Tennessee Today

Every kid learns differently, so why do we so often expect them all to succeed in the same kind of classroom? Lizzette Reynolds is the Commissioner of Education for the state of Tennessee, with over 30 years in education policy, from the Bush administration to the Texas school system to leading Tennessee's schools today. In this episode, we get into what it actually takes to give every student a r...

If it feels like Chattanooga is changing overnight, you're not imagining it. New apartments downtown, companies you've never heard of hiring hundreds of people, traffic on roads that used to be quiet. So what's actually driving all of this growth, and where are we headed? Charles Wood is the president and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, the organization that works to bring new com...

Most people think of the YMCA as a place to work out, but the Y is the largest provider of child care in the United States, and that's only the beginning of what it does. Baron Herdelin-Doherty is the president and CEO of the Metropolitan YMCA in Chattanooga. In this episode, we talk about how the Y has spent 175 years meeting the needs of our community, from feeding programs and food deserts to c...

The best way to know where I stand is to ask me directly. In this episode, I tackle everything from education and healthcare to data centers and flock cameras, and even my own record in District 11. 00:00 - Introduction 01:43 - Who should I study if I want to run for office or work on a campaign? (Joshua, Ooltewah) 04:32 - Will you support a moratorium on flock cameras? (Glenda, Birchwood) 06:42 -...

Most people have opinions about how government should work, but very few are willing to put their name on a ballot and do something about it.  In this episode, Zach Wamp and I talk about what it was like serving eight terms as U.S. Representative for Tennessee's 3rd District before running one of the most competitive governor's races in state history. He also shares what a life in public service a...

A lot of people who've moved to Tennessee assume it's always been a deeply Republican state. Randy McNally knows better, because he helped build it. Randy McNally has served in the Tennessee legislature for 48 years, longer than almost anyone in state history. He arrived when Republicans were a small minority, helped lead the party to its first Senate majority since Reconstruction, and now serves...

Few Tennesseans have shaped the state like Lamar Alexander: Governor, U.S. Senator, Secretary of Education, President of the University of Tennessee.  Unlike those who are born into it, Lamar had to forge his own path. In this episode, Lamar shares a behind-the-scenes look at the mentors who shaped him, the losses that redirected him, and the decisions that defined his career. Along the way, you’l...

Do you want a manager who keeps things running smoothly, or a founder who's willing to tear up the rulebook and rebuild from scratch? Arthur Herman is the author of Founders Fire, which traces a single mindset across 250 years of American history.  In this episode, Arthur and I discuss how real progress only happens when founders are willing to disrupt the status quo, and why this matters for Tenn...

Tennessee is one of the most conservative, most Republican states in the nation. But that hasn't always been the case, and if Republican voters aren't careful, it won't be the case going forward. With so many people moving to Tennessee, I think it's important we discuss who they are, what they believe, and what that means for our state's political future. I also break down how redistricting really...

Parks aren't just green spaces, they're economic engines. Hamilton County generates $1.8 billion in visitor spending annually, and outdoor recreation is a big reason why. Matt Folz is the Director of Hamilton County Parks and Recreation. In this episode, we’re discussing how Hamilton County thinks strategically about its parks by giving each one a unique identity, connecting them to broader trail...

Roads and bridges aren't just something you use every day. They're how you measure whether your government is working. Good roads mean commerce flows, commutes are manageable, and your state feels like it has its act together. Will Reid is the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Transportation. In this episode, we discuss how TDOT decides which projects get funded and what most people don'...

Every election season, you see polls that contradict each other. One says Candidate A is ahead by 10 points, another says it's a dead heat, and a third says Candidate B is surging. So which one is right? Randy Ellison is president of Targoz Market Research and has spent decades conducting polls for political campaigns and Fortune 500 companies. In this episode, we break down how polling actually w...

