Stories from the Ridge, The McCallie Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Winter Sports Update: Championships In Sight Dec 15, 2022

Show notes

The winter sports season at McCallie is already underway and will get in full swing in early January with several of the six varsity teams setting their sights on championship trophies. In this episode of Stories From the Ridge, Mark Wiedmer '76 of the Communications Department talks with the six varsity coaches about the winter season. They share their expectations and some of their coaching philosophies.

The Emmitt Till Story: American History And McCallie “Connections” Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

When McCallie student Jonathan Manta ’23 began working on a history project on the 1954 murder of Emmitt Till last spring, he discovered how McCallie School “connections” can literally bring history to life. That’s the topic of this moving podcast discussion of how McCallie alumnus Jason Walker ’92, arranged an interview for Jonathan with Mr. Walker’s father-in-law, who was Emmitt Till’s cousin, neighbor and close friend. The podcast features Jonathan, Mr. Walker, and McCallie History teacher Dr. Duke Richey ’86 discussing details of the tragic murder of 14-year-old Emmitt Till, as well as details of how Jonathan’s award-winning history project was developed.

Honor, Truth, Duty ... And a Touch of Grace: Dr. Jay Wellons ’87, Discusses His New Book and His Job As a Neurosurgeon Nov 28, 2022

Show notes

Not only is he the Chief of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and is recognized as one of the nation’s top neurologists, Dr. Jay Wellons, a 1987 graduate of McCallie, is now a best-selling author.

His book, All that Moves Us: A Pediatric Neurosurgeon, His Young Patients, And Their Stories of Grace and Resilience, was released to positive reviews and strong sales this fall.

In November, Dr. Wellons visited McCallie for the first time in several years, meeting students in English and Science classes as well as speaking in Chapel. He also took time to record a podcast with his fellow ’87 classmate, Head of School Lee Burns. The two talk about Dr. Wellons’ two careers as a surgeon and a writer and about how much Christian Grace has played in those careers.

The podcast is the latest episode of McCallie’s Stories from the Ridge podcast series.

Also, Dr. Wellons’ Chapel talk can be viewed here and a news story on his visit to campus can be read here.

Dr. Wellons’ book, All that Moves Us: A Pediatric Neurosurgeon, His Young Patients, And Their Stories of Grace and Resilience, published by Random House, is available from all major booksellers.

Of Boys and Men: A Podcast Discussion With Dr. Richard Reeves Nov 18, 2022

Show notes

Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What To Do About It, by Dr. Richard Reeves, was released earlier this fall to strong positive reviews. New York Times Columnist David Brooks said the book “is a landmark, one of the most important books of the year, not only because it is a comprehensive look at the male crisis, but also because it searches for the roots of that crisis and offers solutions.”

Dr. Brooks, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, discusses the book and some of his recommendations in the latest edition of McCallie’s “Stories from the Ridge” podcast series.

Head of School Lee Burns '87 is joined by former McCallie administrator, Troy Kemp, who is now an administrator at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, in discussing issues facing boys and men in today’s world. The informative discussion ranges from how boys learn and how their minds develop to questions of “toxic masculinity,” the changing role of fatherhood, and why there is a dearth of academic research into issues of males and maleness.

Dear William Author David Magee Discusses Addiction, Recovery, and Healing Nov 02, 2022

Show notes

David Magee, author of the national bestseller memoir Dear William, a nationally recognized motivational speaker and parent of two McCallie alumni, returned to campus in late October to speak to students and parents. His presentations recounted the death of William, class of 2008, to drugs, his other son, Hudson’s (class of 2010) struggles and recovery, and his family’s establishment of the William Magee Institute for Student Wellbeing at the University of Mississippi.

During his visit to McCallie and GPS, Mr. Magee sat down in McCallie’s podcast studio with Head of School Lee Burns ’87 and Director of Counseling Joel Coffman to discuss the death of his son and his family’s steps toward recovery and helping others who are struggling with addiction. His powerful story is now available as the latest edition of McCallie’s Stories from the Ridge podcast series.

Social Media And McCallie's Counseling Program with Trey Tucker '98 Oct 26, 2022

Show notes

Trey Tucker '98, Associate Director of Counseling and English Teacher, recently surpassed one million followers on his TikTok account in which he provides short inspirational guidance on improving one's mental health and well-being.

In the latest edition of our Stories From the Ridge podcast, Mr. Tucker discusses with Upper School Principal Hank Hopping how he has used a social media site that often is criticized as a platform for well-being and growth. He also has branched out into Instagram and YouTube. In this discussion, Mr. Tucker and Mr. Hopping also discuss McCallie's counseling program and how students are coping with the stresses of the post-COVID school experience.

The podcast can be heard below or by searching for "McCallie Stories from the Ridge" on most podcast platforms.

Links for Mr. Tucker's social media accounts are:

TikTok
Instagram
YouTube

Three Teachers Share Their 2022 Faculty Enrichment Travel Stories Sep 19, 2022

Show notes

In this podcast, Sumner McCallie, Dean of Faculty and Curriculum, who administers the summer travel grant program, talks with three faculty members about their travel experiences last summer. Adam Tolar '96, Michael McCallie, and Will Givens share some wonderful stories, but more importantly, they share how the summer travel grants enabled them to return to the classroom this fall with new ideas and new inspirations.

Golf, Rowing, Cross Country and Football Coaches Discuss This Fall’s Season Sep 02, 2022

Show notes

The fall sports season is already shaping up as a strong one as two teams, football and cross country, are trying for record four-in-a-row state championships, and the other two, golf and rowing are promising strong, competitive seasons.

Coaches from the four fall sports recently sat down with Mark Wiedmer ’76, a new member of McCallie’s Communications staff, to discuss the upcoming season. Head Football Coach Ralph Potter '81, Cross Country Coach Mike Wood, Golf Coach Rob Riddle, and Assistant Rowing Coach Paul Marrion, share their perspectives on the season, which is already underway, and recall some past teams as well. And they share their coaching philosophies, as well as which restaurants the students like to visit after a victory.

McCallie Motorsports: Building a Race Car, McCallie Style May 26, 2022

Show notes

Recent graduates David Dalton '22 and Rowdy Stephens '22 talk with Skip Brock '68 about their shared passion for cars and racing. The discussion is hosted by the Director of Digital Communications Deanna Luna, of McCallie's Communications and Marketing Department.

In August 2021, David and Rowdy expressed an interest in re-restarting a car club at McCallie, and serendipitously, alumnus and Board of Trustees member Skip Brock had expressed an interest in working with students on building a race car. Thus began a year-long collaboration. In the episode, the students discuss their process for building the car, including meticulously documenting each step, as well as their first foray into taking the car for a spin on a track.

Chet LeSourd and Bob Bires: On Teaching, McCallie and Retirement May 20, 2022

Show notes

In this edition of Stories from the Ridge, Head of School Lee Burns ’87, talks with two of McCallie’s most respected teachers, Chet LeSourd ’72 and Bob Bires. Mr. LeSourd will retire at the end of May after 43 years on the Ridge, and Mr. Bires retired two years during the first phase of the COVID pandemic when the school was in lockdown and it was impossible to give him a proper send-off.

Prior to recording the podcast on May 16, 2022, Mr. LeSourd gave his final Upper School Chapel talk as a member of the faculty, an event attended by many former teachers who worked with Mr. LeSourd over the years. A video of that Chapel talk can be viewed here.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Stories from the Ridge, The McCallie Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected