From Fossils to Field Trips: How Hands On Discovery Center Keeps Science Alive in Northeast Tennessee

Robin Van Huss on UFO Folklore, Appalachia, and the Stories People Carry

Robin Van Huss, along with her husband Brian, is the creator of Saucers Over Appalachia, a project exploring UFO sightings, paranormal experiences, and regional folklore throughout Appalachia. She reflects on the deeply personal side of unexplained encounters, the cultural history tied to these stories, and why curiosity often matters more than certainty. Her work approaches the unknown through research, storytelling, and a respect for the people who choose to share what they’ve experienced. https://www.saucersoverappalachia.com/ [https://www.saucersoverappalachia.com/] Sponsors: OutPost Roasters https://www.outpostroastersjc.com/ [https://www.outpostroastersjc.com/] Theme Music: “Bag of Bones” by Fight For The Users. Used with permission. https://linktr.ee/fightfortheusers

Keddrain Bowen: Near-Death at 9, Raised 6 Kids, and Built a Coaching Business From the Ground Up

Keddrain Bowen grew up in Washington, North Carolina, earned a football scholarship to Tusculum University, and never left the Tri-Cities. In this episode, he shares the drowning experience at age 9 that shaped his entire worldview, what it looked like to become a teen father and eventually raise six kids, and how he went from selling clothes out of his car to coaching clients around the world. We also go chapter by chapter through his book — covering vision, building a personal board of directors, why you can't share your dream with everyone, and what it actually takes to get out of your own way. Connect with Keddrain at keddrainbowen.com [https://www.keddrainbowen.com/] SponsorsOutPost Roasters — outpostroastersjc.com [https://www.outpostroastersjc.com/] Theme Music"Bag of Bones" by Fight For The Users. Used with permission.

Jennifer Sweet on Building Jeremiah Cafe and Creating Real Work for the Autistic Community

Jennifer Sweet founded Jeremiah Cafe out of a clear gap—what happens after school for individuals with autism. Shaped by her daughter’s experience, she built a working cafe that trains, employs, and steadily prepares people for jobs beyond its walls. She shares what she’s learned about capability, patience, and why meaningful work—not just support—is the missing piece for so many. Visit: https://jeremiahcafe.com/ [https://jeremiahcafe.com/] Sponsors: OutPost Roasters https://www.outpostroastersjc.com/ [https://www.outpostroastersjc.com/] Theme Music: “Bag of Bones” by Fight For The Users. Used with permission. https://linktr.ee/fightfortheusers

Lewis Kizer: Smash Meals, Self-Doubt, and the Stories Worth Telling

Lewis Kizer started Smash Meals eight years ago and has been showing up every day since. In this episode he talks about the mental side of running a small business, how he's using content and AI tools to stay visible, and what he's learned about raising kids with real responsibility. He also shares stories he's kept quiet for years — including a false accusation that followed him for two decades, and a moment from age 10 that nearly cost him his life — and why he thinks those are exactly the stories worth telling. Visit: https://smashmeals.com/ [https://smashmeals.com/] Sponsors OutPost Roasters https://www.outpostroastersjc.com/ [https://www.outpostroastersjc.com/] Theme Music: “Bag of Bones” by Fight For The Users. Used with permission. https://linktr.ee/fightfortheusers

From Fossils to Field Trips: How Hands On Discovery Center Keeps Science Alive in Northeast Tennessee

Heather Watson is President and CEO of Hands On Discovery Center in Northeast Tennessee, a hands-on science museum shaped by decades of growth from its 1987 beginnings in downtown Johnson City to its partnership with the nearby Gray Fossil Site. She reflects on how an unexpected road construction project revealed an Ice Age fossil trove that expanded the museum’s direction and helped turn it into a continually evolving space for science learning across all ages. https://visithandson.org/ [https://visithandson.org/] Sponsors OutPost Roasters https://www.outpostroastersjc.com/ [https://www.outpostroastersjc.com/] Theme Music: “Bag of Bones” by Fight For The Users. Used with permission. https://linktr.ee/fightfortheusers