State & Beale: a Tennessee podcast

New Tennessee State Symbol: Cast Iron

Cast iron isn’t just cookware in Tennessee — it’s history, culture, and family. In this episode of State & Beale, I sit down with Scott Selliers, one of the people behind a the push to make cast iron the official frontier cookware of Tennessee. From a Rotary meetings to the State Capitol, what started as a simple idea between friends made its way all the way to the governor’s desk. We talk about: * How the bill came together * Why cast iron matters across all three Grand Divisions * The culture and stories behind it * And yes… how to actually take care of cast iron (myths included) State & Beale — Tennessee stories that help communities feel like destinations.

Jackson Morgan Southern Cream

Jackson Morgan Southern Cream makes delicious Tennessee whiskey liqueur. The Fayetteville company has had products on store shelves since around 2014. Its products are now in nearly 40 states from Maine to Florida, and Montana to Texas. Jackson Morgan Southern Cream has flavors for nearly every palette. They have Banana Pudding, Orange Creme, and its Salted Caramel, which has a cult-like following. On this episode, we talk with Morgan Weinstock, whose family created the brand. She works for the company and she is one half of Jackson Morgan's namesake. For more information: www.sipjacksonmorgan.com

East Nash Grass!

White-hot bluegrass band  @EastNashGrass  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC0DmaI5i-Tb1goiAAZTKTXw] heads out on tour this summer, promoting their new record, “All God’s Children.” It's due in August. We also have cuts from our spring issue. We have a look at Benton County, the outdoor paradise. And was Merriwether Lewis killed on the Natchez Trace?

American Eagle Foundaiton, Hagy's Catfish Hotel, and the Great Indoors

This episode showcases: • Hagy's Catfish Hotel, a historic family-run restaurant serving Southern cuisine on the banks of the Tennessee River • The American Eagle Foundation in Kodak, Tennessee. Jessica Hall, the Executive Director of the foundation, talks about their vital work in conserving and protecting American bald eagles, highlighted by appearances of their well-known eagles, Lincoln and Challenger, at national events. • Also, we recommend three great indoor experiences to enjoy in Tennessee during winter — King's Dining and Entertainment in Franklin, The Discovery Center of America in Union City, and Xperian in Sevierville.

"Off-Road Disneyland" - Winter Wonderland @ Windrock

Winter Wonderland is a massive group trail ride happening this weekend at Windrock Park near Oak Ridge. Sean Clark is the lead guide for Venture Unknown, the company hosting the event. He calls Windrock Park "off-road Disneyland." Easy to see why .Windrock is the largest privately held off-road park in America. It sits on 73,000 acres and has about 300 miles of trails. I'll also bring you some selections from the Winter Issue of State & Beale, including our gift guide and tell you why the Tennessee State Capitol Building has tombs.