Advertise on podcast: Clarksville Conversations with Charlie Koon

The Clarksville Conversations features Cory Rasch, a local firefighter, family man, and former professional bull rider, to discuss his upcoming annual bull riding event, The Corey Rasch Invitational. Rasch explains how his background touring the rodeo circuit inspired him to launch this major entertainment spectacle at the F&M Bank Arena four years ago. With the help of his wife managing the digital operations, Rasch organizes the massive production despite maintaining a demanding civil service career. The upcoming competition is officially PRCA sanctioned, meaning the financial earnings will contribute toward the National Finals Rodeo qualification for the elite athletes participating. Furthermore, this year's installment will showcase top-tier global talent alongside a newly added mutton busting attraction designed to engage local families and supporters.

On this episode Doretha Minor shares the mission of Mana Cafe Ministries who provides vital food assistance to approximately 30,000 families annually in Clarksville, Tennessee, while facing increasing community needs and fluctuating financial donations. To maximize efficiency and prevent duplicated efforts, local organizations like Urban Ministries and Loaves and Fishes collaborate through the Canopy initiative to share resources and streamline food distribution. Additionally, partnerships with media organizations such as FiveStar Media Group help amplify awareness through campaigns like Combat Hunger, an annual month-long initiative featuring internal workplace drives and a massive grocery store collection day. Sustaining these operations requires extensive community involvement, relying heavily on dedicated core volunteers, corporate sponsors, and local groups to manage food rescue, sorting, and distribution. Ultimately, this extraordinary level of regional cooperation highlights a uniquely generous community dedicated to ensuring that struggling families and working households receive essential provisions.

This episode features Tricia Hanna and Hayes Wellington, representatives of the Clarksville Association for Down Syndrome (CADS), who share their personal journeys as parents of children with the condition. They recount the initial shock of diagnosis and the subsequent realization of the profound love and community impact their children provide. The conversation highlights the essential role of support groups and local resources in helping families navigate medical and social challenges. The organization’s primary goals include educating the public, providing safety programs, and eventually establishing a dedicated clubhouse for individuals with special needs. Listeners are invited to participate in the Community Cares Walk & Expo, an annual event designed to connect families with over 65 local vendors and resources. Ultimately, the source emphasizes that while raising a child with Down syndrome presents unique hurdles, it serves as a source of immense joy and personal growth.

Colonel Mike Snowden, Garrison Commander of Fort Campbell, joins Clarksville Conversations to talk about his journey from Apache helicopter pilot to leading one of the Army’s most important installations. He explains what it takes to manage Fort Campbell, essentially a city of its own, and the thousands of people who keep the post running every day. The conversation also looks at Fort Campbell’s connection to the surrounding community, including Retiree Appreciation Day, an upcoming hiring summit helping veterans and military spouses connect with local employers, and the Army Family Action Plan, which gives military families a voice in quality-of-life issues. Colonel Snowden also discusses the new Tennessee Wings of Liberty Museum and what it means for preserving Fort Campbell’s history and strengthening its connection to the region.

This episode features Renee Bruens, a public health educator for Montgomery County, discussing her efforts to improve community wellness and connection in Clarksville. She details her professional role in teaching healthy habits to various age groups, ranging from nutritional basics for children to the health risks of vaping for older students. Beyond her medical outreach, Bruens highlights her involvement with Clarksville Roller Derby as a physical outlet and her leadership in the Rotary Club. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the Peace Pole initiative, a visual monument promoting harmony through messages in the eight most common languages spoken in the area. The source serves as an overview of how local service organizations and personal passions intersect to foster a diverse and supportive community spirit.

In this episode of the Clarksville Conversations podcast, host Charlie Koon interviews Jo and Thomas Crawford, the owners of two Burn Boot Camp locations in Tennessee. The couple shares their personal journey, beginning with their initial meeting at a hospital in Nashville and moving through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. They explain how Jo’s passion for fitness eventually led the family to transition from stable corporate careers to small business ownership in Clarksville. The discussion highlights the community-focused environment of their gyms, emphasizing that the program is designed for all fitness levels through personalized modifications. Ultimately, the Crawfords advocate for a proactive approach to health, viewing physical fitness as a vital investment in one's long-term well-being and family life.

This episode features an interview with Major General (Retired) Walt Lord, who discusses his transition from a thirty-six-year military career to a prominent leadership role at Austin Peay State University. After choosing Clarksville, Tennessee, as his retirement home, Lord was recruited to serve as a military adviser before becoming the inaugural Vice President for Military and Veterans Affairs. He details the creation of a unified division designed to support the university's rapidly growing population of military-affiliated students, which includes veterans and their families. The conversation explores Lord’s philosophy on leadership, highlighting the importance of mentorship and the distinction between formal and informal influence. Additionally, the episode emphasizes the strong collaborative bond between the local community, the Fort Campbell military base, and the university’s athletic programs. Ultimately, the source highlights how a shared sense of purpose and specialized support services have made the institution a national leader in veteran education.

