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What does it take to turn Alabama politics into cartoons? Mostly patience, Pink Floyd playlists and waiting for someone to act up. Tune into our latest Quick-Fire Quips with "moderately disturbed" editorial cartoonist JD Crowe to hear the stories behind his most memorable sketches. Plus: iconic sunsets and tiki bar vibes at Fairhope's American Legion Post 199, his go-to road trip snack, how his art landed in the Baseball Hall of Fame before Pete Rose, and why you should check out the local Story Slam at The Book Cellar.

How does an 11-year-old camper finding her rhythm behind a drum set turn into a lifelong calling to empower young women? Find out on this episode of Quick-Fire Quips with Mary Foster, former camper and current mentor with Girls Rock Birmingham. She opens up about finding her home in music, how the non-profit builds confidence and community on stage at Saturn, and why spaces built for young women are so vital in today's music scene. Plus, hear all about the return of the free, come-as-you-are Girls Rock Fest at Avondale Brewing Company!

How did a 50-year-old bequest help make Florence a thriving arts hub? Find out on this episode of Quick-Fire Quips with John Morgan Douglass, senior board member of the Kennedy-Douglass Trust. He reflects on the legacy of his cousin, Reverend Hiram Kennedy Douglass, and their shared belief that art is essential for everyone. Tune in to hear how that creative vision stays alive in the Shoals community today!

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.

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.

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.

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.

As they age out of the public school system, art programs for adults on the autism spectrum begin to disappear. To break the barriers created by age, Studio by the Tracks in Birmingham has been providing free resources and materials for autistic adults for over 30 years. The non-profit aims to combat misconceptions about adults with autism by providing their artists with a source of income through art.

This week on StoryCorps, Ty Cramer and her spouse Steve Romein discuss their early involvement with the organization called Common Power and how it has impacted their careers and lives.