Podcasts about East Tennessee

Most Common Questions East Tennessee Buyers & Sellers Are Asking The real estate market is constantly changing, and we're answering the questions we hear every day from buyers and sellers across East Tennessee. In this rerun episode of Real Estate with Ryan, we'll cover topics like:
 • Is now a good time to buy or sell?
 • Are home prices still rising?
 • What's happening with mortgage rates?
 • How long are homes staying on the market?
 • What can buyers and sellers do to stay competitive? Whether you're planning to move soon or simply want to stay informed, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you make confident real estate decisions. Listen Every Saturday 11:00 AM – Talk Radio 92.3 FM / AM 760 WETR
1:00 PM – News Talk 98.7 FM Watch the replay on Facebook, YouTube, X, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts. Have a real estate question? Call or Text 865-693-SOLD (7653) or visit RyanColeman.org. Ryan Coleman Founder/Broker/CEO Hometown Realty LLC Voted Best of Knoxville 2017-2025 Proud Sponsor of the VOLS Dave Ramsey Top ELP

This episode includes resources for State of Tennessee including: Landlord-Tenant Act in Tennessee ⁠Ultracode.pdf⁠ ⁠HHW_LAS_TN_URLTA_Renters_Rights.pdf⁠ Department of Health; Healthy Homes Renters Info:  ⁠Renters⁠ ⁠TENNLandlordTenantBrochure.pdf⁠ ⁠your-rights-as-a-tenant-under-the-uniform-residential.pdf⁠ ⁠Tennessee landlords have rights when tenants abandon the premises | Spragins, Barnett & Cobb, PLC⁠  Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands.  1-800-238-1443 or go to ⁠www.las.org⁠.    Tennessee Consumer Affairs Division:  615-714-4737 (Consumer hotline) or email:  ⁠consumer.affairs@state.tn.us⁠ or website ⁠www.tn.gov/consumer⁠ Legal Aid of East Tennessee ⁠www.laet.org⁠ (Bradley, Blount, Hamilton, Knox, Sevier, Sullivan, and Washington Counties).  

Attend the next 2-day LIVE scale event at Jerry's farm in East Tennessee.Apply today:https://joehomebuyerfranchising.com/jerrys-farm-event/With over 500,000 subscribers, this is the #1 channel on YouTube for all things wholesaling and flipping. SUBSCRIBE NOW! https://www.youtube.com/@FlippingMastery Podcast fan? Listen to your favorite Flipping Mastery TV videos on your favorite podcast platform! http://FlippingMasteryPodcast.com Jerry Norton went from digging holes for minimum wage in his mid 20's to becoming a millionaire by the age of 30. Today he's the nation's leading expert on flipping houses and has taught thousands of people how to live their dream lifestyle through real estate. **NOTE: To Download any of Jerry's FREE training, tools, or resources… Click on the link provided and enter your email. The download is automatically emailed to you. If you don't see it, check your junk/spam folder, in case your email provider put it there. If you still don't see it, contact our support at: support@flippingmastery.com or 888) 958-3028.Get Access to Unlimited Free Property Searches and Downloads: https://flippingmastery.com/propwireWholesaling & House Flipping Software: https://flippingmastery.com/flipsterpodMake $10,000 Finding Deals: https://flippingmastery.com/10kpodGet 100% funding for your deals: https://flippingmastery.com/fspodMentoring Program: https://flippingmastery.com/ftpodFREE 8 Week Training Program: https://flippingmastery.com/8wpodGet Paid $8700 To Find Vacant Lots For Jerry: https://flippingmastery.com/lfpodFREE 30 Day Quickstart Kit https://flippingmastery.com/qkpodFREE Virtual Wholesaling Kit: https://flippingmastery.com/vfpodFREE On-Market Deal Finder Tool: https://flippingmastery.com/dcpodFREE Wholesaler Contracts: https://flippingmastery.com/wcpodFREE Comp Tool: https://flippingmastery.com/compodFREE Funding Kit: https://flippingmastery.com/fkpodFREE Agent Offer Sheet & Scripts: https://flippingmastery.com/aspodFREE Cash Buyer Scripts: https://flippingmastery.com/cbspodFREE Best Selling Wholesaling Ebook: https://flippingmastery.com/ebookpodFREE Best Selling Fix and Flip Ebook: https://flippingmastery.com/ebpodFREE Rehab Checklist: https://flippingmastery.com/rehabpod LET'S CONNECT! FACEBOOK http://www.Facebook.com/flippingmastery INSTAGRAM http://www.instagram.com/flippingmastery

Nancy wanted adults-only summer camp with cabins, counselors, bugles, Cheerwine, and zero responsibilities. The conversation turned into wishing for adult-sized playgrounds, ball pits, and swings built for grown-up hips. Joey complained that his kids won't stop squeezing his "elbow meat," playing with his feet, and poking the back of his neck. Nancy admitted her husband loves grabbing people's toes and trying to pop them. Hot Tea: Ben Affleck won $1 million for charity on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Ella Langley and her crew took a CPR class. Trace Adkins shared the story of surviving a gunshot wound years ago. The show talked about back-to-school supply lists and school rules, including bans on metal water bottles, zippered binders, and strict cell phone policies. A discussion about the smelliest towns in East Tennessee led to listeners nominating everything from bean factories and chicken plants to mushroom farms and paper mills. Lucky 7 for Dollywood tickets Karly debuted "Unhinged with Producer Karly," sharing some of the wildest Hinge profiles she's seen, including strange photos, odd voice prompts, and one guy who randomly sang opera. A story about Tyler Hubbard getting a fishhook stuck in his head sparked fishing horror stories, including Nancy's painful memory of having a treble hook removed from her finger. Group Therapy: I Think My Best Friend is Jealous of My Engagement See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nancy wanted adults-only summer camp with cabins, counselors, bugles, Cheerwine, and zero responsibilities. The conversation turned into wishing for adult-sized playgrounds, ball pits, and swings built for grown-up hips. Joey complained that his kids won't stop squeezing his "elbow meat," playing with his feet, and poking the back of his neck. Nancy admitted her husband loves grabbing people's toes and trying to pop them. Hot Tea: Ben Affleck won $1 million for charity on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Ella Langley and her crew took a CPR class. Trace Adkins shared the story of surviving a gunshot wound years ago. The show talked about back-to-school supply lists and school rules, including bans on metal water bottles, zippered binders, and strict cell phone policies. A discussion about the smelliest towns in East Tennessee led to listeners nominating everything from bean factories and chicken plants to mushroom farms and paper mills. Lucky 7 for Dollywood tickets Karly debuted "Unhinged with Producer Karly," sharing some of the wildest Hinge profiles she's seen, including strange photos, odd voice prompts, and one guy who randomly sang opera. A story about Tyler Hubbard getting a fishhook stuck in his head sparked fishing horror stories, including Nancy's painful memory of having a treble hook removed from her finger. Group Therapy: I Think My Best Friend is Jealous of My Engagement See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Only twenty people have finished the Barkley Marathons in forty years. John Kelly has finished it twice. But between those two finishes, he quit from first place after two loops because he already knew what the remaining sixty hours would cost, and it did not seem worth it.   Joe De Sena sits down with John, an ultra runner who has covered 260 miles through January storms on the Pennine Way, chased the Appalachian Trail speed record for 1,900 miles before injury stopped him 300 miles short, and built an altitude chamber in his home office to fix the one weakness his body refused to train away.   They break down the difference between short-race decay and ultra-distance recovery cycles, why the sunk-cost fallacy can actually keep you alive past mile eighty, and how Kelly applied the resilience he built through running when Hurricane Helene destroyed his community.   Things You Will Learn: The difference between short-race decay and ultra-distance low points and why confusing them causes most DNFs. Why the runner who quit from first place at the hardest race on earth came back and finished it two more times. A three-part framework for pushing through collapse: zoom out, zoom in, and treat the low point as the lesson. Tools & Frameworks Covered: Zoom Out / Zoom In: When you hit a low, zoom out to remember everything you invested and why quitting now would waste it. Then zoom in to the next step, the next hill, the next aid station. Toggle between the two as needed. Voluntary Artificial Adversity: Deliberately choose controlled suffering in training and racing so that when real adversity arrives, the resilience muscle is already trained. Reframe the Goal After First Success: Once you have proven you can finish, shift the motivation from "Can I do this?" to "How much can I learn about myself?"   If this episode moved you, do not just listen. Do something about it. Sign up. Show up. Do the work. Spartan.com. No more excuses.   Chapters: 0:00 Intro: John Kelly is running from an altitude chamber in his office 0:50 Finishing Barkley twice and how long he has been running 1:17 How fast can you still run a mile at 140 pounds 1:43 Nutrition changes as an aging ultra runner 2:07 The difference between training for a marathon and training for a hundred miler 2:21 Short-race decay vs. ultra-distance low points 3:48 David Horton's advice: it does not always get worse 4:12 Growing up in rural East Tennessee with no running culture 5:01 The kid who wanted to be a great explorer 6:06 Why mountains look different at running pace than at highway speed 7:21 The Barkley Marathons: 120 miles, 70,000 feet of elevation, 20 finishers in 40 years 9:08 The Appalachian Trail speed record attempt 10:09 Why the investment before the race determines grit inside the race 11:47 Four strategies for getting through the worst moments in a hundred miler 14:00 Quitting from first place at Barkley 14:27 Shifting from "Can I finish?" to "What can I learn about myself?" 15:15 Western States 100 and the shift back to speed 16:16 The Spine Race in January: why the worst conditions strip you to your core 17:02 The altitude chamber: an 8x8x8 cube simulating 14,000 feet 17:54 Why altitude resilience is DNA and adaptation, not just fitness 19:48 Three lessons from a man who runs unreasonable distances 20:05 Do not underestimate yourself 21:00 Voluntary artificial adversity: training the resilience muscle before you need it 22:07 Hurricane Helene destroyed his community and ultra running prepared him 23:06 Alex Honnold on missing a flight: perspective as a survival skill John Kelly is one of the most respected ultrarunners in the world, known for mastering the brutal Barkley Marathons while balancing life as a Tech Co-founder, machine learning expert, and father of four. In 2024, he became only the second person ever to finish Barkley three times, proving elite performance doesn't require a full-time athlete lifestyle. John approaches endurance like an engineering problem, using data, systems, and relentless experimentation to push beyond human limits. His story blends resilience, failure, discipline, and the pursuit of impossible challenges.   Connect to John: Website: https://randomforestrunner.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randomforestrunner/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RandomForestRunner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyjw

