be retirees should really look for when choosing coverage. We also talk about business setbacks, why local guidance matters, and how Chris helps clients compare options across multiple carriers.  • what Lewis Benefit Solutions offers across senior benefits, Medicare, annuitie...

We sit down with Paige Kemp, owner of Home RN Care in the Auburn and Opelika area, to talk about nurse-led concierge caregiving and what it looks like when clinical support comes to your living room.  We dig into why families should not wait for a crisis, how RN oversight changes the quality of care, and how you can talk to a RN about your loved one's care. • concierge caregiving and personal...

We sit down with Amy Miller to hear how Standard Deluxe in Waverly grows from a screen-printing shop into a Southern cultural hub and a beloved stop on the touring circuit. We dig into the 25th anniversary Old 280 Boogie lineup and why the grounds feel like a place where visual art and live music naturally meet.  • celebrating 35 years of Standard Deluxe in rural Waverly, Alabama  • Scott Peek’s a...

A 114-year-old fertilizer company shows how tradition and smart pivots keep a community growing, from cattle pastures to neighborhood lawns. We share how family ownership, agronomy know-how, and simple guidance help people overcome fear and start. • origins in 1910 and four generations of family ownership • what the company does from custom farm applications to retail support • the Piedmont region...

We sit down with Pauline Phillips of Integrated Body Health to explore gentle, evidence-informed wellness that starts with food and lifestyle and expands into colon hydrotherapy, biofeedback, and microbiome support. We debunk common myths, share client-led safety practices, and talk about building a mission-driven clinic rooted in trust. • one-stop integrated wellness model with gentle modalities...

We share how Austin’s life and a years-long search for answers led the Terlings to build a foundation for families facing rare disease. We dig into research partnerships, caregiver training, and the Aces for Austin golf scramble that turns community into impact. • one in ten Americans affected by rare disease  • Austin’s UBA5 journey from birth to diagnosis  • the four pillars: research, awareness...

We explore how AO Tourism attracts visitors while improving daily life for locals, from sports tournaments and conferences to art, food, and outdoor events. Cat shares her path from intern to Director of Communications and Marketing, clears up misconceptions, and tells a moving story of turning hardship into a community run. • AO Tourism’s mission and lodging tax funding • Key drivers: University,...

We trace Dr. Susan Westerlund’s path from delivering babies to leading a thriving gynecology and wellness practice focused on menopause care and hormone therapy. We break down what modern evidence says about estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone for women and men. • office-based gynecology focus after years in obstetrics • expansion from Columbus to Auburn and growing demand • perimenopause exp...

We talk with Executive Director Tabitha Vasilas about how Youth For Christ reaches unchurched teens in East Alabama through school clubs and juvenile justice ministry, and why local partnerships are vital. Tabitha shares her faith journey, common myths, the needs of today’s youth, and concrete ways to get involved. • mission to build authentic Christ‑sharing relationships with 11–19 year olds • ca...

We share how Ru's Roots Foundation became a free adaptive gym serving preteens through adults with different needs and why community after high school matters. Hannah opens up about turning grief into a legacy, breaking access barriers, and inviting volunteers and donors to join the work. • free adaptive fitness for teens and adults with different needs • location and how to visit the facilit...

We talk with Tama Ward of Curated Living and Company about turning a love of vintage goods and needlepoint into an online shop, local classes, and a fast-growing stitchers’ community. Her path from military moves to curated coziness shows how to pivot, build connection, and grow with purpose. • what curated living and company offers across vintage goods and needlepoint supplies • the military fami...

We explore how hydro seeding protects land on large sites and why the trades offer real paths to success. Chad shares how a values clash at work led him to launch a faith-centered company that now restores ground for solar fields and major contractors. • what hydro seeding is and why it matters • where erosion control fits on solar and construction sites • how a job loss became a purpose-driven la...