“What About Us?” is a discussion about policies that impact rural Tennesseans. We dive into a variety of topics like healthcare, small businesses, employment, education, and the environment. Tennessee is 93% rural with over 1.5 million residents, but resources and attention are often directed to urban areas. The rural way of life is valuable and we want to preserve it.

More Justice and Peace!

Executive Director of the Cumberland Center for Justice and Peace Lisa Rung talks about her organization’s activism and outreach.  They sponsor a variety of activities in rural communities that think globally and act locally…  Maybe your group could use some fresh ideas: cumberlandjusticeandpeace@gmail.com

LISTEN

 

A Trip to Montgomery

Sandy summarizes her trip to the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum and “lynching memorial” and searches for signs of its mission in our state.

FULL PODCAST available on Apple Podcasts here, and wherever else you like to listen here.

Tennessee Can Do Better for Women

Adrienne Pakis-Gillon knows about women in politics, from the passage of the 19th amendment to her disappointment with the representation of women in our GOP majority legislature. Ladies, can’t we do better for women and children in Tennessee?

FULL PODCAST available on Apple Podcasts here, and wherever else you like to listen here.

What Would Jesus Do? with Elizabeth Madeira

Elizabeth Madeira, an organizer for the Southern Christian Coalition, discusses recent Tennessee legislation and her views on the intersections between Christian morality and public policy.

FULL PODCAST available on Apple Podcasts here, and wherever else you like to listen here.

The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion

We need more diversity and inclusion in our national and state discussions. Tullahoma City Alderman Rupa Blackwell joins the show to discuss how she is helping to elevate these issues in her rural community.

FULL PODCAST available on Apple Podcasts here, and wherever else you like to listen here.

 

Dental Care for the Uninsured

Bruce Baird DDS joins to talk about the patients he volunteers to care for twice a month in Beersheba Springs, Tennessee. Dental care is a basic need that all people have a right to – this is yet another area where Tennessee could do a better job for its citizens.

Check out and support the Beersheba Springs Medical Clinic

FULL PODCAST available on Apple Podcasts here, and wherever else you like to listen here.

Rosa Parks and Tennessee

For Black History Month and in honor of Rosa Parks’ birthday (February 4th!), we take a look at her life, including the importance the Highlander Folk School in Monteagle, Tennessee had on her life and activism. Another connection Parks had to Tennessee were the words spoken by then-Senator Frist as she was lying in state in the US Capitol Rotunda.

FULL PODCAST available on Apple Podcasts here, and wherever else you like to listen here.

Food Insecurity in Tennessee and the Nation

“Why can’t we feed everyone? This is the United States!” You’ve donated or received food assistance during the pandemic, will the need ever end? In this two-part episode, you’ll hear from a local community group that uses unused food portions to feed people in their area, and from the Tennessee Justice Center, which defines and discusses the reasons for food insecurity. What can we do to alleviate it now and eliminate it post-pandemic?

Guests:

Rick Wright, Director of Dining Services University of the South

Rev. David Goodpaster, Director of Otey Memorial Parish’s Community Action Committee

Signe Anderson Director of Nutritional Advocacy at Tennessee Justice Center

FULL PODCAST available on Apple Podcasts here, and wherever else you like to listen here.

South Africa and the US: Similarities in Epidemic Response

How are the responses to AIDS in South Africa and COVID in the US similar and how do we stop denialism before it kills us? Renee Schatteman, Associate Professor of Postcolonial and World Literature at Georgia State University, joins the show to talk about what we can learn from South Africa’s mistakes during the AIDS epidemic and their successes in their response to COVID. Cultural considerations come to the podcast! We apologize for a few audio issues in this episode but hope you enjoy the substantive content.

Read Renee’s article here

FULL PODCAST available on Apple Podcasts here, and wherever else you like to listen here.

How Small Farmers Have Handled the Pandemic

Jess Wilson joins again to talk about local food farming programs during the Covid pandemic as well as issues our farmers continue to face as they try to bring income and work equality to a rural industry.

Jess’ Business:  In Town Organics and Summer Fields

National Young Farmers Coalition

FULL PODCAST available on Apple Podcasts here, and wherever else you like to listen here.