Send us Fan MailThe email sounded simple: “Why do you want to live off grid?” My answer isn't a manifesto and it isn't a sales pitch. It's a clear look at why I'm not retreating from the world, I'm choosing how I want to spend the years I've got left. I'm tired of the constant noise, the endless hot takes, and the way volume keeps replacing substance. Distance is the most effective volume knob I have, and the mountains don't demand a side, an opinion, or a performance.I break down why 50 to 100 acres isn't a “compound” to me, it's a buffer. It's sight lines, space, and the ability to decide when I interact and when I don't. I also explain why East Tennessee is high on my list for practical prepper reasons: a long growing season for a serious garden, enough elevation to dodge the worst heat, abundant water from rain, springs, and streams, and land that can still be affordable in the mountain counties. Then there's the money side of preparedness: Tennessee's no state income tax can keep more retirement income in your pocket, and that turns into the real necessities like firewood, seeds, property tax, and keeping a truck running.We also get into what the land can actually do: hardwoods for heat, room to hunt, space for a half-acre garden, and the option to build layered systems like solar plus micro hydro if the creek flow and drop are right. For communications and outages, I want tools that work when networks don't: Starlink and a proper ham radio base station with HF, VHF, and UHF. I'm honest about the tradeoffs too, giving up convenience and nearby help to gain self-reliance and quiet by choice. If this hits home, subscribe, share the show, and leave a review so more people can find it.Support the showHave a question, suggestion or comment? Please email me at practicalpreppodcast@gmail.com. I will not sell your email address and I will personally respond to you.

It is a privilege to welcome singer-songwriter and transgender Belgian/American artist Sam Bettens to Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.  Sam began his career as the frontman for the Belgian rock band K's Choice with his brother Gert. The band grew in popularity in Belgium, the Netherlands, and across Europe and toured across the United States with Alanis Morissette, the Indigo Girls, Tonic, and the Verve Pipe.  Recently, Sam released his first album in 17 years, Coming Home. The album was shaped by 15 years living in East Tennessee, including his full-time firefighter work and his transition. It also marks a new chapter in his recording artist career, as this is his first record in the Country-Americana genre. Recorded in Nashville with producer Tom Bukovac, Coming Home blends classic country and Americana singer-songwriter craft. It's a record meant to be lived with, vinyl on the turntable, stories unfolding slowly, and a voice that carries the weight of experience.On this episode of The Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Sam Bettens shared K's Choice's origin story, shifting into Americana and country music, and reimagining K's Choice hit single, “Not An Addict,” 30 years later.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.

How the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Will Affect the Tennessee Housing Market This week on Real Estate with Ryan, we're breaking down the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and what this newly enacted law could mean for homebuyers, homeowners, sellers, builders, investors, and communities across Tennessee. We'll discuss the law's goals, how it could influence housing supply, affordability, financing, and development, and what East Tennessee residents should watch for as implementation begins. Whether you're buying, selling, investing, or simply keeping up with the market, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Listen Every Saturday 11:00 AM – Talk Radio 92.3 FM / AM 760 WETR
1:00 PM – News Talk 98.7 FM Watch the replay on Facebook, YouTube, X, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts. Have a real estate question? Call or Text 865-693-SOLD (7653) Ryan Coleman Founder/Broker/CEO Hometown Realty LLC Voted Best of Knoxville 2017–2025 Proud Sponsor of the VOLS Dave Ramsey Top ELP YOUR TENNESSEE AGENT #RealEstateWithRyan #TennesseeRealEstate #HousingMarket #ROADtoHousingAct #KnoxvilleRealEstate #EastTennessee

East Tennessee has become a hotspot for some of the strangest cryptid encounters in the country. Returning guest Martin Groves joins first-time guest Matt Seeber to share firsthand experiences, years of field research, and the patterns they've uncovered across the region. From Dogman and Bigfoot to panther-like black cats and other unexplained creatures, they explore the reports that continue to surface throughout Tennessee. If you've ever wondered what's really roaming the mountains and forests of the Volunteer State, this conversation is one you won't want to miss.Please consider donating to Ron Patton's GoFundMe. Any donation helps greatly: https://gofund.me/818cdbf11If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890

Ever had an awkward moment? This week on Friends Like Us, join Marina & her awesome guests, Zainab Johnson and Alexis Bradby, as they explore navigating life's awkward situations, bad lettuce sagas, and the confusion surrounding Pete's hormone ideas. Catch the laughs and wisdom!  Zainab Johnson is a stand-up comedian, actress, and writer quickly being propelled as one of the most unique and engaging performers on stage and screen.  Zainab is series regular on the Amazon Original hit series titled "Upload" from Greg Daniels and stars in her very first One Hour Comedy Special "Hijabs Off" on Amazon Prime video. Alexis Bradby Originally from East Tennessee, Alexis Bradby started her stand-up journey after moving to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California. Recently , she's been featured in the Netflix is a Joke Festival and the New York Comedy Festival. Known for her contagious smile and youthful energy, Alexis can be found regularly performing all over New York City. In addition to stand-up, she writes for television and was in the writers room for hit shows such as iCarly and Tab Time. Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf. Writer for HBO's 'Divorce' and the new Tracy Morgan show on Paramount Plus: 'Crutch  

Episode OverviewWith freestone trout streams across the Southeast pushing into the upper 60s and low 70s by mid-morning, serious anglers need a plan for beating the summer heat. On this Casting Angles installment of The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash and Master Casting Instructor Mac Brown of Mac Brown Fly Fish and Fly Fishing Guide School in Bryson City, North Carolina, break down how to keep catching trout — or productively wait it out — when peak summer temperatures push freestone fishing to its limits.Mac and Marvin agree that the dog days of summer call for a shift in strategy rather than a day off the water. The conversation centers on East Tennessee's Watauga and South Holston tailwaters along with Western North Carolina's Nantahala, all three of which hold cold water for much of the day, plus the Clinch River below Norris Dam and the deep, cold Fontana Dam tailwater. By contrast, the Tuckasegee ("the Tuck") is a tailwater that doesn't run nearly as cold as the others, since its dam doesn't create enough head to keep the release chilled. The pair walk through the early-morning window — roughly daylight to 9:30 or 10 a.m. — as the best bet for active trout before heat shuts things down, and they recommend checking USGS gauges and the TroutRoutes app to confirm flows and water temperatures before heading out. When conditions simply aren't fishable, Mac and Marvin suggest reinvesting that time in casting practice or fly tying rather than forcing a trip. The episode closes with a teaser for Mac's upcoming fall casting schools, with full details and dates available at macbrownflyfish.com.Key TakeawaysHow to identify which regional tailwaters — the Watauga, South Holston, Clinch and Fontana releases — hold consistently cold, fishable water when freestone streams push past 69–70°F by mid-morning.Why fish in bigger bodies of water retreat to deeper, cooler holds as afternoon temperatures climb, making them much harder to reach with a fly.When to fish the early-morning window, roughly daylight to 9:30 or 10 a.m., for the best shot at active trout before the summer heat shuts down the bite.How to use USGS gauges and the TroutRoutes app to check release schedules and water temperatures before committing to a trip.Why elevation alone doesn't guarantee cold water, since even streams near 6,700–6,800 feet can push toward 70°F by mid-morning in peak summer heat.When to redirect fishing time toward casting practice or fly tying rather than forcing a trip into conditions that are too warm to fish well.Techniques & Gear CoveredThe core strategy discussed is prioritizing tailwaters over freestones during peak summer heat, since dam-regulated flows on rivers like the Watauga and South Holston hold consistently cold water while freestone streams climb toward 70°F by mid-morning regardless of elevation. Mac and Marvin recommend checking USGS stream gauges alongside the TroutRoutes app, a podcast sponsor (Use ARTFLY20 for 20% off), to review flow schedules and available water-temperature data before planning a trip. They also frame the early-morning window, from daylight until roughly 9:30 or 10 a.m., as the most productive stretch before warming water pushes safe fishing out of range. For anglers boxed in by travel or work schedules that don't line up with cooler weather, the hosts suggest using the downtime productively — working on casting fundamentals on a soccer field or similar open space, or tying flies indoors until conditions improve.Locations & SpeciesThe conversation centers on East Tennessee's two primary trout tailwaters, the Watauga and South Holston, along with the Nantahala in Western North Carolina — all three of which stay cold thanks to dam releases even as regional air temperatures spike. Mac also points to the Clinch River below Norris Dam in Tennessee — including a weir section that was fishing well as of a recent report — and to Fontana Dam's tailwater, where depth of nearly 470 feet keeps discharge in the low 50s even at the height of summer. By contrast, the Tuckasegee ("the Tuck") is a tailwater in Mac's home area that doesn't run nearly as cold, since its dam doesn't create enough head to chill the release the way the others do. Across all of these waters the target species is trout, with the guidance shaped entirely around peak summer heat: freestone streams in the region are pushing toward 69–70°F by 10 a.m. even at elevations of 6,700–6,800 feet, making the cold, stable tailwaters the more reliable option through the hottest stretch of the season.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredWhy is trout fishing difficult during peak summer heat?As water temperatures climb through the day, trout in bigger bodies of water move deeper to find cooler conditions, which makes them much harder to reach with a fly. Even high-elevation freestone streams in the region can push toward 69–70°F by mid-morning, which is enough to shut down activity. Trout mortality rises significantly as water temperatures rise into the upper 60s making catch and release angling unethical. The trout will usually die post release.What time of day should anglers target trout streams during hot summer weather?The best window is early morning, roughly from daylight until 9:30 or 10 a.m., before water temperatures climb into the range that suppresses feeding activity and endangers trout post release. After that window closes, Mac and Marvin suggest shifting plans rather than fishing through the heat of the day.How can anglers check water conditions before a summer fishing trip?Marvin recommends checking release schedules and water temperatures using USGS stream gauges, along with the TroutRoutes app, which provides flow data and, on streams equipped with temperature gauges, water-temperature readings as well.Which tailwaters stay fishable through peak summer heat in this region?East Tennessee's Watauga and South Holston rivers hold cold water for much of the day. The Clinch River below Norris Dam and the Fontana Dam tailwater in Western North Carolina, which runs in the low 50s even in summer due to the dam's nearly 470-foot depth, are two other reliable cold-water options mentioned in the episode.What should anglers do when conditions are too hot to fish safely and effectively?Rather than forcing a trip into unproductive and unsafe heat, Mac and Marvin suggest using that time to work on casting fundamentals or to tie flies indoors, and to wait for a seasonal cool-down, which typically arrives as August progresses.Related ContentS8, Ep 50 - Navigating Summer Waters: Ellis Ward on Trout, Musky and the Art of the Evening BiteS8, Ep 49 - Mastering the Cast: Mac Brown's Insights on Shooting LineS8, Ep 45 - Casting Fundamentals: Mac Brown on the Art of the Reach MendS8, Ep 41 - Offbeat Seasons and Terrestrial Tactics: Mac Brown's Fishing StrategiesS8, Ep 48 - Summer Heat Strategies: Captain Brian Shumaker's Smallmouth TipsView All Casting Angles Episodes with Mac BrownConnect with Our GuestFollow Mac on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.Follow the ShowFollow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.Follow our

