Baillee Majors

What does it take to build a better Alabama? Chris Sanders, Communications Director for the nonprofit Alabama Arise has some thoughts. He talks with Quick-Fire Quips host Baillee Majors about how grassroots power is transforming the Yellowhammer State, the not-so-hidden gems of Montgomery and his superstitions that keep Alabama Crimson Tide football winning. Plus, the mentality off, "We go further when we go together."

In this episode of Quick-Fire Quips, host Baillee Majors talks with Neil Lamb, President of the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, to explore the cutting-edge world of genomics in the heart of Huntsville. From the "potluck" of Alabama’s diverse culture to the long road of bringing life-changing drugs to market, Neil offers a unique look at how science and community intersect. Hear about his unexpected childhood hero, Julia Child, his favorite quiet retreat in Cullman and why he believes optimism is the key to Alabama’s future.

Meet the man who makes "the snake pit" look like a walk in the park: Trippy McGuire, a veteran handler at the legendary Opp Rattlesnake Rodeo! From childhood jars of "specimens" to the high-stakes snake pit, Trippy shares why he swapped fear for fascination on this episode of Quick-Fire Quips. Plus, Alabama legends, hidden RV gems, and why he doesn't bleed red—he bleeds orange and blue.

Fannie Etheridge has been quilting for 30 years, but she’ll be the first to tell you that the legacy of Gee’s Bend started long before her. She shared a beautiful insight during our latest Quick-Fire Quips: The women who started the Freedom Quilting Bee didn't have five-year business plans—they had an idea, a community and the drive to build something from nothing. Today, those quilts aren't just blankets, they are world-renowned art.

Justinn Overton isn’t just patrolling the water—she’s advocating for your health! In this episode of Quick-Fire Quips: Dive into the world of Coosa Riverkeeper. Find out why Alabama’s waterways are the ultimate playground, learn the best "right to know" safety tips for your next float and—believe it or not—discover why Justinn is keeping a very close eye out for kangaroos in the Deep South.

Tuscaloosa residents know how to measure time: there’s 'before the tornado' and 'after the tornado'. For Dr. Shane Crawford, that milestone became a mission. After witnessing the 2011 outbreak as a UA student, he didn't just rebuild—he innovated. On this episode of Quick-Fire Quips, we explore the world of disaster resilience—from a lab where 150-mph debris meets next-gen concrete, to how the lessons of our past are fueling the innovations of 2026.

Today is our one-year anniversary of Quick-Fire Quips! To celebrate, host Baillee Majors sits down with a very special guest: her grandmother, Elaine Carmichael. At 92 years young, she's a retired teacher and principal at Goshen Elementary and former Troy Messenger writer and editor. She shares heartwarming stories of small-town life in Goshen— and offers her timeless wisdom on faith, family and what truly makes a community feel like home.

Pull up a chair! The Shoals Storytelling Festival is almost here. Heartfelt history to tall tales to professional lying will be front and center at The Shoals Theatre starting tomorrow! On this Quick-Fire Quips, Director Leslie McCrory shares why Florence is the perfect backdrop for this ancient art form. Plus, the unique power of the one-stage experience and how a shared laugh turns a room full of strangers into a community.

What happens when you mix forensic engineering with abstract art? Ask Dr. Raymond Thompson. The first-gen college student turned engineering legend has spent more than 60 years looking at the hidden beauty inside metals. On this episode of Quick-Fire Quips, he joins APR's Baillee Majors to talk about, the evolution of Alabama tech, his "love letter" to the city that launched his business career—and how he's turning industrial steel into stunning public art at Sloss Furnaces.

With 29 albums under his belt, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame inductee and recent Alabama Distinguished Artist Award winner Eric Essex isn't slowing down. On this week's episode of Quick-Fire Quips, he sits down with Baillee Majors to tease his upcoming album, Things Above. But it’s not just about the music— also takes us behind his music education work in Alabama schools, reveals his Marvel comic book nerd status and names the three albums he'd give to an alien invasion!