Happy Spring Music City!  Lots of goings on in Mid-TN and I’m glad to be a part of it.  I’m also super happy to share it all with you.

This past week was Mother’s Day and I had the very distinct privilege of talking to a very extraordinary family share their story.  Robert Gowan was in the studio with his adorable kidlets, Catherine and Will, and their talented friend and nanny Morgan Myles.  Robert’s wife Amy Gowan lost her battle with ALS last August and the Gowan family is working very hard to raise awareness of this misunderstood and horrible disease.  We also debuted a beautiful, moving song written by Morgan for her dear friend Amy.  I don’t want to spill all the beans, so listen to their moving and beautiful tribute.  First up is Robert’s interview, followed by Morgan. 

Also up is a great interview with a young woman who figured out how to earn half a million dollars in college scholarships.  That’s right, $500,000!  This enterprising gal put herself through Vandy and Belmont and now has written a book sharing all that juicy “How-to” with you!  My interview with Kristina Ellis was fun and chock full of great tips for parents and soon-to-be college students.   

And, to round out this post, I spoke with Sara Trembath of Boxtops for Education.  She shared how Cheerios, Raisin Bran, Wheat Thins and many other items in your pantry can raise dollars for your local schools.  Check it out!  

Well, that’s it for now.  Keep listening to WKDF 103 and WGFX 104.5 The Zone for more great interviews and of course, music and sports!  Have a great week Music City!

Music City is buzzing these days.  It seems you can’t pick up a magazine or newspaper without seeing a story about our city’s growth.  Whether it’s in music, film, shopping, food or sports, we are definitely the “it” city!  I, for one, am so glad to be here to witness the exlosion.

Recently I interviewed a brilliant, enterprising and creative guy who’s helping families improve communication and help combat bullying.  Kevin Strauss, founder of familyejournal.com, is definitely onto something.  Through his free online journal, families can communicate with each other in a unique way.  And, organizations can join the Partner’s Program, a fee-based service that lets your organization or school offer this amazing program to your clients.  Listen to my interview with Kevin, then go online to www.familyejournal.com.  Here’s Kevin:  Kevin Strauss

I realize Valentine’s Day is over, but I thought I’d share a fun interview with a couple of rockin’ ladies.  Caryn Beth Rosenthal and Mary Jane Fahey, turned Cupid’s arrow around in their hilarious book “Dumped.”  If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a breakup you’re going to want to listen to these gals and then grab a copy of their book.  It’s the ultimate post-breakup bible.  Dumped

Well, that’s it for now Music City!  Keep on truckin’ towards Spring!

How are you all doing?  Happy New Year!  I guess I can say that for about another three days, right?  Hope you’ve been enjoying the winter.

Have you ever driving Southeast of Nashville, towards Chattanooga, and passed the tiny town of Monteagle?  Well, in those mountains lies a beautiful, pastoral, peaceful little town which is home to a gorgeous liberal arts college, known as the University of the South, or Sewanee.  Well, this Cali girl had never heard of such a place, until…my guest, author and screenwriter Don Winston, joined me to chat about his book about the place.  Well, it’s sort of about the place.  The book is called “S’wanee: A Paranoid Thriller” and it will give you chills down your spine and maybe even cost you a night’s sleep or two.  But, it also paints a picture of a gorgeous little idyll in Tennessee.  After you listen to Don’s interview, grab a copy of his book from Amazon.  And if you’re really curious, like I was, head down to visit Sewanee and see for yourself, if you can, what’s real and what isn’t.  Enjoy!  Don Winston

Now, if you’re a lover of music like I am, I have a treat for you!  And if you love gospel, then you’re really going to want to check this out.  Joshua Nelson, The Prince of Kosher Gospel, was in town doing a fundraiser concert for West End Synagogue.  Yep, you heard that right.  Joshua is African American and Jewish!  Whew!  This guy has talent to burn and a fascinating life story too.  Listen in and then let me know what you think!  Joshua Nelson: The Prince of Kosher Gospel

Have a great week, everyone!

Busy time for everyone right now.  I hope you are all enjoying the festive season and looking forward.

If you or someone you love is a Medicare patient, you might be confused about the choices available.  The crucial open enrollment deadline may have passed, but it’s never too late to learn about what’s working and how to use your chosen program.  Dr. Aaron Millstone, a Pulmonologist in private practice in Williamson County, is a pro when it comes to helping folks understand the ins and outs of Medicare.  Check him out!  

Okay, this is a departure for me, but this guest was too much fun!  Ron Shirley, host of TruTv’s Lizard Lick Towing, has penned his memoirs.  This tomb is filled with “Ronisms” and “Ronosophy” and will have you howling, but will also make you think.  Enjoy!  

