The Mo Show Podcast

Cervical cancer is one type of cancer we already have the tools to prevent and detect early. So why are women in Alabama still being diagnosed with it?

In this episode of Mo Show Live, I'm talking with Isabel Scarinci, PhD, a professor at UAB and one of the leaders behind Operation Wipe Out.

Operation Wipe Out brings together healthcare providers, public health organizations, Rotary clubs, community leaders, and others with one goal: eliminating cervical cancer in Alabama.

We cover:

• How cervical cancer can be prevented
• Why boys and girls are both recommended to receive the HPV vaccine
• Why some Alabama counties continue to see high rates of cervical cancer
• How Alabama became the first state to plan to eliminate cervical cancer
• How community leaders can help get health information to people who need it
• What Operation Wipe Out is doing to support communities across Alabama

Mentioned: https://operationwipeout.org

Some of the needs students face at school are easy to overlook.

In this episode of Mo Show Live, I'm talking with Robin Drake, president of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Greater Huntsville Area Chapter.

For the past five years, the organization has worked with schools across North Alabama to provide feminine hygiene products and other personal essentials to girls who need them.

We cover:

• Why the need for feminine hygiene products extends beyond Title I schools
• How not having basic hygiene products can affect attendance
• Why the drive expanded beyond period products
• What happens when schools come together to collect supplies for their students
• How the drive has grown to serve schools across North Alabama

Mentioned:

https://www.nc100bwghac.org

In this episode of Mo Show Live, I'm talking with Madison Mayor Ranae Bartlett about the growth happening across the city and what's ahead.

Madison has changed dramatically over the last several decades, growing from fewer than 5,000 residents in 1980 to about 66,000 today. With that growth comes new opportunities, along with challenges around roads, schools, infrastructure and more.

Mayor Bartlett joins me to talk about how the city is responding to that growth, her path through public service, and some of the projects she hopes will shape Madison's future.

We cover:

• Why growth has put pressure on Madison's roads and schools
• What's being done to improve traffic around the city
• Why some road projects can take years to complete
• How Madison, Huntsville and Madison County work together
• Why Mayor Bartlett didn't get the first public service position she applied for
• How the SEC Softball Tournament could introduce a new audience to Madison
• What Mayor Bartlett hopes to accomplish over the next four years

If you've spent time in Downtown Huntsville, you've probably seen the Together We Rise mural on the Clinton Avenue parking deck.

Today, I'm joined by the artist behind the mural, Ann Moeller, to talk about the story it tells and what it took to bring a project of that scale to life.

Ann shares how organizations like Arts Huntsville and the Junior League of Huntsville helped make the mural possible. We also dive into the meaning behind the imagery and the logistics of painting a 60-foot wall in the middle of Downtown.

We cover:

How Ann transitioned into large-scale public art and murals

The story and symbolism behind the Together We Rise mural

What it takes to design and paint a 60-foot-tall mural

Using grids, VR technology, and scissor lifts to bring the mural to life

Why public art feels different from private commissions

Mentioned:

Ann Moeller

Together We Rise

The Mo Show Live

In this episode of Mo Show Live, I'm talking with Mark Russell, the Executive Director of the Huntsville Sports Commission.

Mark and I dive into how sports are shaping Huntsville's growth. The Sports Commission plays a big role in bringing events, visitors, and energy to the Rocket City, and it's helping Huntsville make a name for itself on the national stage.

We'll talk about how the city became a destination for cross country and beach volleyball, what it takes to host NCAA and Conference USA championships. Plus, how facilities like John Hunt Park and the Huntsville Aquatic Center are creating year-round opportunities for athletes and families.

We cover:

What the Huntsville Sports Commission does for our community

How cross country and running events put Huntsville on the map

The story behind the city's growing beach volleyball scene

Why skateboarding and other niche sports matter for local tourism

The importance of supporting Alabama A&M and UAH athletics

How sports events boost Huntsville's economy and visibility

What's ahead with the Rocket City Marathon

When it comes time to explore assisted living options for a loved one, most of us don't know where to start. We're unsure what questions to ask, what red flags to look for, and how to make a choice that truly meets our family member's needs.

Today, I'm joined by Leigh Ann Hamby, Executive Director of Kauhale Byrd Springs here in Huntsville. With more than 20 years of experience running assisted living communities, Leigh Ann has helped countless families navigate this transition, and she's sharing her insights with us.

Listen now to get the information you need before you choose an assisted living facility. We cover:

How to know which type of care your loved one qualifies for

What to look for (and what to avoid) when touring communities

Questions you should be asking on a community tour

How pricing typically works for assisted living

Tips for making the move smoother and less stressful for your loved one

Red flags that could signal a community isn't the right fit

Everyone deserves the chance to live independently. But for many people with disabilities, that dream feels out of reach.

Today, I'm joined by Davina Patterson, Executive Director of the Disability Resource Network. Davina and her team are on a mission to break down the hidden barriers that keep people from living life on their own terms.

The organization helps folks with disabilities gain the skills and support they need to create lives they're proud of. Plus, we talk about why independence shouldn't be a privilege—and what each of us can do to help make it possible.

We discussed:

The first step to help someone transition out of their family home

How to support youth through critical school transitions

What parents need to know about IEPs and 504 plans

How they're helping people protect themselves from scams

Why many people with disabilities struggle to find a primary care doctor

July is Disability Pride Month

When I first moved to North Alabama, Madison was just a spot in the road. Now it's one of the fastest-growing cities in the state, and I've been lucky to see that growth firsthand through sports, school, and service.

In this episode, I sit down with Christina Hearne, Executive Director of Madison Visionary Partners, to talk about how MVP is helping shape that growth in all the right ways. Some recent projects include everthing from colorful murals and inclusive playgrounds, to a new senior center and plans for a Miracle League field.

We also talk about their microgrant program, upcoming volunteer events like Serve Madison, and how small ideas can lead to big change in our community.

If you haven't been to downtown Athens lately, you might be surprised by what you find.

Today, I sit down with Tere Richardson, Executive Director of Athens Main Street. We talk about how the heart of this North Alabama town has changed over the years, while still holding on to the charm that makes it feel like classic small-town America.

Tere shares how Athens has grown as the city embraced outdoor dining and events, their entertainment district, and what's still ahead, including plans to bring more downtown living to life.

Today, I'm joined by Tracy Bennett Smith, who leads Make-A-Wish Alabama. We talk about how the organization brings hope to kids across our state who are facing critical illnesses. Tracy walks us through how wishes are granted, how children are nominated, and the real impact a wish can have on an entire family.

We also discuss how people can get involved, whether it's through events, volunteering, or even donating items to America's Thrift Stores. Tracy shares stories that show just how much a wish can mean, and why they're working hard to reach more kids in Alabama.

What you'll hear:

What Make-A-Wish Alabama does and how it got started

How local chapters work with the national organization

Who qualifies for a wish and how the nomination process works

Why fundraising is key (and what Trailblaze and Wish Night means)

How thrift store donations and car tags help fund wishes

Stories that show the lasting impact of a wish

Learn more or get involved: 👉 wish.org/alabama 👉 alabamatrailblaze.org