The Veteran's Veteran: Drew Jones on VA Benefits, Community Care & Winning Disability Claims

DeSoto County Intervention Court | Circuit Judge Celeste Wilson & Coordinator Jacob Bramlett

Host Neil welcomes Judge Celeste Wilson and Intervention Court (formerly Drug Court) coordinator/field officer Jacob Bramlett to discuss DeSoto County’s program, which began in 2006 and is run alongside Wilson’s regular circuit court duties. They explain that the court serves nonviolent, high-risk/high-need participants with substance use disorders, emphasizing treatment, strict supervision, and accountability to reduce recidivism and keep families together. Requirements include 36 consecutive months clean and sober, a GED or diploma, employment when possible, payment of fines and costs, curfew, frequent AA/NA or equivalent meetings, and intensive outpatient treatment; violations can restart phases or lead to expulsion and maximum sentencing. They describe funding limits, participant fees for drug screens, extensive observed urine testing, and outcomes including 63–67% not recidivating, while noting current drug trends like fentanyl and carfentanil. A reminder to buy Jeep giveaway tickets at fancynancyfoundation.com [http://fancynancyfoundation.com] to benefit House of Grace and domestic violence survivors, and thanks sponsors including MSJ Off Road, Roof Works, Spider Off Road, Rough Country, and Stuck Worthy Inc. This podcast is Sponsored by Roofworks http://RoofworksMidsouth.com [http://RoofworksMidsouth.com] You can reach us at TheLocalYokelsPodcast@gmail.com [TheLocalYokelsPodcast@gmail.com] The Local Yokel’s Podcast is on Apple, Spotify and YouTube Apple - https://bit.ly/4fWIreH [https://bit.ly/4fWIreH] Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3CR18lu [https://spoti.fi/3CR18lu] YouTube - https://bit.ly/4fCZsLa [https://bit.ly/4fCZsLa] 🎙️ This is an SRP Studios Production - SRPStudiosLLC.com [http://www.srpstudiosllc.com]

Magnolia Bend Grille: DeSoto County’s “Hidden Gem” with Chef Michael Patrick

Host Neil interviews Chef Michael Patrick of Magnolia Bend Grille at Bon Terre (4715 Church Road). Michael shares his 18-year professional background (including Capital Grille) and explains the restaurant’s casual fine dining approach, Thursday date-night three-course dinners for $90, Sunday brunch (11:30–3) with bottomless mimosas and bloody marys for $25, and rotating specials like prime rib and steak nights. They discuss menu favorites (steaks, shrimp and grits, brussel sprouts, wedge salad, bacon rack, bread pudding), catering and rehearsal dinners, hours (Wed–Sat evenings; Sunday brunch only), upcoming May 30 “Around the Bend” collaborative dinner with Chef Heather Ries (Mrs. Hippie Eats) featuring local suppliers, and seasonal menu updates after May 30. magnoliabendgrille.com [http://magnoliabendgrille.com] A reminder to buy Jeep giveaway tickets at fancynancyfoundation.com [http://fancynancyfoundation.com] to benefit House of Grace and domestic violence survivors, and thanks sponsors including MSJ Off Road, Roof Works, Spider Off Road, Rough Country, and Stuck Worthy Inc. This podcast is Sponsored by Roofworks http://RoofworksMidsouth.com [http://RoofworksMidsouth.com] You can reach us at TheLocalYokelsPodcast@gmail.com [TheLocalYokelsPodcast@gmail.com] The Local Yokel’s Podcast is on Apple, Spotify and YouTube Apple - https://bit.ly/4fWIreH [https://bit.ly/4fWIreH] Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3CR18lu [https://spoti.fi/3CR18lu] YouTube - https://bit.ly/4fCZsLa [https://bit.ly/4fCZsLa] 🎙️ This is an SRP Studios Production - SRPStudiosLLC.com [http://www.srpstudiosllc.com]

Highside Photography & Highside Motorsports/Whatley Racing: Racing Photos, Custom Helmets, and Mid-South Track Culture

