Opening Day is here—and Chattanooga is stepping into something entirely new.

In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Zito, Vice President of the Chattanooga Lookouts, to go behind the scenes of one of the most ambitious projects our city has seen. From starting as an intern to helping lead a state-of-the-art stadium and entertainment district, Andrew shares what it really takes to build something this big—and what it means to stay and grow within one organization for over 15 years.

We talk about the reality of running a minor league team, the pressure of leading a project the entire city is watching, and the intentional decisions that went into creating an experience unlike anything Chattanooga has seen before.

This isn’t just about baseball—it’s about vision, community, and the future of Chattanooga.

What started as a simple idea quickly turned into one of Chattanooga’s most talked-about businesses.

In this episode, Amy sits down with Josh Pratt, owner of Brothers Bagel, to talk about the story behind the city’s first true bagel shop—and how it grew faster than anyone expected. From lines out the door in the early days to opening a second location in under two years, Josh shares what it really looked like behind the scenes.

They dive into the intentionality behind building a brand (not just a product), creating a team culture people can feel the moment they walk in, and what it takes to scale something without losing what made it special in the first place.

It’s a conversation about momentum, community, and what happens when a city shows up for something it’s been waiting on.

In this episode of Heart of the City, we sit down with Bill Reed, owner of Pedestrian Wine & Cheese, a new Northshore spot bringing fresh energy to Frazier Avenue. With a background in New York’s restaurant scene and a personality that instantly fills a room, Bill shares what led him to Chattanooga—and why he chose to go all in on opening something of his own here.

We talk about the realities of launching a business just six months ago in a high-traffic, high-conversation area, his decision to plant roots on Frazier during a challenging season, and what he sees for the future of the neighborhood. More than anything, this conversation centers on community—what it means to create it, invest in it, and surround yourself with people who care just as much as you do.

Plus, Bill breaks down wine in a way that’s approachable, unpretentious, and actually helpful for everyday life.

This episode is about taking risks, trusting your instincts, and building something that brings people together.

What happens when the life you’re living no longer feels aligned with who you are?

In this episode of Heart of the City, Amy sits down with inflection point coach Ruth Galpin to talk about the moments that quietly reshape our lives. Ruth shares her journey from the high-pressure world of tech sales to helping others navigate career transitions, leadership challenges, and the deeply personal work of redefining ambition.

Together, they explore what it really means to reach an “inflection point,” the tension high-achieving women often carry, and how motherhood, identity, and ambition can evolve over time. Ruth also shares what she sees behind the scenes with her clients, how to approach a healthy career pivot, and the resources that have shaped her own thinking along the way.

This conversation is thoughtful, honest, and full of insight for anyone questioning their next chapter.

This week on Heart of the City, we sit down with Tim Moore of Tim Eats to talk about the evolving story of Chattanooga’s food scene. From spotlighting local restaurants on social media to helping build community-driven food events, Tim shares what it really means to support the people behind the plate.

We talk influence and responsibility, hype versus longevity, and the unseen work that goes into running a restaurant today. Plus, Tim builds his perfect Chattanooga foodie night — and gives insight into where our city’s food culture is headed next.

This conversation is about more than where to eat. It’s about the community that forms when we gather around a table.

Nick and Heather Clark of FORTECH join us to talk about the part of a home most people never see — the smart systems built into the walls that quietly shape how you live every day.

We built the ultimate smart dream home together, room by room, breaking down everything from entry systems and security to seamless audio, lighting, networking, and outdoor setups.

Along the way, we unpack what’s actually worth prioritizing, what surprises homeowners most, and how this kind of technology becomes part of the architecture itself.We also talk honestly about what it means to make a real investment in your home — not for flash, but for function, security, and everyday living. If you love dream home conversations but want to understand the tech that makes them work, this one’s for you.

In this special episode of Heart of the City, host Amy—owner of The Scout Guide Chattanooga—sits down with her own team, Associate Editor, Sallie Tipton and Co-Creative Director + Photographer, Casey Yoshida, to pull back the curtain on the making of Volume 13.

Together, they reflect on the season behind the guide, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from shoot days, creative pivots, and the thoughtful decisions that shape different features. The conversation offers an honest look at the work that happens long before the guide is in print—from managing an intense shoot season and navigating creative direction to building trust, working closely as a team, and balancing leadership with life.

This episode is an inside look at how The Scout Guide Chattanooga comes together—and a reflection on why celebrating local and small businesses with care and intention matters.

In this episode of Heart of the City, we sit down with Emily, Sarah, and Blaes, the three women behind The Book and Cover. We talk about what it really takes to open and sustain an independent bookstore — from the financial realities and fundraising that made it possible to the intention behind building something small and community-rooted.

The conversation moves through their individual book personas, how they think about human curation in an algorithm-driven world, and why curiosity is at the center of connection, conversation, and belonging. This episode is a look at what can grow when a space invites people to stay curious.

Wellness shows up everywhere in Kelsey Vasileff’s life — in how she eats, how she parents, how she leads, and how she builds. It’s not performative or seasonal; it’s foundational.

In this conversation, we sit down with Kelsey, co-owner of Southern Squeeze and The Living Well, to talk about what it looks like to live wellness all the way through — not just in products, but in decisions, boundaries, and values.

We unpack how her definition of health has evolved, how she’s built businesses with staying power in a trend-driven industry, what discernment really looks like in the wellness space, and how that same mindset carries into marriage, motherhood, and leadership.

This episode is about the long game — and why wellness that lasts has very little to do with what’s popular.

In this episode, Amy sits down with Abi Madonia, founder of Your Local Fur Mama — a nonprofit rescue dedicated to neonatal puppies and kittens. From her very first foster to caring for more than 600 animals, Abi shares the emotional weight, resilience, and heart behind saving the tiniest lives. She also reflects on the incredible community of fosters, volunteers, and supporters who rally around the mission and make this lifesaving work possible. This conversation is a powerful reminder of what happens when purpose finds you — and how one person, supported by many, can create lasting impact.

https://www.yourlocalfurmama.com/