Real Mississippi

First responders often get the short end of the stick. They have terrible pay and hours, rough work conditions, and a mountain of prejudice stacked up against them in the media. However, what goes on behind the scenes? What are their struggles? And most importantly, what are their stories? Written by Karlin Campbell, whose parents are first responders, and produced by Jay DeOchoa.

What do the first African American Student Body President elected at Harvard, an MSMS alum, Albert Einstein, Maya Angelo, and (most likely) you have in common? All of them have suffered from intrusive feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt while struggling through a phenomenon known as Imposter Syndrome. In a podcast produced by Ty Elam, Madison Echols takes us through the ins and outs of a mental health issues that plagues the minds of 70% of people from all walks of life, giving insight into its causes, victims, and the ways that minority statuses intersect in those who suffer from it.

Women of Meridian, Mississippi in the mid-1980s traveled in fear of being the next victim of the Blue Light Rapist, a man who pretended to be a police officer. He would pull women over for traffic violations they didn't commit. Once he got them out of their vehicles, he would assault them. The man ultimately convicted of these crimes, Larry Fisher, had previously been arrested for crimes like breaking and entering, rape, and kidnapping. Only the bravery of undercover police officers brought his spree to an end. Written by Brianna Moore and produced by Adit Patel.

Wiggins, Mississippi used to be a town bustling with life. Its downtown area, Pine Hill Avenue, once had businesses lining its streets; however, in recent years, it finds itself with only two businesses left standing. The people in town are growing restless as a discussion concerning Wiggins' next steps towards growth breaks out within its local government. Join Raegan Calvert in this episode of Real Mississippi as she explains the situation unfolding on Pine Hill Avenue. Produced by Braedon Rothert.

The first thing I learned about my biology teacher, Ms. Stacy Baker, was that she had once accidentally smuggled a chicken across state lines. Mrs. Baker has taught at Germantown Middle School for the past thirteen years in the small town of Gluckstadt. Day in and day out, her unique approach to teaching completely transforms her students’ learning experience. Each and every one of her students step out of her classroom as a changed--and improved--individual. Listen now to learn more about how Ms. Baker shapes the future of our society through her love for science and her dedication to her students. Written by Harsika Dillibabu and produced by Jonathan Kiesel.

Was Bernie Ebbers a guilty crook who cooked the books and swindled over nine billion dollars, or an innocent man stabbed in the back by his own lieutenant? This is the story of Bernard Ebbers as the CEO of a fortune 500 company from the small, unassuming town of Clinton, Mississippi. While some think of him as a corrupt corporate villain, some Clinton residents had different tales to tell about our Telecom Cowboy. Find out what they had to say on this episode of Real Mississippi. Written by Richard Zheng and produced by Alex White.

William Jerome Manning has been sitting on death row for the last twenty years after being convicted of committing a double homicide. Although a guilty verdict sealed his fate in court, the suspicions surrounding the conducting of his trial and legal proceedings are becoming unavoidable. Frustrations with Manning’s legal representation have garnered attention to a possible new motive for Manning’s arrest and conviction. As a Black man in Mississippi, it can only be speculated that the poor handling Manning’s case is a result of his minority status in America. Statistically, Black Americans are incarcerated at nearly five times the rate of White Americans. Racial disparities in penitentiaries commonly a result from the inadequate representation given to defendants of minority groups, and William Jerome Manning may be one of them. Written by Hilldana Tibebu and produced by Alex White.

B.B. King. Muddy Waters. Bo Diddley. Jimmy Rodgers. All of these musicians have Mississippi running through their veins. Music is what makes Mississippi what it is. How do we make sure we remember these musicians? How do we let their melodies echo throughout history? Malcolm White knew the answer. He found a way to make sure Mississippi remembers its artists through his sensational restaurant, Hal & Mal's, and through his work with the Mississippi Arts Commission. Through the words of Nora Courtney and the production of David Johnson, find out how Malcolm White shows the world what hidden talents arise from the same soil where the Blues were born. Original music written and recorded by Steven Kennedy.

Everyone has weaknesses; something they aren’t good at, something that whatever they try, they can’t have. For my sister, Bailey White, and so many other children with Trisomy 18, their weakness is life. While their life might be their kryptonite, it’s also their way to show us what it’s like to truly be heroic. Written by Addie White and produced by Abigail Parker.

Dr. Lee Engel, an orthodontist, has been providing Mississippians big smiles and fine art for over 30 years. He has office locations in Greenville, Cleveland, and Clarksdale, and  works diligently to make sure his patients can be confident when they smile. He also partners with the Delta Children's Museum to see to it that kids of all ages are have access to the arts. Produced by Jeremy Dawe.