Reelfoot Forward

In this episode, Jeni Veal, outdoor tourism development manager at the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, and Bob Ford, executive director of the Hatchie River Conservancy, discuss the launch of the new Guide to Birding in Tennessee. This free statewide resource highlights birdwatching destinations across all 95 counties, along with seasonal tips, festivals and conservation practices. They explore how birding supports tourism, outdoor recreation and local economies. With 96 million Americans participating in birdwatching each year, the guide helps position Tennessee as a top destination for birders of all experience levels.

In this special Elvis Week episode, acclaimed music historian Peter Guralnick joins us to discuss his new book, "The Colonel and the King," a deeply researched portrait of the complex relationship between Elvis Presley and his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Guralnick, author of the definitive two-volume Elvis biography (Last Train to Memphis and Careless Love), offers new insight drawn from thousands of letters and documents never before made public. In addition to stories of his early meetings with Colonel Tom Parker and others from the world of Elvis Presley, Guralnick shares his experiences researching and writing about early rock ’n’ roll, blues, country and soul in the American South.

In this episode, we spend some time with veteran journalist and newspaper editor Victor Parkins, a leading voice in rural journalism and the longtime editor and publisher of the Milan Mirror-Exchange. Victor shares his journey in the newspaper business, from growing up in a family-run newsroom founded by his father, Bob Parkins, to expanding a regional publishing company that now includes newspapers in multiple West Tennessee communities. As local journalism faces shifting media landscapes and economic challenges, Victor offers a clear-eyed perspective on why community newspapers still matter. He discusses the unique role rural papers play in preserving local culture, keeping citizens informed, and maintaining trust in an era of national media skepticism. Victor also talks about adapting to digital platforms, reaching younger readers, and his company’s recent acquisition of The Fayette Falcon. Whether you’re a lifelong newspaper reader or someone curious about how journalism is evolving in small towns, this episode offers an inspiring look at leadership, legacy, and the enduring importance of local news. This episode is sponsored by First Choice Farm & Lawn.

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 helped guide military and civilian professionals across the globe. Now based in Dyersburg, Tennessee, he continues to share his expertise with the public. In this episode, you’ll hear about his unlikely path from “lousy student” to Ph.D., his views on civic engagement in today’s America, and why he believes small-town conversations may hold the key to big national challenges. Dr. Stafford is presenting a free, four-part community education series titled “U.S. Values and the Constitution” at McIver’s Grant Public Library in Dyersburg, where he will explore the philosophical and historical foundations of American democracy. The series will be held each Thursday evening from September 11 to October 2, 2025, and requires advance registration.

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 power of service. Discover how she’s motivating others—especially women—to live joyfully through life’s challenges and find meaning in giving back.

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 importance of mentorship and team culture, and the leadership principles that have guided his success. A passionate advocate for community development, Dr. Nassar also talks about his support for local initiatives and how his love of travel continues to shape his perspective as a business leader. This episode is sponsored by ATA.

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 Brewing is creating a space where families and friends gather, local businesses collaborate and visitors experience the unique flavors of Tennessee brewing.

“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, Kentucky and Pete Morgan of Hornbeak, Tennessee, the creators behind the game, take us behind the scenes and reveal some of the secrets to their impressive success. Amos shares how growing up on Reelfoot Lake and nearly making it onto Survivor led him to create his own version right at home, while Pete reflects on their journey from modest beginnings to recent inclusion in an upcoming documentary produced by a former Survivor 42 contestant. The two talk about game design, community support, and how a tight-knit crew of past participants and volunteers keeps the Reelfoot flame alive year after year. This episode celebrates the creative spirit, determination and local pride that turned a backyard idea into a reality game with international reach. In the episode, Pete Morgan also reflects on their location of season three, where a peccary fossil was once dug up. That fossil now resides in Discovery Park of America’s Natural History Gallery, displayed alongside other Ice Age specimens in Dinosaur Hall. For more about Surviving Reelfoot, visit their Facebook page or YouTube channel.

