Listen Up with Host Al Neely

Send us Fan Mail Local stories can change the fate of a city when they’re told with care. Tony B sits down with Al Neely of Neely Media and Councilman Cash Green to chart a people-first media plan that lifts small businesses, reduces stigma, and builds real civic momentum across Virginia Beach. What starts as an origin story—an online inquiry, a community event, and a shared commitment—grows into...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a decorated Air Force pilot turns his attention to local democracy? Sean Monterio, chairperson for the Virginia Beach Democratic Party Committee and retired Air Force colonel who flew the fearsome A-10 Warthog "tank killer," brings the same precision and purpose to his fight for fair representation in Virginia Beach. At the heart of our conversation lie...

Send us Fan Mail Comedy isn't just about making people laugh – it's about processing life's challenges and speaking truths others can't. That's what local comedian Steve Wills discovered after stepping onto the stage for the first time nearly two years ago. In this revealing conversation with Al Neely, Steve shares how comedy transformed from a simple bucket list item into...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when your barber becomes more than someone who cuts your hair? For many young men in College Park, Virginia, the chair at Dreams Barbershop has become a confessional, a counselor's office, and ultimately, a lifeline. Brothers Derek and Dwayne are transforming their neighborhood through an unexpected hub of mentorship and guidance. Derek, who's been cutting h...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a youth in foster care turns 21? Far too often, the answer is devastatingly simple: they receive a garbage bag with their belongings and face immediate homelessness. Without family support or a safety net, these young adults find themselves in crisis with nowhere to turn. Meet Clara Wilson and Sean Tull from New Vision Youth Services, a nonprofit organization cel...

Send us Fan Mail Suzanne Richmond's doesn't just understand Virginia Beach—she embodies its spirit. As a native daughter who was raised in the heart of Kempsville, Suzanne brings a unique perspective to her candidacy for Commonwealth Attorney, one shaped by deep community roots and professional expertise. The daughter of a federal prosecutor, Suzanne grew up in a household where truth wa...

Send us Fan Mail Virginia's housing crisis, education challenges, and tax burdens are crushing everyday families, and Tim Anderson has a plan to tackle them all. Running for delegate in the 97th District, Anderson draws from his previous experience in the General Assembly where he learned that effective governance demands reaching across the aisle. During his earlier term, Anderson evolved fr...

Send us Fan Mail The invisible aftermath of the pandemic lingers in our collective psyche, manifesting as road rage, workplace tensions, and an unprecedented reluctance to wait in line for anything. Patricia Heard, with three decades of clinical social work experience, unpacks these phenomena through the lens of unresolved trauma and adaptation. Patricia takes us on a remarkable journey from her d...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Karen Underwood opens a window into education's past, present, and uncertain future in this thought-provoking conversation. Drawing from three decades of teaching experience across multiple states, she offers rare and valuable insights into how our educational systems function—or dysfunction—across different cultural and geographical contexts. The stark contrast between N...

Send us Fan Mail Behind every successful community support system stands someone who understands what it means to need help. For Sabrina Davis, founder of Reset Inc, this understanding comes from personal experience. As a child, she once attempted to steal a Lunchable because she wanted what other kids had—not because she was starving, but because her hardworking single mother couldn't afford...

Send us Fan Mail Patrick McKenna pulls back the curtain on America's hidden human trafficking epidemic, revealing how this modern form of slavery operates within our own communities. As an attorney with over 35 years of experience and the Director of the Virginian Coalition Against Human Trafficking, McKenna provides eye-opening insights into why Virginia has become what he calls "a perf...

Send us Fan Mail Cheryl Smith brings a refreshing perspective to politics after dedicating 38 years to educating Virginia's children. In this candid conversation, she shares what compelled her to run for Virginia's 98th District Delegate seat after decades in the classroom. Growing up in a military family during the Vietnam War shaped Smith's worldview profoundly. While her father s...

Send us Fan Mail Comedian Kells Morton steps away from her 25-year military career to pursue her original dream of entertainment in this fascinating conversation about second acts and finding your voice. As she prepares for retirement, Kells reveals how she's transforming decades of leadership experience into comedy gold on stages across the country. With refreshing candor, Kells shares the s...

