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 guide both aspiring and experienced leaders to lead their teams effectively, peacefully and productively.

This episode is sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

Ep. 104 Dr. Ahmad Tootoonchi: Leading the Way

Dixie Locke Emmons enjoyed the unique experience of being the first girlfriend of Elvis Presley. The two met in the youth group of First Assembly of God, Memphis. They were dating in 1954 when the unknown singer stepped in Sun Studio and recorded “That's All Right Mama," now known as “ground zero” of rock ‘n’ roll. Emmons’s daughter, Kristi Emmons Jones, worked closely with her mother on the recently published book, “Unlocked: Memoirs of Elvis’ First Girlfriend.” In this episode, listeners will discover what Presley was like before fame and fortune, how Emmons and Priscilla Presley became close friends later in life and how Emmons and her daughter worked together to create this look back at an important moment in the history of popular culture. “Unlocked: Memoirs of Elvis’ First Girlfriend” can be purchased from Graceland at: https://store.graceland.com/products/unlocked-memoirs-of-elviss-first-girlfriend.

Ep. 107 Memoirs of Elvis’ First Girlfriend

Preston Powell, co-owner of Yukon Outfitters, has been in the sport and outdoor industry for over 20 years. After his gear failed him on a fly fishing trip to the Yukon Territory in Canada, he decided to create a company that would provide great quality outdoor gear at a fair price. Powell spoke with a friend and took the calculated risk to sell his company's product on Amazon. The company took off and the rest is history. In this episode, Powell shares the story of his journey from being a businessman in Hong Kong to an entrepreneur in Alamo, Tennessee. To learn more about Yukon Outfitters visit https://yukon-outfitters.com/.

Ep. 119 Preston Powell: Yukon Outfitters

Zac Elliott is the founder of Mad Cow Defenses, a firearm customization shop in Union City, Tennessee. In this episode, Elliott discusses his unconventional journey of joining the military and ultimately finding himself inspired to return from California to his hometown and beginning a new venture. He also provides listeners a unique insight into the role that word of mouth advertising can have on a business’s success. 
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This podcast episode is available online on Soundcloud, Castbox, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify and other popular podcast platforms and apps.

EP 128: Zac Elliott: Mad Cow Defenses

Obion County, Tennessee native Philip Jett has released his third book, “Stranded in the Sky: The Untold Story of Pan Am Luxury Airliners Trapped on the Day of Infamy.” It tells the fascinating true story of four Pan Am flying clippers with wealthy and affluent passengers on board on December 7, 1941. After the assault on Pearl Harbor, they were stranded within the vast boundaries of the Pacific Ocean. Pan Am crews and their frightened passengers were left with no choice but to make their own way across the volatile Pacific Ocean and do their best to survive—if they could. In this episode, Jett shares details about some of those on board, insights into his writing process and why he believes this is a story that needs to be told.
 
You can purchase “Stranded in the Sky: The Untold Story of Pan Am Luxury Airliners Trapped on the Day of Infamy” on Amazon and many other places books are sold.
 
This podcast episode is available online on Soundcloud, Castbox, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify and other popular podcast platforms and apps.
 
This episode is sponsored by the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center.

EP 139: Philip Jett: Stranded in the Sky

We kick off a new year of podcast episodes from Discovery Park with a special two-part look at road and mountain biking in Tennessee. Jenny Veal, rural destination development manager with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, shares more about Bike Tennessee. The initiative will feature four to six curated routes in each of the nine regions of the state. Each route will be named, rated for difficulty, and will include mileage, climb, scenic information and points of interests. All Bike Tennessee cycling routes will be mapped and downloadable in the Ride with GPS app.

This episode is sponsored by Reelfoot Lake.

EP 151: Jenni Veal: Bike Life, Episode 1 of 2

In this second two-part episode about road and mountain biking in Tennessee, we welcome Rodney McConnell, founder of the popular Ride the Fault Line bike ride. Participants on this ride explore attractions and experiences along the New Madrid Fault Line in Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee in just seven days. 

This episode is sponsored by Obion County Tourism.

