PODCAST · news
Scenic Roots
by WUTC
"Scenic Roots" offers conversations that matter in the heart of Chattanooga and the Tennessee Valley. From the mountains to the river, our conversations are rooted deep within every corner of our community - reflecting who we are, who we were and who we can become. We engage with the news that affects our community, behind and beyond the headlines. We build bridges that span from creators and innovators to storytellers and the outdoors. We focus on our challenges as many communities in one - as we celebrate what inspires us. We resonate with countless voices - in words and spaces, sounds and songs. We are "Scenic Roots." Ray Bassett hosts and produces "Scenic Roots" at WUTC.
Episodes
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For Mental Wellness: Chattanooga Community Circles Day
A community circle.(Chattanooga Community Circles) As we hear and as we open up about challenges to mental health, we encounter opportunities to learn and to heal together. That’s the goal of Chattanooga Community Circles Day, a free community event on Saturday, August 16th from Noon to 4 PM at…
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Where Movement Meets Moment At Barking Legs Theater
Outside Barking Legs Theater.(Barking Legs Theater) At Barking Legs Theater here in Chattanooga, the performances are known for spilling the tea. This weekend, a fashion dance showcase at Barking Legs - on Saturday and Sunday at 5 PM - will unpack the movement and the moment. It’s a collaboration...
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Swayyvo In Summer: Next At Riverfront Nights In Chattanooga
Swayyvo(Swayyvo) From hip hop and R&B to jazz and neo-soul, from his vocals to the saxophone to the piano, Swayyvo is an artist here in Chattanooga who - as a musician and a producer - breaks barriers across genres. This weekend, he’s the local opening act for Riverfront Nights - the free concert...
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Scenic Roots - Weds 8/06/25
Swayyvo in Summer: Next at Riverfront Nights in Chattanooga. Where movement meets moment at Barking Legs Theater. For mental wellness: Chattanooga Community Circles Day. As you’ll hear - and more - on this episode of “Scenic Roots.”
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A Chattanooga Exhibit For A Cherokee Medal Of Honor Recipient
Dwight Birdwell(National Medal of Honor Museum - Arlington, TX) In 2022, Dwight Birdwell received the Medal of Honor - this nation’s highest military award for valor - for his actions as a U.S. Army soldier in the Tet Offensive during the Vietnam War nearly six decades ago. A citizen of the...
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Greater Chattanooga From WTCI PBS: Squaring The Circle
In the ring at Eastside Elementary School.(WTCI PBS) In Dalton, teachers at Eastside Elementary School step into the wrestling ring with costumes, dramatic entrances and death-defying moves for a one-of-a-kind fundraiser to boost school spirit and encourage student engagement. The annual event...
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Tales Of A Mississippi Town In Robert Busby’s “Bodock: Stories”
Robert Busby(Emily Maggio) More than thirty years ago, a severe ice storm struck the Southeast. That real-life event in 1994 is the springboard for a collection of stories about a fictional town in Mississippi hit by the storm. Robert Busby, a Mississippi native who now lives in Memphis, is the...
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Scenic Roots - Weds 8/05/25
Tales of a Mississippi town in Robert Busby’s “Bodock: Stories.” An exhibit on a Cherokee recipient of the Medal of Honor. As you’ll hear - and more - on this episode of “Scenic Roots.”
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Le Gato: Next At Riverfront Nights In Chattanooga
(Riverfront Nights) Chattanooga is a crossroads for locally grown music across genres. Artists and bands bend and blend those genres along the way in their own way. One example is Le Gato, a funk-rock group with roots in jazz, progressive rock and jam music. This weekend, the band opens…
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“Illustrating A Point” Through Comics & Cartoons At Stove Works
“Let Me In” - an oil on canvas by Jules Jackson, one of the pieces in the “Illustrating a Point” exhibition at Stove Works.(Stove Works) In contemporary art, comics, cartoons and illustrations can express what other creative forms may struggle to convey. That’s the focus of “Illustrating a Point”…
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For Youth & Families: A Summer Arts Festival From SPLASH
(SPLASH Youth Arts Workshop) Here in Chattanooga, SPLASH Youth Arts Workshop provides free arts workshops year-round for youth in this city’s underserved communities. On Saturday, August 16th, SPLASH’s Summer Arts Festival - a free, family-friendly event outdoors - returns to Miller Park, from 10...
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A Year Of Celebration For Black Arts And Ideas In Chattanooga
Neshawn Calloway as Bessie Smith.(Chattanooga Festivals of Black Arts & Ideas) What began seven years ago as a one-day festival to commemorate Juneteenth here in Chattanooga - at the time, the only event of its kind in this city - is now a year-long series of festivals that celebrates the Black...
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Scenic Roots - Thu 7/31/25
A year of celebration for Black arts and ideas in Chattanooga. “Illustrating a Point” through cartoons & comics at Stove Works. Le Gato: Next at Riverfront Nights in downtown Chattanooga. As you’ll hear - and more - on this episode of “Scenic Roots.”
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Flow By The River: Community Yoga In Downtown Chattanooga
A yoga practice overlooking the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga.(Chattanooga Community Yoga) If you’ve ever seen free yoga classes at the Chattanooga River Market on the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza, the instructors come from across the city. Mellie DeAnna Harris, Loren Clifford and Ashley...
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Step By Step - For A Cause: Ken Jones On “Dare To Dance”
Ken Jones(EPB) Ken Jones has worked at EPB here in Chattanooga for nearly twenty-five years - and recently, he was promoted to Senior Director of Business Services. Here on our campus - the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga - he’s earned an MBA and a degree in entrepreneurship, taught as an...
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For A Canvas Of Creativity In Community, A Palette Of Potential
(ArtsBuild) As the nonprofit that supports the arts here in Chattanooga and Hamilton County, ArtsBuild is now helping artists in three ways beyond the Periscope program. Melissa Astin is with ArtsBuild. (ArtsBuild)
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Artists + Entrepreneurs = Opportunity At Periscope From ArtsBuild
The Arts Building in downtown Chattanooga.(The Enterprise Center) Periscope is a business development program at ArtsBuild that connects artists with entrepreneurs in the Chattanooga area. Now in its third year, applications for a new cohort of artists are due by this Friday, August 1st. Brianna...
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Quantifying The Need For A Performing Arts Space In Chattanooga
(ArtsBuild) For the performing arts, dedicated spaces can be a challenge. Early this year, ArtsBuild - the nonprofit that supports the arts here in Chattanooga and Hamilton County - announced a comprehensive feasibility study to assess the need for a community performing arts center. Six months...
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Scenic Roots - Tues 7/29/25
Quantifying the need for a performing arts space in Chattanooga. In downtown Chattanooga, flow by the river at community yoga. As you’ll hear - and more - on this episode of “Scenic Roots.”
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Chattamatters: Bringing Garbage Back To The City Landfill
At the landfill owned by the City of Chattanooga.(Chattamatters) You might think city garbage trucks here in Chattanooga haul the city’s trash to the city-owned landfill. But right now, there’s more to it than that - as William Newlin of Chattamatters tells us.
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Next On “The A List” From WTCI PBS: Tony Hale
Tony Hale & Alison Lebovitz(WTCI PBS) Tony Hale has played some of the most beloved comedic characters on television. Think of Gary Walsh on “Veep” - or Buster Bluth on “Arrested Development.” You can also hear him in animated hits such as “Toy Story 4” and “Inside Out 2.” Tony Hale sat down at...
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Feeding Kids At Chattanooga’s J.A. Henry Community YMCA
Paula Irwin(YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga) Last year, the James A. Henry Community YMCA prepared, packaged and delivered 300,000 free healthy meals to kids in the Chattanooga area. Last month, it provided 90,000 meals - higher than in previous summers. On Thursday, the YMCA hosts a Summer Open...
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Taking The Lead On Health In Hamilton County Government
Beka Bohannon(Hamilton County Mayor’s Office) Beka Bohannon is a licensed mental health therapist who went to work for Hamilton County Government four years ago. Since then, she has helped to shape the county’s response to the opioid crisis and leading its recovery courts. Now, Beka is days into...
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Scenic Roots - Weds 7/23/25
Taking the lead on health in Hamilton County Government. Feeding kids at Chattanooga’s J.A. Henry Community YMCA. As you’ll hear - and more - on this episode of “Scenic Roots.”
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The Essentials: Next At Riverfront Nights in Chattanooga
The Essentials(The Essentials / Riverfront Nights) This weekend, The Essentials are the local opener at Riverfront Nights - Saturday, starting at 6 PM, at Ross’ Landing in downtown Chattanooga. John Gianella is the lead guitarist and vocalist for The Essentials. Sammi Moore is the group’s lead...
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Chattamatters: Community Land Trusts For Affordable Housing
(icon-library.com) Across this country, community land trusts are a common tool to keep single-family homes affordable - now, and for generations to come. Here in Chattanooga, land trusts have been part of the housing conversation for years - though we do not yet have an active land trust. Here’s...
