The Mark White Show

Tonight, on The Mark White Show, I’ll be joined by Arryana Chestnut, founder and executive director of So Fresh & So Clean Haircuts 4 Youth. What started as a vision to provide free haircuts has grown into something much bigger. Through school tours, mentorship, encouragement, and community partnerships, Arryana and her team are helping cultivate distinguished young men one haircut at a time. From...

On this Make A Difference Minute, Shannon and Randy Pike share the difficult health journey that has changed the course of their lives over the last 24 years. What began with an unexplained heart attack at just 27 years old led to a devastating stroke, years of unanswered questions, and the discovery of multiple rare autoimmune conditions. Through hospital stays, setbacks, uncertainty, and ongoing...

Tonight, on The Mark White Show, I’m joined by Randy and Shannon Pike as they share an incredible journey of perseverance through unimaginable health challenges. Randy is battling three very rare autoimmune diseases including Protein S Deficiency, two forms of Lupus, and Hypogammaglobulinemia. Their journey has included hospital stays, rehabilitation, uncertainty, and difficult days that tested th...

On this Make A Difference Minute, I talk with Principal Scott Jones of Allen Thornton Career Tech Center in Lauderdale County, Alabama about the future of today’s students and why he’s optimistic about the next generation. While some people criticize young people, Mr. Jones sees something different. He sees innovation, teamwork, work ethic, and students developing skills that will serve them well...

On this edition of The Mark White Show, I’ll be joined first by Principal Scott Jones with Allen Thornton Career Tech to talk about the impact of career and technical education, the recent Lauderdale County CTE Banquet, and the exciting work ahead as they prepare to move into their new building. In the second segment, I’ll be joined by Dr. W. Craig Noblett, President of the American Association of...

On this Make A Difference Minute, former Athens, Alabama Police Chief Wayne Harper reflects on the lasting impact of officers who gave their lives in the line of duty and why their sacrifice must never be forgotten. Speaking during National Police Week, Chief Harper shares the pain of personally knowing the officers and families affected, while also remembering the overwhelming support shown by th...

On this Make A Difference Minute, we’re highlighting how local people in Russellville, Alabama are coming together to help revive community theatre at the historic Historic Roxy Theatre through the upcoming production of Murder in the Magnolias. More than just a play, this effort is about neighbors volunteering their time, building friendships, stepping outside their comfort zones, and creating so...

On tonight's show, we're coming to your from Green's Dependable Hardware in Russellville, Alabama, as John Duncan of Haleyville joins me to share the incredible story of receiving the gift of life through the late Jolene Sims’ kidney donation. It’s a powerful reminder of how one selfless decision can impact so many lives. You’ll also hear from Matt & Laura McDuffa along with Doug Green as they tal...

On this Make A Difference Minute, kidney recipient John Duncan from Haleyville, Alabama shares the incredible story of how one shared Facebook post led to a life-saving kidney transplant. After John’s story spread across social media, a woman whose mother had suffered a massive stroke reached out with a selfless offer that would ultimately change his life forever. Because her mother was an organ d...

On this Make A Difference Minute, we share an important update about 4-year-old Miyanna Edmiston and her urgent need for a kidney transplant. As her kidney function continues to decline, her family is searching for a living donor in hopes of finding a match before dialysis becomes necessary. This segment highlights the medical, emotional, and financial challenges they are facing, while also remind...

On this Make A Difference Minute, I talk with retiring band director Landon Manning about 25 years of service to Vincent Middle High School and the impact he hoped to leave behind. While there were performances, competitions, and accomplishments along the way, Landon says what mattered most was making sure students knew someone cared about them beyond the classroom or the stage. This segment is a...

Tonight on The Mark White Show, I’m honored to welcome my friend, Landon Manning, for a very special conversation as he reflects on 25 years of service to Vincent Middle High School and Shelby County Schools. This is a conversation about legacy, mentorship, relationships, lessons learned, and the lasting impact educators have on the lives of students and communities. Landon shares about the people...

