Living It Up with Lenise

Of the 40 monuments on the National Mall, zero are dedicated to American women's history. Anna Laymon is trying to change that. Anna leads the Women's Suffrage National Monument Foundation, the organization authorized by Congress to build the first monument honoring women's history on the National Mall — and she's doing it while living right here in Fairhope and commuting to D.C. In this conversat...

In this episode of Living It Up with Lenise , we tee it up with Frances Brown — a Mobile, Alabama native who made history as a four-time individual state golf champion before ever setting foot on a college campus. Now a freshman at Auburn University competing in the SEC, Frances brings her A-game and her signature jalapeño humor to the conversation. We talk about what it's like to grow up literall...

She is a fifth-generation Alabama farmer, the founder of a soil testing company now on shelves in every Lowe's in the country, and she is running to become the first woman ever elected as Alabama's Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries. Christina McInnis joins me on this episode of Living It Up with Lenise for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about what's really happening in Alabama agric...

The Oscars are right around the corner, and I brought reinforcements! In this episode of Living It Up with Lenise, I'm teaming up with an evening TV producer and a fellow podcaster to break down the 2026 Academy Award nominations. We're debating the heavy hitters — from the Best Picture race between One Battle After Another , Sinners , and Hamnet to a stacked Best Actor category featuring Timothy...

In this episode of Living It Up with Lneise, an intimate conversation with Alison Brumfield-Jones, founder of Mission Fitness in Mobile, Alabama, and Lululemon ambassador. Alison shares her unexpected journey from stockbroker to fitness entrepreneur, revealing how a pivotal question—"What's your legacy?"—changed everything. Through the impressionable story of a young boy named Henry who couldn't a...

Welcome to Living It Up with Lenise, where we dive into inspirational stories that redefine what's possible! This week, we are honored to host Dr. Cindy Ross, an astonishing individual whose journey took her from being a professional athlete to a three-time doctorate-holding Functional Medicine practitioner. Dr. Ross's story is one of personal transformation and medical discovery. At just 19, her...

Pitmaster and BBQ Brawl Season 5 winner, Erica Barrett, joins Lenise to share her incredible journey from Mobile, Alabama to Food Network fame. Hear about competing while grieving her grandmother, the cold Texas finale that nearly burned her legs, and her unforgettable sprint toward Bobby Flay. Erica also discusses her signature peach-infused barbecue sauce and her Dough Boy Pizza concept. A heart...

In this edition of "Living It Up with Lenise," we dive into a heartfelt and inspiring conversation with Lucy Buffett, renowned restaurateur, author, and famous sister of Margaritaville singer Jimmy Buffett. Lucy shares the journey that led her to open Lulu's in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and reflects on family, food, and the importance of self-discovery. Through a rich tapestry of childhood stories, sh...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, veteran journalist Kim shares her harrowing experience of witnessing a shooting at her daughter's final dance recital in Mobile, Alabama. What should have been a celebration of her daughter's years of dancing turned into a nightmare when an altercation erupted during a performance by young children, leading to gunshots that sent families diving for cov...

In this episode of "Living It Up with Lenise," we delve into the vibrant world of fashion with Whitney, a seasoned buyer and stylist at Sway, a charming boutique nestled in downtown Fairhope. With a decade of experience under her belt, Whitney shares insights about her unexpected journey into the fashion industry, the intricate market buying process, and the art of closet editing. As she discusses...

In this episode of Living It Up with Lenise, fitness expert Gabriela Mclain reveals celebrity training insights from her work on "The Woman King" movie, sharing her transformative journey from athlete to coach. She tackles topics like social media's impact on body image, the psychology of fitness and how to embrace health at any age. Discover mindset and motivation tools to live your best live, an...

What drives two sisters to excel in the competitive world of journalism? In this episode of Living It Up with Lenise, I'm chatting with Ashlyn Mitchell and Claudia Nichols, both dedicated news reporters at FOX10 News. They reveal how their faith and Christianity shape their reporting and personal lives, offering insights that inspire and empower. It's a discussion that highlights the power of fami...

