Rev. and I are thrilled to be warming everyone up with a series of interviews we conducted in Las Vegas at the ICSC this past Spring....here comes the Vegas Series...

A full cast of amazing Marylanders including Howard Perlow, Johnny O, Steuart Pittman, Calvin Ball, Aaron Tomachio and Nestor Aparicio. We were thrilled to welcome them Poolside at our Moblile Podcast Center for chats about everything politics, Baltimore Sports, the work that's being done at TradePoint Mid Atlantic and so much more...

Let's get it started with our first guest of the day Nestor Aparicio where we talk sports and crabcakes two of his favorite subjects.

Nestor Aparicio began his career in 1984 chronicling sports for The News American and The Baltimore Sun before hosting sports radio in 1992. In 1998, he purchased WNST-AM 1570 and retired in 2006 after hosting 14 years of daily sports radio - including three as a nationally-syndicated host on Sporting News Radio - assuming a full-time role as C.E.O. of WNST.net where "We Never Stop Talking" Baltimore sports has extended to the mobile web with the area's largest social media footprint and around the clock conversation, news and views.

He loves the Ravens, Orioles and all the local teams. If you didn't know it he has written three books including "Purple Reign 2: Faith, Family & Football - A Baltimore Story" & "Purple Reign: Diary of a Raven Maniac."

He doesn't hold back as usual and this turned out to be a great conversation......Vegas Series...we have acheived lift off.....

Enjoy!

As we break through 50 Episodes we are surrounded by Angels as we bring forward Baltimore's Police Commissioner - Richard Worley, Nancy Hines - the Executive Director of the Signal 13 Foundation, Barb Clapp - the President of the Board of the Signal 13 Foundation and Jerry Heid - our liaison to the Police Department. Jerry Heid is the second longest serving officer in the history of the BCPD.

This Commissioner comes to the job with an unprecedented level of experience. During his 30 plus years at the BCPD he has performed just about every job you can imagine. We haven't had one of our own at the job for this long in decades. The result is a department that has someone that has walked in their shoes, leading the way. As Jerry Heid agrees, this simple cultural improvement is being felt in all 9 Districts and has lead to major reductions in crime. We dive into his ascent to the top and learn what makes this incredible man tick.

Next we turn to the Frank J. Battaglia Signal 13 Foundation which provides hardship support for the men and woman of the Baltimore Police Department. They also provide scholarships for the children of these brave men and women. The Signal 13 Foundation stands as a beacon of support, providing essential resources for police officers and their families in times of need. We get an update on our Capital campaign which is going along great and will provide for more opportunities for scholarships for more kids.

The Commissioners Office and the Signal 13 Foundation work tirelessly to uphold law enforcement excellence and foster positive relationships with residents. Here's to their unwavering dedication to serving and protecting the vibrant city of Baltimore!

Thank you Richard, Nancy, Barb, and Jerry! Angel's at work!

Rev. Al and I are so excited to welcome Johnathan Davis the CEO of Baltimore Crisis Response Inc. This amazing non profit, which is lead by my friend Jennifer Curran.

Jenn is an amazing woman who married into two amazing Baltimore Families the Currans and the O'Malley's. Under Jenn's leadership along with an incredible board this non profit not only serves the Baltimore but stretches west to Oakland, Maryland and East to Dundalk. All of these centers deliver with compassion and expertise, ensuring individuals in crisis receive the support they need.

As CEO, Jonathan is dedicated to providing prompt and effective assistance, guiding the organization's mission to serve Baltimore's community members during challenging times. With his leadership, Baltimore Crisis Response continues to be a beacon of hope and help for those facing mental health emergencies.

988 is the number to call in times of crisis, especially mental issues, 988, not hard to remember, we even came up with a jingle...This sometimes life saving number is available on any phone at any time connecting individuals with trained professionals ready to assist in a crisis situation.

Here's to Johnathan Davis, a native of Georgia and a lover of the gym....his muscles are as big as his heart and he get's real close to being declared Holy...

Thanks Jonathan for joining us and to his team for their commitment to caring for others!

Dr. Kevin Slayton is a multifaceted individual making waves in public affairs, ministry, and literature. As a public affairs professional, he navigates the complexities of policy and communication with finesse. He has been and continues to be a key advisor for many of Baltimore City's elected officials, simultaneously, as an ordained minister, he offers guidance and compassion to those seeking spiritual solace.

Born in Courtland, Alabama and raised in Chattanooga, Tennesee, when he got to Baltimore he started his journey at the Associated Black Charities where he was introduced to some of Baltimore's best men and women. He loves himself some Baltimore and he's a fan of the culture of crabs where people gather, crack crabs and talk.

Being one of the first in his family to attend college Dr. Slayton received his BS in Finance and Economics from Alabama A&M University. He went on to aquire a Master's in Divinity from Howard University in DC, and a Doctorate from the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Rochester NY. He's an accomplished author and his book 'Politically Preaching" is a great dive into the relationships betweens Baltimore's Political Leaders and Baltimore's incredible African American churches.

Here's to Kevin Slayton, a true Renaissance man, making a difference on multiple fronts! We broke the record on this one, our longest Podcast yet with two Holy's and one Knott.

