Think back to your schooldays. Were you expected to sit in a neat row of desks? Did you raise your hand when you needed to ask a question?
Matthew Monson is the director of operations, maintenance, and safety for Ozark City Schools. He’s also a former teacher and principal. Today on the Growing the Forest and the Trees podcast, he’ll talk about why he encourages teachers to ditch the traditional, regimented classroom and embrace the mess.
This week marks what would have been Rosa Parks’ 113th birthday. As we remember the Civil Rights icon, let’s take a look back at this conversation about how the the Rosa Parks Museum got its start. Ray White is currently serving as special project coordinator for Troy University, but 26 years ago, in a previous role at the University, he set out to establish the Rosa Parks Museum on the site of her 1955 arrest. In this conversation from the Culture and Belonging podcast, he shares candid reflections on his work to build trust as he worked with Mrs. Parks and her family, collected materials, and consulted with Civil Rights experts to build the interpretive museum and children’s wing as it exists today.
Episode 3 of Season 5 of the IDEA Vault Podcast takes listeners inside the IDEA Bank Incubator Program, a specialized track within the IDEA Bank membership made possible through funding from Innovate Alabama. In this episode, we sit down with our incubator tenants—Jared Hester of Studio 207, a local design firm; Jessica Goolsby of Goosehead Insurance, an independent insurance broker; and JoJo Meredith, owner of a local real estate company. Each bringing a unique perspective to entrepreneurship in Pike County. With dedicated office space inside the IDEA Bank and access to resources like printing and copying, internet, networking, and ongoing support, they share their individual paths to business ownership, the challenges that tested them, and how the IDEA Bank stepped in during pivotal moments. A recurring theme echoes throughout the conversation: “The result that you are wanting is in the work you are avoiding.”
The episode pulls back the curtain on the everyday realities of owning a business—the long hours, the sacrifices, and the small stepping stones that lead to real progress. From “If you want a day off, I have to work to earn it” to “It’s exciting to see our little town grow,” these founders reflect on what it truly takes to build something sustainable. Their stories highlight the power of simply showing up, pushing past comfort zones, and taking that first leap of faith. As they remind us, growth begins just outside your comfort zone—sometimes you just have to take a deep breath and jump, and most importantly, just start—that’s the first step.
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TROY Public Radio’s newest podcast highlights graduates of Troy University’s Hall School of Journalism.
And, Troy University’s Idea Bank has been named 2025 Business of the Year by Pike County’s Chamber of Commerce.
On Today’s Newswrap from In Focus, Todd Stacy, host of Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal, discusses the possibility of a partial government shutdown. And a creative cow takes the Wildcard!
In 1948, cable television became available in rural areas of the United States, and a million households had a T.V. set. Today, James Clower, retired director of radio and television, visits In Focus with the story of how Troy University built a television station.
Today’s In Focus features a conversation with naturalist Kelly Reetz, assistant superintendent at Gulf State Park. Her favorite season at the park is winter, with all the wildlife!
As AnnaBrooke Rainey reports, changes are incoming as Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has approved $203,404,327 in funding for Alabama’s first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program.
You can read the written version of this story here:
https://www.tropnews.com/post/changes-incoming-following-alabama-s-new-rural-health-transformation-program
The first settlers who arrived in Alabama before statehood have been documented by the Alabama Genealogical Society and recognized by Governor Ivey.
On today’s Newswrap from In Focus, Todd Stacy, host of Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal, discusses a house bill that would expand Alabama’s law enforcement power on immigration in partnership with Homeland Security and ICE.