College Town Talk

Amy Hill Joins Jonathan Frank & Shan Stout To Highlight Her Charity Work In The UC

In this episode of College Town Talk, hosts Shan Stout and Jonathan Frank welcome Dr. Amy Hill, a three-time Tennessee Tech graduate, longtime educator, artist, nonprofit founder, and one of the university's most dedicated advocates. Dr. Hill reflects on her 25-plus-year journey at Tennessee Tech, from her first job on…

2 Aug 24 min

Matt Swallows Joins Jonathan Frank & Shan Stout To Discuss The Growth Of Cookeville

On this episode of College Town Talk, hosts Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with former Cookeville Mayor Matt Swallows to discuss leadership, public service, and the growth that has shaped Cookeville over the past two decades. Swallows reflects on his time leading the city, the projects that transformed…

26 Jul 24 min

Dr. Thomas Payne Joins Jonathan Frank & Shan Stout To Highlight TN Tech's College Of Business

In this insightful episode, Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with Tennessee Tech College of Business Dean Thomas Payne to discuss how the university is preparing students for success through hands-on experiential learning, leadership development, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in business education. Payne shares why real-world…

19 Jul 28 min

Jimmy Guadalupe Joins Jonathan Frank & Shan Stout To Highlight Mental Health And Trailblazing

In this inspiring episode, Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with newly appointed Tennessee Tech Student Trustee Jimmy Guadalupe, a Cookeville native and first-generation college student who is making history as the first undergraduate from Cookeville to serve in the role. Jimmy reflects on his journey from Student Government…

12 Jul 23 min

Dr. Lauren Harding Joins Jonathan Frank To Discuss The American Government Moving Forward

On this episode of the College Town Talk podcast, Dr. Lauren Harding joins Jonathan Frank to discuss our government. She highlights the trust it has built over the years, as well as the distrust as of lately and what we can expect moving forward. In addition to this, she touches…

5 Jul 21 min

Margo Dirkson Joins Jonathan Frank To Discuss Building Community & Connection

Margo Dirkson joins the College Town Talk podcast to discuss her current journey as a Doctoral student, as well as working in Tennessee Tech's outreach department. What does a day-to-day in outreach look like, and how does she manage it? How does service build community and connection, and what are…

14 Jun 22 min

Dr. Erin Hoover Joins Jonathan Frank To Discuss The Poet Laureate Of Putnam County

Dr. Erin Hoover joins the show delving into her various roles with Tech including as Poet Laureate. Offering new poetry clubs and workshops at Cookeville HS so students can write, perform & publish their own poetry. They also touch on AI, how, when, & why to use it in Tech's…

7 Jun 21 min

Dr. Joshua Martin Joins Jonathan Frank To Talk All Things Spanish At Tech

On this week's show, Dr. Joshua Martin joins us discussing his role as a Spanish Professor. And how the Foreign Language Dept. at Tech has grown and is anticipating its largest Freshman class in many years. As well as all the things he's been up to over the years working…

31 May 23 min

Dr. Julie Baker Joins Jonathan Frank To Discuss The Importance Of Great Educators

On today's College Town Talk, Dr. Julie Baker joins us to share what each of her roles encompass and what she does each day to help students at Tennessee Tech find success. In addition to explaining her role and what it requires, Dr. Baker also highlights the importance of teaching…

24 May 24 min

Adam Poe Joins Jonathan Frank & Shan Stout To Discuss Regional Growth + Community Leadership

In this episode, Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with Adam Poe of the Cookeville–Putnam County Chamber of Commerce to discuss his work in regional economic development across the Upper Cumberland. Adam shares how he became involved with the Highlands Economic Partnership, a collaborative effort among surrounding counties to…

3 May 24 min

Callie Smith Joins Jonathan Frank & Shan Stout To Discuss The Unique Opportunities TN Tech Provides

