Podcast
Local Matters
Hosted by News Talk 94.1 · EN
Education, Sports, Faith & Everything In Between
Originating from News Talk 94.1 the show deals with community issues and interests that affect listeners closer to home. With topics from major events across the nation and how they impact our area to interesting people and figures from across the Upper Cumberland. Local Matters is where local, matters.
Covering the issues that matter to you. Every weekday.
60episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Jason Hardy Joins Ben Rodgers To Discuss The Growth Of Jackson Co. Schools
5d ago00:33:23Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to lead a school system while carrying the perspective of a former coach, teacher, and hometown student? In this episode, Ben Rodgers sits down with Jason Hardy to explore his journey from Jackson County High School student to educator, coach, and now administrator for the district he once called home. He reflects on years spent coaching football at Tennessee Technological University and teaching in Middle Tennessee before returning to lead Jackson County Schools. Jason also discusses the challenges facing rural education today, from declining enrollment and rising homeschool trends to staffing, funding, and student opportunity. Through it all, his focus remains steady—ensuring every student has the chance to leave school better prepared than the generation before them. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! The UC Now · News Talk 94.1
Transcribe →Amy Breedlove Joins Drs. Mabry & Lee To Spread Better Awareness Of Parkinson's
6d ago00:33:17Tap to summarizeBreaking down misconceptions can be just as important as advancing the science. In this episode, Drs. Emily Lee and Jennifer Mabry sit down with Amy Breedlove, Executive Chair of the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s, to discuss the realities of living with Parkinson’s Disease and the mission behind the organization. Founded by Brent Peterson after his own diagnosis ended a decades-long career in the NHL, the foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by Parkinson’s through awareness, support, and advocacy. Amy shares how she stepped into her role, what the work means to her personally, and how the foundation continues to push forward in the fight against this disease. The conversation also takes on common myths and misconceptions in a “Myth vs. Truth” segment, offering clarity, education, and a stronger understanding of what living with Parkinson’s really looks like. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! The UC Now · News Talk 94.1
Transcribe →Chris Couch Joins Tiffany Anton To Discuss The Impact Of The Bean Pot Camp Ground
1w ago00:32:37Tap to summarizeWhat happens when construction work turns into a calling to bring people together outdoors? In this episode, Tiffany Anton sits down with Chris Crouch, owner of The Bean Pot Camp Ground, to talk about how he went from buying a distressed property while working in construction to building a welcoming space centered on family, hospitality, and outdoor fun. Chris shares what inspired him to open his own campground instead of relying on state parks, along with the trails, amenities, and hands-on experiences that keep guests coming back. He also dives into the transformation of two formerly run-down properties into thriving campgrounds that honor what the original owners hoped they would become. From monthly Bluegrass Jams that have grown from a handful of attendees to over 150 people with food trucks and community at the center, this conversation shows how a simple vision for connection can grow into something much bigger—proof that sometimes the best places are built from the ground up with people in mind. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! The UC Now · News Talk 94.1
Transcribe →Jessica Childers Joins Jeremy Wendt To Discuss Setting Students Up For Success
1w ago00:33:18Tap to summarizeJeremy Wendt sits down with Jessica Childers, a Putnam County Middle School Math Specialist, to discuss her role supporting grades 5–8 across the school system. Jessica shares her journey from aspiring marine biologist to educator, and how she ultimately found her passion in mathematics education. She reflects on her day-to-day work coaching teachers, adapting to changing standards, and helping students build strong foundational math strategies. The conversation highlights her growth as an educator and the impact of patient, strategy-based instruction on student success. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! The UC Now · News Talk 94.1
Transcribe →Harold Lough Joins George Halford To Discuss How Hard Work & Determination Pay Off
