In 1954, twelve-year-old Jerry Schilling wandered into a Memphis touch football game, only to discover that his team was quarterbacked by nineteen-year-old Elvis Presley. Elvis was still an unknown, but his first record, "That’s All Right," had just debuted on Dewey Phillips’ popular WHBQ radio show "Red, Hot & Blue." That chance encounter with the…

On this episode of Airing Addiction: Sharif Nankoe, MD, MPA, MA, FASAM is the Chief Medical Director for Department of Corrections (DOC) Programs at Spectrum Health Systems, a nonprofit behavioral health organization based in Massachusetts. His area of expertise is the treatment of opioid use disorder in jails and prisons, and he has been involved …

Kirstan Blanchard is a social media influencer from Symsonia, Kentucky. During the 2020 pandemic, Blanchard took advantage of her time in quarantine to launch a successful lifestyle blog. She has since grown her following on TikTok to over 21,000 and over 26,000 on Instagram. Kirstan uses her platform as an online lifestyle brand centered around af…

Grant Saum has dedicated his career and life to agriculture, driven by a deep-seated passion for multiple sectors of the field. Saum is the co-owner of Saum Show Stock of Ramer, Tennessee and is the owner of Reelfoot Meat Company of Union City, Tennessee. His love for the show ring started at a very young age and has continued into adulthood as he …

Ted Franklin Belue, a 2021 winner of the Western Writers of America’s prestigious Spur Award, has written numerous books including “Finding Daniel Boone,” “The Hunters of Kentucky” and “The Long Hunt.” He edited two Boone biographies, including Lyman Draper’s landmark “Life of Daniel Boone”—the classic reference on Boone and trans-Appalachian Long …

Martin, Tennessee native Brady Weldon is a man of many hats. Minister, consultant, author and life-coach to name a few. Brady has helped start a few churches and sits on the board of several. He’s learned a lot during his 35 years of ministry, but one of his greatest discoveries was realizing he could impact people in the areas of both faith and cr…

Danny is a person in recovery originally from Oklahoma who relocated to Massachusetts three years ago. While his recovery journey began in August of 2000, his first experience with treatment was at an eating disorder unit at 15 years old. He continues his recovery journey in Worcester and in his new hometown of Charlton, MA where he and his husband…

John Watkins has been planting seeds and watching them grow at Discovery Park since the 50-acre heritage park was first built in an empty field more than a decade ago. In this episode, he shares stories of his earliest meetings with Robert Kirkland where Discovery Park’s founder laid out his vision for the landscaping. Watkins also provides details…

Jim is a Recovery Support Assistant at Alyssa’s Place in Gardner, MA and will be sharing his recovery story with the hope that it will help others on their own journey to recovery. Join Jesse and Lisa as Jim shares his experience, only on Airing Addiction!By New England Recovery Center

Chef Dylan Costantino has prepared meals in kitchens from Colorado to Mackinac Island to Nashville. Here in Northwest Tennessee, we’re lucky he’s now calling Paris home. Costantino is the executive chef at the Lodge at Paris Landing State Park in Henry County. The new 91-room lodge provides hotel resort-style vacation rentals on Kentucky Lake near …

A collection of 19 sculptures created by Lego artist Sean Kenney will be on display throughout Discovery Park’s 50 acres from May 3 to Sept. 2, 2024. This version of the award-winning traveling exhibition, “Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects® Made with LEGO® Bricks,” sponsored by Leaders Credit Union, was specially curated to enhance a visit to Discover…

A Worcester native, Chris has experienced many triumphs and hardships throughout this life and is hoping by sharing his story he will help inspire and educate others on the often-misunderstood world of #mentalhealth. Tune in to listen to Chris's story with your hosts Jesse and Lisa. Only on Airing Addiction!…

On Saturday evening, March 2, 2024, Discovery Park of America honored four individuals who, like the museum and heritage park, inspire others to see beyond. Proceeds from the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards benefit the Kirkland Scholarship Fund that provides free admission for student groups to Discovery Park. The event was attende…

Norma Pruitt is the “Pilot” of the board of directors of the organization that oversees the operations of the Mississippi River Parkway Commission. The multistate organization works collectively to preserve, promote and enhance the scenic, historic and recreational resources of the Mississippi River. In the episode, Pruitt shares some fascinating i…

Dr. Elaine Harriss, a professor in the University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Music and recent inductee into the Steinway & Sons Teachers Hall of Fame, has been teaching piano for more than 50 years. She began teaching music as an undergraduate student in Nashville and continued in Monroe, Louisiana where she taught in an all-Black school …

Filmmaker Derek Purvis is the producer-director of the just released action pic “The Ballad of Davy Crockett.” In this episode, Purvis shares a little about the early inspiration that led him to a career in filmmaking along with a few stories that take listeners behind the scenes of his production. Filmed in Tennessee, “The Ballad of Davy Crockett”…

On this episode of Airing Addiction: Craig has been in recovery for 8 months and is originally from the Worcester area. Craig has been working at Perennial Recovery to give the opportunity to help others as an effort to give back to those who helped him on his recovery journey. Join Jesse and Lisa to hear Craig's story, only on Airing Addiction!…

