Make It Make Sense, Alabama

Murder Creek Media
  • 5.0 (4)
  • News Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

Make It Make Sense, Alabama is a podcast focused on accountability, justice, and civic understanding across the state of Alabama. Hosted by two Alabama residents who believe people deserve clear, accurate information, the show breaks down how systems actually work. From state and local decisions to education, public institutions, unsolved cases, and citizen rights. We look at what’s happening, who is responsible, and why it matters.

  1. 1d ago

    E32 Does Tommy Tuberville Actually Live in Alabama? Ken McFeeters Wants a Court to Decide

    Does Tommy Tuberville actually meet Alabama's constitutional residency requirement to become governor? Ken McFeeters doesn’t think so. The former Republican candidate for Alabama governor joins us again on Make It Make Sense, Alabama for an update on his ongoing challenge to Tommy Tuberville's eligibility. Since our first conversation with Ken, a LOT has happened. McFeeters challenged Tuberville's eligibility through the Alabama Republican Party, participated in a closed hearing before the party's steering committee, and watched the party unanimously uphold Tuberville's candidacy. Previous court challenges have been dismissed without a trial determining the underlying question of where Tuberville is legally domiciled. Now McFeeters is taking another route. He tells us about his latest lawsuit, why he believes this case can finally put the residency evidence before a court, and the nearly 300 pages of documents he says support his position. We dig into the timeline surrounding Tuberville's Florida voter registration, driver's license, property and tax records, his claimed Alabama residency date, and the evidence McFeeters says he wants the opportunity to obtain through subpoenas and depositions. We also talk about what happened behind closed doors during McFeeters' Republican Party challenge, his criticism of Alabama Republican Party leadership, and a rapidly approaching August 18 deadline that could have major implications for the governor's race. McFeeters' position remains a contested legal claim. The Alabama Republican Party has ruled that Tuberville satisfies its residency requirement, and courts considering previous challenges have dismissed those cases without reaching a final determination on the underlying domicile question. So where does that leave Alabama voters? That's exactly what we're trying to make make sense. 🎙️ Like, subscribe, and follow Make It Make Sense, Alabama for more conversations about the people, policies, elections, and decisions affecting Alabamians.

  2. 1d ago

    E31 Who Controls Your Vote? Dr. Douglas Frank on Election Integrity in Alabama

    How much do you really know about what happens to your vote after you cast it? In this episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, Neeli Faulkner sits down with Dr. Douglas Frank, a scientist, former mathematics teacher, and nationally known election-integrity activist who has spent years analyzing voter registration and election data across the country. Dr. Frank walks us through how he analyzes voter rolls, why he believes local election officials have lost too much control over election data, and what he says he has discovered while working with citizen groups across the country. Then we bring it home to Alabama. Why has Alabama historically charged thousands of dollars for voter-roll data that Frank says can be obtained cheaply or even downloaded for free in some other states? What information should citizens actually be able to access? And are Alabama's election laws making our elections more transparent, or less? We also talk about mail-in voting, local elections, school board races, the criticism surrounding Frank's work, and why he believes voters should be paying much closer attention before November. Dr. Frank's claims and methodology have been disputed by election officials and statisticians. We invited him onto the show to explain his research, his conclusions, and the evidence he believes supports them so listeners can hear his arguments for themselves. Because whether you agree with him or think he's completely wrong, asking questions about how our elections work shouldn't be controversial. That's kind of the whole point of Make It Make Sense, Alabama. 🎙️ Like, subscribe, and follow Make It Make Sense, Alabama for more conversations about the people, policies, and decisions affecting Alabamians.

  3. Jul 22

    E30 Faith, Family, Freedom: John Mills on Election Integrity and the Fight for Alabama's Gulf Coast

