Alexandra & Friends Podcast

Alexandra and Friends Guest March 7th: Stacie Martin

Stacie Martin is the founder and president of Single Parent Advocate, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping, empowering, and encouraging single-parent families across North Texas. She launched the organization in 2009 alongside her marketing agency, Free Martin Marketing and Media, inspired by both her professional background in advertising and her personal experience raising her son as a single parent for fifteen years.
Through its mission of “True Hope. Real Help.” the organization provides practical support, educational resources, and community connections to help single-parent families move from crisis to stability. Under Stacie’s leadership, Single Parent Advocate partners with schools, churches, nonprofits, and businesses to serve families through events, scholarships, holiday programs, and access to local resources.
Stacie is also a speaker, podcast host, and marketing professional known for her community-focused leadership and advocacy for the vital role single parents play in strengthening families, workplaces, and communities. Single Parent Advocate

Alexandra and Friends Guest February 28th: Stephen Ross

Ross’ Rowdy Bees began as a personal hobby rooted in a lifelong passion for honeybees. After purchasing two hives in East Texas, what started as simple enjoyment grew into a deeper commitment to learning and beekeeping. The turning point came when the founder’s eight-year-old daughter drew a bee that inspired the launch of the business, with her artwork becoming the brand’s symbol. Today, Ross’ Rowdy Bees operates multiple hives across North Texas and provides a wide range of bee-related services, all while continuing to reflect the founder’s passion and commitment to inspiring others to pursue their dreams.

Alexandra & Friends Guest February 7th: Jayce Tapley

Joyce E. Tapley, MHA is a nationally respected healthcare executive and business growth strategist with more than 30 years of C-suite leadership across community health, academic medical systems, and multi-site physician enterprises. She serves as Chief Executive Officer of Foremost Family Health Centers in Dallas, Texas, where she has driven market expansion, strengthened financial performance, and sustained employee retention above 80% through significant workforce shifts. Joyce specializes in strategic growth, medical practice acquisition, contract negotiation, revenue optimization, and workforce productivity. She is certified in healthcare compliance, forensic audit review, HIPAA auditing, and Lean Six Sigma, and is a sought-after speaker on building sustainable, scalable healthcare organizations and turning vision into measurable results.

Alexandra and Friends: Grandma and Grandpa Camp

Michael and Rosemary Greene are the founders of Grandma and Grandpa Camp and grandparents to eight granddaughters. What began as simple family gatherings grew into a meaningful tradition centered on presence, connection, and shared memories. Through their book and speaking engagements, they encourage grandparents to embrace their unique role and build lasting family bonds through small, intentional moments. Their message is practical, heartfelt, and rooted in the belief that legacy is shaped by everyday love.

Alexandra and Friends: Guest Frances Smith Dean

Frances, owner of The Financial Educator, LLC, is a financial educator and community leader dedicated to helping small investors and BIPOC entrepreneurs build wealth through education and access to capital. She serves as Executive Director of the Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr. Community Outreach Center in Dallas and is a former Co-Chair of the Comptroller’s PROJECT REACh Dallas, where she helped connect banks and nonprofits to community banking needs. Frances has directly supported dozens of small businesses in securing financing, including $900,000 in lending during COVID-19 that saved 38 jobs. An experienced speaker, international collaborator, and former adjunct professor, Frances brings a no-nonsense, community-centered approach to economic empowerment.

Alexandra and Friends: Year In Review

Join Alexandra and Roland as they look back on the turning points, standout conversations, and unexpected lessons that shaped the year. From headline news to personal milestones, they unpack what mattered most, reflect on how perspectives shifted, and set the tone for what comes next. Honest, unfiltered, and straight from the heart—this is the year in review you won’t want to miss.

Alexandra and Friends: Guest Atty. Judge Dianne Jones

Join us as we welcome Dianne Jones, Atty, Judge of County Court at Law #4 in Dallas County, to the mic! She’ll be unpacking real-world leadership in the courtroom, navigating change in public service, and how you can apply those lessons to lead with integrity and impact. Tune in — you won’t want to miss it!

