PODCAST · news
College Town Talk
by Tennessee Tech University
College Town Talk is a podcast from Tennessee Tech University in partnership with the Cookeville-Putnam County Visitors Bureau. Each week, hosts Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout introduce listeners to Tech faculty, staff and students – as well as successful Tech alumni, local business owners and civic leaders – who are making a difference and living Wings Up in their community.
Episodes
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College Town Talk, Episode 96 - Dr. Teresa Chasteen-Dunn
This week on College Town Talk, we sit down with Dr. Teresa Chasteen-Dunn, a longtime educator, philanthropist and business leader who now serves as a member of the Tennessee Tech Board of Trustees and Tennessee Tech Foundation Board of Directors. Dr. Chasteen-Dunn shares her educational journey,...
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College Town Talk, Episode 95 - Dr. Russ Witcher
This week on College Town Talk, we sit down with Dr. Russ Witcher, a longtime Tennessee Tech journalism professor who has some big news to share about his future after more than 35 years of service to the university. Dr. Witcher also talks about the changing world of journalism, his role as…
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College Town Talk, Episode 94 - Dr. Mickey A. Latour
This week on College Town Talk, we catch up with Dr. Mickey Latour, Tennessee Tech’s new provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. Dr. Latour tells us why Tennessee Tech was the right fit after an already successful more than 30-year career in higher education, including at universities in...
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College Town Talk, Episode 93 - Abby Weeden
This week on College Town Talk, we sit down with Tennessee Tech alumna Abby Weeden, owner of Cookeville’s Edison Hills New & Old. Abby shares the story behind her popular vintage boutique, how her experience studying art at Tech’s Appalachian Center for Craft shaped her creative career, and how…
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College Town Talk, Episode 92 - Dr. Jeremy Schoen
This week on College Town Talk, we're joined by guest co-host Jamie Fancher for a conversation with Dr. Jeremy Schoen, associate professor in Tennessee Tech’s College of Business. Dr. Schoen discusses his innovative organizational leadership course, where students put leadership lessons into...
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College Town Talk, Episode 91 - Dr. Frank Tittle
This week on College Town Talk, guest co-host Susan Luna-Hazlewood returns for a conversation with Dr. Frank Tittle, a two-time Tennessee Tech graduate now serving as executive director of Tennessee Tech GEAR UP - the university's groundbreaking initiative to increase college and career readiness...
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College Town Talk, Episode 90 - John and Sandy MacDonald
This week on College Town Talk, guest co-host Susan Luna Hazlewood joins us for a conversation with John and Sandy MacDonald, owners of Cookeville’s iconic Ralph’s Donut Shop. The couple shares how they came to own the nearly 65-year-old business, what it’s like working together as spouses and…
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College Town Talk, Episode 89 - Dr. Amy Hill
This week on College Town Talk, we sit down with Dr. Amy Hill, lecturer in Tennessee Tech's College of Emerging and Integrative Studies, three-time Tech graduate and a 2022 recipient of the university's Outstanding Professional Award. Dr. Hill reflects on her more than 25-year journey at Tech,...
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College Town Talk, Episode 88 - Matt Swallows
This week on College Town Talk, we catch up with former Cookeville Mayor Matt Swallows, a Tennessee Tech alumnus, former Golden Eagle football player and the president and COO of Swallows Insurance Agency. Matt reflects on his years leading Tennessee's College Town, shares his perspective on…
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College Town Talk, Episode 87 - Dr. Thomas Payne
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan sit down with Dr. Thomas Payne, dean of the Tennessee Tech College of Business. Since becoming dean in 2015, Dr. Payne has helped lead the college to its highest enrollment in a decade, overseen the addition of new, sought-after programs of study...
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College Town Talk, Episode 86 - Jimmy Guadalupe
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan welcome Jimmy Guadalupe, Tennessee Tech’s newly appointed student trustee and a rising senior majoring in business management and business information and technology. Jimmy reflects on being unanimously confirmed by the university’s Board of...
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College Town Talk, Episode 85 - Dr. Lauren Harding
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan sit down with Dr. Lauren Harding, associate professor of political science at Tennessee Tech. As our country celebrates its 250th anniversary, Dr. Harding shares insights from her research on trust in government and discusses how she and her…
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College Town Talk, Episode 84 - Margo Dirkson
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan sit down with Margo Dirkson, department coordinator in Tennessee Tech’s Office of Access, Belonging and Community Outreach and a doctoral student in Tech’s new Ph.D. in higher education program. Margo shares why she chose to pursue a doctorate…
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College Town Talk, Episode 83 - Dr. Erin Hoover
This week on College Town Talk, we sit down with Dr. Erin Hoover, associate professor of English at Tennessee Tech and the first-ever poet laureate for the City of Cookeville. In this episode, Dr. Hoover discusses how Tech’s English Department is thoughtfully incorporating AI into the classroom...
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College Town Talk, Episode 82 - Dr. Joshua Martin
This week on College Town Talk, guest co-host Jamie Fancher returns for a conversation with Dr. Joshua Martin, a Tennessee Tech alumnus who now serves as assistant professor of Spanish. Dr. Martin is also the recipient of Tech’s 2024-25 Scholastic Research Award and author of the new book,...
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College Town Talk, Episode 81 - Dr. Julie Baker
This week on College Town Talk, guest co-host Jamie Fancher joins us for a conversation with Dr. Julie Baker, a three-time Tennessee Tech graduate who now serves as dean of the College of Graduate Studies and associate provost at Tech. As she approaches her 20th anniversary at Tech, Dr. Baker...
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College Town Talk, Episode 80 - Adam Poe
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan catch up with Adam Poe, a 2011 Tennessee Tech graduate who now serves as vice president of the Highlands Economic Partnership. In our interview, Adam discusses Tech’s role in driving economic development across the region and reflects on the…
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College Town Talk, Episode 79 - Callie Smith
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan introduce listeners to Callie Smith, a senior at Tennessee Tech and Morgan County native double majoring in communications and marketing. Callie is also a former Tech Trailblazer — Tech students who provide personalized campus tours for…
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College Town Talk, Episode 78 - Dr. Jeannette Luna
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan sit down with Dr. Jeannette Luna, assistant dean of research and graduate studies in the College of Arts & Sciences at Tennessee Tech. Dr. Luna was recently selected by NASA as a participating scientist on the first Artemis lunar surface science...
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College Town Talk, Episode 77 - Sam Brooks
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and guest co-host Susan Luna-Hazlewood are joined by Sam Brooks, a two-time Tennessee Tech graduate and president of the Tech Football Quarterback Club. Sam has been an educator in the Upper Cumberland for more than 30 years, ranging from his early days as…
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College Town Talk, Episode 76 - Dr. Nancy Hamilton
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and guest co-host Susan Luna-Hazlewood are joined by Dr. Nancy Hamilton, a two-time Tennessee Tech graduate and chair-elect of Tech’s Alumni Association Board of Directors. Dr. Hamilton also serves as a Roane County commissioner and as program director for...
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College Town Talk, Episode 75 - Thomas Lynn
This week on College Town Talk, we’re joined by guest co-host Susan Luna-Hazlewood, executive director of Tennessee Tech’s Crawford Alumni Center, for a special conversation with Thomas Lynn—a two-time Tech graduate, member of Tech’s Board of Trustees and chairman of the board for First National...
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College Town Talk, Episode 74 - Rachel Smalling
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan sit down with Rachel Smalling, a 2014 Tennessee Tech graduate and classically trained cellist who went on to become a successful local entrepreneur. Today, Rachel performs with the Orfeo String Quartet and owns two local hotels and a popular...
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College Town Talk, Episode 73 - Dr. Colin Hill
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan catch up with Dr. Colin Hill, director of the School of Music at Tennessee Tech. Dr. Hill is a sought-after percussionist who has presented concerts and events throughout the United States, Europe, Africa and Asia. Here in Cookeville, he is also a...
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College Town Talk, Episode 72 - Braxton Westbrook
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan sit down with Braxton Westbrook, a Tennessee Tech student pursuing a master’s degree in computer science after graduating magna cum laude in May 2024. Braxton also serves as the student trustee on Tech’s Board of Trustees, representing nearly…
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College Town Talk, Episode 71- Emily Thomas
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan visit with Emily Thomas, a senior in Tennessee Tech's College of Business, Cookeville native, and third-generation Golden Eagle. Emily tells us about her busy schedule on and off-campus - including an internship at the Upper Cumberland Tourism...
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College Town Talk, Episode 70- Dr. Susan Miranda
This week on College Town Talk, we’re joined by Dr. Susan Miranda, executive director of the Bryan Symphony Orchestra - the Upper Cumberland’s professional symphony, which is celebrating its 62nd season in partnership with the Tennessee Tech School of Music. Susan shares about her background as a...
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College Town Talk, Episode 69- Benjamin Higgins
This week on College Town Talk, we’re catching up with Ben Higgins, a two-time Tennessee Tech graduate who now serves as a licensed professional counselor and mental health services provider in Tech’s Center for Counseling and Mental Health Wellness. Ben is also an accomplished musician and local...
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College Town Talk, Episode 68- Bella Rigsby
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan sit down with Bella Rigsby, a Tennessee Tech junior and elementary education major who serves as a Student Orientation Assistant (SOA) and as Panhellenic president - meaning that she helps oversee all of Tennessee Tech’s sororities across campus....
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College Town Talk, Episode 67- Tyler Asher
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan catch up with Tyler Asher, a 2014 Tennessee Tech graduate now serving as assistant commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development. Tyler tells us about his passion for supporting Tennessee's job seekers and small...
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College Town Talk, Episode 66 - Dr. Chelsea Dowell
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan are joined by Dr. Chelsea Dowell, lecturer of economics in Tennessee Tech’s College of Business. Dr. Dowell discusses her commitment to experiential learning - including hands-on projects with her students for Tech Athletics and the Center for…
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College Town Talk, Episode 65 - Jennifer Winningham
College Town Talk kicks off 2026 with Jennifer Winningham, Tennessee Tech's director of sports medicine and head athletic trainer. Jennifer tells us about the significance of returning to work at Tech after graduating from the university more than 20 years ago and shares a deeply moving story…
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College Town Talk, Episode 64 - President Emeritus Bob Bell
This week on a special episode of College Town Talk, we’re joined by Tennessee Tech President Emeritus Bob Bell. In this wide-ranging conversation, President Emeritus Bell reflects on the decision to first join Tech as a faculty member in the College of Business nearly 50 years ago, offers...
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College Town Talk, Episode 63 - Ferran Kefauver
This week on College Town Talk, we’re joined by Ferran Kefauver, executive director of Cityscape, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing Cookeville’s historic downtown. Ferran tells us about the ways CityScape works with business owners, the City of Cookeville, and...
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College Town Talk, Episode 62 - Dr. Barbara Reynolds
This week on College Town Talk, we’re joined by Dr. Barbara Reynolds, the former dean of the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing at Tennessee Tech. Dr. Reynolds shares about the journey that first brought her to Tech in 1991, the decision to stay in Cookeville following her retirement, and why she’s...
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College Town Talk, Episode 61 - Chad McDonald
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan catch up with Chad McDonald, director of leisure services for the City of Cookeville. Chad reminisces about his more than 30 years of service to our community and tells us about the latest enhancements to Cookeville’s vibrant recreational scene -...
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College Town Talk, Episode 60 - Jennifer Williams
This week on College Town Talk, we’re joined by Jennifer Williams — proud two-time Tennessee Tech graduate, local actress, director and producer, former educator of 31 years, and owner of Father Tom’s Pub, a staple of Cookeville’s WestSide dining scene. Jennifer shares some of her favorite…
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College Town Talk, Episode 59 - Kelly McCallister
This week on College Town Talk, we're joined by Kelly McCallister, dean of the Volpe Library at Tennessee Tech University. Dean McCallister tells us about making the transition to Tennessee last year from her previous home in North Carolina, her passion for animal rescue, her recent meeting with...
