View From a Hearse

This is Part One of my conversation with my friend of 70 years, Jimmy Childre, Jr. You will hear some of what Jimmy has accomplished in life, but more than that; you will hear to the importance of his rearing in a small Georgia community. I begin this conversation by talking to his soon to be 90-year old mother.

Many are dreading the holiday days coming up due to the loss of a loved one. Raw grief has a way of changing everything, and loneliness can be overwhelming. My guest is Dr. Randy Gregg, who has experienced that grief, sought help, and is now spending his time helping others in a personal manner. If you have experienced loss and dread the upcoming holidays or have someone in your circle struggling with grief, this episode is for you. You can find Randy at crandygregg.com

My guest is my friend, Jacqueline Byrd McKoon, who is the behind-the-scenes wife and force behind the Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party, Josh McKoon. As we all know, Georgia was in the national spotlight as a swing state in the presidential election. Jacqueline is strong and intelligent, has politics in her blood, and has an attractive combination of vitality and glamour, which translates to charisma. I happen to know she gets it all, honestly. She will give us a behind-the-scenes look at this election and how it played out in Georgia.

The contentious election is over. Donald Trump has been elected President of the United States. Half of the country is pleased. The other half is not. What does our history of contentious elections teach us? Where do we go from here?

Tim Wilson is known in middle Georgia as the man who has not missed a Peach County Trojan football game in 50 years. Although he is a walking encyclopedia of Peach County football, there is much more to him than football. His purpose is bigger. His calling is higher. Showing up doesn't take a lot of talent, but it does take a massive dose of determination and persistence. The results are immeasurable.

As editor of the Atlanta Journal & Constitution, the South's largest newspaper, Jim Menter was once one of the most influential people in Georgia and the Southeast region. Today, at 94, he looks back and talks about his life, how things used to be, and a few of the people he knew along the way.

You will be intrigued and delighted by my conversation with this young girl with a bright mind and loads of talent and potential. Carly Nesmith will talk about elementary school, macroeconomics, Jesus, politics, and life from the eyes of a 9-year-old who is very grateful her parents adopted her. Hopefully, when you look back on this episode years from now, you will remember I said, "I told you so."

A trip to Mayberry led to a 20-minute conversation with the man himself, Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife. This is some of my best work.

My wife outdid herself for my 70th birthday. Without my knowledge, she planned a birthday celebration with our children and grandchildren sitting together for a Braves game at Truist Park with lots of surprises. I also take a reflective look back at each decade of my life and take a peek into the unpredictable future as I begin my 8th decade. A birthday celebration for the ages.

My guest, Jake Woodall, began his life on a farm in a close-knit family whose parents instilled faith in a God in heaven and a strong work ethic. Their strategy could not have turned out better. It is a long way from digging peanuts in rural Taylor County GA to becoming an officer of a New York Stock Exchange publicly traded energy acquisition company based in Houston TX, but he made that journey - and he never forgot his roots or the life principles instilled in him as a child.