Benchmark Happenings

A parking-lot workout during COVID turned into a 1,000-person half marathon and, eventually, a run for state office. We’re joined by Jessica Means, a Sullivan County commissioner and candidate for Tennessee State Representative District 1, for a candid conversation about what pushed her into the public square and what she wants to fight for next in Northeast Tennessee.  Jessica walks us through he...

Local politics isn’t a side show, it’s the control panel for your taxes, schools, public safety, and the basic services you rely on every day. We’re joined by Anita Hodges, the Washington County GOP committee chairwoman, for a candid conversation about what really happens behind the ballot in Northeast Tennessee and why staying home on Election Day has consequences you can feel in your paycheck. ...

COVID didn’t just disrupt routines. For a lot of families, it exposed who actually holds power over your kids, your job, and your ability to live out your faith. We sit down with Danielle Goodrich, chair of the Washington County Republican Party, to talk about the moment she went from focused on home and school to fully engaged in local politics in Northeast Tennessee. We get into why local govern...

A courtroom can’t pause when life gets messy, and in Northeast Tennessee, the volume is only climbing. We’re joined by longtime attorney, Rule 31 mediator, and judge candidate Steve Darden for a frank look at what general sessions court really is: the place where misdemeanors move, felonies begin their path, juvenile matters surface, and everyday civil disputes up to $25,000 get decided often with...

Style isn’t shallow when it helps you show up with confidence. We’re joined by Lindsey Lawson, founder of Brilliantly Bespoke in the Tri-Cities of Northeast Tennessee, for a grounded conversation about color analysis, personal style, and the real reasons so many women stop dressing like themselves over time. She shares how a simple shift in color harmony can change how your face looks, how people...

A bill that could make it harder to sue the government over constitutionality. A budget that grows fast while everyday people feel ignored. A state capital that starts acting like it runs the counties instead of serving them. That’s the backdrop for our conversation with Tennessee State Representative Monty Fritts, who joins us to share why he’s running for Tennessee governor and why he keeps comi...

A burst of courage can change a county. We sit down with Lakie Derrick, a 23-year-old Sullivan County Commission candidate who connects every stance to a biblical worldview, and trace how a sixth-grade conviction grew into campus leadership, a winning ground game, and a clear plan for transparent local government. From starting a Turning Point USA chapter at ETSU during COVID to hosting high-heat...

What if getting older didn’t have to mean getting weaker, foggier, and overmedicated? We sit down with Dr. Tom Rogers of Performance Medicine to rethink aging from the ground up—focusing on prevention, strength, and clarity rather than quick prescriptions and seven-minute visits. From food and movement to sleep and community, we map out the habits and tools that help you feel capable at any age. D...

What if the year ahead is inviting you into something that feels exactly you? We sit down with author and coach Jenny Rogers to trace how a stack of journals, a stubborn curiosity, and a humble ladybug grew into Mama Bear Meditations: Curious—a contemplative book designed to help you slow down, listen well, and live braver. Jenny takes us inside her creative process, from the early “undoing” of in...

Ready to rethink what “IT support” means? We bring back entrepreneur and Pointech founder Austin Ramsey for a candid, high-energy conversation about turning technology into real business outcomes. Austin shares how a boutique, strategy-first model beats the old sales playbook by starting with listening, mapping how revenue moves, and designing systems that deliver peace of mind. The stories land c...

Buyers keep asking how we’re moving homes so quickly without cutting corners. The short answer: relentless standards, a smarter mortgage strategy, and a system that keeps 13 projects on track without the chaos that sinks timelines and budgets. We open up about our first full year at Land2Homes and what it takes to deliver turnkey manufactured homes that feel great on day one—and still pencil out....

Ready for a fresh start that actually feels like you? We sat down with Prime MD Aesthetics in downtown Johnson City to demystify modern, nurse-led beauty care—no scare tactics, no overdone looks, just smart planning and results you can live in. From GLP-1 weight loss support to microneedling, neuromodulators, fillers, and collagen stimulators, we walk through what each tool does, who it helps most...

