College Town Talk

Bella Rigsby Joins Jonathan Frank & Shan Stout To Discuss Sorority Life & More At TN Tech

Bella Rigsby joins Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout for an episode of College Town Talk to share her journey at Tennessee Tech and her role as the university’s Student Panhellenic President. As a junior at Tech, Bella talks about originally pursuing nursing before discovering her passion for education and her…

25 Jan 22 min

Tyler Asher Joins Jonathan Frank & Shan Stout To Discuss Public Leadership & Community Drive At TN Tech

Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with Tyler Asher, Assistant Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, for an engaging and upbeat conversation. A 2014 Tennessee Tech graduate and current master’s student, Tyler shares his path into public service and his continued commitment to the Cookeville…

18 Jan 24 min

Jennifer Winningham Joins Jonathan Frank & Shan Stout To Discuss Sports Medicine & Training People

Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout welcome Jennifer Winningham, Tennessee Tech’s Director of Sports Medicine and Head Athletic Trainer. A 2003 Tech grad who truly bleeds purple and gold, Jennifer comes from a family of four sisters with more than a dozen Tech degrees between them. After earlier serving as Tech’s…

28 Dec 2025 23 min

Dr. Chelsea Dowell Joins Jonathon Frank & Shan Stout As They Discuss Economics And Her Financial Literacy Course

Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with Dr. Chelsea Dowell to explore how she’s using economics to strengthen the Upper Cumberland. Dr. Dowell discusses her pro bono work for local nonprofits that can’t afford an economist, helping them answer tough questions with solid economic theory. She highlights the projects…

21 Dec 2025 23 min

Ferran Kefauver Joins Johnathon Frank & Shan Stout To Talk About Cookeville Cityscape & Her Love For Cookeville

Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with Livingston native Ferran Kefauver, who has led Cookeville Cityscape for the past three years. Ferran shares how she stepped into the role during a time of major turnover and how she’s helped strengthen partnerships with local businesses in Downtown Cookeville. She highlights…

14 Dec 2025 23 min

Dr. Barbara Reynolds Joins Shan Stout & Johnathan Frank To Discuss School Of Nursing At TN Tech

Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with Barbara Reynolds, former dean of the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing at Tennessee Tech. With a background in mental health nursing, she shares what drew her into the field and the passion that fueled her career. Reynolds reflects on her time at Tech…

7 Dec 2025 24 min

Chad McDonald Joins Shan Stout & Jonathon Frank To Discuss Cookeville Leisure Services

Johnathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with Cookeville Leisure Services Director Chad McDonald, a man who’s shaped the city’s parks and cultural spaces for more than 30 years. From the Performing Arts Center to Cane Creek Recreation Center, the Depot Museum, and the History Museum, Chad and his team…

30 Nov 2025 22 min

Dr. Bob Bell Joins Shan Stout & Jonathon Frank Discuss Being President Of Tennessee Tech

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23 Nov 2025 23 min

Jennifer Williams Joins Jonathan Frank & Shan Stout To Discuss Father Tom's Pub

Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with Jennifer Williams—a two-time Tennessee Tech graduate, former educator, local arts leader, and owner of Cookeville’s beloved Father Tom’s Pub. Jennifer opens up about her journey to Tech, her passion for the arts, and her experiences building a community around her West Side…

16 Nov 2025 23 min

Whitney Robinson Joins Shan Stout & Jonathan Frank To Discuss TTU Foundation Board Of Directors

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9 Nov 2025 21 min

Kelly McCallister Joins Shan Stout & Jonathan Frank To Discuss Volpe Library At TN Tech

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2 Nov 2025 23 min

Dr. Mark Cramer Joins Shan Stout & Jonathan Frank To Discuss School Of Music At TN Tech

From Walt Disney World to Apple TV+, Dr. Mark Cramer’s clarinet has been heard around the world — and now he’s sharing his incredible journey right here on our podcast! As associate professor of clarinet at Tennessee Tech and principal clarinetist for the Bryan Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Cramer opens up…

26 Oct 2025 22 min

Dr. Brenda Wilson Joins Shan Stout & Jonathan Frank To Discuss Tech's Journalism Program

She’s a two-time Tech grad, a beloved professor, and a guiding light in the world of student media — Dr. Brenda Wilson joins us to share nearly 30 years of wisdom from Tennessee Tech’s journalism program! From her early days writing for The Oracle to leading the next generation of…

19 Oct 2025 23 min

Joy McCaleb Poteet Joins Shan Stout & Jonathan Frank To Discuss Adjunct Instruction

Join us for a special episode featuring Joy McCaleb Poteet — local actress, former Upperman High School teacher, and current adjunct instructor at Tennessee Tech! From directing high school plays to stepping onto film sets like 911: Nashville and Scarpetta, Joy shares stories from the classroom, the stage, and the…

12 Oct 2025 22 min

Tanner Cox Joins Shan Stout & Jonathan Frank Discuss Representing A U.S. Senator

Tanner is a proud Tennessee Tech alum who now serves as a field representative for U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty. In this episode, he shares what it’s like to represent a U.S. Senator at the community level, the responsibilities that come with the role, and how his time at Tech shaped…

28 Sep 2025 22 min

Sherrie Cannon Joins Shan Stout & Jonathan Frank To Discuss TN Tech's College Of Business

Sherrie Cannon’s story is one of leadership, grit, and heart. From 911 dispatcher to entrepreneur to Tennessee Tech educator, she’s spent over 30 years shaping her community. And when a colleague’s life was on the line, Sherrie stepped in as a real lifesaver—literally. Tune in to hear how she’s built…

21 Sep 2025 21 min

Karen Lykins Joins Jonathan Frank & Shan Stout As They Discuss Enrollment & Communication

Join Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout as they sit down with Karen Lykins, the current Vice President for Enrollment and Communication at Tennessee Tech University. With 25 years of dedicated service, Karen shares insights from her diverse roles—including adjunct instructor, news director, and chief communication officer. Hear how her journey…

14 Sep 2025 21 min

Melissa Ellis Joins Shan Stout & Jonathan Frank To Discuss Bryan Symphony Orchestra

In this episode, Shan Stout and Jonathan Frank sit down with Melissa Ellis—a jazz enthusiast, accomplished vocalist and pianist, and proud Tennessee Tech alumna. Melissa serves as the Development Director for the Bryan Symphony Orchestra and is also the CEO of The Autumn Agency, a boutique consultancy supporting both businesses…

7 Sep 2025 24 min

Amanda Juetten Joins Shan Stout & Jonathan Frank To Discuss Leadership & Living With Vision Loss

Shan Stout and Jonathan Frank sit down with Amanda Juetten, a recent Tennessee Tech graduate, mother of five, and grandmother who earned her degree in professional studies at age 47—all while navigating life completely blind. Amanda shares her powerful journey of perseverance, overcoming countless obstacles to achieve her academic goals…

31 Aug 2025 24 min

Ricky Shelton Joins Shan Stout And Jonathan Frank To Discuss Tech Pride

Shan Stout and Jonathan Frank sit down with Tennessee Tech alumnus Ricky Shelton—former Mayor of Cookeville, owner of Shelton Consulting Solutions, and founder of Trackside Food Truck Park. Ricky shares what inspired him to open the food truck park: a vision to create a vibrant, community-centered space that supports local…

24 Aug 2025 24 min