The Legis-lately series with Mayor Lee Harris is created by the office of Mayor Lee Harris. This episode will feature a conversation with State Representative and Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, John Ray Clemmons. He is joining Mayor Harris today to share a state-level perspectives on their party’s approach to the intersection of policy and politics as they relate to issues impacting Tennesseans, and what gives him hope about the future of Memphis, Shelby County, and Tennessee

The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the podcast publisher or New Memphis.

Community development corporations are standing at the intersection of preservation and progress, ready and willing to showcase their own neighborhood's unique culture and assets for the city to share in. Randall Garrett of Klondike Smokey City CDC and Michael Cowan of Community LIFT share (in this extended-cut episode) the details of how collaboration, trust, and relationships create pathways for participation within communities to not just build back, but build better.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Klondike Smokey City CDC
• Community LIFT
• Community LIFT's Memphis Empowerment Fund
• Northside Square Development
• The Works, Inc.
• River City Capital
• About Community Development Financial Institutions Funds (CDFI Fund)
• BLDG Memphis
• S5E13 "Planning for People and Places" with Charlie Santo
• Engineers Club of Memphis
• PBS documentary "Tom Lee Park: A Riverfront for Everyone"
• "Memphis honors Tom Lee, 100 Years after his heroic river rescue" (Tri-State Defender)
• 2017 High Ground News Article: "Grassroots efforts in Klondike Smokey City stem from one woman"
• "Celebrating heroism of Tom Lee, who saved lives on capsized steamboat 100 years ago" (Commercial Appeal)
• Tom Lee’s Centennial Celebration in Klondike (Choose 901)
• "Tom Lee museum, slave market memorial receive national funding" (The Daily Memphian)

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Memphis leads in many ways when it comes to healthcare, notably because of the institutions that are shaping the medical professionals of tomorrow.

Dr. Peter Buckley of University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) and Dr. Lewis Reich of Southern College of Optometry (SCO) stopped by the studio to share how their institutions in the Memphis Medical District are working to build an interdisciplinary workforce that is connected to the community in meaningful ways. Tune in to hear how they are planting seeds of success in Memphis and beyond!

Join New Memphis to hear from more leaders in the Memphis Medical District, in person at Celebrate What’s Right: Anchoring the Community on September 15!

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC)
• Southern College of Optometry (SCO)
• Memphis Medical District Collaborative (MMDC)
• Dr. Peter Buckley
• Dr. Lewis Reich
• Le Bonheur Children's Research Hospital
• UTHSC affiliated hospitals for patient care
• External degrees in partnership with SCO and Christian Brothers University (CBU)
• Health Smiles Initiative
• UTHSC Leads $53 Million Healthy Smiles Initiative to Increase Access to Dental Care Across Tennessee
• UT Health Science Center and Community Partners to Open Innovative Health Hub in Soulsville
• School Screening Program with SCO
• InfantSEE with SCO
• Top Doctors 2025
• Previous UTHSC Fall watch party
• Orleans Station Apartments
• S5E8 Art in the Park: More than a Monument
• Medical District Park
• Buy Local MMDC
• UT Health Science Center Receives Coveted R1 Designation

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Memphis is known for its creative and cultural identity, and one organization stands out as a champion for the creative sector. Over the last 10 years, UNAPOLOGETIC. has helped artists remain authentic while building resources and infrastructure to help their work remain authentically Memphis. This conversation with IMAKEMADBEATS and Kid Maestro explores the need for diversity in all sectors and how to turn what makes you different into your superpower.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Kid Maestro
• IMAKEMADBEATS
• UNAPOLOGETIC.
• Learn more about the 10 year anniversary of UNAPOLOGETIC. here, here, and here
• University of Memphis Recording Technology degree
• IMAKEMADBEATS 2019 TEDxMemphis Talk (learn more about the performance from The Memphis Flyer here)
• Celebrate What's Right: Growing the Creative Economy featuring Kid Maestro
• Orange Mound
• "Revitalizing Black Neighborhoods by Preserving Their History" The New York Times
• Memphis Music Initiative
• Music Export Memphis
• City of Memphis Welcomes DeMarcus Suggs as Director of Creative and Cultural Economy

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Meanwhile in Memphis conversations showcase collaboration in Memphis and beyond, and today's episode is part of a mini-series within the show: Legislately with Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris! This collaboration will bring together nationally-renowned experts and local leaders to amplify ways leaders in our community are learning, collaborating, innovating, and working to set Memphis and Shelby County up for success.

Today's installment features a conversation with Shelby County Commissioner Michael Whaley. Commissioner Whaley also serves as the Tennessee Director for Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE) where he empowers current and former educators to enhance their civic engagement and leadership skills. Commissioner Whaley is joining Mayor Harris to share insights on leadership lessons learned throughout various stages of his own journey and to offer tangible takeaways for leaders at every stage.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Legislately Episode 1: Unlocking a Future
• Legislately Episode 2: Common Ground
• Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE)
• Commissioner Michael Whaley
• Ernest Shackleton's ship Endurance
• South Georgia Island
• Elephant Island
• Memphis College Prep

This episode is made possible in partnership with Shelby County Government.

It’s often said that the “magic” of Memphis comes from its people. In this conversation, learn how an innovative organization (UMRF Ventures) is implementing a unique business model with unique solutions for building a talent pipeline: helping students build professional skills to kick-start careers by employing them before they graduate. UMRF Ventures CEO, Pierre Landaiche, and student employee, Marcus Jordan, share how this dynamic model is engaging students and companies to build — and keep — experienced professionals in Memphis. This episode originally aired on March 25, 2025

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• UMRF Ventures
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
• University of Memphis
• Renasant Convention Center
• Memphis Sports Hall of Fame
• The University of Memphis Research Foundation (UMRF)

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Leadership at the highest levels involves a lot of listening — to constituents, to peers, to other leaders. In today’s conversation, a group of local elected officials (Commissioner Miska Clay Bibbs, Commissioner Mickell Lowery, Memphis Shelby County Schools Board Member Michelle McKissack, Germantown Mayor Mike Palazzolo and Councilman JB Smiley) take to the mics to interview each other about what it looks like to lead in their roles, what drew them to pursue a path to public office, what motivates them to do the work, and what they hope will inspire other leaders to take an active role in the community.

This live event conversation was powered by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and Kroger.

Memphis is home to a world-class facility that's attracting regional and national events and tournaments but its primary role is to serve and create community right here in Memphis and Shelby County.

Joining us to share a peek behind the operations and the details of the economic impact of this work are JJ Greer (Memphis Sports Council) and Kiyla Glasper (Memphis Sports and Events Center).

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Memphis Tourism
• Memphis Sports Council
• Memphis Sports and Events Center
• Liberty Park Memphis
• Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
• Cooper Young Neighborhood
• SmokeSlam BBQ Festival
• Memphis in May
• Nike EYBL
• Veterans Golden Age Games
• Memphis VA
• Mike Rose Soccer Complex
• FedExForum
• Renasant Convention Center
• USA Basketball Stadium
• Memphis Zoo

This episode is made possible by Independent Bank.

Meet Memphians making meaningful change! Two Memphis organizations are creating reliable and replicable pathways for economic mobility by reshaping the way communities engage with vulnerable populations through both direct services and systems-level change, and their work is being studied in communities across the country. Kelcey Johnson (The Hospitality Hub) and Ashton Alexander (Community Alliance for the Homeless) join in conversation to dispel common myths and misconceptions about about economic mobility in Memphis while diving into the innovative ways their organizations — and many others — are collaborating to build a bright future for everyone.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• The Hospitality Hub
• Community Alliance for the Homeless
• Point-in-Time Count
• Youth Action Board
• Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• Memphis City Council
• Memphis Shelby County School Board
• Hub Hotel (Women's Shelter)
• Hub Studios
• Hub Hall (Youth Ages 18-24)
• Hub North (Family Campus)
• Representative Payee Program
• Dragonfly Collective
• Youth Housing Development Program (YHDP)
• Moxy Hotel
• Community Alliance Coordinated Entry System
• Memphis and Shelby County Homeless Consortium (MSCHC)
• The Body Keeps Score book
• Room in the Inn
• Catholic Charities of West Tennessee
• A few of the many previous episodes of Meanwhile in Memphis that reference homelessness in Memphis include: S4E39, S4E3, S4E2, and S3E45
• The KIND Podcast

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Meanwhile in Memphis conversations showcase collaboration in Memphis and beyond, and today's episode part of the mini-series within the show: Legislately with Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. This collaboration will continue to bring together nationally-renowned experts and local leaders to amplify ways leaders in our community are learning, collaborating, innovating, and working to set Memphis and Shelby County up for success.  

Today’s episode is the second installment of the Meanwhile in Memphis Legislately series, and the conversation illuminates the connections between local and federal government with Mayor Lee Harris and former Mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah, State Senator and Congressman, Ben McAdams.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• S5E23 Legislately Episode 1: Unlocking a Future
• Learn more about Ben McAdams here
• Memphis Shelby County Schools Underutilized or Vacant Buildings
• Shelby County Lowered Taxes
• Salt Lake County Government
• Putting Assets to Work
• Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT)
• Mayor Dickens of Atlanta, Georgia

This episode is made possible in partnership with Shelby County Government.

"It's ok to stand up for your city. There's a sense of ownership and with that comes both pride and sometimes frustration."

Memphis is a city worthy of championing! In today's conversation, we chat with fellow city champions John Carroll of City Leadership and David French of Memphis Brand to discuss why it's valuable, important, and necessary for there to be multiple organizations working toward a shared goal.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• City Leadership
• City Leadership's campaigns: Choose901, Teach901, Choose901 Alumni, Choose901 merch, Give901, and Serve901
• National Park Centennial celebration
• Memphis Brand
• We Are Memphis
• S5E24 A Responsibility and Opportunity to Honor, Educate, and Enhance
• S5E17 The Power of Partnership to Secure the Cleveland Street Corridor TIF
• Bring Your Soul
• Memphis Travel
• WREG's Bright Spot
• Subscribe for the New Memphis "Meanwhile in Memphis" newsletter, Choose901 newsletter, and We Are Memphis newsletter
• Follow New Memphis, City Leadership, and We Are Memphis on Instagram
• The Daily Memphian
• City of Memphis emails
• I Love Memphis Blog
• Rachel Knox of Hyde Foundation
• National Civil Rights Museum
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
• Carbon Capture
• Alex's Tavern
• The Four-Way

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Memphis is not only setting records, we're making them, too! We're taking a look at the state if the music industry Memphis is so well known for. Today's guests are shaping the way the world sees our city and its iconic culture. Matt Ross-Spang (Southern Grooves) and Brandon Seavers (Memphis Record Pressing) share why Memphis is the place to be right now and moving forward.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Memphis Listening Lab
• Memphis Record Pressing
• Southern Grooves Production
• 2023 TEDxMemphis talk from Matt Ross-Spang
• Ardent Studios
• Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me documentary
• Al Green
• WYXR
• Charles Hodges
• EgglestonWorks
• Andrew Scheps Lost in Translation
• Sun Studios
• Royal Studios

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Memphis is leading the way when it comes to connecting people, and today’s conversation on the Meanwhile in Memphis podcast dives into the ways two world-renowned organizations use the lens of history to build community, propel innovation, and shape the future of the city. Tune in to hear a conversation with Dr. Russell Wigginton (National Civil Rights Museum) and Pat Mitchell Worley (The Soulsville Foundation)!

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• National Civil Rights Museum
• Stax Museum of American Soul Music
• Beale Street Caravan
• WYXR
• Soulsville Foundation
• The Stax Music Academy
• The Soulsville Charter School
• The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
• Speaking Truth to Power: The Life of Bayard Rustin
• The International Coalition of Sites of Conscience
• Meet Pat Mitchell Worley with the Soulsville Foundation: 2024 CEO of the Year from Memphis Magazine
• My journey to the National Civil Rights Museum TEDxUIUC Talk by Dr. Russ Wigginton
• Dr. Wigginton speaks on importance of museums and libraries

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Meanwhile in Memphis conversations showcase collaboration in Memphis and beyond, and today's episode kicks off an exciting mini-series within the show: Legislately with Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris! This collaboration will bring together nationally-renowned experts and local leaders to amplify ways leaders in our community are learning, collaborating, innovating, and working to set Memphis and Shelby County up for success.   Today’s episode is the initial installment of the Meanwhile in Memphis Legislately series, and the conversation explores juvenile justice reform with Mayor Lee Harris and Yale Law professor, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and recent contributor to New York Times Magazine, James Forman, Jr.   Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Shelby County Government
• Locking Up Our Own: Crime and Punishment in Black America by James Forman
• New York Times article "What Happened When America Emptied Its Youth Prisons" by David Muhammad
• National Civil Rights Museum
• Memphis Shelby County Schools' Hope Academy
• The Youth Justice and Education Center
• Maya Angelou Academy @ DC Jail
• BreakFree Education with David Domenici
• Why Youth Incarceration Fails: An Updated Review of the Evidence from The Sentencing Project

This episode is made possible in partnership with Shelby County Government.

Every leader is only as good as their tool kit. Today we're learning about the unique educational assets available to our city's youngest leaders. Devon Harkins (Libertas School of Memphis; New Memphis 2024 Educator of Excellence) and Wynett Jones (Porter Leather's Books from Birth) share how early literacy sets the foundation for life-long success.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Libertas School of Memphis
• 2024 New Memphis Educators of Excellence
• Porter Leath
• Books From Birth
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
• Teach for America Memphis
• Montessori method of teaching
• Governor's Early Literacy Foundation
• Porter Leath's Early Head Start program
• Sylvester and The Magic Pebble
• K is for Kindness
• I am a Rainbow
• Social Determinants of Health
• The Little Engine That Could

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

New Memphis always says that our city's greatest resource is its people. Today we will be focusing in on one subset of the population and how they are poised to make the most impact. Join us as we take a look back to take a step forward. Longtime journalist Tom Jones and economics professor Dr. David Ciscel join us to share insights on the economic structure of Memphis, provide context for why specific decisions were made, and platform where Memphis has the economic advantage -- its young people!

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• The Advantage of Age in Memphis Magazine by Tom Jones
• David Ciscel LinkedIn
• David Ciscel ResearchGate
• Memphis Poverty Fact Sheet 2024
• Tom Lee Park
• Learn more about the 1979 Memphis Jobs Conference, convened by then-Gov. Lamar Alexander, here and here
• Tom Jones shares insights on urban sprawl
• Smart City Consulting

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Leadership has the power to transform — people, organizations, and communities. New Memphis recently hosted an in-person conversation spotlighting some impactful nonprofit leaders in new roles who are leading the organizations that are shaping the city’s future. These leaders are not new to the work but are new to their organizations, and today' we're going to share the conversation they had on stage to learn what led them to lead at the highest levels, how transition and transformation can go hand-in-hand, and how they hope to grow themselves and the city from here.

This episode features live audio from Celebrate What's Right: Leading the Next Chapters which took place on April 30, 2025, and features panelists: Bobby White (Leadership Memphis), Tomeka Hart Wigginton (United Way of the Mid-South), Anthony Young (Epicenter), and Sam O'Bryant (BRIDGES).

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• New Memphis
• Leadership Memphis
• United Way of the Mid-South
• Epicenter
• Bridges
• Frayser Community Schools
• Volunteer Memphis
• S4E33 Working Smarter: How MEM is a hub of innovation
• S4E7 Leadership at Every Age

This episode was made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

The Front Porch is providing a gathering place to rest, restore, and renew individually and holistically for the city. Becky Wilson (The Front Porch) and Angela Hamblen-Kelly (Baptist Centers for Good Grief) share how they hope this new venue will provide healing for all.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Baptist Centers for Good Grief
• The Front Porch
• Bridge Builders
• Memphis Zoo
• Second Baptist Church
• Dr. Brooks Ramsey
• Thistle & Bee
• Grove Music Academy
• 2nd Baptist Pumpkin Patch
• Sweet Lala's Bakery
• Archimania
• S2E36 The Intersection of Sweets and Service
• S2E16 Clean, Green Architect Machine
• Milla's House
• Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation
• Harvard School of Education "What is Causing Our Epidemic of Loneliness and How Can We Fix It?"

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

This conversation explores the importance of finding mentors, not pouring from an empty cup, and how to be both a champion in education and of education. Valen Warner (Memphis Literacy Institute; 2022 New Memphis Educator of Excellence) and Taylor Price (English and AP African American Studies Educator at East High School; 2024 New Memphis Educator of Excellence) share their experiences of continuing their education and creating pathways for mentorship.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Memphis Teacher Residency
• Memphis Literacy Institute
• S2E41 2022 Educator of Excellence: Valen Warner
• New Memphis Educator of Excellence
• New Memphis Stride
• New Memphis Teachers' Lounge
• Memphis Teacher Residency University
• National Board Certification
• Memphis Libraries

This episode was made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Vibrant communities are created through the "power of partnership." Hear how collaboration played a role in the creation (and approval!) of the Cleveland Street TIF with Todd Richardson ( Crosstown Concourse) and Andre Dean (Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church).

