Michael and Carol Barnes are our guests this week. They have a non-profit organization that promotes literacy, good habits, life-skills and entrepreneurship to children in at-risk communities. You can learn more about that at their website TomorrowsPurpose.org 

 This week's guest is Mecca Campbell, owner of a small catering business AND a fellow podcaster. Her podcast is called Ms Mecca's Take, and you can find it in all the usual podcast spaces. Alexandra, Marshell, and Michael speak with her about her outlook and approach to her hip-hop themed show. 

Meet Shelly Akerly, she is running for the Dallas County Treasurer's office. She has a solid background in finance, Shelley also has a great story to tell. 

In this episode you will also meet Shannon Sanderford. Shannon was Miss Texas in 2015! He beauty runs deeper than her surface. Shannon's beauty comes from within and shines through brightly! 

Be inspired with this podcast! 

Please enjoy this program and share it with your friends and family.

The Honorable Faith Johnson served the citizens of Dallas County as District Attorney from January 1, 2017, until December 31, 2018. During her two-year tenure, Ms. Johnson handled several high-profile cases, started the Expunction Expo, created several Community Satellite offices for Family Violence victims, and improved staff morale and unity in the office. She previously served as Judge of the 363rd Criminal District Court for over 17 years and handled thousands of felony cases.

During Ms. Johnson's legal career, she was an Assistant District Attorney for seven years, a partner in a civil trial law firm for over two years, and a practitioner with a non-profit law firm for two years. She is a member of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, Windham School District Board of Trustees, Texas Bar Foundation, State Bar of Texas, Dallas Bar Association, J.L. Turner Legal Association, The Potter's House Board of Directors, United States Christian Chamber of Commerce and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Dallas Alumnae Chapter.

In addition, Faith Johnson is a former member of the American Judges Association, Texas Public Safety Commission, Texas Department of Family & Protective Services Board, Violent Gang Task Force, Dallas County Juvenile Board, and the State of Texas Committee on Judicial Ethics. Johnson received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Masters in Community Counseling from Georgia State University and a Juris Doctor degree from Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law.

Monica Griego of Farmer's Branch, Texas, is our guest this week. She has a wonderful entrepreneurial story to tell about being a wife, mom, coach, business woman, house-flipper, scuba diver, and much more. 

This week our guest is Butch Perry of the band JPGR: A Beatles Tribute Band. He is a Dallasite who plays guitar, served in the US Armed Forces, teaches, and is an actor. He's also a great storyteller, so we are pleased to present this conversation.

Our guest for this episode is Dr Fuad Khan of Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas. He is a leading psychiatrist and has charge of a large mental health program. On this episode he speaks about that program and the mental health challenges in America as a whole. 

 This Memorial Day episode features Nick Bristow, broker with United Real Estate in Dallas. Nick is a Marine and Army veteran, and shared with us some of his story. 

 Warning: Difficult and troubling content. Our guest this week is Amy Wasielewski, formerly of Planned Parenthood, and now a school teacher near Austin, Texas. Amy and the team have a frank, and emotional conversation about abortion, contraception, and premarital sexual activity. Also, hear from one of our favorite former guest,  Daisy Palomo is our co-host today. 

This week on Alexandra & Friends, Tracey Clifton with Now I lay me Down to Sleep.   This is a service to parents whose children pass away before or shortly after birth. Hear her discuss how she offers every family experiencing the death of a baby the healing power of remembrance.  

Tracey is married to a Carrollton Fire Fighter and hear how both she and her husband, Watson Kohankie have helped new parents cope with one of life's most sorrowful moments.  

  We also get to hear an incredible and surprising story about what she found out about her genealogy from DNA tests and much additional research. Your heart will be touched.

 This week our guests are two wonderful women who have had violent crime strike their families, and started organizations to help comfort others like them and to bring awareness to problems with the criminal justice system. 

 In 2021, Melinda lost her 19-year-old grandson due to gun violence which sparked her to start the nonprofit, Mothers of Murdered Angels, also known as MOMA. The mission and goal of MOMA is to assist mothers who have experienced the loss of their children due to gun violence, to be an advocate to help stop gun violence, advocate for victim's rights, and justice to those who create it. Melinda has also lost other family members to gun violence including a daughter (25, 2018), and a brother (26, 1980). MOMA has also assisted many families during crisis including deaths, imprisonment, and funeral arrangements. 