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On Public Media In Chattanooga And The Tennessee Valley
Susan Lazenby and Bob Culkeen at WUTC.(Ray Bassett / WUTC) As Congress nears a final vote on rescinding Federal funding for public media, we have watched the story unfold here in Chattanooga and the Tennessee Valley. This station, WUTC - a service of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga…
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Scenic Roots - Thu 7/17/25
On public media in Chattanooga and the Tennessee Valley. Chattamatters: Community land trusts for affordable housing. The Essentials: Next at Riverfront Nights in Chattanooga. As you’ll hear - and more - on this episode of “Scenic Roots.”
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On The Water: Learning To Sail On Chickamauga Lake
On Chickamauga Lake(Privateer Sailing Education Foundation) On Chickamauga Lake, this is the season for learning to sail - for recreational sailing and sailboat racing. The Privateer Sailing Education Foundation - which teaches sailing on the lake and hosts sail camp each summer - is located at...
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Next On “The A List” From WTCI PBS: Olivia Reeves
Olivia Reeves & Alison Lebovitz(WTCI PBS) Last year, Olivia Reeves brought home the gold for weightlifting at the Summer Olympics in Paris - and earned the world championship title, the first American weightlifter to do so in more than sixty years. Chattanooga celebrated Olivia’s Olympic win...
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An AI Agent For Marketing Compliance In Business
Austin Carroll, founder and CEO of Warrant(hellowarrant.com) As AI reshapes business, companies in financial services, real estate and insurance will need to adapt - and remain compliant with regulations. Warrant is a marketing compliance platform for those companies, powered by AI - based in…
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Viable Pathways For Hamilton County High School Grads
Jack Matherly(Jack Matherly / LinkedIn) For some graduates of public high schools here in Hamilton County, their next steps beyond the classroom are careers in fast-growing industries: lineworking, welding, data analysis and cybersecurity. Viable Pathways to Prosperity is a local effort that...
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Scenic Roots - Tues 7/15/25
Viable Pathways for Hamilton County high school grads. Warrant: An AI agent for marketing compliance in business. On the water: Learning to sail on Chickamauga Lake. As you’ll hear - and more - on this episode of “Scenic Roots.”
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From The Campus To The Exchange: UTC’s Dr. Claudia Kramer
Dr. Claudia Kramer(Angela Foster / UTC) How do we make sense of economics? Here on our campus, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Dr. Claudia Kramer is the Scott L. Probasco Distinguished Chair of Free Enterprise at the Gary W. Rollins College of Business. She’s now writing a monthly...
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This Weekend At Riverfront Nights: Dock Party
Dock Party(Dock Party / Instagram) (Aired Thu 7/10/25) Dock Party is a band of four recent grads of The McCallie School here in Chattanooga. This weekend, the band opens Riverfront Nights - on Saturday starting at 6 PM at Ross’ Landing, presented by Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union. The...
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At ClearStory Arts, Sizzling At The Hot Chicken Art Market
Outside ClearStory Arts. (ClearStory Arts) (Aired Thu 7/10/25) Here in Chattanooga, the best place this time of year for a pop up art market is indoors. On Saturday, ClearStory Arts hosts its Hot Chicken Art Market at its location - 1673 Holtzclaw Avenue - from 11 AM to 4 PM. Elle Quesenbery is...
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Next On “The A List” From WTCI PBS: Scott Payne
Scott Payne & Alison Lebovitz(WTCI PBS) (Aired Thu 7/10/25) Scott Payne - dubbed the “Hillbilly Donnie Brasco” - spent more than two decades on duty with the FBI. As the primary undercover agent for investigations, his cases ranged from violent motorcycle gangs to domestic terrorism. Now, with...
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Honoring Chattanooga’s Fallen Five - Ten Years Later
The Wreath of Honor Fallen Five Memorial at Tennessee Riverpark in Chattanooga.(Hamilton County Parks & Recreation) (Aired Thu 7/10/25) Here in Chattanooga, they are known - and will always be known - as “The Fallen Five.” On July 16th, 2015, five service members of the U.S. military were...
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At United Way, The Community Piece Of Community Investment
(United Way of Greater Chattanooga) (Aired Tues 7/08/25) Each year, United Way of Greater Chattanooga awards grants to nonprofits that make a difference across our community. This year, volunteer grant reviewers have been more involved than ever - reading and scoring applications from local...
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Caring For 75 Years: Siskin Children’s Institute In Chattanooga
(Siskin Children’s Institute) (Aired Tues 7/08/25) For decades, Siskin Children’s Institute here in Chattanooga has served children with special needs and their families. The story began seventy-five years ago when two brothers - both businessmen - established the Mose and Garrison Siskin…
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Chattamatters: How Does Chattanooga's Land Bank Work?
A vacant lot held by the City of Chattanooga’s land bank at 2508 Taylor St.(Ian-Alijah Bey / Chattamatters) (Aired Thu 7/03/25) Amid the housing crunch here in Chattanooga, city officials have reactivated a decade-old tool to turn city-owned property into affordable homes. William Newlin of...
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One-On-One With Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly - at Riverfront Nights in downtown Chattanooga this summer.(City of Chattanooga) On Thursday, Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly stopped by our studio here at WUTC for our latest conversation. Among the topics: The land donation on Missionary Ridge; the City’s new budget;...
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Next On “The A List” From WTCI PBS: Christian Siriano
(WTCI PBS) In 2008, Christian Siriano won the fourth season of Project Runway, the design competition series. At 21 years old, he was the youngest contestant to ever take the crown - and that victory was just the first step in launching a remarkable career in the fashion industry. From New York…
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This Year’s Collegedale Freedom Festival And Fireworks
Fireworks at the Collegedale Freedom Festival in 2024.(Friends of the Festival) Also on Thursday: The Collegedale Freedom Festival and Fireworks. The free public celebration on the eve of the Fourth of July returns to The Commons, starting at 5 PM - concluding with the fireworks around 9:30 PM....
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Celebrating The Fourth: Pops On The River In Chattanooga
Fireworks at Pops on the River in 2024.(City of Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors) Friday is the Fourth of July. On Thursday, the City of Chattanooga hosts Pops on the River, a free public celebration for Independence Day. It takes place from 4 PM to 10 PM in Coolidge Park - with music and fireworks...
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What’s Next For The Chattanooga Convention Center? Meet Sam Voisin
Sam Voisin(Chattanooga Convention Center) Sam Voisin is the new executive director at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Last week, just days into the job, he stopped by our studios here at WUTC. Chattanooga Convention Center(Chattanooga Convention Center)
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Scenic Roots - Weds 7/02/25
What’s next for Chattanooga’s Convention Center? Meet Sam Voisin. Chattanooga’s Pops on the River. Collegedale’s Freedom Festival. As you’ll hear - and more - on this episode of “Scenic Roots.”
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Chatting With The Chancellor: Dr. Lori Bruce, UTC’s New Chancellor
Dr. Lori Bruce on the campus of UTC.(Dan Henry ./ UTC) Dr. Lori Bruce is the new Chancellor here on our campus, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She is the 19th Chancellor at UTC since the university was founded in 1886 - and the first woman to serve in that role. Dr. Bruce comes to…
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At The Woodshop, A Concert For A Cause - For The AIM Center
The Woodshop in St. Elmo. (The Woodshop) This weekend, Be the Change Youth Initiative here in Chattanooga brings its “Concert for a Cause” series to the St. Elmo neighborhood. Saturday’s concert - featuring local female artists - begins at 7 PM at The Woodshop. Proceeds support The AIM Center and...
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In Dayton, A Centennial Season For This Year’s Scopes Festival
A scene from “Destiny in Dayton” - performed at the Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton.(Rhea Heritage Preservation Foundation) It happened in July a hundred years ago in Dayton: The Scopes Trial. John Scopes, a high school teacher, went on trial in the Rhea County Courthouse - accused of violating…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
"Scenic Roots" offers conversations that matter in the heart of Chattanooga and the Tennessee Valley. From the mountains to the river, our conversations are rooted deep within every corner of our community - reflecting who we are, who we were and who we can become. We engage with the news that affects our community, behind and beyond the headlines. We build bridges that span from creators and innovators to storytellers and the outdoors. We focus on our challenges as many communities in one - as we celebrate what inspires us. We resonate with countless voices - in words and spaces, sounds and songs. We are "Scenic Roots." Ray Bassett hosts and produces "Scenic Roots" at WUTC.
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WUTC
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Scenic Roots have?
Scenic Roots currently has 1000 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Scenic Roots about?
"Scenic Roots" offers conversations that matter in the heart of Chattanooga and the Tennessee Valley. From the mountains to the river, our conversations are rooted deep within every corner of our community - reflecting who we are, who we were and who we can become. We engage with the news that...
How often does Scenic Roots release new episodes?
Scenic Roots releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 1000 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
Where can I listen to Scenic Roots?
You can listen to Scenic Roots 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 Scenic Roots?
Scenic Roots is created and hosted by WUTC.
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