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Crosstown Concourse
• Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church
• State of Tennessee Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Program and EDGE TIF program uses
• Crosstown Concourse directory
• The Mound
• Live Nation's music venue, Satellite Music Hall
• Daily Memphian article Inside Cleveland Street’s 30-year $338M blight fight
• Memphis Business Journal's article New incentive could bring about Cleveland St. development boom
• Memphis Business Journal article City Council committee approves $127 million development district
• S5E9 Meeting on Common Ground with Public Spaces
• S5E13 Planning for People and Places
• Crosstown Concourse history which includes other Sears & Roebuck distribution center redevelopments in Seattle (Starbucks Headquarters), Atlanta (Ponce City Market), and Minneapolis (Midtown Exchange).
• Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)
• Crosstown Community Development Corporation (CDC)
• AAPI Heritage Month Memphis
• Uptown TIF
• Binghampton TIF
• Highland Ave. TIF
• Stax announces partnership for apprenticeship program at Satellite Music Hall groundbreaking
• Asian Night Market

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Explore how Memphis strategically blends economic development with the city's rich creative landscape to lay the foundation for long-term success. With the City's freshly creative Office of Creative and Cultural Economy (the fist of its kind in the city!) Memphis is modeling best practices got how a community can be intentional about investing in its artists, its institutions, and its future workforce.

This episode features live audio from Celebrate What's Right: Growing the Creative Economy which took place on April 8, 2025, and features panelists: DeMarcus Suggs (City of Memphis), Carissa Hussong (Metal Museum), Kid Maestro (UNAPOLOGETIC.), Rachel Knox (Hyde Family Foundation), and Derek Patterson (Contemporary Arts Memphis).

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• ARTSMemphis calendar
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee
• Kroger
• City Leadership
• City of Memphis' Office of Creative Cultural Economy
• Hyde Family Foundation
• Unapologetic.
• Kid Maestro
• Contemporary Arts Memphis (CAM)
• Metal Museum
• Cxffeeblack
• Memphis Music Initiative
• Collage Dance Collective
• Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre
• The Brooks Museum
• Sheet Cake Gallery
• Guns to Gardens
• Moore Tech
• Memphis Culture Coalition

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Great cities deserve great city plans, and Memphis 3.0 (the city's first comprehensive plan in 40 years!) is the product of research, partnership, and citywide passion. John Zeanah (Division of Planning and Development) and Christina Edingbourgh (City of Memphis) share the nuances of the plan, the importance of on-going collaboration, and why everyone has a part to play in the city's future.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Memphis 3.0
• About Memphis 3.0 (includes glossary or terms, FAQs and more)
• Memphis 3.0 Instagram
• Previous conversations that cover the topic of city and regional planning include S5E13 and S5E4
• City of Memphis Regional and
• Department of City and Regional Planning at University of Memphis
• Memphis 3.0 District Map
• Memphis 3.0 Data Dashboard
• City of Memphis Department of Buildings and Zoning
• Shelby County Government Land Use Control Board
• 5-year update of Memphis 3.0\
• City of Memphis Office of Community Affairs
• The Division of Housing & Community Development for City of Memphis

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"That is what records are, they are just evidence or proof that someone was here, that they had a statement, and that they left a mark on this world."

Curious about the journey of Crosstown Concourse's radio station? Dive into the vision of the founders Jared "JayB" Boyd and Robby Grant, the history of the station, and learn what role dialogue plays within that rich history. NOTE: This episode originally aired in October 2024.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• WYXR
• "Meanwhile in Memphis" on WYXR
• Crosstown Arts
• WFMU from New York
• WWOZ from New Orleans
• The Daily Memphian
• Beale Street Caravan
• The University of Memphis' The ROAR
• WYXR = The Reimagined WUMR
• Crosstown Concourse
• Anita Ward's "Ring My Bell"
• New Memphis Embark
• New Memphis Events
• The Link Up Memphis
• TEDxMemphis
• DJ Spanish Fly
• The Black Keys
• Raised By Sound Fest
• Power the progress of New Memphis and WYXR

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

City and regional planning is about more than getting people from Point A to Point B. These community plans become the neighborhoods and physical spaces that communities inhabit to live, work, play, learn, and thrive. Hear about the importance of collaboration in city planning from Dr. Charlie Santo (University of Memphis) and Rory Thomas (Memphis Medical District Collaborative).

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Memphis Medical District Collaborative
• Department of City and Regional Planning at University of Memphis
• Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan
• Previous episodes that cover topics mentioned in this episode include this and this
• Neighborhoods represented in the Memphis Medical District Collaborative (MMDC)
• The Heights CDC
• Memphis Slim House
• South Memphis Farmers Market
• Hard Times Deli
• Memphis Medical District Park
• The Tennessee Chapter of the American Planning Association.
• ULI Memphis Tommy Pacello Award

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

It’s often said that the “magic” of Memphis comes from its people. In this conversation, learn how an innovative organization (UMRF Ventures) is implementing a unique business model with unique solutions for building a talent pipeline: helping students build professional skills to kick-start careers by employing them before they graduate. UMRF Ventures CEO, Pierre Landaiche, and student employee, Marcus Jordan, share how this dynamic model is engaging students and companies to build — and keep — experienced professionals in Memphis.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• UMRF Ventures
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
• University of Memphis
• Renasant Convention Center
• Memphis Sports Hall of Fame
• The University of Memphis Research Foundation (UMRF)

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"You can complain about what you don't have or you can build what you want. If we want a prosperous Memphis, we can't expect anyone to give it to us. It is something that we have to work, spend our own blood, sweat, and tears to build. Whether it's a business, your career, or anything -- you can complain about it or you can build it." -- Alan Gumbel, COO of The Black Chamber of Memphis

Each Spring, Memphis spotlights some of the most celebrated restaurants in the city during Memphis Black Restaurant Week. This signature, week-long event shines a light on some of the most significant contributors to Memphis culture and to the local economy. This showcase was spearheaded by Cynthia Daniels, a local leader in the entertainment scene. Today, we’re revisiting a conversation about the impact of the work with Cynthia Daniels, and Chief Operating Officer of the Black Chamber of Memphis Alan Gumbel.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Black Chamber of Memphis (formerly known as the Black Business Association)
• Cynthia Daniels and Co.
• Delta Regional Authority
• Memphis Black Restaurant Week (celebrating 10 years in 2025)
• Cynthia Daniels and Co. signature events
• Soulful Food Truck Festival
• Memphis Vegan Festival
• Epicenter Memphis
• India Festival
• Greek Festival
• Italian Fest
• The Office of Business Diversity and Compliance 
• TN Small Business Development Center
• Black Chamber of Memphis programming
• Black Business Association Switches to Chamber of Commerce Model via The Memphis Flyer
• Black Chamber of Memphis Instagram
• Cynthia Daniels and Co. Instagram
• Mahogany River Terrace on Mud Island
• Oteka Technologies
• The Frosted Oven
• Alcenia's
• Brother Juniper's
• Interstate Barbecue
• Neely's Interstate Bar-B-Que

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"Year over year, we’ve established a goal where we want to reduce crime by overall by at least 10 percent each year and overall we want to have about a 40 percent reduction from where we were in 2023, and so fare we’re trending in the right direction." — Mayor Paul Young

The City of Memphis recently announced specific goals for reducing crime and a plan for increasing safety in the city. In this conversation with Mayor Paul Young shares some of the plan specifics, including...

• the city’s goals and how they were formed
• how Memphis is creating data transparency through Community Safety Dashboards
• how Memphis is collaborating with community partners to both address root causes and respond to trends

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• The City of Memphis
• Weekly Crime Trend Report
• Crime Analytics Dashboard
• Mayor Paul Young's newsletter
• Shelby County Government
• Heal 901
• Youth Villages
• BLOC Squad 901
• Joint Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement
• Memphis Police Department's Code Zero
• S3E42 S.W.I.T.C.H. Things Up a conversation with Memphis Allies and University of Memphis School of Law

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Memphis may not have any national parks, but our parks are getting national recognition. Whether you visit your neighborhood park or one of the city's signature green spaces, you can celebrate the role that collaboration, innovation, and community-centered planning play in making Memphis a vibrant place to live, work, and play. Two of the newest leaders in this work, Kaci Murley (Overton Park Conservancy) and Marcha Allen (Memphis Parks)share a peak behind the scenes to some of the city's most public spaces.

• Overton Park Conservancy
• Old Forest Trails
• Memphis Parks
• Previous conversations about parks include S5E4 "Connecting our City through Celebrate What's Right: Public Space for Common Good" and S3E52 "Power of Public Parks" and S5E5 "Preserving and Protecting Land for Generations to Come"
• City of Memphis Accelerate Memphis
• Play Your Park (PYP)
• Spring Break Mane Event
• Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association
• Overton Park Shell
• Metal Museum
• Tom Lee Park
• Memphis River Parks Partnership
• Tennis Memphis
• Citizens to Protect Overton Park v The State of Tennessee
• Save the Greensward
• Bloom 901
• Shelby Farms Park
• Overton Park Conservancy Master Plan
• Memphis Parks Master Plan
• Memphis Parks nationally accredited
• Memphis Zoo
• Brooks Museum of Art
• Overton Park research
• Lester Community Center
• Get involved with Memphis Parks
• Get involved with Overton Parks Conservancy

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

As Medical District Park unveils its newest asset, Lakeisha Edwards (UrbanArt Comission) and renowned artist Molly Gochman reveal the connection between this high-profile public space in the heart of Memphis and the community it serves. They share what led to the creation of an interactive sculpture that invites the community to rethink its relationship with monuments. See “Monuments to Motherhood” in Medical District Park, located in the heart of the Memphis Medical District. Did you know this project is only one example of the collaborative way UrbanArt Commssion intertwines creativity and community? Listen for ways you can play a role in public art selection — no artistic experience required!

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Molly Gochman
• Monuments to Motherhood podcast
• UrbanArt Commission
• Previous conversation with Lakeshia Edwards can be found here
• The Ukrainian Museum exhibit from Molly Gochman
• The Red Sand Project by Molly Gochman
• Monuments to Motherhood opening in Memphis
• Memphis Medical District Collaborative
• Health Sciences Park renamed Medical District Park
• Medical District Park
• Public art process
• A Confederate General's Remains Are Being Moved Out Of Memphis (NPR)
• Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike
• Art in Memphis International Airport

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

TEDx amplifies ideas worth sharing, and TEDxMemphis brings the big ideas coming out of Memphis to life on the stage! Today, we're sharing a few talks from the 2024 TEDxMemphis conference. We want to reiterate that each and every one of YOU has a unique idea that can spur innovation, create a dialogue, change the narrative, and champion causes.... but first.. you have to share that idea.

• Bill Seely's 2024 TEDxMemphis talk The power of school spirit
• Jil Jordan Greene's 2024 TEDxMemphis talk The Great Breakup: The real reason women are leaving their jobs
• McKinsey & Company's Women at Work Study
• Dwayne Jones' 2024 TEDxMemphis talk The tiny home revolution for affordable living
• Elliot Noss' 2024 TEDxMemphis talk How the internet can shape a city

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Why should organizations place collaboration above competition? Today we’re having a conversation about what can happen when organizations put the community first. Tonya Bradley-Parker (MIFA) and Megan Williams (Regional One Health) share how they collaborate and innovate to create sustainable solutions for the Mid-South.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Meals on Wheels
• MIFA
• MIFA’s Plus One program MLGW
• Regional One Health
• Complex Care Program at Regional One Health
• Elvis Presley Trauma Center at Regional One Health
• Firefighters Burn Center
• Sheldon B. Korones Newborn Center
• High-Risk Obstetrics Program at Regional One Health
• Aging Commission of the Mid-South
• Assisi Foundation
• International Council of Nurses with BBC — Caring with Courage
• 2024 Innovation Award Winner: One Health
• MIPhone Buddy and Clara's Companion Tablets with MIFA
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Regional One Health Foundation
• Involvement with Regional One Health Foundation
• Spring for a Meal with MIFA

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

How does conservation impact both today and the future? The state of Tennessee has a wealth of natural assets, and in today’s conversation, we’re learning about a recent investment that organizations at the state level made in West Tennessee to designate a new state forest just outside of Memphis. This exciting new project shines a light on the need for breadth and depth of collaboration to power progress at all levels, and we’re excited to share what this new level of investment means for Memphians!

Today we’re learning more about Wolf River State Forest, Tennessee’s 16th state forest that will open later this year. Our guests today will share the need for conservation on a local and state level, as well as highlight the natural resources and biodiversity of the great state of Tennessee.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• The Conservation Fund
• Wolf River State Forest
• Wolf River Conservancy
• The Wolf River
• Ghost River
• NAWCA Grants
• Wolf River Greenway
• TN Department of Environment and Conservation
• Conservation Easement
• S4E44 with Agricenter International and University of Memphis' ACRE program
• S3E49 with Ducks Unlimited
• TN Wildlife Resource Agency
• Dept of Agriculture
• Ames AgResearch and Education Center
• Protect Our Aquifer
• Memphis Sands Aquifer "Recharge Zone"

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

How do parks (and other shared spaces) make a city more connected and magnetic? In today's conversation, we're hear a conversation-from-the-stage about the nuances of SMART cities and how Memphis' enviable ecosystem of public spaces edges out the competition.

In this episode, you'll hear from: Jamal Bodie of Bloom Memphis, Nick Walker of Memphis Parks, Chandell Ryan of Downtown Memphis Commission, Billy Orgle of Tower Ventures, moderator, Barbara Hyde of The Hyde Family Foundation.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• New Memphis events
• Hyde Family Foundation
• Tower Ventures
• Downtown Memphis Commission
• Memphis Parks
• Bloom Memphis
• Tom Lee Park
• Memphis Parks CAPRA Accreditation

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

How can ideas transform the way people interact? Today we’re exploring what it means to create social change. Yesterday was MLK Day, a time that we celebrate, commemorate and honor the life, legacy and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As such, we felt it was a fitting time to reflect on ideas that, at their core, transform individuals and community.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• National Civil Rights Museum King Day celebrations
• Chris Street's TEDxMemphis Talk titled "Listen for a change "
• Playback Memphis
• View all 2024 TEDxMemphis talks here
• John Dunavant's TEDxMemphis talk titled "How to maximize your social impact"
• Washington National Cathedral
• Jacob Riis, who used photography as an agent of social reform
• Dr. Andrea Jacobo's TEDxMemphis talk titled "How collective grief kickstarts social change "
• Dr. Tequilla Brownie's TEDxMemphis talk titled "If college is the answer, what is the question?"
• Dr. SunAh Laybourn's TEDxMemphis talk titled "How Korean adoptees struggle to find belonging"

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Can your ideas create a brighter future for Memphis? In this conversation with Jessica Lotz (Innovate Memphis) and Antonio Adams (City of Memphis) we explore how Memphis is leading in innovation and how individual talent is note only seen but celebrated in creating a more prosperous future for the city.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Innovate Memphis
• Previous conversation with Innovate Memphis can be found here and here
• City of Memphis
• Using AI and Smart City Technology at the 2024 City Hackathon
• Memphis and Shelby County's Smart Memphis Plan
• Blue Suede Networks citywide fiber
• Fall 2024 City Hackathon and impact
• MemTech Lunch on January 29, 2025
• GiveCamp from February 21-23, 2025

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Do you know the areas in which the Memphis medical field is a leading innovator in lifesaving research being used across the globe? If your answer was “childhood cancer,” you are correct...but only partially!

Dr. Michelle Taylor (Shelby County Health Department) and Elizabeth Propst (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital) join us for a conversation to expand our understanding of the global innovations in public health that are needed to shape healthy communities and how those connect to Memphis and the Mid-South.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Connect to Protect (C2P)
• End HIV 901
• St. Jude Children's Research's HIV Program
• Shelby County Health Department
• The Memphis Flyer's August 2024 article about HIV/Syphilis surge
• The Daily Memphian's July 2024 article about HIV/Syphilis surge
• Hope House
• Friends for All Memphis
• Partnership to End AIDS Status (PEAS)
• CHOICES
• Tennessee General Assembly 2012 "Gateway Law"
• Planned Parenthood
• Community Care Fairs

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"You borrow things from your neighbors, and the library is everyone's neighbor. We lend you our books, our space; why not lend other stuff, too?"

They say don’t judge a book by the cover, but what about libraries? Memphis is full of unique libraries that create access and opportunity, not only for knowledge, but experiences. Today we’re chatting with Anthony Lucatelli and Jenna Pertl of Memphis Public Libraries to share about the access made possible through collaboration, specifically their Library of Things.

It's a perfect (warm!) outing for all Memphians this winter break!

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Memphis Public Libraries
• Library of Things
• Seed Library
• Cloud901 Teen Learning Lab
• Youth Action Council
• BRIDGES
• Leadership at Every Age
• Language Learning at Memphis Public Libraries
• Cossitt Library
• LINC 2-1-1
• Memphis Library Foundation
• Friends of the Library
• Memphis Area Legal Services
• Memphis and Shelby County Room

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

How do you continue to grow what you know? With 96 acres, 30 specialty gardens, and a tropical plant house that opened earlier this year, Memphis Botanic Garden offers the people of all ages and interests opportunities for education, relaxation, and connection. Olivia Wall and Gina Harris drop by to share the role the gardens play in experiential learning for all, all year long.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Memphis Botanic Garden (MBG)
• Holiday Wonders at Memphis Botanic Garden
• MBG Specialty Gardens
• Youth Education and Tropical Plant House
• Live at the Garden

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Do our first years really determine the rest of our lives? 

