The Mark White Show

Yesterday, I had author Anna Grace Miller and her 97-year-old grandfather, Edgar Michael, at CoraNation for a TMWS interview! Born in 1929, Mr. Michael is one year younger than my grandfather who raised me.

Anna has written Where Bluewater Runs: A Southern Boyhood in the Great Depression, a book inspired by her granddad’s childhood and the real people, places, and events of 1938 Lexington, Alabama.

I had such a good time visiting with Anna and Mr. Michael about the stories behind the book, the memories of growing up in Lexington, and what it means for a granddaughter to preserve her grandfather’s experiences for future generations.

You can meet Anna and Mr. Michael at the special book release on Saturday, August 1st, from 10a until noon at Miller’s Feed & Seed in Green Hill!

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On this Make A Difference Minute, Hope Snoddy Hagan shares what the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from the community has meant to her family as her 19-year-old son, Adyn, battles severe aplastic anemia.

Hope also shares an important message for others facing difficult circumstances: let people help, accept the support, and allow your community to surround you with love during the times you need it most.

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On this edition of The Mark White Show, I’m coming to you from LifeSouth Blood Centers in Florence, Alabama, where I’m joined by Hope Snoddy Hagan and Misty George with Jagger’s Journey.

In 2018, I first connected with Misty as her son, Jagger, battled severe aplastic anemia. Although Jagger passed away in 2020, his legacy continues through Jagger’s Journey and Misty’s efforts to support other families facing the same rare and serious disease.

Today, that journey has connected Misty with the family of 19-year-old Adyn Hagan, the son of my Lauderdale County High School classmate, Hope Snoddy Hagan. Adyn was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia in April and has become dependent on blood and platelet transfusions as he prepares for a bone marrow transplant.

During our conversation, Hope shares her experience as both a nurse practitioner and the mother of a son facing a life-threatening illness. She discusses how quickly their lives changed following Adyn’s diagnosis, the importance of blood and platelet donations, and what the support of the community has meant to their family.

Misty shares Jagger’s story and how the support her family received during his battle inspired her to continue helping others through Jagger’s Journey. She also discusses the emotional and financial challenges families can face during extended medical treatments and why it is so important for families to know they do not have to face those challenges alone.

We also discuss the importance of accepting help during difficult times and the many ways each of us can support families facing circumstances they never expected.

I hope you’ll listen and share as we highlight Adyn’s battle, Jagger’s continuing legacy, and the difference we can make when we come together to support others.

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On this Make a Difference Minute, I have 11-year-old Alabama actress Gabby Davis as she shares about landing the lead role of Izzy in Houdini the Magical Dog, currently being filmed in Athens, Alabama.

After auditioning for the movie and receiving a callback, Gabby continued through the process until she received the call every young actor hopes for. She had been chosen to play Izzy. Her response was immediate. She screamed with excitement!

Gabby’s journey into acting began unexpectedly after years of participating in beauty pageants. One opportunity led to another, eventually opening the door to the entertainment industry and now a leading role in a feature film.

For Gabby, however, some of the best parts of acting are the people and relationships she discovers along the way. She loves meeting the cast and crew, working with the animals, and especially spending time with Kilo, the “magical” dog on set.

At just 11 years old, Gabby is discovering where hard work, opportunity, and a willingness to try something new can lead.

To find out more about Gabby Davis and Houdini the Magical Dog, follow Alabama FilmWorks on Facebook and Instagram.

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On this Make a Difference Minute, I have Bro Richmond, son of actor and stuntman Branscombe Richmond, as he shares about his experience working on Disney’s live-action Moana.

Bro was selected from a large casting search that brought together Polynesians from across the United States with a wide variety of skills and experiences. With his background in stunt work, Bro was chosen to portray one of Moana’s ancestors in scenes filmed aboard a boat placed on a massive gimbal designed to recreate the movement and conditions of the high seas.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Bro says he feels fortunate to have been handpicked for the role and to be part of a film that gives him the opportunity to represent his Hawaiian culture on the big screen.

For Bro, the experience is about more than being part of a major film production. It’s an opportunity to honor where he comes from while continuing to build his own path in the entertainment industry.

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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 conversation with the mayor followed, along with a vision of what bringing film productions to Athens could mean for the city, its businesses, and its people.

Now, that vision is becoming reality as Houdini the Magical Dog is filmed in Athens.

During our conversation, I also had the opportunity to share my own connection to the city. After moving away when I was nine years old, I always hoped I would someday find my way back home. Years later, I did.

For Branscombe, Ashley, and the team behind the film, Athens represents opportunity and possibility.

Sometimes all it takes is someone seeing the potential in a community and being willing to dream about what could happen next.

Follow Alabama FilmWorks on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about Houdini the Magical Dog and other film projects happening in Alabama.

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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 everyday life. At the same time, AI is changing the workplace at an incredible pace, leaving many people wondering how they can prepare and avoid being left behind.

Dr. Farmer-Thompson shares why AI fluency is quickly becoming a new form of literacy, how higher education must better connect learning to real-world careers, and what working adults should consider when choosing a college or university.

I hope you’ll join us for this timely conversation and share the show with others who may be considering the next step in their education or career.

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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, especially working adults who cannot afford to be left behind, have the skills, tools, and credentials necessary to remain competitive.

She believes higher education must help people become more than observers of emerging technology. Students need the opportunity to develop AI fluency and become practitioners who can use these tools to transform themselves and the organizations where they work.

At Strayer University, that means incorporating AI throughout the educational journey, redesigning programs to meet changing workforce demands, and staying connected with hundreds of employer partners to better understand the skills businesses need.

As technology continues to change the workforce, the purpose of higher education must also evolve to prepare people not only for the jobs of today, but for the opportunities of tomorrow.

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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 to represent Athens and compete right here at the Athens SportsPlex!

Tonight, I’m joined by Coach David Gough and the entire team: Treasure Allen, Paisley Adams, Emma Pope, Noey Miller, Kinsley Moore, Jade Grimme, Jincee Faulkner, Ella Lott, Emerson Duncan, Willa Claire Zirbel, Betsey Gough, & Gracelyn Kelley.

You’ll hear from Coach Gough and each of these young athletes as we talk about their championship season, their favorite moments, what it means to be part of this team, and their excitement about playing in the World Series!

A special thanks to team parent Christen Lott for reaching out and helping make tonight’s show possible.

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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 interacted with the world around him.

At first, Ashley simply wanted to write a book Kohen could take to school each year to help his classmates better understand him. Through her work in special education, however, she realized there were many other children facing similar challenges. Too often, she says, children are noticed for their differences before others take the time to see their hearts.

A Friend Like Kip introduces readers to a little boy who loves music, dancing, fall, and, most of all, his friends. Through his story, Ashley hopes to encourage greater kindness, empathy, understanding, and inclusion in classrooms and communities.

You can find A Friend Like Kip on Amazon.

This MADM is brought to you by Athens Bible School, proudly supporting stories and the people who make our communities strong.

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