In this episode of Southeastern Fly, we recap a recent trip to Upper East Tennessee with the Liars and Tyers. The trip included clear water, low flows, long leaders, dry-dropper rigs, and plenty of stories from more than two decades of fishing together.We also look at the leader setup that became our go-to system for the trip. It was not the easiest rig to cast, but it helped us make delicate presentations without putting fly line over wary fish.This trip was a reminder that good fishing does not always require complicated flies. Sometimes a simple midge, a long leader, and a precise drift are all it takes.Key Highlights:We stop at Buc-ee's, suffer through a bad Wendy's meal, and navigate Knoxville traffic.A long mono leader helps us avoid spooking fish in clear water.Simple red midges produce most of the action.Clean, drag-free drifts outperform complicated fly patterns.Riffles and color changes consistently hold fish.Accurate casts and delicate presentations are essential.We share a reminder to respect other anglers and their water.We revisit a productive spot named more than 20 years ago.Low flows make rowing challenging, but the river becomes easier to read.Resources:Visit southeasternfly.comSign up for our newsletterProduced by NOVA

Our guest on This Week in Radio Tech episode 809 is Tim Berry, Chief Engineer at WUOT-FM, the public radio station at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. WUOT combines NPR news with classical and jazz music, much of it still played live from CDs and occasionally from the station’s enormous collection of LPs. Tim gives us a tour of the control room, performance area, technical center, and an extraordinary music library that also includes thousands of historic 78 RPM records. We’ll see one of Tennessee’s earliest Audio over IP installations, built around Axia Livewire technology and operating for about 15 years. Tim also maintains more than 20 analog and digital amateur radio repeater sites throughout East Tennessee. Join us for a fascinating look at preserving broadcasting’s rich history while planning the technical upgrades that will carry WUOT into the future. Show Notes:Pioneers & Engineers - The WUOT Story Guest:Tim Berry, CBRE, CBT - Chief Engineer at WUOT-FM & WUTK-FM "UT's College of Rock!" Host:Kirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, Star94.3, South Seas, & Akamai BroadcastingFollow TWiRT on Twitter and on Facebook - and see all the videos on YouTube.TWiRT is brought to you by:Broadcasters General Store, with outstanding service, saving, and support. Online at BGS.cc. Broadcast Bionics - making radio smarter with Bionic Studio, visual radio, and social media tools at Bionic.radio.Aiir, providing PlayoutONE radio automation, and other advanced solutions for audience engagement.Angry Audio and the new USB Phone Gizmo - Put VoIP callers on-the-air The new MaxxKonnect RMT416 Multi Tuner - 4 to 16 AM/FM/WB/HD web-connected tuners in 1 RU Subscribe to Audio:iTunesRSSStitcherTuneInSubscribe to Video:iTunesRSSYouTube

Our guest on This Week in Radio Tech episode 809 is Tim Berry, Chief Engineer at WUOT-FM, the public radio station at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. WUOT combines NPR news with classical and jazz music, much of it still played live from CDs and occasionally from the station's enormous collection of LPs. Tim gives us a tour of the control room, performance area, technical center, and an extraordinary music library that also includes thousands of historic 78 RPM records. We'll see one of Tennessee's earliest Audio over IP installations, built around Axia Livewire technology and operating for about 15 years. Tim also maintains more than 20 analog and digital amateur radio repeater sites throughout East Tennessee. Join us for a fascinating look at preserving broadcasting's rich history while planning the technical upgrades that will carry WUOT into the future.

Russell Smith is the talented afternoon drive host on Fox Sports Knoxville. A longtime fixture on the East Tennessee airwaves, Russell returns to The CGP after quite a while like Mark Antony coming back to Rome. In the first of two segments, Russell talks about how the U.S. did as a World Cup host and whether or not it will help soccer continue to expand and grow in this country. The Christopher Gabriel Program ----------------------------------------------------------- Please Like, Comment and Follow 'The Christopher Gabriel Program' on all platforms: The Christopher Gabriel Program is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. --- The Christopher Gabriel Program | Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | --- Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russell Smith is the talented afternoon drive host on Fox Sports Knoxville. A longtime fixture on the East Tennessee airwaves, Russell returns to The CGP after quite a while like Mark Antony coming back to Rome. In the first of two segments, Russell talks about how the U.S. did as a World Cup host and whether or not it will help soccer continue to expand and grow in this country. The Christopher Gabriel Program ----------------------------------------------------------- Please Like, Comment and Follow 'The Christopher Gabriel Program' on all platforms: The Christopher Gabriel Program is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. --- The Christopher Gabriel Program | Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | --- Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Miranda Smith writes psychological and domestic suspense novels with a hint of horror. She is drawn to stories about ordinary people in extraordinary situations, complicated women, and dark impulses. She lives in East Tennessee with her husband and three children. Her latest novel, SCARY MOVIE NIGHT, releases in July 2026.Killer Women Podcast is copyrighted by Authors on the Air Global Radio Network#podcast #author #interview #authors #KillerWomen #KillerWomenPodcast #authorsontheair #podcast #podcaster #killerwomen #killerwomenpodcast #authors #authorsofig #authorsofinstagram #authorinterview #writingcommunity #authorsontheair #suspensebooks #authorssupportingauthors #thrillerbooks #suspense #wip #writers #writersinspiration #books #bookrecommendations #bookaddict #bookaddicted #bookaddiction #bibliophile #read #amreading #lovetoread #daniellegirard #daniellegirardbooks #mirandasmith #bantam

Miranda Smith writes psychological and domestic suspense novels with a hint of horror. She is drawn to stories about ordinary people in extraordinary situations, complicated women, and dark impulses. She lives in East Tennessee with her husband and three children. Her latest novel, SCARY MOVIE NIGHT, releases in July 2026. Killer Women Podcast is copyrighted by Authors on the Air Global Radio Network #podcast #author #interview #authors #KillerWomen #KillerWomenPodcast #authorsontheair #podcast #podcaster #killerwomen #killerwomenpodcast #authors #authorsofig #authorsofinstagram #authorinterview #writingcommunity #authorsontheair #suspensebooks #authorssupportingauthors #thrillerbooks #suspense #wip #writers #writersinspiration #books #bookrecommendations #bookaddict #bookaddicted #bookaddiction #bibliophile #read #amreading #lovetoread #daniellegirard #daniellegirardbooks #mirandasmith #bantam

Send us Fan MailWhat does it look like to educate your children well when you're also milking cows, fixing tractors, and butchering chickens? In this episode, Noah sits down with Todd Smith — a former teacher and school administrator turned homeschooling, homesteading dad — to talk about integrating education and farm life instead of letting them compete.Todd shares the vision of "domestic monasticism" that led three families to co-own an 86-acre farm in East Tennessee, and why a life shaped by prayer, study, and labor forms children who are thoughtful, compassionate, and hardworking.In this episode:Why education is more formation than information — and what that frees you fromStarting with the end in mind: defining who you want your children to become before deciding what curriculum to useWriting a family vision statement (and why keeping the whole list in front of you is a recipe for discouragement)Charlotte Mason's simple daily framework: something to know, someone to love, something to doOral narration, commonplace notebooks, and copying Scripture — low-cost tools that actually build readers and writersA day in the life on St. Mary's FarmWhen the pigs get out and the tractor breaks: treating "distractions" as the curriculum, not interruptions to itAn honest conversation about family roles, complementarianism, and how Todd and his wife divide farm, income, and educationPractical first steps: choose one book, read it together, and make your child the resident expert on one part of the farmResources mentioned:Todd's packet of planning questions and skill lists for homesteading families The Monkhood of All Believers by Greg PetersThe Benedict Option and Live Not by Lies by Rod DreherCharlotte Mason's educational philosophyThe Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. TolkienConnect with Todd:Instagram: St. Mary's Farm TennesseeEmail: tsmith@fcsva.comUntil next time — be faithful, be humble, and keep redeeming the dirt.Support the show