Dr. Kandace Thomas of First 8 Memphis and Kimberly Carter of Brilliant Minds Child Development Center share how infant mental health impacts children and those caring for them. First 8 Memphis conducted a to glean data directly from those in our community, and some of the findings may surprise you.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• First 8 Memphis
• Tennessee Department of Children's Services
• NEXT Memphis
• Tennessee Early Childhood programs
• First 8 Memphis Leadership Council
• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
• Pre-Kindergarten readiness
• Sweet Cheeks Diaper Ministry
• Habitat for Humanity

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

When is the last time you connected with someone who looks, acts, or thinks differently than you? Today we're exploring how being different can be a superpower. Memphis is a vibrant community made up of out-of-the-box thinkers, countless creatives, and innovators who march to the beat of their own drums. In today's episode we'll hear from three TEDxMemphis speakers who shared impactful ideas that shine a light on the power of perspective and the magic that can happen when we're curious.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Subscribe to "Meanwhile in Memphis"
• Victoria Erdel Garcia's 2024 TEDxMemphis talk titled "Not Your (Neuro)typical TEDx Talk"
• David Quarles IV's 2024 TEDxMemphis talk titled "How my synesthesia helps me design"
• Dr. Jasmine "Jaz" Gray's 2024 TEDxMemphis talk titled "The face of disfigurement"
• View all of the 2024 TEDxMemphis talks here
• neurodiversity definition
• synesthesia definition

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

What is a nonprofit? As we were gearing up for the super bowl of our sector (aka Giving Tuesday), we realized we needed to cover the fundamentals of nonprofits. What makes these organizations unique? Who governs them? How do they operate? We’re getting answers to all of these questions and more with Tennessee Nonprofit Network's Kevin Dean.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Tennessee Nonprofit Network
• "I was told there would be snacks..." A Nonprofit Podcast
• Hope House
• Literacy Midsouth
• National Council of Nonprofits
• University of Memphis' Institute for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership
• CARES Act 2020
• Memphis Zoo
• Arrow Creative
• Hattiloo Theatre
• Children's Museum of Memphis
• LiveGive MidSouth
• Community Foundation
• Volunteer Odyssey
• New Memphis activation work

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Do you need to see it to be it? In this conversation, we’re taking a closer look at the impact of quality educators on student academic success, and the role that mentorship and representation play in preparing leaders for their future. LaDerrick Williams (2024 Educator of Excellence) and Dr. Michael Brown (ManUp Teaching Fellowship) share the their insights.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• New Memphis Educators of Excellence
• Alumni Holiday Party
• ManUp Teaching Fellowship
• Brown v. Board of Education
• Memphis Shelby County Schools
• Memphis Education Fund
• Hear from Memphis Education Fun in a previous conversation here
• Educators! Our friends at EndorsED Strategies Group are convening a conversation centered around advice-sharing and network-building, and we hope to see you in the room on December 12! Register here to save your seat!
• Hear from Dr. Washington and another New Memphis Educator of Excellence in a previous conversation here

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

What does it look like for wrap-around resources to be readily accessible? In today's conversation, we're taking a look at a an innovative collaboration that challenges us to expand our understanding of what it can look like to build community by meeting people where they are -- at home. Affordable housing can provide so much more than a residence, but rather a home and a community of supports. Joining us to share more about the ways Memphis - and Memphians - are leading in this work are Ephie Ballard Johnson of Neighborhood Christian Centers, Inc. and Sarah Jemison of ALCO Management.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• ALCO Mangament
• Neighborhood Christian Centers, Inc.
• Ephie's previous conversation with us can be found here
• Foote Home Renovation
• Chickasaw Place Apartments

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Where is agriculture's place within urban communities? Today we're digging deep to find the root of the unique relationship between our thriving city and its perfectly planted location to grow and study crops. Did you know? Memphis is Ag Tech capital of the world and is leading, both locally and globally, when it comes to research, ag tech, and agribusiness.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• University of Memphis ACRE
• University of Memphis institute invests in agri-STEM research to grow the economy, prepare for the future.
• Agricenter International
• MANRRS
• AgTech in Memphis
• AgLaunch
• EpiCenter and AgTech

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Today is November 5, 2024, so happy election day, Memphis! We want to make sure you have made your voice heard by casting your vote this election season. Whether you early voted or will be headed to your designated polling location TODAY, we want to be sure you have everything you need to vote with confidence. Happy voting!

What does the path to public office look like at the local level? New Memphis recently hosted a live event at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art to explore this question and more...and we're bringing audio from the event to your inbox today! In a series of short, nonpartisan conversations in which elected officials interviewed each other, this week's episode gives some insight into what drew some our community's leaders – from mayors to State Representatives – to serve in public office, what motivates them to do the work, and what they hope will inspire other leaders to take an active role in the community.

Additional resources to utilize include:

• Sample ballot for the 2024 election
• Find your designated polling location here
• S3E34: "Rock the Vote: Ballot Basics 101" on the importance of voting
• S3E39: "On the Record: Ballot Basics 102" on the role of journalism in politics
• New Memphis is proud to partner with Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE), a diverse, nonpartisan network of equity-minded leaders, to connect you to the training and tools that can get you ready to lead in public office or organize in your community.
• City of Memphis Mayor Paul Young
• Shelby County Commissioner Brandon Morrison
• School Board Representative Amber Huett-Garcia
• State Representative Torrey Harris
• Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank

What does it look like to create socioeconomic mobility for all young people? Today we’re taking a closer look at the realities young people face in creating pathways to economic success. In doing so, we will hear from both sides of this equation — the employer and resource creator, Sarah Lockridge Steckel, and a young adult who has experienced the resources of The Collective Blueprint, Shyana Brown. Together, they will share the impact of workforce readiness and and why economic mobility should be attainable for all.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Celebrate What's Right: Public Space for Common Good
• New Memphis Digital Communications Survey (tell us how we're doing!)
• The Collective Blueprint
• Tech Collective program with The Collective Blueprint
• AmeriCorps VISTA
• S4E28 Maximizing Impact
• Career Experience program with The Collective Blueprint
• Tech901
• Cross Purpose and upstream impact in Denver

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

How does real estate development contribute to the momentum of the local economy? Chance Carlisle (River City Momentum Fund) joins us in the studio to discuss local projects, the need for a new collaborative capital fund, and the overall impact of real estate developments. Building a more prosperous and vital city rich with talented professionals cannot be a reality without residential and commercial real estate. Learn more about where Memphis stands in comparison to other cities, how the process for development projects differs, and more in this conversation.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Celebrate What's Right: Public Space for Common Good
• Carlisle Corporation
• River City Momentum Fund
• One Beale
• The Landing Residences
• The Hyatt Centric
• The Chisca on Main
• Catherine and Mary's
• The Oliver
• The Rise
• Tennessee Brewery
• PILOT Program
• The Sheraton project

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"That is what records are, they are just evidence or proof that someone was here, that they had a statement, and that they left a mark on this world."

Today we’re taking it back to the very beginning of our journey with WYXR. We will hear from our friends at the radio station about who they are, the history of the station, what New Memphis’ role is within that rich history, and the importance of not only archiving musical history but lifting voices into the narrative. Memphis really does have a sound... a_re you listening?_

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• WYXR
• "Meanwhile in Memphis" on WYXR
• Crosstown Arts
• WFMU from New York
• WWOZ from New Orleans
• The Daily Memphian
• Beale Street Caravan
• The University of Memphis' The ROAR
• WYXR = The Reimagined WUMR
• Crosstown Concourse
• Anita Ward's "Ring My Bell"
• New Memphis Embark
• New Memphis Events
• The Link Up Memphis
• TEDxMemphis
• DJ Spanish Fly
• The Black Keys
• Raised By Sound Fest
• Power the progress of New Memphis and WYXR

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

What do individuals need from their built environment in order to not just survive but thrive? In this episode, we are discussing housing solutions and the need to have access to safe, affordable, reliable housing options. The champions of this work are not only assisting individuals but also impacting future policy for housing solutions.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Memphis Public Interest Law Center
• The Black Clergy Collaborative of Memphis
• The Greater Memphis Housing Justice Project
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (also referred to as HUD)
• Guide to Eviction Court
• Social Determinants of Health (which includes Built Environment)
• Dwayne Spencer's 2023 TEDxMemphis Talk titled "What My Childhood in Substandard Housing Taught Me About Health"

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

What could Memphis look like if we from imagination to activation? Hear from leaders at Seeding Success and More for Memphis about how collaboration is the key to working toward a better Memphis together.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Celebrate What's Right: Public Space for Common Good
• New Memphis Digital Communications Survey
• Seeding Success
• More for Memphis
• The More for Memphis Plan
• Playhouse on the Square
• Choose901
• First 8 Memphis
• Porter Leath
• Start Co.
• EDGE
• Greater Memphis Chamber
• More for Memphis Letter of Support

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

What supports are in place for students and faculty stressors? Hear from Dr. Jessi Gold (UTHSC and University of Tennessee) and Dr. Justin Lawhead (University of Memphis) about how universities are intentionally creating access to resources for help-seekers in a culture of competition among highly competitive world of undergraduate and graduate students and faculty. Demonstrating a community of care translates into all areas of workforce development and helps retain talented, connected changemakers to the city.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• TEDxMemphis
• University of Memphis
• Dr. Justin Lawhead
• Dr. Jessi Gold
• UTHSC
• University of Tennessee
• Frosh Camp
• "How Do You Feel" by Dr. Jessi Gold
• New Memphis activation work

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Do you know the areas in which the Memphis medical field is a leading innovator in lifesaving research being used across the globe? If your answer was “childhood cancer,” you are correct...but only partially! Dr. Michelle Taylor (Shelby County Health Department) and Elizabeth Propst (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital) join us for a conversation to expand our understanding of the global innovations in public health that are needed to shape healthy communities and how those connect to Memphis and the Mid-South.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Memphis 101 on September 17
• TEDxMemphis on September 28
• Shelby County Health Department
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's HIV Program
• End HIV 901
• Connect 2 Protect (C2P)
• Memphis Flyer's August article on HIV/Syphilis surge
• The Daily Memphian's July article on HIV/Syphilis surge
• Hope House
• Friends for All
• Partnership to End AIDS Status (PEAS)
• CHOICES
• Tennessee General Assembly 2012 "Gateway Law"
• Planned Parenthood
• Community Care Fairs

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Does volunteering really matter? In today's fast-paced culture of instant news cycles and drive-thru living, is setting aside time to invest my time and talent (not just my treasures) really impactful? Lori Evans of Junior League of Memphis and Jeremy Park of cityCURRENT share how volunteerism is the backbone of thriving cities and how to not only find but also power the good in Memphis.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Teachers' Lounge
• Memphis 101
• TEDxMemphis
• Junior League of Memphis
• Regional One Health
• cityCURRENT
• New Memphis Fellows
• New Memphis LDI
• Junior League's Repeat Boutique
• WLOK
• Hope House
• Children's Museum of Memphis
• Volunteer Odyssey
• S3E11 "Let's Go VTO"
• S3E9 "Mobilizing Members to Impact Memphis"

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"We all have these tools inside of us, we just need to learn how to use them."

What if something you rarely think about had the power to transform your life and your health? As a supplement to medically based healthcare, mindful wellness programs can have a positive impact on productivity, effectiveness, and the general health of individuals, organizations, and communities. Joining us to talk about that today are Taylor Sommerville founder of Symmetry and Kemp Conrad, Principal at Commercial Advisors. We cover everything from breathing techniques and the importance of "The Symmetry Six" to how mouth-taping might be the key to more restful sleep.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Teachers' Lounge
• Memphis 101
• TEDxMemphis
• Cushman Wakefield Commercial Advisors
• Symmetry
• XPT
• Contrast Therapy ("heat or fie and ice")
• Blue Zones
• "Live to 100: Secrets of Blue Zones" on Netflix
• Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR)
• The Health & Human Performance Foundation
• PURE Academy
• Breathing for Kids resource
• Jaws: The Story of a Hidden Epidemic book
• Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art book
• Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams book
• "The Breathing Diabetic" website and Instagram
• What Doesn't Kill Us: How Freezing Water, Extreme Altitude, and Environmental Conditioning Will Renew Our Lost Evolutionary Strength book

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

_ "When you empower Memphians to be innovators, you solve Memphis problems becasue you see what you're closest to."_

Is Memphis fertile ground for innovators? Entrepreneurship is rooted in innovation and job creation, two things that are critical to economic development and economic mobility. We’re chatting with experts on how collaboration and access are transforming the ways that Memphians are moving and shaking whole industries. Joining us for this conversation are Anthony Young of Epicenter Memphis and Audrey Willis of Code Crew to dig deeper into how collaboration and training can prepare a pipeline of talented individuals to live, work, play, and thrive right here in the 901.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Teachers' Lounge on September 10
• Memphis 101 on September 17
• TEDxMemphis: The miXtape
• Epicenter Memphis
• Code Crew
• LITE Memphis
• Junior Achievement
• Previous conversation S3E30 on the ethics of AI
• Audrey Willis was named as the Community Leader of the Year in Memphis magazine's MEMTech Awards
• Congressional App Challenge
• Code Crew's Annual Hackathon
• ZeroTo510
• Patents2Products Post-Doc program at The University of Memphis
• Frayser Connect
• MedHaul

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

As a new school year begins, we want to take a deeper dive into the data of where Memphis is shining in the education sector, what challenges are at play, and how creative solutions are being implemented. To do this, we will be referencing the 2024 Memphis State of Education Report created by Memphis Education Fund.

Tune in to get fired up about opportunities to create solutions for the future of Memphis.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Memphis Education Fund
• 2024 Memphis State of Education Report
• Memphis Lift
• TennesseeCAN
• Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) Formula
• Memphis Shelby County Schools Volunteer information
• Memphis Shelby County Schools
• Department of Education TN

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

On the heels of a sold out New Memphis Leadership Summit last week, it got us thinking about other leadership lessons we’ve learned along the way. Some have come from amazing facilitators, others from workshops, and more still from the TEDxMemphis stage.

As Memphis gears up for another TEDx event on September 28, we wanted to focus in on a few of the lessons that are not only impactful to leadership at every stage, but also lessons for community activation and growth.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• 2024 TEDxMemphis on September 28
• Leslie Lynn Smith's 2016 TEDxMemphis Talk
• Ariana Glantz's 2020 TEDxMemphis Talk
• Eso Tolson's 2021 TEDxMemphis Talk
• Purchase tickets for 2024 TEDxMemphis here
• New Memphis leadership development programs
• Spillit "Marathon Not a Sprint" on August 22
• Memphis 101 on September 17

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"You shouldn't have to travel outside of our city to have this multi-dimensional experience and playground, and I like to nickname it the multiverse of Memphis."

How do global technological advancements impact local entertainment and tourism? It may come as no surprise, but Memphis is once again at the forefront of trends in the entertainment industry. The tech-savvy team behind Baron Von Opperbean and The River of Time joins us for a behind-the-scenes conversation about the diverse range of local talent coming together to blend technology, artistry, history and imagination to build an innovative, immersive experience that's reflective of the Buff City in more ways than one!

Tune in to hear how this innovative amenity is putting Memphis on the map for traveling adventure-seekers and locals alike!

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Live From Memphis
• Baron Von Opperbean and The River of Time
• BVO: Quadrant 360
• Downtown Memphis Commission
• Christopher Reyes
• What is extended reality? via Forbes magazine
• Mud Island's Mississippi River Museum
• Memphis River Parks Partnership (MRPP)
• Tom Lee Park
• City Museum in St. Louis, Missouri
• Meow Wolf Immersive Art Exhibitions
• Libertyland
• Area 15
• Afrofuturism

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"We knew that we had an opportunity to be the difference. It is a challenge for those 18 to 25 years old currently; I need them to see themselves [in their elected officials]. They have the opportunity to be the change."

It is election season, mane! This topic is mission critical all year long, but the need for courageous conversations is always heightened during this season. We're chatting with Shelby County Commission Chairwoman Miska Clay Bibbs about the nuances of the job, the need activation, and where and how citizens of Memphis and Shelby County can take that action.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Previous episodes focusing on civic opportunities include: Rock the Vote: Ballot Basics 101, On The Record: Ballot Basics 102, and A Conversation with Elected Officials
• State and federal primary and county general elections are just around the corner._ _For election details and a sample ballot, click here.
• Shelby County Commissioners
• Memphis Shelby County School Board
• Five Black women advance to general election, changing landscape of Shelby County Commission
• Teach for America Memphis
• Teach Plus
• New Memphis Fellows and LDI programs
• Memphis Challenge
• John Gaston Hospital that became Regional One Health
• Michael Whaley will be the next chairman of Shelby County Commission
• Contact information for Chairwoman Clay Bibbs includes email Miska.ClayBibbs@shelbycountytn.gov and phone number 901-222-1000

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"If we're looking at long term solutions, the changes need to be within the systems that prevent people from realizing the opportunities they can have."

How would our city change if we collaborated more? New Memphis convened a series of  conversations with leaders from three visionary organizations who are revolutionizing the way Memphis develops and implements solutions. Hear how these big visions for big change are coming to life and learn how you can get involved to amplify access in this week's episode!

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• New Memphis Leadership Summit on August 9, 2024
• TEDxMemphis on September 28, 2024
• More for Memphis
• Slingshot Memphis
• The Collective Blueprint
• S4E18 Explore the Experiences
• BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"You borrow things from your neighbors, and the library is everyone's neighbor. We lend you our books, our space; why not lend other stuff, too?"

