Brianna Sistrunk is the reigning Mrs. Alabama America, proudly representing women across the state of Alabama on the national stage. A passionate advocate for faith, family, and female empowerment, Brianna uses her platform to inspire women to embrace their purpose, lead with confidence, and serve their communities with heart.

Beyond the crown, Brianna is a devoted wife and mother who understands the balance of ambition and family life. She is deeply committed to community outreach, mentorship, and encouraging women to pursue their goals unapologetically. Through speaking engagements, service initiatives, and public appearances, she exemplifies grace, leadership, and authenticity.

As Mrs. Alabama America, Brianna is preparing to compete at the Mrs. America competition, where she will represent Alabama among accomplished women from across the country.

On this episode, Brianna shares her journey, her heart for service, and what it truly means to wear the crown with purpose.

Aaron Ryan is a dedicated attorney and partner at Ryan & Rouse, LLC, a respected law firm serving Madison, Huntsville, and the broader North Alabama community. With over 18 years of legal experience, Aaron is known for his relentless advocacy, integrity, and commitment to his clients’ well-being.

Originally from Georgia, Aaron grew up as an accomplished athlete alongside his twin brother, learning early lessons in work ethic and discipline from his family and coaches. His upbringing—with deep family roots in rural South Carolina—instilled in him values of honor, compassion, and resilience that continue to shape his approach to law. A transformative two-year missionary assignment in rural Mexico further solidified his drive to serve others, reinforcing his belief in fairness, dignity, and community.

Aaron earned his Bachelor’s degree from Augusta State University and his Juris Doctor from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law. Since being admitted to the Alabama Bar in 2007, he has focused his practice on personal injury law, securing significant verdicts and settlements for clients in cases ranging from vehicle and workplace injuries to underinsured motorist claims. His legal excellence has been recognized by his peers, including being named in Best Lawyers for Personal Injury Litigation.

In addition to personal injury work, Aaron handles select family law matters and is known for representing members of the Spanish-speaking community, ensuring language barriers don’t stand between clients and justice. Across all his work, Aaron treats every client not just as a case—but as a person deserving of respect, clarity, and strong legal support.

Timeline

00:00 Start

00:45 Legal Expert Interviews

02:50 Aaron's Bio

06:00 Choosing Legal Track

12:30 Owning a Firm

16:40 Billboard Attorneys

21:21 Case Settlements

26:00 Influencing a Jury

35:15 ChatGPT Analysis of Ryan & Rouse

39:07 Balancing Time, Managing Stress

45:30 Divorce Cases

52:10 Madison City Judge

57:02 Spanish Speaking

01:02:14 Game Time - Musical Memory

01:18:25 Final Thoughts

Learn more about Aaron and his firm Ryan & Rouse at https://alabamalaw.com

Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapA

Watch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomH

Audio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcasts.

Follow us on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/our-town-w-troy-bye-50033a234/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast/

Leah Rise is a children’s book author and storyteller, best known for Maverick A Million, a heart-centered picture book about courage, inner strength, and self-worth aimed at young readers. The story draws inspiration from her youngest son, Maverick, and carries a message encouraging children to embrace their unique gifts rather than compare themselves to others. Her work blends lyrical, poetic language with themes of emotional growth, confidence, and courage. Leah is also a mom of four adopted children, and her experiences as a parent and caregiver — including her long journey as a foster mom — deeply influence her writing. She uses storytelling as a way to help children navigate big feelings and discover resilience from within. In addition to her author work, her online presence on social platforms like Instagram highlights her roles as a storyteller, family person, and creative voice sharing moments from her life and the inspiration behind her work. Her debut book and its companion coloring book are published under Leah Rise Books and seek to support children ages roughly 4–8 with meaningful, uplifting stories. Follow Leah Rise on instagram @maverick_a_millionBuy the book here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/maverick-a-million-leah-rise/114762651000:00 Start

