Podcast
Those living, working and playing in West Tennessee’s rural communities are doing some incredible things that will inspire you no matter where you live.
From artists to actors and writers to entrepreneurs—and everyone in between—the guests on “Reelfoot Forward, A West Tennessee Podcast” from Discovery Park of America are men and women who are making a big difference in their small communities.
Looking for inspiration? Download Reelfoot Forward online at Discovery Park’s website, on Soundcloud, Castbox, Apple iTunes, Youtube, Spotify and other popular podcast platforms and apps.
182: Josh Collins: Main Street Mentor
Josh Collins is the founder and CEO of Main Street Mentor, a purpose-built organization serving the critical yet underserved Main Street, Chamber, and tourism economies of America’s most beloved places.
EP 181: Berkley Bryant: Miss Volunteer America 2025
Berkley Bryant, the reigning Miss South Carolina Volunteer, captured the prestigious title of Miss Volunteer America 2025. The organization honors young women who demonstrate a genuine commitment to making a
180: Ross Houghton: Simply the Best
Ross Houghton is the marketing manager for Visit Brownsville, the destination marketing organization that promotes Haywood County, Tennessee. It’s the home of Billy Tripp’s Mindfield, award-winning barbecue, the Hatchie River,
EP 179: Cole Bizwell: Life on the Mississippi River
Cole Bizwell, a fourth-generation towboater from Rives, Tennessee, is carrying on a family legacy on the Mississippi River as a senior deckhand with Ingram Barge Company. Although he initially set
EP 178: Jenny Gillihan: The Obion River Regional Library
Tennessee’s regional library system is composed of nine multi-county regions—named for major local rivers— serving 211 small and medium-sized public libraries throughout the state. Jenny Gillihan is executive director of
EP 177: Brooke Simmons: First Love Farms
Brooke Simmons is an agtrepreneur from Hickman, Kentucky who has incorporated her family’s farm into numerous businesses. The most recent is First Love Farms featuring pick-your-own-flowers, a pumpkin patch and
EP 176: Jessica Duncan: How Does Your Garden Grow?
A row of buttercups growing along a fence row at her new house in Newbern, Tennessee inspired Jessica Duncan to create her very first small business, Lily’s Garden. Her pick-your-own flower
EP 175: Derek Giffin: The Fifth Generation of Giffin Farms
Derek Giffin is a fifth-generation farmer who, alongside his wife Micayla, runs Giffin Farms in Union City, Tennessee. The Giffins manage over 1,000 acres, growing corn, soybeans, wheat and hay
EP 174: Bill Gray and Darren Doss: A Passion for the History of the Twin Cities
Bill Gray is an educator, real estate guru, auctioneer and much more. The Gray family has been in the auction and real estate business since 1950. Bill has been licensed
EP 173: Roger and Prentice Colson: Fulton Winery
Fulton Winery, located in Fulton, Kentucky, is a proud veteran-owned small farm winery and wine bar, specializing in sweet, fruit-flavored wines. Owned and operated by father-son duo Roger and Prentice
EP 172: Al Santos: From the Powwow Grounds to the Big Screen
Al Santos is the founder and Head Singer of Ottertrail, a celebrated Southern style drum group that has played a vital role in the Native American powwow world and beyond.
EP 171: Jason Reeves: A Passion for Plants
Jason Reeves is the curator of the University of Tennessee Gardens at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Jackson, Tennessee. His influence can be found in landscapes across
