The Mark White Show

On this Make a Difference Minute, I have actor and stuntman Branscombe Richmond as he shares how a simple drive through Athens, Alabama, helped bring the production of Houdini the Magical Dog to the community. While visiting North Alabama, Branscombe asked Ashley Chewning to show him a small town. She brought him to her hometown of Athens, and when he saw the downtown square, something clicked. A...

Tonight, I’m joined by Dr. Antoinette “Toni” Farmer-Thompson, president of Strayer University, for an important conversation about the changing face of higher education and the rapidly growing impact of artificial intelligence on the workforce. Today’s college student may be a working adult, a parent, a career changer, or someone trying to gain new skills while balancing the responsibilities of ev...

On this Make a Difference Minute, I have Dr. Antoinette “Toni” Farmer-Thompson, president of Strayer University, as she discusses the rapidly changing role of artificial intelligence in education and the workforce. Dr. Farmer-Thompson says the question is no longer whether AI will transform the way we work. That transformation is already happening. The challenge now is making sure students, especi...

Tonight, we’re celebrating a group of young athletes who have given Athens, Alabama, plenty to be proud of! The Athens 6U Girls All-Stars won the pre-area tournament, the area tournament, and then went undefeated to capture the Alabama state championship in the gold bracket! Now, these state champions are headed to the World Series, and they won’t have to travel far. They’ll have the opportunity t...

On this Make a Difference Minute, I have children’s book author Ashley Nicole Seals as she shares the inspiration behind A Friend Like Kip, a story inspired by her youngest son, Kohen. The idea began when Kohen was in preschool. Ashley watched as he faced challenges in social situations, not because he wasn’t friendly, but because other children sometimes misunderstood the way he communicated and...

On this edition of The Mark White Show, I’m joined by Ashley Nicole Seals, gifted specialist and special education director with Winfield City Schools and author of the new children’s book, A Friend Like Kip. Inspired by her youngest son, Kohen, Ashley wrote A Friend Like Kip to encourage kindness, inclusion, empathy, friendship, and a better understanding of children who may communicate, interact...

On this Make a Difference Minute, I have Jeremy Clark with Vets to Cowboys as he shares how farmers and ranchers can play an important role in helping veterans discover purpose after military service. Jeremy says veterans entering agriculture need more than pamphlets, presentations, or financial assistance. They need experienced farmers and ranchers willing to open their operations, share what the...

On this edition of The Mark White Show, I’m talking with Army veteran Jeremy Clark, founder of Vets to Cowboys in Grand Bay, Alabama. After serving his country through multiple deployments, Jeremy found a new mission through agriculture. Alongside his wife, Heather, he is now helping other veterans discover purpose, camaraderie, practical skills, and new opportunities through farming and ranching....

On this Make a Difference Minute, I have Ashley Chewning with Alabama FilmWorks as she shares how a career in film is about far more than what happens in front of the camera. As production coordinator for Houdini the Magical Dog, Ashley helps keep everything running behind the scenes. From securing filming locations and coordinating logistics to arranging meals for the cast and crew, finding backg...

On this Make a Difference Minute, I have Charlotte Goodman, children’s coordinator at the Leighton Public Library and Civic Center, as she shares how the library is opening young minds to a world of possibilities. For children growing up in a rural community, opportunities to experience different places and cultures can sometimes be limited. That’s why Charlotte and the library created “Leighton’s...

On this Make a Difference Minute, I have firefighter Brett Thomas as he shares his brother Jamey’s unexpected journey after what first appeared to be a routine medical emergency. When Jamey suffered a seizure in May, his family had no idea it would lead to the discovery of a brain tumor. Brett immediately left work to be with his family, helping care for Jamey’s young daughter while his sister-in-...

From birthday celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary to international travel adventures without ever leaving town, the Leighton Public Library and Civic Center is redefining what a community library can be. On tonight’s special on-location edition of The Mark White Show, I sit down with Library Director Miranda Ball and Children’s Coordinator Charlotte Goodman to talk about inspiring childre...

On this Make a Difference Minute, I have Russellville firefighter and EMT Alejandro Wallace as he shares how a passion for protecting lives led him to write the children’s book, A Day at the Fire Station with Dad. As a firefighter, Alejandro has seen firsthand the importance of fire prevention and education. Some of his most rewarding moments have come when children recognize him and say they reme...

