The Real Hernando

Co-hosts Lauren McLendon and Marcus Black welcome Greg and Hayden Drumwright to the Hype Highlights Podcast to discuss the Gatorade Fieldhouse in Hernando, a 60,000-square-foot youth sports facility. Greg explains the partnership naming rights with Gatorade/Pepsi and outlines the building’s offerings, including baseball/softball space, strength and conditioning, athlete recovery (Zival), and Hayde...

On The Real Hernando podcast, Derrick spotlights Mid-South Academy for Children’s Theatrics (MSACT), a youth-focused nonprofit expanding children’s access to performing arts through after-school programs, homeschool courses, summer workshops, and productions. Founder and executive director Daphne Cox, treasurer Lindsay Spencer, and secretary Susan Zeringue discuss their upcoming Disney’s Frozen Jr...

How YoBro Coffee Began with Faith, Community & Entrepreneurship in Hernando In this HYPE Highlights episode, the hosts Dr. Danton Dye and Lauren McLendon welcome Nate and Whitney Russell of Yo Bro Coffee Co. and discuss how the Hernando couple went from dreaming in their kitchen to opening a coffee shop within a year. They share how the name and mission were formed around Romans 12:1, how they...

Derrick welcomes back Hernando native Preston Wallace to discuss his personal training business Power Up Fitness and the Team Powered Up brand, including how he customizes training and nutrition guidance around clients’ goals, emphasizes accountability and calorie deficit, and trains clients at places like the track while providing equipment. They also catch up on Preston’s character entertainment...

Jourdan Ohl on Photography, Homestead Cooking, IT Consulting & Mosaic of Faith Hosts Lauren McLendon and Dr. Danton Dye introduce the HYPE Highlights Podcast and interview Jourdan Ohl, who runs Magnolia Grace Media (photography), Magnolia Grace Homestead (a cottage food operation selling at markets), and Brilliant Systems (an IT consulting business run with her husband and a partner). Jourdan...

Derrick welcomes returning guest Denise McElhaney of Denise’s Happy Hounds to discuss the first annual Howl-O-Weenie Pawty, a costume contest fundraiser on Saturday, October 17 from 1–4 PM at the Tractor Supply lot in Hernando (Harvest Ridge Road off Green Tea). The $10 participation fee supports the Happy Hounds Pet Pantry, a 24/7 community resource providing pet food and supplies to help familie...

The launch of the new HYPE Highlight podcast for the Hernando Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs Group, shares that the board has been restructured, and highlights upcoming events, including a Sharpening the Saw Lunch and Learn with Sheriff Tuggle on October 8 from 12:00–2:00 at the Hernando Golf and Racquet Club. Lauren McLendon previews additional plans: an after-hours event at Sweet Fizz in...

Sweet Fizz: Hernando’s Soda Shop | Wesley & Heather Callahan In this episode of The Real Hernando, Derrick spotlights Sweet Fizz Hernando , a locally owned family soda shop at 2362 McInvale Road offering dirty sodas, lemonades, energy drinks (including Alani, Red Bull, and Monster), frozen treats like Dippin’ Dots, and sugar-free options with thousands of custom combinations. Owners Wesley and...

DeSoto Hope Returns: A Night of Hope “Giving Cancer the Boot” + Survivor Stories & How to Get Screened Host Derrick Michaud welcomes Tracy Gallagher, Ashleigh Parker, and Tina James from DeSoto Hope to reintroduce the DeSoto County nonprofit’s mission to ensure no one feels forgotten during their cancer journey through Hope Baskets, $500 travel grants for second opinions, and $2,500 scholarshi...

Hernando Planning Commissioners Jarrett Mashaw and Kevin Thorn Explain the 2nd McDonald’s, Traffic Concerns, What it Means to be a Commissioner, and What’s Coming Next The Real Hernando welcomes planning commissioners Jarrett Mashaw and Kevin Thorn to explain why a proposed second McDonald’s near the McIngvale/Green Tea area and the I-269 interchange roundabout has become controversial, outlining...

Host Derrick Michaud welcomes Jody Woody, an insurance producer at Boren & Hawkins Insurance, to discuss her work selling and servicing home, auto, life, business, and farm policies across Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas, plus how to reach her at 662-429-5115. They trade Hernando-centric hot takes on local roundabouts, the coming second McDonald’s, and community buzz, then dive into Jody’...

On the Real Hernando podcast, Derrick welcomes back Coach Camp to discuss Hernando and DeSoto County youth sports after 30+ years of coaching. Camp outlines local rec baseball/softball leagues at the Robertson Gin Road fields, explains age-group tiers from T-ball through 16U, and contrasts today’s landscape with earlier years as travel/competitive ball has pulled top players from rec leagues. He s...

