Latest Episodes

Kylie Larson Kylie Larson

Patrick Sheehan On Tennessee Emergency Management Agency

Patrick Sheehan, Director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, is one of the people most Tennesseans never see but rely on constantly. Drawing on decades of experience responding to disasters ranging from floods and tornadoes to pandemics and infrastructure failures, Patrick explains what emergency management actually looks like day to day, why preparation is mostly unglamorous and relational long before anything goes wrong, and how leadership, trust, and calm matter more than perfect plans. This conversation explores what government can and cannot do in a crisis, why community readiness and personal responsibility still matter, and what Tennesseans should understand about preparedness in a world where disasters are more frequent, more complex, and rarely look the way we expect.

Read More
Kylie Larson Kylie Larson

Chief John Drake on Keeping Nashville Safe

Chief John Drake, Metro Nashville’s Chief of Police, joins us for a wide ranging conversation on leadership, trust, and what it actually means to serve a city that has changed dramatically over the last few decades. With nearly four decades in law enforcement and deep roots in Nashville, Drake shares how his early experiences shaped his view of policing, why community engagement is not a side project but a core pillar of public safety, and how MNPD thinks about precision policing, transparency, and crime prevention at the neighborhood level. We also talk candidly about moments that have tested the city and its first responders, the mental health toll of crisis leadership, and why the best policing today looks less like force and more like patience, presence, and accountability.

Read More
Kylie Larson Kylie Larson

Dr. Nidhi Gupta On Tennessee Doctor Leads the Way for Screen Safety

Screens are shaping childhood in ways most parents never connect until something feels off. Dr. Nidhi Gupta joins us for a clear, clinical conversation about screen safety, child development, and what she sees showing up in kids long before families realize technology may be playing a role. She explains why screens are often a symptom rather than the root issue, how device use affects sleep, hormones, behavior, and emotional regulation, and why fear based messaging misses the point. This conversation focuses on earlier awareness, healthier boundaries, and why prevention and education matter more than restriction in a world where screens are not going away.

Read More
Kylie Larson Kylie Larson

Tasia Malakasis on What It Takes to Scale a Startup

This week, we sat down with Tasia Malakasis, CEO of The Company Lab, to explore her journey from tech executive to entrepreneur. She shares insights on Chattanooga’s startup scene, the importance of tenacity, and how The Company Lab supports mobility startups. Tune in today!

Read More
Kylie Larson Kylie Larson

Lauren Clanton on Faith-Based Preventative Care

This week, we sit down with Lauren Clanton, Behavioral Specialist at Faith Family Medical Center, to dive into the key issues and opportunities influencing Nashville’s health landscape. We explore her work in community engagement, the importance of equitable access to resources, and the partnerships driving meaningful change across the city.

Read More
Kylie Larson Kylie Larson

Mark Yancy on Making the Healthy Choice the Easy Choice

This week, we sit down with Mark Yancy, CEO of NashvilleHealth, to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping Nashville’s public health. We discuss access to healthier choices, how the city’s infrastructure impacts well-being, and the collaborative work needed to move Nashville forward.

Read More
Kylie Larson Kylie Larson

Joshua Haston on Affordable Housing Development

Join us this week as we sit down with Joshua Haston, Development Manager at LDG Development, to unpack the challenges and solutions behind affordable housing. We explore how LDG builds stronger communities, navigates complex regulations, and supports working families—plus the human stories that show why this issue matters.

Read More
Kylie Larson Kylie Larson

Glenn Cranfield on Homelessness in Nashville

This week, we sit down with Glenn Cranfield, President & CEO of the Nashville Rescue Mission, to talk about how the organization has been serving Nashville’s homeless community since 1953, offering not just shelter, but hope, restoration, and faith-driven transformation.

Read More
Kylie Larson Kylie Larson

Danny Herron on Transforming Lives Through Homes

This week, we sat down with Danny Herron, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville, to talk about how the organization is building more than homes—creating stability through education, financial literacy, and community partnerships that strengthen Middle Tennessee.

Read More
Kylie Larson Kylie Larson

Mayor Patty Woodby on Leading In East Tennessee

In this episode, Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby shares her journey leading a rural community, tackling challenges like Hurricane Helene, supporting female leadership, and fostering resilience through partnerships and regional cooperation.

Read More
Kylie Larson Kylie Larson

Mayor Freddie O’Connell on Leading In Nashville

In this episode, Nashville's Mayor Freddie O’Connell shares his vision for the city’s future focusing on quality of life, affordable housing, and smart, balanced growth. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, community, and the next chapter for Nashville.

Read More
Government Kylie Larson Government Kylie Larson

Erik Schelzig on Tennessee's Political History

This week, we sit down with Erik Schelzig, editor for the Tennessee Journal and co-author of 'Welcome to Capitol Hill: 50 Years of Scandal in Tennessee Politics'. Erik shares captivating stories from his 20-year career covering the Tennessee State House, discusses the challenges facing the media industry, and provides insights into major political scandals in Tennessee's history.

Read More
Education Kylie Larson Education Kylie Larson

James Pond on Creating a Home Library

In this episode, James Pond, CEO of the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation, shares why early literacy matters and how programs like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, book buses, and storybook trails are helping Tennessee kids thrive.

Read More
Government Kylie Larson Government Kylie Larson

Mark Green on Politics in Review (and What’s Ahead)

In this candid conversation, recorded as part of an exit interview, former U.S. Congressman Mark Green (TN-7) reflects on his years in public service and his decision to step away from Congress. No topic or question was off-limits, as Green shared his professional experiences, personal challenges, and hopes for Tennessee’s future.

Read More