Dr Edwin Flores, patent attorney, immunologist, DISD school board trustee, and candidate for Dallas County Judge is our guest on this episode. He is not afraid of any topic, and speaks on COVID-19, masking, vaccines, mandates, school district issues, Dallas County issues, and common sense conservative principles. 

As an undergraduate at the University of Texas at Austin, he signed up for an advanced course in immunology and reveled in the ensuing contest. Edwin struggled greatly in that class—and the “challenge” is what appealed to him about that subject. As a Ph.D. student with the late Matthew L. Thomas, Flores cloned, expressed, localized, and described the biochemistry of novel anti-cancer-causing genes, and published five scientific papers in the journals Molecular and Cellular Biology, Chemical Immunology, Progress in Immunology, and Immunogenetics.  Then, halfway through this "very, very challenging" work, he began to consider "an even greater challenge": working at the intersection of science and law as an intellectual-property attorney. Edwin was born in Mexico City to an American mother and a Mexican father – who was the first Mexican citizen to obtain a Ph.D. in nuclear physics. As a lawyer and trained scientist Edwin has been finding and fusing dualities all his life. The results are remarkable.

Wesley Bringham was born and reared in Irving, Texas. He attended Texas A&M in Collège Station and has had a fulfilling career in the United States Navy. Captain Bringham has lived in beautiful places like Hawaii and has traveled the world.

Hear his story and become inspired by his successful and interesting career path. You might be surprised by just how many options the Navy can offer you. Whatever your interest may be, there is a specialty for it from healthcare to flight support careers. If you have a desire to be a musician, then you can aim to become a Navy Musician. Yes, navy musician is an actual career. 

Listen in on the Podcast and be amazed on what you learn. 

 
"Semper Fortis" 

We have one of Texas's MOST exciting Candy Evans knows everything about North Texas living. Candy is a real estate editor for Forbes.com, CultureMap Dallas, Modern Luxury Dallas, & the Katy Trail Weekly. Candy has written for Joel Kotkin’s The New Geography, Inman Real Estate News, plus a host of national sites. Constantly breaking celebrity real estate news, she scooped former president George W. Bush's Dallas home in 2008. She is the founder and publisher of her signature CandysDirt.com, and SecondShelters.com, devoted to the vacation home market. Her verticals have won many awards, including Best Blog by the venerable National Association of Real Estate Editors, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious journalism associations. Candy holds an active Texas real estate license but does not sell. She is on the Board of Directors of Braemar Hotels & Resorts (BHR). 

Carrollton has a total area of 37.1 square miles , of which 36.3 square miles is land and 0.81 square miles.  Carrollton is located in portions of three counties: Dallas, Denton, and Collin. Carrollton is home to nearly 140,000 residents and is the 10th largest city in North Texas. 

We're honored to welcome back Roy Ponder from POW: Ponder On Weather. He's here to talk about recent storms and field questions from Roland Castaneda, husband of our social media expert, Liz Castaneda. Find POW: Ponder on Weather on YouTube and subscribe for updates.

Candi Summers is the Executive Director of BESTWA (Building Everyone’s Success Together in West Africa), a ministry in Liberia.  

Candi and her husband, Nathan, live in Arlington, Texas and have 5 children that they homeschool.  BESTWA was founded in 2004 by Candi’s father, Andy Perkins.  She was on the board of directors from day one, but had no plan to take over leadership of the organization.  Not until 2017 did that path open up, but she was hesitant to take the Executive Director role because she knew it would take sacrifice on the part of her husband and children.  Candi loves genealogy, trivia, and crosswords, reading, and is a big people person.  

This week's guest is Young Sung, City Councilmember of Carrollton, Texas. He shares his story, starting with his parents who grew up in occupied Korea, then coming to America in the 1970s, and becoming a business owner, councilmember, and interpreter. 

Dr. Deepa is a Functional Medicine Specialist, aspiring author, as seen on Forbes, CBD specialist, LDN compounder, pharmacy owner, wife and mom of two. Dr. Deepa equips frustrated, stressed professionals with tools to stop feeling fatigued, anxious and hopeless and feel sustained energy, in-control and healthy with her 7 step PATTANI protocol that utilizes diagnostic testing and 1:1 coaching so they can live their best life yet. 

Our guest on this week's show is Dr Deepa Pattani, owner of Allen Pharmacy & Wellness. She discusses holistic approaches to prescription medicine, as well as natural solutions, and focusing on the root of an ailment. We also talk about her new book "Storrie" available on Amazon.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everybody love everybody.

It's a simple message for a complicated world, but Chris Bailey believes it's a message worth spreading.

