De La Torre’s Stories

Nic Tilton was one of the lucky people drawn for a 2025 Tennessee Elk Tag. Listen in as he shares his experience and what he learned throughout the process. Nic talks about the excitement of that first email, scouting, and the ins and outs of the whole experience. Of course we also talk about the hunt and the afterwards, which included a shot on a large 6x7 elk and around 6 miles of tracking. 

Daniel Simpkins is the owner and therapist at From The Ashes Therapeutic Services. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Masters in Social Work and a graduate certificate in Gerontology. He has been a practicing Therapist for 15 years. Daniel was also a former fantasy sports writer for 8 years. During those years he got to cover the Senior Bowl where he got media access to watch players like Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield up close. After his sports writing days he took up playing hockey and now plays in an adult league around Nashville.

Dylan Dalton is a candidate for constable in Fentress County’s 2nd district. If you are a voter in the 2nd district listen in to see why Dylan believes he should be your constable. If you aren’t in the 2nd district then still listen in to hear about the history of the constable position and learn what all they do.

Ray Jackson is a man known by many at Clarkrange High School. For years he donated his time and skills to driving the bus on trips for FFA, FCCLA and ROTC. Many trips they wouldn’t have got to go on if Ray hadn’t volunteered. Prior to his time driving the bus, he was a Semi Truck driver for 30+ years. Beginning in the 60’s he hauled freight all over the country. He has driven in all of the 48 Continental states and Canada and Mexico. Listen in to hear about all his time on the road and more! 

Hunter Fowler is a candidate for the upcoming election for Fentress County Sheriff. He is currently serving as chief deputy of the department. Listen in to hear why you should vote for Hunter and what he is going to do to improve the Sheriff’s Department. He answers many questions that are on the minds of voters including how he will restore trust in the department. Enjoy listening and reach out to Hunter with any other questions you may have. Also, remember to vote Hunter Fowler for Fentress County Sheriff.

Ethan Horst is Marathoner, Triathlete, and Lamborghini Super Trofeo Race Team Member. He has completed multiple marathons with his current PR being 3:54:20. He is also a Triathlete who completed the sprint distance with a time of 1:19:37. Ethan is consistently training and is striving to complete a full Iron Man Triathlon in the future. When he isn’t training he also works with a Lamborghini Super Trofeo Race Team. He travels all over the country to multiple races with the team each year. Follow Ethans triathlon journey on instagram @ethan_runz and all his race team updates on his personal page @ehorst212.

On this week’s episode we sit down with Haylee Martin who is the President of the new non-profit Fentress Forward. Fentress Forward is a non-profit organization that is focused on community development projects. On top of the project list is a recreation center to be located in Jamestown! Listen as we dive into the plans for the recreation center and what all they are hoping to include. Make sure to follow the Fentress Forward facebook page for updates.

Ms. Vickie McDonald has been dedicated to improving the lives and education of the kids of Fentress County throughout her life. She was a full time teacher, vice principal and principal for 35 years and still works part time in the school system for a total of 52 years and counting. Ms. Vickie was raised in Wilder, TN and attended the small school of Wilder Elementary before graduating from Clarkrange High School. As a teacher she spent time at both Grimsley Elementary and South Fentress Elementary. Listen as we dive into all she learned throughout her career in education and get her opinions on some of today’s educational issues. 

Enjoy the conversation as I sit down with the owners of Hidden Paradise Farms, Matt and Jessica Hinton. They tell their incredible journey from Hawaii and California to small town Clarkrange, TN. Matt and Jessica met in 2019 while serving in the military in Paradise, California. After falling in love and getting married they were struck with devastating news as Matt was diagnosed with testicular cancer two months after their wedding. During his cancer battle the couple also found out Jessica was pregnant and to top it all off this was all occurring during Covid. Listen in to hear how through their faith in God they were able to overcome their challenging  times and how it lead them to where they are now. They now have a regenerative farm where they have all natural and chemical free products and food which they also offer for sale. Make sure to check them out and order products at https://thehiddenparadisefarms.com/

At 91 years of age Thelma York has accumulated a lifetime of stories and wisdom that she shares on this episode. She was born in 1934 in Byrdstown Tennessee and moved to Clarkrange at the age of 5. Listen in as we talk about what it was like growing up in small town Tennessee during the 1940’s and 1950’s. In her adult years she helped run her family’s store and spent 39 years working in the local school system in various roles. Thelma also gives her answers on some of humanities greatest questions, such as the meaning of life and more. 

Husband and wife duo Briley and Jaycee Stephens join the podcast alongside my wife Brianna De La Torre ( Formerly Stephens ) to bring you the Stephens Experience. We dive into a wide array of topics including lessons learned in marriage and life. We also tell plenty of funny stories from the old days. This is an episode filled with laughter, tears, and more! We hope you enjoy. 

Jason Kilby is a long time friend and the true definition of a local legend. He amassed multiple degrees from Tennessee Tech University across his 48 semesters including a PhD in exceptional learning with a literacy concentration. He is also the founder of the Buffalo Rejects sports franchise that is known across the Upper Cumberland. Also, Darko Milicic did have one kickboxing fight that he lost by TKO in the 2nd round.  (This will be informative when you get to that part in the podcast.)

Bro. Josh Cantrell is the Pastor at both Springs Chapel Methodist Church and Mt. Gilead Methodist Church. He ended up on drugs at 16 and went down the path of addiction until life changing events at the age of 21. He then found himself called to ministry soon after. Listen in to hear his incredible story of turning his life around and dedicating it to serving God. We also dive into some of life's and religion's greatest questions such as “What is the meaning of life?” and “Why does God let bad things happen?” 

