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The opposite of addiction is connection.
We are creating connections one conversation at a time and facing addiction face to face. No topic is off limits, because there are no limits when it comes to substance abuse.
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67 Episodes
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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...
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 patien...
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 Projec...
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 in...
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 path...
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 ...
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 disor...
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 bein...
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 ...
On this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Emma Kay, Associate Professor at UAB’s School of Nursing and someone who's doing incredible work at the intersection of HIV care, substance use, and harm reduction. She’s all about building real, lasting connections between healthcare providers and the people they serve—especially those facing stigma and barriers to care. From her roles at the UAB Center for AIDS Research and the Center for Addiction and Pain Prevention and Intervention, Dr. Kay is helping...
Join us for a meaningful conversation with Jamella Stroud, a somatic yoga therapist and founder of Sacred Soma Yoga and Therapy. Jamella takes a calm, grounded approach to helping people heal, especially those dealing with trauma, mental health challenges, or growing up around Substance Use Disorder. Her work is all about reconnecting with the body and finding peace through movement and breath. We talk about her Exhale to Excel Yoga Program for students, her healing retreats in Bali, and wha...
Elizabeth Norman, Executive Director of Fellowship House, has dedicated over 12 years to helping individuals prepare for recovery and rebuild their lives. Fellowship House is a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive recovery programs for people struggling with alcoholism, drug addiction, and co-occurring mental health disorders. In this episode, Elizabeth shares the heart behind the work and the importance of meeting people where they are—offering support and resources that lay th...
Dr. Tamika Holmes is the Founder and Executive Director of Community Care Development Network, a nonprofit rooted in her personal journey. Growing up with challenges that shaped her perspective, Dr. Holmes was inspired to create a space where families feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. In this episode, Dr. Holmes shares how her experiences led to building a strong community resource. She also discusses the services offered by Community Care Development Network and how the power of...
Shaheed Tawheed is a hip-hop artist, advocate, and co-founder of Knowledge, Rhythm, and Understanding (K.R.U.), a foundation that teaches children and teens the core elements of Hip Hop, including deejaying, emceeing, breakdancing, and graffiti art. Shaheed’s love for music and hip-hop, combined with his life experiences and strong family foundation, have shaped him into the man he is today—and he aims to inspire others through his work. Tune in as Shaheed discusses the importance of using th...
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Shane Herring, our Champion for the Cause, and Tim Cross, the CEO of Expedited Transport Agency (ETA), the presenting sponsor for the 2025 End Addiction Walk. In this episode, we discuss why they’re passionate about supporting this walk, their personal journeys through battling substance use disorder, and the impact of recovery. Tune in to hear how their dedication is shaping this year’s event and strengthening community connections in the fight agai...
Lindsay Gray is the Executive Director of Bundles of Hope, a nonprofit focused on providing essential resources to mothers and babies in need. What began as a mission to supply diapers has blossomed into a community-driven effort, with Lindsay’s passion and background in nursing at its core. Under her leadership, Bundles of Hope has grown to provide over 10,000,000 diapers, expanding its reach to offer other essential products based on direct feedback from the community. Tune in as Lindsay s...
Kelly Greene is the Founder and Executive Director of Food for Our Journey, a nonprofit dedicated to providing food and essential services to the unhoused community. What started as a passion project quickly grew into a vital resource, thanks to Kelly’s faith, dedication, and background in youth ministry. Tune in as Kelly shares her journey and talks about the importance of taking the time to listen, understand, and build genuine relationships—because their work is about more than just food; ...
Dr. Angela Sullivan is an Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean for Admissions and Enrollment Management for UAB’s School of Public Health. She is also the Board President of the Alabama Suicide Prevention and Resources Coalition (ASPARC), an organization that provides suicide prevention trainings statewide. Angela is a strong advocate for suicide prevention, and through her research, she works to learn more about the factors that lead to suicide and how to prevent it. As part of her advocac...
Join us for a conversation with Homewood’s Fire Chief, Brandon Broadhead, who has been vital to the implementation of APC's ONEbox initiative in Central Alabama! Chief Broadhead discusses how he became interested in becoming a first responder and his passion for helping others. In addition to being an advocate for the accessibility of Naloxone, Chief Broadhead is a strong advocate for mental health wellness for not only his first responders, but for all citizens. APC connected wit...
Join us as Dr. Sherri Huff with Birmingham City Schools (BCS) discusses her role in launching wellness initiatives in BCS and helping promote the mental health and wellbeing of all BCS students. In addition to being an APC Board Member, Dr. Huff also serves as the Program Specialist for Birmingham City Schools’ Physical, Health, and Driver’s Education programs. Dr Huff is a staunch advocate for mental health wellness for BCS’ students. When it comes to implementing prevention education...
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