24 JUN 2024 · Episode Notes On the next and all new Real Talk Memphis my guests include; Chandell Ryan, President/CEO of the Downtown Memphis Commission. She makes her first visit to the show to talk about her new position and how if anything she did as the former COO for the City of Memphis helped her. Also, now that we are in the midst of a busy tourist season how she is positioning her group moving forward. Van Turner is a familiar face to many in our city and these days he is still helping others. The Town of Mason is preparing to welcome Blue Oval City, but they also want to be an inclusive partner. Van explains how a community coalition wants a Community Benefits Agreement with Ford that will benefit everyone. Lastly, the number of juvenile shooting victims continues to grow and is putting a great strain on the area hospitals. Dr. Nick Watkins is an ER specialist at Le Bonheur. He tells me what it's like to be on the front lines of an overwhelmed emergency room. That and more on air and online Monday from 6-7 pm on WYXR 91.7 FM. Also, http://WYXR.org, TuneIn, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. It's time to talk!

17 JUN 2024 · Episode Notes My guests include Sarah Houston, aka the ‘water warrior’. With all the excitement and fuss about the new xAI supercomputer project, many people wonder what it all means and how it will affect certain things like our water. Sarah joins me to share the pros or cons. Next, gun violence can lead to tragic consequences. Bennie Cobb is a former deputy sheriff and gun safety expert. He tells us about an upcoming event that you might be interested in knowing more about. Geoff Calkins is an award winning sports columnist and radio host, in other words a man with opinions. He joins me to talk about what’s on his mind including paying now college players and his memories of the late Jerry West. That and more on air and online Monday 6-7 pm on WYXR 91.7 FM. Also the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts! It’s time to talk!

10 JUN 2024 · Episode Notes My guests include West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon. We get the chance to catch up a bit on what he is doing as the city continues to grow along with some of the challenges he is facing. Next, the MSCS now has a new Superintendent, Dr. Marie Feagins and as she prepares for a new school year, the school board prepares for reelection and how to deal with teacher shortages and other challenges. Board member Mauricio Calvo joins me to talk about the path forward and his priorities for our young people. Lastly, for many, food insecurity especially access to fruits and vegetables is not always readily available. Black Seeds Urban Farms is a local food movement that has its roots in a desire to grow organic, non-toxic, nutritious foods for Memphians who have little or no access to sustainable foods. Founders, Bobby & Derravia Rich join me to share how important it is to ‘plant the seed’ to get the right results. That and more both on air and online, Monday 6 pm on WYXR 91.7 FM. Also http://WYXR.org, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. It’s time to talk!

3 JUN 2024 · Episode Notes My guests include Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green. With budget season in full swing, the city is trying to figure out how to fill a $50 million dollar plus budget shortfall without putting a proposed 75 cent property tax increase on taxpayers. She has an idea and will share it with us. Next, we are all aware of some of the issues the Memphis Police Department is dealing with these days with morale and hiring being high on the list. Memphis Police Association Vice President John Covington joins me to talk about that and the lawsuit they filled about a recent issue concerning the promotion process of 2nd Lt. positions. Finally, we have seen many of our young people committing various crimes across the city which has been a cause for concern as to why. We speak with an organization that is dedicated to the discovering the root causes of mental illness and how it can change behaviors with Dr. Shaneika Smith and Kache Brooks. That and more both on air and online Monday, 6-7 pm central on WYXR 91.7 FM, WYXR. org, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. It’s time to talk!

27 MAY 2024 · Episode Notes My guests include Marilyn Rucker, Dementia and Alzheimer's advocate. She knows first hand just how difficult dealing with this disease really is. She along with a fellow expert Lynn Doyle will host a free seminar for the public Thursday nite to answer all your questions and provide available resources. Next, this is a challenging time of year for our city and county elected officials as they are trying to balance budgets for the new fiscal year. Commissioner Mickell Lowery joins me to discuss the challenging process and other issues before them at this time. Finally, m any of us don't understand the legislative process as pertains to state government. One lawmaker is out to change that. State House Representative Leader Karen Camper is hosting an event bringing the State to the City June 8th. She explains what it's about, services provided and how it will benefit the citizens. That and more both on air and online Monday, 6-7 pm on W_YXR 91.7 FM, the WYXR app, the TuneIn app, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. it's time to talk!

