Meanwhile in Memphis with New Memphis

Everyone has those songs. You know the ones... they transport you to a specific place in time solidifying a memory into a milestone. But do cities have that, too? Elizabeth Cawein, music advocate and founder Music Export MEM, is here to explain how each city has a unique sound, and why that matters. She shares how our city is where contemporary and legacy combine creating a DIY ethos that can't fi...

Our studio is bursting with pride and passion for our city in today's episode! We're joined by Memphis Tourism's Leah Gafni and Milton Howery III who share why it's oh so grand to be walkin' with your feet 10 ft. off of Beale. Plus, they share how we're turning heads internationally and across the U.S. (hello, TIME magazine write up!). Whether it's the live music, the food, or the comradery, there...

Katie Smythe fell in love with dancing at an early age, but she quickly realized that turning that love into a hobby (or even a career) requires access and opportunity. So she made it her mission to create space for access in dance with New Ballet Ensemble and School. And that's where the magic really started to happen, by fusing classical dance training with "street" styles like hip hop and jooki...

Action! Memphis is hitting its mark and we have some A-list talent in the studio to share all about film-making in The Bluff City. Jason Farmer and Carolyn Henry from BLP Film Studios share how they took their business know-how and created a one-stop-shop for creating cinematic content right here in Whitehaven. Then, we hear from Memphis & Shelby County Film and Television Commissioner, Linn S...

Hey, you! Yeah.. you ! What's your superpower? Have you ever thought about it..? What is it that you can uniquely do to benefit others and the future? That's it! Tosha Downey's is empowering people to tell their truth because you cannot fix a problem you don't name. She's knows the critical importance of the marriage between street smarts (real-life experiences) and book smarts (the research and d...

Victoria Jones is many things - activist, advocate, and awe-inspiring Memphian among them. In this episode, take a deep dive into how her past experiences motivate her present adventures + how she sees our city's future take shape. Here's a hint: Celebrating the innovation and empowering communities.

Poet, film-maker, and multi-talented creative, Nubia Yasin is in the studio today.. hip, hip, HOORAY! No really, we think she's phenomenal and her insights are powerful. We discuss how lasting change comes about by pushing culture, and how creatives push culture forward + take a deep dive into her 2020 TEDxMemphis talk, "The Placemaker, The Missionary, and The Conqueror."

If you think Memphis already has grit 'n grind, just wait for the next generation of leaders! Lisa Moore, President and CEO of Girls Inc. shares how they're inspiring girls to be smart, strong and bold! She notes examples of how participants are not only finding seats at the table, they're literally building their own tables, too! Plus, she gives us the inside scoop on the upcoming expansion of th...

Is journalism a dying art form? Is "sound bite culture" and "fake news" changing the way we consume information? If so, why does that even matter? Longtime Memphian and award-winning journalist David Waters steps into the studio to share the true essence of an unbiased reporter who genuinely cares about his craft and his community. BONUS: His 2016 TEDxMemphis talk, "No Better Place Than This" expl...

We have a full line-up today's episode; so, sit back, relax, and ENJOY! First up is James Ramson of First Horizon Bank here to chat about all things Chamber YPC! He shares a bit about his career, his 10 years with the same company, and how an investment in yourself is an investment in our city, too. Next up, is Mike Allen of Memphis Botanic Gardens. They've been busy with renovations in 2020, have...

Bottom's up, Memphis! This morning we have Master Distiller, Alex Castle, of Old Dominick in the house! She bring the truth about learning to follow your dreams, creating new ones, and sharing those dreams with others. Her TED Talk, "Whiskey: The Cure for Perfectionism" takes a closer look at how she's truly mastered (see what I did there?) the art of balancing her introverted tendencies with her...

Memphis is a city known for a lot of things, but often times our booming arts & culture scene isn’t one of the first things people think of. Art works to tell stories and translate experiences across various formats, from the canvas, to the stage, onto film and more, and our city has no shortage of impactful tales to tell! On this episode of Meanwhile in Memphis, we introduce you to two local...

Bring it in for a virtual hug with "the wonderful and effervescent Ephie...".   Ephie Ballard-Johnson is at the helm of "the family business" of caring for people as the President and CEO of Neighborhood Christian Centers (a 44-year-old Memphis organization!). They're tackling not only systematic, multi-generational challenges by bridging the immediate gaps, focused on truly meeting each individua...

