This one’s a first: we have a dog guest on the Mo Show. Join us for a special episode featuring Stephanie Cook, a school counselor at Madison Elementary, and Barnie Fife, the school’s facility dog.

Barnie isn’t just a furry friend. He provides emotional support to students, helps them navigate tough days, and plays an essential role in the school’s daily life.

Stephanie shares the story of how she brought Barnie on board, from his training to his daily routines. Plus, you’ll hear about the relationship he has with the students, staff, and overall school community.

If you’ve ever wondered how facility dogs fit into schools (or just want to hear a feel-good story), this conversation is for you.

We covered:

Meet Stefanie and Barnie

Being a school counselor

The journey of getting a facility dog

What a facility dog does at school

Barnie Fife's training

Barnie's impact on students

Barnie's life outside of school

Today, we’re celebrating those who served by highlighting a powerful mission: helping veterans successfully transition to civilian life.

In this episode of Mo Show Live, I’m joined by Rich Landolt, retired Rear Admiral and President & CEO of Still Serving Veterans. With 32 years of U.S. Navy service under his belt, Rich is passionate about supporting veterans as they navigate life beyond the military.

We dive into:

How Still Serving Veterans helps with resumes, job counseling, and LinkedIn profiles

The key to translating military experience into civilian opportunities

Why managing expectations is crucial during the transition process

The impact of community support and corporate donations

Tune in for a conversations that’s all about honoring veterans and their future.

What does it really mean to support our neighbors in need? Today, I’m chatting with Fran Fluhler from Manna House. They’re a great local organization in North Alabama that's all about feeding and uplifting our community.

You might be surprised to hear that a lot of folks who use Manna House for meals have full-time jobs. But with prices going up everywhere, more and more people are coming through their doors these days.

Yet Manna House is more than just a place to grab a meal. It’s a vital resource for individuals and families who need access to fresh produce, meals, and essential items. Fran shares how they promote dignity and comfort for those they serve—something I believe we all can get behind.

• How food get distributed every day at Manna House

• Their innovative Hydroponic Garden Initiative

• The challenges our community is facing with essentials

• How they help kids stay nourished outside of the classroom

• What they’re doing to help the community get better jobs

Resources

https://www.mymannahouse.com/ 

Alabama is an outdoor lover’s paradise—whether you're into hiking, fishing, or just getting out in nature, this state has it all. But here in North Alabama, we’ve got some incredible cultural spots too. Today we’re going to look at one that I’ve been hearing a ton of buzz about lately.

I’m excited to welcome Joy Harris, the Marketing Manager and Graphic Designer from the Cook Museum of Natural Science in Decatur. This museum has come a long way since its early days as a small 5,000-square-foot space back in 1980. Now, it’s a world-class facility that reopened in 2019 and has been attracting crowds ever since. 

With over 400,000 visitors through its doors, Joy and I are going to dig into what makes this place such a huge hit with families. From hands-on exhibits to live animal experiences, there’s something for everyone.

Stay tuned to find out why the Cook Museum is one of North Alabama’s must-visit spots!

How a personal insect collection grew into the Cook Museum

A sneak peek at what’s in store for museum visitors

Why the toddler play area is a hit with families

How the museum partners with local schools and homeschoolers

What’s coming up this fall for families at the museum

How to become a part of the museum community

Resources:

https://www.cookmuseum.org

https://www.cookmuseum.org/volunteers 

https://themoshow.live 

Poverty affects nearly 1 in 5 students in Madison County. Today, we’ll explore how one organization is ensuring these students don’t fall behind in the classroom. 

I’m excited to discuss how Free 2 Teach is making an impact in Madison County. Joining me is Alison Kling, the executive director of Free 2 Teach. As a former elementary school teacher, Alison understands firsthand what educators need to succeed in the classroom. 

In this episode, she shares how Free 2 Teach is stepping up to provide free school supplies for our teachers and students. Their goal is make sure every child has what they need without teachers having to dip into their own pockets. 

