On My Mind

My guest this week is Dr. Shane Roberts, who is a very busy clinic physician as well as Medical Examiner for two counties. He will share stories of his practice and the interesting field of forensic medicine.

I know you will want to join me this week as I have G. David Brown on to discuss his career and his four decades with Athens Area Community Theater productions. His latest directorial endeavor is "Steel Magnolias" coming to the stage April 17--26, 2026. It is a classic and a must see event.

I know you will enjoy this week's program as I welcome Josh Bragg, the Athens (TN)Middle School music instructor. He has some very interesting family stories and he shares his love of music and theater in our local community.

I am excited to have Matt Siniard, the Athens, Tennessee, Parks and Rec Director, join me to share the great things that are happening in our area, and ideas for projects that lie ahead.

I am delighted to have as my guest this week, Billy Berry, Tennessee Wesleyan University head baseball coach, who discusses what it takes to become National Champions---twice. His journey with the Bulldogs has led to some great stories you will enjoy.

Please join me as I welcome Ashley Copeland, an experienced public relations professional at Tennessee Wesleyan University to the show. She shares insights into the realm of promoting the school and other entities to their maximum potential. She is currently the President of the Etowah, TN Main Street group.

You won't want to miss my guest this week, Jeff Eastman. the leader of Remote Area Medical (RAM), who will share the wonderful medical services his organization has provided for more than one million people since 1985.

I know you will want to join me as I visit with Stan Harrison, coach and administrator at Tennessee Wesleyan University, as he shares his decades of service to the institution and his community.

Please listen to this week's episode as I welcome long time friend, Debo Toomey, to sit down and share his career, community service and a recovery from a frightening health care scare. He also tells some fun stories about living in Athens.

I hope you will join me this week for a visit with Dr. Pat Waters, a college educator, community activist and author as she shares numerous thoughts about issues affecting America today. She has deep insight and experience about our political landscape and ideas of how we can improve our day to day approach to issues around us.

You won't want to miss this week's episode as I interview Melonie Carideo, who wears many hats in her successful career and her dedication to the arts in Athens, Tennessee. She has given her talents to our local arts center as a performer, director, producer, and instructor to engage folks of all generations in creative expression.

Please join me this week for a fun visit with Sarah Philpott, an extremely busy lady who balances her time as a Mom, farm wife, teacher, and successful author. We share some good stories and capture her enthusiasm for life in small town America.

Join me this week as I talk with Katie Sumner, who shares her love of teaching as well as some recent travels overseas to learn more about the Holocaust.

Please join me as I welcome Joe Barnett, Director of the Athens, Tennessee, City School System. He shares his passion for education and the great developments occurring in our newly constructed state of the art school buildings.

I know you will want to listen to this week's program as Jeff Wolfenden, a Registered Pharmacist in Athens, Tennessee, gives us current trends in the pharmaceutical field. We discuss new drugs, costs, and prescribing practices among health care providers.

Please join me this week as I welcome a young lady who is dedicating herself to many projects as a true community servant. Amanda Reynolds will share her passion for helping others and fulfilling dreams.

Please join me as I welcome Dr. Jamey Owen and Dr. Andrew Owen to the program. They are outstanding musical performers with some really fun stories to tell about their careers and plans for the future. You do not want to miss this one.

You must join me this week as I interview Mike and Kay Simmons, two longtime friends and wonderfully talented individuals who will share their lives and servitude to our community.

I hope you will join me as I welcome the Athens (TN) City School System Coordinated Health Supervisor and Family Engagement Coordinator, Julie Lofland, to the program. She will discuss the many facets of school health and how to keep parents, teachers and students engaged in the important aspects of education and life decisions.

I know you will enjoy our program this week with my guest Dr. Kristin Schrader. She is extremely busy in her career, and deeply involved with the local Elks Lodge as the Exalted Ruler. She is a dedicated, compassionate community servant who truly loves living in Athens.

Mary Farmer Roberts joins me this week to discuss her life and career with Mayfield Dairy. She has a lot of wonderful memories and stories of what the industry is all about, and where it is headed in the future.

A longtime friend, Ben Wilson, and I sit down for a fun discussion of his career as an educator and community servant, and tennis and pickle ball enthusiast.