02:30 Domain Names

05:01 Leah Intro

09:03 Foster Mom

16:05 Wanting to be a Mother

19:00 Australia

23:00 The Desire to be a Foster Mom

32:58 Trauma & Honesty

42:25 Inspiration for Book

45:50 Searching for Good

51:25 Book Overiew

01:02:00 Focus Groups

01:12:50 Getting to know Leah

01:26:40 Upcoming Guest - Mrs. Alabama

01:25:15 STEM company

01:35:43 Our Town Podcast Idea

Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapAWatch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomHAudio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcasts.Follow us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/our-town-w-troy-bye-50033a234/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast/

Chad Emerson is the Managing Director of Business Operations for Huntsville City Football Club (HCFC), a position he has held since September 2022. He leads local business operations, partnerships, and fan experience for the MLS NEXT Pro team, having previously served as CEO of Downtown Huntsville, Inc. for nine years. Prior to his role with Huntsville City FC, Emerson built a reputation as a key figure in urban development and community leadership: Downtown Huntsville, Inc. (DHI): Served as the founding CEO for nine years (2013–2022), where he is credited with spearheading the revitalization of Downtown Huntsville through placemaking and economic initiatives.City of Montgomery: Acted as the Director of City Development (2011–2013), overseeing commercial and residential growth.Academic Background: Previously a Professor of Law at the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law (2003–2011), specializing in property and land development. Visit the HCFC page https://www.mlsnextpro.com/huntsvillecityfc/00:00 Start

01:25 Disney Doctrine to Fan Experience

12:05 Ideation Process

22:21 2026 Season Schedule Reveal

35:00 Themed Nights

40:08 Use of AI

43:12 ChatGPT's thoughts on MLS Next Pro and HCFC

48:50 Academy System

54:05 1st Guest at the Triology Hotel57:15 Mt. Rushmore of Snacks

01:01:45 Conclusion

Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapAWatch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomHAudio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcasts.Follow us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/our-town-w-troy-bye-50033a234/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast/

One of the most popular guests on the podcast has been Joe Carlucci, owner of Valentina's Pizzeria & Wine Bar. Joe made his first appearance back in 2022 on episode 22 and made an instant impact with the audience. He came back for two more episodes to have Joe update Troy on the progress of his new store and it also seemed only fitting to have Joe join Troy for the big milestone 100th episode. In this episode, we focus on a fundraiser to support January "Human Trafficking Awareness Month". The fundraiser was in connection with Destiny Rescue group out of Indiana. Why is this subject so controversial? Troy and Joe discuss this and many other things to include a secret plan for perhaps another restaurant in the not so distant future.For more information on Joe and Valentina's visit https://valentinaspizzeria.comHost/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC 00:00 Start

02:00 Getting Portnoy's Attention

06:50 Valentina's Update

10:00 Coke or Pepsi

16:00 Pepsi of Decatur Customer Service

20:58 Joe's New Book

24:04 Human Trafficking Awareness Month

32:13 Prior Episodes on Trafficking

37:10 Why No Focus/Attention/Interest on this Topic

43:08 Alarming Stats

50:02 Concerning Current Events

01:04:14 Fundraiser with Destiny Rescue

01:07:15 New Restaurant?

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapAWatch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomHAudio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcasts.Follow us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/our-town-w-troy-bye-50033a234/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast/

Samantha "Sam I Am" Imker is both the program director and music director at ZYP 104.3. She is also a part of the morning "The Mojo Radio Show" and then hosting her own show at Nash Icon 93.3. She has come along way in the radio business after starting as just a ZYP listener over a decade ago. This was Sam's second appearance on the podcast in which she appeared in EP 43. In this episode, Sam I Am gives some great insight into the business of the running a radio station, working with music labels, and balancing the demands on her time and attention.

Episode Timeline: 00:00 Start 04:39 4 year Journey08:57 Becoming Program Director

12:27 First in Music

17:42 Lasting Career Advice

33:02 DJ Primetime 256

37:51 Madison Street Festival

42:52 ZYP Truck

49:41 Who are the Listeners?

56:53 Musical Memory Lane

1:04:59 Parade Style

01:10:31 Mount Rushmore of Snacks

For more information on 104.3 ZYP: https://www.wzyp.com For more information on Nash Icon 93.3 https://www.933nashicon.com

Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapA

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomH

Audio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcasts.