They say don’t judge a book by the cover, but what about libraries? Memphis is full of unique libraries that create access and opportunity, not only for knowledge, but experiences. Today we’re chatting with Anthony Lucatelli and Jenna Pertl of Memphis Public Libraries to share about the access made possible through collaboration, specifically their Library of Things.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• New Memphis Leadership Summit
• TEDxMemphis 2024
• Memphis Public Libraries
• Library of Things
• Seed Library
• Cloud901 Teen Learning Lab
• Youth Action Council
• BRIDGES
• S4E7 "Leadership at Every Age"
• Language Learning at Memphis Public Libraries
• Cossitt Library
• Memphis Botanic Garden
• S4E16 "Not-So-Secret Garden"
• UT Agricultural Extension Office
• The Works Inc.
• S4E26 "Full Bellies and Full Hearts"
• LINC 2-1-1
• Memphis Library Foundation
• Friends of the Library
• Memphis Area Legal Services
• Memphis Shelby County Room

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"The need is there; people are hungry. We will continue to provide resources, but we have to also figure out a way to truly make it attainable with the education piece and policy, too. We continue to be reactive rather than proactive... food should be a true right attainable to everyone."

New Memphis has had several conversations about how social determinants of health all rely on each other for optimal community health. Research indicates a link between chronic diseases — such as heart disease, cancer, asthma, diabetes, and kidney disease — and low food security. This topic is often discussed around the holiday season, but it is of critical importance during the summer months, particularly for youth.

Joining us to discuss the essential stopgaps as well as what is needed to address basic, structural problems, are Ann Perry Wallace of First Congo and Karen Bernard of The Works Inc.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Memphis 101 on July 11
• 2024 New Memphis Leadership Summit on August 9
• 2024 TEDxMemphis on September 28
• Memphis-Shelby County Schools Nutrition Services' Summer Meal Program through August 2, 2024. For a full list of participating sites, text "SummerMeals" to 97779, call 1-866-348-6479 or visit SCSK12.org/summermeals.
• MIFA's Meals on Wheels programming for seniors
• The Memphis Dream Center food resources
• The Memphis Flyer article "The Fight for Food"
• The Works, Inc
• First Congo Church
• Meanwhile in Memphis S3E47
• Food Swamps vs Food Deserts
• Mid-South Food Bank
• Mid-South Food Bank's Mobile Pantry
• South Memphis Farmers Market
• Meanwhile in Memphis S3E11

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

What does the path to public office look like at the local level? New Memphis recently hosted a live event at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art to explore this question and more...and we're bringing audio from the event to your inbox today! In a series of short, nonpartisan conversations in which elected officials interviewed each other, this week's episode gives some insight into what drew some our community's leaders – from mayors to State Representatives – to serve in public office, what motivates them to do the work, and what they hope will inspire other leaders to take an active role in the community.

Additional resources to utilize include:

• S3E34: "Rock the Vote: Ballot Basics 101" on the importance of voting
• S3E39: "On the Record: Ballot Basics 102" on the role of journalism in politics
• New Memphis is proud to partner with Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE), a diverse, nonpartisan network of equity-minded leaders, to connect you to the training and tools that can get you ready to lead in public office or organize in your community.
• City of Memphis Mayor Paul Young
• Shelby County Commissioner Brandon Morrison
• School Board Representative Amber Huett-Garcia
• State Representative Torrey Harris
• Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Whether or not you're a sports fan, there is something we can all learn from the way a team functions. Luckily for Memphis, there are some dedicated city champions who are working collaboratively to help the community evolve. Not only are they working to attract global sporting talent for locally-hosted events, they also work hard every day to shine a light on the city where the champions want to play: Memphis.

Today's guests are:

• Joe Tomek | Executive Director, FedEx St. Jude Championship
• JJ Greer | Director, Memphis Tourism's Sports Council

Related Episodes and Resources include:

• S4E15: The Heartbeat of the City
• S3E53: Trust the Process
• Memphis Sports and Events Center
• TPC Southwind
• Leftwich Tennis Center
• The Links at Galloway
• PGA's Equipment Grant Program
• Memphis Sports Experience & Hall of Fame

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"We do see real estate breathe new life into communities and neighborhoods where they go."

How do residential and commercial real estate work together to create an attainable city? Hear what makes our city attractive to investors, renters, home-owners, and varied industries alike as Landon Williams and Worth Jones share trends, barriers, and exciting projects on the horizon.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• New Memphis Summer Experience
• New Memphis Leadership Summit
• New Memphis Fellows
• Landon Williams of Cushman Wakefield Commercial Advisors
• Worth Jones of Ware Jones Realtors
• Learn more about adaptive reuse in our conversation here.
• MBJ's Top 40 under 40
• F3 Memphis
• Advance Memphis
• Memphis Teacher Residency
• Wolf River Conservancy
• Memphis Inner City Rugby (BONUS: Learn more about MICR in our conversation here)
• Memphis ranks above D.C., Chicago, Philadelphia and more in list of Top Metros in the U.S.
• Shelby Farms Park and Memphis River Parks (BONUS: Learn more about our city's 3 signature parks in our conversation here)
• Memphis Botanic Gardens
• Dixon Gallery and Gardens
• Crosstown Concourse
• The Standard in Germantown
• NorthSide Square
• Orange Mound Library in the space of former Melrose High building
• Blue Oval City
• Memphis as a hub for Black Tech Talent
• Liberty Park

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Does behavior and mindset impact medical outcomes? We discuss how holistic care is a critical piece of the healthcare sector with Leighanne Soden of the West Cancer Foundation and Dr. Marian Levy of The University of Memphis' School of Public Health. Together they share the confidence-building the resources available to Mid-South patients and caregivers that provide grow confidence and take back their own story from their diagnosis.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Celebrate What's Right: Big Visions for Big Change
• New Memphis Leadership Summit
• University of Memphis School of Public Health
• West Cancer Foundation
• Dr. Marian Levy
• She to Sea
• Ride to Rosemary
• West Fight On

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"As a kid I spent so much time trying to not be different, but I finally realized being different is my superpower."

Today's conversation takes a closer look at inclusive, healthy communities -- how they're created, why visible leadership is critical, and their impact to city livability. For communities to thrive, all members must be valued, safe, and respected. Renee Parker Sekander and Fire Chief Gina Sweat share their experiences in their respective career paths, the economic impact of diverse communities, and what it means to be visible advocates of inclusion.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Renee Sekander named City of Memphis LGBTQ+ Liaison
• Gina Sweat named City of Memphis first female Fire Chief in 2016
• OUTMemphis
• Friends for All
• TN Equality Project
• The Queer Joy Project
• Previous "Meanwhile in Memphis" podcast conversations about equality and inclusion can be found here, here, and here.

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"There is an age where [young people] stop believing they can do anything and start to develop language about comparison. We need mentors, who are not the parent or caregiver, there to help young people grow in self respect, develop resiliency, and get back to believing in themselves."

Do extracurricular activities impact student success in the classroom? Giving young people tools to manage stress, reach goals, and create community early in life is helping the next generation of Memphis leaders focus on total wellness.

LeaRaya Cole and Joanna Lipman share how their respective organizations are keeping young people's social, emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing in check to ensure a lifetime of success both inside the classroom and in the game of life.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Celebrate What's Right: Big Visions for Big Change on June 11
• Bevo Boys Fitness Academy
• Coach Kenny
• Memphis Amateur Sports Hall of Fame
• Girls on the Run Memphis
• New Memphis activation work
• volunteer opportunities with Bevo Boys Fitness Academy
• volunteer for Girls on the Run Memphis
• Donate to Bevo Boys here
• Donate to Girls on the Run Memphis here

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"The stakes are so high, and it's very easy for educators to get overwhelmed and burnt out with things often outside the locus of their controls. You really need to build some sustainability in order to persist in the classroom, and that's where our organizations come in."

If educators support students, who is supporting the educators?_ _Hear about the resources available to local educators to ensure their cups are overflowing before they pour into scholars at their schools.

Taylor Cao of Teach901 and Erin Wendell of New Memphis, both former classroom educators, are focused on how to retain and refresh quality Mid-South educators to ensure the next generation of leaders is equipped, connected, and informed.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Celebrate What's Right: Big Ideas for Big Change
• Teach901
• New Memphis Stride program for early-career educators
• Teachers' Lounge
• Educators of Excellence Awards
• City Leadership
• Memphis Teacher Residency
• Teach901 events
• SOS
• Kinfolk
• Comeback Coffee
• National Civil Rights Museum
• MSCS increases educator pay
• local educator discounts
• Memphis Literacy Institute
• Chalkbeat
• Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER Funds)
• MSCS volunteer form

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

What if we could see roadblocks in advance and navigate to a smoother path? Slingshot's MemWorks initiative is utilizing data to discover roadblocks hindering the local workforce, and collaborating with organizations like Soulsville Charter School to create solutions to move the community forward.

Josh Gettys of Slingshot Memphis and Maya Robinson of Soulsville Charter School share what the data shows, how that impacts the community today, and the plans for the future.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• 2024 Summer Experience
• Celebrate What's Right: Big Visions for Big Change on June 11
• Slingshot Memphis
• Slingshot's MemWorks initiative
• Soulsville Charter School
• Roadblock #1: Aptitude Alignment
• Soulsville's Summer Growth Experience (SGE) for high school students
• Baptist Memorial Healthcare "Crash Course Camp"
• MDRC
• MMDC

This episode is powered by Independent Bank.

What does it mean to learn, lead, and leave a legacy? New Memphis understands that the leaders of tomorrow are created in the classroom today through the transformative power of education. Empowering and educating youth is one way that our city continues forward momentum.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week, Memphis!

In this conversation with newly appointed Memphis Shelby County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Marie Feagins, we take a look at her plan, witness her passion, and hear examples of her "whole soul" leadership style.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• New Memphis Instagram
• New Memphis Stride program
• Nominate for Stride here
• New Memphis Educator of Excellence Award
• Dr. Feagins appointed as MSCS Superintendent
• Greater Memphis Chamber
• Greater Memphis Chamber Chairman's Circle
• Habitat for Humanity
• MSCS Infrastructure

Celebrate What's Right: A Conversation with the Superintendent was powered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee. Please note that this conversation originally took place to a sold-out audience on April 23, 2024.

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

How do you continue to grow what you know? With 96 acres, 30 specialty gardens, and a brand new tropical plant house, Memphis Botanic Garden offers the people of all ages and interests opportunities for education, relaxation, and connection.

Olivia Wall and Gina Harris drop by to share how the Youth Education and Tropical Plant House is a unique regional asset and what role the gardens play in experiential learning for all.

Recourses mentioned in this episode include:

• Teacher Appreciation Week
• Teachers' Lounge on May 7
• Memphis Botanic Garden
• Specialty gardens
• Youth Education and Tropical Plant House
• Live at the Garden

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

What does it really mean to champion your city? Tune in to today's conversation to hear how leaders are able to thrive in Memphis inside arenas, on fields, and most importantly, in their connections with others. Today's guests are Chandell Ryan from the Downtown Memphis Commission and Jason Mims from Memphis 901FC.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Memphis 901FC
• Downtown Memphis Commission
• Our previous conversation with Chandell Ryan
• Cancer Kickers
• The Memphis Redbirds
• 100 North Main
• Sterick Building
• Brooks Museum of Art
• Renasant Convention Center
• Downtown Memphis Commission Instagram
• Memphis 901FC Instagram
• Tom Lee Park
• Birdies
• Memphis in May
• AAPI Heritage Month

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

What happens when a community takes chance on second chances? Ellen Zahariadis of the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County and Dominique Winfrey-McKinnie of Shelby County Mayor's Office of Innovation share how their new project is creating meaningful experiences and increasing empathy for animals and humans alike in this week's episode. With dogs being utilized in hospitals, schools, and more for their therapeutic benefits, we'll dive deeper into how "man's best friend" is continuing to provide purpose, confidence, and joy.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County
• Humane Society Services and Programs
• Shelby County Office of Re-Entry
• The Memphis Flyer's article "Pawsitive Training Benefits Shelter Dogs and Incarcerated Women"
• "Our Faithful Comeback" via Shelby County Mayor's Office during the pandemic
• William "Fry" Arnold's TEDxMemphis Talk and subsequent conversation with us
• DeAndre Brown's conversation with us
• Josh Spickler's TEDxMemphis Talk and previous conversation with us
• Allegiance Canine
• 901 Student Passport

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"The first eight years really determine so much about our life in the future. Most of our brain growth and development happens in the first five years of life. Then at eight, there's a lot of research that shows that, good or bad, we have a general sense of how someone's life will be like as adults."

Dr. Kandace Thomas of First 8 Memphis and Kimberly Carter of Brilliant Minds Child Development Center share how infant mental health impacts children and those caring for them. First 8 Memphis conducted a landscape survey to glean data directly from those in our community, and some of the findings may surprise you.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• First 8 Memphis
• NEXT Memphis
• Tennessee's Department of Children Services
• Shelby County Early Childhood Education Plan
• Tennessee Early Intervention Services
• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
• First 8 Memphis Partner Organizations and Leadership Council
• Pre-K readiness website
• Sweet Cheeks Diaper Ministry
• Habitat for Humanity

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"It is about leveraging all the stories that we have from the past -- every song, every story, every everything -- to be able to co-create the stories of the future."

Memphis is making a smart business case for arts and culture because t_here's no business like show business, after all!_ New Memphis' Celebrate What's Right: Creative Economics brought local experts to the stage who shared how to artfully blend creativity and business at a scale that is shaping our city, its image, and its bottom line.

Revisit this conversation with Jessica Mosley, Lakeisha Edwards, George Monger, Elizabeth Rouse, and Anasa Troutman. This event was powered by Duncan Williams Asset Management and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• artsMemphis
• Greater Memphis Chamber
• Urban Arts Commission
• Connect Music
• Historic Clayborn Temple
• ArtsMemphis arts calendar
• Memphis Cultural Coalition
• Memphis' first mayoral arts forum

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"We stand by the fact that these individuals will be some of the best employees you've ever had -- they're going to work hard, come in on time, do what they have to do, and then go home. But until more employers start giving opportunities to justice-involved individuals, it will be a revolving door system of barriers."

Josh Spickler of Just City and Myletta Moore-Dawson of Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) are working to create sustainable employment for all which will in turn increase the local workforce & employment but also reduce recidivism. They will share why employers not only can but should consider hiring justice-involved individuals.

Resources mentioned within the episode include:

• William "Fry" Arnold's TEDxMemphis Talk and subsequent conversation with us
• DeAndre Brown's conversation with us
• Just City
• Josh Spickler's TEDxMemphis Talk and previous conversation with us
• Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)
• Slingshot's 2024 MPACT Award spotlight on CEO
• Clean Slate Fund
• Tennessee expungement fee reduced over Just City's 5 year effort
• City and County governments are encouraging employers to look beyond criminal history when hiring

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

In 2023, Memphis earned the dubious distinction of being ranked the second most overweight city in America. With the health of our city on the line (literally!), medical professionals across organizations are joining hands to rally for our community.

Healthier 901 aims to help Mid-Southerners create small changes to access the vibrant quality of life we all deserve. Here with us to discuss the initiative are Tabrina Davis, Dr. John Leslie, and Jimmy Scott.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Healthier 901
• Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare
• Learn more about Jimmy Scott's journey here
• Side effects of obesity according to the CDC
• Mid-South health challenges according to UTHSC
• A note of motivation from Methodist's CEO

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"You can complain about what you don't have or you can build what you want. If we want a prosperous Memphis, we can't expect anyone to give it to us. It is something that we have to work, spend our own blood, sweat, and tears to build. Whether it's a business, your career, or anything -- you can complain about it or you can build it."

Alan Gumbel of Black Business Association of Memphis and Cynthia Daniels of Cynthia Daniels & Co. join us to show how Memphians can harness the inspiring, dynamic potential of minority-owned and operated businesses to reach greater success for all.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• The Link Up Memphis
• Milton Memphis Entertainment
• Memphis 101
• Delta Regional Authority
• Black Business Association of Memphis
• Cynthia Daniels & Co.
• Memphis Black Restaurant Week
• Cynthia Daniels' signature events
• Clayborn Temple
• India Festival
• Greek Festival
• Italian Festival
• BBA Business Booster
• The Four Way
• Interstate BBQ
• Memphis Black Restaurant Week Kick-Off Preview Party
• Arnold's BBQ & Grill
• Shroomlicious Meals
• Smurfey's Smokehouse
• SugaShack
• Epicenter Memphis
• City of Memphis Office of Diversity and Compliance
• TN Small Business Development Center,
• Tom Lee Park
• Instagram for BBAMemphis
• Instagram for Cynthia Daniels & Co.
• Mahogany Terrace
• Oteka Technologies
• Muggin Coffee House
• The Frosted Oven
• Alcenia's
• Brother Juniper's

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"The opportunity for students to see Memphis outside the classroom brings the city to life."

We're heading out on a discovery mission to learn more about the impacts of experiential learning on students in the Mid-South. Interim Superintendent Toni Williams, Dr. Myke Collins, and Ekundayo Bandele of Hattiloo Theatre are sharing how they've collaborated to create access for students to explore.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Hattiloo Theatre
• Self-Identity Theatre Camp
• Memphis Shelby County Schools
• MSCS Discovering Memphis Field Trip Passport
• Tom Lee Park
• National Civil Rights Museum
• MoSH
• Graceland
• Memphis Brand Initiative
• Metal Museum
• Brooks Museum
• Dixon Gallery and Gardens
• Wolf River Conservancy
• 901 Student Passport with Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris
• TN Arts Commission

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"The world is changing more rapidly today than ever before; so, the needs of young people are different than even the needs of young people five years ago. If we don't center the experience, expertise, and lived experience of young people in decision-making that impacts them directly, we're missing the mark."