Enjoy!

Meet Dr. Shanaysha Sauls, the brilliant CEO of the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) - a true trailblazer in the realm of philanthropy and community empowerment!

Dr. Sauls embodies the essence of compassionate leadership, dedicating her career to driving positive change and fostering inclusive growth throughout Baltimore and beyond. Her journey in Baltimore started her community organizing efforts as one of the founders of the Patterson Park Public Charter School. Lessons learned in East Baltimore embody her work as the CEO of BCF, she spearheads initiatives that address pressing social issues, uplift marginalized voices, and catalyze transformational impact.

Her visionary leadership has redefined philanthropy at BCF, making it more accessible, responsive, and impactful for non profit organizations in need. Dr. Sauls' commitment to equity and justice serves as a guiding force, ensuring that BCF's resources are leveraged to tackle systemic challenges and build a brighter, more equitable future for all.

Beyond her role at BCF, Dr. Sauls is a tireless advocate for social justice, education, and economic empowerment. Her dedication to fostering collaboration and amplifying community voices has earned her widespread respect and admiration.

Join Rev. Al and I and lets celebrate Dr. Shanaysha Sauls and her extraordinary contributions to Baltimore and beyond. Thank you, Dr. Sauls, for your visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to creating a better world for everyone!

Rev Al and I are so pleased to bring this conversation forward....I thought we had lost the recording but recently ressurected it from an obcure folder and we could be more pleased...

This wide ranging conversation was recorded not too long after the recent conflict in Israel began, the timelessness of Howards emotions and feelings about this conflict makes this just a relevant now as it was when we recorded it.

Rev Al and I love Howard, he's a good friend and Howard and I have worked closely because of the time he spent at KO Publics Affairs. He was the expert as I watched he Steve and Damian Phoenix that effort and I learned alot about news stories and news cycles. While co-creating Center Maryland and we spent many mornings organizing the days stories well before the sun came up....

Howards successful journey should be of no surprise to anyone who knows him, he's a super human workhorse and he reaches the Top of whatever mountain he decides to climb howard holds the record as the youngest Editor in the Sun Papers history, he now he's the driving force behind the Baltimore Jewish Council.

As Executive Director, Howard leads initiatives fostering unity, advocating for social justice, and promoting dialogue within and beyond Baltimore's Jewish community. Baltimore's Jewish Community is ne of the largest in the United states. His dedication to inclusivity and collaboration sets the tone for impactful change. Kudos to Howard for his leadership and commitment to making a difference!

We can all be thankful for Howard, a great father and husband to Jodie and two great kids..If your looking for him go to Oriole Park, he loves taking in a baseball game with the Family, you might see him.

Howard, thanks for taking the time, Rev Al and I are thrilled to bring this one to our listeners.

Peace Brother!

Rev. Al and I are thrilled to shine the He's Holy I'm Knott spotlight on Joe DeMattos, the dynamic President & CEO of the Health Facilities Association of Maryland (HFAM)!

Joe's unwavering commitment to healthcare excellence and advocacy started in Hawaii where he played a crucial role advising the Governor on Healthcare policy in the early 90's. His work in Maryland has been nothing short of extraordinary. With his visionary leadership, HFAM has been at the forefront of championing quality care and innovative solutions within Maryland's healthcare landscape.

Under Joe's guidance, HFAM has become a beacon of empowerment for healthcare providers, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to deliver exceptional care to their communities. His dedication to advancing the interests of healthcare facilities and the individuals they serve has made a profound impact, elevating standards and promoting collaboration across the industry.

Joe's passion for healthcare extends beyond his professional endeavors. He is deeply involved in various initiatives aimed at enhancing healthcare policies, improving patient outcomes, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and this year he has turned his focus on the Leukemia and Lymphona Society and the fight to cure blood cancers.

As we celebrate Joe DeMattos and his remarkable contributions to Maryland's healthcare sector, let's take a moment to applaud his vision, leadership, and unwavering dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of countless individuals.

Thank you, Joe, thanks for coming in to see us, what a great talk....

Rev. Al and I are back with a whole series of weekly podcasts to take us through the Summer, perfect for a ride to the beach or better yet sitting on the beach. We begin by welcoming the one and only, James Williams.

James Williams is a dedicated leader who is making a difference in the fight against cancer as the Director of the American Cancer Society CAN (Cancer Action Network). With his passion, expertise, and strategic vision, he is driving positive change and improving outcomes for cancer patients and survivors nationwide. James' commitment to advocacy and his unwavering determination serves as inspiration to all those working towards a world without cancer.

James holds a bachelor’s degree in public health policy and a master’s degree in healthcare administration. He began his career working in government relations for a prominent healthcare organization, where he advocated for policies aimed at improving access to care for underserved communities. His experience in navigating complex legislative environments and building relationships with key stakeholders laid the foundation for his current role at the American Cancer Society CAN.

We couldn't be more proud, this one hits home for survivors like me and I was so excited to meet James and learn about the work James is doing in the Community.

Thanks for sharing your unique story and thanks for the profound effect you are having on patients and families. Keep rolling and we appreciate you coming in.