This episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama introduces SHOW Baldwin, a nonprofit in Baldwin County created by mothers of children with disabilities who saw firsthand the lack of accessible resources in their community.

What started as a simple effort to raise money for a child’s wheelchair quickly evolved into a full organization focused on inclusive events, equipment access, and direct family support. SHOW Baldwin now provides adaptive programming, a medical equipment lending library, and monthly support for families in need.

The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as the group shares the story of Heather Hestand, a founding member of SHOW Baldwin who was recently diagnosed with stage four cancer. The episode highlights the harsh financial realities faced by families raising children with disabilities and the overwhelming uncertainty surrounding long-term care.

Through community-driven fundraising efforts, including a GoFundMe and an upcoming Gratitude Gala, the organization is working to secure financial stability for Heather’s daughter’s future.

The episode ultimately exposes a larger issue. Alabama families are often left to build their own support systems due to gaps in accessibility, affordability, and resource awareness.

In this episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, we sit down with Democratic candidate Clyde Jones, who is running for U.S. Congress in Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.Jones brings a background in military service, community leadership, and advocacy. In this conversation, we break down the real issues affecting Alabamians right now. Healthcare costs, workers’ rights, immigration enforcement, and the growing divide in politics.We also get into campaign accountability, corporate money in politics, and what it actually takes to create change at the federal level.Whether you agree or disagree, this is the kind of conversation voters need to hear.CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction + Clyde Jones Background03:18 Why Some Candidates Avoid Accountability06:17 Top Issues in Alabama District 110:17 Immigration Enforcement & Labor Impact14:14 Rising Costs, Housing, and Insurance Crisis18:05 Corporate Money in Politics & Term Limits22:28 Accountability, Transparency & Insider Trading29:12 Political Division & Public Discourse39:39 “Unpopular” Policy Positions Explained48:59 Rapid Fire Questions54:24 Final Message to VotersSUPPORT OUR WORKIf you’ve been following our work, you already know this isn’t just a podcast.We are actively investigating cases, reviewing records, and working with families who are still looking for answers. That work takes time, resources, and support.If you want to be part of what we’re building at Murder Creek Media, here are a few ways you can help:- Support the show directly: murdercreekmedia.com/donate- Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it- Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming nextEvery share, every listen, and every dollar goes back into the work.

In this episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, we take a closer look at a case involving 71-year-old Nolan Keel of Foley, Alabama, who was arrested during an early morning walk in April 2024.

According to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, Keel was stopped for walking in the roadway and later arrested for disorderly conduct. Keel disputes that version of events.

Using the incident report, applicable Alabama law, and body camera footage obtained through his attorney, we walk through what happened, what deputies documented, and what can be seen on video.

This episode also includes an interview with Keel, where he shares his experience and how the arrest impacted him. As always, we’re laying out the information so you can review it for yourself and draw your own conclusions.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

01:13 Overview of the case

02:00 Details of the stop

04:18 Incident report breakdown

07:06 Alabama pedestrian laws

09:39 ID laws and context

11:52 Police body camera footage

31:31 Initial reactions to the footage

58:19 Interview with Nolan Keel

01:33:37 Closing discussion

Why are Alabama power bills so high? Why does the Alabama Public Service Commission keep avoiding transparency? And what really happened with the legislation that expanded the PSC?

In this episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, Neeli Faulkner and Whitney Scapecchi sit down with Jeff Ramsey, Democratic candidate for the Alabama Public Service Commission, union electrician, small business owner, and project manager, for one of the most detailed conversations yet about utility regulation in Alabama.

They get into Alabama Power profits, PSC transparency, solar penalties, Stockton solar controversy, data centers, rate cases, backroom politics, working class issues, and why so many Alabamians feel like they are paying more while getting less.

If you’ve been trying to understand why your power bill keeps climbing and why the system feels rigged, this episode is for you.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro01:11 Meet Jeff Ramsey + Why He’s Running05:29 Why Alabama Power Bills Are So High08:16 PSC Expansion Bill Explained12:28 Transparency, Backroom Deals & Accountability19:03 Solar, Data Centers & Stockton Controversy33:04 Alabama Power Profits, Efficiency & Rate Structure40:24 Why People-First Bills Keep Failing46:05 Rate Cases, Rate Hikes & How the System Works49:13 “We’re Not Mad Enough”54:35 What Jeff Would Do Differently01:03:59 Working Class Politics & “Dirt Road Democrat”01:16:01 Final Takeaway. “There’s Got to Be a Better Way”

In this Beyond the Pod episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, Neeli Faulkner and Whitney Scapecchi take listeners behind the scenes to discuss real-time developments, political conversations, and investigative work happening outside the main episodes.