We interrupt our regular already-recorded podcast with the news that Senator Lindsey Graham has died at 71. We came back again in the mornin' for this one. Listen how sleepy! We talk about his war-hawkin, "if we nominate Trump we will get destroyed and we will deserve it," the Disneyland bubble wand photo, plus even more Mitch McConnell and Kash's copy-pastin'. Then in the second part that we recorded first: · ICE and immigration violence — the deaths of Lorenzo Salgado and Mohammed Nazir Pateawal, National Guard shootings in Memphis, and Mark Wayne Mullin defendin' the indefensible. ·  Tariffs, Iran, lost tourism money, the Big Beautiful Bill's big beautiful Medicaid and disability cuts—how much is this costing us? · Marcia Blackburn's fortune-cookie ad  · Pete Hegseth targets Black people again, RFK's podcast features anti-vaxxer child murderers, JD Vance still awkward, Trump's Qatar jet fails the Secret Service test, Trump's still mad about the Kennedy Center · Trump gets a bridge named after him in East Tennessee. Even Scott Bessent was at the ceremony! · Platner's out, Epstein files locked up, the Federal Election Commission is fired Disability online advocates and influencers: Allie Weelz https://www.instagram.com/alliewheelz?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== Kendra Depinto https://www.instagram.com/kendrawesomeness?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== April Lockhart (she's in Nashville) https://www.instagram.com/aprillockhart?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== Get 20 Extra minutes over at http://patreon.com/redstateupdate "The Magic Cowboy" courtesy Seth Timbs:   https://sethtimbs.bandcamp.com Red State Update theme "Tasty Sorghum Biscuit" by William Sherry:  https://open.spotify.com/track/74j2AyMM9Qy2VhSQDajhfn   

Join us as we explore Serenity Knoll Farm with David Wiley, delving into farm life, culinary experiences, and upcoming international cooking classes. Discover how community, food, and nature intertwine to create a unique lifestyle in East Tennessee.Resources: Sign up for a cooking class: https://serenityknoll.com/Buy your next home, or list your current home with us!https://www.thecolinandcarlygroup.com/Be a guest on the Johnson City Living Podcast: https://www.johnsoncityliving.com/guests?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaf_qLsH2l73s8fTV40Oebx8kSAGlIFS_y50ij7CRneeNX3I6NzzfQMUKP-7hw_aem_xHCpTZ5r_cOfc22X1DNvmw

Episode OverviewHow do East Tennessee anglers keep varied, high-quality fishing going through the peak of summer heat? On this East Tennessee Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with guide Ellis Ward for a summer conditions update covering tailwater trout, musky and an evening-into-night program that few outfitters offer. The answer, as Ellis explains, comes down to water: East Tennessee's cold tailwater releases stay productive for trout even on the hottest days, while nearby musky water holds in the low 70s, giving anglers a rare menu of species and techniques regardless of the forecast.The conversation moves through an unusually strong summer streamer bite for brown trout in the 14- to 25-inch range, with Ellis explaining why section-to-section variability and angler expectations matter more than any single pattern or retrieve. He describes his preference for targeting fewer, bigger fish rather than fishing indicators for numbers days, and details the close-to-the-surface, low-light strikes that produce the most violent, committed eats of the season, comparing that aggression to how post-spawn fish feed. He also breaks down how tributary runoff and turbidity from high water can create inconsistent windows for sulphur hatch dry fly activity, with fish keying on bug availability tied to clarity and light rather than air temperature alone. A significant portion of the episode focuses on Ellis' evening-into-night program, in which he chases the hatch transition into mousing for trophy browns, offering a different rhythm than the typical 8-to-4 lodge schedule. He closes with a candid discussion of the physical toll that late-night guiding takes and why July and August are the prime window for anglers wanting to experience the full range of the summer program in a single trip.Key TakeawaysHow East Tennessee tailwaters stay cold enough to keep trout fishing productive through the hottest days of summer while nearby musky water holds steady in the low 70s, opening up options other regions lose to summer heat.Why summer streamer success depends more on managing expectations and reading section-to-section conditions than on any single fly pattern or retrieve.When cloudier, lower-light conditions and fishing a streamer closer to the surface tend to produce the highest-commitment, violent strikes from large brown trout, a pattern Ellis compares to the aggressive feeding behavior of post-spawn fish.Why targeting fewer, bigger fish with streamers can outperform indicator-based numbers days once summer bite windows narrow.Why tributary runoff and increased turbidity can shut down sulphur hatch dry fly activity even when conditions otherwise look promising.How targeting the evening hatch transition into night mousing opens up trophy brown trout opportunities that most lodge-based trip schedules miss entirely.When to plan a summer trip to experience streamers, dry flies, mousing and musky fishing all within the same visit.Techniques & Gear CoveredEllis walks through his summer streamer approach, targeting fewer and bigger fish rather than running indicators for numbers days, with an emphasis on two-handed retrieves using Game Changer-style patterns, Clousers and Kreelex Minnows depending on light and water clarity. The season's standout strikes come close to the surface in lower light and stained water, producing the kind of committed, violent takes he compares to post-spawn feeding behavior. On the dry fly side, sulphur hatch activity is the primary summer draw, though Ellis stresses that bug emergence tracks closely with turbidity and cloud cover rather than simply air temperature. For the evening program, he transitions from dry fly presentations on 4- and 5-weight rods into mousing after dark, a tactic that demands patience and a mental approach he compares to musky fishing. Gear spans a wide range, from 4-weight dry fly rods up through 8-weight streamer setups, along with baitcasting gear for musky depending on what the day calls for.Locations & SpeciesThis report covers East Tennessee tailwater fisheries, where cold water released from upstream reservoirs keeps trout fishing productive even during the region's hottest summer stretches, when many other regions see fishing quality decline. Target species include brown trout in the 14- to 25-inch range, with fish on the higher end of that range producing the season's most memorable streamer eats, along with musky and striper as secondary targets depending on conditions and angler interest. Seasonal context centers on summer heat management: tailwater releases keep trout water cold while separate musky water stays in the low 70s, and periodic tributary runoff introduces turbidity that shapes both streamer and dry fly windows day to day. Ellis notes that the July-to-August window offers the widest range of options, with the program shifting away from streamers, dry flies and mousing once fall arrives.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredWhy does East Tennessee offer such varied summer fishing options compared to other regions?Tailwater releases keep trout water cold and productive even on the hottest days of the year, while nearby musky water holds in the low 70s during the same stretch, an unusual combination most regions don't have. That range lets anglers choose between trout, musky or even striper depending on conditions and preference, without summer heat shutting down the fishing.How does summer streamer fishing vary throughout the day and across a river?Ellis emphasizes that the same stretch of river can look completely different four hours apart, so consistency in technique matters more than chasing a single hot bite window. He also cautions that angler expectations often outpace reality, since most fish will not slam a streamer the way anglers picture, and staying mentally locked in over a full day continues to pay off even during slower stretches. He also contrasts his approach of targeting fewer, bigger fish with the higher-volume numbers days some anglers chase using strike indicators.Why does dry fly activity slow down even when sulphur hatches are strong?Tributary runoff following recent flooding pushes turbidity into tailwater sections, and bugs are less likely to emerge in off-color water regardless of temperature or time of year. Fish and insects both respond to clarity and light, so a little color in the water often produces better dry fly activity than gin-clear conditions, particularly under overcast skies.Why does Ellis Ward run an evening-into-night fishing program instead of a standard daytime schedule?Chasing the evening hatch transition into mousing lets anglers catch the window when big fish become most active and least pressured, since most lodge-based trips are off the water by late afternoon. Ellis acknowledges the tradeoff is real: trips can run past midnight, and sustaining that schedule night after night is physically demanding, even though he considers it worth it for the fish it produces.When is the best time to book an East Tennessee trip for the full summer program?Ellis recommends the July-to-August window for anglers who want to experience streamers, dry flies, mousing and musky fishing in a single visit, since that stretch offers the widest range of conditions and techniques. He notes this program runs for roughly three to four months before shifting focus by fall.Related ContentS7, Ep 45 - Navigating the Waters: Streamers and Strategies in East Tennessee with Ellis WardS8, Ep 12 - Flows and Focus: Navigating Spring Fishing in East Tennessee with Ellis WardS6, Ep 98 - Navigating Late Summer Waters and Mousing Tactics with Ellis WardS6, Ep 142 - Winter Musky Adventures and Streamer Tactics with Ellis WardConnect with Our GuestFollow Ellis and Flyzotics on Instagram.Follow Ellis on YouTube.Follow the ShowFollow The Articulate Fly on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.Follow our

Host Justin Forman sits down with John Cortines, author, generosity advocate, and a leader at the Maclellan Foundation, to unpack the heart transformation at the core of every faith-driven entrepreneur's relationship with money. Recorded at the Kingdom Advisors conference, this conversation begins in a Harvard Business School Bible study and ends with a vision for professionally managed giving funds that could rival the mutual fund industry in scale. John traces his journey from a young oil-and-gas professional whose online banking password was literally "retire@40!" to a husband, father of six, homesteader, and passionate advocate for Kingdom generosity. Drawing from his two books, God and Money and True Riches, John shares both the practical mechanics and the deep heart work required to move from asking "How much do I need to give?" to "How much do I really need to keep?" Key Topics: The wrong question most Christians ask about money, and the reframe that changes everything Why giving felt like a spreadsheet cell working against retirement, until joy broke through Financial finish lines: setting lifestyle and net worth guardrails before wealth arrives The four heart conditions around money (pride, coveting, anxiety, and indifference) and their gospel antidotes Why King Nebuchadnezzar and King David are the ultimate contrast study for entrepreneurs How collaborative, professionally managed giving funds could become as common as index funds Practical first steps for busy entrepreneurs ready to go on the generosity offensive Notable Quotes: “The right question isn't how much do I need to give, it's how much do I really need to keep?” — John Cortines “All things come from you and of your own have we given you.” — John Cortines (quoting King David, 1 Chronicles 29) “By definition, giving is actually a source of joy and freedom and purpose in the Christian walk.” — John Cortines   Guest Background: John Cortines is the co-author of God and Money (2016) and True Riches, books exploring biblical stewardship and the heart transformation behind generous living. A Harvard Business School graduate, John began his career in oil and gas at Chevron before pursuing a calling to equip Christian business leaders with a theology and practice of generosity. Today he helps lead generosity and giving strategy at the Maclellan Foundation, which opens its global grant-making engine to families deploying resources worldwide. John and his wife Megan live on 12 acres in East Tennessee with their six children, where they homeschool, homestead, and raise everything from egg-laying hens to Thanksgiving turkeys.

