From film sets to dye gardens: Birmingham artist April Bonasera of Dress Dye Magic gives us a look into her world of bespoke fashion and giving new life into vintage textiles. In this episode of Quick-Fire Quips, she shares her journey as a fourth-generation seamstress, building custom pieces for stars like Catherine O'Hara, crafting dyes from home-grown plants, and why Alabama’s art scene needs to embrace fresh perspectives.

Quilt-lovers, assemble! The 5th Annual Airing of the Quilts Festival is coming back to Gee's Bend on Saturday, October 3rd. In this episode of Quick-Fire Quips, Keya Nkonoki from the Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy talks about the signature celebration. Hear how the generations-old art form is inspiring younger generations to pick up a needle and thread. Plus, the secret backroad routes to visit Alberta year-round, local museum exhibits, and how Gee's Bend quilts went global!

Auburn football season is here, and War Eagle Flights are back at Jordan-Hare! But behind the game-day magic, the Auburn University Raptor Center is on a vital mission to rehabilitate injured birds of prey. In this episode of Quick-Fire Quips, Director Dr. Robyn Miller takes us behind the scenes with eagles Aurea and Independence. Plus, she shares how a childhood book sparked her falconry journey, a bizarre encounter involving a red-tailed hawk and a 90s Furby and why you should pay a visit to Nemophily Natives.

What happens when a NASA engineer trades rocket hardware for the dark, raw reality of 1990s grunge? On this episode of Quick-Fire Quips, author Zach Taylor talks about his gritty debut novel, Rockstar: Echoes (the sequel Rockstar: Mirrors is officially in production!) Hear why he wanted to strip away the showbiz glamour to expose the financial tolls and gender disparities faced by rock icons. Plus, the strict bass fishing superstition he swears by on the water and the change he thinks Alabama needs to make for its future.

Back-to-school season looks a little different for Gannon McNees this year. Instead of heading back to class at the University of North Alabama, he's jamming out on the world stage! The tuba player is the first UNA student to win a spot in the U.S. Navy Fleet Bands. In this episode of Quick-Fire Quips, Gannon talks about how his sister influenced his big brass dreams, the beauty of tuning out the world with cave crawls and why bringing out-of-state ideas can help Alabama’s rhythm move forward.

What if you could capture the warmth and grit of a classic 1970s record in the middle of a small Alabama town? This week on Quick-Fire Quips, we’re heading to the Red Room Sound Studio in Robertsdale to chat with Mick Connolly! He and his wife, Lucinda Rowe, co-own and operate this unique, 100% analog recording space. We’re diving into the art of tape-to-tape editing and their work as the husband-and-wife musical duo, The Heat.

Remember learning about stalactites and stalagmites on a school field trip? This week on Quick-Fire Quips, we're stepping inside America's most historic cave! Joy Sorensen, President of Majestic Caverns in Childersburg, shares what it was like growing up in a century-long family business. She also claps back at some wild out-of-state stereotypes ("Yes, our teeth come standard!") and recounts a hilarious, real-life cave encounter with her biggest fear: crabs! From local historical preservation and America 250 celebrations, find out why this natural wonder continues to be a crown jewel of Alabama.

Go behind the scenes of the "coolest government job in the world" with Huntsville Music Officer Matt Mandrella! We’re diving into the Rocket City’s booming music scene just in time for international Make Music Day. From coordinating porch jams to Matt’s secret fear of heights and his mom’s candy rules still spooking him to this day—join APR host Baillee Majors for a fun, fast-paced look at the music heartbeat of Alabama.

Craft tokens, messy dating shows and angel numbers! Sapphic Craftin' is celebrating two years of bringing queer, sober and creative spaces to Mobile. In this episode of Quick-Fire Quips, co-founders Saige and Audrey talk about building chosen family in the South and what they hope to see for the future of the local LGBTQ+ community. Plus, the best analog hobbies—from felt embroidery to sewing— and a shared love for Black Cat Vegan Bakery pastries.

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!