Host Neil interviews Kristy and Tyler Whatley about their work in Mid-South motorsports: Kristy runs Highside Photography, covering dirt tracks and other racing events across Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Missouri, expanding to major series like World of Outlaws and High Limit, plus car shows and custom shoots; she shares how she got started, how drivers and tracks now seek her out, and how to find and contact her. Tyler, Highside Motorsports/Whatley Racing, a winged sprint car driver, also creates custom painted helmets and graphics, describing his multi-layer paint process and time investment. The conversation highlights racing’s family culture, equipment costs, safety, and the behind-the-scenes work that fuels the sport. www.highsidephotography.com [http://www.highsidephotography.com] A reminder to buy Jeep giveaway tickets at fancynancyfoundation.com [http://fancynancyfoundation.com] to benefit House of Grace and domestic violence survivors, and thanks sponsors including MSJ Off Road, Roof Works, Spider Off Road, Rough Country, and Stuck Worthy Inc. This podcast is Sponsored by Roofworks http://RoofworksMidsouth.com [http://RoofworksMidsouth.com] You can reach us at TheLocalYokelsPodcast@gmail.com [TheLocalYokelsPodcast@gmail.com] The Local Yokel’s Podcast is on Apple, Spotify and YouTube Apple - https://bit.ly/4fWIreH [https://bit.ly/4fWIreH] Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3CR18lu [https://spoti.fi/3CR18lu] YouTube - https://bit.ly/4fCZsLa [https://bit.ly/4fCZsLa] 🎙️ This is an SRP Studios Production - SRPStudiosLLC.com [http://www.srpstudiosllc.com]

The Veteran's Veteran: Drew Jones on VA Benefits, Community Care & Winning Disability Claims

The Local Yokel’s talked to veteran advocate Drew Jones, founder of The Veteran's Veteran. Drew explains his mission to educate veterans on VA benefits beyond compensation, sparked by his own experience being diagnosed with PTSD yet denied disability. He describes common barriers like repeated denials, long timelines, inconsistent C&P exams, and lack of awareness of resources like Community Care and education benefits such as VR&E. Drew shares that he helped 100 veterans for free, then launched a business with a small upfront fee and a one-time percentage of back pay—contrasting with companies charging 5–9 months of increases—while offering confidential, personalized support nationwide. He lists contact info (theVetsVet.com [http://theVetsVet.com], 901-258-7621) and mentions recent community outreach and media features in DeSoto County. www.thevetsvet.com [http://www.thevetsvet.com] A reminder to buy Jeep giveaway tickets at fancynancyfoundation.com [http://fancynancyfoundation.com] to benefit House of Grace and domestic violence survivors, and thanks sponsors including MSJ Off Road, Roof Works, Spider Off Road, Rough Country, and Stuck Worthy Inc. This podcast is Sponsored by Roofworks http://RoofworksMidsouth.com [http://RoofworksMidsouth.com] You can reach us at TheLocalYokelsPodcast@gmail.com [TheLocalYokelsPodcast@gmail.com] The Local Yokel’s Podcast is on Apple, Spotify and YouTube Apple - https://bit.ly/4fWIreH [https://bit.ly/4fWIreH] Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3CR18lu [https://spoti.fi/3CR18lu] YouTube - https://bit.ly/4fCZsLa [https://bit.ly/4fCZsLa] 🎙️ This is an SRP Studios Production - SRPStudiosLLC.com [http://www.srpstudiosllc.com]

Tabernacle Church Southaven’s Community Impact with Pastor Vincent Mathews & Executive Pastor Jackie Pruitt

Joining the show today is Pastor Vincent Mathews and Executive Pastor Jackie Pruitt of Tabernacle Church Southaven (in the former Colonial Hills Baptist Church facility). They describe the Mid-South Family Stabilization Hub, offering free community resources including domestic violence/sexual assault support (Project SWAT) with emergency and transitional housing, mentoring programs for men and youth in schools, food distribution and a free clothing closet, and partnerships that bring in large donations (e.g., World Vision). They also share plans for expanded prenatal services and a birthing center amid Mississippi’s infant and maternal health crisis, plus mental health counseling groups, trafficking awareness, and low-cost workforce training such as CDL classes and Google/healthcare certifications. They invite families to a May 16 community baby shower in Southaven and Tunica and encourage volunteering and donations. www.tabsouthaven.org [http://www.tabsouthaven.org] A reminder to buy Jeep giveaway tickets at fancynancyfoundation.com [http://fancynancyfoundation.com] to benefit House of Grace and domestic violence survivors, and thanks to sponsors including MSJ Off Road, Roof Works, Spider Off Road, Rough Country, and Stuck Worthy Inc. This podcast is Sponsored by Roofworks http://RoofworksMidsouth.com [http://RoofworksMidsouth.com] You can reach us at TheLocalYokelsPodcast@gmail.com [TheLocalYokelsPodcast@gmail.com] The Local Yokel’s Podcast is on Apple, Spotify and YouTube Apple - https://bit.ly/4fWIreH [https://bit.ly/4fWIreH] Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3CR18lu [https://spoti.fi/3CR18lu] YouTube - https://bit.ly/4fCZsLa [https://bit.ly/4fCZsLa] 🎙️ This is an SRP Studios Production - SRPStudiosLLC.com [http://www.srpstudiosllc.com]