Second Cup of Joe...and John

Celebrating its 85th year, The Iroquois Steeplechase is Middle Tennessee’s social event of the year. Oh, it alsoraises millions of dollars for charities including the Monroe Carel Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Learnthe incredible backstory of how it came to be, and what’s new for 2026 (hint: it involves live music). HearAutumn’s emotional connection to the horse racing extravaganza while Dwight, the 1977 Champion, revealswhat it takes to compete at the highest level. If you have attended or plan to, this is a must watch/listen tutorialdoing a deep dive on the Percy Warner Park annual spectacle. AMONG THE TOPICS: STEALING ANEIGHBOR’S HORSE, FOX HUNTING WITH YOUR WIFE, ORIGIN OF THE HATS, CHANGING ITS NEWTUNE FOR 2026, AND I COULDA BEEN AN OLYMPIAN

The daughter of a long-time Nashville Banner journalist, little did this Donelson native know she would follow inher father’s footsteps, forging an even wider path. Becoming a “go to” print journalist covering the musicbusiness for local and worldwide outlets, Beverly joined her alma mater MTSU in 1995 as a professor,ascending to Dean in 2013. Responsible for media campaigns with the likes of Lionel Richie, Vince Gill,George Strait and Shania Twain, she now spearheads college curriculum in an industry morphing at warpedspeed. Find out how she does it and enjoy learning how a Nashville girl becomes a titan in a male dominatedbusiness. AMONG THE TOPICS: LAWN CARE ADVICE, MAKING $3.35 AN HOUR, ELVIS THE PELVIS,THE 1986 RED MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE, REUNITING WITH A FORMER STUDENT.

It was a health challenge that led this longtime California resident to write a book that’s now a best seller onAmazon. The 1,000-mile walk (1,350 miles) spawned reflective standalone vignettes with each ending with aquestion. Founding a creative agency now more than 40 years old, David’s professional and personal lifepivoted with a move to Nashville to be closer to his 3 daughters. Little did he know how disruptive his lifewould become, challenging family relationships while starting new ones. Admitting he was a jerk at times, hereveals a raw self-evaluation. AMONG THE TOPICS: TRAVEL HORROR STORIES, WHAT TURNING 60DOES TO A PERSON, EPIPHANY MOMENT IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND BECOMING A FATHER AGAIN.

Breaking her promise of never doing mornings in the media again led this uber-diversified entertainmentjournalist to Nashville. The first full-time female announcer of the Grand Ole Opry, Kelly explains why beingfired (twice) actually catapulted her to multiple media platforms including morning co-host on iconic 650 WSM-AM. Creator of the syndicated radio program “Y’all Access with Kelly Sutton”, she explains how her favoritemusic morphed from rap to the country genre. Day brightener spoiler alert: There are simply too many laughsto count in this episode. AMONG THE TOPICS: WHY YOU BETTER WAVE, THE KEY TO CONTACTINGDOLLY, BEST ADVICE FOR BEING A MOM, AND BREAKING THROUGH A GRAND OLE OPRY CEILING.

While roaming the field and intercepting passes for 11 years in the NFL, this former Titans #1 draft selectionnow covers the Middle Tennessee business community and beyond. Owner of “Just Love Coffee” in Franklin,Bulluck also hosts the podcast “Bullseye View” on YouTube. The Syracuse University graduate reflects on thegood and bad seasons in pro football and why he never was a trash talker. His boyish enthusiasm hasn’t lefthim in this quirky, covering all subjects, conversation. AMONG THE TOPICS: MOVING TO ESPACES, NORULES MEDIA, A MONKEY AT THE ROCK OF GIBRALTAR, PREMATURE FIREWORKS AT A PLAYOFFGAME, MAKING AN OLYMPIC BID, HAZING PACMAN, AND DINNER WITH DEAD PEOPLE.

A happy scientific accident a couple dozen years ago led to Faulkner sending a seismic jolt through the holistichealth supplement industry. Creatine, the most important supplement you can take according to Mark, is at thefront of his business, but it also manufactures laundry detergent, acne medicine, feminine hygiene and pet painrelief products. The Nashville resident (and hockey nut) reflects on his fascinating journey into holisticproducts, and why they are game changers for those who use conventional bodybuilding and recovery brands.Listen, and you’ll rethink your whole medicine cabinet. AMONG THE TOPICS: THE ROCK’SENDORSEMENT, A DAVID VS. GOLIATH COURT VICTORY, WINSTON CHURCHILL, BEWARE OFCHINESE KNOCKOFFS, AND THE NEXT BIG THING TO POSSIBILITY PREVENT OR TREATCONCUSSIONS.