"Celebrate good times, come on!" Our city has so much worthy of celebration, and today you'll hear from a few of those "celebrators." Chris Coleman of Teach for America and Cristina McCarter & Lisa Brown of City Tasting Box swing by to share their own unique recipes for showcasing Memphis' brand of flavor. Whether it's finding the right "fit and grit" of a potential educator for Teach for Amer...

Memphis is home many things (Blues, BBQ, and Beale), including the _only _free-standing Black repertory theater in the Mid-South (which happens to be one of only four in the whole country!). Hattiloo Theatre is a remarkable asset to Memphis not only for its contributions to the art sector but to elevating Memphis culture as a whole. Ekundayo Bandele of Hattiloo Theatre shares how 2020 provided a r...

Sleep...What is it good for? Absolutely EVERYTHING! Sleep is a fundamental pillar of health, especially in teens, but it’s very poorly understood. Why does it matter if teens sleep all day and stay awake all night? Could it actually impact their long-term development? Valerie M. Crabtree, Ph. D. (Department of Psychology and Chief of Psychosocial Services at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital),...

Whether you're walkin' with your feet 10 ft. off of Beale, watching the sunset from the deck of Bass Pro Shop's pyramid, or biking across Big River Crossing - Downtown has something for you! Paul Young of the Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC) drops by to share why Downtown is THE place to be. So what are you waiting for? Things really are great when you're downtown.

Once upon a time.. a pioneering princess and prince set out to create a new narrative. The Diaper Diva (Cori Smith of Sweet Cheeks Diaper Ministry) and the Duke of Data (Jared Barnett of Slingshot Memphis) worked tirelessly on innovative solutions that would transform their respective kingdoms. Cori shares the personal reasons she created Sweet Cheeks and how she grew her business from donated dia...

Dr. David Schwartz (Professor & Chair, Dept. of Radiation Oncology, UTHSC School of Medicine) has made a career of learning and healing. He was at the forefront of COVID prevention in the Memphis area, so much so that he was named as one of Memphis Business Journal 's Healthcare Heroes. But even with all he's already learned, he's on a quest to continually climb and get out of his comfort zone...

The infamous Marie Antoinette line felt appropriate for all guests on this episode! First up we have Alese Taylor (Collegiate engagement Manager at New Memphis) and Madison Mullis (University of Memphis grad student + AutoZone intern) to share why access and free resources (cough, cough provided by New Memphis) are changing the game for college students entering the workforce. (Something Marie cou...

Law and Order. Our justice system is set up to be a fair system of checks and balances.. right? Not necessarily. When you're a hammer, everything can look like a nail. Josh Spickler of Just City shares gaps where the justice system continually says, "can't touch this" because it's "hammer time" in his 2018 TEDxMemphis Talk, "Crime and Lots of Punishment." But what's the alternative? He gives his a...

Dr. Patrick Washington of ManUp and Curley "CJ" Harris of Promise Academy Spring Hill are in-studio to share why working in a schoolhouse, well, rocks ! Dr. Washington created ManUp as a pipeline to develop men of color who can be impactful in any school setting and to work relentlessly to ensure the success of all students. His program recently caught the attention of The Kelly Clarkson Show and...

A real life Leslie Knope...? NOPE. But she is pretty darn passionate about "her park," aka Shelby Farms. Jen Andrews gets why you might find similarities, though. Like Leslie Knope, Andrews is also blonde, bubbly, and associated with parks. Tune in to this extended-cut episode to hear why the CEO of Shelby Farms Park Conservancy might just put work ahead of waffles and friends voluntarily. (Did we...

Two innovative women stop by the studio to chat about the impacts of comprehensive care in their fields. Jennifer Pepper, the new Executive Director of CHOICES, drops by to give some context and history behind the significance of their new move - which makes them the first nonprofit in the nation to offer truly comprehensive sexual/reproductive health services. Mary Braddock, Director of Communica...

Sarah Houston, Associate Director at University of Memphis' Center for Applied Earth Science & Engineering Research (CAESER), drops in to put the "OH YEA" in H2O. We as individuals, need water for so.many.things. Never mind the plants, animals, corporations, entire business sectors that depend on clean water, too. But what are we doing to make sure that our water usage is sustainable? And does...