This weeks' guest is Megan Nivens-Tannett, Founder & CEO, Flourish Consulting Services. Megan is also the host of the SheBoss podcast, in which stories of phenomenal women from across the state making BIG impacts in their communities are shared. In this episode she chronicles her family's history with cancer and a tough, brave decision she made to avoid her own cancer diagnosis. Megan's background ranges from working in non-profit to multi-million-dollar organizations, engaging in digital marketing, public relations, strategic communications, business development, and more.Prior to starting Flourish in 2018, she served as Vice President for Huntsville-based startup accelerator The Foundry; prior to that, she served as the Director of Digital Marketing for Internet of Thigs (IoT) tech firm, Synapse Wireless. In addition, she held various roles with leading Advertising firm McCann Erickson, where she managed marketing and public affairs for their client, the U.S. Army, for both USAREC and ROTC Commands. In this episode, she details the work she is doing now serving on the boards of the Madison CEO non-profit and Fantasy Theatre.Prior to that, she served as the Executive Director for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, where she opened the first office in North Alabama.Megan’s passion is people and finding solutions to problems – whether it’s mentoring students, guiding non-profits, helping her kid’s maneuver life’s challenges, or working with clients to determine areas for growth and overall success.In addition to managing her business, she volunteers her time, including serving as a mentor for the Madison, AL CEO high school program, being an active student mentor through the University of Central Florida (go Knights!), serves as a business coach for The Catalyst Center for Business and Entrepreneurship, volunteers as a communications committee member for Semper Fi, speaks at various events to educate and inform about the public relations/marketing/communications field and was most recently chosen for Leadership of Greater Huntsville’s Flagship 35 class.00:00 Start02:40 Megan Background03:38 Praise of Ranae Bartlett10:48 Getting Involved Locally16:11 Invisible MO20:54 Differences in Kids24:55 Madison CEO Program28:57 Do Children Need College?41:46 Collaboration in North Alabama43:58 Personal Injury Lawyers Discussion53:10 Megan's Husband Joining Flourish01:00:58 Cancer, Family History01:10:13 Double Mastectomy01:23:17 Role Model?01:31:34 Function Health01:37:18 The Quick 6For more information visit https://flourishconsultingservices.com

Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town w/ Troy Bye

Spotify Channel: ⁠⁠https://spoti.fi/3QtpT8z⁠⁠

YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/@ourtownpodcast

Audio available on all platforms - just search for "Our Town Podcast"

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EP 123 | Rachel Sullivan is the Founder of Solid Ground Counseling Center in Madison, AL. Rachel and her staff of therapists, counselors, and clinicians are providing much needed services to North Alabama residents to cope with the unprecedented stresses and difficulties of this time in history in which we live. Born and raised in rural Illinois, Rachel's story is another great journey of growing up the 2nd of 6 children, serving her country in the Army, working herself through college, and then moving to Alabama and starting Solid Ground Counseling Center, which just celebrated its 8th year. Rachel is an inspiration and her life's experiences uniquely qualify her as the perfect person to found her counseling center.Rachel is desperate to have people understand Mental Health

00:00 Start

01:19 EP 37 Recap

02:34 Grandchildren

06:34 Hannah and Tornado

08:40 Credential Success

13:57 Importance of Psychology

16:49 Neurodivergence

18:57 Elizabeth the godsend!

22:08 Importance of Diagnosis

26:44 Neurotypical

29:12 CPTSD

32:53 Trends

35:50 Rachel's Staff and Therapy Types

44:44 Proper Time and Focus on Counseling

50:27 Building the Network

58:13 Mindful Roots

01:07:33 Inspiration for Mindful Roots

01:20:08 The Quick 6

For more information visit https://solidgroundmadison.com

Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town w/ Troy Bye

Spotify Channel: ⁠⁠https://spoti.fi/3QtpT8z⁠⁠

YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/@ourtownpodcast

Audio available on all platforms - just search for "Our Town Podcast"

Follow us on social media:

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/41rlgTt ⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/ourtownpodcast ⁠⁠

Instagram: h⁠⁠ttps://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast/⁠