On Background

Sen. Doug Overbey lost the biggest battle of his Tennessee legislative career—and then came back a winner. A childhood medical history with only a 50% chance of survival taught him the importance of optimism in public service.

Megan Barry is the first woman to be mayor of Nashville, which the NY Times has called “the It City.” She reveals the impact of her Catholic school upbringing, how she connects to Nashville’s newest citizens, and the importance—to her—of the number 1,034.

Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell on how caring for her grandmother in the summer of Watergate taught her the need—and the way—to speak hard truth to your political allies.