Ethan Worley is the owner of Grimsley Gun & Knife located at 5580 S. York Hwy in Grimsley, TN. They are an FFL licensed gun store that stocks all kinds of guns and knives new and old. They also have ammo and are looking to acquire their pawn shop license in the future. Enjoy a great conversation on guns, knives, and more! Also, make sure to go check them out for all your gun and knife needs.

A very special Father’s Day release episode for me as I welcome my two oldest daughters onto the podcast! Aubri (Age 5) and Adi (Age 4) have been wanting to do a podcast for a while so listen in and enjoy all there funny, cute and sweet answers! Adi starts off and goes for around 14 minutes then Aubri takes over and finishes out the episode. Girls if you are reading this in the future just know I love y’all so much!

Jimmy Johnson is in his second term as Fentress County Executive. He also served a term as a county commissioner before becoming County Mayor. Jimmy is the youngest of 15 children. He is dedicated to serving all citizens of Fentress County and has worked to improve the county for years to come. Listen in as we discuss what its like to be a county mayor and about the future of Fentress County and the Upper Cumberland.

Logan Lamb is a movement focused Chiropractor & Exercise Physiologist based in Cookeville, Tennessee. Logan’s credentials include Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, Baker University 2020Master's degree in Exercise Physiology, Valdosta State University 2021Doctorate in Chiropractic, Logan University 2024American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise PhysiologistLogan goal is “to help those in pain feel empowered to live life to the fullest—without fear of movement holding them back.” Listen in as we dive into his unconventional approach and unique business model that he hopes provides a fresh look at dealing with pain and helping control it in our daily lives. We talk chiropractic and more health related topics. Enjoy the episode and check out Logan’s business Illuminate Health and book with him here at https://www.illuminatehealthmwc.com 

Garry Clark is a local legendary sports announcer and radio personality. He graduated from MTSU with a degree in Communications in 1985 and has been in the radio business ever since. He has been with 103.9 WDEB for well over 30 years covering news and sports for the station and is on air M-F 4pm-10pm. Listen in as we talk about some of the most memorable moments and players across all sports that he has seen throughout his multiple decades long career. We also discuss some of the most memorable news stories and other events he has covered over the years. 

Mason Cravens is a body builder who won the title of Mr. Tennessee in 2023. He is an aspiring pro who is hoping to earn that professional status this year. Listen in as we dive into what it takes to grind as a body builder and much more!

Jakob Daniel is the creator and host of Podnastics gymnastics podcast. On Podnastics they interview top Olympic and college gymnasts from around the world to get their stories and perspectives. Jakob is also long time friend of our frequent co-host Hunter Crouch. Enjoy listening and check out Podnastics!

Homero Gonzalez is the owner and sauce boss of Harmacy Hot Sauce Co. Based in Cookeville Tennessee, Harmacy Hot Sauce is an award winning premier hot sauce company with some of the best hot sauce in the world. Enjoy listening to their story and make sure to check them out at  https://www.harmacyhotsauce.com 

Tyler Arms and Kim Stewart are the new owners on New Horizon Athletics in Jamestown, TN. New Horizon Athletics is a cross training higher intensity workout gym that offers group classes as well as personal training. Kim and Tyler also recently purchased the 24/7 style gym Mad fitness and rebranded as NHA 24/7.

Byron Matthews is the owner of the golf simulator sports bar, Birdies Lounge in Jamestown, TN. He grew up in Jamestown before moving to South Dakota and flying drones for the Air Force. After his military stint he returned home and opened Birdies Lounge which has been a key part of the revitalization of downtown Jamestown. Birdies also has became a music venue with concerts featuring up and coming artists nearly every weekend. Enjoy the podcast and go check out Birdies Lounge!

Listen in as we dive into to the careers and future plans for twin basketball stars Kassie & Kaylie Monday. They both had stellar high school and college careers leading Clarkrange High School to 3 State Tournaments. They then went on to help lead University of the Cumberlands to multi NAIA National Tournament runs including the first final four appearance in school history. They are both NAIA All Americans and boost impressive stats lines across the board including points, assists, rebounds, and steals. Enjoy listening to two local basketball legends.

Landon Baldwin is a long time friend and growing YouTuber with nearly 12k subscribers on his channel “Backwoods TN”. His videos total well over 1 million views and he gained 10k subscribers and over 900k views in 2024 alone. He also had a viral TikTok that racked up 15 million views and over 100k likes. Landon’s family has been in the logging business for generations and his logging content on YouTube has been a hit. He is finishing up school to pursue a career as a P.E. Teacher and hopes to coach basketball.Appearing as a guest co-host is Hunter Crouch.

Jared Wells is a BJJ black belt and owner of Praxium Martial Arts in Jamestown, TN. He fought his first professional MMA fight at 17 years old on the first ever sanctioned MMA event in Tennessee. He also lived and trained in Brazil for a short time. Jared opened Praxium Martial Arts in 2010.

Hunter Crouch is head coach of the Sunbright Tigers high school boys basketball team and a long time friend. He is also co-athletic director and a teacher. Hunter graduated from Tennessee Tech and played college basketball at Maryville his freshman year. He is coming off of only the 2nd 20 win season in school history and was also named Coach of the Year in his district.

Connor Apple is the owner of Apple Fitness and Health in Cookeville, TN. He is a graduate of Tennessee Tech with a degree in exercise science and is a certified personal trainer.