The Extra Mile Podcast

Continuing with our summer travel theme, Executive Director at Mississippi Children's Museum Emily Hoff joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about everything that's happening at the museums — both Jackson and Meridian locations — now and in the future. Creators & Guests Drew Hall - Producer Will Craft - Host Paul Katool - Host Emily Hoff - Guest Click here to watch a video of this episode.

MDOT Public Information Officer Anna Ehrgott joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about the impacts of Tropical Storm Arthur (including why it's NEVER okay to remove a barricade), hurricane prep, Southern District projects, her favorite The Grateful Dead songs, and more. Creators & Guests Drew Hall - Producer Will Craft - Host Paul Katool - Host Anna Ehrgott - Guest Click here to watch a vide...

Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk Highway 7 widening progress, managing the city's rapid growth, security plans for the biggest college football game of the 2026 season - Ole Miss vs. LSU on Sept. 19 - and much more. Creators & Guests Drew Hall - Producer Will Craft - Host Paul Katool - Host Robyn Tannehill - Guest Click here to watch a video of this episode. C...

Visit Mississippi Executive Director Rochelle Hicks joined The Extra Mile Podcast to highlight prime Mississippi summer road trip locations. She also talked about Visit MS's America 250 efforts, the state's elite culinary scene, and even a recent show by The Black Keys in Clarksdale. Creators & Guests Drew Hall - Producer Paul Katool - Host Michael "Mikey" Flood - Guest Rochelle Hicks - Guest...

MDOT Chief Information Officer Ben Cohen joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about how the agency is using AI to boost efficiency, MDOT's Traffic Management Center and traffic app, how we use drones for surveying and inspections, and much more. Creators & Guests Drew Hall - Producer Paul Katool - Host Michael "Mikey" Flood - Guest Ben Cohen - Guest

MDOT Public Information Officer Michael Flood joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about the importance of National Work Zone Awareness Week, highlight major projects in the Central District, relive his experience of seeing Phish at Sphere and more. Creators & Guests Drew Hall - Producer Will Craft - Host Paul Katool - Host Michael "Mikey" Flood - Guest Click here to watch a video of this epi...

MDOT Governmental Affairs Director Nick Lewis joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about his journey in politics, his day-to-day at the agency, MDOT's 2026 legislative session, the best burger in the state and more. Creators & Guests Drew Hall - Producer Will Craft - Host Paul Katool - Host Nick Lewis - Guest

Delta Council representatives Frank Howell and Walton Gresham joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about reviving efforts to finish Interstate 69 in Mississippi, something they say would jumpstart economic growth and development in the Delta region. Creators & Guests Drew Hall - Producer Will Craft - Host Paul Katool - Host Frank Howell - Guest Walton Gresham III - Guest

Secretary to the Mississippi Transportation Commission Amy Hornback joined The Extra Mile Podcast to share memorable stories from her 25 years at the agency, discuss her role as commission secretary, talk about why she loves working at MDOT, and more. Creators & Guests Drew Hall - Producer Will Craft - Host Paul Katool - Host Amy Hornback - Guest Click here to view the episode transcript.

State Senator Charles "Chuck" Younger, Chairman of the Highways and Transportation Committee, joined the Extra Mile Podcast to give an update on the 2026 legislative session, including the lottery bill and MDOT Executive Director Brad White’s confirmation, and more. Creators & Guests Drew Hall - Producer Will Craft - Host Click here to view the episode transcript.

MDOT's District 1 Engineer Matt Dunn, District 2 Engineer Brian Childs, and District 3 Engineer Andy McNair joined The Extra Mile Podcast to recap the agency's response to Winter Storm Fern, including why this generational weather event was different than past winter weather in the state. Creators & Guests Drew Hall - Producer Will Craft - Host Paul Katool - Host Click here to view the episode...

State Representative Steve Massengill joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk Winter Storm Fern recovery, lottery funds for transportation, work zone safety and more. Creators & Guests Drew Hall - Producer Will Craft - Host Paul Katool - Host Click here to view the episode transcript.

The Extra Mile Podcast is back for another year!  Thanks to Southern District Transportation Commissioner Charles Busby for hosting the podcast team at his home on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Northern District Transportation Commissioner John Caldwell and Central District Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons joined The Extra Mile Podcast to recap a successful 2025 at MDOT and preview what's on tap for 2026.

State Safety Engineer Mark Thomas joined The Extra Mile Podcast to provide updates on Highway Safety Division projects, discuss work zone safety efforts and even talk a little college football.

MDOT Roadway Design Engineer Chris Nail joined The Extra Mile Podcast to provide an overview of the division, explain the technical skills used in roadway design, discuss recruitment and the need for more MDOT engineers, and much more.

Jackson Mayor John Horhn joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk progress on the city's infrastructure needs, how fighting crime means tackling a gang problem, the city's personnel situation, the upcoming National Folk Festival, and much more.

State Auditor Shad White joined The Extra Mile Podcast. He talked about the responsibilities of the Office of the State Auditor, how technology helps to catch fraud, OSA initiatives to fight "brain drain" in Mississippi, his mission to find waste in state government, and much more.

On this episode of The Extra Mile , Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Andy Gipson joins us to talk about the backbone of Mississippi—our farmers. We take a look at the challenges they face, the benefits of "buying local," and the upcoming Mississippi State Fair.

Construction Leadership Coach Craig Watson of Coaching for Construction joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about the high rate of suicides in the construction industry and what he's doing to combat it as a mental health professional.    He also discussed the warning signs that employees might be struggling with mental health, provided a framework for managers to have difficult conversations wit...

Mississippi Live Weather Chief Meteorologist Matt Laubhan hosted The Extra Mile Podcast at his studios in downtown Tupelo. Topics included building Mississippi Live Weather from scratch, severe weather prep, his thoughts on weather manipulation, and more.   For more information on Mississippi Live Weather, visit msliveweather.com

Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker hosted The Extra Mile Podcast in City Hall. Topics of conversation included Hub City happenings and accomplishments, transportation projects, and a huge college football matchup between Southern Miss and Mississippi State.

Mississippi Politico Pete Perry hosted The Extra Mile Podcast at his Neshoba County Fair cabin. Topics of conversation included Ronald Reagan's memorable fair speech, musings on MDOT, thoughts on Jackson's future and more.

MDOT Human Resources Director Terrance Yarbrough joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about how his background in psychology relates to HR, various careers at the agency, a burgeoning intern program, and more.

MEMA Director of External Affairs Scott Simmons joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about his new role, promote hurricane preparedness, highlight memorable stories from his news days, and more. Drive safely this summer! – 00:00 Show intro / introducing MEMA Director of External Affairs Scott Simmons – 00:30 Moving from WAPT to MEMA – 01:41 Scott's career in journalism – 03:30 MEMA & Public S...