Charlie Koon and co-host Ryan Ploeckelman talk to guest Debra Sutton from Manna Cafe Ministries. The discussion focuses on Combat Hunger, Manna Cafe’s annual food drive, which has been expanded to the entire month of October to address growing food insecurity in Clarksville and Montgomery County, particularly among military families and seniors. Manna Cafe, a Clarksville original charity in its 15th year, relies heavily on community support, seeking to collect three months' worth of non-perishable food to stock their warehouse for the winter. The organization is organizing a corporate challenge and seeks volunteers for a major collection day on October 25th, utilizing nearly 40 drop-off locations, including all Clarksville Fire Department stations and various retail stores.

On this episode, Mary Durrett, a lifelong resident of Clarksville, shares information about her Sasha Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to funding mental health therapy for the underserved, and her own health journey using functional medicine. Cliff Syner, a former Army flight medic, discusses why he settled in Clarksville, the origins of his nonprofit, Risen Wellness, and the principles of functional medicine—a practice focused on addressing the root cause of health issues through lifestyle changes rather than solely relying on medication. Both guests stress the importance of community involvement, with Syner explaining that Risen Wellness aims to make functional medicine accessible and affordable to the broader community through donor support.

On this episode Charlie Coon, and guests Jay Albertia and Britney Campbell, discuss an upcoming charity event, The Legends Bank’s Game Changer Clay Shoot supporting Progressive Directions, a non-profit organization led by Jay Albertia that aids individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Middle and West Tennessee. Britney Campbell, representing Legends Bank, explains the event's evolution from a golf scramble to a clay shoot and details the process of selecting Progressive Directions as the current beneficiary through employee nominations. Jay emphasizes the importance of the funds and community awareness generated by the event to support his organization's extensive programs, including residential services, employment initiatives, and the Buddy Ball special needs athletic league. 

On this episode Charlie chats with Cole Smith of the Nashville Predators. The main topics of the conversation center around Smith's background in hockey, including his start skating on a frozen lake in Minnesota and his eventual decision to pursue hockey over football, his strengths as a player who relies on work ethic and excels at the penalty kill, and his positive experience with the Predators organization. A significant portion of the interview focuses on the Predators' community involvement, particularly their support of Gold Star families and military communities in the Clarksville area, which both Smith and Coon express deep appreciation for.

On this episode Charlie is joined by Mayor Wes Golden of Montgomery County, and Bobby DeVoursney the CEO of the Nashville Kats Arena football team. The primary focus of the discussion is the major announcement that the Nashville Kats will officially relocate their next home season to Clarksville, Tennessee, starting in 2026, playing at the F&M Bank Arena. The participants emphasize the community support, affordability of tickets, and the team's commitment to engaging with the local area, even suggesting a future name change to reflect Clarksville's identity. Additionally, Mayor Golden provides updates on several other Montgomery County quality-of-life initiatives, including new parks, libraries, and the development of a fairgrounds project.

On this episode host Charlie Coon discusses the Clarksville Rotary Club with guests Betty Burchett and Jill Moore. The conversation centers on the club's impactful community work in Clarksville, Montgomery County, highlighting their long history of service projects such as Rotary Park, Heritage Park's splash pad, and the Buddy Ball Fields. A significant portion of the discussion is dedicated to an upcoming project: the installation of a peace pole at Rotary Park, symbolizing a commitment to fostering peace and addressing issues like youth conflict within the community. The guests also explain how individuals can become members of the Rotary Club, emphasizing the organization's welcoming and diverse environment, and the opportunities for mentorship and leadership.

This episode of "Clarksville Conversations" features an interview with Major General David Gardner, the commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell. General Gardner discusses his personal journey to military service, highlighting his early inspiration from West Point and the enduring camaraderie among his classmates. He emphasizes the unique and supportive relationship between Fort Campbell and the surrounding communities in both Tennessee and Kentucky, noting the significant economic and social ties. The general also provides an overview of the 101st's current global deployments and its role in transforming and modernizing the Army, underscoring the critical importance of daily training and readiness. The conversation concludes with recommendations for visitors to Fort Campbell and the soon-to-open Tennessee Wings of Liberty Museum, further illustrating the deep connection between the military installation and its community.

This episode of Clarksville Conversations features an interview with Austin Peay State University (APSU) Football Coach Jeff Faris, following a significant upset victory over Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). The conversation centers on the team's preparation and keys to their historic win, highlighting their confidence, lack of turnovers, strong third-down defense, and explosive plays. Coach Faris also discusses the invaluable support from the Clarksville community and the APSU administration, particularly President Mike Licari and Interim Athletic Director Jordan Harmon, as crucial to the team's success and player retention. The episode concludes with a call to action for community members to attend home games to foster an unparalleled atmosphere and aid in recruiting, emphasizing that the team's ongoing focus is on continuous improvement and the process of winning.

This episode features an interview with David Kells, the Chief Venues Officer for F&M Bank Arena and Bridgestone Arena, discussing the growth of Clarksville, Montgomery County, and the development of its entertainment scene. Kells shares his career journey in the live music industry, from internships to his current executive role, and highlights his experiences with memorable concerts and the importance of creating shared memories through live events. The conversation also covers the strategic partnership between F&M Bank Arena and Bridgestone Arena to establish Clarksville as a viable market for touring acts, emphasizing the diverse range of events planned to cater to the community and the positive impact of these venues on local quality of life and economic development.

On this episode Charlie chats with Dr. Michael Licari, President of Austin Peay State University. The discussion primarily focuses on the university's impressive growth in enrollment and facilities, highlighting new additions like the Health Professions building and a welcome center, and future plans such as an event center and a large Chick-fil-A. Dr. Licari also elaborates on Austin Peay's commitment to student success, community engagement, and supporting military-affiliated students, emphasizing its role as a key economic and social anchor for the Clarksville area. He touches on the importance of financial support from "investors" and the university's dedication to ensuring graduates find meaningful careers.