MoxieTalk with Kirt Jacobs

MoxieTalk with Kirt Jacobs #492: ALLIE & MICAH

Allie and Micah are a private couple from Bend, Oregon, attending the 151st Kentucky Derby. Featured briefly on MoxieTalk with Kirt Jacobs due to their highly imaginative and whimsical Derby attire This is precisely the type of authentic, unscripted Derby color that has long made Churchill Downs culturally unique—especially in milestone runnings.

MoxieTalk with Kirt Jacobs #491: Alma Cooper

Alma Oralia Minerva Cooper (born March 17, 2002, in Okemos, Michigan) is a distinguished American soldier, scholar, and beauty queen whose career spans the intersecting worlds of military service, mathematics, and public representation. The daughter of a retired U.S. Army major and a Mexican immigrant mother who once competed in pageants herself, Cooper identifies as African American Latina and embodies the values of discipline, intellect, and cultural pride. Graduating a year early from Okemos High School in 2019, she was accepted into the United States Military Academy at West Point, where she majored in mathematical science and graduated in 2023. Upon commissioning as a U.S. Army officer, she pursued graduate study at Stanford University as a Knight-Hennessy Scholar, working toward a master's degree in statistics with a data-science concentration while preparing for a future assignment within the Military Intelligence Corps. Beyond her academic and military pursuits, Cooper achieved national recognition in 2024 when she was crowned Miss Michigan USA, later winning the title of Miss USA 2024. Her victory was historic: she became one of the first active-duty Army officers ever to hold the Miss USA crown, symbolizing the modern convergence of service, scholarship, and social advocacy. Throughout her reign, Cooper has used her platform to promote STEM education, leadership development, and cross-cultural understanding, positioning herself as a new generation role model who bridges the worlds of defense, data, and diplomacy with grace and purpose.

MoxieTalk with Kirt Jacobs #490: Garey Faulkner

Beard fame: A Cincinnati roofer turned local icon, Garey gained widespread attention for his award-winning full beard, which became a fixture at Cincinnati Bengals games. He has been featured in New Era ads and recognized globally as the "Beard Guy." Achievements: Won the Full Beard Freestyle category at the National Beard & Mustache Championships. Placed third at the 2019 World Beard & Mustache Championship. Fan persona: Often seen at Bengals home games, Garey's signature beard and game-day attire made him a fan favorite. He has hosted charity fundraisers, including one that raised money to enable a young fan with brittle bone disease to attend NFL games across the U.S. In a 2015 feature, he shared the story: his beard began as a charity bet—not shaving for a year—and evolved into years of civic engagement and fan passion. Charity Work: Known for generous community efforts, especially fundraising campaigns tied to his beard persona and Bengals spirit. Garey Faulkner isn't just about facial hair—he's a beloved local figure whose enthusiasm for the Bengals and community has made his beard a symbol of pride. Whether cheering in the stands, supporting a child's dream, or turning heads at competitions, Garey is recognized for combining flair with heartfelt civic-mindedness.

MoxieTalk with Kirt Jacobs #489: Abbie Stockard

Abbie Stockard, who was crowned Miss America 2025 on January 5, 2025, in Orlando, Florida, is a 22-year-old nursing student at Auburn University in Alabama. At just 22 years old, she has already distinguished herself as a role model of resilience, service, and leadership, becoming only the 4th woman from Alabama to hold the crown. Born on July 26, 2002, and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Abbie is a graduate of Vestavia Hills High School. She continued her education at Auburn University's College of Nursing, where she became deeply involved in campus life as a student recruiter, a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, and a dancer with the Tiger Paws team. Her long-term goal is to earn a doctorate in nurse anesthesia, with a specialization in pediatric medicine. Her pageant journey began with the title of Miss Hoover 2024, leading to her victory as Miss Alabama 2024. That same year, she stepped onto the national stage and captured the Miss America crown, winning a $50,000 scholarship to further her studies. As Miss America, Abbie uses her platform to advocate for families impacted by cystic fibrosis, serving as an ambassador for the National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Her work brings vital awareness to the need for research, education, and support—an extension of her lifelong passion for healthcare and helping others. Guided by her personal motto, "Choose Joy," she inspires audiences with her commitment to service and unwavering optimism. Outside her public duties, Abbie remains grounded, sharing her journey on social media and balancing life with grace. She is also in a relationship with NBA player Walker Kessler, a reminder that even in the spotlight, she remains true to herself and genuine. From Birmingham to the Miss America stage, Abbie Stockard is living proof that perseverance and purpose can carry dreams to remarkable heights. Her story is one of joy, service, and an unwavering belief in the power of making a difference. She previously held the title Miss Alabama 2024 and is recognized for her advocacy for children's health and awareness of cystic fibrosis.

MoxieTalk with Kirt Jacobs #488: Bruce Asmussen

Good times and priceless moments with the personalities that made up the "sea of Humanity" that made for a very festive crowd on a very WET Kentucky Derby 151! This time we cross paths with the one and only Bruce Asmussen-aka-"THE PBR PATRIOT".