Leadership has no age requirements, and we're diving into why with Dana Wilson, President and CEO of BRIDGES, and Anthony Miles, college student, Mr. University of Memphis and New Memphis Accelerate alum.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• TEDxMemphis speaker applications
• Celebrate What's Right: Creative Economics
• BRIDGES
• New Memphis' Jay Uiberall Accelerate
• Alternative Break Experience
• Empowered Men of Color
• University of Memphis Civil Engineering
• Creative Aging

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"Memphis, we have an abundance of talent, not only on the stage as artists but also session musicians, producers, and audio engineers. You name it, it's here. And we want to make sure that they know there are many avenues to take their creative genius and utilize it."

McKenzii Webster (Crosstown Arts) and Lee Rankin (media, technology, and virtual reality legal marketing attorney) are helping us understand the nuances of music industry publishing, combining the creative side with the business logistics, and what the future holds for music technology (including how AI helps or hurts the artists).

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• TEDxMemphis speaker applications
• Celebrate What's Right: Creative Economics on February 27
• Memphis 101 on March 19
• Crosstown Arts
• Songtrust
• Crosstown Sync
• Musician and Artist Services at Crosstown Arts
• Shelby County Board of Commissioners
• The ELVIS Act (proposed legislation)
• Daily Memphian article "Tennessee bill targeting AI is first of its kind in the US"
• New York Times article "‘The Godfather of A.I.’ Leaves Google and Warns of Danger Ahead"

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"How do we connect residents to theatres, dance companies, instructional opportunities within their community they might not even know about? The map with MATA came into play as a resource for riders showcasing all of the arts and culture assets in our county."

The Mid-South is rich in creative assets, but are we maximizing them to the best of our bottom line? Hear from Shelby County's first Arts & Culture Liaison, Nykesha Cole, and MATA's Chundra Smith on the recently unveiled MATA Arts & Culture Bus Route Map and more!

_This conversation is an excellent precursor to the Celebrate What's Right: Creative Economics conversation happening later this month. _

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• MATA Arts and Culture Map
• MATA
• Shelby County Government Arts and Culture
• Art for All
• Shelby County Nonprofit Committee
• Memphis Symphony Orchestra
• Iris Orchestra
• Young Actors Guild
• Cocoa, Cookies, and Holiday Cheer events
• Hattiloo Theatre
• Dixon Gallery and Gardens
• I Am A Man plaza and Historic Clayborn Temple
• Ida B. Wells Plaza
• Arts & Economic Prosperity Study 6 (AEP6)
• artsMemphis

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"I've learned the lifecycle of things -- how human actions can destroy beauty, whether intentional or neglect, but human actions can also put it back together. Adaptive re-use is not limited to a singular building."

Great Scott! We're going back to the future to explore adaptive reuse in our city. How can looking backward propel the community forward? Tune in to hear from local experts on how Memphis is learning and leading by example.

Resources mentioned in this conversation include:

• The Shrine Building
• The Works, Inc.
• Frayser Neighborhood Initiative
• Northside Square
• Looney Ricks Kiss
• The Sterick Building
• Urban Land Institute
• Crosstown Concourse
• Kemmons Wilson Companies
• Central Station
• Church Health
• Memphis 3.0
• Division of Housing and Community Development
• Historic Melrose renovation

This conversation took place at Celebrate What's Right: Back to the Future at The Kent in October 2023. Learn more about New Memphis events here. The panel included:

• Emcee: Brandon Herrington | Director of Marketing and Business Development at Montgomery Martin
• Ashley Cash | Director for the Division of Housing and Community Development for City of Memphis
• Stuart Harris | Principal at Constellation Properties
• Tonya Meeks | District Council Coordinator for the Urban Land Institute of Memphis
• Tony Pellicciotti | Principal at Looney Ricks Kiss
• Alexandra Willis Boddie | Vice President of Development for ComCap Partners
• McLean Wilson | Principal at Kemmons Wilson Companies

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"The need is there; people are hungry. We will continue to provide resources, but we have to also figure out a way to truly make it attainable with the education piece and policy, too. We continue to be reactive rather than proactive... food should be a true right attainable to everyone."

New Memphis has had several conversations about how social determinants of health all rely on each other for optimal community health. Research indicates a link between chronic diseases — such as heart disease, cancer, asthma, diabetes, and kidney disease — and low food security. 

Joining us to discuss the essential stopgaps as well as what is needed to address basic, structural problems, are Ann Perry Wallace of First Congo and Karen Bernard of The Works Inc.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• The Memphis Flyer article "The Fight for Food"
• The Works, Inc
• First Congo Church
• Meanwhile in Memphis S3E47 "...It's What's for Dinner"
• Food Swamps vs Food Deserts
• Mid-South Food Bank
• South Memphis Farmers Market
• Meanwhile in Memphis S3E11 "Let's Go..VTO"

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"For many Memphians, the system that they know has always worked against them. We have built a system that works for them by mobilizing and aligning resources to address priority issues."

It takes a village to support individuals and families in Memphis --  everyone is needed to create impacts from generation to generation. Dr. Kenneth Robinson of The United Way of The Mid-South, and Kiki Hall from Catholic Charities of West Tennessee join us to share how non-profits are working together to create change.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• The United Way of the Mid-South
• Catholic Charities of West Tennessee
• Driving The Dream
• MIFA
• 844-444-4211 (Driving the Dream)
• 901-722-4700 (Catholic Charities of West Tennessee)
• Endeavor Staffing

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"Adaptive reuse, at its core, is looking at the inherent value of these places, how they speak in context to the surrounding history, and repurposing that place that might have perceived loss of value. It's an interaction with the neighborhood."

Ben Schulman of the Memphis Medical District Collaborative (MMDC) and Deveney Perry of BLDG Memphis share the important connections between people and the places they utilize to live, work, and play in Memphis. They detail how partnerships and collaboration can turn city blight into beautiful treasures to be enjoyed by all, and encourage Memphians to have high expectations for the future.

Resources mentioned in the episode include:

• Memphis Medical District Collaborative (MMDC)
• BLDG
• MEMfix
• Adaptive reuse
• "Capital stack" refers to the organization of all capital contributed to finance a real estate transaction or a company.
• CDFI
• HUD
• Urban Land Institute (ULI)
• Projects to watch in the future
• Crosstown Concourse design among world's best
• Memphis 3.0 (the City's land use plan)

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Happy New Year, Memphis! 🍾 Special guest Geoff Calkins joined us in the studio to share how sports unifies cities, has the power to change city narratives, and why his biggest hope for Memphis might be different than you'd think.

This episode is a great refresher for a new season. We encourage you to also “trust the process” when it comes to beginning a new year. Whether you have new resolutions, intentions, or are just excited about flipping the calendar page, trust the process.

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"It's the glue that holds community together -- I would argue it holds democracy together. Yes, parks provide fun, respite, and peace, but I think at their best, they really underpin what's needed to build strong communities."

Whether you get outside today or over the next few weeks, we want to remind you about the power of Memphis’ public parks. Jen Andrews (Shelby Farms Park Conservancy), Tina Sullivan (Overton Park Conservancy), and Carol Coletta (Memphis River Parks Partnership) bring their passion to the studio as they discuss their love of Memphis, parks and each other. Their enthusiasm and work ethic make our city a more beautiful place to live, work and play.

Since this episode aired, there have been a lot of new developments in their work, but the sentiment remains the same— our city’s outdoor spaces are unique and essential to the vibrant place we all call home.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Shelby Farms Park Conservancy
• Overton Park Conservancy
• Memphis River Parks Partnership

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Dr. Mario Brown and Dr. Mary "MJ" McConner are here to help us sort through the A-B-Cs of DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) and more. It might feel a little like alphabet soup, but when you simply it, people want to belong, feel included and welcomed. It's about the journey, not necessarily a particular destination.

This episode is particularly meaningful as it directly points back to the values of our organization. We hope you take time this season to reflect on the ways in which you belong right here in our community.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• The New York Times article summarizing The Punishing Reach of Racism
• How SCOTUS decisions impact talent pipeline: Brookings article
• Correction: At its peak in the early 1990s, First Horizon employed 15,000 people.

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"In a lot of ways, teachers are not given the respect as the professionals that they are. It sounds so simple. I'm finding myself focusing on teacher mental health as much as student mental health because I have to create the space where they [all] want to be here."

2023 New Memphis Educators of Excellence Kerrith Griffin, Executive Director of University Middle School, and Danny Song, Founder and Executive Director of Believe Memphis Academy, share how to lead with love, the importance of empathy in leadership, and the importance of shifting the narrative and knowing your value.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Believe Memphis Academy
• Building Excellent Schools fellowship
• University Middle School
• Memphis Teacher Residency
• Veritas College Prep
• New Memphis Educators of Excellence Award
• New Memphis LDI
• Charter schools
• Simon Sinek's TED Talk on leadership

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"You're in a perfect place in the world to find yourself a nice wetland or a bottomland hardwood and watch a wetland wake up. It's pretty magical."

Chuck Smith and Karen Waldrop of Ducks Unlimited Inc. join us to share how Memphis has become the hub of the continent's wetland conservation efforts. tune in to learn about the impacts of wetlands -- from clean water and flood mitigation, to yes, waterfowl production.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Ducks Unlimited Inc.
• Wetlands America Trust
• Ducks Unlimited Waterfowling Heritage Center
• Ducks Unlimited Park
• Mississippi River Towns and Cities Initiative
• Ducks Unlimited Podcast
• Conservation easements
• Prairie Pothole Region
• Wings Over Water film
• Conservation for the Continent initiative
• North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA)
• North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP)
• Duck Stamps
• Migratory flyways of North America
• Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson PR)
• HATS for conservation
• Habitat Surveys
• Flyway Councils
• Wildlife Management Areas
• Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"Philanthropy does not have a price tag on it, it simply has a willingness. It is wherever you choose to put your time, talent, treasure, and ties."

Happy Giving Tuesday! Giving trends and opportunities have changed quite a bit over the decades, and we wanted to learn how the next generation of philanthropists are combining passion with strategy to maximize impact.

Caroline Kuebler of the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis and Dr. Shanea McKinney, a participant of their first Next Gen Philanthropic Initiative cohort, join us to share how to direct your time, talent, treasure, and ties.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• VTO (Volunteer Time Off)
• Next Gen Philanthropic Initiative
• Community Foundation of Greater Memphis
• Hyde Family Foundation
• Downtown Memphis Commission
• Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis
• GiVE 365
• Sweet Cheeks Diaper Ministry and Period 901

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"America's dinner table is either made or moved through Memphis. We are feeding America from here, and that's important work."

Cathy Pope of the Mid-South Food Bank and Gwyn Fisher of the Greater Memphis Chamber detail how Memphis can be both a hub for the food and beverage industry yet also have so many experiencing food insecurity. Tune in to hear how the solution is in the intersection of workforce development and access.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Celebrate What's Right: Bridge Over Troubled Waters on 11/28
• Mid-South Food Bank
• Greater Memphis Chamber
• Greater Memphis Economic Research Group (GMERG)
• GMERG Food and Beverage Report

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"Re-entry is about a human. It's not about a system or a behavior, it's about a human re-claiming humanity."

DeAndre Brown of the Shelby County Office of Re-Entry and Virginia Murphy of Playback Memphis describe the impact of the arts on the process of previously-incarcerated individuals reclaiming their humanity.

Resources mentioned in the episode include:

• Playback Memphis
• Celebrate What's Right: Bridge Over Troubled Water on November 28, 2023
• Community Matters
• playback theatre as an art form
• Shelby County Office of Re-Entry
• Lifeline 2 Success
• Memphis Matters on December 2, 2023
• Dr. William Arnold's 2021 TEDxMemphis Talk
• Our previous conversation with Dr. Arnold

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"If we dismiss such a large section of our community it makes Memphis dismissible in the grand scheme of things."

Dr. Elena Delavega of the University of Memphis School of Social Work and Rev. Lisa Anderson of Room in the Inn join us to share the nuances of both data and social impact of those experiencing homelessness in our city. The long-term impacts of homelessness permeate into the community in a multitude of ways. This conversation discusses the current resources, what barriers are in place, and the reasons for hope.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Teachers' Lounge on November 14 for educators
• Celebrate What's Right: Bridge Over Troubled Waters on November 28
• Episode with Memphis Allies and University of Memphis Law School
• New Memphis Alumni Holiday Party
• 2023 Poverty Fact Sheet
• Dr. Elena Delavega TEDxMemphis Talk
• Room in The Inn
• Child Welfare System and Foster Care
• Pell grants
• Earned Income Tax Credit
• Rapid rehousing information
• The University of Memphis named an R1 institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"This is probably cliché to say at this point, but the city does have grit. It has attitude, in a good way, and there's a strength to it in its people that I just absolutely love."

This is Halloween, and we're leaning into the spirits and haunts that make our city the special place it is today. Old Dominick has centuries worth of stories steeped into each spirit, and Backbeat Tours are the experts on historical haunts in the city. Alex Castle, master distiller at Old Dominick, and Meagan May, Vice President of Group and Event Sales at Backbeat Tours, join us today to share the intersection of how both tourism and whiskey in the 901 are steeped in history.

Resources mentioned in the episode include:

• Old Dominick Distillery history
• Backbeat Tours
• Mary at the Orpheum
• Earnestine and Hazel's ghost stories
• Green Beetle
• Machine Gun Kelly (not the rapper)
• Clayborn Temple

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"Doing this job while knowing how crucial early childhood is to a child's later success in school, lights a fire in me and an excitement because I know these years are the most important. Giving them those tools as early as possible is a huge benefit."

New Memphis Educators of Excellence, Stephanie Sacco and Michaela Arguin, are sharing the importance of early childhood education, how a strong foundation creates success for years to come, talking about the barriers to universal Pre-K, and more!

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• New Memphis Educators of Excellence
• Teach for America
• Urban Child Institute
• Head Start Program
• Stax Records
• Goner Records

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"While there's a lot of frustration, fear, and concern in our community, I do also see hope. That frustration and fear come from a place of alignment. Everyone in our community wants the same thing: we all want our community to be a safe, wonderful place to live. That alignment gives me a lot of hope. I know that we have the best people and the best resources; if we can align ourselves appropriately, we can get that job done."

The crime rate in Memphis was a major topic in the recent municipal election, and it is at the forefront of many Memphians' minds daily. Katharine Traylor Schaffzin (University of Memphis School of Law) and Susan Deason (Memphis Allies) join us to provide context for the current crime statistics for Memphis and the Mid-South, what prevention efforts are currently being done, and how "prevention, intervention, and transformation" is the way forward.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
• Memphis Allies
• Youth Villages
• Everytown For Gun Safety
• Everytown law fund medical legal partnership with U of M Law School + Le Bonheur Children's Hospital
• Le Bonheur Children's Hospital Safe Kids Mid-South
• Lifeline to Success
• Neighborhood Christian Centers
• I Shall Not Die But Live
• Moms Demand Action
• UTHSC

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"You have all of these touchpoints that aren't necessarily under our control, but we understand that we own the experience."

Hospitality runs deep in Memphis -- from the creation of Holiday Inn to making an event of ducks walking to an elevator -- every detail of that experience is curated by individuals in the hospitality industry. But what is being done to pour into those curating these 901-derful experiences? Enter: Welcome To Memphis.

Glen Thomas (Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority) and Marcus Cox (Welcome to Memphis) share about the hospitality sector and how it’s a driver for not just the economy but also a driver for city culture and pride.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Memphis Travel
• Memphis Travel international offices
• Welcome to Memphis
• Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority
• Memphis International Airport
• Music Export Memphis
• Renovation of Memphis International Airport concourse
• Opera Memphis
• Collage Dance
• Stax Museum of American Soul
• National Civil Rights Museum
• The Excel Center at Goodwill
• DeNeuville Learning Center
• ILoveMemphisBlog

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"It's the glue that holds community together -- I would argue it holds democracy together. Yes, parks provide fun, respite, and peace, but I think at their best, they really underpin what's needed to build strong communities."

Jen Andrews (Shelby Farms Park Conservancy), Tina Sullivan (Overton Park Conservancy), and Carol Coletta (Memphis River Parks Partnership) have a lot in common. They all love Memphis, parks, and each other. Their enthusiasm and work ethic make our city a more beautiful place to live, work and play.

Learn more about the logistics of what it takes to keep these beloved spaces running, how Memphis compares to other cities, and how innovation and diversity make the best foundation for gathering spaces.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Shelby Farms Park Conservancy
• Overton Park Conservancy
• Memphis River Parks Partnership

"We live here, too, so we very viscerally understand a lot of the experiences of Memphians, how that drives conversations about politics, how that drives different candidate's platforms, and how that may ultimately drive whoever ends up in office."

Samuel Hardiman of The Daily Memphian and Katherine Burgess of The Commercial Appeal share how they approach their role as journalists, how local news coverage impacts culture, and why having the press as a watch-dog for government will always come in handy.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• The Daily Memphian
• The Commercial Appeal
• Coverage of residency requirement for Memphis City Mayor here and here

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"People talk about those who are 65 years and older as one group, but you would never talk about those ages 0 to 40 as one group. There is the infant, the toddler, the kindergartner, then elementary and middle and high school... it goes on and on. There are 10 different categories for the first 40 years of life, yet society looks at the last 40 years and says 'oh, they're all the same' but they're not."

