The Shield
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.
For even more content, make sure you subscribe to our channel on YouTube.
Episodes
68 episodes
Life on the Edge: A Conversation with George Cowgill
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 approach...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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33:50
Meeting the Moment: A Conversation with Rosie Stafford Smith
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.
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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33:22
Bridging Gaps: A Conversation with Dr. Pauline Long and Dr. Jennifer Campbell
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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41:43
Accessible Healing: A Conversation with Liz Read
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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37:58
Faith in Community: A Conversation with Micah Andrews
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 re...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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34:57
The World Baseball League: A Conversation with Gaines Johnson
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 enterta...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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1:00:07
Let’s Go Do Sh!t: A Conversation with Brandon Baez
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 fosteri...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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40:07
Serving Up Support: A Conversation with Katelyn Whitmore
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-...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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46:59
The Kids are Alright: A Conversation with Jacques and Brent from the WOW Forum Podcast
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 episod...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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46:35
A Shift in the Mindset: A Conversation with Alabama
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 lo...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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38:15
From Stigma to Support: A Conversation with Dr. Emma Kay
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 con...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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35:55
Just Breathe: A Conversation with Jamella Stroud
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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42:16
Empowering Recovery: A Conversation with Elizabeth Norman
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 program...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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30:30
Journey to Impact: A Conversation with Dr. Tamika Holmes
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 f...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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47:43
Show and Prove: A Conversation with Shaheed Tawheed
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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42:51
Connecting Through Recovery: A Conversation with Shane Herring and Tim Cross
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 pa...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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43:12
Fulfilling Essential Needs: A Conversation with Lindsay Gray
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’...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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40:55
Building Genuine Relationships: A Conversation with Kelly Greene
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 t...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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40:25
Learning a New Language: A Conversation with Dr. Angela Sullivan
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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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40:04
Answering the Call: A Conversation with Brandon Broadhead
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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31:25
Our Future Leaders: A Conversation with Dr. Sherri Huff
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 Me...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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26:55
Passing the Torch: A Conversation with Carie Wimberly
Join us as APC’s new Executive Director, Nichole Dawsey, interviews APC’s former Executive Director, Carie Wimberly, ahead of her formal retirement from APC. Since November 2020, Carie Wimberly has served as the Executive Director ...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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44:36
KLA Memorial: A Conversation with Tomeka Walker
Join us as the Founder and Executive Director of Khairi and Little Angels Memorial (KLA Memorial), Tomeka Walker, discusses the events that led to her creating KLA Memorial and how the organization supports mothers and families, who have lost a...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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29:28
Strong, Smart, and Bold: A Conversation with Lige’ Richardson-Shears
Lige’ is the Director of Community Engagement with Girls, Inc. of Central Alabama. Throughout her career, she has worked in various areas of prevention and mental health wellness. With her prior experience, she was led to Girls, Inc. where she ...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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24:32
Serving Support: A Conversation with Anthony Phillips
Anthony is a local business owner and is well known within Birmingham’s service industry. Anthony joins Nichole to discuss how he has been sober from alcohol for 2.5 years while still actively working in the service industry, which...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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25:38