Reelfoot Forward

High school juniors Austin Alexander and Alex Carpenter pull the curtain back and share behind-the-scenes details about their successful podcast, “RebelCast,” that focuses on the teachers and students of Obion County Central High School. Along with a team of friends who help with all aspects of production, they’ve taken their idea from “what if” to a podcast that features interviews with teachers,...

In this episode, Dr. Ahmad Tootoonchi shares his inspirational journey from his childhood in the northern region of Iran on the coast of the Caspian Sea to his current role as dean of the College of Business and Global Affairs at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Passionate about the subject of leadership, Dr. Tootoonchi also provides insight on some of the principles that he believes can gui...

After a successful career rising through the ranks of the FedEx Corporation in Memphis and then Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway in Fort Worth, Texas, Jeff Campbell returned to his hometown of Fulton, Kentucky. After discovering a need for some TLC, Campbell was inspired to contribute to his community through projects like "Let's Paint the Town" that inspired renovation and painting of more th...

In the early 1900s, the Nailling building in Union City, Tenn. was one of the most modern office buildings in the region. While the outside was brick and stone, the interior featured imported tile, beamed ceilings and elaborate fresco flooring. The owner of the building, Dr. W. A. Nailling, operated his office in three rooms of the first floor that was also occupied by Oliver’s Red Cross Drug Stor...

Dr. Karen Bowyer has been inspiring students at Dyersburg State Community College for 37 years. Bowyer's passion for STEM and teaching was ignited at a young age by watching the women in her family teach and by witnessing the monumental launch of Sputnik in 1957. After spending time teaching in Cali, Colombia and Mexico City, she settled in Tennessee to continue her journey in promoting STEM educa...

For the 100th episode of “Reelfoot Forward,” host Scott Williams welcomes two special guests who were part of the creation of Discovery Park from the beginning. Senior director of education, Polly Brasher, and senior director of exhibits, Jennifer Wildes, recently celebrated ten years with the museum and heritage park. They were there even before the doors were first opened on Nov. 1, 2013 and hav...

Jonathan Lodge is a hunter, conservationist, amateur mycologist and brewer whose love of the great outdoors began as a young boy when he discovered the magic that could be found in the woods around his home in Paris, Tenn. Today, he is still passionate about what we can learn about ourselves and the world around us if we turn off our phones and head outside. He is also co-owner of Perrylodgic Brew...

This special episode features a panel hosted by author Cindy Kent during Discovery Park’s recent Military History and Armed Forces Symposium. Kent is the editor of the book “Better Men: Alpha Upsilon in Vietnam” released in 2020. The panel included some of the men who are highlighted in her compilation of stories from 14 Vietnam veterans who, before they became brothers of war, were already brothe...

As manager of McWherter Farms, Patterson Freeman is passionate about the growth and development of a large Angus cattle operation first envisioned by the late Tennessee Gov. Ned Ray McWherter. McWherter was a strong advocate for agriculture, but his dedication to a life of public service and business kept him from seeing his plans for a large cattle operation in his hometown come to life. Today, P...

This special episode was recorded during the celebration of David Crockett's 235th birthday at Discovery Park of America in Union City, Tenn. Podcast host Scott Williams is Discovery Park’s president and CEO and recently published “The Accidental Fame and Lack of Fortune of West Tennessee’s David Crockett.” In this program that took place in front of an audience at the museum that day, he explored...

In this episode, Sherry Freeman shares her lifelong passion for education and her journey from the rural community of Bradford, Tenn. to her current position as executive director of the Jackson Symphony. Freeman’s passion for the arts was born from her desire to enrich the quality of life for those who call West Tennessee home. Learn more about the Jackson Symphony at https://www.thejacksonsympho...

In addition to his work as director of education and community engagement at the new Tennessee State Museum, Jeff Sellers is one of a group of Tennesseans who have been searching for the grave of John Haywood. Although today Haywood has been forgotten by most, he has been called “the father of Tennessee history,” “a fascinating eccentric,” “an overlooked Tennessee historian” and “the author of the...