In this special episode, filmed from Eagle Rock Camp in the mountains of East Tennessee, we sit down with Madalynne Baxter to discuss one of the most powerful passages in Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:18–21. As this year's youth camp focuses on the theme “Ambassadors,” we unpack what it truly means to represent Christ in a world that desperately needs the hope of the gospel. Whether you're a student, parent, ministry leader, or simply wanting to grow in your walk with Christ, this conversation will encourage you to embrace your identity as an ambassador for Jesus.

Nancy had a wild morning after hearing coyotes near her house and worrying about her dog, while Joey showed up to work frazzled—almost forgetting his shoes and eating cereal in the car. They talked about kids and social media, noting how easy it is for teens to bypass age restrictions—even with bans in place. East TN Translates returned with Nancy giving a humorous East Tennessee version of the Gettysburg Address. Joey shared a hilarious story about his mom mailing him fishing gear—including smelly bait, worm food, and “worm bedding”—revealing she had been raising her own worms. Hot Tea included the U.S. soccer coach wanting Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, and Ella Langley at a World Cup game, Kane Brown saying he connects more with athletes than other artists, and an 84-year-old man suing Waffle House after tripping outside while reading a sign. They reminded listeners about the Dollywood wristband stop, encouraging everyone to listen on the app for the secret location—and warning people not to try sneaky tricks to get extras. Nancy shared her first barrel racing lesson experience, realizing she was in a class full of kids and getting humbled—plus needing help getting her boot off afterward. Lucky 7 for $50 to Farmacy Restaurant Group Therapy focused on a listener whose boss dented her car and denied it—advice was to confront him privately first before escalating. Patriot Games gave away VIP tickets to Patriot Fest with a hilarious “bald eagle screech” challenge. They also discussed an update on the viral “dad in the women’s restroom” story, with the kids’ mom criticizing him for starting a GoFundMe and exposing their children online. Another “Forgotten Moment in U.S. History” featured a comedic take on Betsy Ross sewing the first flag while arguing with her husband. They wrapped up with what they learned, including Joey discovering his mom’s worm farming hobby and Nancy confirming she’ll keep working toward her rodeo comeback.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nancy had a wild morning after hearing coyotes near her house and worrying about her dog, while Joey showed up to work frazzled—almost forgetting his shoes and eating cereal in the car. They talked about kids and social media, noting how easy it is for teens to bypass age restrictions—even with bans in place. East TN Translates returned with Nancy giving a humorous East Tennessee version of the Gettysburg Address. Joey shared a hilarious story about his mom mailing him fishing gear—including smelly bait, worm food, and “worm bedding”—revealing she had been raising her own worms. Hot Tea included the U.S. soccer coach wanting Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, and Ella Langley at a World Cup game, Kane Brown saying he connects more with athletes than other artists, and an 84-year-old man suing Waffle House after tripping outside while reading a sign. They reminded listeners about the Dollywood wristband stop, encouraging everyone to listen on the app for the secret location—and warning people not to try sneaky tricks to get extras. Nancy shared her first barrel racing lesson experience, realizing she was in a class full of kids and getting humbled—plus needing help getting her boot off afterward. Lucky 7 for $50 to Farmacy Restaurant Group Therapy focused on a listener whose boss dented her car and denied it—advice was to confront him privately first before escalating. Patriot Games gave away VIP tickets to Patriot Fest with a hilarious “bald eagle screech” challenge. They also discussed an update on the viral “dad in the women’s restroom” story, with the kids’ mom criticizing him for starting a GoFundMe and exposing their children online. Another “Forgotten Moment in U.S. History” featured a comedic take on Betsy Ross sewing the first flag while arguing with her husband. They wrapped up with what they learned, including Joey discovering his mom’s worm farming hobby and Nancy confirming she’ll keep working toward her rodeo comeback.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Something strange is happening in East Tennessee, and the stories keep finding their way to one small pizza shop. We're joined by Eddie from Legends & Lore Pizzeria to share firsthand accounts from customers who claim they've encountered Bigfoot, Dogman, black panthers, UFOs, and other unexplained creatures around Highway 411, Madisonville, and the surrounding Tennessee mountains.Take Control of Your Money and claim $10 in US Stablecoin (USA₮)! Download now at http://wallet.rumble.com/Confessionals and USE THE CODE confessionals10Please pray for Tony's wife, Lindsay, as she battles breast cancer. Your prayers make a difference!If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890

Nancy’s mother-in-law called Joey “tough and buff” on a Facebook post of him at the gym. East TN Translates! Nancy translated the Preamble to The Constitution into current East Tennessee terms. Hot Tea: Ticketmaster crashed during the Ella Langley presale yesterday. Over 200k people were trying to buy tickets for the Knoxville show. Dan and Shay have been crashing people’s weddings to promote their new song. Megan Moroney surprised Kenny Chesney with a mariachi band in his hotel room in Vegas. Dolly wrote a custom jingle for her new travel stop. She seems to write songs for everything! We played the songs she wrote for The Wild Eagle and Big Bear Mountain. Joey is sad that his older son, Johnston, is growing up. He was looking at old photos and videos of him from a year and a half ago and realized how much he’s grown just since then. He wishes he could go back and experience that time again. Lucky 7 for tickets to Dollywood’s Splash Country Karly is going speed dating on Sunday! We had people call in to help her practice ahead of the real event. We gave away a pair of Ella Langley tickets! Whoever calls in has to tell us who they are choosing to take to the show. We then call that person, and if they answer, they get tickets! TVA is making a time capsule in honor of America 250. You can submit a message that might be included in the capsule on their website. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allan Houston joined the show to discuss his upcoming event in East TN - the Allan and Wade Houston Legacy Golf Classic. CLICK HERE to learn more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nancy’s mother-in-law called Joey “tough and buff” on a Facebook post of him at the gym. East TN Translates! Nancy translated the Preamble to The Constitution into current East Tennessee terms. Hot Tea: Ticketmaster crashed during the Ella Langley presale yesterday. Over 200k people were trying to buy tickets for the Knoxville show. Dan and Shay have been crashing people’s weddings to promote their new song. Megan Moroney surprised Kenny Chesney with a mariachi band in his hotel room in Vegas. Dolly wrote a custom jingle for her new travel stop. She seems to write songs for everything! We played the songs she wrote for The Wild Eagle and Big Bear Mountain. Joey is sad that his older son, Johnston, is growing up. He was looking at old photos and videos of him from a year and a half ago and realized how much he’s grown just since then. He wishes he could go back and experience that time again. Lucky 7 for tickets to Dollywood’s Splash Country Karly is going speed dating on Sunday! We had people call in to help her practice ahead of the real event. We gave away a pair of Ella Langley tickets! Whoever calls in has to tell us who they are choosing to take to the show. We then call that person, and if they answer, they get tickets! TVA is making a time capsule in honor of America 250. You can submit a message that might be included in the capsule on their website. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Barham is the president and managing shareholder of Chambliss Bahner & Stophel, PC, a law firm based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. A graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, Steve has practiced in Chattanooga since 1998 and joined Chambliss in 2004. His litigation practice focuses primarily on healthcare and commercial business matters, and he now splits his time between leading the firm and representing clients. Before becoming firm president in 2025, Steve served as the firm's general counsel, advising on ethics, risk management, and professional responsibility. He serves on the Board of Legal Aid of East Tennessee, was appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court to serve as an interviewer for Tennessee Bar applicants, and helped build the Stophel Scholars Program, an endowment supporting exceptional students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT LEADING WITH INTEGRITY AS THE LEGAL PROFESSION CHANGES Law firm leadership is changing fast, and the pressure is not only coming from technology. New business models, client expectations, and generational shifts are forcing leaders to think carefully about what should change and what should be preserved. Steve Barham's answer is rooted in the values that made the profession worth entering in the first place, including integrity, service, and the lawyer's role as a trusted advisor. Those values have to show up in the actual work of leading a firm. They shape how leaders work through conflict, how they protect relationships, how they talk to younger lawyers about the future of practice, and how they keep learning instead of assuming they already have the answers. For Steve, leading well means staying open to change without losing sight of the profession's larger obligations to clients, communities, and the rule of law. In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge podcast, Elise Holtzman talks with Steve Barham of Chambliss Bahner & Stophel about what is worth preserving in the legal profession, how lawyers can remain trusted advisors as technology changes the work, why service matters to the rule of law, and what it means to lead with integrity when the pressure to compromise is real. 2:32 - Steve's path from firm general counsel to managing shareholder 4:31 - Why interpersonal relationships are the backbone of a law firm 7:46 - Consolidation, technology, and changing client expectations for midsize firms 8:11 - Looking for opportunity instead of reacting from fear 10:08 - Staying focused on client service and relationships 11:00 - Why AI will change the work but not the trusted advisor role 13:12 - Teaching younger lawyers that business development is relationship-based 16:21 - Servant leadership and helping lawyers build careers they are proud of 19:01 - The books shaping Steve's thinking on business development and meaning 21:43 - What it means to maintain law as an honorable profession 27:07 - Walking the talk as a law firm leader 29:33 - Finding meaning outside the law through service MENTIONED IN LEADING WITH INTEGRITY AS THE LEGAL PROFESSION CHANGES Chambliss Bahner & Stophel, PC. | LinkedIn Steve Barham on LinkedIn The Activator Advantage The Meaning of Your Life by Arthur Brooks Get connected with the coaching team: hello@thelawyersedge.com The Lawyer's Edge SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE This episode is brought to you by the coaching team at The Lawyer's Edge, a training and coaching firm that has been focused exclusively on lawyers and law firms since 2008. Each member of the team is a trained, certified, and experienced professional coach—and either a former practicing attorney or a former law firm marketing and business development professional. Whatever your professional objectives, our coaches can help you achieve your goals more quickly, more easily, and with significantly less stress. To get connected with your coach, fill out our contact form.

