Tennessee Today

Latest Episodes:

Why Chattanooga Feels Like It's Changing Overnight (And What That Means for The People Who Live Here) Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

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:

Why landing one big employer can ripple through the entire local economy
What happens when we literally run out of room for new businesses
How Chattanooga competes against (and sometimes works with) the surrounding areas to bring companies and jobs here
Why a strong local economy depends on what's happening in K-12 classrooms

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Tennessee Today is your inside look at state government: what’s happening, why it matters, and how it affects you in your daily life. I break down key legislative topics, have important discussions with special guests, share my experiences in the 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! Share your questions for future episodes by emailing info@bofortn.com!

How the YMCA Fills the Community’s Gaps: Childcare, Food, and Education Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

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:

Why the YMCA (not a government agency) is the largest provider of child care in the country
What it really costs working families to get by in Tennessee, and how the Y helps close the gap
How an organization built in 1844 keeps reinventing itself around community needs

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Ask Me Anything: Your Questions, Answered Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

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.

00:00 - Introduction
01:43 - Who should I study if I want to run for office or work on a campaign? (Joshua, Ooltewah)
04:32 - Will you support a moratorium on flock cameras? (Glenda, Birchwood)
06:42 - What are the biggest challenges facing K-12 students in Tennessee? (Gabe, North Chattanooga)
09:46 - Should education savings accounts be a permanent part of Tennessee's K-12 system? (Gabe, North Chattanooga)
12:06 - What are your thoughts on creating a school supply stipend for teachers? (Mary, Clarksville)
15:19 - What vote or action best demonstrates you were willing to oppose leadership or special interests? (Rebecca, Hamilton County)
18:58 - What are your thoughts on data centers and their effect on Tennessee's water sources? (Brynn, Knoxville)
23:03 - Where did you go to high school? (Toria, Chattanooga)
24:57 - Would you support a Health Freedom Act protecting the doctor-patient relationship? (Debbie, Lakesite)
27:36 - Why did you sponsor SB0937 on preferred names and pronouns? (Lex, Chattanooga)
29:13 - What have you done to realistically improve lives in District 11? (Anna, Hixson)
32:14 - What are you most looking forward to in the next couple months leading up to election day? (Brooke, Chattanooga)

To submit questions for a future episode, visit https://www.bofortn.com/contact-bo

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What It Really Takes to Serve in Public Office (with Zach Wamp) Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

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:

Why the best people in politics win by not tearing the other side down
Why being a good governor and a good legislator take different kinds of people
Why the nation survives every election, even when half the country is sure it won't

This is a great episode for anyone who’s considering running for office on the local, state, or federal level one day.

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How Tennessee Became a Red State, with Lt. Gov. Randy McNally Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

A lot of people who've moved to Tennessee assume it's always been a deeply Republican state. Randy McNally knows better, because he helped build it.

Randy McNally has served in the Tennessee legislature for 48 years, longer than almost anyone in state history. He arrived when Republicans were a small minority, helped lead the party to its first Senate majority since Reconstruction, and now serves as Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the Senate.

In this episode, Randy and I trace that journey, from what it took to build a two-party system to the leadership philosophy that made him one of the most respected figures in state government. We also talk about the integrity that defined his early career, when he took a stand that a lot of people wouldn't have, and what nearly five decades of public service taught him about getting things done.

This is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how Tennessee got to where it is today, and the kind of leadership that made it possible.

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How Lamar Alexander Became One of Tennessee's Most Respected Leaders Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

Few Tennesseans have shaped the state like Lamar Alexander: Governor, U.S. Senator, Secretary of Education, President of the University of Tennessee.

Unlike those who are born into it, Lamar had to forge his own path. In this episode, Lamar shares a behind-the-scenes look at the mentors who shaped him, the losses that redirected him, and the decisions that defined his career.

Along the way, you’ll hear the story of being sworn in as governor three days early to stop an outgoing administration from selling pardons, what he learned from Howard Baker about working across the aisle, and why he came to see himself as a "result achiever" rather than a politician.

Whether you work in government or just call Tennessee home, this is a rare chance to hear one of the state's most accomplished figures reflect on a lifetime of public service, and what he hopes for Tennessee's future.

