Tennessee Today

Welcome to Tennessee Today!

Tennessee Today

Show Notes

Do you ever feel like state politics are hard to follow? Do you wish you could hear directly from the people making the decisions? Do you really know what your elected officials are doing, the policies they're pushing, and how those choices impact your community and your daily life? I believe every Tennessean should have a clear, straightforward understanding of the policies shaping our state. For over 18 years, I've served in the Tennessee Senate, working to bring transparency, accountability, smart decision making to the forefront of policy. Now I'm inviting you to join the conversation. Tennessee Today is a podcast where I share an inside look at state government. What's happening, why it matters, how it affects you in your daily life. No political spin here, no confusing jargon, just real discussions about the issues shaping our state. In each episode, I'll break down key legislative topics, have important discussions with special guests, share my experiences in the State Senate, and give you a firsthand perspective on how policies come to life. You'll get the information you need straight from the source so you can stay informed, engaged and empowered. It's really important for me to hear from you. If you have any questions, comments or topics you'd like me to cover, email me at [email protected] and be sure to include your name and where you live.

More from Tennessee Today

Oct 12, 2026

Every kid learns differently, so why do we so often expect them all to succeed in the same kind of classroom? Lizzette Reynolds is the Commissioner of Education for the state of Tennessee, with over 30 years in education policy, from the Bush administration to the Texas school system to leading Tennessee's schools today. In this episode, we get into what it actually takes to give every student a real chance, from the schools they attend to the way they're taught to read. We talk about why the best education is the one that fits the individual child, what school choice really means, why reading is the foundation everything else is built on, and why meaningful change in education can take a generation to show up. Key Takeaways:

Sep 28, 2026

If it feels like Chattanooga is changing overnight, you're not imagining it. New apartments downtown, companies you've never heard of hiring hundreds of people, traffic on roads that used to be quiet. So what's actually driving all of this growth, and where are we headed? Charles Wood is the president and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, the organization that works to bring new companies and jobs to the region, and to do it in a way the community can actually sustain. In this episode, we get into how our local economy really works, why some companies transform a community while others don't, and why growth almost always arrives sooner than a city is ready for it. Key Takeaways:

Sep 14, 2026

Most people think of the YMCA as a place to work out, but the Y is the largest provider of child care in the United States, and that's only the beginning of what it does. Baron Herdelin-Doherty is the president and CEO of the Metropolitan YMCA in Chattanooga. In this episode, we talk about how the Y has spent 175 years meeting the needs of our community, from feeding programs and food deserts to childcare for working families. We also dig into the Y's new partnership with Hamilton County Schools, which is consolidating three schools into a single new campus connected to the North River YMCA in Hixson, and what it could mean for the future of education. Key Takeaways:

Aug 31, 2026

The best way to know where I stand is to ask me directly. In this episode, I tackle everything from education and healthcare to data centers and flock cameras, and even my own record in District 11.

Aug 17, 2026

Most people have opinions about how government should work, but very few are willing to put their name on a ballot and do something about it. In this episode, Zach Wamp and I talk about what it was like serving eight terms as U.S. Representative for Tennessee's 3rd District before running one of the most competitive governor's races in state history. He also shares what a life in public service actually asks of a person and what it looks like to walk away from it with no regrets. Key Takeaways:

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