Alabama’s prison system, education funding, and public policy took center stage in a recent Make It Make Sense, Alabama interview with gubernatorial candidate Dr. Will Boyd. The discussion examined prison reform, the lottery debate, and what Boyd calls Alabama’s biggest issue. a lack of a “fair shot” for residents across the state.

Pastor Dean Odle joins us to discuss what pushed him from the pulpit into Alabama politics. He shares how COVID-era shutdowns of churches and schools, while other businesses remained open, raised constitutional concerns for him and sparked his decision to run for office. We also cover ballot access, government accountability, election reform, and why he believes citizen engagement is more critical than ever.

In Episode 13 of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, Neeli Faulkner and Whitney Scapecchi sit down with Chad “Chig” Martin, a Democratic candidate for governor running a citizens-driven campaign. Martin discusses economic development, prison reform, healthcare funding, environmental concerns, and special interest money, outlining why he believes Alabama voters are ready for structural change and broader accountability in state government.

In this Candidate Conversations episode, Austin Sidwell, Republican candidate for U.S. House in Alabama’s 1st Congressional District, joins Neeli and Whitney for a candid conversation about affordability, government accountability, immigration policy, and the role of faith and service in leadership. Drawing from his background as a U.S. Air Force pilot and small business executive, Sidwell explains why he believes Washington needs non career politicians and stronger financial

Jamel Jermaine Brown, a Montgomery based pastor, activist, and Democratic candidate for Alabama governor in 2026, joins Make It Make Sense, Alabama for a candid conversation about rural investment, marijuana legalization, criminal justice reform, education control, and the policies he believes could shift the day to day reality for working Alabamians.

Retired U.S. Army officer and Alabama State Senate candidate Jodie Minor joins Neeli Faulkner and Whitney Scapecchi for a deeply personal conversation about loss, service, and civic responsibility. From the murder of his father in childhood to leadership roles in the Army and at the White House, Jodie shares how lived experience shaped his commitment to justice, rural communities, and public accountability across Alabama.

In Episode 8 of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, Neeli Faulkner interviews Kaycee Cavender, candidate for Alabama House District 40. Cavender discusses health freedom, HB 12 and the Alabama Right to Refuse Act, education policy, rural infrastructure, property and grocery taxes, and campaign finance transparency, outlining her priorities for Cleburne and Calhoun Counties ahead of the upcoming election.

In this episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, hosts Whitney Scapecchi and Neeli Faulkner speak with Ken McFeeters, a Republican candidate for Alabama governor in 2026. McFeeters discusses food independence, education reform, healthcare priorities, and how COVID-era policies shaped his decision to run. He outlines a vision centered on local governance, self-reliance, and civic responsibility.

JR Bowling joins Make It Make Sense, Alabama to talk about public service, legislative accountability, and why many voters feel disconnected from state government.

In this episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, we sit down with Dale Deas, a cardiac surgeon and biomedical engineer running in Alabama’s 2026 U.S. Senate race. Deas explains why he left medicine to enter politics, shares allegations of whistleblower retaliation, and outlines how hospital consolidation, healthcare costs, and lack of accountability affect everyday Alabamians.

At just 22 years old, Elijah Davidson is challenging assumptions about youth engagement in Alabama politics. In this episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, Davidson, a candidate for Alabama House District 95, discusses cost of living, the grocery tax, political accountability, and why many Gen Z voters feel shut out of the system.