Left on Red

This week's amazing woman is photographer Dorothea Lange, who overcame polio as a child and was a pioneer in the field of photojournalism. Lange is best known for her work documenting the world-weary faces of Americans trying to survive in the Great Depression. Less frequently discussed are her photos documenting the wartime internment of Japanese Americans.

In just three years, Greta Thunberg has become one of the most famous and outspoken environmental activists. From the start, Thunberg has shown no fear in confronting world leaders about their insufficient actions to address climate change. Her actions have inspired other youth to push for less rhetoric and more response from their political representatives.

Ruby Bridges will be forever seared in the American imagination as a young girl being escorted to school by federal marshals. Though Brown v. Board of Education was decided before Bridges was even born, many schools were still not integrated by the time that she was ready to start her education. One marshal said of Bridges on her first day of school, “She never cried. She didn't whimper. She just marched along like a little soldier.”

Ruby's first amazing woman is Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani woman who started writing about life under Taliban occupation as a seventh grader and was the target of an assassination attempt at age 15. Malala, who has become the symbol of the right that all young girls of the world should have to an education, is the youngest person to win a Nobel Prize.

One young lady has inspired us to take a break from politics so we can discuss summer reading with her. Here's an overview of our kid-friendly, limited series that kicks off July 6.   __   Left on Red is presented by Bevill State Community College. Visit bscc.edu OR find Bevill State on Facebook for more information.

Your mama probably told you not to talk politics or religion in polite company, but we're ignoring that advice by inviting the Rev. C.J. Cobb to the podcast table. Cobb, pastor of First Christian Church of Jasper, shares stories from his career in the aerospace industry (16:12), gives some history of the Christian Church (also known as the Disciples of Christ) (25:30) and explains what was at the heart of the church's 2019 decision to advertise itself as an open and affirming congregation (30:19).

Jennifer and Drew take a break from the usual format to share their reflections on the 10-year anniversary of the April 27, 2011, tornadoes. They discuss what they experienced that day (0:35), where the city was in its recovery when Drew became mayor in 2012 (12:37), the two-year struggle to get downtown demolished (15:54) and the ongoing struggle to get it built back (29:03). Drew also talks for the first time on the podcast about how it felt to pass the torch to a new administration in November  (41:49).

Sumiton Mayor Petey Ellis joins the pod this week to discuss the short list of mayors who have served Sumiton (18:04), the happy day when Wal-Mart came to town (20:49), and how to tell whether you're in Sumiton or Dora when traveling through East Walker (23:42). Ellis also breaks some news about the 2021 Frog Festival (34:30) and shares some advice for young mayoral hopefuls (52:18).

Which Hollywood star may make a run for governor of the Lone Star state? Find out in this week's WTH segment. Then, Walker County Circuit Judge Joeletta Barrentine takes Jennifer and Drew through the journey that led her from a seat on the Sumiton City Council (13:35) to hanging out a shingle for her own law practice (29:46) to becoming Walker County's first female judge (36:36). Barrentine also shares her views on how young girls and women should live beyond labels (46:10) and explains how she is addressing a backlog of cases awaiting trial (51:10).

The pod's month-long celebration of women leaders opens with local EMA Coordinator Regina Myers, who shares info about unusual calls she has covered (22:10), how much planning goes on behind the scenes before disaster strikes (32:15) and how the pandemic has complicated disaster response (46:53). Stay tuned to the end for our pitch for an apocalypse film set in Walker County. Also, Jennifer and Drew have an answer to the royal family's ongoing troubles in the opening WTH segment.

This week, Jennifer and Drew are asking, "WTH, Sen. Shelby?" (0:42). Then they have a delightful interview with Matt "The Ostrich" Mitchell. We hear about his new podcast (9:35), toe the line of blasphemy during a discussion of Chick-fil-A biscuits (14:48), get the origin story on the fake DME Twitter (19:23) and his reasons for making the move to a wider audience with "It's a Southern Thing" (13:47).

Left on Red is back with new guests and new segments. First, Jennifer and Drew try to figure out why the Arizona GOP thought censures were a good idea in the inaugural WTH segment (4:37). Then Walker County Commissioner Keith Davis talks about starting his first business at 16 (15:50), how he came to be recruited as the vice chairman of the Walker County Republican Party when it was still trying to become a dominant player in local politics (24:35) and the reality of county finances as it relates to paving projects (43:09).

If the devil went down to Georgia today, he’d find former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang going door to door drumming up votes. Jennifer and Drew discuss other big names who have been keeping the roads around Atlanta hot. They also dive into the parts of the Electoral College calendar that have yet to unfold and how many dominoes would have to fall in order for Rep. Mo Brooks and Congress to overturn the election results. 

After much speculation, it’s time to talk about who made the cut to join President-elect Biden’s Cabinet. It’s a diverse group of folks, some of whom will make history. (And did we mention the diversity?) Also, we discuss what tripped up Biden (not his words for once), do a wellness check on President Trump and shine the spotlight on some unsung heroes of the civil rights movement in Montgomery.  

