SYNOPSIS: Wilderness and untamed landscapes loom large in the South's sense of itself. Southern history and folklore are full of tales of mountains and rivers, swamps and bayous. A new magazine called Southlands aims to explore the Southern outdoors, both literally and literarily. This week Jesse talks to Southlands publisher Boyce Upholt about our relationship to our natural surroundings — and about a new book Upholt has also written, about the history and destiny of the Mississippi River. Also: a look at public employees across the South who are fighting back in court after being fired or punished for comments about the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk. And we check in on the First Voices Festival, a celebration of indigenous culture in Atlanta.

SHOW NOTES: Southlands 'The Great River' Boyce Upholt Lawsuit against the University of Tennessee by Professor Tamar Shirinian "Former Auburn University instructor sues school, says she was fired over Charlie Kirk post" Alabama Reflector "Spartanburg County teacher's assistant claims wrongful termination over Charlie Kirk social media post" WYFF News "Firing over Charlie Kirk post was unconstitutional, former Clemson professor claims in lawsuit" South Carolina Daily Gazette "Florida college employee fired after social media post about Charlie Kirk assassination files lawsuit" CBS News "Former MTSU dean, fired for social media posts about Kirk, sues school" The Tennessean "Judge temporarily restrains university from firing professor for post about Charlie Kirk" South Dakota Searchlight First Voices Festival

CONTACT: Jesse Mayshark [email protected] (865) 214-7764