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© 2025 Listen Up with Host Al Neely
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Hi, I'm Al Neely. I've spent most of my life asking, " Why do people behave a certain way? Why don't people understand that most everyone wants basically the same thing? Most everyone wants their fundamental need for peace of mind, nourishment, shelter and safety."
What I have learned is that because of an unwillingness to open one's mind to see that some of the people you come in contact with may have those same desires as you do. We prejudge, isolate ourselves, and can be hesitant to interact, and sometimes we can be belligerent towards one another. This is caused by learned behavior that may have repeated itself for generations in our families.
What I hope to do with this podcast is to introduce as many people with as many various cultures, backgrounds, and practices as possible. The thought is that I can help to bring different perspectives by discussing various views from my guests that are willing to talk about their personal experiences.
Hopefully we all will learn something new. We may even learn that most of us share the same desire for our fundamental needs. We may just simply try to obtain it differently.
Sit back, learn, and enjoy!
73 Episodes
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Send us a text We sit down with Tim Loulies, a Hampton Roads comic and teacher, to trace his 17-year journey from sticky-note premises to packed clubs, from the Comedy Store’s unforgiving OR to the Apollo’s infamous boo, and into the wild psychology of being a heel in professional wrestling. Tim opens up about stage fright, why you literally lose your breath at the mic, and how “mental cardio” makes or breaks your first minute on stage. We dig into the craft: writing jokes that travel, build...
Send us a text Local stories can change the fate of a city when they’re told with care. Tony B sits down with Al Neely of Neely Media and Councilman Cash Green to chart a people-first media plan that lifts small businesses, reduces stigma, and builds real civic momentum across Virginia Beach. What starts as an origin story—an online inquiry, a community event, and a shared commitment—grows into a roadmap for accessible journalism and community-building that prioritizes human voices over headl...
Send us a text What happens when a decorated Air Force pilot turns his attention to local democracy? Sean Monterio, chairperson for the Virginia Beach Democratic Party Committee and retired Air Force colonel who flew the fearsome A-10 Warthog "tank killer," brings the same precision and purpose to his fight for fair representation in Virginia Beach. At the heart of our conversation lies the controversial 10-1 referendum - a seemingly technical issue that fundamentally shapes who has power in...
Send us a text Comedy isn't just about making people laugh – it's about processing life's challenges and speaking truths others can't. That's what local comedian Steve Wills discovered after stepping onto the stage for the first time nearly two years ago. In this revealing conversation with Al Neely, Steve shares how comedy transformed from a simple bucket list item into a therapeutic outlet that helps him navigate life's complexities. Born in Savannah and raised in Mississippi before settli...
Send us a text What happens when your barber becomes more than someone who cuts your hair? For many young men in College Park, Virginia, the chair at Dreams Barbershop has become a confessional, a counselor's office, and ultimately, a lifeline. Brothers Derek and Dwayne are transforming their neighborhood through an unexpected hub of mentorship and guidance. Derek, who's been cutting hair at the same location since 2007 and became the owner in 2016, noticed something profound happening in hi...
Send us a text What happens when a youth in foster care turns 21? Far too often, the answer is devastatingly simple: they receive a garbage bag with their belongings and face immediate homelessness. Without family support or a safety net, these young adults find themselves in crisis with nowhere to turn. Meet Clara Wilson and Sean Tull from New Vision Youth Services, a nonprofit organization celebrating 16 years of addressing this critical issue. Based in South Norfolk, Chesapeake, they prov...
Send us a text Suzanne Richmond's doesn't just understand Virginia Beach—she embodies its spirit. As a native daughter who was raised in the heart of Kempsville, Suzanne brings a unique perspective to her candidacy for Commonwealth Attorney, one shaped by deep community roots and professional expertise. The daughter of a federal prosecutor, Suzanne grew up in a household where truth was non-negotiable and doing the right thing was expected. These values formed the foundation of her approach ...
Send us a text Virginia's housing crisis, education challenges, and tax burdens are crushing everyday families, and Tim Anderson has a plan to tackle them all. Running for delegate in the 97th District, Anderson draws from his previous experience in the General Assembly where he learned that effective governance demands reaching across the aisle. During his earlier term, Anderson evolved from partisan legislator to becoming "the most bipartisan legislator in the entire General Assembly." Thi...