Discover the seafaring grit that shaped a nation at the Maine Maritime Museum, where 250 years of American shipbuilding history comes alive on the banks of the Kennebec River. More than just a place to refuel, America's largest truck stop is a massive, self-contained highway metropolis that single-handedly powers the nation's supply chain while serving as a cultural sanctuary for the drivers moving our world. In this special mid-tour episode of Own the Road, Kelli and Bob Phillips map out the incredible six-month journey ahead as they continue their mission to explore 250 years of American history, culture, and jaw-dropping landscapes across all 50 states. From the cutting edge of the space age to the opulence of the Gilded Age, the second half of this itinerary is diving deep into the heartbeat of America. Hidden within the ridges of East Tennessee, Oak Ridge—the "Secret City"—stands as a monumental site of American ingenuity and ethical weight, where a city was built overnight to change the course of history and usher the world into the Atomic Age.

The newly announced Hall of Fame class honors a wide array of legendary athletic figures, logically grouped by their ties to West, Middle, and East Tennessee. The West Tennessee inductees feature major league pitcher Matt Cain, Rhodes College coaching icon Mike Clary, Memphis Grizzlies basketball standout Marc Gasol, and longtime basketball coach Bubba Luckett. Middle Tennessee’s honorees include record-setting MTSU basketball coach Kermit Davis, basketball champion Ron Mercer, Cy Young Award-winning pitcher David Price, and the iconic Nashville Predators broadcasting duo of Pete Weber and Terry Crisp. Finally, rounding out the class from East Tennessee are champion women's basketball player Jennifer Azzi, Bristol Motor Speedway executive Jerry Caldwell, former University of Tennessee football standouts Reggie Cobb, Antone Davis, and Charles McCray, and legendary NFL tight end Jason Witten.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coach sits down with Brad Willis, the Executive Director of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. The conversation kicks off with a nostalgic look at Willis's background in Nashville sports radio—including his time with Titans Radio and 104.5 The Zone—and explores how the Nashville sports landscape has exploded from a collegiate-focused region into a booming professional sports hub. The core of the conversation transitions into the inner workings of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Willis details the meticulous and challenging nomination process used by the 18-member Board of Directors to select the state's most deserving athletes, coaches, and sports figures. Key Takeaways from the Segment: The 2026 Induction Banquet: Scheduled for July 11th at the Omni Nashville Hotel, this year's event will officially induct a 15-person class. Star-Studded Inductees: Willis highlights several notable figures from the upcoming class, including Marc Gasol, David Price, Jason Witten, Pete Weber, and Jennifer Azzi, emphasizing the geographic and athletic diversity of the honorees across West, Middle, and East Tennessee. Special Awards: The segment outlines the honors given to contemporary figures, such as Pro Athlete of the Year (Jeffery Simmons) and Amateur Athletes of the Year (Maya Johnson and Carlin Pickens). Future Expansion: Willis shares exciting news about the Hall of Fame's upcoming relocation to the new Nissan Stadium, promising a 10,000-square-foot interactive space to better celebrate the state's rich athletic history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The newly announced Hall of Fame class honors a wide array of legendary athletic figures, logically grouped by their ties to West, Middle, and East Tennessee. The West Tennessee inductees feature major league pitcher Matt Cain, Rhodes College coaching icon Mike Clary, Memphis Grizzlies basketball standout Marc Gasol, and longtime basketball coach Bubba Luckett. Middle Tennessee’s honorees include record-setting MTSU basketball coach Kermit Davis, basketball champion Ron Mercer, Cy Young Award-winning pitcher David Price, and the iconic Nashville Predators broadcasting duo of Pete Weber and Terry Crisp. Finally, rounding out the class from East Tennessee are champion women's basketball player Jennifer Azzi, Bristol Motor Speedway executive Jerry Caldwell, former University of Tennessee football standouts Reggie Cobb, Antone Davis, and Charles McCray, and legendary NFL tight end Jason Witten.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coach sits down with Brad Willis, the Executive Director of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. The conversation kicks off with a nostalgic look at Willis's background in Nashville sports radio—including his time with Titans Radio and 104.5 The Zone—and explores how the Nashville sports landscape has exploded from a collegiate-focused region into a booming professional sports hub. The core of the conversation transitions into the inner workings of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Willis details the meticulous and challenging nomination process used by the 18-member Board of Directors to select the state's most deserving athletes, coaches, and sports figures. Key Takeaways from the Segment: The 2026 Induction Banquet: Scheduled for July 11th at the Omni Nashville Hotel, this year's event will officially induct a 15-person class. Star-Studded Inductees: Willis highlights several notable figures from the upcoming class, including Marc Gasol, David Price, Jason Witten, Pete Weber, and Jennifer Azzi, emphasizing the geographic and athletic diversity of the honorees across West, Middle, and East Tennessee. Special Awards: The segment outlines the honors given to contemporary figures, such as Pro Athlete of the Year (Jeffery Simmons) and Amateur Athletes of the Year (Maya Johnson and Carlin Pickens). Future Expansion: Willis shares exciting news about the Hall of Fame's upcoming relocation to the new Nissan Stadium, promising a 10,000-square-foot interactive space to better celebrate the state's rich athletic history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A nuclear reactor is under construction in Tennessee. A fuel fabrication facility has steel going vertical. And $10 billion in investment is projected to create up to 3,000 jobs across skilled trades, technical roles and professional positions in East Tennessee alone. On this episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast, Tennessee Nuclear Network Director Bill Tindal breaks down why Oak Ridge has become the national center of the nuclear energy resurgence, what trades are needed right now — from electricians and pipefitters to instrumentation technicians — and how a workforce pipeline from high school dual enrollment through community college is being built to match the demand. He also addresses how today's Generation 3 and 4 reactor designs differ from the plants that scared the public in the 1970s and 80s and why US energy demand projections through 2050 make this a generational career opportunity, not a short-term construction cycle. Visit eteconline.org to learn more about the Tennessee Nuclear Network.

On Episode 303 of Outside The Round, Matt Burrill sits down with East Tennessee native Thomas Edwards. From playing SEC football at the University of Tennessee to working at Tractor Supply and eventually landing a record deal with Warner Music Nashville, Thomas shares the unlikely journey that brought him to Music City. The conversation dives into his upcoming EP High Times, recorded at the legendary FAME Recording Studios, the inspiration behind the project, and why he wanted to capture real, human-made music with some of Nashville's best players. Thomas also reflects on songwriting, working with artists like Ne-Yo and Quavo, his love for East Tennessee culture, and the lessons he's carried from football into the music business. Packed with stories, laughs, and plenty of Tennessee pride, this episode is a look at one of Nashville's most unique rising artists. Follow on Social Media: Thomas Edwards: @bigtpedwards Matt Burrill: @raisedrowdymatt Outside The Round: @outsidethround Raised Rowdy: @raisedrowdy Chapters (00:00:00) - Outside The Round(00:01:08) - Luke Bryan on Working With The Roots in Muscle Shoals(00:04:36) - How I Went From Big Guy to Tennessee Football(00:08:36) - Josh Dobbs on His First Year at UT(00:11:50) - The Music of Virginia Tech vs. Football(00:15:59) - Guitarist on Quit His Job(00:20:21) - Seung Ho On Working With Neo(00:23:57) - How My Pet Got Cast In Hollywood(00:25:01) - Jay-Z on Working With Quavo(00:28:05) - Country Singer on The Country Ness(00:31:07) - Maroon 5 on His Record Deal(00:32:12) - Crazy Story About Dollywood's Wild Eagle(00:35:38) - Dollywood Is For Real(00:36:04) - The Eight Song Guy(00:39:35) - Tommy Lee on the Grand Ole Opry(00:40:54) - Thomas Edwards: High Times(00:44:25) - milo on Lynyrd Skynyrd(00:46:31) - Dalton Davis At Ray's Rival(00:49:18) - Tennessean on the City of Nashville(00:52:09) - Thomas Edwards on Nashville's Music Scene(00:57:14) - Rush HONESTLY SHOUT OUT Cappy & Makeway(01:00:14) - Bill Maher on Songwriters and Their(01:03:27) - Nick Knowles on Being an Artist and a motivational speaker(01:08:16) - Pete Wentworth on Kids Using Technology(01:11:48) - The Unpredictable Future of Music(01:13:54) - Troy Cartwright on His New Album(01:17:02) - EXCLUSIVE: Darius Rucker Open Up For Kid Rock(01:20:46) - milo on Woodstock and Bonnaroo(01:23:50) - Luke Bryan: I Did That For Georgia on '(01:27:12) - The Best Ability Is To Show Up(01:28:54) - Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello on the sideline(01:32:07) - Aaron Rayer on Being a New York Fan(01:35:18) - Stay True To Yourself(01:36:41) - Thomas Edwards: No Bubble, No Problems On The Podcast

This year’s Shooting Hunger events have officially kicked off with the first being held recently in East Tennessee at Kodak’s Iron Mountain Sporting Clays.

