Watch

Today on The Morning Show, we’re spotlighting a powerhouse in Arizona’s creative ecosystem: Melissa Erickson, CFRE, founder of The Funding Studio, the state’s leading fiscal sponsor for arts and innovation. If you’re an artist, creative, innovator, filmmaker, or storyteller trying to bridge the gap between art and business, this episode is a must-watch. Melissa shares: • How The Funding Studio is helping artists get funded, supported, and visible • Why fiscal sponsorship is a game-changer for creatives who need nonprofit backing • How her expertise as a Certified Fund Raising Executive empowers artists to build sustainable, long-term careers • The professional development, fundraising guidance, and community-building that help creative projects truly thrive The Funding Studio’s mission is simple and powerful: grow communities of regional artists and innovators — and help them get the funding they deserve. Learn more or get involved: Website: https://thefundingstudio.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefundingstudio Instagram: @thefundingstudio Email: melissa@thefundingstudio.org LinkedIn: Melissa Watson Erickson ☀️ Thanks for watching The Morning Show — where community, culture, and connection come to life every week. Your Morning. Our Community. Local Love. ☀️ Follow us on Instagram & YouTube: @OnTheMorningShow ☀️ Catch all episodes streaming at OnTheMorningShow.com, on YouTube, and on ROBAT TV. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 1:29 Interview Melissa Erickson Executive Producer – Chris Weir Producers – Ann Cabano, Melissa Farley, Marshall Shore Technical Director / Operator – Theo Weierstall Audio Engineer / Operator – Brandon Payan Segment Writer – Dylan Crow

This week on The Morning Show, we sit down with Melissa Calles, founder of the Buckeye Night Market — one of the fastest-growing, community-centered markets in the West Valley. Melissa shares how her dream turned into a seasonal celebration that now features 50+ local vendors, live music, food, family-friendly activities, and a marketplace that truly reflects the culture and spirit of downtown Buckeye. In this episode, we explore: • How the Buckeye Night Market is revitalizing Downtown Buckeye and bringing new life to the West Valley • The evolution of the market — from one-night idea to a highly anticipated seasonal event • How Melissa’s mission empowers local makers, small businesses, and underrepresented entrepreneurs • What visitors can expect from future events — and why this market has become a must-experience community gathering To learn more or get involved: 📸 Instagram: @buckeyenightmarket 🌐 Facebook: Buckeye Night Market 📧 Email: hello@weststreetsstudio.com ☀️ Thanks for watching The Morning Show — where community, culture, and connection come to life every week. Your Morning. Our Community. Local Love. ☀️ Follow us on Instagram & YouTube: @OnTheMorningShow ☀️ Catch all episodes streaming at OnTheMorningShow.com, on YouTube, and on ROBAT TV. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 1:05 Interview Melissa Calles 12:03 History Executive Producer – Chris Weir Producers – Ann Cabano, Melissa Farley, Marshall Shore Technical Director / Operator – Theo Weierstall Audio Engineer / Operator – Brandon Payan Segment Writer – Dylan Crow

The holidays come alive at Flagstaff Mall, where community, kindness, and celebration take center stage all season long. Bonnie shares: 🎄 Light-A-Life with Northland Hospice — a moving tribute honoring loved ones 🎁 The Salvation Army Christmas Angel Tree — granting holiday wishes for Arizona children 🎅 Free Santa Photos all December long (yes, even pet photo day!) 🛍️ Community Events — Holiday Craft Show, Character Kindness Club, Cookies with the Cat, Canine Series, and more 🫶 A season full of joy, generosity, and connection Plan your holiday visit: 🌐 Website: https://flagstaffmall.com 📸 Instagram: @flagstaff_mall 📘 Facebook: Flagstaff Mall ☀️ Thanks for watching The Morning Show — where community, culture, and connection come to life every week. Your Morning. Our Community. Local Love. ☀️ Follow us on Instagram & YouTube: @OnTheMorningShow ☀️ Catch all episodes streaming at OnTheMorningShow.com, on YouTube, and on ROBAT TV. Executive Producer – Chris Weir Producers – Ann Cabano, Melissa Farley, Marshall Shore Technical Director / Operator – Theo Weierstall Audio Engineer / Operator – Brandon Payan Segment Writer – Dylan Crow

☀️ Guest 1: Michael Simm — Founder & Chairman, The Logical Foundation The Logical Foundation is an Arizona nonprofit taking a bold, research-based approach to preventing homelessness: direct financial support. Instead of traditional programs that create barriers or delays, this model trusts people experiencing homelessness to make the decisions they need most — restoring dignity, autonomy, and stability. Michael breaks down: • How direct cash assistance helps people avoid or exit homelessness • Why this model mirrors the benefits of universal basic income (UBI) • How Arizonans can give at zero out-of-pocket cost through the new Arizona Tax Credit Program • Upcoming public events, including the Dec. 6th UBI Platform Unveiling Learn more & support the mission: 💻 Website: https://thelogicalfoundation.org 🎟️ UBI Unveiling (Dec 6): https://givebutter.com/UBI 🎉 Party to End Poverty – Scottsdale (Dec 10): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/party-to-end-poverty-tickets-1854787381989 🎄 Holiday Party – Tucson (Dec 19): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-party-to-end-poverty-tickets-1868270700959 📧 info@thelogicalfoundation.org IG & FB: @thelogicalfoundation LinkedIn: Foundation TLF X/Twitter: @Foundation_TLF Executive Producer – Chris Weir Producers – Ann Cabano, Melissa Farley, Marshall Shore Technical Director / Operator – Theo Weierstall Audio Engineer / Operator – Brandon Payan Segment Writer – Dylan Crow

💛 From grief to giving, from loss to legacy — a family’s love becomes a light for many. On this deeply personal episode of The Morning Show, we welcome Lainy’s Light Foundation, led by Angelica & Tony Sharpe, as they carry forward the mission of their daughter and daughter-sister, Alaina “Lainy” Sharpe. Lainy was only 14 when she passed away — after a courageous battle with a rare pediatric cancer. Though her time here was short, her compassion, faith, and desire to help others left an immense mark. In honor of her memory, Lainy’s Light was founded — a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and families facing pediatric illness, offering hope, comfort, and community when they need it most. 🌟 What We Cover In This Episode: Lainy’s Story — Learn about Alaina Sharpe: her spirit, her fight, her dreams — and the legacy she inspired. What Lainy’s Light Offers — From support services to emotional care, the foundation helps families walking through the unimaginable… offering a community of faith, hope, dignity, and love. Upcoming 5K Fundraiser & Community Events — Hear about how the foundation raises awareness, builds support, and honors pediatric fighters with family-friendly events. How You Can Help — Donation links, volunteering, sharing the story — every bit of support helps keep Lainy’s light shining for others. Whether you knew Lainy or are discovering her story today — this episode is about remembrance, resilience, and the power of love to lift others, even in grief. 📍 Connect With Lainy’s Light Foundation Website: lainyslight.com Instagram: @lainyslight Email: info@lainyslight.com 🙏 Thank you for listening, sharing, and being part of a community that believes — hope matters, love endures, and no child should face illness alone. ☀️ Thanks for watching The Morning Show — where community, culture, and connection come to life every week. Your Morning. Our Community. Local Love. ☀️ Follow us on Instagram & YouTube: @OnTheMorningShow ☀️ Catch all episodes streaming at OnTheMorningShow.com, on YouTube, and on ROBAT Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 1:20 Interview Lainy’s Light Foundation Executive Producer – Chris Weir Producers – Ann Cabano, Melissa Farley, Marshall Shore Technical Director / Operator – Theo Weierstall Audio Engineer / Operator – Brandon Payan Segment Writer – Dylan Crow

We’re back with Part 2 of our Shop Local Holiday Series featuring Retail Therapy AZ vendors — and this lineup brings bold flavor, handcrafted gifts, and sustainable home goods just in time for Black Friday and the holiday season. 🎁✨ Shopping local means supporting real families, artisans, and creators — and these three amazing businesses show just how special Arizona’s small business community really is. 🫒 Rogue Fine Foods — Bold Flavors, Crafted with Care Meet Roy & Calipso Stewart, the husband-wife team behind Rogue Fine Foods LLC, serving up small-batch balsamic vinegars, olive oils, and artisan olive oil–based soaps. Whether you’re cooking, hosting, or gifting, their gourmet flavors shine in salad dressings, marinades, pasta dishes, dipping sauces and more. 📍 Website: www.roguefinefoods.com FB: Rogue Fine Foods LLC Email: roy@roguefinefoods.com 🎄 Gilbert Made by Printwerx — Personalized & Holiday-Ready Gifts Alice Woodard joins us with a beautiful selection of seasonal and custom-made items at Gilbert Made, perfect for holiday decorating and gift giving. From personalized goods to festive designs, her shop makes it easy to support local artists while checking off everyone on your list. 🌐 Website: www.gilbertmade.com FB: facebook.com/printwerx IG: @printwerx_ Email: alice@printwerxaz.com 🕯️ Prickly Provisions — Clean-Burning Candles & Sustainable Scents Founder Kathi Chamoun creates handcrafted candles made from coco-soy wax, sustainably sourced wooden wicks, and recycled or handmade vessels. Each candle is clean-burning, eco-conscious, and designed to bring warmth and intentionality to your home. A perfect local holiday buy! 🌐 Website: pricklyprovisions.com FB: pricklyprovisionsstudio IG: @pricklyprovisionsstudio Email: info@pricklyprovisions.com 🛍️ Support Local This Holiday Season Retail Therapy AZ is home to over 300 small businesses, and this is the BEST time of year to support them. Every purchase fuels a local dream. Every dollar stays in our community. Every gift tells a story. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 5:52 Interview Roy & Calipso Stewart 19:40 Interview Alice Woodard 26:22 Interview Kathi Chamoun Executive Producer – Chris Weir Producers – Ann Cabano, Melissa Farley, Marshall Shore Technical Director / Operator – Theo Weierstall Audio Engineer / Operator – Brandon Payan Segment Writer – Dylan Crow ⭐ Watch more Retail Therapy features at: OnTheMorningShow.com #TheMorningShowAZ #RetailTherapyAZ #ShopLocalAZ #SupportSmallBusiness #BlackFridayLocal #ArizonaMakers #HolidayShoppingAZ