EP 152: Rodney McConnell: Bike Life, Episode 2 of 2

Jeremy Powell, a pastor and teacher in Union City, Tennessee, was born with an autoimmune deficiency that rendered his body incapable of defeating bacterial and fungal infections. As the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the world, Powell contracted fungal meningitis. Given only an 18% chance of surviving the infection, his doctors at the National Institutes of Health recommended a bone marrow transplant as a last-ditch effort to clear the meningitis and save his life. Powell survived the transplant, and his rehabbed immune system even fought back the infection in his spine and brain. He was healed of his autoimmune deficiency and the fungal meningitis it caused. However, it left him completely paralyzed from the neck down, an he found himself dangerously close to having his breathing permanently compromised.

After a stint at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Spain Rehabilitation Hospital, another operation and an inpatient rehab stay at Vanderbilt’s Stallworth Hospital, Powell slowly began feeling again. As he has grown stronger, his mobility has dramatically improved, and Powell continues to amaze medical doctors, nurses and physical therapists nationwide with his miraculous recovery.
 
In this episode, Powell shares his inspirational story and that in the midst of some of the darkest days he has ever experienced, it became clear that God could use his suffering to cultivate hope in his life and in the lives of others. Today, he has returned to the pulpit of Crosswind Church where his message of hope touches hundreds each week. You can discover more about Powell at JeremyPowell.com and find episodes of his messages on Crosswind Church’s Youtube channel.
 
This episode is sponsored by Leader Credit Union. Leaders is insured by NCUA.

EP 153: Jeremy Powell: Cultivating Hope

Martin, Tennessee native Brady Weldon is a man of many hats. Minister, consultant, author and life-coach to name a few. Brady has helped start a few churches and sits on the board of several. He’s learned a lot during his 35 years of ministry, but one of his greatest discoveries was realizing he could impact people in the areas of both faith and creativity.

In this episode, we take a journey back to Brady’s long West Tennessee line of entrepreneurship and helping others, as well as his journey back to another passion of his, music.

Another hat on the bald head of Brady Weldon is the hat of a musician. Though this hobby was put to the side for many years, Roy Barberi of the Roy Band finally got the mic for singing back in Brady’s hand.

Roy Band is Nashville’s live tribute to the best in 1980s hard rock, pop-rock and glam rock music. Brady Weldon often lives up to the nickname he earned in Nashville, Rock ‘n’ Roll Reverend, and joins them on stage.

This episode is sponsored by Leaders Credit Union.

EP 164: Brady Weldon: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Reverend

Ted Franklin Belue, a 2021 winner of the Western Writers of America’s prestigious Spur Award, has written numerous books including “Finding Daniel Boone,” “The Hunters of Kentucky” and “The Long Hunt.” He edited two Boone biographies, including Lyman Draper’s landmark “Life of Daniel Boone”—the classic reference on Boone and trans-Appalachian Long Hunters—and published more than 100 essays in trade and scholarly publications. He has served as consultant/commentator for the INSP Network’s “Wild Americans” and Outdoor Channel’s “SHOOTING USA,” History Channel (doubling on-screen in various 18th century guises), A&E, BBC, NBC, and NPR. He “survived” the French and Indian War as a Hollywood extra in “The Last of the Mohicans.” In this episode, Belue shares more about the inspiration for his passion for American history, long hunters and early settlers like Daniel Boone.

This episode is brought to you by Leaders Credit Union.

EP 165: Ted Franklin Belue: Bringing History to Life

Kirstan Blanchard is a social media influencer from Symsonia, Kentucky. During the 2020 pandemic, Blanchard took advantage of her time in quarantine to launch a successful lifestyle blog. She has since grown her following on TikTok to over 21,000 and over 26,000 on Instagram. Kirstan uses her platform as an online lifestyle brand centered around affordable fashion, mental health awareness and cultivating confidence.
 
Blanchard recently stopped by Discovery Park as a guest for an AAF West Tennessee event. In this episode, she shares some tips and tricks of creating an online community, lessons learned while creating content and more.
 
This episode is sponsored by the Hatchie River Conservancy.

EP 167: Kirstan Blanchard: Creating an Online Lifestyle Brand

In 1954, twelve-year-old Jerry Schilling wandered into a Memphis touch football game, only to discover that his team was quarterbacked by nineteen-year-old Elvis Presley. Elvis was still an unknown, but his first record, "That’s All Right," had just debuted on Dewey Phillips’ popular WHBQ radio show "Red, Hot & Blue." That chance encounter with the future King of Rock ‘n’ Roll began an adventure for Schilling that continues to this day. In this episode, Schilling, who later became a successful talent manager, shares stories of how Elvis’s friendship has been an inspiration his life and career. Then, Alicia Dean, from Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. joins to provide a behind-the-scenes look at Graceland and Elvis Week today.
 
Jerry Schilling’s book, “Me and a Guy Named Elvis: My Lifelong Friendship with Elvis Presley,” is available on Amazon.com.
 
This episode is sponsored by the Hatchie River Conservancy.

EP 168: Jerry Schilling: Me and a Guy Named Elvis

The Davy Crockett Hunting Club is a waterfowl hunting club in Northwest Tennessee. It began in the 1940’s when respected duck hunt guide and chief clerk of Union City’s Davy Crockett Hotel, Ralph Morton, came up with the idea of forming a club for the many hunters that came to the region each year to hunt. The hunting exploits, innumerable anecdotes, tales, accounts, truths and fabrications about the club have become the stuff of Tennessee legend. Morton’s vision and his passion to share the sport of waterfowl hunting with others has evolved into one of the oldest and most respected hunting clubs in the nation. Jon Nesbitt, who began hunting with the club as a young boy, has been researching and writing about the history of the club along with the joys and challenges experienced through the years by those who enjoy the sport in West Tennessee. In this episode, he shares his personal story, a bit more about the club and how he went about gathering memorabilia, research materials and personal stories about the club.
 
In Discovery Park’s new, permanent exhibit, “Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway,” discover how a combination of federal land protections and private land conservation unites the government, landowners, hunters, scientists, conservationists and other nature lovers to protect and restore waterfowl populations and the land needed for them to thrive.
 
This episode is sponsored by The Hatchie River Conservancy.

EP 169: Jon Nesbitt: The Davy Crockett Hunting Club

Wildlife biologist Bob Ford is executive director of The Hatchie River Conservancy, a West Tennessee organization with the mission of conserving and sustaining the natural integrity and the scenic beauty of the Hatchie State Scenic River and its watershed. The Hatchie River is the longest free-flowing tributary of the lower Mississippi River; it harbors the largest forested floodplain remaining in Tennessee and is the only river in the state that is designated as a State Scenic River in its entirety. As Ford shares in this episode, many see the Hatchie as a restorative, soul-nourishing sanctuary—a sacred place to feel connected to something larger than themselves. It is an ancient, beautiful, biologically rich, uniquely wild river that courses its way through six counties in West Tennessee. Ford also shares a bit of the history of past efforts to protect the Hatchie along with conservation initiatives taking place today led by The Hatchie River Conservancy and others.
 
This episode is sponsored by Moustos Pasta & Grill.

EP 170: Bob Ford: The Hatchie State Scenic River

Jason Reeves is the curator of the University of Tennessee Gardens at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Jackson, Tennessee. His influence can be found in landscapes across the region in the form of distinct plant combinations and his signature garden art. Through his popular Facebook page, Reeves takes followers on virtual trips to experience gardens of all types around the country. In this episode, he shares his personal story of how he discovered a passion for plants and he provides valuable tips for landscapers and gardeners who want to make the most of their gardens.

This episode is sponsored by the Hatchie River Conservancy.

EP 171: Jason Reeves: A Passion for Plants

Al Santos is the founder and Head Singer of Ottertrail, a celebrated Southern style drum group that has played a vital role in the Native American powwow world and beyond. With Ottertrail, Al has won a Grammy, performed at major events across the country and appeared in the final episode of the Marvel series Echo on Disney+. Most recently, you can see him and Ottertrail in the powwow scene of the Apple TV movie Fancy Dance, where Al also composed all of the powwow music, further cementing his influence in both the powwow and entertainment worlds.

In addition to his musical contributions, Al has also made his mark in professional wrestling entertainment as “The Arab Legend” Al Farat. In this episode, Al shares his journey from the powwow grounds to the big screen, and he gives us a glimpse into his dual life as a professional wrestler. He also talks about his upcoming role as emcee at Discovery Park of America’s 2024 Northwest Tennessee Native American Educational Powwow and what it means to bring this event to the community.

This episode is sponsored by Leaders Credit Union.

EP 172: Al Santos: From the Powwow Grounds to the Big Screen

Fulton Winery, located in Fulton, Kentucky, is a proud veteran-owned small farm winery and wine bar, specializing in sweet, fruit-flavored wines. Owned and operated by father-son duo Roger and Prentice Colson, the winery currently offers 13 distinct flavors and provides a welcoming space for wine lovers to enjoy a glass, try a sample flight, or take home a growler.