Did an East Tennessee boy beat the Wright Brothers?

East Tennessee has a reputation for strange woods, hidden caves, Bigfoot sightings, Dogman encounters, and unexplained Appalachian legends, but today, we go even deeper. Tony and the Slingshot Nation crew sit down with Ricky to explore bizarre supernatural encounters in the forests of Maryville, Alcoa, Kodak, and the surrounding Tennessee mountains, including a Bigfoot-like creature crawling across a trail on its fingers and toes, possible Dogman activity near the Greenway, eerie cave systems beneath East Tennessee, occult bloodline connections, spiritual warfare, shadow figures, strange knocks on homes, and the chilling idea that something ancient may be moving through the woods after dark. From cryptid sightings to demonic encounters, today we ask one unsettling question: what is really crawling through East Tennessee?If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890

Some stories don't fit neatly into a testimony card. Ro Elliott's story is one of them. In this episode, Ro sits down with me to walk through a life marked by unexpected loss, hard-won faith, and the kind of redemption that only makes sense in hindsight.Ro grew up in a tightly-knit Italian Catholic family outside New York City before her father's job transfer landed them in the deeply unfamiliar terrain of East Tennessee where she encountered Protestants, Baptist churches on every corner, and eventually, Jesus. What followed wasn't a neat conversion story. It was a slow unraveling and rebuilding that touched every part of her life, and yet… Ro kept her grip on the God those communities had distorted, asked him hard questions, and found her way back, not just to church, but to genuine healing and community.This conversation is honest, unhurried, and full of the kind of hope that has actually been tested. If you're in the middle of your own hard story, this one's for you.Ro's Website: https://www.roelliottconsulting.com/Ro on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roelliott/

A family moves deep into the mountains near Rocky Fork State Park in East Tennessee and starts experiencing things they can't explain.A massive reddish-blond Sasquatch walks across a ridge in broad daylight and mentally identifies itself as “the protector of the forest.” Heavy footsteps shake the cabin at night. Something runs across the roof. Giant figures appear beside the road at 4 AM illuminated by headlights after Hurricane Helene devastates the region.Jodi and Michael share years of escalating encounters near the Cherokee National Forest including:Daylight Sasquatch sightingsPossible juvenile activityMetallic booming sounds in the mountainsTracks and knuckle impressionsTree pushes and whoopsMind speak experiencesA terrifying scream outside a Missouri forest homeStrange activity tied to remote Appalachian waterwaysThis is one of the most intense multi-encounter episodes ever featured on Bigfoot Society.Resources:Tennessee Cryptid Campout - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573643865014Michael's episode is 1115 of Bigfoot Society

Episode OverviewIn this East Tennessee Fishing Report on The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash checks in with guide Ellis Ward for an early-summer conditions update focused on the Watauga River tailwater. After a dry spring that kept anglers grinding through tough conditions, a stretch of rain and rising water has Ellis bullish on what's ahead: bigger flows, off-color water, and the full slate of techniques that make East Tennessee tailwaters unique. He covers the current Watauga generation schedule (six days a week, five hours of afternoon generation), how that release window shapes a full-day float, and why the combination of streamers, dry fly fishing to rising trout, and mousing after dark makes summer his favorite time of year to be on the water. Ellis also discusses the browns that have been showing up even through the tough conditions — fish in the 24-inch range with a handful over two feet — and a striper in the 34–35 inch class that made it to the boat. The deeper thread of the conversation is mindset: Ellis draws a direct parallel between hunting big brown trout on streamers and musky fishing, emphasizing patience, sustained focus, team mechanics in the boat, and the discipline of forming good habits before a big fish shows. His approach to dry flies gets equal attention, with a nuanced breakdown of how he thinks about hackle, CDC, and the meniscus — treating dry flies as micro topwater rather than fixed imitations.Key TakeawaysHow the Watauga River's afternoon generation schedule structures a productive full-day float that can include streamers, dry fly fishing to risers, and mousing after dark.Why approaching big brown trout on streamers through the lens of musky fishing — managing expectations, maintaining focus, and working as a team — produces fish that pure numbers-chasing won't.How to distinguish the post-spawn streamer fishery (low-feedback, high-consequence encounters with giant fish) from the early-summer streamer bite when 20 or more fish in the boat per day becomes realistic.Why the visual feedback of rising trout makes dry fly fishing a productive mental reset within a streamer-focused float, keeping anglers sharp throughout the day.How to think about dry fly construction in terms of water contact — CDC touch points versus hackle touch points, emerger versus floating presentations — rather than vise aesthetics.When moon selection matters for night mousing on tailwaters and why the hook set on a mousing fish is a fundamentally different skill than a streamer or dry fly hook set.Techniques & Gear CoveredThis episode covers a multi-technique summer tailwater program built around the Watauga River generation schedule. Ellis describes the float structure in detail: streamer fishing for the first several hours, pausing for risers whenever the dry fly opportunity presents itself, then transitioning to mousing as light fades — a full-day arc that demands different focus and mechanics at each stage. On streamers, Ellis fishes seven-weight setups with smaller trout flies rather than musky-scale patterns, emphasizing presentation discipline (getting the fly three inches from the bank when necessary), sustained team focus, and strip-set timing over fly size or flash. His dry fly breakdown centers on how materials actually sit on the water: he favors CDC for its hundreds of micro touch points holding the fly at the meniscus, contrasting it with the louder, fewer contact points of rooster hackle, and notes that many flies riding low in the surface are effectively fishing as emergers regardless of how they look in the vise. Mousing is treated as a patience game similar to streamer fishing, with moon phase factoring into session planning and requiring a hook set distinct from both streamers and dry flies. Ellis also notes bucktail availability through his website, elliswardflies.com, as musky conditions improve with returning rain.Locations & SpeciesThe primary fishery discussed is the Watauga River tailwater in East Tennessee, based out of Johnson City. Ellis also guides on the South Holston River, referenced briefly in the context of his broader East Tennessee tailwater program. Both systems are classic Tennessee tailwaters — dam-controlled flows with temperature-stabilized water that supports year-round trout fishing distinct from freestone or western tailwater fisheries. The main target species are brown trout, with multiple fish in the 24-inch range mentioned and a handful over two feet even through a difficult low-water spring. The episode also notes a 34–35 inch striper landed a couple weeks prior. Ellis mentions returning to musky fishing once water conditions improve following recent rain — a species he has been sidelined from during the spawn and low-water period. The early-summer window discussed (late May through July) is framed as some of the most consistent streamer action of the year, with the post-spawn bite giving way to days where 20 or more fish in the boat on streamers is achievable.FAQ / Key Questions AnsweredHow does the Watauga River generation schedule affect how you structure a full day of guided fishing?Ellis builds the float around the generation window: five hours of afternoon generation, six days a week. This gives the boat several hours of fishable water in the morning before generation kicks in, a streamer window as levels rise and off-color water comes through, and then the opportunity to stay on the water into darkness for mousing as levels drop back out. The generation schedule effectively writes the day's agenda, and Ellis treats each phase as a distinct technique opportunity rather than fighting the releases.How is hunting big brown trout on streamers similar to musky fishing, and why does that mindset matter?Ellis draws a direct parallel: big browns on streamers require the same patience, sustained focus, and expectation management that musky fishing demands. Unlike an indicator rig where the feedback is constant, streamer fishing can go hours between meaningful encounters, and the moment your concentration lapses is typically when a fish shows. He treats large browns the way he would treat a musky — working the boat as a team, identifying specific water to target, maintaining good habits throughout the day rather than only when a fish is behind the fly.What is the difference between the post-spawn streamer bite and the early-summer streamer bite in East Tennessee?Post-spawn (January–February) is a low-feedback, high-consequence game: you may go four or five hours without a follow, but the fish you do see could be jaw-dropping in size, and its appearance has nothing to do with the overall bite. Early summer shifts that dynamic significantly — fish are active, untargeted, and on a good day Ellis is putting 20 or more in the boat on streamers, with the realistic chance that a 26 or 27-inch brown shows up in a session where you've already seen a lot of fish. The two windows require similar discipline but very different expectation-setting.How does Ellis think about dry fly construction for tailwater fishing?Rather than tying for appearance in the vise, Ellis focuses on how each material interacts with the surface. He favors CDC for its density of micro touch points — potentially hundreds or thousands of tiny fibers holding the fly at the meniscus — compared to the louder but fewer contact points of rooster hackle. He notes that many "dry flies" are functionally fishing as emergers, sitting partly in the surface film, and that understanding where the fly actually sits (and what happens when you skate or move it) is more valuable than visual realism at the vise. He treats dry flies as micro topwater, with the same attention to presentation and action he applies to streamers.When does mousing become a priority in Ellis's summer guiding program, and what makes it different from streamer fishing?Ellis starts mousing as water drops and light fades at the end of a float, and he selects sessions in part around moon phase, particularly when dedicating a multi-hour block to it. The technique shares streamer fishing's grind-and-patience arc — long stretches without action punctuated by high-consequence eats — but the hook set is fundamentally different and requires practice to execute correctly. He describes August and September as the window when he becomes "chirpier" about mousing specifically, though the summer program already incorporates mousing as the third act of a streamer-and-dry-fly day.Related ContentS7, Ep 14: The Streamer Playbook: Tips and Tactics for Targeting Big Trout in East Tennessee with Ellis WardS7, Ep 32: Swim Flies and Trout Tactics: An East Tennessee Fishing Report with Ellis WardS7, Ep 45: Navigating the Waters: Streamers and Strategies in East Tennessee with Ellis WardS6, Ep 98: Navigating Late Summer Waters and Mousing Tactics with Ellis...

