Dr. Matthew Stafford, a retired U.S. Air Force officer and distinguished academic, has spent his career shaping leaders, building innovative education programs, and defending American values—both in uniform and in the classroom. With six academic degrees and nearly 30 years of service—including roles like Chief Learning Officer for Air Education and Training Command, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Air University, and Dean of Faculty at the Federal Executive Institute—Dr. Stafford has help...
Aug 19, 2025•45 min
This inspiring episode features Lorraine Jones, founder and executive director of the Hometown Walk of Hope, a non-profit cancer agency that has raised more than $3.9 million to support cancer patients in rural West Tennessee. Lorraine shares her journey from growing up in rural West Virginia to leading wellness initiatives in Obion County for more than three decades. A passionate community leader, speaker, and podcast host of It’s All Good!, Lorraine offers insights on faith, purpose, and the p...
Aug 12, 2025•45 min
Dr. Nassar Nassar is founder and CEO of Savant Learning Systems and Virtual Academy. Based in Martin, Tennessee, Dr. Nassar is a visionary leader and entrepreneur who has transformed the way training is delivered to public safety professionals across the country. In this episode, Dr. Nassar shares his journey from launching a tech startup in a rural town to leading a company with national reach. He discusses the challenges and opportunities of building a business outside a major metro area, the ...
Aug 05, 2025•49 min
In this episode, you’ll discover the story of Eric Sanford, founder and co-owner of Reelfoot Brewing Company. Originally from Milwaukee, Eric brought his passion for small batch brewing to Northwest Tennessee, first opening in Trimble before expanding to a new location in the heart of downtown Union City. Eric shares the inspiration behind his move, the challenges of launching a brewery in a small town, and the role craft beer can play in revitalizing communities. You’ll hear how Reelfoot Brewin...
Jul 23, 2025•37 min
“Surviving Reelfoot” is a locally grown reality competition inspired by Survivor that has captured the imagination of fans around the world. What began in 2014 with 11 friends in a backyard has evolved into a full-scale, eight-day game set on a 300-acre property near Reelfoot Lake. With cast members from four countries and over a million views on their most recent season, Surviving Reelfoot has become a standout in the world of “live reality games.” In this episode, Amos Smith of South Fulton, K...
Jul 15, 2025•49 min
The latest exhibit at the Tennessee State Museum, “Eight Days in Dayton: 100 Years of the Scopes Trial,” will be on display June 24–October 12, 2025. It offers a rich, immersive journey through the State of Tennessee v. John T. Scopes, one of the most iconic legal and cultural events in American history. In this episode, the museum’s chief curator, Richard White, and K-12 education manager, Christopher Grisham, share details about the trial, discuss what makes this such a pivotal moment in Tenne...
Jun 18, 2025•51 min
Brent Callicott is a self-made “weatherologist” from Union City, Tennessee, and the trusted voice behind Brent’s Weather Page on Facebook. In this episode, he shares how a childhood fascination with storms and a little nudge from his wife and daughter sparked what would become one of Northwest Tennessee’s most-followed weather resources. With more than 13,000 followers and no formal training, Brent has built a community by delivering clear, compassionate weather updates. Whether it’s a snow day,...
Jun 12, 2025•28 min
Discovery Park of America recently served as the venue for Podalyst, a daylong podcasting workshop hosted by AAF West Tennessee. The event brought together a dynamic mix of podcast hosts, business professionals, creatives and aspiring podcasters interested in the power of audio storytelling. During the workshop, attendees stepped in front of the camera with Adelsberger Marketing to share advice and ideas on podcasting. In this episode, you’ll hear their favorite tips, current go-to podcasts and ...
May 30, 2025•26 min
American singer and songwriter Jacob Tolliver was raised on classic rock and roll blasting from his grandmother’s radio. After a spontaneous rendition of “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” on a dusty hardware store upright piano went viral, a star was born. At 19, Tolliver was hired as the understudy—and soon the principal—to play Jerry Lee Lewis in the Las Vegas production of the Tony-winning musical Million Dollar Quartet, giving him three years of eight-shows-a-week schooling in rock and roll sho...
May 14, 2025•56 min
This spring marked the 160th anniversary of the worst maritime disaster in United States history. The Sultana left Memphis on April 27, 1865, carrying three times the number of passengers for which it was designed. Tragedy struck later that evening when the boilers ruptured, causing the steamer to explode. Many were killed immediately in the blast, while others were crushed or died from burns, hypothermia or drowning. Of the approximately 2,400 people on board, about 1,800 died. Retired Memphis ...