In this episode, we explore what brought Roger and Prentice to the small Western Kentucky town and the inspiration behind turning their passion for winemaking into a business. From Roger’s early memories of his father making wine to the Colsons’ journey of opening their own winery, we’ll dive into how this family legacy has come full circle.

EP 173: Roger and Prentice Colson: Fulton Winery

Bill Gray is an educator, real estate guru, auctioneer and much more. The Gray family has been in the auction and real estate business since 1950.  Bill has been licensed in the business since 1979 and has carried on the values and skills he learned from his father ever since. Aside from his professional work, Bill has also become a collector of unique artifacts, including items that once belonged to famed lawman Buford Pusser. Bill retired from teaching after 43 1/2 years at South Fulton Middle and High School, but he remains active in the real estate and auction world.

In this episode, Bill shares more about the history of the Twin Cities community and the annual Twin Cities Banana Festival, which celebrates the cities' railroad heritage and the historical role they played in transporting bananas north from New Orleans. We also take a trip to the Twin City Railroad Museum to visit Darren Doss and learn more about the museum's preservation efforts and the importance of the railroad to the community.

EP 174: Bill Gray and Darren Doss: A Passion for the History of the Twin Cities

Derek Giffin is a fifth-generation farmer who, alongside his wife Micayla, runs Giffin Farms in Union City, Tennessee. The Giffins manage over 1,000 acres, growing corn, soybeans, wheat and hay on land that has been in the family for over a century. To create a more sustainable operation, they added cattle, and their innovative farming techniques have cut the land, water and energy required to produce healthy beef by 50%. 
 
In this episode, Derek shares his journey of farming on a Tennessee Century Farm and the steps they’ve taken to adapt and thrive in the modern agricultural landscape. We also discuss their involvement in the Tennessee Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers program that led to their “Achievement Award” in 2022. Derek reflects on the importance of keeping farming traditions alive while incorporating new approaches to sustainability for future generations.

This episode is sponsored by Jarred Mayo: Allstate Insurance.

EP 175: Derek Giffin: The Fifth Generation of Giffin Farms

A row of buttercups growing along a fence row at her new house in Newbern, Tennessee inspired Jessica Duncan to create her very first small business, Lily’s Garden. Her pick-your-own flower farm began with an idea she then nurtured by spending months of research and then trial and error in the garden that continues today. In this episode, she shares what she’s discovered while literally getting her hands dirty starting an agribusiness in her small town, and how Lily’s Garden has impacted her life and career.
 
This episode is sponsored by Leaders Credit Union.

EP 176: Jessica Duncan: How Does Your Garden Grow?

Brooke Simmons is an agtrepreneur from Hickman, Kentucky who has incorporated her family’s farm into numerous businesses. The most recent is First Love Farms featuring pick-your-own-flowers, a pumpkin patch and more. In this episode, Simmons what it was like growing up on a farm outside Hickman, her inspiration for starting new businesses and some of the tips and tricks she’s learned along the way.
 
This episode is sponsored by the Hatchie River Conservancy.

EP 177:  Brooke Simmons: First Love Farms

Tennessee’s regional library system is composed of nine multi-county regions—named for major local rivers— serving 211 small and medium-sized public libraries throughout the state. Jenny Gillihan is executive director of the Obion River Regional Library, serving nine counties in Northwest Tennessee where she and her team provide access to a wide range of educational, cultural, and informational services. In this episode, Gillihan shares more about her path to the library, her passion for sharing a love of reading and the rewards of living and working in rural communities.

This episode is sponsored by Jarred Mayo: Allstate Insurance.

EP 178: Jenny Gillihan: The Obion River Regional Library

Cole Bizwell, a fourth-generation towboater from Rives, Tennessee, is carrying on a family legacy on the Mississippi River as a senior deckhand with Ingram Barge Company. Although he initially set out to pursue a career in aviation, the COVID-19 pandemic led him to reevaluate his path. When he stepped on a towboat for the first time, he knew instantly it was where he was meant to be.
 
In this episode, Cole reflects on following in the footsteps of his grandfather and great-grandfather and shares how he’s using social media to document his experiences on the river. You can follow more of his journey on TikTok for a firsthand glimpse into work life on the Mississippi.

