Talkin' Tennessee with Yvonnca

Susan Dakak’s story starts in Baghdad and keeps unfolding through Tennessee, engineering, and an unexpected mission: use everyday conversations to lower the temperature in a heated world. When Susan talks about “peace,” she doesn’t mean avoiding hard things. She means learning how to communicate before issues turn into conflict and teaching the next generation to solve problems without hate. Along...

One ethical line in the sand can change an entire life. Sharon Price shares the moment she realized she couldn’t stay in a job where integrity was optional and how that decision eventually led her to build one of Knoxville’s most recognized names in wealth management, The Trust Company of Tennessee.  If you are looking for a Realtor, don't forget to call The Landes Team to help you buy and se...

She walked away from a $90,000 career, watched her bank account hit negative numbers, and still calls it the best season of her life. That’s the kind of faith-forward leadership we get into with Dr. Dasha Lundy, president and CEO of Knoxville College, as we talk about purpose, obedience, and what it means to lead when you can’t rely on comfort, credentials, or public approval. If you are looking f...

What does it look like to answer God's call when you don't have all the answers? In this powerful episode Dr. Dasha Lundy, President of Knoxville College, shares how faith has guided her leadership journey and the divine assignment she believes God has placed on her life. Through honest conversation, she reflects on trusting God's direction, leading with purpose, and moving forward...

The fastest way to lose your confidence is to spend your life trying to fit into someone else’s idea of who you should be. We sit down with Vice Chancellor Frank Cuevas from Student Life at the University of Tennessee to unpack a powerful mindset shift: you can be the author of your own story, and you build that story one decision, one risk, and one lesson at a time. If you are looking for a Realt...

One simple question can change a life: “Are you OK?” That’s the moment Vice Chancellor Frank Cuevas remembers from his early days in college, when he was struggling to find community and came close to walking away. We talk through how that small act of care helped him build confidence, connections, and eventually a career in higher education leadership at the University of Tennessee. His role as V...

A loss can either close a door or train you for the next one. Randy Boyd joins us to explain how running for governor, meeting people across Tennessee, and learning what communities actually worry about became unexpected preparation for leading the University of Tennessee System as its president. He breaks down the moment the opportunity came up, why he said yes, and how he approached the job like...

You can learn a lot about leadership from a trail, a toolbox, and a loss. Randy Boyd, President of University of Tennessee Systems, joins us for a wide-ranging, deeply personal conversation that starts with Knoxville roots and life lessons then builds into a life philosophy he learned in the Boy Scouts: leave every trail better than you found it. That one idea becomes a filter for work ethic, entr...

The Takeover Continues! David and Dr. Smalls continue the conversation and talk about how society has a way of handing men a script: be tough, be in control, be the provider, never admit you need help. We push back on that script and talk about the quieter work that actually builds a life: knowing who you are, knowing whose you are, and refusing the labels that try to shrink you.  This is a powerf...

The takeover you didn’t see coming… but definitely need to hear. On this special episode of Talkin' Tennessee with Yvonnca, David Landes and Dr. Tyvi Small take the mic for a powerful and unfiltered conversation about manhood. This isn’t surface level talk… this is real, honest dialogue about the quiet pressure men carry every single day. From expectations to provide, protect, and perform, to...

Some relationships don’t end with a fight, they end with a quiet realization: you’re holding the rope and it’s costing you your future. Liz Stowers joins me for a powerful, honest conversation about boundaries, “transitional friends,” and why women in particular get trained to fix everybody even when it turns into codependency. We talk about how to spot toxic patterns, how to stop carrying burdens...

Knoxville talks a lot about being “the Volunteers” but what does service actually look like when nobody is handing you a script? I’m joined by Liz Stowers, a powerhouse community leader with deep roots in a military “service over self” mindset, and we get real about what it takes to show up, listen first, and build trust in East Tennessee. If you are looking for a Realtor, don't forget to cal...

