ConnectTheKnox

In this episode of Connect the Knox, host Julia Hurley sits down with Dan Goss, an innovative restauranteur and philanthropist. They delve into the unique concepts behind his popular restaurant, Point B, located in Knoxville, and discuss his new venture, Greens and Grains. Dan shares his journey of starting Point B during the pandemic, his dedication to using local and quality ingredients, and his...

In this episode of Connect the Knox, host Julia Hurley sits down with Amber Carroll, the new host of Living East Tennessee on WATE. Amber shares her journey from Nashville to Knoxville, her love for the local community, and how she brings a personal touch to her interviews and segments. They discuss the transformation of Living East Tennessee, the importance of supporting local businesses, and the...

In this episode of Connect the Knox, host Julia Hurley interviews Erika Biddix, owner of the co-working space Aught. Erika shares her journey from launching Girl Boss Offices to rebranding as Aught, highlighting her mission to support female entrepreneurs. They discuss the significance of archaic words in branding, the impact of the pandemic on business models, the challenges and successes of wome...

In this episode of Connect the Knox, host Julia Hurley chats with Charlotte Tolley, CEO of Nourish Knoxville. Learn about the organization's mission to provide nourishing foods to the Knoxville community through farmers' markets, SNAP doubling programs, and the East Tennessee Local Food Guide. Charlotte shares the impactful journey of establishing the Market Square Farmers Market and elaborates on...

In this engaging episode of Connect the Knox, host Julia Hurley sits down with Colleen Cruze, owner of Cruze Farm. They delve into the rich history and growth of Cruze Farm, starting from Colleen's parents' dairy farming roots to its present-day success with multiple ice cream shops and a pizza place. Colleen shares heartfelt stories about the family's perseverance, community support, and the tran...

In this episode of Connect the Knox, host Julia Hurley interviews Cortney Piper, the influential founder of Piper Communications and executive director of the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council. They discuss Cortney's journey from Michigan to the University of Tennessee on a swimming scholarship, her transition into the world of political communication, and her founding of a pioneering com...

In this episode of ConnectTheKnox, host Julia Hurley sits down with Catherine Porth, the visionary behind Let Her Speak, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women in Knoxville and beyond. Catherine shares her journey from corporate life to founding a movement that creates safe and supportive spaces for women to share their stories and become leaders. They discuss the cultural power dynamics women...

In this episode of Connect the Knox, host Julia Hurley talks with Wil Davenport, founder of It Begins Within, a leadership and growth coaching system. Davenport shares his fascinating journey from working in a church in Maryville to establishing his own business focused on psychological aspects of leadership development. Through an innovative approach involving active listening and experiential le...

It's football time in Tennessee! In honor of the start of the season, Julia Hurley sits down with Santa Vol, a beloved icon in the University of Tennessee Athletics community. They discuss Santa Vol's origins, his experiences and relationships with UT players and fans, his extensive participation in game-day events, and his impactful volunteer work, including efforts at East Tennessee Children's H...

In this episode of Connect the Knox, host Julia Hurley sits down with Travis Howerton, local entrepreneur, CEO, and co-founder of RegScale. Travis shares his journey through U.S. national security, his roles at Oak Ridge National Lab and Bechtel, and how his experiences led to the creation of RegScale. They discuss the entrepreneurial climate in Knoxville, the region's growth and appeal to tech in...

In this episode of Connect the Knox, host Julia Hurley is joined by Dana Hart, Executive Director of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Dana shares her compelling journey from Missouri to Knoxville and her deep involvement in the Hall of Fame. They discuss the Hall's rich history, its impact on women's sports, and its various educational programs and international recognition. Dana highlights th...

In this episode of Connect the Knox, host Julia Hurley interviews TenHats CEO Brian Strong. They explore his career journey from various sales roles to his current position in IT and data center services. Brian explains the role of TenHats in providing essential IT infrastructure and support for businesses in Knoxville, highlighting the city's growth as a tech and energy hub. They discuss the incr...

From cheese making to fermentation, Kristin Webber has the knowledge to help you get back to the basics. Julia sits down with Kristin to find out what homesteading is, how Kristin developed her love for it, and why Knoxville has embraced her business with open arms. Plus, we find out where Kristin's pseudonym "Chicken Librarian" comes from and what her plans are for scaling her business over the n...

