Reelfoot Forward

MSG Doug Wonacott is a decorated Special Operations Flight Medic with over two decades of service in the U.S. Army. Enlisting in 2000, he completed 15 combat deployments across Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines, earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart after surviving a helicopter shoot-down in Iraq. As the Regiment Senior Medic for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), known as the "Night Stalkers," Wonacott played a pivotal role in high-risk missions supporting elite forces such as the Army Rangers, Navy SEALs and Delta Force.​

In this episode, recorded live at the 2025 Military Expo on Saturday, March 15, Wonacott shares his powerful story of resilience and leadership. He discusses his experiences on the battlefield, the challenges he faced and his ongoing dedication to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in the military. Tune in to gain insight into the life of a soldier committed to saving lives and advocating for the well-being of his fellow service members.

This episode is sponsored by First Choice Farm & Lawn.

On Saturday evening, March 8, 2025, Discovery Park of America honored four individuals who, like the museum and heritage park, inspire others to see beyond. Proceeds from the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards benefit the Kirkland Scholarship Fund, providing free admission for student groups to Discovery Park. The event was attended by a sold-out crowd from around the country, celebrating honorees Lt. Col. Bernard House, director of ROTC battalions at Murray State University and the University of Tennessee at Martin;  Dr. Nassar Nassar, founder and CEO of Savant Learning Systems & Virtual Academy; Betty Ann Tanner, community organizer and non-profit advocate and Darryl Worley, award-winning country music singer-songwriter. This year’s awards gala was emceed by Sonya Gavankar-McKay, an award-winning communications expert and television host. In this episode, listen in as we pay tribute to our winners and shine a spotlight on Discovery Park’s mission to inspire children and adults to see beyond.

​Each year, Discovery Park of America’s Southern Artist Showcase highlights a unique artist with roots in the region. This year, metal sculptor Dave Dunn brings his Reelfoot Critters collection to life, blending movement, whimsy and storytelling through welded found, repurposed and new metal objects. Inspired by summers spent with family in Hickman, Kentucky—on the banks of the Mississippi River and at Reelfoot Lake—his work captures the essence of the wildlife and landscapes that shaped his childhood.​

In this episode, recorded during the opening reception on February 27, 2025, Discovery Park's senior director of exhibits and collections, Jennifer Wildes, conducts a brief interview and Q&A with Dunn. He shares the inspiration behind Reelfoot Critters, his creative process, and insights into his distinctive style. Listen in to discover how Dunn transforms metal into expressive sculptures, infusing a sense of place and nostalgia into each piece.

Dr. Stephen McBride is the director of career development at the University of Tennessee Southern, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the futures of students. With a background that bridges agriculture, education and professional development, Dr. McBride brings a wealth of experience from his previous role at Purdue University, where he supported more than 5,000 graduate students.

In this episode, Dr. McBride shares his insights on career planning, networking and student success. He reflects on his own academic journey—from working in the insurance industry to returning to school for advanced degrees—and offers practical advice for those looking to navigate their career paths. With a belief in honoring the "past to uphold and future to mold," he discusses how understanding one’s roots can help shape a meaningful and impactful career.

This episode is brought to you by First Choice Farm & Lawn.

Lt. Col. Bernard House is a distinguished U.S. Army officer, decorated with honors like the Bronze Star (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal (with a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster). In addition to his military career, he serves as a professor of military science at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he also directs the ROTC battalions at both UT Martin and Murray State University. Lt. Col. House is also an honoree at the upcoming 2025 Discovery Awards.

In this episode, Lt. Col. House reflects on his inspiring journey from growing up in the small town of Lexa, Arkansas, to rising through the ranks in the U.S. Army. He discusses his leadership experiences in diverse roles, including as a company fire support officer in Germany, paladin platoon leader in Kosovo, and battalion operations officer in Afghanistan.

Lt. Col. House offers invaluable leadership insights—relevant not just for those in the military, but also for professionals in the private sector.

This episode is sponsored by Final Flight Outfitters.

Sonya Gavankar-McKay is the emcee of the 2025 Discovery Awards. She is a spokesperson, television and podcast host, filmmaker and social multi-media content creator. She can be seen hosting programs and giving commentary on everything from hard news to cooking shows on ABC and CBS affiliates, PBS, QVC and even the Puppy Bowl. She is currently a director at Axiom Space, the leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure.

In this episode she shares her journey from journalism to public relations, some behind-the-scenes stories from her years working at the Newseum and more about Axiom Space's fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, launching from the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

This episode is sponsored by Final Flight Outfitters.

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.