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 Tennessee history, and take listeners behind the scenes of the planning and implementation of the exhibit and the educational tools that accompany it. The exhibit centers on the 1925 Scopes Trial in Dayton, Tennessee, where John T. Scopes, a Dayton high school teacher, was prosecuted under Tennessee’s Butler Act for teaching human evolution—a law that prohibited denying biblical creation in public schools. Framed as a challenge to the constitutionality of the law, the trial was staged to ignite both legal and social debate over science versus religion. At the time, it was considered the trial of the century. The exhibit brings the courtroom battles to life and features photographs, tintypes, daguerreotypes, and enlarged press images of Scopes, Darrow, Bryan, and the Dayton community. Visitors will also find authentic courtroom furnishings from the trial, alongside the original microphone used for live radio transmission, the biology textbook Scopes used to teach evolution at Rhea County High School and the table and chairs from Robinson's Drugstore where local civic and business leaders met in May 1925 to hatch the idea of challenging the Butler Act in court. Archival trial documents and an engaging audiovisual history guide visitors through the unfolding drama and its aftermath. This episode is brought to you by The Citizens Bank.

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, heat wave or severe storm warning, Brent is the messenger that locals trust. This episode is sponsored by First Choice Farm & Lawn.

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 the dream shows they’d launch if success were guaranteed. This episode is sponsored by AAF West Tennessee.

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 showmanship. In this episode, Tolliver shares his inspirational story and how his friendship with Jerry Lee Lewis and other rock ‘n’ roll notables has shaped his life and career.

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 lawyer and author Jerry Potter, who literally wrote the book on the Sultana, joins us to share the story of the disaster and its aftermath. Potter spent more than 20 years combing through archives and thousands of pages of documents to discover what happened and why. In 1992, he published “The Sultana Tragedy: America’s Greatest Maritime Disaster,” which is still widely considered the definitive book on the subject. Potter has also been working with others to expand The Sultana Disaster Museum in Marion, Arkansas, to better tell the story. The new 17,000-square-foot museum will feature a partial model of the steamboat, a theater, a research library and more. This episode is brought to you by NWTN Tourism.

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, discover how Brandon’s international culinary training inspired the unique menu at CRAVE, why he chose Martin for his restaurant’s home and what it takes to build a health-focused business that still tastes delicious and fulfilling.

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 as the marketing director at Kizer Pharmacy. Her longtime dream was to create a space in Union City where others could enjoy and explore art. She had originally set her sights on opening a studio by fall 2025—but on New Year’s Day, she saw the perfect building in downtown Union City and knew it was time. In this episode, Abi shares how her creative journey has evolved and why building an artistic space in her hometown means so much to her. This episode is sponsored by First Choice Farm and Lawn

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 high-risk missions supporting elite forces such as the Army Rangers, Navy SEALs and Delta Force.​ In this episode, recorded live at the 2025 Military Expo on Saturday, March 15, Wonacott shares his powerful story of resilience and leadership. He discusses his experiences on the battlefield, the challenges he faced and his ongoing dedication to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in the military. Tune in to gain insight into the life of a soldier committed to saving lives and advocating for the well-being of his fellow service members. This episode is sponsored by First Choice Farm & Lawn.

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 the University of Tennessee at Martin;  Dr. Nassar Nassar, founder and CEO of Savant Learning Systems & Virtual Academy; Betty Ann Tanner, community organizer and non-profit advocate and Darryl Worley, award-winning country music singer-songwriter. This year’s awards gala was emceed by Sonya Gavankar-McKay, an award-winning communications expert and television host. In this episode, listen in as we pay tribute to our winners and shine a spotlight on Discovery Park’s mission to inspire children and adults to see beyond.

​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 childhood.​ In this episode, recorded during the opening reception on February 27, 2025, Discovery Park's senior director of exhibits and collections, Jennifer Wildes, conducts a brief interview and Q&A with Dunn. He shares the inspiration behind Reelfoot Critters, his creative process, and insights into his distinctive style. Listen in to discover how Dunn transforms metal into expressive sculptures, infusing a sense of place and nostalgia into each piece.

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 reflects on his own academic journey—from working in the insurance industry to returning to school for advanced degrees—and offers practical advice for those looking to navigate their career paths. With a belief in honoring the "past to uphold and future to mold," he discusses how understanding one’s roots can help shape a meaningful and impactful career. This episode is brought to you by First Choice Farm & Lawn.

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 upcoming 2025 Discovery Awards. In this episode, Lt. Col. House reflects on his inspiring journey from growing up in the small town of Lexa, Arkansas, to rising through the ranks in the U.S. Army. He discusses his leadership experiences in diverse roles, including as a company fire support officer in Germany, paladin platoon leader in Kosovo, and battalion operations officer in Afghanistan. Lt. Col. House offers invaluable leadership insights—relevant not just for those in the military, but also for professionals in the private sector. This episode is sponsored by Final Flight Outfitters.