Kim Daugherty of the Aging Commission of the Mid-South and Mia Henley of Creative Aging join us to share the nuanced needs of seniors, the vital role they play in creating a more inclusive community, and resources for individuals & caregivers alike.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Creative Aging
• Aging Commission of the Mid-South
• Memphis Area Legal Services
• Medicaid services
• MIFA
• Adult Protective Services

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"The idea that creatives come up with creative solutions goes far beyond the walls of any of our arts organizations."

Michael Detroit of Playhouse on the Square and Tracy Lauritzen Wright of ArtsMemphis join us to share the role of the arts in our city, the collaboration rather than competition, and Memphis' first arts-centered mayoral forum.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• ArtsMemphis event calendar
• Playhouse on the Square
• Tennessee Arts Commission
• Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group
• 30 Days of Opera from Opera Memphis
• Memphis Music Initiative
• Memphis Mayoral Arts Forum
• Playback Memphis

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Anasa Troutman joins us to share how the Historic Clayborn Temple is not only being restored for remembrance but revitalized as a resource and catalyst for stories that will shape the future.

Resources mentioned in this extended-cut episode include:

• Historic Clayborn Temple
• Anasa Troutman's professional website
• National Trust for Historic Preservation
• Clayborn Temple Traveling Exhibit guide book PDF
• Clayborn Temple on Instagram
• Clayborn Temple and I AM A MAN Plaza

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"We have a vision for Memphis where you don't have to own a car to get outside of your neighborhood. We have a vision for an equitable, accessible transportation system that allows residents and visitors alike to see all of the amazing parts of Memphis that we have to offer."

It might seem as simple as getting from Point A to Point B, but the reality is that transportation impacts every aspect of urban life from getting to and from work to how to get groceries or get kiddos to school. The cost associated with transportation — whether that’s purchasing and upkeep of a vehicle or a bicycle or bus— impacts economic mobility.

So as we celebrate the wins in our city like the Downtown Mobility Center, we want to shine a light on the day-to-day logistics that make our city function — central to that is transportation.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Innovate Memphis
• Our conversation with Jessica Lotz and Chandell Ryan
• Daily Memphian article about Nikki's new role
• Jackson's conversation with "Memphis Metropolis"
• Coordinated School Health program
• Memphis Medical District Collaborative
• Downtown Memphis Commission
• Le Bonheur Safe Kids Mid-South program
• Blue Oval City Transit Study (see more here)
• What You Can Do to Reduce Pollution from Vehicles and Engines from EPA
• Learn more about bus rapid transit in Memphis here and here
• Tactical Urbanism Guide
• Light Rail Transit
• MedHaul

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

As we navigate another election cycle, New Memphis is convening conversations with experts to help debunk common voting myths and empower everyone to make their voice heard in the ballot. In this "Ballot Basics" conversation, we ask the dumb questions (like what is the difference in the City Mayor and the County Mayor?), so you don't have to.

Ian Randolph of Shelby County Voter Alliance (SCVA) is in the studio to break it all down for us.

Tip: Bookmark this episode as a helpful first step in navigating the election waters, no matter who or what is on the ballot year-over-year.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Spillit: Baggage Claim
• Memphis 101
• Shelby County Voter Alliance
• NAACP Memphis
• YelloPain - My Vote Dont Count
• Shelby County Voter Alliance Lunch and Learns
• Shelby County Voter Alliance Voter Academy [Dates: Sept. 10, 17, 24, 2023 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm, and participants should plan to attend all three sessions]
• Evan Milligan Supreme Court case (Allen v. Milligan)

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

We are revisiting a few of the 2023 TEDxMemphis talks that focus on active listening. We hope that these insights from community changemakers remind you to stay curious and compassionate. Resources mentioned include:

• Roshun Austin's 2023 TEDxMemphis Talk
• David Jamison II's 2023 TEDxMemphis Talk
• Subha Vadlamannati's 2023 TEDxMemphis Talk

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Robin "Bobbi" Brice, is an 8th Grade Mathematics educator at Soulsville Charter School, a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and is a 2022 New Memphis Educator of Excellence honoree. She entered the education sector through Teach for America and remains an active classroom educator to ensure she's "serving my full purpose."

Tune in to hear how Bobbi empowers her scholars to know the power of the word "yet."

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Spillit: Baggage Claim on August 24
• Teach for America Memphis
• New Memphis Educators of Excellence Award
• Previous Educator of Excellence conversations here, here, here, and here.
• New Memphis Stride program

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Dr. Mario Brown and Dr. Mary "MJ" McConner are here to help us sort through the A-B-Cs of DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) and more. It might feel a little like alphabet soup, but when you simply it, people want to belong, feel included and welcomed. It's about the journey, not necessarily a particular destination.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• The New York Times article summarizing The Punishing Reach of Racism
• How SCOTUS decisions impact talent pipeline: Brookings article
• Correction: At its peak in the early 1990s, First Horizon employed 15,000 people.

BONUS: The extended-cut podcast version includes additional insights not shared in the original radio program.

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

What happens when an economic value-add comes at the expense of humanity? What are our obligations to people?

Local experts Daphne McFerren (Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change) and Meka Eqwuekwe (CodeCrew) join us to share insights from their 2023 Policy Papers directly researching the impacts of automation on the workforce, the ethics of AI, and more.

Resources mentioned in the episodes include:

• Benjamin L. Hooks Institute of Social Change at University of Memphis
• Code Crew
• Hooks Institute 2023 Policy Papers
• Algorithmic Justice League
• Joy Buolamwini TED Talk "How I'm fighting bias in algorithms"

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Everyone has a story to tell -- it has the power to heal, empower, challenge, and even change the world. We're revisiting the 2023 TEDxMemphis conference, sharing a few of these stories.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Speed Mentoring for college students and interns
• New Memphis Leadership Summit
• Darius Wallace's 2023 TEDxMemphis talk titled Storytelling as a Yoga for the Soul
• Fletcher Cleaves' 2023 TEDxMemphis talk titled The Dangers of the World's Smallest Slot Machine
• Conversation with Fletcher Cleaves here which aired January 3
• Dwayne Spencer's 2023 TEDxMemphis talk titled What My Childhood in Substandard Housing Taught Me About Health 
• Conversation with Dwayne Spencer here which aired on May 2
• Janet Boscarino's 2023 TEDxMemphis talk titled Environment & Us: What Students Can Teach Us
• Conversation with Janet Boscarino here which aired on May 16
• Leadership in Action which aired on July 11
• Conversation with 2023 TEDxMemphis speaker, Sam O'Bryant here
• Full 2023 TEDxMemphis playlist here

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Independent Bank.

Leadership can take many forms -- it can be loud or quiet, it can manage hundreds of individuals or one task. The common denominator is action. As New Memphis gears up for our 2023 Leadership Summit in August, we are sharing some insights from local leaders that just might inspire you to level up on your own style of leading. Much like leadership, the people we are hearing from today (Kelly English, Lar'Juanette Williams, and Kathleen Terry-Sharp) have a myriad of differences, and yet they all took the stage at TEDxMemphis 2023 to share life lessons rooted in courage, vulnerability, and (you guessed it...) action.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• 2023 Leadership Summit
• TEDxMemphis conference
• Kelly English's TEDxMemphis talk titled The Fear of Being First
• Lar'Juanette Williams' TEDxMemphis talk titled Life's Choices: Ascend to Your Purpose or Fall for the Gimmick
• Kathleen Terry-Sharp's TEDxMemphis talk titled Horses, Hippogriffs, & Insights for Humanity

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

What is Memphis, Tennessee's most impressive contribution? It’s impact on culture! Memphis has a long list of artists and innovators who continue to shape the world we know today through their influence on arts, music, sports, logistics and more, so let’s raise a glass to a few of the city’s most notable ambassadors!

In today's episode, we revisit a live event -- Celebrate What's Right: Culture City, USA Happy Hour -- which features a power-packed panel sharing their special connections to the 901 and shining a spotlight on the ways that Memphis is moving the world forward.

Emcee: Kontji Anthony | Founder/CEO of Youdle

Panelists: David Quarles IV | Interior Designer Pat Mitchell Worley | CEO, Soulsville Foundation Kevin Thomas | Artistic Director, Collage Dance Collective Eso Tolson | Multidisciplinary Artist Tara M. Stringfellow | Author (Memphis: A Novel)

Looking for more events like this? Visit newmemphis.org/events to see what's next!

"We thought about Dr. King's dream and all that he had set forth, and it struck our team that 'we are the dream.' How does that dream manifest? Well, it's up to all of us."

Tiffany Graham and Kevin Woods join us to share details of the renovations to The National Civil Rights Museum which include the "BlueCross Healthy Place at Founders Park." They share how their respective organizations (National Civil Rights Museum and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee) are bringing communities together and redefining what's possible.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• New Memphis Leadership Summit
• New Memphis Summer Experience
• National Civil Rights Museum
• BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Healthy Places
• NCRM Freedom Awards
• BCBST Power of We Scholarship
• BCBST Community Trust
• News about the upcoming renovations can be found here, here, and here.

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Persisting through a problem to find a solution is a universal truth for everyone. In fact, the subject of math displays more than a handful of life-lessons including discipline, teamwork, confidence, and not being afraid of failure. Yanli Cui, a 2022 New Memphis Educators of Excellence Award honoree, shares how she went from failing middle school geometry to finding a passion for teaching mathematics at the highest levels.

Resources listed in this episode include:

• New Memphis events like Memphis 101, Leadership Summit and more
• New Memphis Educators of Excellence

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"I'm proud to say Memphis is the only city in the country to have eliminated concentrated public housing."

Shante Avant (WFGM) and Eva Mosby (Urban Strategies Inc.) join us in the studio to share about ways to remove barriers and create opportunities to move families from poverty to accessibility and success.

Resources mentioned in the episode include:

• Summer Experience Launch Night at The Shell on 6/15/23
• Memphis 101 on 6/22/23
• New Memphis Educators of Excellence Award nominations and applications are due by 6/30/23
• New Memphis Leadership Summit on 8/11/23
• WFGM website
• WFGM Vision 2025 Strategic Plan
• Urban Strategies Inc website
• Foote Park at South City
• Cleaborn Pointe at Heritage Landing
• Choice Neighborhoods
• Mobile food drives,
• Contact information: 901-578-9346 (Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis), eva.mosby@usi-inc.org, 901-246-2754 (Urban Strategies Inc)

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"Education can help build better communities."

Kerrie Jackson, a former classroom educator, works to make sure the next generation of scholars and families make meaningful connections. As the Director of Gestalt Community Schools' N.I.C.E. Program (Network, Inclusion, Culture and Equity), she works with community partners to create advocacy, wellness, and overall "pulse-checks" for all.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Kathleen Terry-Sharp's 2023 TEDxMemphis Talk titled "Horses, Hippogriffs, & Insights for Humanity"
• David Jamison II's (aka The Dope Educator) 2023 TEDxMemphis Talk titled "Reaching the Heart of Kids"
• Kim Halyak's 2023 TEDxMemphis Talk titled "Neighborhood Beautification Grows Greenbacks"
• Gestalt Community Schools
• N.I.C.E. Program
• Sweetgrass Counseling & Consultation
• Church Health Nutrition Hub
• N.I.C.E Team Eventbrite page

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"One of the really powerful things we've come across in our work at Slingshot is that at least 100,000 people in Memphis who are experiencing poverty are probably not able to pursue technical trainings or other types of career opportunities because of their lower literacy levels."

Sam O'Bryant (Literacy Mid-South) and Jared Barnett (Slingshot Memphis) talk about the intersections and realities of literacy and poverty + what YOU can do to move the needle.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Literacy Mid-South
• Slingshot Memphis
• Sam O'Bryant's 2023 TEDxMemphis "From Desert to Oasis: Literacy as Liberation"
• Jared Barnett's "Meanwhile in Memphis" episode which aired in May 2021
• Sam O'Bryant's "Meanwhile in Memphis" episode which aired in November 2021
• Purdue Center of Hope Memphis

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"We all want to be seen and feel like we belong. Seeing yourself reflected matters."

The month of May might be all about music and BBQ, but that's far from the whole picture of our diverse city. May is also Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and this year, the celebration of culture was formalized in a new way for the 901 to experience thanks to Dr. SunAh Laybourn and partnerships with allies like Sarah Cai of Good Fortune Co.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• AAPI Heritage Month Memphis
• Good Fortune Co.
• Memphis in May's Salute to Malaysia
• "Let's Grab Coffee" podcast with SunAh Laybourn
• "Purpose Over Vanity" podcast with SunAh Laybourn
• New Memphis Embark
• Learn more about Tommy Kha's Memphis Airport art

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"Once you become aware that 40% of the food grown in the U.S. is wasted and figure out where you're connected, people are genuinely interested on how to engage."

We're getting down and dirty to help clean up our city with Janet Boscarino (Clean Memphis) and Leann Edwards (Project Green Fork). We're talking about the link between environmental education and academic outcomes, how to help reduce food waste personally and commercially, why it all matters. You'll gain practical tips, helpful insights, and make the idea of a circular economy more accessible. BONUS: This episode is an extended cut from the radio version and includes our lightening round.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Janet Boscarino's 2023 TEDxMemphis talk titled "Environment & Us: What Students Can Teach Us"
• Clean Memphis
• Project Green Fork
• Binghampton Development Corporation
• Atlas Organics Residential Compost assistance
• Protect Our Aquifer
• Sarah Houston's 2021 TEDxMemphis talk titled "What's Up with Your Drinking Water?"
• Byhalia Pipeline information

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"Don't let the emergencies cloud the vision of the work you're doing."

We're getting back to the A-B-C's of it all with 2022 Educator of Excellence, Grant Monda. As Executive director of Aurora Collegiate Academy, Grant is the working to build a strong foundations for the leaders of tomorrow. Grant is a Teach For America - Memphis alumni and the recipient of their prestigious Barbara Rosser Hyde Alumni Leadership Award.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• ARISE2READ
• Teach for America Memphis
• New Memphis Educator of Excellence Award
• New Memphis Stride
• Aurora Collegiate Academy
• New Memphis Embark
• New Memphis Fellows

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Independent Bank.

"Your income shouldn't determine your health outcomes."

We're discussing a unique piece of the healthy communities puzzle -- housing. There is a distinct intersection of healthcare and housing that greatly impacts both individual and community health, and we're digging into the specifics with Dwayne Spencer (Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis) and Marcy Wurzburg Stagner (Church Health).

Resources listed in this episode include:

• Dwayne Spencer's 2023 TEDxMemphis Talk
• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis
• Church Health
• Dr. Scott Morris' 2015 TEDxMemphis Talk
• The "Meanwhile in Memphis" podcast episode with Dr. Morris from December 2020
• Church Health's nutrition hub

• Green & Healthy Homes Initiative

"It takes all of us working together to build a more just world so that we can all live, work, and thrive in this community together."

We're continuing the conversation we began a few weeks ago by discussing how state and local legislation impacts healthy communities, livability, and economic progress. Phillis Lewis of Love Doesn't Hurt 901 and Shahin Samiei of Tennessee Equality Project join us to discuss side effects of recent state legislation.

NOTE: Please note that this episode discusses topics including discrimination, domestic violence and more that might be triggering to some. This episode deals with the topic of recent decisions at the Tennessee state level regarding gender affirming care for minors (TN House Bill 1), drag performances (TN House Bill 9), and the ripple effects impacting all communities. It might be helpful to review the current legislations in Tennessee for clarity in this episode. This conversation was recorded on April 19th, 2023. Since then, legislations and executive orders have shifted slightly and continue to go back and forth, and as a result, some of the things discussed in this episode have also shifted.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Tennessee Equality Project
• Love Doesn't Hurt 901
• National Domestic Violence Hotline or Call 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or Text "START" to 88788
• My Sistah's House
• Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Memphis Office
• Memphis Police LGBTQ Liaison
• Shelby County Sherriff LGBTQ Liaison
• https://capitol.tn.gov/

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Entrepreneurship is risky business (literally), but in Memphis, the rewards often outshine the risk. Memphis is known as a city that produces movers and shakers—problem solvers who get creative and look beyond limitations—but what are we doing to support and keep them here? How do we define success and how does hope factor into a business plan? Can we invest in innovation with more than just money? Perhaps most importantly, why is the 901 the perfect place to get started? We covered all of this and more at Celebrate What’s Right: Risky Business conversation on entrepreneurship from April 6th, 2023. This event was sponsored by First Horizon Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, and Duncan Williams Asset Management.

We work very hard to make these events accessible, but we know that there are a myriad of reasons why members of our community had to miss this conversation. In an effort to ensure that these leaders’ insights are disseminated far and wide, we’re bringing you their conversation on the radio waves this morning.

In this episode, you'll hear from:

• Jessica Taveau, President and CEO at Epicenter Memphis (Moderator)
• Suzanne Drumwright, Director of Operations at Dextrous Robotics
• Brandon Harris, Principal at Ridgeline
• Erica Plybeah Hemphill, CEO and Founder at MedHaul
• Ido Sarig, Managing Director of the Memphis Hub at Alchemist Accelerator

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

"Tennessee is under the national spotlight."