With Drew and Jennifer unable to schedule a time to record this week, we look back on some of the more entertaining and funny moments of the short history of Left On Red.

Names are being floated for important roles in President-elect Biden's administration and most of them have one thing in common. Jennifer and Drew discuss the possible picks, the soap opera that is post-election Democratic infighting and how those Georgia races may determine which faction has the edge in Biden world.

Election Day 2020 provided plenty of surprising storylines and some that didn’t materialize. Drew and Jennifer discuss where the votes landed in several important swing states, a slight surprise in how Walker County voted and whether some of those constitutional amendments on the ballot this year were really necessary.

With a week to go until the election, it’s time to get serious about which candidates seem to be on the path to victory. Drew breaks down how the presidential race stands in several swing states, and Jennifer discusses how Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez used video games to encourage young voters to go to the polls. Also, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth wants his Twitter followers to know that he’s feeling just fine (really) while in COVID quarantine, and Mitt Romney has come a long way since the end of the “Mitt” documentary. 

This week we sort fact from fiction. Progressives Democrats are against hugging but not for the right reason. NBC’s Savannah Guthrie says President Trump isn’t like someone’s crazy uncle, but his niece begs to differ. Tommy Tuberville says Sen. Doug Jones is anti-hunting, but that’s not true either. 

In lieu of fireworks, Tupac and a fly provide the framework for a discussion about last week's relatively civil vice presidential debate. Meanwhile, the FBI stopped a plot to overthrow a state government and kidnap a governor. So why are so few people talking about it? Co-hosts Jennifer and Drew also have a surprising amount to say about holidays this week.  

Co-hosts Drew and Jennifer break down all the ways in which the world has shifted on its axis since last week. (Seriously, 2020. Stop it.) Were there any winners in the first presidential debate? Who is telling the truth about President Trump’s health? Is cosplay the key to throwing Nick Saban off his game? Everything is weird, and we’re rolling with it. 

What do Joe Biden and Jose Canseco have in common? Possibly nothing. This week, we discuss President Trump’s PED allegations before his first debate with Biden as well as what his recent Supreme Court nominee (aka the Glorious ACB) really said about building the kingdom of God. Also, we break down where the race stands according to pollsters and whether their opinion should matter considering the outcome in 2016.

All rise for the debut of Season 3. We’re switching our focus to current events this season, and we begin with a discussion of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, including how many times that cases with Alabama connections were instrumental in furthering her career and the various scenarios that may play out as the effort to fill her vacant seat on the Supreme Court begins.

Former Prattville mayor and longtime ADECA director Jim Byard Jr. joins the podcast to reminisce about the partnerships that allowed the city of Cordova to recover from the April 2011 tornadoes. Byard also talks about his public service in Prattville, what he's doing now and his family's Clark Griswold-esque vacation to several presidential museums.

After some technical issues last week, season 2 of Left on Red is back!Oakman Mayor and Walker County Sheriff’s Deputy Cory Franks doesn’t shy away from tough conversations, which made him an ideal guest for this podcast. Franks talks about the former LOR guest who recruited him to law enforcement and swaps stories with Drew about the highs and lows of being a young mayor. Franks also discusses why it’s still so difficult to have real conversations about race and what important things get left out during Black History Month celebrations.

Last year, Walker County native James Tingle made the jump from military intelligence service to being a staff member on Joe Biden's presidential campaign. Tingle, back home working because of COVID-19, talks about why he chose Biden out of a large field of Democratic candidates, being part of Biden's historic primary comeback and how the campaign is soldiering on in the time of the coronavirus.

Last year, Walker County native James Tingle made the jump from military intelligence service to being a staff member on Joe Biden's presidential campaign. Tingle, back home working because of COVID-19, talks about why he chose Biden out of a large field of Democratic candidates, being part of Biden's historic primary comeback and how the campaign is soldiering on in the time of the coronavirus.

Our conversation with Mary Jolley, former legislative assistant of the late Congressman Carl Elliott, concludes with a discussion of Elliott’s ouster from Congress in 1964, his defeat in the 1966 gubernatorial election and the gap between some of his public stands on civil rights and his personal beliefs. Jolley also shares how Elliott came to receive the first John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award and how he might feel about the politics today. 

Mary Jolley, former legislative assistant for the late Congressman Carl Elliott, helps us tell the story of a man who lost so much but always had the courage of his convictions. This introductory conversation covers Elliott’s dogged pursuit of a college degree and two landmark pieces of legislation that he helped pass in the 1950s. Mary also shares stories about the work she did on behalf of Elliott as well as President John F. Kennedy.

Jennifer and Drew are back together again to discuss all that has transpired since the coronavirus came on the scene. Drew shares how he has been affected as a small business owner and how he made decisions as mayor of a small town. They also get into political ramifications of COVID-19 and Drew has some troubles with New England sports to get off his chest.

Daily Mountain Eagle Publisher James Phillips joins co-host Jennifer Cohron discuss how the newspaper has responded to the needs of readers by getting information out as quickly and on as many platforms as possible during the current state of emergency caused by the spread of COVID-19.They also praise the various groups of workers who are going above and beyond the call of duty right now and share some ways listeners can help their neighbors through this difficult time.