Tennessee congressional candidate Kristi Burke joins God and Jesus to talk about running as an openly atheist former evangelical in one of the reddest districts in America. Kristi is running in Tennessee's 1st District against Rep. Diana Harshbarger after getting kicked out of Harshbarger's town hall for daring to ask questions. Now she's running a people-powered, no-corporate-PAC campaign built around three non-negotiables: healthcare as a human right, fully funded public education, and a fairer tax system where billionaires and corporations finally pay what they owe. She also talks about leaving the Southern Baptist church, fighting Christian nationalism, rural hospital closures in East Tennessee, voter apathy, gerrymandering, "dummymandering," and why she believes progressive policies can win even in deep red territory. As Kristi says in the interview: "I'm not negotiating my future." Bless that idea! Support Kristi's campaign at her website: https://www.votekristiburke.com/

What happens when deliverance ministry stops being theory and becomes a direct confrontation with darkness?In this episode, Mike Brewer shares the encounters that thrust him into a life of deliverance ministry, from his first shocking confrontation with a demon in an Applebee's parking lot to learning how trauma, occult involvement, bloodline agreements, and hidden spiritual strongholds can keep people bound. Mike walks through the moments that shaped his ministry, including violent manifestations, demonic resistance, supernatural intervention, and the hard-won lessons that taught him deliverance is not about hype, fear, or performance, but about loving people enough to fight for their freedom.As the conversation unfolds, Mike explains how God trained him through real-life encounters, why some deliverances require deeper discernment, and how his ministry has expanded from local sessions in East Tennessee to churches and nations around the world. His stories reveal a sobering reality: the spiritual realm is far more complex than many realize, but the authority of Jesus is greater than every curse, kingdom, and demonic assignment.Please pray for Tony's wife, Lindsay, as she battles breast cancer. Your prayers make a difference!If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890Become a member for ad-free listening, extra shows, and exclusive access to our social media app: theconfessionalspodcast.com/joinThe Confessionals Social Network App:Apple Store: https://apple.co/3UxhPrhGoogle Play: https://bit.ly/43mk8kZThe Counter Series Available NOW:The Counter (YouTube): WATCH HEREThe Counter (Full Episode): WATCH HERETony's Recommended Reads: slingshotlibrary.comIf you want to learn about Jesus and what it means to be saved: Click HereBigfoot: The Journey To Belief: Stream HereThe Meadow Project: Stream HereMerkel Media Apparel: merkmerch.comMike BrewerWebsite | Book: Bloodline DeliveranceSPONSORSSIMPLISAFE: simplisafe.com/confessionalsGHOSTBED: GhostBed.com/tonyQUINCE: quince.com/tonyIVERMECTIN: twc.health/tonyVENICE AI: https://venice.ai/theconfessionalsRUMBLE WALLET: https://rumblewallet.onelink.me/bJsX/ConfessionalsCONNECT WITH USWebsite: www.theconfessionalspodcast.comEmail: contact@theconfessionalspodcast.comMAILING ADDRESS:Merkel Media257 N. Calderwood St., #301Alcoa, TN 37701SOCIAL MEDIASubscribe to our YouTube: https://bit.ly/2TlREaIReddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/theconfessionals/Discord: https://discord.gg/KDn4D2uw7hShow Instagram: theconfessionalspodcastTony's Instagram: tonymerkelofficialFacebook: www.facebook.com/TheConfessionalsPodcasTwitter: @TConfessionalsTony's Twitter: @tony_merkelProduced by: @jack_theproducerOUTRO MUSICThe Confessionals - X Marks the Spot

Rick writes "I was on your show about two years ago regarding my investigations into the potential paranormal aspects of the Bigfoot phenomenon. I would like to update you on my efforts (Quantum Bridge Project) and the progress we've made to date. As you know, I used to be the State Director for the Virginia Chapter of the Mutual UFO Network and investigated numerous UFO sighting reports to include purported "abduction" cases. I transitioned to the paranormal realm because of the apparent similarities in certain cases. I've been with the Center for Paranormal Research and Investigations (CPRI) for the past twenty-four years and, within the past eight years, started conducting "cryptid" research for the same aforementioned reasons. I chose CPRI because of their philosophy and the way they approached the paranormal using the scientific method. The organization has MDs, PhDs in sociology, educators, nurses, chemists, current and former law enforcement officers, etc. CPRI is a Virginia 501(c) nonprofit, educational organization with a Board of Directors. I approached their Board with a written research proposal requesting that we investigate the "cryptid" phenomena in the same fashion they approach the paranormal; using certain specialized instrumentation and equipment like thermal imaging/ recording devises, remote data loggers designed to measure various EM/ radiological fields, and certain environmental conditions. My proposal involved locating a potentially credible cryptid investigator and working with them in their respected field research areas in order to capture supporting data during a sighting. This would not only validate that something is actually occurring, but to potentially explain certain aspects of the phenomenon. I've attached this particular proposal for your reference. One of my investigators located Harley Owens; a fairly new cryptid investigator in the East Tennessee area. Some of his sightings have been validated by other independent investigators, so I decided to work with him. His research area is near Cosby, TN, which is one of the areas the late Scott Carpenter used to investigate. Over the past two years, Ive independently investigated this area with Harley to further gauge his credibility before devoting CPRI resources to this geographical area. During that time, I've seen strange tree structures, heard screams, roars, and strange "barn owl" sounds, I have also seen those infamous" lights" that are seemingly associated with the Bigfoot phenomenon. On one occasion, I saw one of these "lights" at night on my thermal imager. It was moving intelligently through the forest. Interestingly enough, when I tried to see the light without the thermal, it wasn't visible. When I looked through the thermal, it would reappear, indicating it had some type of invisible heat source. Harley was next to me and wanted to see the light through the thermal. When he looked through it, he saw the light and, as it approached a dirt road, he said the light "transformed" into an upright being exhibiting a heat signature. It walked across the road and up an incline towards an adjacent knoll. I didn't see this; however, about one minute later, I heard a loud scream and an "owl' like vocal come from this same knoll. This scream was extremely loud and lasted about two to three seconds. It also sounded like some type of primate. It was immediately followed by an "owl" vocal, which didn't seem right. On another investigation in July of 2024, Harley and I were in his research area one night when we heard a loud, very intimidating roar (not scream) coming from another Ridgeline adjacent to a cemetery, which is the apparent focal point of the activity. This roar was so intimidating and loud, we were concerned for our safety. You could actually feel "rage" coming from whatever made it. I've never heard anything quite like it before, so we decided to pack everything up in order to make a quick exit if the situation called for it. We didn't stay too much longer before we left the area. As you probably know, these so called "orb" sightings are very common in both Bigfoot and paranormal cases, which leads me to some information you and your listeners may find very interesting. Back in 2003, CPRI investigated a case near Bedford, VA. This case involved a lady who lived on a farm in a double wide home. The lady reported seeing shadows, hearing voices and reported poltergeist type activity throughout the house. During the course of our investigation, she related an incident that occurred in the early 80s. She was getting ready for bed, had just turned off the bedroom lights when she saw three "orbs" hovering in a level, straight line at the foot of her bed. They appeared to be the size of a softball and each exhibited a different color; one was orange, one was light blue and the last was reddish They emitted light and then moved in unison (line formation) down her hallway and made a 90 degree left turn into her dinning room. She immediately went to the dinning room to see where they went and couldn't locate them. It was as if they just disappeared. The following morning, she went back into the dinning room and noticed three circular discolored/ burnt marks on her window screen. She believed these orbs went through the screen because they weren't there before, the window was left open and each mark was about the same size of these orbs. We asked her about the screen and, fortunately, she had rolled it up and kept it in her barn and forgot about it. We went to the barn and she pulled it out. The screen still had these three strange marks on it, so we asked if we could have it analyzed. She agreed, so we gave it to one of our members who happened to be a Radiochemist and worked for a federal lab in eastern Virginia. He's no longer with CPRI, so I'm not at liberty to divulge his name or where he worked without permission. He took the screen to his lab for analysis. A few weeks later, he sent us a report with his findings, which were intriguing. I've attached a document containing excerpts of his report to keep him and his employer's information confidential. According to the report, the discolored sections of the screen were highly irradiated. The areas were so irradiated we decided to ask the lady some health questions. Around the same time as the orb incident, she did experience bad flu symptoms, nausea, fever and general weakness, which lasted about a week or two. She thought it was just the flu, but did reveal additional information that brings doubt to that conclusion. A few years later, the had to have hip replacement surgery. After the surgery, the doctor asked if she had ever had radiation therapy. When she said no, the doctor said the bone structure of her hip was porous. It appeared to have been subjected to a type of radiation. Apparently she may have been exposed to a great deal of radiation that night. This is not to say that all orb phenomena contains radioactive properties, but it appears these lights did. In March of 2025, I assembled a team from CPRI and we (along with Harley) conducted a preliminary investigation of the Cosby site. The team consisted of Harley, myself, an archeologist, University Professor and another retired law enforcement officer. We did take some instrumentation with us. During the course of three days, we found several unusual tree structures, interviewed a resident in the area and conducted night surveillance. The primary location was the site of an old cemetery, which seems to be the focal point of the activity. We were able to witness unusual light activity in the cemetery. This took the form of small red points of moving light. Another larger red light was also seen depending in a straight line towards the same Ridgeline that the "roar" was heard a year earlier. Our archeologist witnessed a large, indistinct dark mass cross in front of him through the cemetery. He was wearing an Apple Smart Watch with embedded bio sensor at the time. He was able to pull the heart rate data from the watch and, at the exact time he witnessed this event. His heart rate jumped from 66 BPM to 124 BPM. On one occasion, our professor also witnessed a small green light hovering about thirty feet above the cemetery. These lights couldn't readily be explained. They didn't match the will-o-the-wisp (swamp methane gas ignition) phenomena because the weather was cool, it hadn't rained, low humidity and most of the colors seen were red instead of the signature faint blue-violet glow."