May 09, 2025•43 min
Brandon Nassar is the owner of CRAVE, a go-to spot in Martin, TN, for flavorful, high-protein meals that fuel your day without weighing you down. He has a culinary journey that took him all the way to Dubai for school—and ultimately brought him back to Northwest Tennessee with a vision to create a place where healthy food could also be crave-worthy. Reviews of Crave include: “Simply put, EAT HERE,” “This place is awesome,” and “Delicious, healthy food that actually fills you up.” In this episode...
May 01, 2025•33 min
Abi Hellmich is a Union City native who has always been deeply connected to her community and its creative scene. After graduating from MTSU, she spent time working at Walt Disney World before launching her own production company in Nashville, handling lighting, sound and AV for high-profile events. While in Nashville, she also started a side business painting pet portraits—an experience that rekindled her passion for creating art. Eventually, she returned to her hometown, where she has served a...
Apr 24, 2025•41 min
MSG Doug Wonacott is a decorated Special Operations Flight Medic with over two decades of service in the U.S. Army. Enlisting in 2000, he completed 15 combat deployments across Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines, earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart after surviving a helicopter shoot-down in Iraq. As the Regiment Senior Medic for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), known as the "Night Stalkers," Wonacott played a pivotal role in hig...
Apr 09, 2025•37 min
On Saturday evening, March 8, 2025, Discovery Park of America honored four individuals who, like the museum and heritage park, inspire others to see beyond. Proceeds from the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards benefit the Kirkland Scholarship Fund, providing free admission for student groups to Discovery Park. The event was attended by a sold-out crowd from around the country, celebrating honorees Lt. Col. Bernard House, director of ROTC battalions at Murray State University and th...
Apr 02, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Each year, Discovery Park of America’s Southern Artist Showcase highlights a unique artist with roots in the region. This year, metal sculptor Dave Dunn brings his Reelfoot Critters collection to life, blending movement, whimsy and storytelling through welded found, repurposed and new metal objects. Inspired by summers spent with family in Hickman, Kentucky—on the banks of the Mississippi River and at Reelfoot Lake—his work captures the essence of the wildlife and landscapes that shaped his chi...
Mar 27, 2025•24 min
Dr. Stephen McBride is the director of career development at the University of Tennessee Southern, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the futures of students. With a background that bridges agriculture, education and professional development, Dr. McBride brings a wealth of experience from his previous role at Purdue University, where he supported more than 5,000 graduate students. In this episode, Dr. McBride shares his insights on career planning, networking and student success. He reflec...
Mar 18, 2025•51 min
Lt. Col. Bernard House is a distinguished U.S. Army officer, decorated with honors like the Bronze Star (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal (with a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster). In addition to his military career, he serves as a professor of military science at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he also directs the ROTC battalions at both UT Martin and Murray State University. Lt. Col. House is also an honoree at the upco...
Mar 04, 2025•28 min
Sonya Gavankar-McKay is the emcee of the 2025 Discovery Awards. She is a spokesperson, television and podcast host, filmmaker and social multi-media content creator. She can be seen hosting programs and giving commentary on everything from hard news to cooking shows on ABC and CBS affiliates, PBS, QVC and even the Puppy Bowl. She is currently a director at Axiom Space, the leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure. In this episode she shares...
Feb 25, 2025•41 min
Betty Ann Tanner has spent years at the intersection of Tennessee tradition and national politics. Her husband, John Tanner, served as the U.S. representative for Tennessee's 8th congressional district from 1989 until 2011. Betty Ann’s journey has taken her from small-town roots to the heart of Washington, D.C. With an innate ability to connect with people from all walks of life, Betty Ann became more than just a political spouse—she is a key force behind the scenes, balancing life in the nation...
Feb 10, 2025•36 min
Melinda Meador is an attorney with a passion for history. The Gleason, Tennessee native has served as felony prosecutor for the Obion County office of the 27th Judicial District Attorney; as a judicial clerk, assistant district attorney and criminal defense lawyer on the Texas Court of Appeals; and in several leadership positions at the FDIC's headquarters Washington D.C. Today she is in private practice with the firm of Lowe, Yeager & Brown PLLC. Meador’s family was among the original settl...