1w ago00:33:06Tap to summarizeFrom a two-room schoolhouse to two decades of military service, Harold Lough’s story is packed with grit, faith, and old-school determination. Harold joins George Halford to reflect on farm life, military memories, meeting his wife in uniform, and the perseverance that carried their family through decades of challenges. He also shares the legacy of the American Legion and why supporting veterans remains so important today. Some lives are built on hard work—and some stories prove it. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! The UC Now · News Talk 94.1
Transcribe →Matt White Joins Ben Rodgers To Give An Update On The Baxter Fire Department
2w ago00:32:52Tap to summarizeA growing community brings opportunity—but it also brings new demands on the people sworn to protect it. In this episode, Ben Rodgers sits down with Matt White of the Baxter Fire Department to discuss how dry weather, wildfire risk, and rapid local growth are shaping the department’s work in Baxter, Tennessee. From burn permits and volunteer recruitment to critical equipment upgrades and grant funding for turnout gear, Chief White offers a clear look at what it takes to keep a growing town safe. He also shares insight into the challenges of budgeting for essential fire resources as the community continues to expand. Because when a town grows, so does the responsibility to protect every single corner of it. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! The UC Now · News Talk 94.1
Transcribe →Elaine Watkins & Amy McKenzie Join Drs. Mabry & Lee To Discuss Quality Home Health
2w ago00:32:53Tap to summarizeHealthcare doesn’t always happen in a hospital—sometimes, it comes right to your front door. In this episode, Amy McKenzie and Elaine Watkins of Quality Home Health join the conversation to break down what home health really looks like. Elaine shares her 30-year journey in the field, from starting as an LPN to leading clinical care, while Amy offers insight from her background in social work and patient advocacy. Together, they walk through what a typical home health visit involves, the most common conditions they treat, and how their team helps patients maintain independence at home. From myth-busting to real-life care, this episode highlights how support, compassion, and expertise can meet patients exactly where they are. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! The UC Now · News Talk 94.1
Transcribe →Trudy Hedgecough Joins Luke Ramey To Discuss Anew You & Her Passion For Spa Services
2w ago00:31:02Tap to summarizeWhat does it look like when medical aesthetics meets education, innovation, and personal journey all in one place? In this episode, Luke Ramey talks with Trudy Hedgecough of Anew You, a medical aesthetics spa in Crossville, Tennessee that opened in March 2020, as she breaks down the wide range of services they offer—including ultrasound therapy, sound needling, and customized skin treatments for both men and women without exception. Trudy also shares insight into their membership program, complimentary consultations, and how her team determines the right approach for each client’s skin goals, along with a look at the long-standing history of treatments like Botox. Beyond the spa, she reflects on her move from Dalton, Georgia to Cookeville to attend Tennessee Tech, where she met her husband, and how her daughter now works alongside her while pursuing nursing school. From science-backed care to a deeply personal story of growth, this conversation shows how Anew You is built to help people feel confident in their own skin—one treatment at a time. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! The UC Now · News Talk 94.1
Transcribe →Kevin Lewis Joins Jeremy Wendt To Discuss Frank P. Brown Elementary In Crossville
2w ago00:33:00Tap to summarizeA shift is happening in today’s classrooms—one that challenges how students learn and how educators lead. In this episode, Kevin Lewis, principal of Frank P. Brown Elementary, shares his perspective on the evolving role of education and leadership. He discusses the importance of staying student-focused, along with creative initiatives like “No Technology Tuesday,” designed to help students learn without digital distractions. Kevin also reflects on the broader impact of technology in schools and why stepping away from it, even briefly, can make a meaningful difference. As classrooms continue to change, it’s clear that sometimes the most effective innovation is knowing when to simplify. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! The UC Now · News Talk 94.1
Transcribe →Marcia Mullins Joins George Halford To Discuss The Impact Of National Day Of Prayer
2w ago00:33:45Tap to summarizeSome stories don’t just inspire—they strengthen your faith. Marcia Mullins joins George Halford to share her remarkable journey through family, nursing, loss, healing, and the life-changing power of prayer. From surviving cancer to overcoming heartbreak, Marcia reflects on the moments that deepened her trust in God and shaped her path to the National Day of Prayer. When faith is tested, stories like this remind us where strength begins. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! The UC Now · News Talk 94.1
Transcribe →