LeEllen Smith created OUTsideIN after she saw a need in her community in 2013 when Obion County, Tenn.'s largest employer left town. Smith worked to create a nonprofit that empowers marginalized women through the creation of whimsical products and meaningful employment. In this episode, Smith dives into the details of running a nonprofit like OUTsideIN and the importance of community support. Chec...

Broadway performer Bart Shatto is currently at work with a team in New York on a new play about Tennessean David Crockett. The folk hero, frontiersman, politician and Tennessee settler made his home in Northwest Tennessee from 1822 until he departed for the Alamo in 1835. In this episode, Shatto shares the inspiration behind his exciting career and a few of the details of his upcoming play about C...

John Perez's passion for healthy living and anti-bullying lead him to the fascinating world of jiu jitsu, a self defense based martial arts. Perez and his wife Riss are the owners of Dogwood Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Self Defense in Dyersburg, Tenn. From Texas to Tennessee, Perez has spread his knowledge of jiu jitsu to children and adults alike, teaching them self defense and the benefits of living...

Roy Herron is a public servant, attorney, minister and author with a deep-rooted history in West Tennessee. In this episode, he shares some of the stories from his new book, “Faith in Politics: Southern Political Battles Past and Present.” Herron has a lot to draw from after a career that includes 16 years as a Tennessee State Senator and 10 years as a Tennessee State Representative. He is also a...

Dresden, Tenn. native Gwendolyn Hopkins has been making people laugh for as long as she can remember. In this episode, Hopkins shares her journey on becoming a professional comedian, while maintaining a career in human resources. Hopkins tells the story of how her friends, family and faith have shaped her comedy and who she is today. Learn more information about her comedy and upcoming shows on he...

Spend a little time with Dan Knowles, and you’ll quickly find yourself inspired by this award-winning writer, artist and musician. In this episode, he shares the arts journey that took him from his childhood in California to the stage of the Grand Old Opry to riverboats on the Mississippi to his current home in Paris, Tenn. Today, Knowles both plays and creates banjos, mandolins and dulcimers in h...

Film, television, theatre and live events producer Samuel Goldberg recently contributed to the work of the Discovery Park of America team on the safety portion of the new exhibit on innovation in agriculture. His latest movie, “Silo,” has now been released in theaters around the country. It’s an incredible story based on real-life events about how a community came together to save a boy trapped in...

This special episode with Dr. Timothy Smith was recorded during Discovery Park’s Military History and Armed Forces Symposium. Dr. Smith was one of the featured historians on “Grant,” a three-night mini-series from The History Channel. The live audience learned more about the life and career of Ulysses S. Grant and the Civil War and discovered how history-related documentaries are made. Dr. Smith a...

Kirstan Blanchard took advantage of her time in quarantine to launch a successful lifestyle blog. Today, she shares her passion for beauty, affordable fashion and mental health for mothers with thousands of followers from around the world. In this episode, she shares her journey and provides tips and tricks to creating a personal brand, gaining followers and creating engaging content. You can view...

From legal assistant to veterinarian, Dr. Debbie Reynolds shares her story of chasing her dream in this episode of "Reefoot Forward." After graduating high school in Sharon, Tennessee, Debbie went to work as a legal assistant in Weakley County, but she soon discovered her true passion was caring for animals. Listen along as she gives uplifting advice on facing your biggest challenges and overcomin...

From an early age, Ed Sargent was surrounded by music. Whether he was playing in the high school band in Bolivar, Tennessee, or studying with music instructors at the University of Tennessee at Martin, Ed always knew his love and appreciation for music would be a big part of his life. In this episode, he shares how he became the tour manager for Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Joan Jett and gives the...

In this episode, local artist Paige Espey shares how through the tragedy of her brother's death she was inspired to pick up a paint brush and "turn something negative into a positive." Tune in to hear the story behind her popular rainbow paintings that have brought healing and support to many over the past few years.

In this episode, retired West Tennessee lawyer Jim Emison discusses his quest for justice for the brutal murder of Elbert Williams, a founding member of the NAACP in Haywood County. In June 1940, two officers from the Brownsville, Tennessee Police Department took Elbert Williams to jail for questioning. His body was later found floating in the Hatchie River making him one of the earliest members o...