Preserving healthy communities and city livability impacts everyone, and having crucial conversations is critical for education and activation. In that spirit, New Memphis invited Jenna Dunn (Trans Services Specialist at OUTMemphis), Anu Iyer (Volunteer Coordinator and Community Manager at OUTMemphis), Krista Wright Thayer (Director of Outreach and prevention at Friends for Life) into the studio.

We discuss the real-life implications of recent laws, how individuals and organizations can act, and how diversity keeps us all strong.

NOTE: This episode deals with the topic of recent decisions at the Tennessee state level regarding gender affirming care for minors (TN House Bill 1), drag performances (TN House Bill 9), and the ripple effects impacting all communities. It might be helpful to review the current legislations in Tennessee for clarity in this episode. This conversation was recorded on April 4th, 2023. Since then, legislations and executive orders have shifted slightly and continue to go back and forth, and as a result, some of the things discussed in this episode have also shifted.

Additional Notes: Please note that this episode discusses topics including the full spectrum of healthcare and social justice rights, including suicide prevention and discrimination, that might be triggering to some.

Items and resources referenced in the episode:

• https://www.thehaven901.org/
• The Haven's podcast: PrEPPED: Sex, Stigma, Science, and The South
• Their specific episode that also features Jenna Dunn's insights
• Slate of Love week
• Mid-South Pride Community Calendar
• Volunteering at OUTMemphis
• Focus

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Is pressure pushing down on me, pushing down on you?

We're tackling something that impacts everyone -- STRESS. 😵 Life has been in a pressure cooker these last few years, and the ripple effects of stress are creeping into every area of our lives. Our friends at Baptist Hospital and Baptist Memorial Health Care are sharing their knowledge on:

• how stress impact your immediate and long-term health
• how you can press the reset button
• what resources are available
• how to interrupt the cycle of stress
• and MORE!

Tune in to hear Melissa Wilkes Donahue share her insights.

Resources named in the episode include:

• https://baptistresources.com/
• https://www.baptistonline.org/besthealth
• https://inhealth4change.com/baptist-besthealth/
• Celebrate What's Right: Risky Business

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"If you love Memphis, Memphis will love you back."

A rising tide lifts all boats, and Lift Insights & Capital Partners is aiming to do just that for businesses here in Memphis.↗️ Tune in to here Paulo Teixeira and Bruce Landau talk about how they [and their other co-founders] are using their "retirement" to pay their business expertise forward.

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"I sat there and I imagined myself 5 to 10 years from that moment [of turning in my journalism resignation], and what would I say to myself? I would've been so disappointed if I hadn't tried to make this idea a reality."

Kontji Anthony, CEO and co-founder of Youdle as well as a New Memphis Board of Trustees member. She along with her two sisters and friend created this start-up from a need they saw locating hard-to-source products in stores.

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• https://www.getyoudle.com
• https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2021/09/01/wmc-kontji-anthony-youdle-app-shoppers-small-biz.html
• https://dailymemphian.com/subscriber/article/30511/kontji-anthony-app-youdle-find-products-shortages

"Volunteering is an incredible way to get to know your city, network & meet people, and ultimately to give you a leg-up as you are maybe looking to make a career change or get plugged in."

Philanthropy and Memphis go hand-in-hand. But where does our city rank in comparison to other cities? What is the ROI of volunteering? Dannon Thornton of Volunteer Odyssey shares the impact of VTO (volunteer time off), benefits to both employees & employers, and how Volunteer Odyssey is celebrating a decade of service to the 901. 

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Episode resources:

• Learn more about Volunteer Odyssey in our "Meanwhile in Memphis" conversation from March 2021 here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spring-is-in-the-air/id1550638144?i=1000515029447
• Hear from Volunteer Odyssey founder and CEO, Dr. Sarah Petschonek here: https://youtu.be/Gjqy4w55IwU

"Memphis is a beautiful base like a canvas that has already been primed and is waiting to continue to painted by different stories."

Our conversation with David Quarels IV is as bold and colorful as his new wallpaper line with Chasing Paper. He shares resources for the Memphis arts community, why he named his wallpapers after the legacy of powerful women in his life, how he uses his chromesthesia to approach design, and the confidence to color outside the lines.

This episode is made possible in partnership with iBank.

"Before JLM, I would've run from a critical conversation, and now I have them daily. It helped me to kick out of my comfort zone because it is a safe space to try, and fail, and grow in my leadership."

Today, we chat with Traci Strickland of the Junior League of Memphis We discuss the 100+ year-history of JLM, their community-minded approach to philanthropy, and the need for connection among women in leadership.

This episode is made possible in partnership with iBank.

"If a child experiences JA from Kindergarten to 8th grade, that is 108 hours of financial literacy and work force preparedness for that child."

Leigh Mansberg is taking a moment from her crazy-busy schedule to share all about Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South and why it's important for Memphis' young people to live a life of choice equipped with essential knowledge to succeed in life.

This episode is made possible in partnership with iBank.

"It is odd that sports is a place where people are willing to listen when we talk about other things. The cliché is people always tell you to stick to sports, but people really do like engaging when we talk about deeper topics."

Today we have special guest Geoff Calkins in the studio to show how sports unifies cities, has the power to change city narratives, and why his biggest hope for Memphis might be different than you'd think. 

Geoff is a seasoned journalist, the sports columnist for The Daily Memphian, host of The Geoff Calkins Show on 92.9 ESPN, and is the author of the 2016 book of his columns titled "After the Jump." His columns are about so much more than sports, and as such, he has become a trusted voice in the local and national arenas representing Memphis topics.

This episode is made possible in partnership with iBank.

"I represent the most precious gem there is to Memphis, and that’s the arts. I’m one of many, [and we] represent what makes our city worldwide."

Happy Black History Month, Memphis! We are talking with Lar'Juanette Williams about the importance of preserving Black art in the 901, the 40th anniversary of Memphis Black Arts Alliance, what makes the Memphis arts community unique, and how she feels about taking the stage for TEDxMemphis later this week. It is a joy to hear how her love of the arts has translated into a career of connecting others and showcasing the talent of the Mid-South.

As always, if you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate and review us.

These episodes are brought to you in partnership with iBank.

What do the film's Ready! Fire! Aim! and Poltergeist have in common? Holiday Inn.

"At the end of [Poltergeist], you see the family who has survived the worst experience of their life, and where do they go for safety and comfort? Holiday Inn. What better way to show the global impact?"

We're chatting with director Melissa Anderson Sweazy about how the film was created, why it debuted at Indie Memphis Film Festival in 2022, her connection to the Wilson family, ghost stories, and so much more in today's episode.

This episode is made possible in partnership with iBank.

"...Sometimes the answer is ready but you have to wait for someone to ask the question..." Jessica Lotz.

Innovation requires a lot of research, data analysis, and collaboration, and Memphis is blazing a trail for other cities to follow. Jessica Lotz of Innovate Memphis and Chandell Ryan of City of Memphis join in today to share the nuts and bolts of our city's innovation teams + exciting projects in the pipeline.

This episode is made possible in partnership with iBank.

Jennifer Balink joins me in the studio to share about Kindred Place, the importance of healthy family relationships, her work with Imagination Library, and MORE!

Plus, she gives a teaser for her upcoming TEDxMemphis talk coming up on February 11, 2023.

This episode is made possible in partnership with iBank Memphis.

"It's not the ones that make a profit that matter; it's the ones that make a difference." Real estate is about so much more than buying and selling -- it's place-making. Tune in to hear Tim Rollins' -- a "chosen Memphian," a U.S. Army veteran, and "place-maker" with Cushman Wakefield Commercial Advisors -- take on the impact of real estate professionals in our Memphis community.

This episode was made possible in partnership with iBank Memphis.

Happy New Year, dear listener! For our final installment of our favorite things, Kim revisits Fletcher Cleaves' episode that originally aired in February 2022. His story of tragedy to triumph is more than a little inspiring, and his resilience is the perfect way to enter a new chapter.

You can see Fletcher aka The Wheelchair Nomad LIVE at TEDxMemphis this February as he takes the stage to share his insights. Next week we resume live interviews with new guests.

This episode is made possible in partnership with iBank.

For our final episode of 2022, Jamie is in the studio to share why this particular episode was her favorite of the year. We are revisiting Nighat's 2021 TEDxMemphis talk and why the impact of being agreeable is so dangerous. She discusses how society conditions certain behaviors for "success," and how generally women are applauded for how they are while men are applauded for what they do.

Trigger Warning: This episode deals with the topic of mental health and suicide prevention. Please be aware of the serious nature of these topics before you tune in. Memphis Crisis Center lifelines are open, 24/7, nights, weekends and holidays by simply calling or texting 988. More information online at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

This episode is made possible in partnership with iBank Memphis.

Part 2 of our "favorite things" is brought to you by the one and only, Erin Wendell. One of her many favorites was Eso Tolson's "Chill Mode" which revisits his 2021 TEDxMemphis talk and reminds us all that we can have less grind, and more chill. Tune in for a reminder that it's ok to take that nap.

While we replay his TEDxMemphis talk in full, you can also view it here: https://www.ted.com/talks/eso_tolson_less_grind_more_chill

This episode is brought to you in partnership with iBank.

"These are a few of my favorite things"

The time has come for New Memphis' "favorite things" series where we replay our staff's very favorite "Meanwhile in Memphis" episodes from the year as a holiday gift to YOU! We are proud of EVERY episode we produce in partnership with WYXR and iBank Memphis, but these stood out for a re-listen.

Tune in to hear our fearless leader's, Anna Ellis', fav, William "Fry" Arnold talk about "Reentry with Dignity" that originally aired in July 2022. We hope you enjoy!

Today we're chatting with Clay Presley of The 901 Fund. The recent name, image and likeness rules make it possible for University of Memphis athletes to engage with the Memphis community as well as earn money in the process. The 901 Fund is led by Tigers On A Mission to drive awareness of local charities and deepen the connection between Memphis and the student-athletes who represent us.

Tune in to hear about all things athletics for our final live episode of 2022. Next week we'll roll into our "Favorite Things" where we replay our staff's favorite episodes from the year.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with iBank.

Happy Giving Tuesday, Memphis! Laura Beth Davis and Raquel Capocaccia drop by the studio to share about all things development and fundraising. We'll take a deep dive into how New Memphis serves and celebrates Memphis + share our own program experiences as alumni of Embark and Fellows. We also announce the generous match from Dunvant Enterprises for donations to New Memphis.

This episode is made possible in partnership with iBank.

Wear your crown, mane! 👑

Today's episode of "Meanwhile in Memphis" features Justin Hart of Black Men Crowned. He is back in town from L.A. for Thanksgiving and made some time for New Memphis in his busy schedule to share why he's passionate about rewriting the narrative for Black men in Memphis. Tune in for his insights + to hear how GRATEFUL we are for YOU!

This episode is made possible in partnership with iBank.

Tune in for the second installment of our 2022 Educators of Excellence series featuring Nekishia Woods Dobbins. 🍎 🏆

She shares how she pivoted from commanding a courtroom to commanding the classroom, and the importance of being the change you wish to see -- form teaching her students how to "secure their own bag" to taking time to reflect, she is intentional in every aspect of her work.

This partnership is made possible in partnership with iBank.

The "face of the Fellows" himself, John Bass, stops by the studio today to discuss the Mike Curb Institute for Music at Rhodes College, their unique approach to hands-on learning, and the history of music in Memphis.

This episode is made possible in partnership with iBank.

Spooky scary skeletons might send shivers down your spine💀 .... but our conversation with the newest New Memphians is sweeter than the candy you collected last night.🍬

Get to know Bridget Sisney, Jalisha Toy, Jamie Boller and Caleb Fowler a little better, and how they're plugging in at our organization and our city.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with iBank.

You knew Southland Casino Hotel was a fun place for entertainment but did you know about their strong ties to the community through volunteerism and activation?

Neki Catron stops by the studio to talk about how Southland Casino Hotel gives back to the Mid-South from areas like education to healthcare. A few of the most recent noteworthy items they've helped with are bringing an OBGYN clinic to the Crittenden County area in partnership with East Arkansas Family Health Center as well as a mobile food pantry to better serve the community's dietary needs in partnership with Mid-South Food Bank.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with iBank Memphis.

Happy Monday, Memphis!

It's an unusual week for us since it's WYXR's annual Pledge Drive. Catch Anna Thompson LIVE in WYXR studio on October 18th from 8-9 am. So this episode is a quick recap of who we are, what we do, and how important YOU are to us, dear listener! As always, please subscribe, rate and review us, and tune in next week for your regular programming.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with iBank.

Today, AT and Erin chat with the first of the 2022 honorees of the New Memphis Educator of Excellence award, Mrs. Valen Warner.

Valen is surrounded by a strong family of educators, and her passion for students is palpable. She shares how she seeks out opportunities for grants to better improve her knowledge and classroom environment, what she learned on her trip abroad to bring back to her students, and how other educators can "find your Barb" as seen on Abbot Elementary.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with iBank.

Carmeon Hamilton is no stranger to the spotlight -- after starting her own business and being cast for the reboot of HGTV Design Star: Next Gen, she emerged the champion, snagged her own tv show based in the 901 (Reno My Rental), and was flying high. She's persevered through personal tragedy, sustained her business throughout the height of the pandemic, and forged an unbreakable bond with her son in the process.

In this chat, she'll share how she got out of her comfort zone to star on national television, and the courage to voice her need to be home, too. Hear her thoughts on motherhood, her favorite rooms to design, and how her son's décor idea became her favorite space.

This episode is made possible in partnership with iBank.

Lights, camera, ACTION! 🎭 🎦 Paul Chandler has worked every role in the biz, and now he's settled into the top job at The Germantown Performing Arts Center (aka GPAC). Today he stops by to share their upcoming Fall schedule (including something exciting this Friday), the impact of GPAC's The Grove during the pandemic, and the unique partnership with the City of Germantown. In this extended cut episode, you'll hear about Paul's first jobs on movie sets, he'll re-answer a Q&A from 2013 and MORE!

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Independent Bank.

To kick off spooky season, we're chatting with Kim Bearden, the Executive Director of Elmwood Cemetery. This Level III Arboretum, official historic site, and final resting place for more than 80,000 souls is unique and an integral part of Memphis' story.

"To best understand our city, you first have to understand Yellow Fever. The best way to understand that is a tour of Elmwood." Learn Kim's favorite residents, the best time of year to see the grounds, and hear one of her "thin place" encounters.

Go ahead and take a listen; it won't kill ya (see what we did there?).

This episode is brought to you in partnership with iBank.

Today we chat with Shelby County School's board chair, Michelle McKissack about her 2021 TEDxMemphis talk, why public education matters for the community, and how every Memphian can roll up their sleeves and get involved. This is the extended cut episode, so be sure to tune in for all of the goodness!

This episode is made possible in partnership with iBank.

Happy 100th episode, Memphis! We've loved bringing you a dose of weekly wonder as our community drops by to share their innovations in every sector of business. We couldn't do it without our partners at WYXR, our committed listeners, and our supportive sponsors. Here's to the next 100!

It's only fitting that our 100th episode airs right after Labor Day, as any great experience is often a "labor of love." Today we have Lauren Young, founder and owner of Sweet LaLa's Bakery, in the studio to share how her passion for service, her love of baking, and her family's deep roots in the community created the foundation for what became the Sweet LaLa's Bakery we all know and love today. 

This episode is made possible in partnership with iBank.

Piggy-backing on last week's conversation about Creative Works, we have Nick Darmstaedter in the studio today to chat about Contemporary Arts Memphis' Summer Fellowship Program. Tune in to hear how it is creating a pathway for resources and access for a new generation of creatives.

This episode was made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Today in the studio, Josh Horton shares the impact of artists on Memphis culture + how the Creative Works Conference is a catalyst for bringing creatives to the Mid-South. We tackle the hard-hitting topics about whether the infrastructure of our city supports creatives, the upcoming Creative Works Conference, and what it really means to be a professional creative.

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Blockchain? Cryptocurrency? Bitcoin? The future of transactions? Tomorrow we're breaking it down for you with Embark alum Evan Mann. Evan owns Camped 901 but has also made it a priority to help destigmatize the complexities of the new era of data shared across a business network.

Why does it matter for you? Why does it matter for Memphis? Tune in to hear practical examples applicable to local non-profits, businesses, and individuals.

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Resources: coinbase.com @CoinDesk on Instagram Crypto Radio Network Tiktok: @conversationswithevan Email conversationswithevan@gmail.com to claim your POAP (Proof of Attendance Protocol) with the secret word from the episode.

Reggie Davis in the studio to talk about his work in the community, how he knew it was time to begin his own coaching & consulting firm, the topics he chose for the Level Up: Midsouth Leadership Summit and MORE!

Reggie and AT do what they do best -- REAL conversations about growth mindset and the vulnerability it requires. Tune in for a treat in this extended-cut episode, Memphis!

This episode was made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Today we have Wayne Moody, Executive Director of Moody Community Development Corporation, in the studio to talk about affordable housing, opportunities in real estate in Memphis, and the compounding effects of redlining in our community.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with iBank.

We're celebrating interns all week long culminating in our Summer Experience finale on National Intern Day this Thursday! To kick us off, we're chatting with our own New Memphis summer interns, Shawn Meng and Shreya Ganesh. Shawn and Shreya talk to us about their experience as Bank of America Student Leaders, what it's really like to work in non-profit, and share what they (and the rest of Gen Z) expect from employers as they enter the workforce. Tune in to hear all of their advice.