20 MAY 2024 · Episode Notes My guests include Pastor Dianne Marshall Young co-founder of the Healing Center. She along with her late husband Bishop William Young were given a vision from God years ago to make our community whole in spirit, soul and body. They were also leaders in the conversation surrounding mental health. She joins me to discuss her latest campaign regarding our youth. Al Lewis is a long time community activist who is as passionate as he is opinionated. These days, he is working with inmates and dealing with trauma through an ‘Inward Journey’. He explains. Finally, not everyone is college bound, but that should not limit anyone’s success. Tangua Houston is the Executive Director of Universal Achievers Foundation in Frayser. Her auto body repair program is changing the lives of young people for the better and she tells us how. This and more Monday both on air and online on WYXR 91.7 FM, the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. It’s time to talk!

13 MAY 2024 · Episode Notes Guests include MPD victim advocate Alicia Denton. She is a mental health expert who also holds a first of its kind position with MPD over the Victims Services unit for families dealing with major traumatic events. Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner is the top law enforcement authority in Shelby County. These days, he's facing a few challenges in terms of manpower and new state laws. He shares his thoughts while trying to navigate through rough waters. Next, the safety of churchgoers is something once taken for granted, but the times we now live in are ever-changing. Rev. Dr. Bartholomew Orr, Sr Pastor of Brown Baptist Church joins me to discuss an upcoming safety and security event they are hosting this week that you are invited to attend. That and more on air and online Monday on WYXR 91.7 FM. Also, the WYXR app, TuneIn, Facebook Live,  YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. It's time to talk!

29 APR 2024 · Episode Notes My guests include City Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper Sutton who is serious about her business and passionate about this city. She talks to me about the continuing violence, the upcoming budget and the proposed property tax increase. Britney Thornton is a County Commissioner who is community strong. We speak with her about her beloved Orange Mound, the recent events of violence and how to heal a proud people moving forward. The legislative session just ended in Nashville and now it’s time to assess if anything of substance got done. State Representative Jesse Chism joins me to share his thoughts on several issues and why our city and county seem to be impacted the most. That and more on air and online Monday 6-7 pm on WYXR 91.7 FM, TuneIn, Facebook Live and wherever you get your podcasts!

22 APR 2024 · Episode Notes Guests include; Rev. Dr. Earle Fisher, Sr. pastor, Abyssinian MB Church is a community leader who is concerned about our direction and future. He speaks to me about the current legislative agenda and if their actions are really for the benefit of our city. Lastly, we should all know how important good oral hygiene is, but did you know that oral cancer is one of the most deadliest diseases there is? Dr. Taylor Reed joins me to discuss the issue during this Oral Cancer Awareness month. That and more Monday both on air and online. WYXR 91.7 FM, the WYXR org, TuneIn, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. It's time to talk!

15 APR 2024 · Episode Notes My guests include Ted Townsend, President/CEO Greater Memphis Chamber. There is a lot of building going on downtown these days as one can see, and he joins me to share his goals, the overall direction of the city and the concerns about crime and how it might affect future growth. Speaking of crime, the criminal justice system can be a complicated issue. We speak with two people; Leslie Taylor and Norman Blake who had many questions about the process so they founded Memphis Crime Beat in order to get some answers. Finally, April 15th is a day many of us dread, Tax day! Vincent C. Perry drops by to give us any insights or updates new this year. That and more both on air and online, Monday, 6-7 pm on WYXR 91.7 FM. Also the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts!