HeyJaredGrowing Pains: Exploring The Challenges in a Thriving Sumner County
Growing Pains is a podcast about the choices and challenges shaping Sumner County. Host Deanne DeWitt talks with local leaders, neighbors, and decision-makers about how a thriving community handles growth, opportunity, and the tough calls that come with both.
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 5
- Latest publication
- Aug 6, 2026
- Audience
- Checking…
- Earliest in this view
- Jul 9, 2026
Latest episodes
The Secret to Building a Business That Gives Back | Eric Blankenship (opens the original)
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In this episode of Growing Pains , Deanne DeWitt sits down with entrepreneur, musician, and All Access Coach Leasing co-owner Eric Blankenship to talk about what it really takes to build a successful business while investing in the community around you. From starting a company with just $5,000 and a credit card to growing it into one of Middle Tennessee's leading transportation companies, Eric shares the lessons he's learned about perseverance, leadership, and taking calculated risks. The conver
Matt Shoaf Makes Everyone Mad... Here's Why (opens the original)
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Why would someone proudly say they "make everyone mad"? In this episode of Growing Pains, host Deanne DeWitt sits down with Sumner County Commissioner and Budget Committee Chairman Matt Shoaf for a candid conversation about leadership, local government, and why meaningful change often requires difficult conversations. What begins as a lighthearted joke quickly turns into a thoughtful discussion about public service, political disagreement, budgeting, taxes, education, and the future of Tennessee
Can Community Service Change Tennessee Politics? | with Brian Stewart (opens the original)
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In this episode of Growing Pains, Deanne DeWitt sits down with Brian Stewart, owner of One Stop Realty & Auction, former Sumner County Commissioner, community advocate, and candidate for the Tennessee House of Representatives. Brian shares the experiences that shaped his commitment to public service, from building a successful local business to investing in nonprofits, supporting first responders, and serving his community through elected office. The conversation explores some of the biggest iss
Why Long-Term Thinking Matters More Than the Next Election | with Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Dennis Cavin (opens the original)
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Lt. General (Ret.) Dennis Cavin returns to Growing Pains to discuss how the Sumner County Republican Freedom Caucus has evolved and where it hopes to lead the community in the years ahead. Rather than focusing solely on elections, this conversation explores the bigger picture of leadership, civic responsibility, long-term planning, and preparing the next generation to serve. Dennis shares why mentoring future leaders, encouraging informed voters, and thinking beyond the next election cycle are c
Is Civil Discourse Is Dying? Here's Why Local Journalists Still Believe in It with Scott Couch (opens the original)
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What makes journalism trustworthy? In this episode, Deanne DeWitt sits down with veteran Fox 17 anchor Scott Couch to discuss a career spent telling the stories of Middle Tennessee. Scott reflects on the changing media landscape, the importance of credibility, and why good journalism isn't about telling people what to think but giving them the information they need to make up their own minds. The conversation also explores growth in Sumner County, the value of civil discourse, and what gives Sco
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