2025 was a big year for a variety of reasons. Just like the rest of the world, Donna & Jonathan reflect on what worked and what didn't work, and who and how they want to show up in 2026.

Thanks to each and every one of Now We Know listeners, the podcast has reached new levels with visibility, listenership, and loyalty. We are so grateful!

How did you round out 2025? What are you doing in 2026? Anything different?

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

As it turns out, Watch Night has been incorporated into the traditions of more households than knew what to contribute the celebration. From celebratory and luck-ridden feasts to ceremonious gatherings; listen to learn more about how Watch Night came about and let us know what traditions you knew or now know were part of the same.

Resources:

https://www.pbs.org/video/journey-proud-freedoms-eve/

https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-watch-night

https://youtu.be/NtZeR-rfGVs

https://youtu.be/IqRenSaCGUI

#newyearseve #nye #holiday

Dakarai Larriett shares about his erroneous arrest in Michigan that ultimately lead him to running for Alabama Senate in the 2026 race. With pillars of his candidacy rooted in education, 2nd amendment rights, healthcare and more, Dakarai shares his plan to win the state largely held by Republicans.

Throughout the conversation, Donna & Jonathan reference a documentary called The Alabama Solution that takes us into one of the deadliest prison systems. Dakarai explains the connection of the important pieces, like education, that can help mitigate the outcomes we see today.

Bio

Dakarai Larriett, an Alabama native and the son of a U.S. Army veteran and a public school teacher, is a thriving entrepreneur and committed community volunteer. His candidacy for the U.S. Senate is driven by the injustice he faced from a false arrest in 2024. Growing up influenced by his father's military service, Dakarai moved between several states and even spent time in Germany. He excelled academically, earning a full scholarship to the University of Alabama, where his dedication to public service deepened during his junior year as an exchange student at Howard University.
Dakarai has built a successful career as a corporate leader while also managing a pet-care business he launched from his garage. Over the past 20 years, he has served in leadership roles on multiple nonprofit boards, gaining a reputation for his servant leadership upon returning to Birmingham in 2021. Actively involved in various volunteer initiatives, he leads an HOA board in downtown Birmingham that represents local families and businesses, showcasing his passion for Alabama's culture and community. In his leisure time, Dakarai enjoys visiting the shooting range and regularly attends First United Methodist Church.

Resources/Links:

• www.dakarailarriett.com
• https://www.instagram.com/dakarailarriettforsenate/
  
• https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574763727908
  
• https://www.tiktok.com/@dakarai.larriett
• The Alabama Solution