Documentary filmmaker Randall Kendrick grew up in Brownsville, Tennessee in the shadow of The Mindfield, a “you-have-to-see-it-to-believe-it” outdoor art installation created by Tennessee outsider artist Billy Tripp. The artist has been constructing a massive steel sculpture for the past 33 years, and is finally setting his sights on retirement. In…

Sean Gasaway is an entertainer who wears many hats. His titles include songwriter, producer, music mogul, record producer, actor and entrepreneur. On this episode, the two-time Native American Music Awards Song of the Year winner shares more about using music to change young lives as education coordinator with the Mississippi Songwriters Alliance a…

On this episode of Airing Addiction: Jarrett J. Krosoczka, known since boyhood as "JJK," is the New York Times bestselling author/illustrator behind more than forty books for young readers, including his wildly popular Lunch Lady graphic novels, select volumes of the Star Wars™: Jedi Academy series, and Hey, Kiddo, which was a National Book Award F…

Ann Martin is a leader of one of the most unique attractions in the nation, Patti’s 1880’s Settlement in Grand Rivers, Kentucky. A cancer survivor, businesswomen, entrepreneur, and recent TikTok star, she led the organization through a devastating fire, the many negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and now, unprecedented growth. In this episod…

Jeremy Powell, a pastor and teacher in Union City, Tennessee, was born with an autoimmune deficiency that rendered his body incapable of defeating bacterial and fungal infections. As the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the world, Powell contracted fungal meningitis. Given only an 18% chance of surviving the infection, his doctors at the National In…

In this second two-part episode about road and mountain biking in Tennessee, we welcome Rodney McConnell, founder of the popular Ride the Fault Line bike ride. Participants on this ride explore attractions and experiences along the New Madrid Fault Line in Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee in just seven days. This episode is sponsored by O…

We kick off a new year of podcast episodes from Discovery Park with a special two-part look at road and mountain biking in Tennessee. Jenny Veal, rural destination development manager with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, shares more about Bike Tennessee. The initiative will feature four to six curated routes in each of the nine reg…

On this episode of Airing Addiction: Dr. Corrie Vilsaint serves as the Associate Director of Recovery Health Equity at the MGH Recovery Research Institute and Instructor at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Vilsaint is a community psychologist and an international speaker. Her research endeavors have focused on reducing recovery-related discrimination, b…

On this episode: Ken has been a certified Recovery Coach at Signature Healthcare’s OBAT program for the past five years. His primary work involves engaging clients in community-based recovery to complement their MOUD treatment and strengthening his deeply established and new agency partnerships within the greater Brockton community. Join Jesse and …

Mathieu Miller has been in recovery since 8/31/21. He is the president of the Spectrum Alumni association and has been the events chair for the Massachusetts state convention of young people in Alcoholics Anonymous for the year 2023. Mathieu works as an Operations Manager in the emergency department with people struggling with mental/behavioral/ an…

As chairperson of the Arts Council of Crockett County, Tennessee Sarah Conley champions fine arts in the rural community named in honor of David Crockett. In this episode, she shares details from her journey so far including a childhood in Bells, Tennessee and early theatrical training with nationally acclaimed teacher of high school speech and dra…

On this episode of Airing Addiction: Program directors from the New England Recovery Center will go in-depth to how they provide inpatient treatment to those seeking a true holistic approach to recovery. Jesse and Lisa will see what sets the program apart from others as they are joined by Executive Director Marybeth Adams, Clinical Supervisor Alexa…

Tosha and Chris Gurley’s love story began with their “first child” Jack, a pet black-capped capuchin monkey. After Chris sold his cattle and goats, he decided to buy five buffalo. Next came the zebra, kangaroos and giraffes. It quickly grew from there into what is now Southland Safari in Clarksburg, Tennessee. Along for the ride with Tosha and Chri…

Originally from Memphis, Dr. Yancy Freeman is the new chancellor at the University of Tennessee at Martin. In this episode, we discuss his path back to West Tennessee and the guidance he provides for today’s students. After completing his undergraduate, masters and doctorate from UT Chattanooga, Dr. Freeman served at the university for the past 25 …

On this episode of Airing Addiction, Dr. Madden and Dr. Altice explain how System Implementation Impacts those with SUD in the Community. Dr. Madden’s work is focused on identifying treatment gaps in substance abuse/mental health treatment and improving both access to services and retention in treatment, with an emphasis on inclusion of marginalize…

“You do not have to be defined by your circumstances, but you’re defined by the choices that you make every single day.” These are words that Miss Volunteer America 2024, Hannah Perrigin, lives by. In this episode, we go back to her beginning where Ms. Perrigin decided she was not going to be another statistic of at-risk youth. You may be surprised…

On this episode of Airing Addiction: Athena Haddon, Spectrum’s executive director of peer services and recovery support and Billy Parks, assistant director of recovery and peer support at Advocates, Inc. will be sitting down with Lisa and Jesse to discuss the important role peer support plays in recovery. Home | Moar Recovery (moar-recovery.org)…