Send us Fan Mail When politicians fall in love with money instead of people, what happens to the dreams and aspirations of ordinary citizens? Merle Rutledge Jr., a Norfolk State University graduate and former gubernatorial candidate for Virginia, joins us to share his vision for a political system that prioritizes people over partisanship. Rutledge doesn't mince words about what he sees as th...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to transform a community from the ground up? Councilman Michael Berlucci opens a window into local governance that few get to see, sharing the daily work that shapes Virginia Beach's District 3 and beyond. After nearly six years serving his diverse community, Berlucci reveals how his journey from passionate volunteer to city councilman has shaped his underst...

Send us Fan Mail RamIn Fatehi, Commonwealth Attorney for the city of Norfolk in Virginia, shares his unique journey from a privileged upbringing as the son of Iranian-American parents to becoming a prosecutor dedicated to reforming a flawed system. His contrarian nature and experiences with prejudice from both sides led him to pursue a career where he could address the inequality he witnessed firs...

Send us Fan Mail Support the show Do us a favor and like, comment, share, and subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes. To see the full video on YouTube go to Listen Up with Host Al Neely Reach out to us on our socials and hit us up with any questions! Email: Info@listenup.biz Instagram:  ListenUp4U Facebook: Let's Talk About It - Listen Up  Twitter: ListenUp@Listenup4U Website: l...

Send us Fan Mail Al Neely and Tina Jenkins explore how immigration discourse disproportionately focuses on Latino immigrants while ignoring significant migration from countries like China and India, and how fear-based policies threaten America's economic stability. • Media coverage of immigration overwhelmingly focuses on Hispanic immigrants crossing the Mexican border • Chinese immigration a...

Send us Fan Mail A third-grade teacher with a passion for change is stepping into the political arena. Justin Burns, Virginia Beach native and special education inclusion teacher, shares his journey and vision as a candidate for Virginia State Delegate representing District 100—a diverse area encompassing Northwestern Virginia Beach and the Eastern Shore counties of Accomac and Northampton. Burns...

Send us Fan Mail What if the Black Manosphere, meant to be a sanctuary for open dialogue, mirrors the broader manosphere's darker themes? On this episode of the Listen Up Podcast, I, Al Neely, tackle the nuanced and often controversial dynamics within the Black Manosphere. We unravel the layers of societal struggles and survival mentalities that have shaped narratives within the black communi...

Send us Fan Mail What if the shifting tides in education policy could reshape the future of our classrooms? Join Tina Jenkins and me, Al Neely, as we tackle the pressing questions surrounding the educational landscape under the new administration. We explore the potential impact of executive orders on funding for special needs and Title I students, despite the protective barriers set by Congress-a...

Send us Fan Mail The episode features Mary Carter discussing the challenges students face in accessing higher education amid shifting federal policies and misinformation. Concerns about funding, student debt, and undocumented students illustrate a landscape fraught with uncertainty, while the conversation emphasizes the importance of advocacy and grassroots movements to protect educational access...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when Black men are given a space to speak openly about their mental health and societal pressures? Join my conversation with Brenten Sims, a local influencer and the voice behind the podcast "I See You, Bro," who has made it his mission to uplift Black men through candid dialogue and community support. We tackle the often-overlooked challenges Black men face...

Send us Fan Mail What if art could truly transform society's views on race and inequality? Join me, Al Neely, on the Listen Up Podcast as we explore the cultural earthquake triggered by Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show. We tackle the uncomfortable realities of racism in America, a persistent force dividing our nation—especially in the wake of recent political turmoil. With a kee...

Send us Fan Mail What if the real divide in America isn’t just about left versus right, but rather how we assign blame? Join us for a compelling conversation with Dr. Gail Sahar, a distinguished professor at Wheaton College and author of "Blame and Political Attitudes: The Psychology of America's Cultural War." Together, we unravel the complex cognitive processes behind how we perce...