The Monica Sanford Show

Joshua Parish: Veteran, Attorney, CEO of Vet Life Today. Along with his wife and 2 of NFL greatest players they are making a huge impact, creating an app and Operation Safeguard

We sit down with Joshua Parish: Veteran, Attorney, CEO of Vet Life Today. Along with his wife and 2 of NFL greatest players they are making a huge impact with their funding for advocacy, resources, developing an app and creating the Operation Safeguard program. The Board of Directors consists of 2 of the greatest players in Detroit Lions NFL history and they are working together to help millions of Veterans.  Hear all about the Battle Buddy app, already used by 1/2 million vets and the VA to streamline VA disability claims. Also hear why he became an attorney and how it changed his mind set and outlook on his future. VetLifeToday.org

Laura Hussey: Award-winning broadcast journalist like you have never heard her before! In her first ever podcast interview!

After 30 years of telling everyone else’s stories, today we finally get to hear hers. In her first-ever podcast interview, we are joined by Laura Hussey — the award‑winning broadcast journalist and beloved morning news anchor at WEAR 3, known across northwest Florida for her honesty, compassion, and unwavering commitment to telling people’s stories. With over 30 years of experience, Laura has lived nearly every angle of media with nine years in video production, 12 years as a country radio station program director and nearly a lifetime as one of the most trusted faces in local news.  In this rare, intimate conversation, Laura opens up about the world behind the camera — and the world beyond it. We hear about a day in her life waking up early to deliver the news to the Gulf Coast, and the most powerful story she has covered that made the greatest impact on her and the community. She also shares her funniest bloopers, meeting the cast of GMA, where she hides crystals & how she unwinds with her other “field reporting" as a gardener.

Dr. Linda Silbert, PhD: Why your good kid is getting bad grades! Hear what it takes to build a strong foundation!

Dr. Linda Silbert has dedicated more than 40 years to working with students of every age and ability.We discussed what can make school feel overwhelming for so many children. She and her husband co‑authored the award‑winning, million‑copy bestseller Why Good Kids Get Bad Grades:What Parents Need to Know and Do. A former teacher and principal, Dr. Silbert is a lifelong educator who has developed countless learning and study tools, contributed weekly educational columns to multiplepublications, and founded Strong Learning Centers. Her doctoral research focused on self‑esteem in children, and she continues to champion the idea that positive reinforcement, nurturing, and confidence-building are the true foundations of academic and personal success. In our conversation, she explainshow chronic stress and pressure can frustrate children and derail learning, and why healthy expectations are what help kids thrive. We also explore the role of report cards, effective teaching methods, and why it truly takes a village to motivate kids to read.

Jayla Thomas: Nashville Housing Trust Fund Commissioner & State House candidate discussing affordability, displacement, healthcare, childcare, jobs, infrastructure & more!

I’m joined by Jayla Thomas—Nashville Housing Trust FundCommissioner, businesswoman, community leader, and candidate for State House District 55. With a strong background in systems, operations, andefficiency, Jayla has led work in mergers and acquisitions within the renewable energy sector. She’s also deeply committed to supporting entrepreneurs—helpingthem launch, restructure, and pivot for long-term success. As an advocate for the communities she serves, Jaylasees firsthand the urgent challenges people are facing every day. We dive into the issues that matter most right now—affordability and displacement—and explore her ideas around affordable housing, healthcare, childcare, job opportunities, infrastructure, and more for District 55.

AF Lt Col Arlie Haddix: CEO of Operation Stand Down Tennessee. Calming the stress of transition with much needed services and support!

In this episode, I am joined by Arlie Haddix, CEO of Operation Stand Down Tennessee. Arlie is an Air Force veteran, retired Lt. Col., and graduate of both the U.S. Air Force Academy and Vanderbilt University School of Business Management. Under his leadership, OSDTN delivers coordinated services that reflect the full complexity of veterans’ needs — from urgent mental‑health support and emergency food & housing to career development, leadership courses, and community connection. We talk about the stress many service members face during the transition out of the military, why that period can feel so destabilizing, and how OSDTN steps in with practical, immediate, and long‑term support. Arlie shares insights on the organization’s mission, the gaps they’re working to close, and the power of giving veterans a place to belong.p.s. Thank you to my niece currently deployed as a Captain in the AF!