
We talk with Tennessee leaders—business owners, policy experts, educators, and residents—who champion the entrepreneurial spirit and transform once-small ideas into big impact.
Latest Episodes
Jeremy Qualls on Entrepreneurship in Public Education
Jeremy Qualls is the Executive Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Williamson County Schools, leading naitonally recognized programs that prepare high school students for real-world business and career success.
Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes
Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home (TBCH) is a faith-based organization that provides residential and foster care services for children in need. Their mission is to offer safe, nurturing environments for children who cannot live with their families due to various circumstances.
Andy Holt on Tennessee Agriculture
Andy Holt serves as Deputy Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, overseeing operations, policy, and statewide programs supporting food safety, animal and plant health, consumer protection, forestry, and agricultural development.
Sean Phipps on Visit Chattanooga
Sean Phipps serves as Director of Marketing for Chattanooga Tourism Co., leading storytelling, media relations, and strategic communications that elevate Chattanooga’s national profile and drive tourism-driven economic impact.
Brad Turner on Disability and Aging in Tennessee
Brad Turner serves as the first Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging, leading statewide programs serving 1.5 million Tennesseans with disabilities and agin needs.
Brittany Schaffer on Belmont's Role in Shaping the Music Industry
Brittany Schaffer is the Dean of the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University. With a background in law and leadership roles at Spotify, she is shaping the next generation of industry leaders through innovation, education, and industry partnerships.
Justin Maierhofer on Energy and Economic Growth in TN
Justin Maierhofer is the Regional Vice President of Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) North Region. Justin leads operations and community engagement across Middle Tennessee and Kentucky.
Lindsey Norton on Hope House
Lindsey Norton is the founder of Hope House, Tennessee’s first home for teen moms and their children. After recognizing the need for housing and support, she created a space focused on empowerment and breaking cycles of poverty.
Rachel Guymon on The Tennessee Titans Stadium
Rachel Guymon is the Director of Special Events for the Tennessee Titans, where she orchestrates high-impact events and corporate partnerships at Nissan Stadium. In this episode, Rachel opens up about her role in transforming the stadium into a year-round entertainment destination and what fans can expect from the upcoming, state-of-the-art stadium set to debut in 2027.
Sarah Mattson on Entrepreneurship in Chattanooga
Sarah Mattson, Director of Entrepreneurship for the City of Chattanooga, discusses the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Chattanooga. This conversation sheds light on Chattanooga’s unique blend of big city amenities with a small-town feel, driven by its exceptional digital and outdoor assets.
Laura Scoggins and Jenny Haines Douglas on Nashville Real Estate
Laura Scoggins from Benchmark Realty and Jenny Haynes Douglas from Movement Mortgage delve into the current state of the real estate market in middle Tennessee. Discover the strategies behind home buying, the impact of economic trends, and the real stories of people making a difference.
Becca Stevens on Thistle Farms
Becca Stevens is an author, speaker, Episcopal priest, and social entrepreneur. She is the founder of Thistle Farms, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women survivors of trafficking, addiction, and prostitution. In this episode, we explore the theme of women coming together to support, empower, and collborate with one another.
Heather Middleton on Nashville Tourism
Heather Middleton is the Chief Marketing Officer for Visit Music City. Throughout the conversation, Heather shares insights into Nashville's booming tourism industry, touching upon the economic impact of visitors, including astonishing stats like the $29 million spent daily in Nashville.
Brooks Herring From the Military to the Music Industry
Brooks Herring, a Navy veteran and Nashville-based singer-songwriter, joins Spencer and Carli to share his journey from military service to the music scene. Growing up with a passion for music, Brooks discovered its power as a constant during his deployments, even mailing himself a guitar to Iraq. His time in the Navy and as a contractor in Afghanistan shaped both his perspective and his music, leading him to write deeply personal songs like “Why Me?” about survivor’s guilt and resilience. Now performing full-time, Brooks also advocates for veterans through organizations like RunPhase and CreatiVets. In this episode, he reflects on the healing power of music, the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life, and his decision to return to school to sharpen his songwriting skills.
Jane Allen On Problem-Solving and Leadership
In this episode, Jane Allen, founder of Counsel on Call (now Legility) and former CEO of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, shares her inspiring journey from schoolteacher to legal industry trailblazer. Jane discusses the leap of faith that led her to law school, the founding of a company that pioneered flexible work options for lawyers, and the lessons learned from scaling and ultimately exiting her business. She reflects on balancing entrepreneurship and family life, the importance of adapting to challenges, and the power of collaboration with her husband, Greg. With relatable insights and candid stories, Jane offers a fresh perspective on risk-taking, leadership, and building a meaningful career while staying true to your values.
Melanie Shinbaum on Fixing the Early Childhood Education Crisis
Melanie Shinbaum, Executive Director of the Nashville Early Education Coalition Fund, joins us to discuss the critical challenges facing early education in Tennessee. From systemic issues like low wages and limited accessibility to the economic and emotional toll on families, Melanie shares innovative solutions, including public-private partnerships, scalable childcare models, and the role of businesses in creating flexible, high-quality childcare options. With insights from her extensive nonprofit experience and personal stories as a mother, Melanie sheds light on why early education is essential for Tennessee’s families and economy. Tune in to explore actionable steps toward solving this pressing issue and the coalition’s efforts to bring together businesses, policymakers, and communities to make a lasting impact.
Chris and Elaine Whitney on Food Insecurity in Tennessee
Chris and Elaine Whitney, founders of One Generation Away, join Spencer and Carli to discuss their nonprofit food ministry that began out of the back of a Hyundai Santa Fe and now distributes millions of pounds of food annually. With a mission to bring hope, honor, and dignity through food, the Whitney’s share their deeply personal journey from facing food insecurity themselves to creating a logistics-driven solution that serves thousands across multiple states. In this inspiring episode, they discuss the faces of hunger, the power of collaboration among nonprofits, and their innovative approach to rescuing and delivering food same-day.
Brain Straessle on Property Taxes and Housing Challenges Facing TN
Spencer and Carli talk on Signature Required today with Brian Straessle, Executive Director of The Sycamore Institute, about property taxes, housing, and economic challenges facing Tennessee. Brian explains how Sycamore’s nonpartisan research helps Tennesseans understand the real impact of property taxes and highlights the connection between housing costs and financial stability across the state. With timely insights from Sycamore’s recent reports, this discussion reveals how data-driven analysis on taxes, housing, and economic mobility can inform smarter policies and support communities throughout Tennessee.
Kelly Magill on Telling the Story of the Tennessee Maneuvers'
Kelly Magill, a eighth-generation Tennessean and founder of a video production company, sits down with Spencer and Carli to share the remarkable story behind her upcoming documentary on the Tennessee maneuvers during World War II. Inspired by her grandmother’s memoirs, Kelly discusses how these forgotten military exercises helped prepare soldiers for D-Day and shaped the Allied victory. She delves into the emotional journey of interviewing the last living participants and highlights the significance of preserving these untold stories. With major platforms and prominent narrators showing interest, Kelly’s documentary promises to be a powerful reflection on history, legacy, and the vital contributions of Tennesseans in uncovering the past.