Sam Elliott, the Vice President of Development for the Young Professionals of Knoxville (YPK), shares his journey from a pilot to a pivotal community leader, detailing the impact of YPK in fostering a vibrant network for young professionals in Knoxville. Discover how YPK's connections, development, and service initiatives are crafting a promising future for the city's young talent and how young pr...

In this episode, we meet John Ewart, the dynamic leader of the Knoxville Chapter of the Associated General Contractors. John shares his inspiring journey from his early days in the Navy to playing football at the University of Tennessee and how these experiences led him to a significant role in shaping Knoxville's construction scene. He discusses the importance of skilled trades like electric work...

In this heartwarming episode of Connect the Knox, Julia sits down with George Bove, a cherished children's book author who brings the spirit of Knoxville, Tennessee, to life through his stories. George gives us a peek into how he crafts his engaging tales, shares his passion for community service, and introduces his latest book, 'The Little Orange Tea's Great Tennessee Adventure. Show Highlights:...

In this exciting episode of Connect the Knox, host Julia Hurley speaks with Justin Cazana, one of Knoxville's leading commercial real estate brokers and developers. With over 20 years of experience, Justin shares stories about his experiences in real estate, his family's history in the business, and some projects he's proud of, like improving old buildings and developing new ones. Justin also disc...

In this episode of Connect the Knox, Julia Hurley engages with grants expert Lisa Shiveler. From her journey to Knoxville to her pivotal role in transforming local educational and community initiatives through grant writing, Lisa offers an insider's perspective on navigating the competitive world of grants. Learn about the opportunities that grants unveil for nonprofit organizations and community...

Julia is joined by Kim Bumpas, the president of Visit Knoxville, to discuss the transformation of Knoxville into a must-visit destination. They explore Kim's journey in the tourism industry, the revitalization of iconic landmarks like the Sunsphere, and the initiatives that have put Knoxville on the map. Their conversation also touches on future projects, the impact of tourism on the local economy...

This episode of ConnectTheKnox features a conversation with Stephanie Vozar, Director of Corporate Philanthropy at the University of Tennessee, focusing on her role in forging connections between the university and corporate partners to prepare students for the future workforce. Julia Hurley and Stephanie discuss the impact of these partnerships on retaining young talent in Knoxville, Stephanie's...

Julia Hurley talks with Kristen Combs, the creative mind at Visit Knoxville and the author of 100 Things to Do in Knoxville Before You Die. Kristen's move from Michigan to Knoxville led her to promote the city's rich history, lively culture, and outdoor activities. She shares how her book 100 Things to Do in Knoxville Before You Die came to be, combining her marketing skills with her love for Knox...

Zack Roskop, the innovative mind behind Knox Brew Tours, shares his journey from uncertainty to creating a unique craft beer experience in Knoxville on this episode of ConnectTheKnox. Host Julia Hurley delves into Zack's story of how a simple guided brewery tour in Asheville sparked the inception of Knox Brew Tours, blending his love for Knoxville, craft beer, and community engagement. Zack discus...

John Volpe is the Chief Development Officer of Remote Area Medical (RAM), a major non-profit bringing free healthcare to Americans living in remote areas. On this episode of ConnectTheKnox, Julia sits down with John to discuss how Stan Brock founded RAM in the mid-eighties, the sadly dire need for free healthcare services in the US, and why volunteers are everything to the organization. John also...

Elise Collier Massey is the owner of Collier Restaurant Group in Sevierville, Tennessee. On this episode of ConnectTheKnox, Julia and Elise discuss the immense growth that Knoxville County has seen over the last 40 years, the generational differences in the restaurant industry that Elise sees as a third-generation restaurateur, and why being local is so important to her community and success. Elis...

Marc Gibson is the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. On this episode of ConnectTheKnox, Julia and Marc sit down to talk about what Tennessee is doing to stay competitive with its peer states including tackling issues of mobility, leveraging AI to keep their workforce competitive, and proper curriculum around farming and finance. Marc shares how captu...