What does it take for a college freshman to start a conservative organization on a campus where liberal voices dominate? Sophie Fuller is the chapter president of Turning Point USA at UT Chattanooga. She started the chapter as a freshman, knowing she’d be in the minority and might face backlash, but believing conservative students deserve to be heard just as much as anyone else. In this episode, S...

Beth Kreppein is a former FBI agent with 20+ years of experience investigating gangs, human trafficking, terrorism, and violent crime. Now she’s the Chief of Police for two airports in Nashville. In this episode, Beth and I discuss what Tennesseans need to know about these threats, and why law enforcement collaboration is critical to keeping communities safe. Beth explains how human trafficking wo...

America spends 18% of GDP on healthcare (more than any other developed nation) yet ranks second worst in outcomes. So what's broken? In this episode, Dr. Patrick Bailey of the Goldwater Institute joins me to break down why these healthcare laws have cost Tennessee an estimated $700 million in healthcare services, the tension between expanding access and maintaining quality standards, and why he be...

Most people think politics is too big, too broken, or too controlled by insiders to make a real impact. Gail Greene proves otherwise. In this episode, I'm joined by the HCGOP Chair to discuss the impact one person can truly have in politics. She shares the pivotal moment that activated her to get involved, the exact steps she took to become HCGOP Chair, and why protecting Republican principles mat...

When legislators aren't experts on a specific topic, they rely on think tanks for research and data to inform decisions. But how do they know which ones to trust? In this episode, Justin Owen (CEO of the Beacon Center ) explains how the think tanks maintain credibility through transparent polling methods, why the Beacon Center publishes results even when the data contradicts their own positions, a...

Bills don't just randomly appear as laws. There's a process, and knowing it gives you power. In this episode, I’m breaking down how the Tennessee legislative process actually works: when bills are introduced, how they move through committees, and when citizens have the most influence. Then I’ll walk you through specific legislation this session, including property tax control, K-9 medical care, th...

Most people see airports as just the place you catch a flight, but they’re so much more than that. They’re economic engines that create jobs, attract business investment, and directly impact regional growth. In this episode, April Cameron, President and CEO of the Chattanooga Airport, joins me to break down how airports really work, the business side of running what's essentially a small city, and...

House Speaker Cameron Sexton is one of the most powerful leaders in Tennessee government. In this episode, he explains how decisions are made in the legislature, including the reasoning behind controversial decisions and how legislative priorities are set in Tennessee. We talk about why school choice isn't about public schools being "bad," how catastrophic health insurance could solve affordabilit...

Tennessee State University is in the middle of a major transformation. President Dwayne Tucker shares his approach to repositioning the university for growth, navigating demographic evolution, and competing in Nashville's booming economy. While neighboring universities like MTSU have tripled in enrollment over recent decades, TSU has remained relatively flat. Now, Dwayne Tucker is utilizing his ba...

Higher education has a trust problem. People think it's too expensive, too disconnected from the real world, and not worth the debt. But Tennessee is proving that doesn't have to be true.  In this episode, Randy Boyd (President of the UT System) joins me to discuss how his business background shapes the way he runs a $3.5 billion organization, why 54% of UT graduates now leave with zero debt, and...

County government doesn't operate in a vacuum. The county commission, the city, and the state all have a role in shaping what happens on the ground. In this episode, Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp joins me to discuss how he navigates competing priorities while leading a growing county, what it's like to make decisions that won't pay off for decades, and why he thinks government should be more w...

How does our state’s judicial system actually work?  In this episode, Justice Holly Kirby joins me to discuss the differences between state and federal court systems and why our state’s unique approach to selecting judges might be the "sweet spot."  Justice Kirby also reflects on serving Tennessee's highest court: the difficult cases, the moments that stay with her, and what it means to serve with...

You probably remember Glenn Jacobs as Kane, one of the most intimidating figures in WWE history. But now he’s known for something entirely different: running Knox County with the same grit, discipline, and unapologetic honesty that once filled arenas. In this episode, we talk about how a farm kid from Missouri ended up shaping one of Tennessee’s fastest-growing counties. Glenn opens up about the l...