This episode of The Mark White Show features two firefighters whose commitment to serving others extends well beyond the firehouse. In the first segment, Russellville firefighter and EMT Alejandro Wallace shares the inspiration behind his children's book, A Day at the Fire Station with Dad, and explains why teaching fire safety at a young age can help save lives. In the second segment, we hear fro...

On this Make a Difference Minute, I have Dr. Larry Charleston IV, a board-certified neurologist and headache medicine specialist, as he discusses the challenges of treating migraine disease and cluster headaches. Migraine disease affects an estimated 43 million Americans, while cluster headaches, though much rarer, are considered among the most painful neurological conditions. Dr. Charleston expla...

Nearly 43 million Americans live with migraine, and thousands more experience the intense pain of cluster headaches. These neurological conditions can interrupt careers, family life, and everyday routines, yet many patients continue searching for treatments that provide effective relief. On this episode of The Mark White Show, I’m talking with Dr. Larry Charleston IV, a nationally recognized neuro...

On today’s Make A Difference Minute, we are once again highlighting the work of the Epilepsy Foundation of America with regional director Sara Sanderson Franklin! This MADM is brought to you by Bama Estate Planning by Attorney Harlan D. Mitchell, proudly supporting stories and the people who make our communities strong. Real stories. Real people. Real impact. News That Unites!™️

On this Make a Difference Minute, I have Julie Garner, founder of Project Yellow Light, as she shares the heartbreaking story that inspired a national movement for safe driving. In 2007, Julie's 16-year-old son, Hunter, was killed in a car crash. In the midst of unimaginable grief, Julie, her husband, and their daughter made the decision to honor Hunter's memory by helping protect other young driv...

In honor of Livvy Rue Borden, from 4p-8p, Pizza Ed in Hartselle, Alabama, is hosting a fundraiser benefiting Smash SMARD and the mission to raise awareness and fund research for SMARD1 (Spinal Muscular Atrophy with Respiratory Distress Type 1). If you've ever wondered why this cause matters, I invite you to listen to my conversation with Kayleen and Drake Borden. Kayleen and Drake share the beauti...

On this Make a Difference Minute, I have Kayleen and Drake Borden as they share how the life of their daughter, Livvy Rue Borden, is inspiring a mission to help other families facing the rare genetic disease SMARD1. While no parent expects to walk the road they have traveled, Kayleen and Drake have chosen to turn their grief into purpose. Through their effort, Love Like Livvy, they hope to one day...

On this Make a Difference Minute, we continue our three-part series highlighting the family behind Aubrey's Love Foundation. After hearing from Aubrey’s dad, Allen, and her mom, Amy, today we hear from Aubrey’s sister, Abby. Abby shares what it was like in the days and months following the accident that claimed Aubrey’s life. She remembers wanting to be alone, but says her parents refused to let h...

On this Make a Difference Minute, I have Amy Tucker as she shares how Aubrey's Love Foundation is continuing her daughter Aubrey’s legacy by investing in students, teachers, and families throughout Limestone County. In just a year and a half, the foundation has already made a meaningful impact. After awarding two scholarships in its first year, Aubrey’s Love has already presented six scholarships...

On this Make a Difference Minute, we're recognizing Aubrey's Love Foundation as Aubrey's dad, Allen Tucker, shares how his daughter's life continues to inspire others. After Aubrey's passing, her family invited those attending her funeral to write down memories in a memory box. What they discovered was both humbling and life changing. Time after time, people shared stories of small acts of kindnes...

So many stories deserve to be told because they remind us that love doesn’t end when someone is gone. On tonight's show, you’ll meet Allen, Amy, & Abby Tucker, founders of Aubrey's Love Foundation, as they share the life of their daughter & sister, Aubrey, and how they have turned unimaginable loss into a mission of hope, kindness, scholarships, and support for students and schools across North Al...

On this Make a Difference Minute, I have Camden Reams from Scottsboro, Alabama, as he shares what life is really like living with type 1 diabetes. Camden says managing diabetes isn’t something he could imagine doing alone. The love and support of his parents, Jason and Estell, have helped him face the daily challenges that come with the disease. He also credits his school nurses, Sally Black & Mas...