"Why, why am I doing this," Bailey said. "Well, the night the officers were shot in Dallas, I posted on Facebook, 'Everybody love everybody,' and the very first reply I got was it's impossible."

He got off Facebook for a couple of days.

Bailey, from Trophy Club, Texas, says he didn't know what to do following the ambush on officers in Dallas on July 7.

"The next day I was depressed. I'm not that depressed type, but I was depressed," Bailey said. "I was actually crying on the way to my first appointment the next day." 

 At Mesta Park Mortgage, their mission is to handle each loan in a manner that results in the highest level of customer satisfaction. This is achieved by ensuring our customer’s needs are our top priority. 

Learn how this process works and learn why it is so important that you use a reputable Mortgage company.  Learn from the very best in this episode! 

 Today's topics include politics, family, small business, and the difference between reality and what mainstream media wants you to believe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

Our guest is entrepreneur, Jose Guillen, of Old House BBQ in Carrollton and Lewisville, Texas. He shares his story and challenges of being a restaurant owner during tough times. 

What distinguishes the Texas barbecue scene today? In a word: surprises. In another word: variety.  Most of the flavor of Texas barbecue comes from the fat in the meat after it has been cooked low and slow.  

Chili may be the state food of Texas, but barbecue is where the love is. If you're a Texan or even a transplant, you quickly learn this event is more than just a meal – it's an experience that brings friends and family together. 

For 30 years, Jan has been an activist in efforts to end violence against women. As the CEO, she oversees internal and external operations as well as funding and community education. Under her leadership, Genesis has grown from a seven-room emergency shelter to a full-service response for survivors of domestic violence and maintained its unique status as one of the few victim services programs that accomplishes sustainability without government funding. She is also a recognized national expert on domestic violence and conducts training and workshops across the United States. In partnership with the Dallas Police Department and the FBI, she co-founded the annual international Conference on Crimes Against Women. 

Let’s talk about making a difference in your life.  In this show you will hear from real life HEROS. We hope this episode will inspire you, It certainly inspired us tremendously. 

Hear from these two outstanding young men how their lives are far better for choosing to serve and protect.  

 Chad O Jackson is our guest this week. He is an entrepreneur, tradesman, and documentary filmmaker, who was featured in the movie Uncle Tom with Larry Elder, Herman Cain, Candace Owens, and many others. He discusses his upbringing, beliefs, and experiences, as well as upcoming projects. *Stay tuned for bonus content after the main program! 

The Vintage House in Carrollton, Texas is one of the most unique stores in all of the State. They carry lines like Kendra Scott, Vera Bradley, Uno de 50, Alex & Ani, Tyler Candle Company, John Hart Designs and many more. There is NO arguing that they are one of the BEST retail stores in North Texas. That is not the the title that makes this family the proudest. This family owned and run store is ALL about community. When they opened their doors in 1986, the Walvoords wanted a place that made people feel like they were at home. They wanted to sell products that helped make memories within your home and life. Most of all, they wanted to also give back to their community. Nan, Shaun, and Jeanan have successfully done their part in changing their corner of the World for the better! 

Andrew Palacios has achieved more at the age of 30 than most people reach by the age of 80. Hear his story of faith, family and focus. 

One day we will have the bragging rights that we knew him when. Keep an eye on this young man. We have a strong feeling many will know his name one day! You can tell everyone you met Andrew Palacios on our show, Alexandra & Friends! 

 Paul Lake is the Founder and Executive Director of Search One Rescue Team. Founding the team in 1983 Mr. Lake and Search One are now in their 36th of year providing specially trained K9 teams and ground search management to law enforcement and emergency response agencies throughout North Central Texas. Mr. Lake is a certified K9 handler in the disciplines of Air Scent and Human Remains Detection, an Incident Commander, and the Public Information Officer for team field operations. Starting in 1994 he served as a Texas Peace Officer for seven years, four of which was as a K9 handler and narcotics interdiction officer. Mr. Lake has been on over 500 searches, has multiple finds, and has been classified as an expert witness regarding K9 detection of human remains in the Texas criminal court system. In 2014 he completed serving his fourth year on the Board of Directors for NASAR (National Assoc. for Search and Rescue). In addition to his Search and Rescue endeavors Mr. Lake is a licensed Security Consultant teaching church security nationally, a licensed Personal Protection Officer and serves as Director of Security for his church in Coppell where he has been a member for 30 years. 