On this episode of Airing Addiction: Chris has worked in sports radio in Boston since 2002 and is currently an executive producer at WEEI Boston's Sports Original. Join Lisa Blanchard and Jesse Chaison as they sit down with Chris to discuss his recovery journey this #RecoveryMonthBy New England Recovery Center

Dr. Griffin is a clinical and forensic psychologist with specialties in childhood trauma, resilience, and relationships. She developed the UMass Child Trauma Training Center (now known as Lifeline For Kids) which has trained over 100,000 professionals in trauma, trauma-informed care, and trauma sensitive practices. She is a co-author of a book by t…

Obion County resident Kimberly Green Bugg is an award-winning artist and member of the Oneida Nation on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Canada. She began dancing and competing in Powwows in 1994 as a Southern Traditional Buckskin dancer, a traditional dance among the southern nations, and in 1997, she was selected as the Memphis Powwow Princess…

The Denver Nuggets won the NBA Championship on June 12, 2023. The cameras caught Assistant Coach Popeye Jones hugging Finals MVP Nikola Jokic afterward and saying, “Hey! Thank you! Thank you!” In this episode, we sit down with Popeye to not only discuss what he was thinking at that moment but also take a trip down memory lane to where it all starte…

Stacie and Larry Overton visited Tennessee and discovered what Stacie calls “heaven on earth.” After purchasing a farm in Hollow Rock, they embarked on an inspiring journey that resulted in Lavender Kisses Farm. Located between Memphis and Nashville, visitors to the farm can experience fields of lavender, shopping, hayrides and a small herd of shag…

Keriann Caccavaro is a woman in recovery who has struggled with direction and belonging in life. As Keriann began her personal journey away from substance use, she now has found her passion and purpose in helping others do the same. She is now community advocate, and recovery coach. She also owns and operates LIV Recovery Homes which provides sober…

In anticipation of the David Crockett Birthday Celebration at Discovery Park on Sat. August 12, 2023, this special episode features Wade Dillon, a professional illustrator, historian and David Crockett tribute artist. Included in the books he has illustrated is “Davy Crockett from A to Z.” Wade is currently working on a graphic novel based on Crock…

Rev. Brad Barton is the author of the popular young-adult Enchanted Bell Tower series. After spending time in full-time ministry, Brad and his wife Susan, also a minister, traveled the United States in a tiny trailer producing a travel blog and podcast. In this episode, he shares more about his favorite camping spots, the importance of travel to hi…

Marsh Naidoo of Dyersburg, Tennessee is an author, physical therapist, blogger and host of the “Raising Kellan” podcast. Her son, Kellan, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy in 2013. In Marsh’s blog and podcast she shares her journey negotiating the uncharted territory of raising a child with developmental delay. In this episode, Marsh talks about so…

Rebecca Capri Durkee founded Gender Identity Support Services for Transgenders (GISST) in Boston, Massachusetts in 1994. Rebecca drew hundreds of community members and providers together for three events calling for a day of remembrance. She is a recipient of the AIDS Action Committee Community Recognition Award, and a member of the Massachusetts P…

Steve Watkins has spent time as a journalist, capitol hill press secretary, rancher, publisher, marketer, author of two award-winning books and is an excellent chef of “down-home cooking.” His work has garnered him a reputation as a champion of authentic Southern culture. Steve and his wife Dana have recently moved into the Discovery Park neighborh…

Obion County, Tennessee native Philip Jett has released his third book, “Stranded in the Sky: The Untold Story of Pan Am Luxury Airliners Trapped on the Day of Infamy.” It tells the fascinating true story of four Pan Am flying clippers with wealthy and affluent passengers on board on December 7, 1941. After the assault on Pearl Harbor, they were st…

On this episode of Airing Addiction: Matt Ganem describes himself as an addict in recovery, father, poet and well-known figure in the recovery community. He’s also CEO and owner of @Aftermath Recovery Treatment Center. https://www.facebook.com/MattGanemPoet/ Join Jesse and Lisa to hear Matt's story, only on Airing Addiction!…

Lisa Smartt of Dresden, Tennessee loves to make people laugh. A motivational humorist and writer, she travels nationally speaking to groups on a variety of fun and interesting topics. In her own words, “I'm always open to designing new talks to meet a group's needs as long as they don’t need insight into algebra, organizational skills, map reading …

This week's episode features two guests who have the unique opportunity to impact the lives of young people every single day—Chase Treece, the current youth pastor for Crosswind Church and NWTN Young Life Staff Associate for Union City, Tenn., and Morgan Goodman, the NWTN Young Life Staff Associate for the Martin, Tenn.They both share a passion for…

Rob Demeo is a person in long term recovery who has been working in the field of addiction now supporting others. Rob is currently the Community Outreach Coordinator for Sunrise Detox, Evolve Recovery and the Counseling Center. Please join Jesse and Lisa to hear Rob's story. Only on Airing Addiction!…