Send us a text The invisible aftermath of the pandemic lingers in our collective psyche, manifesting as road rage, workplace tensions, and an unprecedented reluctance to wait in line for anything. Patricia Heard, with three decades of clinical social work experience, unpacks these phenomena through the lens of unresolved trauma and adaptation. Patricia takes us on a remarkable journey from her days at Mount Holyoke College during the early women's movement to her groundbreaking work in menta...
Send us a text Dr. Karen Underwood opens a window into education's past, present, and uncertain future in this thought-provoking conversation. Drawing from three decades of teaching experience across multiple states, she offers rare and valuable insights into how our educational systems function—or dysfunction—across different cultural and geographical contexts. The stark contrast between New York City's education system and those in southern states reveals how politics infiltrates classroom...
Send us a text Behind every successful community support system stands someone who understands what it means to need help. For Sabrina Davis, founder of Reset Inc, this understanding comes from personal experience. As a child, she once attempted to steal a Lunchable because she wanted what other kids had—not because she was starving, but because her hardworking single mother couldn't afford extras. Seeing her mother's tears after being called from work left an impression that would eventually...
Send us a text Patrick McKenna pulls back the curtain on America's hidden human trafficking epidemic, revealing how this modern form of slavery operates within our own communities. As an attorney with over 35 years of experience and the Director of the Virginian Coalition Against Human Trafficking, McKenna provides eye-opening insights into why Virginia has become what he calls "a perfect storm" for trafficking operations—with its international airports, large ports, military presence, and ex...
Send us a text Cheryl Smith brings a refreshing perspective to politics after dedicating 38 years to educating Virginia's children. In this candid conversation, she shares what compelled her to run for Virginia's 98th District Delegate seat after decades in the classroom. Growing up in a military family during the Vietnam War shaped Smith's worldview profoundly. While her father served overseas for nine months at a time, she was raised by what she calls "a community of women" who supported e...
Send us a text Comedian Kells Morton steps away from her 25-year military career to pursue her original dream of entertainment in this fascinating conversation about second acts and finding your voice. As she prepares for retirement, Kells reveals how she's transforming decades of leadership experience into comedy gold on stages across the country. With refreshing candor, Kells shares the surprising truth about her battle with severe performance anxiety before shows. "I was at Marietta Marti...
Send us a text When politicians fall in love with money instead of people, what happens to the dreams and aspirations of ordinary citizens? Merle Rutledge Jr., a Norfolk State University graduate and former gubernatorial candidate for Virginia, joins us to share his vision for a political system that prioritizes people over partisanship. Rutledge doesn't mince words about what he sees as the fundamental problem in today's political landscape: leaders who are more concerned with fundraising a...
Send us a text What does it take to transform a community from the ground up? Councilman Michael Berlucci opens a window into local governance that few get to see, sharing the daily work that shapes Virginia Beach's District 3 and beyond. After nearly six years serving his diverse community, Berlucci reveals how his journey from passionate volunteer to city councilman has shaped his understanding of effective public service. "We all need to be represented. We want to see ourselves in the gov...
Send us a text RamIn Fatehi, Commonwealth Attorney for the city of Norfolk in Virginia, shares his unique journey from a privileged upbringing as the son of Iranian-American parents to becoming a prosecutor dedicated to reforming a flawed system. His contrarian nature and experiences with prejudice from both sides led him to pursue a career where he could address the inequality he witnessed firsthand. • Son of a neurosurgeon and nurse who emphasized service as a family value • Left a high-pa...
Send us a text Support the show Do us a favor and like, comment, share, and subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes. To see the full video on YouTube go to Listen Up with Host Al Neely Reach out to us on our socials and hit us up with any questions! Email: Info@listenup.biz Instagram: ListenUp4U Facebook: Let's Talk About It - Listen Up Twitter: ListenUp@Listenup4U Website: listenup.biz YouTube: Listen Up with Host Al Neely
Send us a text Al Neely and Tina Jenkins explore how immigration discourse disproportionately focuses on Latino immigrants while ignoring significant migration from countries like China and India, and how fear-based policies threaten America's economic stability. • Media coverage of immigration overwhelmingly focuses on Hispanic immigrants crossing the Mexican border • Chinese immigration and property purchases receive different political framing and treatment • Mass deportation would severe...
Send us a text A third-grade teacher with a passion for change is stepping into the political arena. Justin Burns, Virginia Beach native and special education inclusion teacher, shares his journey and vision as a candidate for Virginia State Delegate representing District 100—a diverse area encompassing Northwestern Virginia Beach and the Eastern Shore counties of Accomac and Northampton. Burns speaks candidly about what drove him to run: deep concern for children's futures, particularly reg...
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