EP 179: Cole Bizwell: Life on the Mississippi River

Ross Houghton is the marketing manager for Visit Brownsville, the destination marketing organization that promotes Haywood County, Tennessee. It’s the home of Billy Tripp’s Mindfield, award-winning barbecue, the Hatchie River, the blues of Sleepy John Estes, and the birthplace of Tina Turner. In this episode, Houghton shares how a little boy from Bulgaria grew up in West Tennessee, then traveled to more than 25 countries as an ambassador with Up with People, an organization with the mission of preparing youth to succeed as global citizens, employees, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. He also shares how travel and tourism inspired him to take on his current role, letting people know all the amazing things to see and do in his hometown.

More about Visit Brownsville.

This episode is sponsored by Excel Boats.

EP 180: Ross Houghton: Simply the Best

Berkley Bryant, the reigning Miss South Carolina Volunteer, captured the prestigious title of Miss Volunteer America 2025. The organization honors young women who demonstrate a genuine commitment to making a positive impact in their communities through volunteer work. Bryant was selected because she embodies and exemplifies the values of service, compassion and leadership. As Miss Volunteer America 2025, she assumes the role of national ambassador for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and national brand ambassador for The Salvation Army. She is a 23-year-old honor graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in marketing and a minor in biological sciences. While at Clemson, she received Palmetto Fellows and National Society of Collegiate Scholars recognition. In this episode, she shares her inspiration for entering the competition and what she has discovered along the way.

This episode is sponsored by Excel Boats.

EP 181: Berkley Bryant: Miss Volunteer America 2025

Josh Collins is the founder and CEO of Main Street Mentor, a purpose-built organization serving the critical yet underserved Main Street, Chamber, and tourism economies of America’s most beloved places. With more than 25 years of experience in tourism and marketing, Collins has been a trusted guide and strategic partner for some of Tennessee’s favorite destinations. In this episode, you’ll discover his inspiration for starting a small business, tips and tricks for those who want to make things happen in their industries, and ways destinations in rural communities can grow and expand their customer base.

More about Main Street Mentor.

This episode is sponsored by Excel Boats.

182: Josh Collins: Main Street Mentor

The 2024 Alabama-Mississippi-Tennessee Rural Tourism Conference was held in Obion County, Tennessee, in the beautiful Reelfoot Lake region in the northwest corner of the state. In this panel discussion, hosted by Discovery Park CEO Scott Williams during the conference, three Tennessee tourism superstars took attendees behind the scenes of their own rural destinations and shared their inspiration for success. Listen in as Williams discovers how the magic is made with: Sonia Outlaw-Clark, executive director of Visit Brownsville and director of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center; Randall Clemons, one of the founders of the Wilson County Tennessee State Fair and a leader of Historic Granville, Tennessee’s Mayberry Town; and Brian May, founder of Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary’s museum, theater, gift shop, distillery and bottling facility, restaurant, concert venue, event center, and, of course, historic prison tours.

This episode is sponsored by Excel Boats.

183: Sonia Outlaw-Clark, Randall Clemons and Brian May: From Rural Eyesore to Tourism Eye Candy

Historian Jeff Sellers, director of education at the Tennessee State Museum and the state capitol, has compiled images from archives and private collections to showcase the history of the Tennessee State Capitol. He also introduces us to the individuals who have breathed life into what has become known as the people's house.
 
This episode is sponsored by Jerry Ward Autoplex.

EP 184: Jeff Sellers: The Tennessee State Capitol

Do you like antique tractors? Have you ever wanted to know how to get involved in collecting these unique treasures? Scott interviews Wes Collier and Randy Deweese in front of a live studio audience and asks them how they got involved in collecting tractors, advice on how to start a collection of antique tractors, as well as how to instill the love of collecting these tractors in the next generation. They also pay kudos to the annual Antique Tractor Show that is held on the grounds at Discovery Park of America each August.

Later, learn about Alan Turing, who was a mathematician, computer scientist and a cryptographer and played a key role in breaking the code using the enigma machine. You can see an enigma machine on display in the military gallery at Discovery Park of America.

Ep. 14 - The Art of Collecting Antique Tractors with Wes Collier and Randy Deweese

From traveling around the world to finding his way back home in West Tennessee, Robert Spencer is a man who has done a little bit of everything. Robert lets us in on some secrets about how life was in the military, his appearances on Saturday Night Live while in New York City, his personal encounter with Burt Reynolds and more in this week’s episode.
 
Later, learn about the history behind the charming 1800s Chapel on the grounds at Discovery Park of America.

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