We discussed:

Why a box full of binders inspired the launch of Free 2 Teach

How school supplies directly impact our children

The ways local companies are helping repurpose their resources for teachers

What types of school supplies Madison County teachers can pick up

How Free 2 Teach created a feminine hygiene program from community input

Connect with Free 2 Teach

Visit Free2Teach.org 

Free 2 Teach on Facebook

Imagine being a young child and facing a life-altering injury. Our guest today, Leanne, faced such a challenge when she was just four years old. In June 1986, an event occurred that would change her life forever.

Leanne lost her arm, but her parents didn't treat her any differently. They encouraged her to adapt and keep going, which built a relentless determination in her.

In her book, "Red Stitches," Leanne shares her journey from those tough early days. She talks about her childhood and how she learned to find her way in the world.

One of the most amazing parts of her story is how she discovered softball. Even though neither of her parents were athletes, Leanne had a natural talent for the sport. The red stitches on the softball became a symbol of her resilience, helping her hold everything together. Today, we’re going to dive deep into her story.

Today, I'm thrilled to welcome a familiar face, especially for our listeners in North Alabama. For over 14 years, he's been your trusted source for weather updates on WHNT News 19. That's right, it's meteorologist Ben Smith.

Ben was an early guest on the Mo Show, and I couldn't be more excited to have him back. But today, we're steering away from weather talk. Instead, we're diving into a different chapter of Ben's journey: his love for photography.

And let me tell you, Ben's photography story is truly something special. Just two years ago, he hadn't even held a professional camera. It all began with a spur-of-the-moment decision to attend a football game solo. Little did he know, that choice would alter the course of his life.

With a borrowed press pass and the cheapest camera he could find, Ben stepped onto the field and into uncharted territory. What followed was a crash course in Photography 101, filled with grainy shots and rookie blunders.

But Ben didn't give up. Week after week, he returned to the sidelines, refining his skills and capturing moments he never thought possible. What began as a simple outing turned into a life-changing passion, a journey filled with unexpected opportunities and blessings in disguise.

Join us as Ben shares the highs and lows of his journey that stems from what he now considers "one of the biggest blessings" of his life.

Today, we're joined by Nick Nanton, a powerhouse in the entertainment world. With 22 Emmy Awards to his name, Nick's talents range from directing and producing to writing, songwriting, and even law.

With over 60 films under his belt, including a hit Broadway show, Nick has rubbed shoulders with industry giants in business and sports. 

So, what inspires Nick's storytelling in his documentaries? How much blood, sweat, and tears go into producing one of his masterpieces? 

From start to finish, Nick takes us through his filmmaking process. From choosing subjects to securing funding and the intricacies of shooting and editing, he provides a comprehensive look into the filmmaking process.

Nick also offers insights into his relationships with subjects and valuable advice for aspiring storytellers. We explore his songwriting career, where he crafts tunes for music artists in just a few hours.

Join us as the Mo Show Live returns for a new season! In this episode, we sit down with Jeremy Foulks, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of the River Valley. With 20+ years of experience, Jeremy shares how his organization is helping tackle the critical need for safe, affordable housing.

Over the years, the Huntsville chapter of Habitat for Humanity has served over 300 families in our community, contributing to the mission of building homes, communities, and hope.

In this episode, Jeremy reveals the selection process for families in need and sheds light on the three criteria: the need for housing, affordability, and the ability to repay a mortgage. In recent years, the landscape has shifted from substandard living conditions to the pressing issue of affordability, with families struggling to find a decent place to live.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the vital role organizations like Habitat for Humanity play in creating a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Jeremy's passion for his work and the organization's mission is sure to inspire you.

Welcome to the 100th episode of the Mo Show Live! This week, I have a special guest joining me on the show. My son, Wyatt, agreed to sit down and chat with me about middle school classes and his life as a busy student-athlete.

In this episode, we talk all about entering the fast-paced world of 7th grade and playing for his school’s football, basketball, and baseball team. Keep listening until the end for a fun round of rapid-fire questions.

• How Wyatt balances studying with playing three different sports
• His favorite sport to play vs. his favorite sport to watch
• The life lessons that you can learn from being an athlete
• How playing a team sport helps build relationships with others

Watch the episode on YouTube