Alexandra and Friends November 22nd: Guests Steve Hopwood and Hilton Jackson

Steve Hopwood Founder & CEO, Corsair Tactical Solutions | Founding Partner, The Alliance Training Network NRA Certified Instructor | USCCA Instructor | Texas LTC Instructor | Texas Security Instructor
Steve is a U.S. Navy military veteran with multi-theater experience and a battle-tested mindset that translates seamlessly into the civilian security and firearms training world. With a sharp focus on readiness, accountability, and tactical precision, he brings over [insert number] years of real-world operational knowledge to every training scenario.
As the Founder and CEO of Corsair Tactical Solutions, Steve leads one of Texas' premier security training schools—licensed by the Texas Department of Public Safety as a Security Contractor, Training School, and Continuing Education provider. He is certified as:
• NRA Instructor
• USCCA Certified Instructor
• Texas License to Carry (LTC) Instructor
• Texas Security Officer Instructor (Levels II, III, IV)
Under his leadership, Corsair Tactical Solutions delivers legally compliant, scenario-driven, and high-impact training for armed professionals, civilians, and corporate clients alike. From advanced firearms techniques and conflict de-escalation to private security licensing and church safety consulting, Steve ensures every course is built on a foundation of discipline, situational awareness, and moral responsibility.
As a Founding Partner of the Alliance Training Network, Steve also collaborates with a select group of elite instructors to elevate training standards statewide—developing curricula, advising on safety strategy, shaping the next generation of certified instructors and protection professionals.
With a mission to protect, train, and elevate, Steve blends military integrity, instructor certification, and street-smart wisdom to deliver training that’s as real as it gets.
Hilton Jackson
Owner of Gideon Training Solutions and Founding Partner of The Alliance Training Team (alongside Steve Hopwood)
Community Safety Advocate and Firearms Educator
With over 20 years of experience rooted in military service and first responder work, Hilton Jackson is a distinguished firearms educator dedicated to promoting responsible gun ownership and community security in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. As owner of Gideon Training Solutions, he specializes in providing personalized, comprehensive training tailored to the diverse needs of the community—from youth to seasoned adults.
Hilton is a founding partner of The Alliance Training Team, offering a wide range of expert safety and tactical services. His extensive credentials include certifications as a USCCA Trainer (Home Defense Fundamentals), NRA Trainer, Texas License to Carry Instructor, US Law Shield Instructor, Range Safety Officer, and Security Officer Levels II-IV. His approach emphasizes safety, responsibility, and confidence, earning him over 4.5-star reviews on Google for his effective and personalized instruction.
Dedicated to ongoing professional growth, Hilton continuously sharpens his skills to ensure his methods remain current and impactful. His grassroots, referral-driven reputation stems from a commitment to fostering safe, responsible, and confident firearm users through tailored training, security audits, and community outreach.
Contact Hilton Jackson today to learn how he can help enhance safety and responsible firearm ownership in your community:
Phone: 817-683-3282
Email: hj@gideontrainingsolutions.com
Website: https://gideontrainingsolutions.com

Alexandra and Friends November 1st: Guest Gus Cabarcas

Meet Gus Cabarcas, U.S. Army veteran and North Texas Regional Coordinator at Combined Arms. With over 20 years in the NYPD, he brings powerful lessons on leadership, service, and resilience.  Tune in to hear his inspiring journey and how he continues to serve his community today!

Alexandra and Friends October 4th: Guest Maureen Jirikowic

Maureen Jirikowic's journey is one of resilience and transformation. After being a single mom for a decade, Maureen met Peter, the love of her life. Together, they faced the challenges of his terminal cancer diagnosis in 2021, with Maureen by his side every step of the way. After his passing in 2023, Maureen found a new calling as a transformational coach for women. Through her expertise in color analysis, wardrobe coaching, skincare, and makeup, she empowers women to rediscover their strength and confidence. Maureen also shares her personal story through her "Widow Talk" podcast and speaks to women's groups, offering hope and inspiration to those navigating life's transitions.