Choosing the right gift for someone is important, but sometimes we need to let the recipient have a say in the gift they get - especially when it's a pet!

On this week's Keepin' It Real, Cam has had some rebellion enter his home. Strangely, he says, it's not nearly as bad as he had thought.

You might know Fran Fluher as the heart behind Huntsville's Manna House, but her life is a lesson in service, faith and Southern hospitality. She talks with Quick-Fire Quips host Baillee Majors about being inspired by her parents, who dedicated nearly 70 years to a life of purpose and helping hands. Plus, finding what fits your own passion to support your local community, and how even the smallest acts of outreach provide the gift of hope.

So, what did you do today? Jimmy Wales of Huntsville invented Wikipedia. How's that for a "mic drop" moment? The online encyclopedia, which is updated by anonymous editors, has its critics. Elon Musk counts himself among them. Authoritarian regimes reportedly hate Wikipedia. However, the website has viewers, a lot of them. By some accounts, billions of people visit Wikipedia, both the English version and in 300 other foreign languages. That's billions with a “B” every month. Jimmy Wales is also out with his first book. It's called "The Seven Rules of Trust." We'll discuss how that's the philosophy behind Wikipedia. Wales also grew up in Huntsville, in the shadow of the Apollo man moon landings.

This week on StoryCorps, Beth Spivey and her daughter Mary Vincent Lewis tell stories about Bubba, Mary's Grandfather, and what it's like to live in rural Alabama.

This week, Don reviews Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Ace Atkins.

Decorating for the Christmas season can add a lot of joy to your home, but take care that the festive decorations don't pose a risk to your furry housemates!

On today's Keepin' It Real, Cam reminds each of us, and himself, that being thankful is not a seasonal behavior, but an attitude we should aspire to live year round.

Deck the South is your essential guide to Alabama’s most dazzling festive traditions. APR Digital Content Reporter Aydan Conchin takes you on a tour highlighting the twinkling lights, local markets, and pure Southern magic that make this season shine across the Yellowhammer State!

This week on StoryCorps, cooking enthusiasts Matt Orndorff and Megan York discuss old family recipes and the way that food can help us to connect with lost loved ones.