Uniting Through Conversation: The Work of the Conversation Coalition Nashville and the Importance of Getting Out of Your Echo Chamber Plus News and Events

In this episode of The Loyal Opposition, host Len Assante starts the show with some important information on the huge impact to Tennesseans from Trump’s Big Bad Bill. Len then welcomes the Conversation Coalition, represented by Elliot and Gary. The Conversation Coalition is an initiative aimed at fostering genuine dialogue between diverse perspectives, particularly between believers and non-believers. Elliot and Gary discuss the importance of understanding and respectful conversation in a polarized world, sharing their experiences of bridging gaps through monthly events where challenging topics are discussed in a moderated but open format. Upcoming events include a discussion on 'Death and Suffering' and a debate titled 'Who are the True Christians?' The episode also touches upon the importance of breaking out of echo chambers, the misconceptions people hold about those with differing views, and the personal satisfaction derived from engaging in deep, meaningful conversations.

Listeners are encouraged to attend these events, explore different viewpoints, and strive for greater empathy and understanding.

Visit our website: www.theloyalopposition.online A one-stop-shop for navigating the current political environment. You will find:

- Easy link to email your Representatives,

- Upcoming take action events,

- A list of Sumner County organizations doing great things,

- Links mentioned in the show, and to our supporters and advertisers.

We make it easy to write your representative or get involved. You can also stream our show.

Conversation Coalition Nashville

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conconashville/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconversationcoalition/

Law Office of Amanda J. Gentry

AmandaJGentry.com

Artemis CPA

https://artemis.cpa/

On this week’s show, Len interviews Lawrence Hill, the parent of an autistic person. We review what autism is and how, sadly, sometimes care suffers from the politicization of healthcare and other issues.

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Please support our advertisers and sponsors:

Law Office of Amanda J. Gentry

AmandaJGentry.com

Artemis CPA

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TLO S03 E28 Remember Schoolhouse Rock? Understanding Civics and Democracy with Vol State’s Civics Minute

In this episode of The Loyal Opposition, host Carolina Kelly is joined by Grady Eades and Brady Duncan to discuss their project Civics Minute, an educational series aimed at simplifying and disseminating fundamental civics knowledge. Grady, an associate professor of history, and Brady, an adjunct instructor, both from Volunteer State Community College, share the motivations behind this initiative and outline how it aims to bridge the gap in public understanding of government functions and constitutional principles. What are the challenges of making educational content engaging and accessible, highlighting their strategy to produce short, digestible video clips?

Additionally, the conversation touches upon the current state of American democracy, the implications of recent legislative actions, and the importance of civic participation.

This episode also examines issues related to immigration, freedom of speech, and the impact of book bans on education.

Note: The host erroneously stated the Library Board’s anti-trans book ban passed. It was actually voted down but a local news station jumped the gun and reported that it had passed.

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Civics Minute YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@CivicsMinute

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Law Office of Amanda J. Gentry

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Artemis CPA

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The Loyal Opposition - Sumner County Continues to Produce World Class Music And Highlights Vol State Students Making It Happen

In this episode of The Loyal Opposition, host Len Assante takes the reins solo to present a special all-musical edition of the show. Michele is off and Carolina arrives late, but the energy remains high. Len kicks off the episode with an introduction to the Luggnutts, a bluegrass band with roots in Castilian Springs, who perform a tribute to the historic Possum Hunters—a band that played a significant role in the birth of American country music and opened the Grand Ole Opry. Special guest Cole Shepherd, a Gallatin-based Vol State student recording engineer, shares his experiences working on the Luggnutts' album at the world-class studio at Vol State. Listeners are treated to a historical overview of the Possum Hunters and their impact on American music, touching on their significant contributions and the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry. The episode includes a lively discussion on the making of the tribute album, its relation to the upcoming celebration events, and the unique recording process. Later in the show, Len and Carolina introduce Sweet Mylo, the musical duo comprised of Kevin and Grace Jones. The couple shares their musical journey, the creation of their album 'Melancholy Before Matrimony,' Also mostly recorded at Vol State, and their deep influence from 60s and 70s pop rock, particularly Lennon-McCartney. The episode concludes with the debut of their song 'The Three of Us,' a perfect summer driving tune. Sweet Mylo's upcoming performance details and vinyl pre-order information wrap up this rich exploration of Sumner County's vibrant musical landscape.

SUBSCRIBE!! Don’t miss an episode of The Loyal Opposition. We can be found wherever you get your podcasts!

