College Town Talk

Braxton Westbrook Joins Jonathon Frank & Shan Stout To Discuss His Unique Story At TN Tech

Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with Braxton Westbrook, a Tennessee Tech student trustee from Johnson County, Tennessee. Braxton graduated magna cum laude in May 2024 with dual bachelor’s degrees in computer science and political science, and he’s now pursuing a master’s in computer science at Tech. An active…

22 Feb 23 min

Emily Thomas Joins Jonathon Frank & Shan Stout To Discuss Expanding UC Tourism

Shan Stout and Jonathan Frank sit down with Emily Thomas, a Tennessee Tech marketing student and proud third-generation Golden Eagle. A high school graduate at just 16, Emily is passionate about promoting the Upper Cumberland, where she was raised, as she interns with the Upper Cumberland Tourism Association. She also…

15 Feb 22 min

Dr. Susan Miranda Joins Jonathan Frank & Shan Stout To Share Exciting New Changes To Bryan Symphony Orchestra

Big changes are hitting the stage at the Bryan Symphony Orchestra! Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with Dr. Susan Miranda, the new Executive Director and a renowned Midwest-born oboist with an impressive career in music education and performance. From Oklahoma State University to teaching posts in Iowa, she…

8 Feb 23 min

Ben Higgins Joins Jonathan Frank & Shan Stout To Discuss The TN Tech Center For Counseling/Mental Health

Ben Higgins joins the show to speak with Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout about the Tennessee Tech Center for both counseling and mental health wellness. He talks about the strides Tennessee Tech has made in the past few years in creating a better environment for students and faculty. Additionally, he…

1 Feb 24 min

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