Colin P. Cahoon grew up in the Mesilla Valley of New Mexico and earned his B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering at New Mexico State University, which he attended on an Army ROTC scholarship. Colin received his Regular Army commission in 1983 and graduated with honors from the aero scout track of flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama in 1984. He served with distinction as an Aero Scout Platoon Leader in the 307th Attack Helicopter Battalion of the 7th Infantry Division, where he accumulated over 1000 hours of flight time in UH-1 and OH-58 helicopters. Captain Cahoon resigned his commission in 1988 to pursue a legal career, whereupon he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army’s second highest peacetime award for service. He subsequently earned his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from Southern Methodist University School of Law, where he met his wife, Susan. Colin has served the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Dallas as a Lay Eucharistic Minister, Stephen Minister, and Chancellor. Colin and Susan have three grown children and live in Dallas, Texas and Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where they both enjoy skiing, hiking, and fishing “the Boat.” 

ANMBF addresses the need for enriching the lives of young audiences of all ages and  across various ethnic/cultural backgrounds through a diverse array of dance and arts education programs available year-round:

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• Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico Performing Companies
• ANMBF Dance Academy
• Cinco De Mayo & Hispanic Heritage Month Productions
• Educational Outreach Programs
• 
  

• Traditional Mexican Folk Dance and Music
• Folk Dance and Music from various countries in Latin America
• A series of dance theater programs based on children's educational books
• Contemporary or folk fusion works created based on Latino stories and traditions

For the past 34 years, the Trains at NorthPark benefiting Ronald McDonald House of Dallas (RMHD), has delighted generations of Dallas families as one of our city’s premier holiday traditions.  Since 1987, the Trains have raised more than $13 million for RMHD allowing us to serve more than 40,000 families.

For the past 34 years, the Trains at NorthPark have been delighting the hearts and minds of young and old alike. Presented by Bank of Texas, this holiday family tradition has become a favorite for generations of Dallasites and includes 1600 feet of track rolling from coast to coast on a whimsical rail journey across America. The Trains travel from the autumn foliage of New England to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge with stops along the way to see New York City, Washington DC, our beautiful city of Dallas, and the desert Southwest including the Grand Canyon and the Garden of the Gods—we even have some interplanetary visitors from Outer Space!  More than 70,000 visitors are entertained each season.   

All tickets provide admission to the Trains at NorthPark on any day that we are open. A reservation is not required and they are not specific to any date/time.

Hours:
Monday through Saturday 10 am to 8 pm
Sunday 12 pm to 6 pm 
​
Exhibit Closed: Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Early Closings: Thanksgiving Eve: 10 am to 6 pm, Christmas Eve: 10 am-4 pm, New Year's Eve: 10 am to 4 pm, New Year's Day: 11 am to 6 pm

Where:
NorthPark Center - 2nd Floor

​Between Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom
North Central Expressway at Northwest Highway
Dallas, TX 75225
 

Gonzalo Herrera Digital Marketing 101

Is your business up to the challenge?  Digital marketing is not a fad or "the future"; it's the PRESENT and it's moving fast.  Come forward and get an edge!

Fernando Rojas, CMO and Gonzalo Herrera, COO from DABOOST are professors of marketing and communications.  Gonzalo is a published author about social media for business.

They will be sharing a 30min presentation on social media and new technologies that small businesses can use to establish their digital brand.

Roberto Perez began working in the title business by chance. He quickly found out he enjoyed the work and he excelled. He runs his title companies with the rule to always treat people with dignity and respect. He practices excellent customer service and takes the time to learn the latest news in his industry. 

Honesty, integrity and appreciation towards his clients become apparent the moment you meet Roberto Perez and his team. 

The projects this architect firm are like no others. Their innovated designs have kept the integrity of older buildings while creating a fresh look. 

The design of your project is based on the ideas that the work should be contextual and comfortable, imaginative and distinct.

​

Timeless design rejects stylistic applications and embraces honesty of materials, and gives a sense of place in its natural setting.

From breads to kolaches to cookies, customers to newly opened Jolly Jolly Bakery can make a meal or a snack out of their visit.

The bakery opened its first Dallas location Nov. 14th at 9241 Skillman Street. Jolly Jolly Bakery can be found in Houston and Pearland.Texas as well.

“Our business offers a lot of Nigerian snacks and American and Nigerian bread,” said Noel Onobun, director of operations in Dallas.

Baked fresh daily, the bakery offers sugar-free, wheat, white, cinnamon raisin, raisin, coconut and banana breads as well as pound cakes and dinner rolls.