    This week on Make It Make Sense Alabama, Whitney and Neeli sit down with John Mills, a retired U.S. Navy pilot and constitutional conservative running for Congress in Alabama's newly drawn First District. John shares his path from enlisting at 17 to a 26-year Navy career, his award-winning work in emergency management during Gulf Coast hurricanes, and how that experience shapes his views on disaster preparedness today. The conversation turns to election integrity, where John discusses his work with Dr. Douglas Frank and Mike Lindell, hand-counting initiatives in Mobile, and his concerns about voter rolls, while Whitney shares an update on her own contested school board election. They also dig into America First policy issues affecting the Gulf Coast, including shrimp imports and CO2 carbon capture legislation, before wrapping up with a rapid-fire round covering everything from Waffle House orders to term limits. 00:00 Welcome to Make It Make Sense Alabama 01:09 Meet John Mills: Navy pilot turned Congressional candidate 02:02 Catching up on other District One candidates 06:47 Emergency management: the Millington evacuation and Florida's Professional of the Year award 14:20 Whitney's contested election and the road to election integrity work 18:10 Hand-counting ballots and concerns about voter rolls 19:52 Building county-by-county election integrity teams 30:50 Career politicians, Trump's endorsement, and District One's split 32:22 America First: shrimp imports and USAID concerns 33:39 CO2 carbon capture and eminent domain in Alabama 35:32 Republic vs. democracy: John's constitutionalist philosophy 38:16 Engaging younger voters 40:34 Campaign priorities: faith, family, freedom 43:59 Rapid-fire round begins 54:32 Endorsements and closing thoughts 56:34 Election date reminder and sign-off Make It Make Sense, Alabama is a production of Murder Creek Media, an independent investigative journalism organization focused on accountability, justice, transparency, and stories that deserve a closer look. If you'd like to support our work, every contribution helps us continue filing public records requests, obtaining documents, and producing independent investigations. ❤️ Support our work:⁠https://murdercreekmedia.com/donate⁠ 📧 Send tips or story ideas:⁠tips@murdercreekmedia.com⁠ Follow, subscribe, and share the show to help us bring power back to the people.

  4. Jul 13

    E29 What the Hell Is Going On? (With Us.)

    We're back... and we've got a lot to talk about. In this special Yap Session, Neeli and Whitney sit down to catch up on everything that's been happening behind the scenes at Murder Creek Media. From why episodes have been delayed to the investigative projects currently in the works, this is an unfiltered conversation about where we've been, where we're headed, and why we're more committed than ever to holding power accountable. We discuss the overwhelming number of tips coming into our inboxes, what's next for Make It Make Sense, Alabama, the upcoming Murder in Mobile County investigative series, and our newest long-form reporting project, Tony Crony. We also talk about the importance of citizen tips, why transparency matters, and how everyday Alabamians can help bring accountability back to government. If you've been wondering what we've been up to... this one's for you. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome back! Where have we been?01:00 How you can support Murder Creek Media03:00 Why every tip matters (and please don't send us riddles)07:10 New developments in Alabama DHR coverage09:05 Murder in Mobile County update10:20 The future of Make It Make Sense, Alabama13:55 Introducing the Tony Crony investigative series18:15 Why context matters in investigative journalism22:05 Why investigative reporting isn't free24:40 Bringing power back to the people27:50 Help us investigate. Send your tips Make It Make Sense, Alabama is a production of Murder Creek Media, an independent investigative journalism organization focused on accountability, justice, transparency, and stories that deserve a closer look. If you'd like to support our work, every contribution helps us continue filing public records requests, obtaining documents, and producing independent investigations. ❤️ Support our work:https://murdercreekmedia.com/donate 📧 Send tips or story ideas:tips@murdercreekmedia.com Follow, subscribe, and share the show to help us bring power back to the people.

  5. Jul 10

    E29 Inside One Alabama Mother's Fight With DHR

    In this episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, we continue our look at Alabama's child welfare system by speaking with Baldwin County mother Lindsey Barrios, who shares her experience navigating DHR, family court, and a custody battle that has now stretched on for years. Lindsey walks us through the timeline leading up to the removal of her children, including two separate custody disputes, allegations that she says she wasn't informed of until months later, and evidence she believes should have changed the course of her case. We also talk about broader questions surrounding due process in Alabama dependency proceedings, the role of mandatory reporting, proposed legislation that sought to expand parents' rights, and why many families say they struggle to receive meaningful explanations once DHR becomes involved. As with every episode in this series, the statements made by Lindsey Barrios reflect her personal account and allegations regarding her case. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction01:05 Meet Lindsey Barrios03:20 Two Custody Battles Collide08:10 The Journal That Raised Questions12:05 DHR Arrives to Remove the Children14:40 The 72-Hour Hearing17:30 Learning the Allegations Months Later20:05 A Five-Year Court Battle22:00 Due Process and Alabama Law26:00 HB 464 and Parents' Rights30:20 Lindsey's Message to Lawmakers31:00 Closing

