In the season finale of The Shield, Nichole sits down with George Cowgill, a true Birmingham native and the owner of the Black Market Bar + Grill. George reflects on his experience as a firefighter and how it shaped the way he approaches life, work, and community. He shares insights from his journey of building one of Birmingham’s most popular bar and grills, navigating the challenges of running a business, and making intentional choices that align with his values.

Beyond the business, George talks about being straight-edge and supporting employees in recovery, creating a workplace built on respect and accountability. This episode highlights his life choices, showing how people can support a recovery community even while owning a bar and grill. Life is full of surprises—and George is only just getting started.

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In this episode of The Shield, Nichole sits down with Rosie Stafford Smith, Founder and CEO of Zadie & Co. — a nationally recognized consulting firm that helps nonprofit leaders and philanthropists reach their greatest potential.

Although a Birmingham native, Rosie first connected with Nichole through St. Louis, where their paths crossed. She has since supported Nichole and the Addiction Prevention Coalition in strengthening their mission and impact through strategic planning.

Tune in for a warm, insightful conversation about leadership, authenticity, and the power of surrounding yourself with people who make you better — both personally and professionally.

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On this episode of The Shield with Nichole Dawsey, Nichole is joined by Dr. Pauline Long and Dr. Jennifer Campbell, co-owners of MedsPLUS Consulting in Birmingham. With more than 20 years of experience working side by side, Dr. Pauline and Dr. Jennifer lead their pharmacy with a mission to provide personalized health support, especially for underserved communities.

They share how MedsPLUS focuses on medication management, preventive care, and innovative tools like blister packs to help patients stay on track. Together, they discuss the importance of breaking down stigma, building transparency, and fostering trust in healthcare. From mental health resources to health education, their conversation highlights the power of community and the role of pharmacists in bridging gaps in care.

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In this episode, Nichole sits down with Liz Read to discuss The Renewal Project, a new nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating financial barriers to mental and behavioral health treatment for Alabama residents. Liz shares her journey to becoming the Executive Director, including her past experience leading Clearlee, a startup focused on creating new and innovative approaches to drug testing that were both dignified and encouraged accountability. They also talk about The Renewal Project’s upcoming soft launch this fall, the hard launch planned for January, and how the Addiction Prevention Coalition (APC) became a fiscal sponsor, aligning with APC’s mission to strengthen community well-being.

Liz and Nichole also explore what The Renewal Project is looking for in partner providers and encourage community members to stay connected. For anyone who may need this type of support—or wants to help expand access to care—this conversation is an opportunity to learn how to stay informed, get involved, and be part of the movement to make treatment more accessible in Alabama.

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This week on The Shield, Nichole sits down with Micah Andrews, Executive Director of The Foundry, as they celebrate 55 years of helping people rebuild their lives. 

From its beginnings as a rescue mission to becoming a faith-based residential recovery program, The Foundry has evolved to meet people where they are. Micah opens up about his personal journey, the role faith has played in shaping his leadership, and what it takes to build and sustain a $10 million nonprofit. He also dives into how The Foundry helps people through counseling, education, employment readiness, and aftercare. 

Tune in for honest stories about second chances, repairing burned bridges, and the hope that comes from a place like The Foundry.

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https://www.youtube.com/@AddictionCoalition

For today’s episode, Nichole sits down with Gaines Johnson, president and creator of The World Baseball League. Inspired by conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, Gaines developed the league as a way to combine baseball and entertainment at an affordable price. He shares his passion for the sport, his vision for creating a community-centered experience, and how he hopes to make the game more accessible and exciting for families.

Gaines also opens up about his diverse career paths and personal life experiences, including his decision to stop drinking for a clearer mind. He discusses the role alcohol plays in baseball culture, how he’s examined his own relationship with it, and how The World Baseball League is designed to be family-friendly while promoting a sober lifestyle.

For more content, make sure to check us out on Instagram and YouTube!

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In this episode of The Shield, Nichole has a no-holds-barred conversation with Brandon Baez, founder of Active Recovery Outreach. Brandon Baez prides his work on recognizing that recovery is more than just abstaining from substances but fostering community support. He created Lets Go Do Sh!t, a social group for those in recovery or recovery curious. 

This group emphasizes living in the moment and that a life of sobriety goes beyond the walls of a recovery meeting. The group focuses on engaging with life - from paint ball to bowling. No matter the steps you follow, or your path to recovery, Active Recovery Outreach reduces stigma, fosters connection, and most importantly has fun! Together, Brandon and Nichole discuss his personal path to recovery, building relationships, and bringing the excitement to life without substance use. 

Check out Active Recovery Outreach or join the Lets Go Do Sh!t Facebook page to learn more, and listen to this episode of The Shield! 

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https://www.instagram.com/addictionpreventioncoalition/

https://www.youtube.com/@AddictionCoalition

In this episode of The Shield, Nichole sits down with Katelyn Whitmore, Front of House Manager at Birmingham’s iconic Bottega. Although Katelyn graduated with a degree in education, she found her true passion in the hospitality industry—a fast-paced world where connection and experience come together through food and service.

Katelyn opens up about the joys and challenges of working in restaurants, sharing how the pressures of the industry contributed to her struggle with substance use disorder. Thanks to a strong support system and the love of her family, she found a path to recovery and transformed her experience into a mission to help others.

She co-founded PreShift, a support group designed for hospitality workers who are sober-curious, in recovery, or simply seeking a safe space to talk about the unique stresses of the industry.

Join us for this inspiring and honest conversation about resilience, healing, and the power of community in an often demanding world.

For more content, make sure to check us out on Instagram and YouTube!

https://www.instagram.com/addictionpreventioncoalition/

https://www.youtube.com/@AddictionCoalition

Join us for a special episode as Nichole sits down with two inspiring students from Woodlawn High School to talk about the WOW Forum—which stands for Wisdom of Woodlawn. This youth-centered platform amplifies young voices through podcast episodes, creative workshops, and honest community dialogue. WOW explores personal and collective growth while celebrating the wisdom already present in our neighborhoods.

In this meaningful conversation, Jacques and Brent open up about the challenges of being high school students today, their hopes for the future, and the importance of building stronger community connections. And in a fun twist, they turn the mic around and interview Nichole—putting her in the hot seat!

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In this episode, we sit down with Alabama, syndicated radio personality and host of The Alabama Show on 103.7 The Q. Alabama shares how a simple email to APC turned into a meaningful partnership rooted in her personal experience—the overdose loss of her mother. She opens up about how this tragedy impacted her and how she uses her platform to amplify her mother's story, creating space for families and individuals affected by substance use disorder.

Alabama also reflects on her path into radio and how making key mindset shifts has helped her grow—personally and professionally. These changes have shaped how she shows up in the world and deepened her ability to connect with others. She also shares what life looks like outside of the studio, including her love for animals. Tune in for an honest, powerful conversation about healing, purpose, and using your voice to build community.

For more content, make sure to check us out on Instagram and YouTube!

https://www.instagram.com/addictionpreventioncoalition/

https://www.youtube.com/@AddictionCoalition