In this special edition of Behind the Business, students step outside of the business world to interview Dr. Roger Alsup, who will officially begin serving as Director of Schools for Franklin County on July 1st.

Although schools are not a business, students wanted to better understand the leadership, responsibility, and decision making that go into running a school system. Dr. Alsup shares how his experience as an HR Director, principal, and military veteran has shaped his approach to leadership. He also talks about what the transition into this role has been like, what people often misunderstand about district leadership, and what students should know about how decisions are made behind the scenes.

This episode focuses on service, preparation, and the responsibility that comes with leading a school system. As always, the conversation is student-led and centered on learning.

In this episode of Behind the Business, middle school students talk with Myron Yoder from Wright Base Flight Training.

Myron shares what his day-to-day work looks like as a flight instructor, how he helps train new pilots, and what it means to manage a team while also working as a mechanic. He talks with students about responsibility, safety, teaching, and the kinds of decisions that come with running a flight training business.

The conversation focuses on the real work behind aviation training, including problem solving, leadership, and lessons learned through experience. This episode is student-led and centered on learning, not promotion.

In this episode of Behind the Business, middle school students talk with Colton Henley, the owner of Semper Softwash.

Colton talks with students about what it is like to run a service-based business, what his day-to-day work actually looks like, and the kinds of problems and decisions that come with owning a small business. He also shares lessons learned through experience and how his background has shaped the way he approaches work and responsibility.

The conversation focuses on the real work behind running a business, including challenges, problem solving, and growth over time. This episode is student-led and focused on learning rather than promotion.

In this first episode of Behind the Business, middle school students sit down with Haley, one of the founders of Java Hut.

Haley talks with students about what it was like starting a coffee shop in Winchester, the challenges she did not expect, and the decisions that shaped the business early on. She also shares what changed when Java Hut expanded into Tullahoma and what she learned along the way.

This episode focuses on the real work behind running a small business, including mistakes, problem solving, and day to day responsibilities that customers usually do not see. The conversation is honest, student-led, and focused on learning rather than promotion

Behind the Business is a student-run podcast where middle school students talk with local business owners from their community.

In each episode, students sit down with one business owner to learn how their business actually works, where they started, what challenges they faced, and what they have learned along the way. These conversations are honest and focused on real experiences, not advertising or promotion.

The podcast gives students the chance to practice interviewing, listening, and storytelling while learning from the people behind local businesses.

New episodes are released regularly.