Rep. Connie Rowe kicks off Season 2 by sharing her backstory, something she has rarely done in print interviews over the years. Rowe tells us what led her into law enforcement at age 21 and how she feels about all of those firsts she has on her resume. She also discusses her biggest disappointment in politics (hint: it was before her career had started).

Hosts Jennifer and Drew discuss the long, winding tale of the Equal Rights Amendment, which is in the news again nearly 100 years after it was written by a famous suffragette. Will it or won’t it become the 28th amendment to the U.S. Constitution? Find out in the episode “The Man” doesn’t want you to hear.

In this outtake from our third episode, Nick Smith discusses the very real concern that he might have been kept off of the GOP ticket, and Nick Key tells us what the campaign's response would have been if it had happened. Also, Jennifer asks what makes a Republican and Drew drifts into the weeds of clarifying his stance on gun control.

Are you looking for something new to listen to in 2020 in between episodes of Left on Red? Well Jennifer and Drew have you covered with this special bonus episode. Left on Red was born out of Jennifer and Drew's love of politics, history and, of course, podcasts. And now they are giving you some of their favorites for you to check out yourself. Find your next second-favorite podcast to listen to as you wait for new episodes of Left on Red. 

It was a wild year in politics and choosing one story each that rose above the rest wasn't an easy task, but Jennifer and Drew come through for the listeners. 

’Tis the season to be complaining about political signs. Drew shares the backstory on his deep-seated hatred of the public rights of way being littered with signs of all types. We’re also sharing an outtake from The Nicks episode in which Sheriff Nick Smith shares how he reacted when an opponent’s signs started popping up all along the street where he lives. 

Jennifer puts a "Left on Red" spin on the classic Christmas poem in this bonus minisode.  From all of us at Left on Red, we wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.

Hours after the House voted to impeach President Donald Trump, hosts Jennifer and Drew discuss the case as it was presented by both sides and ask what impact impeachment had -- or didn't. 

The Daily Mountain Eagle's Publisher James Phillips joins the podcast to tell us about super awkward moments he had with Gov. Bob Riley and heaven-sent Dolly Parton.

There were zingers and some substance (but sadly no Madea) when 10 candidates took the stage at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. Jennifer and Drew discuss who had a good night, who performed to expectations and who has a crafty plan to blow up the Democratic Party from within the field of prospective nominees.

Linda Ensor identified as a Republican years before it was popular to do so and served as chairwoman of the local GOP during a time of unprecedented growth. Ensor explains how much work went into taking the party from a few booths in a local eatery to its current peak.

Steve Flowers, a former legislator and longtime political columnist, has forgotten more about Alabama politics than Jennifer and Drew will ever learn. This week, Flowers shares some funny stories about Gov. George Wallace’s passing interest in snowbirds and Big Jim Folsom’s imitation of a cuckoo bird for a statewide television audience.Note - The interview with Steve Flowers took place prior to Jeff Sessions announcing his bid for his old Senate seat.

Attorney Ken Guin was once described as “the man Republicans love to hate in the Alabama House." Guin, who served 16-years in the Alabama Legislature before being swept out of office in the GOP takeover of 2010, talks about playing bad cop to former Speaker of the House Seth Hammett’s good cop and explains why he owns a Make America Great Again coffee mug.

After years of considering herself an independent voter, Marcia Adkins embraced the Democratic label when the war in Iraq began in 2003. Adkins shares how personal loss during the Vietnam War shaped her perspective on America's ongoing wars. She also talks about what it is like to be the mother of a candidate in an age of social media attacks. 

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones and Tommy Tuberville, the GOP candidate currently having the most success trying to unseat him, stopped by the Left on Red studio during their respective travels through Walker County. In today’s dual interview, Jones explains how Alabama’s Congressional delegation works together in spite of party differences and gives his reaction to confounding a political tracker with ice cream. Tuberville tells us why he is a career politician’s worst nightmare and gives his thoughts on which SEC mascot would win in a head-to-head brawl.

Come to hear Sheriff Nick Smith and his political guru Nick Key discuss the strategies that won the 2018 Sheriff's election. Stay for Drew’s anti-political sign rant. Today we’re talking about how Sheriff Smith used old-school tactics while also bombarding social media users with content to beat an incumbent in his first political race.  

Senate Majority Leader Greg Reed makes his podcasting debut.Reed discusses becoming the local GOP chair at a time when it was difficult to get enough members to conduct business and how the party introduced itself to traditionally Democratic voters. Reed also shares his philosophy on the importance of voting his district.  

Which president is indirectly responsible for the creation of the NCAA? Why is Tommy Tuberville spending so much time in truck stops? Find out in the inaugural episode of Left on Red, the Daily Mountain Eagle’s new political history podcast. Hosts Jennifer Cohron and Drew Gilbert are sitting down with local politicians and voters to discuss Walker County’s colorful political history.