Betty Ann Tanner has spent years at the intersection of Tennessee tradition and national politics. Her husband, John Tanner, served as the U.S. representative for Tennessee's 8th congressional district from 1989 until 2011. Betty Ann’s journey has taken her from small-town roots to the heart of Washington, D.C. With an innate ability to connect with people from all walks of life, Betty Ann became more than just a political spouse—she is a key force behind the scenes, balancing life in the nation’s capital while staying deeply engaged in her West Tennessee community. Whether hosting dignitaries, championing local causes, or offering candid insights into the ever-changing political landscape, she has does it all with humor, warmth, and unmistakable Southern grace.

In this episode, Betty Ann, a 2025 Discovery Award honoree, shares stories from her time in D.C., her experiences with some of the biggest names in American politics, and the lessons she has learned along the way.

Melinda Meador is an attorney with a passion for history. The Gleason, Tennessee native has served as felony prosecutor for the Obion County office of the 27th Judicial District Attorney; as a judicial clerk, assistant district attorney and criminal defense lawyer on the Texas Court of Appeals; and in several leadership positions at the FDIC's headquarters Washington D.C. Today she is in private practice with the firm of Lowe, Yeager & Brown PLLC.

Meador’s family was among the original settlers of Weakley County, and she lives on a farm that has been in her family for 195 years. In this episode, Meador provides details from “Strange Fruit: The Forgotten Lynchings of Northwest Tennessee and Southwestern Kentucky, 1869-1931,” the thesis for her 2021 master’s in American history from Murray State University.

This episode is sponsored by Jerry Ward Autoplex.

Patrick Bishop, an assistant professor in the Department of Management, Marketing and Information Systems at the University of Tennessee at Martin, joins us to answer all our burning questions about artificial intelligence. In this episode, we explore what AI really is, how it has been used for many years, practical applications for daily life and the ethical issues surrounding its use.

This episode is sponsored by Jerry Ward Autoplex.

Historian Jeff Sellers, director of education at the Tennessee State Museum and the state capitol, has compiled images from archives and private collections to showcase the history of the Tennessee State Capitol. He also introduces us to the individuals who have breathed life into what has become known as the people's house.

This episode is sponsored by Jerry Ward Autoplex.

The 2024 Alabama-Mississippi-Tennessee Rural Tourism Conference was held in Obion County, Tennessee, in the beautiful Reelfoot Lake region in the northwest corner of the state. In this panel discussion, hosted by Discovery Park CEO Scott Williams during the conference, three Tennessee tourism superstars took attendees behind the scenes of their own rural destinations and shared their inspiration for success. Listen in as Williams discovers how the magic is made with: Sonia Outlaw-Clark, executive director of Visit Brownsville and director of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center; Randall Clemons, one of the founders of the Wilson County Tennessee State Fair and a leader of Historic Granville, Tennessee’s Mayberry Town; and Brian May, founder of Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary’s museum, theater, gift shop, distillery and bottling facility, restaurant, concert venue, event center, and, of course, historic prison tours.

This episode is sponsored by Excel Boats.

Josh Collins is the founder and CEO of Main Street Mentor, a purpose-built organization serving the critical yet underserved Main Street, Chamber, and tourism economies of America’s most beloved places. With more than 25 years of experience in tourism and marketing, Collins has been a trusted guide and strategic partner for some of Tennessee’s favorite destinations. In this episode, you’ll discover his inspiration for starting a small business, tips and tricks for those who want to make things happen in their industries, and ways destinations in rural communities can grow and expand their customer base.

More about Main Street Mentor.

This episode is sponsored by Excel Boats.

Berkley Bryant, the reigning Miss South Carolina Volunteer, captured the prestigious title of Miss Volunteer America 2025. The organization honors young women who demonstrate a genuine commitment to making a positive impact in their communities through volunteer work. Bryant was selected because she embodies and exemplifies the values of service, compassion and leadership. As Miss Volunteer America 2025, she assumes the role of national ambassador for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and national brand ambassador for The Salvation Army. She is a 23-year-old honor graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in marketing and a minor in biological sciences. While at Clemson, she received Palmetto Fellows and National Society of Collegiate Scholars recognition. In this episode, she shares her inspiration for entering the competition and what she has discovered along the way.

This episode is sponsored by Excel Boats.

Ross Houghton is the marketing manager for Visit Brownsville, the destination marketing organization that promotes Haywood County, Tennessee. It’s the home of Billy Tripp’s Mindfield, award-winning barbecue, the Hatchie River, the blues of Sleepy John Estes, and the birthplace of Tina Turner. In this episode, Houghton shares how a little boy from Bulgaria grew up in West Tennessee, then traveled to more than 25 countries as an ambassador with Up with People, an organization with the mission of preparing youth to succeed as global citizens, employees, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. He also shares how travel and tourism inspired him to take on his current role, letting people know all the amazing things to see and do in his hometown.

More about Visit Brownsville.

This episode is sponsored by Excel Boats.

Cole Bizwell, a fourth-generation towboater from Rives, Tennessee, is carrying on a family legacy on the Mississippi River as a senior deckhand with Ingram Barge Company. Although he initially set out to pursue a career in aviation, the COVID-19 pandemic led him to reevaluate his path. When he stepped on a towboat for the first time, he knew instantly it was where he was meant to be.

In this episode, Cole reflects on following in the footsteps of his grandfather and great-grandfather and shares how he’s using social media to document his experiences on the river. You can follow more of his journey on TikTok for a firsthand glimpse into work life on the Mississippi.

Tennessee’s regional library system is composed of nine multi-county regions—named for major local rivers— serving 211 small and medium-sized public libraries throughout the state. Jenny Gillihan is executive director of the Obion River Regional Library, serving nine counties in Northwest Tennessee where she and her team provide access to a wide range of educational, cultural, and informational services. In this episode, Gillihan shares more about her path to the library, her passion for sharing a love of reading and the rewards of living and working in rural communities.

This episode is sponsored by Jarred Mayo: Allstate Insurance.