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College Town Talk

Each week, hosts Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout introduce listeners to Tech faculty, staff and students – as well as successful Tech alumni, local business owners and civic leaders – who are making a difference and living Wings Up in their community. College Town Talk is a celebration of the people and places that make Cookeville Tennessee’s College Town.

Weekly English United States Education · News Jonathan Frank

35 Episodes

1 – 20

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

Ben Higgins Joins Jonathan Frank & Shan Stout To Discuss The TN Tech Center For Counseling/Mental Health

Ben Higgins joins the show to speak with Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout about the Tennessee Tech Center for both counseling and mental health wellness. He talks about the strides Tennessee Tech has made in the past few years in creating a better environment for students and faculty. Additionally, he…

1 Feb 24 min

Bella Rigsby Joins Jonathan Frank & Shan Stout To Discuss Sorority Life & More At TN Tech

Bella Rigsby joins Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout for an episode of College Town Talk to share her journey at Tennessee Tech and her role as the university’s Student Panhellenic President. As a junior at Tech, Bella talks about originally pursuing nursing before discovering her passion for education and her…

25 Jan 22 min

Tyler Asher Joins Jonathan Frank & Shan Stout To Discuss Public Leadership & Community Drive At TN Tech

Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with Tyler Asher, Assistant Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, for an engaging and upbeat conversation. A 2014 Tennessee Tech graduate and current master’s student, Tyler shares his path into public service and his continued commitment to the Cookeville…

18 Jan 24 min

Jennifer Winningham Joins Jonathan Frank & Shan Stout To Discuss Sports Medicine & Training People

Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout welcome Jennifer Winningham, Tennessee Tech’s Director of Sports Medicine and Head Athletic Trainer. A 2003 Tech grad who truly bleeds purple and gold, Jennifer comes from a family of four sisters with more than a dozen Tech degrees between them. After earlier serving as Tech’s…

28 Dec 2025 23 min

Dr. Chelsea Dowell Joins Jonathon Frank & Shan Stout As They Discuss Economics And Her Financial Literacy Course

Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with Dr. Chelsea Dowell to explore how she’s using economics to strengthen the Upper Cumberland. Dr. Dowell discusses her pro bono work for local nonprofits that can’t afford an economist, helping them answer tough questions with solid economic theory. She highlights the projects…

21 Dec 2025 23 min

Ferran Kefauver Joins Johnathon Frank & Shan Stout To Talk About Cookeville Cityscape & Her Love For Cookeville

Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with Livingston native Ferran Kefauver, who has led Cookeville Cityscape for the past three years. Ferran shares how she stepped into the role during a time of major turnover and how she’s helped strengthen partnerships with local businesses in Downtown Cookeville. She highlights…

14 Dec 2025 23 min

Dr. Barbara Reynolds Joins Shan Stout & Johnathan Frank To Discuss School Of Nursing At TN Tech

Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with Barbara Reynolds, former dean of the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing at Tennessee Tech. With a background in mental health nursing, she shares what drew her into the field and the passion that fueled her career. Reynolds reflects on her time at Tech…

7 Dec 2025 24 min

Chad McDonald Joins Shan Stout & Jonathon Frank To Discuss Cookeville Leisure Services

Johnathan Frank and Shan Stout sit down with Cookeville Leisure Services Director Chad McDonald, a man who’s shaped the city’s parks and cultural spaces for more than 30 years. From the Performing Arts Center to Cane Creek Recreation Center, the Depot Museum, and the History Museum, Chad and his team…

30 Nov 2025 22 min

Dr. Bob Bell Joins Shan Stout & Jonathon Frank Discuss Being President Of Tennessee Tech

Listen To The College Town Talk Podcast Today!

23 Nov 2025 23 min

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