In this episode of "Living It Up with Lenise," join Lenise Ligon as she reintroduces herself and her podcast, focusing on the power of podcasting for business growth. Joined by fellow podcaster Rod Cate, Lenise shares insights on how to use your podcast as a tool for brand visibility, audience engagement, and authentic connection, all while creating a positive storytelling platform. It's time to d...

In this episode of Lenise Ligon interviews Tyson Lee, a boxing enthusiast and the current president of USA Boxing. Tyson's journey in boxing began at a young age, as he grew up boxing and continued his passion for the sport while studying at West Point Military Academy. He achieved great success, winning championships in both amateur and military boxing. After retiring from the military, Tyson ven...

Can cooking up fine seafood and sharing eternal hope go hand in hand? In this edition of Living It Up with Lenise hear the story of Laura and Rayza, the inspirational owners of Rayza's Restaurant in coastal Alabama. Discover how they blend their passion for cooking exquisite seafood with their missional purpose of spreading the Gospel.

  In this episode of Lenise Ligon interviews Tate Sutton, a yoga instructor, retreat leader, and health coach based in Fairhope, AL. Tate shares her journey from a decade in fashion/travel influencing to making major life changes and discovering her purpose through yoga, meditation, and holistic wellness.  

In this edition of Living It Up with Lenise, we are e xploring the revolutionary world of Rebel Cheese, a vegan cheese company that is redefining the concept of cheese for dairy-free enthusiasts. The co-owners of the company, Kristen Maitland and Fred Zwar, share the story behind Rebel Cheese and how they are making delicious cheese alternatives for people who love cheese but not the dairy.

The holiday season often brings a rollercoaster of emotions - joy, meaning, as well as grief, stress or loneliness. How can we mindfully embrace the full range of experiences? In this episode, licensed clinical social worker Dr. Mishel Rych shares psychologically-backed insights on cultivating more joy and purpose amidst the holiday swings. Learn actionable tips on training your brain for positivi...

Join Lenise Ligon as she explores somatic breathwork with Morgan Tyner, the first certified practitioner in Alabama and Mississippi. Discover how this mind-body breathing approach releases stored stress and trauma. Morgan opens up about how her healing journey led her to share these transformative practices. Don't miss this fascinating talk on the power of breathwork.

In this episode of Living It Up with Lenise, I'm chatting with Lorie Ward, owner of Fairhope Juice Company in Alabama, about ditching pharma for cold-pressed juices. Learn Lorie's secrets to crafting healthy hydrating juices, building a local biz from her passion, and avoiding burnout when you leap to your purpose.

In this episode, we are going on a journey with reporter Lacey Beasley, who recently traveled to Singapore and Indonesia. It's an intimate conversation on the eye-opening experiences of immersing yourself in different cultures and religions, the importance of home, and how travel can change your perspective. Lacey shares impactful stories from her trips abroad and offers advice for anyone consider...

It's time for a discussion on the challenges and rewards of owning your own businesses. In this edition of Living It Up with Lenise, Carita Koen shares the story of how she and her husband started their landscaping business. She offers advice to other minorities thinking about entrepreneurship. She says it's important to know your local market, take advantage of business training programs, and don...

In this latest edition of Living It Up with Lenise we are speaking with  Mary Henderson , a branding coach, on how to monetize your brand. You'll learn how to identify the potential in your brand and turn it into a goldmine. Don't miss this informative conversation!  

Brooke Kroeger is a professor emerita at New York University, where she was the founding director of the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute and taught from 1998 to 2021. In this edition of Living It Up with Lenise, Kroeger is talking about her latest book, "Undaunted: How Women Changed American Journalism." She shares her writing process with Lenise and some some cautionary tales. To learn more...

Discover the healing power of reflexology! In this edition of Living It Up with Lenise we are talking to Laurie Azzarella, a licensed reflexologist and message therapist in Daphne, Alabama. She explains how reflexology works and how it can be used to heal the body from the sole up. Laurie also spells out how reflexology activates different pressure points on the feet that connect to organs and sys...