Jan 27, 2025•58 min
Patrick Bishop, an assistant professor in the Department of Management, Marketing and Information Systems at the University of Tennessee at Martin, joins us to answer all our burning questions about artificial intelligence. In this episode, we explore what AI really is, how it has been used for many years, practical applications for daily life and the ethical issues surrounding its use. This episode is sponsored by Jerry Ward Autoplex.
Jan 16, 2025•55 min
Historian Jeff Sellers, director of education at the Tennessee State Museum and the state capitol, has compiled images from archives and private collections to showcase the history of the Tennessee State Capitol. He also introduces us to the individuals who have breathed life into what has become known as the people's house. This episode is sponsored by Jerry Ward Autoplex.
Dec 12, 2024•42 min
The 2024 Alabama-Mississippi-Tennessee Rural Tourism Conference was held in Obion County, Tennessee, in the beautiful Reelfoot Lake region in the northwest corner of the state. In this panel discussion, hosted by Discovery Park CEO Scott Williams during the conference, three Tennessee tourism superstars took attendees behind the scenes of their own rural destinations and shared their inspiration for success. Listen in as Williams discovers how the magic is made with: Sonia Outlaw-Clark, executiv...
Nov 29, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Josh Collins is the founder and CEO of Main Street Mentor, a purpose-built organization serving the critical yet underserved Main Street, Chamber, and tourism economies of America’s most beloved places. With more than 25 years of experience in tourism and marketing, Collins has been a trusted guide and strategic partner for some of Tennessee’s favorite destinations. In this episode, you’ll discover his inspiration for starting a small business, tips and tricks for those who want to make things h...
Nov 20, 2024•51 min
Berkley Bryant, the reigning Miss South Carolina Volunteer, captured the prestigious title of Miss Volunteer America 2025. The organization honors young women who demonstrate a genuine commitment to making a positive impact in their communities through volunteer work. Bryant was selected because she embodies and exemplifies the values of service, compassion and leadership. As Miss Volunteer America 2025, she assumes the role of national ambassador for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and na...
Nov 14, 2024•25 min
Ross Houghton is the marketing manager for Visit Brownsville, the destination marketing organization that promotes Haywood County, Tennessee. It’s the home of Billy Tripp’s Mindfield, award-winning barbecue, the Hatchie River, the blues of Sleepy John Estes, and the birthplace of Tina Turner. In this episode, Houghton shares how a little boy from Bulgaria grew up in West Tennessee, then traveled to more than 25 countries as an ambassador with Up with People, an organization with the mission of p...
Nov 11, 2024•36 min
Cole Bizwell, a fourth-generation towboater from Rives, Tennessee, is carrying on a family legacy on the Mississippi River as a senior deckhand with Ingram Barge Company. Although he initially set out to pursue a career in aviation, the COVID-19 pandemic led him to reevaluate his path. When he stepped on a towboat for the first time, he knew instantly it was where he was meant to be. In this episode, Cole reflects on following in the footsteps of his grandfather and great-grandfather and shares ...
Oct 21, 2024•32 min
Tennessee’s regional library system is composed of nine multi-county regions—named for major local rivers— serving 211 small and medium-sized public libraries throughout the state. Jenny Gillihan is executive director of the Obion River Regional Library, serving nine counties in Northwest Tennessee where she and her team provide access to a wide range of educational, cultural, and informational services. In this episode, Gillihan shares more about her path to the library, her passion for sharing...
Oct 15, 2024•31 min
Brooke Simmons is an agtrepreneur from Hickman, Kentucky who has incorporated her family’s farm into numerous businesses. The most recent is First Love Farms featuring pick-your-own-flowers, a pumpkin patch and more. In this episode, Simmons what it was like growing up on a farm outside Hickman, her inspiration for starting new businesses and some of the tips and tricks she’s learned along the way. This episode is sponsored by the Hatchie River Conservancy.
Oct 07, 2024•26 min
A row of buttercups growing along a fence row at her new house in Newbern, Tennessee inspired Jessica Duncan to create her very first small business, Lily’s Garden. Her pick-your-own flower farm began with an idea she then nurtured by spending months of research and then trial and error in the garden that continues today. In this episode, she shares what she’s discovered while literally getting her hands dirty starting an agribusiness in her small town, and how Lily’s Garden has impacted her lif...
Sep 30, 2024•25 min
