In this episode of Single Tree Nation, Charlie and Derry sit down with Ben Claybaker, the founder of HoneyFire BBQ, to unpack the incredible story behind one of Nashville's most beloved barbecue spots. What began as Ben cooking barbecue in his driveway for friends eventually transformed into a full-scale, wildly successful restaurant and local brand — but the road wasn't easy.

Ben dives deep into:

🔥 The early days of backyard cooks, pop-ups, and taking the leap into a real restaurant

🍖 How HoneyFire became a Nashville staple known for its craft barbecue and unforgettable flavors

💼 The behind-the-scenes realities of running a restaurant — from marketing and payroll to culture and brand consistency

💡 Lessons in entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and building a business with family at the core

😂 Plenty of laughs, real talk, and an awesome Mac or Beans segment

✨ And as always, Derry brings the episode home with a Friday Feel Good

This is an inspiring and fun conversation about passion, community, and staying committed to doing things the right way. If you love barbecue, local business stories, or entrepreneurial journeys, this episode is a must-listen.

Be sure to support HoneyFire BBQ in Bellevue and follow them online for all the smoky goodness still to come.

In this episode of Single Tree Nation, Charlie and Derry sit down with Mitchel Murphree, an inspiring entrepreneur and community leader with a powerful story about perseverance, purpose, and the drive to create something meaningful.

Mitchell opens up about his journey — from humble beginnings to building 3 very successful restaurants (5 Senses, Steakhouse 5, and 5 on Black)!

They also get into how faith, hard work, and taking risks have shaped his success. This episode is packed with lessons on leadership, staying grounded, and defining what success really means. 🔥

In this episode:

💪 Mitchell's journey of entrepreneurship and overcoming obstacles

💡 Lessons on leadership, faith, and resilience

🏗️ The importance of community and giving back

🫘 A hilarious Mac or Beans segment

✨ And Derry's signature Friday Feel Good to end the show with inspiration

It's a heartfelt, motivating, and entertaining episode that captures the spirit of Single Tree Nation — where community, hard work, and good conversation always come together.

This week on Single Tree Nation, Charlie and Derry welcome Duce Raymond, a direct descendant of the legendary Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce family. 🍖🔥

Duce shares his incredible journey — from growing up surrounded by one of the most iconic brands in the world to carving out his own path as an entrepreneur, pitmaster, and storyteller. This episode dives deep into family legacy, risk-taking, entrepreneurship, and staying true to your roots while building something meaningful.

🔥 In this episode:

👨‍👩‍👦 The untold story behind the Sweet Baby Ray's legacy

💡 How Duce is carrying on the family tradition while making his own mark

💪 The highs, lows, and lessons of entrepreneurship

🎲 A fun Mac or Beans segment that'll have you laughing

✨ And a Friday Feel Good to take you into the weekend inspired

This episode has it all — passion, legacy, and the kind of authenticity that defines Single Tree Nation.

Be sure to follow Duce Raymond and keep up with all his BBQ adventures to see how he's carrying the Sweet Baby Ray's torch into the next generation.

This week on Single Tree Nation, Charlie and Derry welcome Matt Vascallero, the man behind the viral BBQ brand Matty Smokes Alot. What started as a backyard passion has turned into a full-blown movement of flavor, fire, and authenticity — and Matt's story is one every BBQ lover and entrepreneur needs to hear.

🔥 In this episode:

🍖 How Matt turned his love for BBQ into the growing brand Matty Smokes Alot

💡 The challenges and lessons learned while building a brand rooted in community

😂 Plenty of laughs, behind-the-scenes stories, and pitmaster wisdom

🎲 A hilarious Mac or Beans debate

✨ And Derry's Friday Feel Good to close it out strong

Matty brings the smoke, the stories, and the soul of true southern BBQ. Whether you're a pitmaster, foodie, or fan of good conversation, this episode will have you fired up and hungry for more.

Be sure to follow @MattySmokesAlot on social media to see his latest creations and upcoming events.

This week on Single Tree Nation, Charlie and Derry welcome a true icon — Kent Rollins, better known as Cowboy Kent! 🤠 With a lifetime of experience, humor, and hard-earned wisdom, Kent brings the kind of perspective only a 68-year-old cowboy can share.

From growing up on the ranch to becoming a YouTube and cookbook sensation, Kent's storytelling will have you laughing, reflecting, and feeling inspired. He shares incredible insights about faith, hard work, cooking, and living life the cowboy way — all with his trademark humor and humility.