This episode features an interview with Melinda Shepard and Tom Creech regarding the current state of the Clarksville Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. As the newly appointed chairman, Creech discusses his vision for growth, including plans to increase membership and foster regional collaboration through roundtable discussions with surrounding counties. Executive Director Shepard highlights the organization’s long history and the various networking opportunities available, such as the popular "Business After Hours" events and ribbon cuttings for new local businesses. The conversation emphasizes the strategic partnership between the community and Fort Campbell, as well as the importance of cultivating the next generation of leaders through the Young Professionals group. Ultimately, the source illustrates how the Chamber serves as a vital backbone for economic development and civic engagement in one of Tennessee’s fastest-growing areas.

On this episode, Jonathan Newsome and Chris Colburn introduce Cast and Connect, a Tennessee-based non-profit dedicated to supporting the military community. The organization provides free fishing excursions for veterans and active-duty service members to encourage relaxation and camaraderie. Newsome, an air traffic controller, founded the venture to help local heroes decompress on the water using his own specialized equipment and boat. They explain that participants receive everything necessary for a successful outing, including gear, licenses, and refreshments, at no personal cost. To sustain these efforts, the group is organizing its first fundraiser and silent auction scheduled for October. Ultimately, the program highlights a grassroots effort to give back to those who serve by fostering a shared appreciation for the outdoors and community connection.

Buck Dellinger, CEO, Josh Ward Executive Director and Janet Wilson, Vice President of Urban Development of the Economic Development Council of Montgomery County discus the strategic recruitment of Costco as a foundational element for the new Freedom Farms mixed-use development. The project involves a massive land assembly effort near Interstate 24, combining private trust property with county-owned acreage to create a master-planned regional hub. To secure the retailer, the local government utilized a performance-based incentive model, ensuring taxpayers only provide rewards after specific sales tax and revenue milestones are achieved. Officials emphasized that the store will act as an anchor tenant, attracting high-end retailers like Nordstrom Rack and Trader Joe's while keeping millions in local tax dollars from "bleeding" to nearby cities. Beyond shopping, the development aims to improve infrastructure and traffic flow through internal road networks that alleviate pressure on existing main thoroughfares. Ultimately, the project is framed as a transformational win that will provide hundreds of high-paying jobs and elevate the community's overall quality of life.

This episode features Austin Peay State University’s Athletic Director, Jordan Harmon, and Head Football Coach, Jeff Faris, discussing the upward trajectory of the school’s sports programs. They emphasize a unique culture where student-athletes choose to stay and graduate, bolstered by a record-breaking number of retained players and high academic marks. The conversation highlights the strong synergy between the university and the Clarksville community, noting that athletes contributed over 10,000 hours of local service last year. Both leaders express high expectations for the upcoming football season, urging fans to increase their support and fill the stadium. Ultimately, the source illustrates how aligned leadership and community investment are fostering a winning environment both on and off the field.

On this episode Greg Guinn, a lifelong Clarksville entrepreneur who discusses his family’s deep roots in the local business community and the importance of taking risks. Guinn details his various ventures, ranging from waste management to his current focus on the River Club Golf and Learning Center. He explains how he modernized the facility by adding Buckets, an entertainment-driven driving range that utilizes Top Tracer technology to attract non-traditional golfers. The conversation also addresses the challenges of public golf management, with Guinn offering a critical perspective on the decline of the Mason Rudolph Golf Course. He attributes these issues to a lack of specialized industry expertise within city government and the long-term consequences of deferred maintenance. Ultimately, Guinn emphasizes that success in business requires a strong work ethic and a willingness to bet on oneself.

On this episode Congressman Matt Van Epps joins Charlie for a conversation regarding legislative updates and community advocacy in Clarksville, Tennessee. The discussion highlights the impact of redistricting on Montgomery County and the critical importance of supporting Fort Campbell through infrastructure improvements like water and wastewater management.  Van Epps explains his work on the Honor Gold Star Families Act, a bill designed to increase financial benefits for the families of fallen service members. Beyond military issues, the Congressman describes his efforts on the Homeland Security Committee and his commitment to improving regional transportation infrastructure. The dialogue also touches on local celebrations and the Congressman’s recent participation in the Congressional Baseball Game for charity. Overall, the source provides an overview of how federal representation aims to address the specific economic and social needs of Middle Tennessee.

This episode features an interview with Tommy Bates and Jeremy Hoard, the top executives of Legends Bank, the only locally owned financial institution in Clarksville, Tennessee. The discussion highlights the leaders' unique professional backgrounds and the bank’s deep-seated commitment to community banking, which prioritizes local decision-making and personal relationships over corporate distance. Through initiatives like Legends Lift, the bank fosters a culture of servant leadership by supporting local non-profits and partnering with Austin Peay State University to train future professionals. The guests explain that succession planning and active involvement in state and national banking associations are vital to maintaining their independence and economic influence. Ultimately, the conversation illustrates how the bank has evolved from a small modular office into a multi-county franchise dedicated to the region's prosperity.

On this episode, Charlie speaks with Brent Nicholson, a successful entrepreneur and owner of multiple SERVPRO franchises. Nicholson discusses his local roots in Clarksville, reflecting on how his early experiences as a farmer instilled a strong work ethic and foundational business skills. Since entering the disaster restoration industry in 2011, he has expanded his operations across several states, providing essential cleanup services for both residential and large-scale industrial emergencies. He credits his significant professional growth to a talented leadership team and a corporate culture built on mutual accountability and trust. Beyond business expansion, Nicholson emphasizes the importance of community involvement, family support, and mentoring the next generation of leaders.