A warm smile at the door. A clear answer when everything feels blurry. That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with Kacey Buchanan as we spotlight Agape Women’s Services in Johnson City—an oasis of free, judgment-free care for women and families navigating unplanned pregnancy, STI concerns, and the complex emotions that follow. We walk through what happens when someone steps into Agape: confident...

A 50-year mortgage sounds like the shortcut to affordability, but does it really help—or just push the bill into the future? We put the buzz to the test with clear numbers on payments, total interest, and equity growth, then map out practical alternatives that preserve your budget and your long-term wealth. Using a $400,000 example at current rates, we show why the monthly savings from 50 years is...

The hardest day of foster care shouldn’t start on a linoleum floor. When a child is removed from home, the first hours shape everything—what they feel, what they fear, and whether they sense anyone is on their side. We sit down with Isaiah 117 House founder Ronda Paulson to unpack a simple but radical shift: replace office waiting rooms with an actual home where kids can bathe, eat, rest, and choo...

A cross‑country move doesn’t have to be chaotic. Pat, a seasoned California real estate pro, shares how she found her pace, her people, and her perfect view in Northeast Tennessee—plus the surprising role a modern manufactured home played in making it all click. From that first “this is it” walkthrough to an early close, we break down what actually matters when you pair the right property with the...

Mortgage headlines are loud, but the real story is quieter: confidence. We dig into why builder confidence is rising while buyer confidence stalls, how the Fed’s long “sugar high” of quantitative easing set us up for today’s rates, and what a softer jobs market—amplified by AI hiring freezes—means for mortgages over the next 6 to 12 months. No fluff, just a grounded look at the forces moving your...

The affordable housing crisis looms large across America, but innovative solutions are emerging right here in Northeast Tennessee. Jonathan Tipton and Steve Reed, mortgage professionals at Benchmark Home Loans, have launched Land to Homes—a groundbreaking venture transforming manufactured housing into a viable pathway to homeownership for first-time buyers. Gone are the stigmas of yesterday's...

A somber yet inspiring tribute to Charlie Kirk fills our latest episode as we reflect on the shocking loss of a Christian leader whose impact reached far beyond political spheres. Charlie's assassination on September 10th—what many are calling the first Christian martyrdom in America in decades—has left a void that cannot be filled by any single voice. Charlie Kirk began his journey at just 1...

Discovering your authentic style isn't just about looking good—it's about reconnecting with your natural beauty and finding confidence that radiates from within. In this enlightening conversation, Christine Reed welcomes Shelli Holechek, owner of House of Colour in Johnson City and Bristol, who reveals how color analysis is transforming lives across East Tennessee. Shelli shares her fasc...

What happens when creative passion meets entrepreneurial spirit? Suzanne McKinney's journey with Beauty in Stone Jewelry provides a masterclass in turning artistic talent into a thriving business. Suzanne believes jewelry is the essential finishing touch that completes any outfit. "Even if you're wearing just a T-shirt and jeans, when you add beautiful jewelry, you've put the i...

Ever wonder what happens when you release your white-knuckle grip on what seems "too good to let go"? Tina Wilson's remarkable journey from portrait photographer to business maven reveals the surprising gifts that come from open hands and divine timing. From finding her cordless phone in the freezer as an identity-starved new mom to hearing a mysterious voice on a drive home from Ch...

The quest for healthier, more youthful skin can be overwhelming with contradictory advice and miracle promises flooding social media. Kelli Rogers from Performance Medicine cuts through the noise in this enlightening conversation about what truly works in skincare. Kelli reveals why your daily skincare routine forms the essential foundation upon which all other treatments build—comparing skincare...

Looking for an affordable path to homeownership in today's challenging market? Steve Reed returns to Benchmark Happenings to dive deeper into Land to Homes, a pioneering solution for would-be homeowners struggling with sky-high housing costs and limited options. While apartment renters face $1,200-$2,000 monthly payments with nothing to show for it, Land to Homes is creating a genuinely acces...

Steve Reed, Co-owner of Benchmark Home Loans, shares the story behind his new venture Land2Homes, which provides affordable turnkey manufactured housing solutions for buyers priced out of the traditional market. • Land2Homes developed after seeing first-time homebuyers priced out by high interest rates and rising home prices • The company purchases land, handles permitting, orders homes directly f...