Welcome back to Season 2 of The Shield! Today, we are joined by Carrie Buntain, former prosecutor and current Executive Director of the Family Resource Center, located right inside the Jefferson County Family Court.

Carrie pulls back the curtain on the brutal realities of the juvenile justice system, intergenerational trauma, and why a child's life trajectory is often decided by the 3rd grade. But this isn't just a conversation about the problems—it's a masterclass in innovative solutions, including a brilliant story about how her team used a mock trial of rapper NBA YoungBoy to keep high-risk youth out of jail.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The reality of prosecuting child abuse cases.
• Why Section 8 housing shifts are causing community violence.
• The direct link between truancy and future murder charges.
• How the FRC acts as a lifeline for families in crisis.

For more content, make sure to check us out on Instagram and YouTube!

https://www.instagram.com/addictionpreventioncoalition/

https://www.youtube.com/@AddictionCoalition

Welcome back to Season 2 of The Shield! We are kicking things off with a story of massive transformation—both personal and community-wide.

In this episode, host Nicole reaches out to Frank Long, the Development Director at The Lovelady Center. Before Frank was helping lead the largest transitional center for women in the country, he was navigating the high-stakes world of Alabama politics. He wore the "Brooks Brothers suits" and worked for governors, but secretly, he was wearing a mask to hide a severe battle with addiction.

Frank opens up about his journey from the State House to recovery, and takes us inside the "City Within a City". With over 560 women and 120 children living on-site , The Lovelady Center is doing more than just rehab—they are rebuilding lives through dental schools, cosmetology programs, and radical community.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Politician’s Mask: Frank’s struggle with high-functioning addiction while working in Montgomery politics.

The "City Within a City": How The Lovelady Center feeds 1,950 meals a day and houses over 600 people.

Breaking Barriers: Why the center includes a daycare, extensive medical care, and vocational schools.

The Impossible Story: You have to hear the story of Jocelyn James—a Lovelady graduate who donated her kidney to the police officer who arrested her multiple times.

Resources Mentioned:

The Lovelady Center: https://www.loveladycenter.org/

Children's Trust Fund of Alabama (Season Sponsor)

Timestamps: 0:00 - Welcome to Season 2! 03:26 - Meet Frank Long 06:28 - The "Brooks Brothers" Mask: Addiction in Politics 11:58 - Finding The Lovelady Center 16:37 - A "City Within a City": The Lovelady Stats 28:21 - Why Dental Care Changes Lives 33:25 - The Miracle Story: Jocelyn James & The Kidney 36:24 - How to Get Involved

For more content, make sure to check us out on Instagram and YouTube!

https://www.instagram.com/addictionpreventioncoalition/

https://www.youtube.com/@AddictionCoalition

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 approaches life, work, and community. He shares insights from his journey of building one of Birmingham’s most popular bar and grills, navigating the challenges of running a business, and making intentional choices that align with his values.

Beyond the business, George talks about being straight-edge and supporting employees in recovery, creating a workplace built on respect and accountability. This episode highlights his life choices, showing how people can support a recovery community even while owning a bar and grill. Life is full of surprises—and George is only just getting started.

For more content, make sure to check us out on Instagram and YouTube!

https://www.instagram.com/addictionpreventioncoalition/

https://www.youtube.com/@AddictionCoalition

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 a warm, insightful conversation about leadership, authenticity, and the power of surrounding yourself with people who make you better — both personally and professionally.

For more content, make sure to check us out on Instagram and YouTube!

https://www.instagram.com/addictionpreventioncoalition/

https://www.youtube.com/@AddictionCoalition

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 patients stay on track. Together, they discuss the importance of breaking down stigma, building transparency, and fostering trust in healthcare. From mental health resources to health education, their conversation highlights the power of community and the role of pharmacists in bridging gaps in care.

For more content, make sure to check us out on Instagram and YouTube!

https://www.instagram.com/addictionpreventioncoalition/

https://www.youtube.com/@AddictionCoalition

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 Project’s upcoming soft launch this fall, the hard launch planned for January, and how the Addiction Prevention Coalition (APC) became a fiscal sponsor, aligning with APC’s mission to strengthen community well-being.

Liz and Nichole also explore what The Renewal Project is looking for in partner providers and encourage community members to stay connected. For anyone who may need this type of support—or wants to help expand access to care—this conversation is an opportunity to learn how to stay informed, get involved, and be part of the movement to make treatment more accessible in Alabama.

For more content, make sure to check us out on Instagram and YouTube!

https://www.instagram.com/addictionpreventioncoalition/

https://www.youtube.com/@AddictionCoalition

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 into how The Foundry helps people through counseling, education, employment readiness, and aftercare.

Tune in for honest stories about second chances, repairing burned bridges, and the hope that comes from a place like The Foundry.

For more content, make sure to check us out on Instagram and YouTube!

https://www.instagram.com/addictionpreventioncoalition/

https://www.youtube.com/@AddictionCoalition

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 paths and personal life experiences, including his decision to stop drinking for a clearer mind. He discusses the role alcohol plays in baseball culture, how he’s examined his own relationship with it, and how The World Baseball League is designed to be family-friendly while promoting a sober lifestyle.

For more content, make sure to check us out on Instagram and YouTube!

https://www.instagram.com/addictionpreventioncoalition/

https://www.youtube.com/@AddictionCoalition