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Does Tennessee Need More Founders? (with Arthur Herman, Author of Founders Fire) Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

Do you want a manager who keeps things running smoothly, or a founder who's willing to tear up the rulebook and rebuild from scratch?

Arthur Herman is the author of Founders Fire, which traces a single mindset across 250 years of American history.

In this episode, Arthur and I discuss how real progress only happens when founders are willing to disrupt the status quo, and why this matters for Tennessee right now. We cover everything from our investment in quantum computing and nuclear technology to the upcoming legislative session and a new governor.

Key Takeaways:

Why Tennessee's growth in quantum computing and nuclear technology fits squarely into Arthur's founder framework
Why starting a business doesn't make you a founder, and why disruption doesn't either
What Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, and Abraham Lincoln reveal about who actually gets remembered as a founder
Why most people prefer managers day-to-day, but only remember founders fondly in hindsight

About the Guest:

Dr. Arthur Herman is a New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize finalist who brings 35 years of experience as a historian, defense and tech policy analyst, and national security official. He is the author of ten books, most recently Founders Fire: From 1776 to the Age of Trump, as well as the New York Times and Washington Post bestseller How the Scots Invented the Modern World; the Pulitzer Prize Finalist Gandhi and Churchill; and Freedom’s Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II, which The Economist named one of the Best Books of 2012 and which has been on the recommended reading list of Secretaries of Defense, Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, key members of Congress, and across the defense industry, since its publication.

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Standing Room Only: Redistricting & Tennessee's Political History (Why This Election Matters) Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

Tennessee is one of the most conservative, most Republican states in the nation. But that hasn't always been the case, and if Republican voters aren't careful, it won't be the case going forward.

With so many people moving to Tennessee, I think it's important we discuss who they are, what they believe, and what that means for our state's political future. I also break down how redistricting really works (not the political narrative you've heard, but the legal and historical reality), and why this election season matters more than most people realize.

Key Takeaways:

Who is moving here from blue states (it's not who you think)
What 150 years of political history tells us about what could happen next
Why redistricting is more straightforward than the controversy around it suggests
Why Republican voters can't afford to make the same mistake Democrats made

Times Free Press article: https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/may/26/california-is-chattanoogas-top-source-of-new-out/

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How Hamilton County's Parks Are Driving Tourism and Economic Growth Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

Parks aren't just green spaces, they're economic engines. Hamilton County generates $1.8 billion in visitor spending annually, and outdoor recreation is a big reason why.

Matt Folz is the Director of Hamilton County Parks and Recreation. In this episode, we’re discussing how Hamilton County thinks strategically about its parks by giving each one a unique identity, connecting them to broader trail systems, and making sure every investment generates a return for the community.

Key Takeaways:

What's coming to Hamilton County: McDonald Farm State Park, a $15M riverfront revitalization, and improvements at Chester Frost
Why preserving green space might be one of the best investments a community can make
How Hamilton County is making parks accessible and safe for everyone, from motorized trail wheelchairs to ranger presence

About the Guest:

Matt Folz is the Director of Hamilton County Parks and Recreation. He spent over 15 years managing operations in national and state parks before joining Hamilton County in 2021, first as a Park Superintendent and then as Director. He now oversees three regional parks and more than a dozen community parks across the county.

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Potholes, Traffic, and Safety: How Tennessee Maintains Roads Debt-Free May 25, 2026

Show notes

Roads and bridges aren't just something you use every day. They're how you measure whether your government is working. Good roads mean commerce flows, commutes are manageable, and your state feels like it has its act together.

Will Reid is the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Transportation. In this episode, we discuss how TDOT decides which projects get funded and what most people don't understand about congestion: TDOT doesn't control land use, so when your city approves a new subdivision or shopping center, that creates traffic on roads the state has to manage.

We also discuss specific Chattanooga projects like the Wilcox Bridge and I-59 around Moccasin Bend, why building more lanes doesn't always solve congestion, and what it means for taxpayers that Tennessee refuses to take on debt for roads.

About the Guest:

Will Reid was appointed Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Transportation by Governor Bill Lee in 2025. He's a Bartlett native who earned a civil engineering degree from the University of Memphis and worked in transportation consulting for over 15 years before joining TDOT in 2011. He oversees a statewide transportation system including highways, rail, airports, waterways, and transit.

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