Revealing that “God put that brown thing with laces in my hands when I was about 7 or 8,” one of the best-known Tennessee sports figures continues to have football a focal point of his life. But there’s so much moreincluding seven grandchildren (All call him Jeff). With 173 wins in nearly 20 NFL seasons, the California nativeturned Tennessee ambassador reflects on the early days of trying to stabilize a nomadic NFL franchise withrarely told anecdotes. Fast forward, Fisher explains why his current pigskin project should create lastingmemories for the next generation of Middle Tennessee football fans. AMONG THE TOPICS: WHY HENEVER WEARS HIS SUPER BOWL RING, TURNING DOWN HIS FIRST (AND PROBABLY WOULD HAVEBEEN LAST) COACHING OFFER, ALERTING ANIMAL CONTROL AT THE TITANS FACILITY, DRAFTHIJINX WITH THE JAGS, HINTING AT WHO THE TITANS NEXT HEAD COACH SHOULD BE (NOT HIM),AND THE KLARKSVILLE KATS.

Little did the Florida native know that playing video games while toiling in the minor leagues would lay thefoundation for his broadcasting success decades later. Inherently likeable, the former Vanderbilt Universitybasketball recruit explains how opportunity and luck fused together leading to the Nashville TV and radioairwaves. Also, he opens up with poise and grace how he copes with the recent death of his wife, Erin.AMONG THE TOPICS: TURNING DOWN ERIN’S FATHER, DRAFTED BY THE WORLD CHAMPIONS,WHY MAXIM KUZNETSOV IS A TRICKY HOCKEY NAME, TAKING A PUCK IN THE HEAD, AND ASPECIAL GIFT FROM VANDY’S FOOTBALL COACH.

The 2-time PGA Tennessee Teacher of the Year continues to broaden his brand with popular TEDx talks,corporate coaching and two podcasts, “On the Virg” and “The Whole Pro.” While golf is a backdrop, heunlocks potential to achieve greatness for his clients, regardless of their career paths. He explains thenuances separating great people, and superstars, and why many people chase the wrong things. AMONGTHE TOPICS, REMEMBERING CHAMINADE, TRIAL BY FIRE AT THE GOLF CHANNEL, HIS PERFECTPICTURE, WINE APPRECIATION AT MISSISSIPPI STATE AND BE CAREFUL WHO YOU BRING INTOYOUR LIFE.

Admittedly cheating death a few times, the longtime Nashville top-hatted music maestro explains why he’snever been happier. Founder of the critic-described, “unapologetic indie punk outfit,” Government Cheese, theprolific songwriter and author explores what it was like creating the band at Western Kentucky University 40years ago. His two acoustic performances in-studio bookend a large bandwidth of soul-searching and sillyballads, releasing his 9 th solo album which he calls his best work. Now with 63 years of treading this earth,Tommy is well-known in Nashville music circles and beyond. AMONG THE TOPICS: WHY ROCK ‘N ROLLSCARED PEOPLE, TO COVER OR NOT TO COVER, ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S RARE SMILE, AMYSTERIOUS PHONE CALL, AND HOW TWO RANDOM WORDS LED TO A SONG.

Admittedly a 68-year-old trapped in a 12-year old’s body, Chapman reflects on his early Oklahoma/Texasupbringing that led him to Nashville nearly 50 years ago. Almost kicked out of bible college, he found earlysuccess in the contemporary Christian music scene, writing number one songs including one with former wifeAmy Grant. He parlayed his quick wit and likability into an 800-show run as host of TNN’s Prime TimeCountry. The Dove Award winner explains what he would tell his 18-year-old self, and why he’s spending somuch time in Columbia, Tennessee. AMONG THE TOPICS: DOES JESUS’ WINE INCLUDE ALCOHOL?,FLYING SOLO AT AGE 12, HITTING DONUTS INTO THE RYMAN AUDITORIUM CROWD WITH A GOLFCLUB, AND WHY HE’S NOT THREATENED BY A.I.

A “Big Sis” to many of the Tennessee Titans during the early glory years, Tresa admits that a career in footballwas never on her radar. The New Mexico native, who moved to Nashville to (yep, you guessed it), hasparlayed her time in the NFL to a successful luxury brand consulting firm, her own. Revealing how a brief,abusive marriage made her stronger and an expert in crisis management, Tresa gives simple advice fornavigating a PR nightmare. AMONG THE TOPICS: WARDROBE MALFUNCTION, KARAOKE GO TO,SINKING SERVICE MERCHANDISE AND WHY STATUS QUO IS NOT OKAY.

John’s office view is an envious one, looking out at adoring audiences around the world celebrating TheMonkees incredible six-decade musical extravaganza. That’s a long way from being a fired pawnbroker, andpizza delivery guy working the 80’s heavy metal scene in Los Angeles. This high energy, animated, oftenhilarious conversation, now available on YouTube (Search: Second Cup of Joe and John and look for theblack/orange logo) reveals how he landed in bands for Donna Summer, Wynonna, Tanya, and Rick Springfield.Details of how he met his wife will have you believing in second chances. AMONG THE TOPICS:INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR ON THE ROAD, NIGHTS AT THE LIPSTICK LOUNGE, MEETING DE NIRO,THE JAPANESE ROLLING STONES AND WHY THE AUDITION OF HIS LIFE ALMOST DIDN’T HAPPEN.

Who can teach swimming lessons without a pool during Covid? Brenda, that’s who. The Marietta, Georgia native has loved the water since birth. The Auburn University graduate explains why her career path to leading the Nashville Dolphins wasn’t a straight 50-meter freestyle race. The nonprofits mission of teaching children and adults with special needs has impacted thousands of people since 2003. As the only full-time staffer, Brenda explains the many (swim) caps she wears as she prepares to impact thousands more. AMONG THE TOPICS: AN ALARMING DROWNING RATE, WHY SHE’S CONSIDERED “EXTRA”, CORN DOG DAY, SNOW TUBING, AND MEETING BOB HOPE.

“We can be broke anywhere, so why not Nashville?” were the fateful words from Tony’s wife Jamyi some 40 years ago.Once packed up from Thunderbolt, Georgia it didn’t take long for the aspiring singer/songwriter (and UPS worker) tohave a chance run-in with Garth Brooks. Tony explains the quirky inspiration for writing “The Dance,” which is amonghis four #1 country chart toppers and Brook’s admitted signature song. Dolly, Reba, Emmylou, Trisha, Patty Loveless andLainey Wilson have all recorded his songs. Not bad for a journalism major. AMONG THE TOPICS: WHY YOU CAN’T PICKAND CHOOSE YOUR MEMORIES, DISCOVERING THERE ARE TWO NINE O’CLOCKS, A 1967 OPEL KADET, AND WHY ATEENAGE SUMMER GAVE HIM KEYS TO THE KINGDOM.

Bagging groceries at Kroger to a Hall of Fame sportwriting career? Mike explains why there aren’t any steps in betweenand takes a deep dive into why he has survives and thrives in an endangered profession. A Middle Tennessee native,Mike has interviewed a Who’s Who including Muhammed Ali, Arnold Palmer, Walter Payton and Bo Jackson revealingwhich basketball legend tops his list. Admitting to burn out, listen to why a world record deer helped rekindle his lovefor reporting. Nobody in Nashville-area sports journalism has covered more games and met more deadlines than thisson of a guitar player. AMONG THE TOPICS: GOLF IS NOT AN OPTION, PLAYING SEMI-TOUGH FOOTBALL, A BEATLESREUNION, ON THE VANDY BEAT (DOWN), AND NEWSPAPER’S EVOLVING BUSINESS MODEL.

Don’t dare tell this self-made media business mogul that radio has gone the way of Blockbuster. Proof that Tony wasalways going to be a high achiever, he built a radio station at 13-years old in his Ft. Wayne, Indiana basement. Every daysince he’s been either on the airwaves or managing radio stations, launching Kensington Digital Media in 2011.Currently owning a dozen call letters including WHPY-FM Hippie Radio in Nashville, he’s half of “Nashville’s MorningShow with Pam & Tony” on the Hippie. With five children and ten grandchildren, Tony and wife Leann continue tomanage day-to-day operations of one of Nashville’s media mainstays. AMONG THE TOPICS; WHY HE NEVER WAS ASMOKER OR A DRINKER; MEETING THE HOME RUN KING WHILE UPSETTING HIS WIFE; CHEER, CHEER FOR OLD NOTREDAME AND HOW COVID LED HIM TO EARNING HIS PILOT’S LICENSE.