The Mark White Show

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, or experience the world differently.

During our conversation, Ashley shares her journey in education, how being both an educator and the mother of a child with autism has shaped her perspective, and why behaviors are often a form of communication that others may misunderstand. She also discusses the emotional journey of writing and publishing her first book, Kohen’s reaction to seeing himself represented in the character of Kip, and the overwhelming response the book has received from families and educators.

Ashley also shares her hope that A Friend Like Kip will become a resource in homes, classrooms, libraries, and schools, helping start meaningful conversations about differences, understanding, acceptance, and friendship.

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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 they know, and provide opportunities for hands-on learning.

It's an approach veterans understand well. During military service, skills are developed through training and repetition until performing a task becomes second nature. Jeremy believes the same principle applies to agriculture. By working alongside experienced farmers and ranchers, veterans can develop practical skills, build confidence, and prepare for success in their own operations.

Through Vets to Cowboys, Jeremy hopes to bring generations of agricultural experience together with veterans who are ready to learn, work, and discover a new sense of purpose after service.

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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.

During our conversation, Jeremy shares his family’s journey into agriculture, the mentors who helped him along the way, and how Vets to Cowboys is addressing mental health, food security, workforce development, and the declining number of farms in Alabama. He also shares a powerful message for veterans searching for purpose after military service: taking off the uniform doesn't mean your service has to end.

I hope you’ll listen and share this inspiring conversation with your family, friends, and neighbors!

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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 background actors, and building relationships throughout the community, her work connects people and keeps a production moving forward.

Ashley began her journey as a background actor in Alabama and Hawaii before expanding into theater, acting, and eventually production. Today, she says one of the most rewarding parts of filmmaking is the relationships that develop along the way. By the end of a project, the cast and crew have become like family.

Her story is a reminder that every successful production depends on people whose work often goes unseen, but whose impact is felt in every scene.

Follow Alabama Filmworks on Facebook and Instagram to learn more.

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Tonight, we’re taking you behind the scenes of a movie being filmed right here in Athens, Alabama!

Tune in as I talk with actor and producer Branscombe Richmond, actor Mark Beltzman, young Alabama actress Gabby Davis and her mom, Megan Davis, actor and stunt performer Bro Richmond, legendary stuntwoman Barbara Anne Klein, veteran Hollywood hair and makeup artist Ramona Fleetwood, production coordinator Ashley Chewning, and director Brian Herzlinger.

We’ll hear how Houdini the Magical Dog is doing its part to bring the film to North Alabama, the opportunities filmmaking creates for local communities, what it takes to make a family movie from start to finish, and the stories behind the talented people bringing it to life.

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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 International Airport,” complete with passports, TSA officers, visits to countries around the world, international food samples, and even a globe for each child who completed the journey.

The inspiration behind the experience came in part from Leighton native and former professional basketball player Leon Douglas. Charlotte remembers hearing him share how, as a young boy, he would crawl under the covers with a flashlight and a map, point to places around the world, and dream of someday visiting them. Through books, those faraway places became real to him long before he ever had the opportunity to travel.

Charlotte wants the children of Leighton to understand that same powerful lesson. Where you come from doesn’t determine how far you can go, and the books inside a library can open doors to an entire world waiting to be discovered.

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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-law remained at the hospital.

Following surgery, Jamey began the difficult process of recovering from weakness on his right side and challenges with speech. While those abilities are steadily improving through therapy, further testing revealed that the tumor was more serious than doctors first believed. Jamey was diagnosed with a grade 3 astrocytoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Jamey's story is a reminder that life’s biggest battles often arrive without warning, but no one should have to face them alone. Through faith, family, friends, and the support of a caring community, hope continues to shine even in the face of uncertainty.

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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 children to read, serving families through innovative programs, partnering with the Food Bank of North Alabama, preserving local history, and creating a place where everyone feels welcome.

Their passion for helping others is evident in everything they do, from summer reading adventures and educational activities to assisting residents with job applications, housing paperwork, and everyday needs. It’s a conversation about service, community, and the power of people working together to make a lasting difference.

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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 remembered what firefighters taught them in school and were able to use that knowledge when it mattered.

The inspiration for his book came even closer to home. As his young daughter began asking questions and exploring the world around her, Alejandro realized that a story could capture her attention in a way a lecture never could. That idea became a book designed to help children learn fire safety in a fun, engaging, and memorable way.

His goal is to equip children with knowledge that could one day save a life.

You can find A Day at the Fire Station with Dad on Amazon or follow Wallace Bookshelf on Facebook.

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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 from a firefighter serving the Trussville and Margaret communities as he shares the deeply personal journey of supporting his brother, Jamey, through a serious health battle in Decatur. It's a heartfelt conversation about family, resilience, and the power of standing together during life's most difficult moments.

These are stories of courage, compassion, and people choosing to make a difference long after the sirens fade.

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