And, coming up I’ve got some amazing year-end shows coming up.  Stay tuned to this space and as always, listen to WGFX 104.5 The Zone and WKDF 103.  

The storms have raged all week, both literally and politically.  Hopefully the skies will clear around the nation soon.

In the meantime, I talked to a fabulous young couple recently who are so special.  Austin Atteberry and Sarah Doschodis have founded “Sing Me A Story,” to help at-risk kids around the world.  Listen to their interview and if you’re a songwriter or storyteller, check out their website to learn more about how you can help.  Sing-Me-A-Story  And if you’re not creatively inclined, there are many other ways to get involved.  And rest assured, if these two are any indication, our world will be just fine.  

This has been quite a week for us!  All the kids are home and the house is alive with the sound of….laundry!!!!  Yep, it’s a mess around here, but a happy mess and I’m grateful for it.  I hope you are a enjoying this transitional time, school ending, summer almost here, the anticipation of a vacation.

Last week was Mother’s Day and I was so privileged to talk to one of my favorite authors, Mary Higgins Clark.  She is one of those rare women who has lived a very full life, overcome hardship and had one heck of an adventure.  Her latest book “The Lost Years” is another blockbuster you simply must read this summer.  Consider that an order from your mother!  Listen to some stories from Mary’s amazing life!  

If you’re as big a fan of Cheekwood as I am, you’re not going to want to miss their latest exhibit.  This weekend marked the opening of the new Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden and it’s gorgeous!  Consider this your own private (well not quite) space to relax and enjoy.  I talked to Jane Offenbach, the lovely President and CEO of Cheekwood about this new garden.  It’s the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of Middle Tennessee and it’s right in our own backyard.  Jane also told me about some other fun things happening at Cheekwood this summer, so check out my interview, then pack a picnic and head over.  Aaaaah, summer in Nashville!  

Well, that’s about it for now.  Check back later in the week for some more fab interviews with folks you’re going to want to hear from.  Have a great week, everyone!

Been a busy few weeks for me!  Personally, my honey and I took a dream trip to Paris, France.!  And when I say a dream trip, I mean it was a dream come true for me.  We’ve been there once before but it was so long ago, it feels like another lifetime.  This time around, all I can say is “Wow”!  Even the cold, rainy weather couldn’t dampen my spirits as we wandered around and through the streets, countryside and even the underground catacombs.  Upon our return, our daughter completed her degree and graduated from MTSU!  It was a long-awaited and hard fought victory for her and we are elated and proud!  So, it’s back to reality for me and I’ve got some amazing folks for you to listen to.

While I was away, Nashville hosted its annual Film Festival.  I was fortunate to speak with someone who has made it his mission to bring the Batman story to the big screen.  Michael Uslan, executive produced every incarnation of the Dark Knight since the campy but, for me, beloved TV version of  the 1960s.  He’s written a fabulously entertaining book that is both inspirational and funny.  Listen to his interview and then get your own copy of “The Boy Who Loved Batman” and live your own dreams!  

Next up is a really special guest for me!  My cousin, Bill Sebastian, an extremely talented filmmaker.  He and his wife Dana and their newborn daughter Amelia were in town for a screening of their film “Qwerty”.  This true indie film follows the story of a scrabble nerd and her blossoming romance with a curmudgeonly  recluse.  Bill talks about the journey of QWERTY and what it’s like to follow the dream.  

This past weekend, I had the distinct pleasure of talking to a dear friend of mine who is also one of the most awesome women I’ve ever met!  Laura Reinbold is the Nashville Branch Manager of TTL, a geo-professional engineering firm.  Laura talks about what it takes to make it in a man’s world and how she’s developed her own unique leadership style.  Listen and learn, my friends!  

Autism Awareness Month just wrapped up and I had my annual talk with the folks from Autism Society of Middle Tennessee.  This year, their spokesperson was someone many of you will know.  Melissa Meadows, AKA Wylie Rose of WKDF, is the new Community Outreach Director for ASMT!  She speaks so movingly about her own journey raising a child with Aspberger’s, one of the disorders on the Autism spectrum.  Listen to Melissa and then check out ASMT’s website for support and information.  

Well friends, that’s about it for now.  This coming weekend, we’re off to Steeplechase again!  I’ve got my hat and my dress ready to go.  And Sunday is Mother’s Day.  So a very Happy Mother’s Day to anyone who mothers people.  It’s a tough job, definitely not for sissies!  And, listen on Sunday to a couple of great interviews.  One is with a very famous author, and that’s all I’m going to tell you.

Au revoir, mes aimees!