Visit our website: www.theloyalopposition.online A one-stop-shop for navigating the current political environment. You will find:

- Easy link to email your Representatives,

- Upcoming take action events,

- A list of Sumner County organizations doing great things,

- Links mentioned in the show, and to our supporters and advertisers.

We make it easy to write your representative or get involved. You can also stream our show.

Sumner County Museum. Learn about the Possum Hunters and purchase the album.

https://www.sumnercountymuseum.org/possum-hunters-project

Vol State Entertainment Media Production

https://www.volstate.edu/humanities/entertainment

Sweet Mylo can be found on all the streaming services and social media. Vinyl pre-orders available until August 25th!! Pre-order the vinyl below. https://www.diggersfactory.com/artist/2905/sweet-mylo

Please support our advertisers and sponsors:

Law Office of Amanda J. Gentry AmandaJGentry.com

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The Loyal Opposition 0324

Sumner County Democratic Party Update

In this episode of The Loyal Opposition, hosts Len Assante and Carolina Kelly interview Megan Lange, Chair of the Sumner County Democratic Party about what’s happenning locally and with state Democrats. We cover a recent library board decision that resulted in a win for free speech, the Sumner County People’s Town Hall, the Good Trouble rally and the upcoming 3-Star Celebration fundraiser. Keynote speakers were teased. All we will say is that one has been on the show and other will be soon.

SUBSCRIBE!! Don’t miss an episode of The Loyal Opposition. We can be found wherever you get your podcasts.

Visit our website: www.theloyalopposition.online A one-stop-shop for navigating the current political environment.

Please support our advertisers and sponsors:

Law Office of Amanda J. Gentry

AmandaJGentry.com

Artemis CPA: www.artemis.cpa

The Loyal Opposition 0324

Civilian Civics Corps - A Paid Internship to Boost Youth Political and Civil Engagement

Plus Adequate Fire Protection Coverage Emergency Response in Sumner County: A Deep Dive

In this episode of The Loyal Opposition, hosts Len Assante and Carolina Kelly discuss the importance of representation and diversity in government policymaking. They are joined by Wyatt Basso from the Civilian Civics Corps, who shares insights into their initiative aimed at educating young people on campaign mechanics and increasing civic

engagement. Wyatt also discusses the broader importance of turning low-turnout voters into active participants in the political process.

The second segment transitions to a focus on fire safety issues in Sumner County. Curtis Williams and Henry DeGroot join the discussion to elaborate on the challenges facing both volunteer and professional fire departments. They delve into the types of mutual aid agreements in place, the critical need for better funding, and the financial comparison between urban and rural fire services. The show wraps up with actionable steps for residents who want to support

local fire departments and ensure better fire safety for all citizens.

SUBSCRIBE!! Don’t miss an episode of The Loyal Opposition. We can be found Wherever you get your podcasts

Tennessee Civilian Civics Corps

https://aftynbehnfortn.substack.com/p/help-us-fund-the-civilian-civic-corps

Visit our website: www.theloyalopposition.online A one-stop-shop for navigating the current political environment. You will find:

- Easy link to email your Representatives,

- Upcoming take action events,

- A list of Sumner County organizations doing great things,

- Links mentioned in the show, and to our supporters and advertisers.

We make it easy to write your representative or get involved. You can also stream our show.

https://www.theloyalopposition.online/

Please support our advertisers and sponsors:

Law Office of Amanda J. Gentry: AmandaJGentry.com

Artimis CPA https://artemis.cpa/

The Loyal Opposition

S03 E23: Bad Bills and Good Business

In this week’s episode, Len and Carolina look at the worst bills passed by the TN General Assembly in 2025 with an assist from Brandon Puttbresse, spokesperson for the TN Senate Democrats. We then move on to the TLO Interview, talking with Anna-Vija McCloud, winner of the 2025 Nashpreneur of the Year Award and CEO of Piccolo Solutions and with Kim Baker, CEO of the Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce. We’re talking small business as part of our occassional series focusing on women and minority-owned businessnes in Middle Tennessee.

Piccolo Solutions: https://www.piccolosolutions.com/

Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce: https://gallatintn.org/

SUBSCRIBE!! Don’t miss an episode of The Loyal Opposition. We can be found on wherever you get your podcasts.

Visit our website: www.theloyalopposition.online A one-stop-shop for navigating the

current political environment. You will find:

- Easy link to email your Representatives,

- Upcoming take action events,

- A list of Sumner County organizations doing great things,

- Links mentioned in the show, and to our supporters and advertisers.