This episode covers:

• A major update in the Tony Quince case and the pending decision before the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals• Allegations of wrongful conviction and multiple witness recantations• The debate surrounding Baldwin County accountability Facebook groups• Transparency, anonymous posts, and public trust in local government• A newly appointed judgeship and questions surrounding the appointment• Rapid-moving Alabama Public Service Commission legislation

In this episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, hosts Neeli Faulkner and Whitney Scapecchi sit down with Matt Gentry, Cullman County Sheriff and candidate for the Alabama Public Service Commission, to discuss rising power bills, utility regulation, and what the PSC actually does.

Gentry shares his background in law enforcement, why he’s running for the Alabama Public Service Commission, and what he believes is driving high electricity costs across Alabama. The conversation also explores PSC transparency, live streaming meetings, campaign contributions, solar farms, data centers, and proposed legislation including Senate Bill 360 and House Bill 475.

We also discuss how PSC decisions affect everyday Alabamians. From energy rates and natural gas to trucking regulations and infrastructure. Gentry outlines his stance on utility oversight, government accountability, and protecting ratepayers.

Topics Covered:
• Alabama Public Service Commission explained• Why Alabama power bills are rising• PSC transparency and public accountability• Solar farms and data centers in Alabama• Senate Bill 360 and House Bill 475• Campaign finance and utility PAC money• Energy policy and ratepayer protection• What the PSC regulates in Alabama

In this episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, hosts Neeli Faulkner and Whitney Scapecchi sit down with Brent Woodall, Republican candidate for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2, to discuss the growing controversy surrounding the PSC, Alabama power rates, and proposed legislation that could reshape how commissioners are selected.

The Alabama Public Service Commission regulates utilities that impact nearly every household in the state. That includes electricity providers, rate structures, and long-term infrastructure decisions that directly affect monthly power bills. Recent reports showing Alabama among the highest electricity rates in the country have sparked renewed scrutiny of the PSC and calls for transparency, public hearings, and structural reform.

Woodall, a former Chief of Staff at the Alabama Public Service Commission and former prosecutor with the Alabama Attorney General’s Office and U.S. Attorney’s Office, explains how the PSC operates behind the scenes, what commissioners actually do, and why some lawmakers are proposing major changes.

This conversation covers:
• Alabama Public Service Commission responsibilities• Alabama electricity rates and utility regulation• PSC transparency and public hearings• Proposed legislation affecting PSC elections• Appointed vs elected commissioners• Utility monopolies and ratepayer advocacy• Campaign finance concerns and utility influence• Why PSC decisions affect every Alabama resident• Voter turnout and statewide PSC elections• What changes candidates say are needed

If you’ve ever wondered why your power bill keeps rising, who regulates utility companies in Alabama, or how the Public Service Commission affects your daily life, this episode breaks it down in plain language.

Human trafficking is often talked about as something that happens somewhere else. Another country. Another state. To someone else’s community.

But the reality is far different.

In this episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, we sit down with Allana Chris and Genna Van Varden of The Little Tree Project, a nonprofit working directly with survivors of human trafficking and alongside law enforcement agencies across the state.

Together, we break down what trafficking actually looks like in real life, not just the version portrayed in movies. From coercion and manipulation to the role of open source intelligence and community awareness, this conversation offers a closer look at how exploitation happens and why it often goes unnoticed.

We also talk about common misconceptions, warning signs the public should be aware of, and what to do if you suspect someone may be a victim.

This is a heavy topic, but it’s one that deserves attention.

In Beyond the Pod, Neeli and Whitney take you behind the scenes of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, breaking down what doesn’t always make it into the final cut and what’s actively unfolding in real time.

This episode covers:

• The developing allegations tied to Daphne High School and the response from parents and media
• A major new tip in the Brittany Wood case and how it was handled with law enforcement
• What it actually looks like to investigate leads, approach witnesses, and navigate boundaries
• A call for volunteers and an update on active Murder Creek Media cases

Some conversations are messy. Some stories are still developing. But this is the reality of investigative work.

Alabama’s prison system is under national scrutiny, and some say it’s becoming the incarceration capital of the world.

In this episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, we sit down with gubernatorial candidate Dr. Will Boyd to break down the biggest issues facing Alabamians today, including prison reform, parole failures, education funding, and the ongoing debate over an Alabama lottery.

From firsthand discussions about wrongful convictions and prison conditions to policy proposals that could reshape the state’s future, this conversation dives deep into the systems impacting justice, education, and opportunity across Alabama.

Dr. Boyd outlines his plan to overhaul the prison system, expand Medicaid, and address what he calls the state’s biggest issue: the lack of a fair shot for everyday people.

This is one of the most unfiltered conversations we’ve had about Alabama’s justice system and what comes next.