NOTE: Unfortunately we experienced a technical glitch which made our 40-minute chat into a 10-minute chat. We plan to have a follow up with Shawn and Shreya as their schedules allow.

This episode is made possible in partnership with iBank.

Knowledge is power, and having crucial conversations is important. In that spirit, we invited Jennifer Pepper, President and CEO of CHOICES, back into the studio to have one such critical discussion on healthcare access for Tennesseans in light of recent events this summer. New Memphis is committed to developing, activating, & retaining talent to our city, and we dig into how these decisions made at the state-level impact our region and workforce.

NOTE: This episode deals with the topic of reproductive health in the wake of the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Please be aware of the serious nature of these topics before you tune in.

Additional Notes: Please note that this episode discusses topics including Roe v. Wade and the legality of reproductive healthcare that might be triggering to some. This conversation was recorded on July 6th, 2022. Since then, legislations and executive orders have shifted slightly and continue to go back and forth and as a result some of the things discussed in this episode have also shifted.

Items referenced in the episode:

• Jennifer’s “Meanwhile in Memphis” episode that originally aired in April 2021 can be found here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-thinkers/id1550638144?i=1000516959449
• https://memphischoices.org/
• https://abortionfunds.org/
• https://arc-southeast.org/
• https://www.midwestaccesscoalition.org/
• https://www.chicagoabortionfund.org/
• Dr. Nikia Grayson’s 2021 TEDxMemphis Talk, “How Black Midwives Can Help our Broken Maternal Healthcare System” can be found here: https://youtu.be/lySoSBa3bt0

When you pay a debt, it goes away. You're not continually charged for that item or service. But for those who are justice-involved, they often keep paying long after they've paid their debt to society. At what point is the bill finally paid for those who are justice-involved?

William "Fry" Arnold joins us to share his 2021 TEDxMemphis Talk, the importance of access for those re-entering society, and his own personal story about how he was wrongfully accused of a crime he did not commit. He emphasizes that the the value of humanity is something we all share -- no matter our circumstances -- and we all deserve that dignity.\

Tune in to hear this inspiring conversation.

This episode was made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Today we have someone very near and dear to our hearts in the studio with us -- the one and only, Linda Bailey! Linda created the LDI program 25 years ago and has been a fixture in New Memphis leadership programs for decades. Tune in to hear about her idea to create a new class for Memphis executives and how the formula has propelled such meaningful change for our city.

This episode was made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change has been teaching, studying and promoting civil rights and social change for 25 years. Daphne McFerren and Nathaniel Ball stop by our studio to talk about how The Hooks Institute continues to champion the modern-day narratives of civil rights and how YOU can get involved in their mission.

This episode was made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Dr. Angela Hargrave of Memphis Shelby County School's S.E.E.D. office joins us today. She shares the importance of continued learning, resources unique to Memphis, and more! Then we have a quick segment with Erin Wendell to talk about New Memphis' educator work including the upcoming Educators of Excellence award in partnership with Chalkbeat TN and Spillit Memphis.

It might be summer vacation, but we never stop grindin' for our beloved Memphis educators!🍎

This episode is made possible in partnership with iBank.

If the future is female, then the change begins with our young people. La'Keisha Gomes of Beautiful Spirited Women stops by the studio to share about the importance of properly trained volunteers, knowing that your passions might be different than your skill-set, and why empowering the next generation of females is so critical.

Beautiful Spirited Women (BSW) provides girls and young women with a safe-haven platform to share their personal experiences with sex, drug abuse, domestic violence, low self-esteem, bullying, depression, and equips them with important life skills to advance in schools and workplaces. They offer a mentorship program for girls, ranging from 4-20 years old, in twelve cities across the country. While not all the girls involved are at-risk, BSW does focus on working with at-risk girls in low-income areas.

Tune in to learn about the impact BSW brings to the Memphis community.

This episode was made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

The secret sauce to entrepreneurship is hard work and making connections, and Carolyn Chism Hardy stops by the studio today to chat about her tricks and tips to making dreams a reality, with a little help from your friends.

Carolyn shares about her entrepreneurial skills from a young age and how she used the power of connections to forge careers in arenas from accounting and writing to her bottling company. She has parlayed her knowledge into success in many sectors -- including one of her newest ventures (HTWO) with daughter, Whitney Hardy.

Hear the extended cut episode here!

This episode is brought to you in partnership with iBank.

Today we have Ben Adams, chair of the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission, to share how this collective makes Memphis unique & why it's important for each stakeholder to pull in the same direction, and how they provide "gentle accountability" to everyone involved.

NOTE: While this episode was recorded a few weeks ago, we believe it is a necessary conversation, particularly after the events of the last few weeks. It can bring a certain level of peace and understanding to know what steps are already being taken + details of the initiatives in place to help our community prosper.

This episode was made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Mentorship Matters. 🤝 Having someone in your corner working alongside you makes those dreams become a reality that much quicker. 💭

Today you'll hear from New Memphis Accelerate grad, Matthew Bellow, and his mentor, Darrell Cobbins (LDI alum and Board of Trustees member). They'll share how they met, why their mentor/protégé relationship is mutually beneficial, and what they're both doing to make Memphis more magnetic. It's the circle of life... of mentorship!

This episode was made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Nighat Akbar Shah is many things -- VP of Shah holdings Group, film producer, activist, wife, mother, and impact investor among them -- but one thing she is not is "agreeable."

On today's edition of "Meanwhile in Memphis" on WYXR, Nighat stops by the studio to share her insights on why the impact of being agreeable is so dangerous. She discusses how society conditions certain behaviors for "success," and how generally women are applauded for how they are while men are applauded for what they do. She shares how she knew she needed to apply for TEDxMemphis, who helped coach her through the process, why giving the talk was so important, and most importantly "How Being Disagreeable Saved (her) Life."

Trigger Warning: This episode deals with the topic of mental health and suicide prevention. Please be aware of the serious nature of these topics before you tune in. Memphis Crisis Center lifelines are open, 24/7, nights, weekends and holidays. 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-273-TALK. Or call us directly at (901) CRISIS-7, (901) 274-7477. More information online at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Tune is as we take a peak behind the blue, oval logo into Ford Motor Company's Blue Oval City with The Commercial Appeal journalists, Omer Yusuf and Samuel Hardiman. Even before the announcement of the all-new $5.6 billion mega campus in Stanton, Tenn., Yusuf has had his finger on the pulse of what this spec-site could be. As that dream becomes a reality, what does it mean for Memphians? For our environment? For local jobs?

How will Ford's company-defining-project transform the Mid-South? Tune in and following along with reporting on the story from The Commercial Appeal.

Class is in session, Memphis!

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we're doing some research on David Jamison II, aka "The Dope Educator." How did he go from a kid who "stayed in trouble" to being the star of an international, multi-media GAP Kids commercial for education? Find out the secret to his success on this extended-cut episode of Meanwhile in Memphis.

This episode is made possible by our generous sponsor, Independent Bank.

The Full House theme song spoke to us for this special pledge drive episode!

Memphis is currently shining in the spotlight -- from our NBA playoff prowess to our one-of-a-kind model for eco-friendly architecture. We are a city on the rise, and WYXR is proud to be part of that momentum toward a New Memphis.

The next time you click "add to your cart" make sure it's from the heart!💙 Consider donating to WYXR and New Memphis, wherever you are. Because this New Memphis has room (and opportunity!) for everyone.〽️If you tuned in at our regular time earlier today, you heard our fearless leader live on WYXR to chat about our work and why we are big, big fans of WYXR.

Consider donating to WYXR and New Memphis because.... "Everywhere you look, everywhere you go There's a face of somebody who needs you"

This episode is made possible by our friends at Independent Bank.

EXTENDED CUT --- Whether changing your lightbulbs to LED or watching your water usage, we all have a hand in helping out our planet. In honor of Earth Day later this week, we're chatting with Jacob Davis of archimania about his 2021 TEDxMemphis Talk and the impact of the Cooper Street Carbon-Neutral Corridor. What does it mean for the environment? How can Memphis' model be replicated elsewhere? And what does collective change look like? Find out in this extended cut episode of "Meanwhile in Memphis."

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Independent Bank.

EXTENDED CUT --

Today's episode is ALL about chill mode -- what it is, how to make time for it, and better yet, how to chill without guilt! We chat with Eso Tolson about his 2021 TEDxMemphis talk, his BOOMING design career and more! + Tune in immediately following for an extended interview anywhere you stream your podcasts.

The podcast is brought to you in partnership with Independent Bank.

Leave it to Christy and AT to tie it in with a 90s country song! But it's the truth: "Ain't no road too long when we meet in the middle."

Both of today's guests give us different sides of the same coin -- the next generation entering the workforce! College students (aka Gen Z) are entering the workforce, and just like their predecessors (aka the Millennials, Gen Xers, and Boomers), their expectations are unique!

Hear from New Memphis intern, Logan Waters, on his college experience, building connections, and getting comfortable being uncomfortable. Then, Shelly Gilmore of Peer Power stops by to share their mentoring model creating impact + shifts she's seeing in HR as Gen Z re-writes the script on what's possible.

If you think that board service is boring, then you've got it all wrong, dear listener!

Consider adding board service to your vision board to spice things up (see what we did there?)! Hear from Regional One Health Foundation and Overton Park Shell board members about what it takes, how to get involved, & how it's impactful for our city AND each participant! Pursue your passion and propel our city forward through board service.

We've learned to "mind the gap" in various way through the years, but when was the last time you thought about the digital divide? Since the dawn of the internet, people have been connected electronically, often to a great advantage. But what happens when that connectivity isn't accessible? Find out what our city is doing to bridge the gap and innovate for our city for generations to come in today's episode. Ted Townsend of the Greater Memphis Chamber and Tiffany Collins of The City of Memphis explain what the tech is happening, and why the average Memphian should care.

For a more robust conversation, join us on *March 29th for Celebrate What's Right: What the Tech?

This episode is generously sponsored by Independent Bank.

Dr. Mario Brown has made a career out of ensuring others' success. As Chief Talent Development Officer for First Horizon Bank, a board member of Seeding Success, and a founding facilitator of New Memphis Embark, he's passionate about empowering people. passion for our city and its people is energizing, and he is most joyful when sparking joy in others. So, it's no surprise that he's made his career about empowering those around him, and his 2016 TEDxMemphis talk "The Possibility of People" is an expression of the power we each have to make an impact every day. This episode is generously sponsored by Independent Bank.

What happens when two Teach for America teachers decide to offer up their knowledge of rugby to their students? Find out in today's episode of "Meanwhile in Memphis" as Shane Young, co-founder and executive director of Memphis Inner City Rugby, stops by the studio.

Shane's passion for the game and his students is unmatched, and it turned his "side hustle" into a full-time job. The organization has grown exponentially since its inception in 2012 and now includes teams at multiple schools, female teams (girl power!), a Tribeca Film Festival documentary, and a Nike commercial among others.

Special thanks to Independent Bank for sponsoring this episode.

We can all agree that access to news looks different than it once did. The nostalgia of reading the Sunday paper with a great cup of coffee is all but forgotten to a whole generation. But even with tremendous progress, there will always be an appetite authenticity. Mark Fleischer and Nikki Dean of Storyboard Memphis talk about a multimedia-model & filling story-telling gaps with long-form journalism from diverse contributors. Then, Memphis maven, arts-lovin', radio icon Kacky Walton of WKNO radio stops by to talk about the importance of public broadcasting.

A blighted building. A children's book. To some, these don't have anything in common. We beg to differ. The cover of the book is a nice start, but the good stuff is deeper within.

Kevin Woods of Blue Cross Blue Shield of TN and Paul Young of the Downtown Memphis Commission stop by the studio to chat about their exciting new mixed-use project at 100 N. Main and how the redevelopment will breathe new life into the historic structure. Then, Ali Manning, food scientist and newly-minted author, shares her new book (debuting today!), and how the solution to managing food waste might begin by playing with food.

In today's episode we're bringing you the heart and soul of Memphis! Libby Ridenhour and Kate Staggs from the American Heart Association share personal stories and how to recognize risk factors and potentially prevent heart disease before it starts. Then, we hear from Kimberly Hooper-Taylor who spear-headed Stax Museum of American Soul's virtual Black History Month offerings.

This is chock full of life-saving information for your mind, body, and soul. The take-aways are profound and you won't want to miss it!

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Independent Bank.

We know you're feelin' the ice, ice, baby! But this episode is sure to warm your heart! Dr. Erin Watson and Michelle Nixon from Junior League of Memphis swing by to share about their upcoming Develop H.E.R. Women's Summit. Then, you get to know the newest New Memphian, our Director of Leadership Programs, Kaylon Bradford. He's witty, he's magnetic, and he gets life advice from Will Smith. Trust me you won't want to miss this episode!

Special thanks to iBank for sponsoring this episode.

There's nothin' to it but to do it! Fletcher Cleaves is proving that it's not your circumstances that define you, but rather how you react to those circumstances.

At the age of 18, he had it all -- he'd worked hard to get a scholarship to Lambuth to play football under the formidable Coach Hugh Freeze. But everything changed in an instant after a car accident caused by a distracted driver left him paralyzed from the neck down. But instead of letting that moment define him, he doubled down on the hand he was dealt.

Fletcher turned his tragedy into triumph as spokesperson for AT&T's "It Can Wait" campaign, a motivational speaker, disabled travel advocate, author, non-profit creator, and all around rockstar!

BONUS: He also shares about his New Memphis Embark experience!

What if a spoonful of sugar is the problem? Not the remedy? Join us to hear how LifeDoc Health is providing wrap-around health services for the Memphis community by meeting individuals where they're at, then get to know two of the newest members to the New Memphis team!

The week's episode is generously sponsored by iBank.

Memphis has a complex history, and it's critical to honor our past while leveling up for our future. In the studio today, we do just that. One day after MLK Day, we're honored to celebrate 70 years of The New Tri-State Defender, and hear a challenge from the President of The National Civil Rights Museum.

"I believe if Dr. King was here, he would give us words of inspiration about work that's been done, but challenge us that we have not yet done all we can do to situate people on equal footing. That work is relentless. If you get complacent, it's easy to backslide." - Dr. Russell Wigginton

In this episode, we chat with musician, composer, podcaster, educator, TEDxMemphis speaker, and refugee, Zak Ozmo, about the universal truth of music. It is always there to provide a safe space, to bond, for expression, and find common ground. Art and music are the greatest forms of human expression - so it stands to reason that moving music can be created in times of turmoil. We dive deep into how Memphis is not only a music city, but a refugee city, by revisiting his 2019 TEDxMemphis talk, "Why Refugees Are Integral to the Future of Art."

I don't know about you, but we're feelin' 2022!

For our final "favorite thing" and the first episode of 2022, Christy Mullen (our weekly co-host and Director of Marketing and Communications) shares her favorite... "the wonderful and effervescent Ephie...". It originally aired in June of 2021, and is actually our longest episode to date at an hour and 20 minutes. We trimmed it down for today, but please feel free to scroll on back and listen to the full cut later on!

Happy New Year, Memphis!

Ephie Ballard-Johnson is at the helm of "the family business" of caring for people as the President and CEO of Neighborhood Christian Centers (a 44-year-old Memphis organization!). They're tackling not only systematic, multi-generational challenges by bridging the immediate gaps, focused on truly meeting each individual where they are - insisting it's never too late to make an authentic change.   In this episode, she's bringing it in for the real deal with this genuine conversation about everything from leading by example to learning not to cry over logistics. Plus we'll chat about her 2015 TEDxMemphis talk, "Do First Years Last a Lifetime?" where she explains the urgency of intersecting with a person in need sooner rather than later. Her hustle knows no bounds!   You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll leave fully inspired by this extended-cut episode (including 20 extra minutes of goodness that we didn't have time for live on air).

For our final installment of episodes in 2021, our very own Erin Wendell, Director of New Memphis Educator and Collegiate Programs, chose an episode that she just could not stop thinking about. This episode, which originally aired in May 2021, is more of a hearty main dish than a starchy side, so put on your stretchy pants and get ready to dig in!

Law and Order. Our justice system is set up to be a fair system of checks and balances.. right? Not necessarily. When you're a hammer, everything can look like a nail. Josh Spickler of Just City shares gaps where the justice system continually says, "can't touch this" because it's "hammer time" in his 2018 TEDxMemphis Talk, "Crime and Lots of Punishment."

But what's the alternative? He gives his a-ha moments, possible solutions, and ways he and others have already made lasting change in Tennessee. You won't want to miss this one!

The second installment of "Our Favorite Things" is the delightful Shamichael Hallman! His career is as generous as he is, spanning from tech and ministry to being a 2020 TEDxMemphis speaker and reimagining public spaces like the historic Cossitt Library.

This episode originally aired in February 2021, and was quickly a staff and fan favorite. Tune in and you'll see why!

As our holiday gift to you, dear listener, we're revisiting a few of our favorite episodes in a series we're literally calling "Our Favorite Things." (cue the Julie Andrews music!)

This first one was hand-selected by our sometimes co-host, AT, and originally aired in December 2020. As to why she selected this particular episode, she said: "First, Ned Canty is hilarious! But more importantly, he has a way of explaining things that seem so high-brow to make them very accessible and exciting. I assumed I wouldn't like opera, but this episode made me rethink that entire notion completely."

We dare you to not smile while you re-visit just how fun opera (and Opera Memphis) can be!