In this episode, Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with Callie Smith, a senior at Tennessee Technological University from Morgan County, Tennessee, to discuss her path through college and into national media internships. Callie shares her experience as a double major in Communications and Marketing, her time as a…

26 Apr 23 min

Dr. Jeannette Luna Joins Jonathan Frank & Shan Stout To Discuss Her Journey Into Working With NASA

A lifelong passion for science can lead to places far beyond what most imagine. In this episode, Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with Dr. Jeannette Luna of Tennessee Technological University to discuss her journey from curious student to one of a select group of scientists chosen for NASA…

19 Apr 23 min

Sam Brooks Joins Jonathan Frank & Susan Luna-Hazelwood To Discuss A Life Of Education

When passion meets purpose, it can shape a career— and an entire community. Jonathan Frank and co-host Susan Luna Hazlewood sit down with Sam Brooks, a two-time graduate of Tennessee Tech University, to talk about his decades-long impact on education and athletics in the Upper Cumberland. From teaching biology and…

12 Apr 24 min

Dr. Nancy Hamilton Joins Jonathan Frank & Susan Luna-Hazelwood Talks About Her Journey Into Ministry & Mentorship

Some journeys don’t follow a straight path—but they lead exactly where they’re meant to. Jonathan Frank and co-host Susan Luna-Hazlewood sit down with Dr. Nancy Hamilton to explore her impactful journey through ministry, education, and public service. A two-time graduate of Tennessee Tech University, Dr. Hamilton shares how her experiences…

5 Apr 23 min

Thomas Lynn Joins Jonathan Frank & Luna Hazlewood To Discuss The Impact Of Fundraising For The Community

What does it take to build a life that truly gives back? Host Jonathan Frank is joined by special co-host Susan Luna Hazlewood as they welcome longtime banking leader and Tennessee Tech advocate Thomas Lynn. From four decades in banking to leading major fundraising efforts—including a Vince Gill concert that…

29 Mar 24 min

Rachel Smalling Joins Jonathan Frank & Shan Stout To Discuss Building Big Things In A College Town

From cello strings to cocktail shakers and lakeside hotels, Rachel Smalling has built a life that refuses to stay in one lane! Tennessee Tech alumna and local entrepreneur Rachel Smalling joins Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout on todays episode of College Town Talk. Rachel shares how she went from a…

15 Mar 22 min

Dr. Colin Hill Joins Jonathan Frank & Shan Stout To Discuss His Journey Into Higher Education

Music and innovation are striking a new chord in Cookeville! Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with Dr. Colin Hill, Director of the School of Music at Tennessee Technological University, for this week’s episode of College Town Talk. A longtime educator and sought-after percussionist who performs with the Bryan…

8 Mar 23 min

Braxton Westbrook Joins Jonathon Frank & Shan Stout To Discuss His Unique Story At TN Tech

Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with Braxton Westbrook, a Tennessee Tech student trustee from Johnson County, Tennessee. Braxton graduated magna cum laude in May 2024 with dual bachelor’s degrees in computer science and political science, and he’s now pursuing a master’s in computer science at Tech. An active…

22 Feb 23 min

Emily Thomas Joins Jonathon Frank & Shan Stout To Discuss Expanding UC Tourism

Shan Stout and Jonathan Frank sit down with Emily Thomas, a Tennessee Tech marketing student and proud third-generation Golden Eagle. A high school graduate at just 16, Emily is passionate about promoting the Upper Cumberland, where she was raised, as she interns with the Upper Cumberland Tourism Association. She also…

15 Feb 22 min

Dr. Susan Miranda Joins Jonathan Frank & Shan Stout To Share Exciting New Changes To Bryan Symphony Orchestra

Big changes are hitting the stage at the Bryan Symphony Orchestra! Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with Dr. Susan Miranda, the new Executive Director and a renowned Midwest-born oboist with an impressive career in music education and performance. From Oklahoma State University to teaching posts in Iowa, she…

8 Feb 23 min