Join me as I visit with Kit Housley, a native Athenian, who is opening a new restaurant soon in the downtown area. He is enthusiastic and passionate about this adventure and hopes to stimulate a revitalization of the area.

I hope you will join me as I welcome Wendi and Casey Olson to the program to discuss their exciting adventure. They purchased a historic home in Sweetwater, Tennessee, and have created a gorgeous Bed and Breakfast. They will share their love of this and hosting mystery dinner theaters.

I hope you will listen in to hear Dr. Kristen Schrader's story. She is extremely busy in her career and even busier with her volunteer activities with the local Elks Lodge. You will enjoy learning about her life and service to her community.

I am so excited to have two young women I have watched grow up at our local arts center. Emerson Mckenzie and Alex Lauterbach bring a ton of enthusiasm to the program telling about their time on stage and off.

My good friend, Steve Burnette, is on the program this week. He will share a very interesting career as well as his second job in retirement, dealing with bulls and cows. You won't want to miss this one.

I know you will want to join me as I welcome Stan Gallery to the program. He has an extremely interesting career path and we are glad to have him and his wife serving as ambassadors in our community.

I hope you will join me for a very interesting discussion with the Director of Communications for Adopt a Golden Knoxville (AGK). Sommerville Culbertson is extremely passionate about the work this wonderful organization does to rescue homeless Golden Retrievers and help them find a "furever" home.

This week's episode features Jay Crittenden, a career optician in Athens, Tennessee. He will share the dynamics of preparing various types of lenses we need for better vision. His ability to serve others through his career and his community is a testament to a profound desire to take care of his fellow citizens.

Join me this week to hear long time Athens, Tennessee resident Art Kimball, as he discusses his long career in banking as well as his love of the arts. He has been a fiercely dedicated volunteer at the Athens Area Council for the Arts for over 40 years and shares many fun stories of his time on stage, his directorial moments and some special memories singing with his contemporaries. Comments to: shelgrif@gmail.com.

Please join me as I welcome Matt Coe, a middle school special education teacher. He has remarkable insights into how to educate this unique group of students. And, above all, his compassion for those in his care shines through as he molds them into very productive citizens.

I hope you will tune in this week to hear about the latest in important healthcare issues facing our citizens. This is one of the most complex things everyone faces sooner or later. It is important to know as much as possible about the changing landscape of our healthcare system. Comments to: shelgrif@gmail.com or 423-368-3146.

Join me as I interview Cynthia McCowan, a local creative artist and activist. She has many stories to tell about her life, family and community service. Comments to: shelgrif@gmail.com or 423-368-3146.

Scott Bridwell joins me this week to share his interesting careers. A former podcaster, he has done just about everything, and is now handing out advice as a bartender, which is a job I want to do someday. Comments to: shelgrif@gmail.com or 423-368-3146.

My guest this week, Rachel Hatchett, shares her career and many insights into how to make our daily lives less stressful. Good advice for difficult times. Comments to: shelgrif@gmail.com or 423-368-3146.

Please tune in to hear Stacey Lyon talk about his career in various parts of the world. Plus, he and his wife, Heidi, share one of the most fascinating hobbies I have ever heard about---rockhounding. This unique adventure has taken them around the globe. You won't want to miss it. Comments to:shelgrif@gmail.com or 423-368-3146.

Join me as I review professional sports players' salaries. It amazes me how these folks can command the money they do. But, as a friend of mine reminds me, if we are willing to pay to see them play, no matter what the sport, we are the problem more than they are. Comments to: shelgrif@gmail.com or 423-368-3146.

Please join our show this week as I host Ginger Robinson, the Executive Director of the McMinn County (TN) Education Foundation. She has so much to share about her passion for providing the young people, and really, all folks, in our area the opportunity to read tons of books. You will want to help her and the organization meet their goals and fulfill their mission after you hear some very interesting stories. Contact me at 423-368-3146 or shelgrif@gmail.com with any comments.

My guest this week, Charles Mayfield, will be discussing some avenues to better health through a unique dietary plan, the Carnivore Diet. He has observed first hand many positive benefits from this plan in his own life and in the lives of many of his friends. Any questions or comments can be addressed to me at 423-368-3146 or shelgrif@gmail.com.