We’re unpacking leadership that builds people up, leaves no one behind, and measures success by lives changed—not trophies. With Phyllis Nichols, we dig into the practice of leading from the back of the pack, where teaching, coaching, and empowering turn raw potential into real progress. It’s a candid, story-rich exploration of substance over sizzle and why the most effective leaders obsess over o...

A single question reorients the whole conversation: what if success is measured by who you lift, not what you keep? We sit down with Phyllis Nichols—longtime Urban League leader, civil rights advocate, and relentless connector—to trace how faith, family, and practical tools turn good intentions into real outcomes.  If you are looking for a Realtor, don't forget to call The Landes Team to help...

What happens when life gives you a second chance? Clarence Vaughn's story is nothing short of extraordinary—a powerful testament to how faith, community support, and personal determination can transform even the most challenging beginnings into a life of purpose and service.    Expelled from high school after missing 86% of the school year with a shocking 0.7 GPA, Clarence could have become a...

What happens when a man who once hit rock bottom finds himself in charge of one of Tennessee's worst natural disasters? John Matthews' journey from addiction to leadership reveals the extraordinary power of second chances. Purchase his book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-At-Cost-Survival-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0F4XBTKF7 If you are looking for a Realtor, don't forget to call...

"Wisdom at a Cost" isn't just the title of John Matthews' book—it's the thread running through his extraordinary life story. In this deeply moving conversation, John opens up about growing up in a household dominated by his father's alcoholism and abuse, and how that environment set the stage for his own battle with addiction. This is only part one of John's powe...

What does it really mean to build tomorrow's women leaders? In this illuminating conversation with Lynn Fugit from the Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians, we uncover the profound impact this historic organization has on young girls and the communities they serve. If you are looking for a Realtor, don't forget to call The Landes Team to help you buy and sell!  Yvonnca Landes  Realty Exe...

A street bearing your name might seem like the pinnacle of recognition, but for Ann Furrow, it's just one chapter in a remarkable life story spanning athletics, business, and profound spiritual awakening. In this captivating conversation, Ann reveals how at age 35, despite appearing to have it all together, she discovered the transformative difference between religious appearances and genuine...

What does it take to go from a 9-year-old girl excluded from Little League to breaking barriers at every turn? Ann Furrow's story captivates from the moment she recalls picking up a sawed-off golf club and deciding if boys wouldn't let her play their games, she'd excel at her own. If you are looking for a Realtor, don't forget to call The Landes Team to help you buy and sell! ...

What does it take to remain grounded in your values while becoming an impactful leader? Dr. Alfred Degrafinreid, President and CEO of Leadership Tennessee, shares the profound lessons that shaped his leadership journey—beginning with sweating on Mississippi Delta rooftops alongside his grandfather. If you are looking for a Realtor, don't forget to call The Landes Team to help you buy and sell...

Dr. Alfred Degrafinreid II, President and CEO of Leadership Tennessee, is a natural born leader and a true champion for the community. He brings purpose, passion, and powerful insight into every space he steps into and his impact runs deep. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!  If you are looking for a Realtor, don't forget to call The Landes Team to help you buy and sell!  Yvonnca Landes...

What makes a village, and why do we need one at every stage of life? In this profound conversation with Dr. Katrina Hall-Smith, we explore the enduring power of community across generations. Dr. Hall-Smith's remarkable journey takes us from her roots in a close-knit Tennessee neighborhood to her 32-year military career, then to becoming a physician—all shaped by the villages that supported he...

This episode is dedicated to Pat Summitt and Joan Cronan. What does it take to carry forward the legacy of a Tennessee icon? Morgan Vance never played basketball and never met Pat Summit, yet today she stands at the helm of the legendary coach's foundation, expanding its reach far beyond state lines. Morgan's story defies conventional career narratives. At 33, this mother of five from a...

What happens when a first-generation college student from a small Pennsylvania coal mining town becomes a university dean? In this captivating conversation, University of Tennessee's College of Communication and Information Dean Joe Mazer joins host Yvonnca to share his remarkable journey and vision for higher education.  You all will enjoy this conversation!  If you are looking for a Realtor...