Broadcasting to Business w/ Katelin Ford :: 292 The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast

In this episode of the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast, Jim McCarthy sits down with Nashville-area commercial real estate pro and project manager Katelin Ford (Four Points Business, SVN Excel). Katelin unpacks her journey from MTSU sports broadcasting to CMT live shows and Discovery’s HGTV/Travel Channel universe, through layoffs, COVID, and mandates, and into a new chapter helping business owners with property, books, and growth strategy.They dive into how TV production skills translate into CRE, why storytelling still matters, why AI should be a tool and not a crutch, and where opportunities are emerging in trades, storage, and service businesses. They also riff on music, live performance, what our kids are listening to, and why authenticity is about to be at a premium.Timed highlights:00:00 Broadcasting roots, project management, and BNI connections02:56 Switching from forensic pathology to sports broadcasting at MTSU03:56 First TV job in Charleston and sideline sports reporting08:03 Chicago: staffing Fox Sports, ESPN, Golf Channel, and CMT14:39 Behind the scenes of CMT’s Hot 20, award shows, Crossroads, and more17:27 Layoffs on maternity leave and the shrinking TV job market23:28 Discovery/HGTV and the “Brady Bunch house” renovation project32:30 Managing Bon Jovi and Hank Jr. bars with Big Plain Holdings35:35 Growing up in a builder/agent family and moving into commercial real estate41:10 The AI debate: tool vs. crutch for creatives and marketers49:43 What Gen Z is listening to, and why kids are obsessed with Queen and Michael Jackson51:01 What Four Points Business actually does for trades and small business owners52:35 Why storage and trade services are in private equity’s crosshairs58:32 Owning your “hot mess” and building a personal brand anywayListen to more episodes and apply to be on the show at:mmtbp.comPodcast production by:itsyourshow.co