Signature Required Podcast
A podcast for Tennesseans by Tennesseans. We talk with leaders—business owners, policy experts, educators, and more—who champion the entrepreneurial spirit and transform once-small ideas into big impact.
Deputy Governor and TNECD Commissioner Stuart McWhorter joins Spencer and Carli to pull back the curtain on how Tennessee competes for major investments, creates jobs, and prepares communities for what’s next. From rural development and workforce challenges to the growing demand for skilled trades, nuclear energy, automation, and quantum computing, Stuart shares what goes into building Tennessee’s economy for the long term.
Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall joins Spencer and Carli to pull back the curtain on a part of the criminal justice system most people rarely see. From the difference between jails and prisons to rehabilitation, second chances, and the humanity of the people behind bars, Hall shares lessons from more than two decades as sheriff. He also tells the unbelievable story of how a convicted felon infiltrated Nashville’s new detention center and secretly hid weapons inside its walls before it ever opened.
Marcus Meneese, founder and executive director of Stronger Than My Father, joins Spencer and Carli to talk about fatherhood, mentorship, discipline, and breaking generational cycles. Marcus shares how the example set by his own father inspired him to spend more than 20 years showing up for boys growing up without present fathers, and why he believes being there consistently can shape the men, husbands, and fathers they become.
Kristin Allender, Executive Director of Tennessee Kids Belong and CEO of America’s Kids Belong, joins Spencer and Carli to share the stories behind the children still waiting for families and why everyone has a role to play. From foster families and churches to businesses and the “blueberry muffin man,” Kristin shows how ordinary people can help create a community where vulnerable children know they belong.
Tennessee Commissioner of Human Services Clarence Carter joins Signature Required to discuss what’s working, what isn’t, and what needs to change about the systems designed to serve Tennessee’s most vulnerable. Drawing on 35 years in public service, Carter shares his vision for a safety net that helps people move beyond dependency, strengthens families, and creates a path toward lasting stability.
Season 3 of Signature Required kicks off with Brittney Brown, Director of Mission Advancement at The Store, for a conversation about food insecurity, dignity, and the power of choice. Brittney shares how The Store is rethinking traditional food assistance by creating a grocery shopping experience where families can choose the food that works for them, while also opening up about the personal journey that led her to serve Nashville’s most vulnerable. From community partnerships and volunteers to faith, generosity, and second chances, this conversation explores why meeting a need can be about so much more than food.