  6. May 5

    E28 Inside SHOW Baldwin: How Families Are Filling Alabama’s Disability Resource Gap

    This episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama introduces SHOW Baldwin, a nonprofit in Baldwin County created by mothers of children with disabilities who saw firsthand the lack of accessible resources in their community. What started as a simple effort to raise money for a child’s wheelchair quickly evolved into a full organization focused on inclusive events, equipment access, and direct family support. SHOW Baldwin now provides adaptive programming, a medical equipment lending library, and monthly support for families in need. The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as the group shares the story of Heather Hestand, a founding member of SHOW Baldwin who was recently diagnosed with stage four cancer. The episode highlights the harsh financial realities faced by families raising children with disabilities and the overwhelming uncertainty surrounding long-term care. Through community-driven fundraising efforts, including a GoFundMe and an upcoming Gratitude Gala, the organization is working to secure financial stability for Heather’s daughter’s future. The episode ultimately exposes a larger issue. Alabama families are often left to build their own support systems due to gaps in accessibility, affordability, and resource awareness.

  7. Apr 24

    E27 Alabama Congressional Candidate Clyde Jones on Healthcare, Immigration & Why The System Isn’t Working

    In this episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, we sit down with Democratic candidate Clyde Jones, who is running for U.S. Congress in Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.Jones brings a background in military service, community leadership, and advocacy. In this conversation, we break down the real issues affecting Alabamians right now. Healthcare costs, workers’ rights, immigration enforcement, and the growing divide in politics.We also get into campaign accountability, corporate money in politics, and what it actually takes to create change at the federal level.Whether you agree or disagree, this is the kind of conversation voters need to hear.CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction + Clyde Jones Background03:18 Why Some Candidates Avoid Accountability06:17 Top Issues in Alabama District 110:17 Immigration Enforcement & Labor Impact14:14 Rising Costs, Housing, and Insurance Crisis18:05 Corporate Money in Politics & Term Limits22:28 Accountability, Transparency & Insider Trading29:12 Political Division & Public Discourse39:39 “Unpopular” Policy Positions Explained48:59 Rapid Fire Questions54:24 Final Message to VotersSUPPORT OUR WORKIf you’ve been following our work, you already know this isn’t just a podcast.We are actively investigating cases, reviewing records, and working with families who are still looking for answers. That work takes time, resources, and support.If you want to be part of what we’re building at Murder Creek Media, here are a few ways you can help:- Support the show directly: murdercreekmedia.com/donate- Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it- Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming nextEvery share, every listen, and every dollar goes back into the work.

  8. Apr 22

    E26 Elderly Man Claims Wrongful Arrest, Body Cam Footage Raises Questions

    In this episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, we take a closer look at a case involving 71-year-old Nolan Keel of Foley, Alabama, who was arrested during an early morning walk in April 2024. According to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, Keel was stopped for walking in the roadway and later arrested for disorderly conduct. Keel disputes that version of events. Using the incident report, applicable Alabama law, and body camera footage obtained through his attorney, we walk through what happened, what deputies documented, and what can be seen on video. This episode also includes an interview with Keel, where he shares his experience and how the arrest impacted him. As always, we’re laying out the information so you can review it for yourself and draw your own conclusions. CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 01:13 Overview of the case 02:00 Details of the stop 04:18 Incident report breakdown 07:06 Alabama pedestrian laws 09:39 ID laws and context 11:52 Police body camera footage 31:31 Initial reactions to the footage 58:19 Interview with Nolan Keel 01:33:37 Closing discussion

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Make It Make Sense, Alabama is a podcast focused on accountability, justice, and civic understanding across the state of Alabama. Hosted by two Alabama residents who believe people deserve clear, accurate information, the show breaks down how systems actually work. From state and local decisions to education, public institutions, unsolved cases, and citizen rights. We look at what’s happening, who is responsible, and why it matters.

Information

  • Creator
    Murder Creek Media
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Murder Creek Media
  • Show Website
    Make It Make Sense, Alabama

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