Host Derrick Michaud welcomes Brian Couch back to The Real Hernando to talk about his real estate business, Team Couch under the Burch Realty Group, including team structure, office location at Robinson & 51, and how to contact him. Brian shares his 22-year path into real estate, explains why the market is currently a buyer’s market due to higher interest rates and reduced urgency, and notes r...

Derrick welcomes back Ward 4 Alderman Chad Wicker to discuss current Hernando topics and growth. Chad shares that he filmed a video explaining results from a forensic audit related to issues in the city’s utility fund earlier in the year. They talk about Hernando High School Principal Case’s retirement and road work tied to the newer high school site, including the roundabout and repaving. Chad hi...

Host Derrick welcomes back Dr. Vivian Lo and Melinda Winchester of Aftrglo Medical Aesthetics in Hernando, a physician-led beauty and wellness spa focused on expert care over trends. They share updates for Aftrglo’s five-year milestone, including continued injectables and laser services, added microneedling (including Morpheus), and new esthetic services like facials, dermaplaning, waxing, lash li...

The Real Hernando host welcomes local podcasters Chad Wicker (Hernando Alderman, Ward 4) and Brian Couch (Burch Realty) from the new Roundabout Roundup podcast, which recaps Hernando Board of Aldermen meetings in short episodes so residents don’t have to watch lengthy sessions. They discuss the show’s goals of transparency, humor, and soliciting verified anonymous listener questions, including rec...

Host Derrick welcomes Dr. Danton Dye and Lauren McLendon to explain HYPE (Hernando Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs) and its relationship to the Hernando Main Street Chamber of Commerce. They describe HYPE’s purpose of connecting young professionals and entrepreneurs with mentors, building a cycle of giving back, and strengthening the community. The guests outline HYPE’s origins, current stru...

Host Derrick welcomes Brock and Amber Williams to the show to discuss their electrical contracting business, Electrical Repair and Installation, and their nonprofit ministry, Life House. Brock shares how he started the company in 2014 after earning his master’s electrical license, grew from solo service work into residential and commercial crews, and expanded into major accounts and travel work, i...

Host Derrick welcomes Neil Colley, founder of the Fancy Nancy Foundation and host of the Local Yokel's podcast, to spotlight how the foundation—created in honor of Neil’s mother, Nancy Colley—supports DeSoto County nonprofits through fundraising initiatives like vehicle raffles. Neil discusses the current $20-per-ticket raffle of a customized 2013 Jeep Rubicon raising money for House of Grace...

The Real Hernando podcast, presented by Thrive Entertainment and produced by SRP Studios Podcasting, spotlights Angela Kidd of Angela Kidd Insurance, specializing in Medicare, under-65 health insurance/healthcare.gov plans, and life insurance. Angela discusses how her Southaven brick-and-mortar office (8830 Center Street, Suite 1) has helped clients—especially seniors—by providing trusted, in-pers...

The Real Hernando podcast invited Brandon Gustafson and Gustafson Properties, a North Mississippi custom home builder with over 20 years of experience, Certified Graduate Builder designations, 100% Hardy Homes, and a 10-year structural warranty. Co-owner Brandon Gustafson discusses the company’s family roots, their Hernando, Monteith Ave office, and their expanding “one-stop” approach through rela...

Host Derrick welcomes Garvin Keen, a LegalShield associate (DreamScape Consulting), to spotlight how LegalShield provides affordable legal support and IDShield identity protection through a monthly membership that connects members to a dedicated law firm (William Anderson & Farrah for Mississippi and Alabama) with attorney callbacks typically within four hours. Garvin shares his personal motiv...

Derrick Michaud relaunches The Real Hernando 2.0 from a new downtown studio and welcomes back Denise McElhaney of Denise’s Happy Hounds for her third appearance. Denise recaps her luxury dog grooming and pet concierge services, her retail area “The Pampered Pik,” and highlights long-term trust-building success stories with difficult rescue dogs. She discusses winning DeSoto’s Best again, the need...

The Real Hernando podcast returns after a long pause caused by personal challenges in 2025, including a leg injury from a cannonball at Coach Camp’s pool, the end of Wesley Meadows’ three-year presenting sponsorship, and a studio transition from Big Note Music Lessons to a new location at 2375 Memphis Street behind Fratello’s near the square. The host, Derrick, explains the show’s origins with Rob...

In this inspiring episode of The Real Hernando Podcast , hosts Derrick Michaud and Lauren McLendon shine the spotlight on HYPE – Hernando Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs . Founded in 2023, HYPE’s mission is to empower and connect young professionals throughout the Hernando area, building a strong support network for growth and success. Guests Jonathan Hooker and Dr. Danton Dye join the show...