 Roland and Liz Castaneda are a blended family who have both adopted and birthed children. They have an amazing story about adopting a child through Child Protective Services.  They also are raising a child with special needs. 

Former  Mayor of Carrollton, Texas. Vietnam War Veteran, heart transplant survivor, and one of the most amazing people you will ever get to meet! 

 Ron Branson was born and raised in and around Greensboro, North Carolina. Upon graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving tours in Texas, California, Viet Nam, and Maryland. While in the Air Force, Ron met and married Cindy, and they have three grown children, and ten grandchildren.

After his military tour, Ron had a number of communications/computer related jobs, including the American Red Cross, the Greensboro Daily News & Record, Burlington Industries, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida, Burlington Industries again, First Tennessee Bank of Memphis, Lomas Mortgage. He retired in 2005 as a Vice President with MBNA Information Technology. During these employment stints, he went to school part time, obtaining his B.S. in Business Administration and Economics from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and his MBA in Information Technology Management from the University of Dallas.

Ron and his family moved to Carrollton in 1982, and he was elected to the Carrollton City Council in 2002 and 2005.

Ron was elected Carrollton Mayor in 2008, defeating incumbent Mayor Becky Miller. 

The award honors those “whose service positively impacts communities … and inspires those around them to take action, too.”

She was nominated for the Presidential Service Award by City of Dallas Parks Department employee Sam Franklin. She was also given an award from the park department.

No matter your background, past history or current situation, you can lead a fulfilled life of significance and purpose. You can have great relationships and personal success.

Whether you want to improve your personal life, are an aspiring entrepreneur or a small business leader, together we create strategies to move you to the next level. I guide you in visualizing your goals and moving forward to meet them.

Meet Billy Mathis with Salem Media Group. 

Concrete Pressed Pilings are the most common type of foundation repair piers used to repair foundations in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. They are specifically designed for the expansive clay soils prevalent in the Metroplex. They are suitable for both concrete slab foundation repairs and pier and beam foundation repairs. The installation of pilings is minimally invasive and allows many repairs to be completed in just one day. The pilings come backed by a true lifetime transferable warranty. Meet Billy Tatum and let him walk you through the process.

Joe's Pizza on Beltline in Carrollton serves more than pizza and pasta. Owner Carolyn Benevides serves those in need of prayer, food, hope and community! 

Each Thanksgiving Carolyn feeds over 10 thousand people! 

Need to be pumped up and Inspired? Do yourself a favor and listen to this podcast filled with a story of focus, determination and faith in God. Tre Williams and his family are focused in changing our world for the better and we believe they can make that happen.

Inspiring Lives Inc. 

 
Darryl is a Dallas native. His father was a Negro Baseball player, historian and Civil Rights Activist William
Blair Jr. His mother was a well-known and respected caterer, Mozelle Jordan Blair. After attending Bishop Dunn, Darryl graduated from Roosevelt High school in 1983 where he lettered in both track and football. Upon graduation from Roosevelt High he attended Prairie View A&M University majoring in
banking and finance. He finished Prairie View in 1987 and immediately began working in sales and advertising for his family owned and run newspaper The Elite News.  From 2006 to 2008 Darryl served as the Executive Director of the Capital City Classic.

Grace Speece has fought hard to help locally owned and run businesses. Hear her story how she is supporting her businesses within her Chamber of Commerce. 

Author, mom and friend, Marshall Shelly Johnson has a message for you. Let's discuss ways to survive and thrive in your marriage! 

Meet Kayla Armstrong is a co-founder of Skyn Lab Spa in Dallas, Texas. She and her team are here to bring out the best version of you!  Listen to this to this podcast to learn about skin care and what Skyn Lab Spa has to offer.

We welcome guest Rodrick Smith, a man of many talents with a story of success from humble beginnings. Also, Joshua Sung, a young man who just graduated from Army School, and is heading out this fall to his first assignment in Korea. Joshua' s father and current Carrollton, City Council member joins the podcast as well.

 Author, speaker, and former police chief, Catherine Torrez is our guest  this week and speaks about her life as an adoptee. Overcoming abuse from  multiple family members she now owns a detective agency, is happily  married, and also a mother and grandmother. 

On this week's show meet Meade Spicer with the United States Marine Corp and Core Home Inspections. 

This week's Podcast is with Post 21 Holley-Riddle

Listen to one of the best read segments of the Declaration of Independence. 

Forever in my goodness by Morgan Sugg

Tom Zanovich of Frisco Financial Group speaks about the need for financial management and education. 

Be inspired with the story of adoption