On this Make A Difference Minute, I talk with John Voigt, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center, about the growing issue of workplace violence facing nurses and frontline healthcare workers. From verbal threats to physical assaults, many healthcare professionals are dealing with situations that go far beyond the medical challenges of the job. Thi...

Tonight’s edition of The Mark White Show focuses on an issue affecting healthcare workers across America: workplace violence in hospitals and healthcare settings. As someone who has served on the Athens-Limestone Hospital Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC) since 2023, this conversation hits especially close to home for me. It’s interesting timing that tomorrow’s PFAC meeting will include dis...

On this Make A Difference Minute, I’m sharing Jewell Brown’s journey and her need for a kidney donor. After facing kidney challenges since childhood and receiving a transplant from her mom that has lasted 20 years, Jewel is now in renal failure and searching for a living donor. This segment highlights both the reality that transplants are not always permanent and the opportunity for someone to mak...

On this Make A Difference Minute, I talk with 17-year-old driver Connor Shelton of Connor Shelton Racing from Tanner, Alabama, about what it takes to compete in racing at a high level. While talent matters, Connor shares that one of the biggest challenges is funding and having the support to stay in the race. His story highlights the importance of family, perseverance, and looking up to those who...

Tonight on The Mark White Show, I’ll be joined by 17-year-old Connor Shelton out of Tanner, Alabama, along with his mom, Amy Gatlin. Connor is chasing a dream at full speed, competing in pro late model stock car racing against some of the best drivers in the country at Montgomery Motor Speedway. What started as a love for racing at 14 has turned into a serious pursuit, built on hard work, long hou...

On this Make A Difference Minute, I talk with Morgan Vance of the Pat Summitt Foundation about Coach Pat Summitt’s response to her Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Instead of stepping back, she stepped forward, using her platform to bring awareness to a disease that often leaves families feeling isolated. This segment highlights her courage to face it publicly and her commitment to making a difference for f...

On this episode of The Mark White Show, I’m joined by Morgan Vance with the Pat Summitt Foundation as we talk about continuing the legacy of Pat Summitt. After her diagnosis with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, Coach Summitt made the decision to turn her fight into a mission that would help others. Today, that mission lives on through the Foundation’s work in supporting families, raising awarenes...

On this Make A Difference Minute, retired U.S. Marshal Jerry Peters shares the mission behind Operation Life Support, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals and families impacted by traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress. Drawing from decades of crisis intervention work and his own experience as a TBI survivor, Jerry is working to connect people with the support and resources they...

On this Make A Difference Minute, I’m joined by my friend Marvin Leathers to talk about the 7th Annual Rebel Jam happening May 16th in Winfield, Alabama. This year’s event is centered around 4-year-old Kam Bryant, a young boy who survived a drowning accident and now requires around-the-clock care at home. Marvin shares Kam’s story, the daily reality his parents Kevin and Kasey face, and how the co...

On this edition of The Mark White Show, I'm talking with Marvin Leathers of Above The Garage Studio. We're talking about the heart behind the 7th Annual Rebel Jam Music Festival in Winfield, Alabama. What started as a passion for music has grown into a powerful community event focused on helping families in need. This year, Rebel Jam is rallying around 4-year-old Kam Bryant and his family as they...

On this Make A Difference Minute, I share a moment with Deanna Tidwell, Director of Victim Services for Lauderdale County District Attorney's Office, as we honored those lost to violent crimes and supported the families left behind. This segment highlights the emotional toll these tragedies take and the importance of treating every victim as a person, not a number. It’s also a call for more people...

On this Make A Difference Minute, I talk with 14-year-old singer-songwriter Michael Schott from Stella, North Carolina about handling doubt and criticism. As his music connects with audiences in powerful ways, Michael shares how he stays focused on what matters most, the real impact his songs have on people, rather than the negativity that can come with visibility. This message is a reminder to st...

On this episode of The Mark White Show, I'm talking with 14-year-old musician Michael Schott from Stella, North Carolina. At a young age, Michael is putting himself out there, sharing his music, and learning what it takes to grow in a space that can be both encouraging and challenging. He talks about where his passion comes from, the influences shaping his sound, and what it means to keep going wh...