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College Town Talk, Episode 58 - Whitney Robinson
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan sit down with Whitney Robinson, a junior at Tennessee Tech pursuing a degree in special education and one of the newest appointees to the Tennessee Tech Foundation Board of Directors. Whitney shares about the inspiration that first drew her to...
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College Town Talk, Episode 57 - Joy McCaleb Poteet
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan catch up with Joy McCaleb Poteet, a Tennessee Tech alumna, graduate student and adjunct instructor who is also a talented local actress and the former longtime theatre teacher at Upperman High School. Joy tells us about her best memories from her...
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College Town Talk, Episode 56 - Dr. Mark Cramer
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan are joined by Dr. Mark Cramer, associate professor of clarinet in the Tennessee Tech School of Music and principal clarinetist in the Bryan Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Cramer shares how his music has turned up in unexpected places - such as television...
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College Town Talk, Episode 55 - Dr. Brenda Wilson
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan catch up with Dr. Brenda Wilson, professor of journalism at Tennessee Tech. Dr. Wilson shares stories from her nearly 30 years as a Tech faculty member and her memories as a Tech student. She also discusses last year's centennial anniversary of...
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College Town Talk, Episode 54 - Tanner Cox
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan sit down with Tanner Cox, a 2020 Tennessee Tech political science graduate now serving as field representative for U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty. Tanner explains how Tech's expansive alumni and faculty network helped him land a fulfilling career…
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College Town Talk, Episode 53 - Melissa Ellis
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan hear from Melissa Ellis, a Tennessee Tech alumna and professional musician of more than 30 years who serves as marketing and development director of the Bryan Symphony Orchestra and music director for HIP Cookeville. Melissa shares what…
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College Town Talk, Episode 52 - Amanda Juetten
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan sit down with Amanda Juetten, a recent Tennessee Tech graduate and current master's student who serves as president of the Upper Cumberland chapter of the National Federation for the Blind. Amanda talks about pushing through obstacles to graduate...
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College Town Talk, Episode 51 - Sherrie Cannon
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan catch up with Sherrie Cannon, associate director for professional development and adjunct instructor in Tennessee Tech's College of Business. Sherrie tells us about her passion for mentoring the next generation of business professionals, the...
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College Town Talk, Episode 50 - Ricky Shelton
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan hear from Ricky Shelton, the former mayor of Cookeville and a proud Tennessee Tech alumnus. Ricky tells us about helping organize Tech’s recent “College Town Kickoff” block party and concert, leading Cookeville through the March 2020 tornadoes and...
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College Town Talk, Episode 49 - Karen Lykins
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan are joined by Karen Lykins, vice president for enrollment and communication at Tennessee Tech. Karen shares the latest numbers on Tech's growing student population, looks back on favorite memories from her more than 25 years at the university and...
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College Town Talk, Episode 48 - Cheyenne Bare
This week on College Town Talk, we're joined by Tennessee Tech's 2025-2026 Student Government Association (SGA) President Cheyenne Bare. Cheyenne tells us about the moment she learned she was elected class president and recounts the unconventional path that led her to enroll at Tennessee Tech…
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College Town Talk, Episode 47 - Melinda Mott Leftwich
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan are catching up with Melinda Mott Leftwich, a Tennessee Tech alumna with a passion for making sports accessible for all. Today, Melinda is the founder and executive director of Game On Accessible Tennis, a nonprofit offering free tennis…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
College Town Talk is a podcast from Tennessee Tech University in partnership with the Cookeville-Putnam County Visitors Bureau. Each week, hosts Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout introduce listeners to Tech faculty, staff and students – as well as successful Tech alumni, local business owners and civic leaders – who are making a difference and living Wings Up in their community.
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Tennessee Tech University
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does College Town Talk have?
College Town Talk currently has 96 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is College Town Talk about?
College Town Talk is a podcast from Tennessee Tech University in partnership with the Cookeville-Putnam County Visitors Bureau. Each week, hosts Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout introduce listeners to Tech faculty, staff and students – as well as successful Tech alumni, local business owners and civic...
How often does College Town Talk release new episodes?
College Town Talk has 96 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to College Town Talk?
You can listen to College Town Talk on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts College Town Talk?
College Town Talk is created and hosted by Tennessee Tech University.
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