The Sound Bearier’s Matthew Poole welcomes Ethan Bentley, a second-year student/History major at Northeast State. We are proud to welcome this Hampton High School alumnus as the FIRST student to be a guest on our podcast.

Ethan talks about the process of making his first amateur film, 1970s era music, and the best actor to portray Spiderman. 

Our region’s workforce population faces a set of bold challenges as we stumble toward a post-COVID world. Heath McMillian, executive director of Northeast State’s Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing in Kingsport joins us on this episode of The Sound Bearier.

Heath discusses how a recovering workforce can thrive in the years ahead, why apprenticeships of all career stripes can help shape the region's economic future, and why his musically gifted children did not get their talent from him.

Visit the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing to learn about the opportunities awaiting you www.Manufacturingfuture.net.

Mental health matters. The Sound Bearier's Matthew Poole talks to Jenna Welch, of Northeast State Counseling Services, about how to cope with Covid and college life. 

Confidential and compassionate, Counseling Services wants to engage students in need. Get to know Jenna and learn about the services our counseling team provides at Counseling Services.

Northeast State Community College

In this episode of The Sound Bearier, our April Allen talks to Jennifer Kendrick, Career Specialist, in the Career and Workforce Development Center.

From displaced workers to single parents determined to earn a degree, Jennifer seeks to help people take one step at a time to success. 

 Career and Workforce Development

The world does not end at the county line. Led by Professor Nona Shepherd, International Education at Northeast State program strives to share the world’s cultures to students with past visits to Washington, D.C., and the United Kingsport; international speakers and events such as the very popular International Food Day.

 Then, COVID came. Travel bans and social distance followed. But the desire to see and share experiences remains strong.  While the moving events to the virtual world in 2020, Shepherd is looking ahead to a post-COVID world of international education.  We welcome her to The Sound Bearier as we talk international education, literature, and Southern Appalachia.

Visit the International Education webpage or the Tennessee Consortium for International Studies to learn more. 

Our friend - and newest member of The Sound Bearier podcast team - Matthew Poole wants you to give Northeast State Community College a look as your higher education destination. 

A Northeast State alumnus, Poole previously served as a Success Coach & Lead Mentor of the Inclusive Excellence program at the college. 

Our April Allen talks with Matt about his own experiences and how students can become successful in college and beyond.  Give it a listen and smash that Subscribe button!

Northeast State Community College

This Bear Biography episode features our Nathan Hawkins talking with April Allen. 

He is an Information Technology pro by day, musician/mountain biker/trail builder, well, also by day and most other times. A Northeast State and King University alumnus, Nathan represents the adventurous spirit of southern Appalachian life.

Hear about a few biking trails of our area and what interesting wildlife a mountain biker can encounter on a ride. Check out his band, These Are The Angles.

Northeast State Community College

For what do you give thanks during the Thanksgiving holiday season?

In this special episode, The Sound Bearier team hit the streets to ask our Northeast State family for their thoughts on what they hold dear this season and all year. Going beyond the standard "family and food" answers, the responses are insightful, funny, and moving. 

TSB gives thanks for our listeners, and those who made our podcast possible. 

We also give thanks to Will MacMorran and the Entertainment Technology department at Northeast State for their stellar work making TSB happen.  

Happy Thanksgiving from The Sound Bearier!

Northeast State Community College

This special Veterans Day week episode shares a slice of life from a veteran, colleague, and friend Mr. John Adcox.

John is a veteran of the United States Army. He serves fellow veterans at the College's Veteran and Military Student Success Center. John along with Jessica Kelso help scores of students veterans and their families each semester.

Northeast State expresses our thanks and respect to all our veterans who served and continue to serve around the world. 

Give it a listen and don't forget to smash that Subscribe button to get The Sound Bearier episodes on your favorite channel. 

Veteran and Military Student Success Center

Northeast State Community College

What lurks in the forests of northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia? Tune in to this special edition of The Sound Bearier to hear more about the myths and monsters of southern Appalachia.