We make it easy to write your representative or get involved. You can also stream our show.

https://www.theloyalopposition.online/

Please support our advertisers and sponsors:

Law Office of Amanda J. Gentry: AmandaJGentry.com

Artemis CPA: https://artemis.cpa/

The Loyal Opposition

S03 E22 Empowering Voices: Women’s Reproductive Rights and Community

Involvement and Len’s Big Network Debut

In this episode of 'The Loyal Opposition, host Len Assante, alongside co-hosts Michele Harbin and Carolina Kelly, engage in a vibrant discussion around women’s rights and community involvement. We cover the impact of the Nashville Pride event, Alliance for Recreational Empowerment camp, and the critical state of women’s reproductive healthcare in Tennessee and the work of Protecting Reproductive Health and the Tennessee Freedom Circle. Special guests Sandra Gaskins and Stephanie Barkett discuss alarming healthcare laws and their implications, emphasizing ways to get involved and advocate for change. The show also highlights the Sumner County Democratic Party’s initiative to support candidates interested in running for office, featuring insights from Holly Cruz. Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on the state of women’s health in Tennessee and a lively dialogue on civic duties, empowerment, and the importance of diverse voices in governance with Len and a bunch of angry women.

SUBSCRIBE!! Don’t miss an episode of The Loyal Opposition. We can be found on wherever you get your podcasts.

Visit our website: www.theloyalopposition.online A one-stop-shop for navigating the

current political environment. You will find:

- Easy link to email your Representatives,

- Upcoming take action events,

- A list of Sumner County organizations doing great things,

- Links mentioned in the show, and to our supporters and advertisers.

We make it easy to write your representative or get involved. You can also stream our show.

https://www.theloyalopposition.online/

Sumner County NAACP

https://naacpsumnercounty.org/

Alliance or Recreational Empowerment

http://allianceforrecreationalempowerment.org/index.php

Protecting Reproduction Health

https://www.protectingreprohealth.com/

Tennessee Freedom Circle

https://tnfreedomcircle.com/

Sumner County Democratic Party

https://sumnerdems.org/

Please support our advertisers and sponsors:

Law Office of Amanda J. Gentry: AmandaJGentry.com

Artemis CPA: https://artemis.cpa/

TLO S03 E21. Amplifying Voices and Building Community Connections

In this episode of The Loyal Opposition, we start the show with Hollis Rutledge and Leigh Roach from the Sumner County NAACP, who discuss the launch of the Women’s Committee or Women In the NAACP (WIN), an initiative to gather and empower women in the community. They detail their upcoming events, including a special luncheon with keynote speaker Debra Alston Barr and a panel featuring notable local women.

Len and Carolina next talk with Brandi Fleck, the owner of Intuitive Body Work and the host of the Human Amplified podcast. Brandi shares her journey of creating a platform that amplifies diverse voices and humanizes stories, born out of a desire to connect people and promote empathy. She discusses the intersection of her podcasting work with her roles as a trauma-informed coach and Reiki practitioner, highlighting the importance of healing and personal growth.

The episode concludes with insights into the future plans for both The Loyal Opposition and Human Amplified, along with calls to action for community participation and upcoming events.

SUBSCRIBE!! Don’t miss an episode of The Loyal Opposition. We can be found wherever you get your podcasts

Visit our website: www.theloyalopposition.online A one-stop-shop for navigating the current political environment. You will find:

- Easy link to email your Representatives,

- Upcoming take action events,

- A list of Sumner County organizations doing great things,

- Links mentioned in the show, and to our supporters and advertisers.

We make it easy to write your representative or get involved. You can also stream our

show.

https://www.theloyalopposition.online/

Sumner County NAACP

https://naacpsumnercounty.org/

Human Amplified podcast

Available on all streaming platforms

And find us at @humanamplified on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube

Intuitive Body Work

https://www.intuitivebodyworktn.com/

Please support our advertisers and sponsors:

Law Office of Amanda J. Gentry AmandaJGentry.com

Artemis CPA https://artemis.cpa/

This week we recap the Sumner County edition of the No Kings Rally. Carolina Kelly was there and has the details. Next, we have The Loyal Opposition Interview, an exclusive with Dr. Scott Langford, Sumner County Director of Schools. We talk about school supplies, new state laws (both real and proposed) and get updates on what our students are doing.

SUBSCRIBE!! Don’t miss an episode of The Loyal Opposition. We can be found wherever you get your podcasts.

Please support our advertisers and sponsors:
Law Office of Amanda J. Gentry AmandaJGentry.com
Artemis CPA https://artemis.cpa/

Visit our website: www.theloyalopposition.online A one-stop-shop for navigating the current political environment. You will find:

Easy link to email your Representatives, Upcoming take action events, A list of Sumner County organizations doing great things, Links mentioned in the show, and to our supporters and advertisers.