🌵 In this episode:

🔥 Kent's journey from chuck wagon cook to national TV personality

🍳 How his cowboy lifestyle shaped his approach to food and faith

🎬 Behind-the-scenes of his new show "Cast Iron Cowboy" on the Outdoor Channel (Mondays 8:30 CST)

🎲 A classic Mac or Beans segment

✨ And Derry's Friday Feel Good to close it out strong

This episode is packed with laughter, life lessons, and pure cowboy gold. It's one for the books, y'all. Saddle up and tune in — you don't want to miss it!

This very special 100th episode of Single Tree Nation is one for the books! 🎉 Charlie and Derry celebrate a huge milestone with none other than Charlie's dad — Chuck "Pappi" Eblen — joining the show.

The conversation is full of laughter, heartfelt moments, and wisdom as Charlie and Pappi reflect on life, family, and the incredible journey that has led to 100 episodes of building community through conversation. From hilarious father-son stories to lessons learned over the years, this episode perfectly captures what Single Tree Nation is all about — family, food, friendship, and the importance of showing up for one another.

They talk about:

🔥 Pappi's influence on Charlie and how it shaped his work ethic and outlook on life

💬 The best stories (and a few embarrassing ones) from the Eblen household

🌳 What it means to reach 100 episodes and the future of Single Tree Nation

🎲 Of course, a hilarious Mac or Beans segment

✨ And a Friday Feel Good that hits straight from the heart

This episode is a true celebration of community and legacy. Here's to 100 more! 🥂

In this powerful episode of Single Tree Nation, Charlie and Derry sit down with Andrew Gruel — chef, Food Network star, and founder of several successful restaurant concepts — to unpack his amazing journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most influential voices in food and hospitality.

Andrew shares:

🍔 How he rose to national recognition as a chef and TV personality

🌎 The risks, challenges, and rewards of building restaurants that make a difference

💡 What drives him to keep innovating in the food industry

😂 Plenty of laughs, raw honesty, and inspiration along the way

🎲 The classic Mac or Beans segment

✨ And Derry's Friday Feel Good to wrap it all up

This is an incredible story of grit, vision, and entrepreneurship that will leave you hungry for more — both in the kitchen and in life.

Be sure to follow Andrew's work and check out his restaurants to see why his impact goes far beyond the plate.

This week on Single Tree Nation, Charlie and Derry are joined by the one and only Chris Pierce, the Director of Golf at Hermitage Golf Club and the viral sensation behind the hilarious "Golf Shop, this is Chris" videos that have taken over TikTok and Instagram.

Chris shares the story of how he worked his way into the golf world, what it's like leading one of Tennessee's premier golf destinations, and how a simple idea turned into a social media frenzy that's making golfers laugh all over the country.

In this episode, you'll hear:

⛳ Chris's journey to becoming Director of Golf at Hermitage

📲 The inside scoop on the "Golf Shop, this is Chris" phenomenon

😂 Plenty of laughs and behind-the-scenes moments from the golf shop

🎲 The always-entertaining Mac or Beans segment

✨ And Derry's Friday Feel Good to wrap up the show

This is hands-down one of the funniest and most entertaining episodes yet. Be sure to follow Hermitage Golf and Chris online for more great content!

In this inspiring episode of Single Tree Nation, Charlie and Derry sit down with Akirah Chaney, the visionary CEO and Founder of Bean Loft Coffee Company. Akirah shares the journey of building Bean Loft from the ground up, what inspired him to create a space that's more than just coffee, and how he's using entrepreneurship to bring people together.

They dive into:

☕ The story behind Bean Loft Coffee Company and its mission

💡 Akirah's personal journey as a founder and business leader

🌟 The challenges and triumphs of turning passion into a growing brand

🎲 A fun Mac or Beans debate

✨ And Derry's Friday Feel Good to leave you uplifted heading into the weekend

This episode is packed with heart, laughter, and powerful takeaways for anyone chasing a dream, supporting small business, or looking for a boost of inspiration.

In this episode of Single Tree Nation, Charlie and Derry welcome the legendary Rodney Scott, James Beard Award-winning pitmaster and the force behind Rodney Scott's BBQ. Known for perfecting the art of whole hog barbecue, Rodney shares his incredible story — from growing up in his family's BBQ business to becoming one of the most recognized names in the culinary world.

Together they dive into:

🔥 Rodney's journey from small-town roots to national recognition

🍖 The craft and discipline of whole hog BBQ

💡 Lessons in perseverance, leadership, and staying true to your vision

🎉 A laugh-filled Mac or Beans segment

✨ And Derry's Friday Feel Good to close things out on a high note

This episode is equal parts flavorful and inspiring, reminding us that with passion and dedication, you can turn smoke and fire into a lasting legacy.