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Episodes

Nov. 20, 2024

What You Aught to Know with Erika Biddix

In this episode of Connect the Knox, host Julia Hurley interviews Erika Biddix, owner of the co-working space Aught. Erika shares her journey from launching Girl Boss Offices to rebranding as Aught, highlighting her mission to support female...

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Nov. 6, 2024

Going from Farm to Table with Charlotte Tolley

In this episode of Connect the Knox, host Julia Hurley chats with Charlotte Tolley, CEO of Nourish Knoxville. Learn about the organization’s mission to provide nourishing foods to the Knoxville community through farmers’ markets, SNAP doubling...

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Oct. 23, 2024

Life on the Farm with Colleen Cruze

In this engaging episode of Connect the Knox, host Julia Hurley sits down with Colleen Cruze, owner of Cruze Farm. They delve into the rich history and growth of Cruze Farm, starting from Colleen’s parents’ dairy farming roots to its …

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Oct. 9, 2024

Fighting to Keep Energy Clean with Cortney Piper

In this episode of Connect the Knox, host Julia Hurley interviews Cortney Piper, the influential founder of Piper Communications and executive director of the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council. They discuss Cortney's journey from Michigan to...

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Sept. 25, 2024

Letting Her Speak with Catherine Porth

In this episode of ConnectTheKnox, host Julia Hurley sits down with Catherine Porth, the visionary behind Let Her Speak, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women in Knoxville and beyond. Catherine shares her journey from corporate life to founding a...

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Sept. 11, 2024

Beginning Within with Wil Davenport

In this episode of Connect the Knox, host Julia Hurley talks with Wil Davenport, founder of It Begins Within, a leadership and growth coaching system. Davenport shares his fascinating journey from working in a church in Maryville to establishing his...

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Aug. 28, 2024

Decking the Vols with Santa Vol

It’s football time in Tennessee! In honor of the start of the season, Julia Hurley sits down with Santa Vol, a beloved icon in the University of Tennessee Athletics community. They discuss Santa Vol's origins, his experiences and relationships with...

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Aug. 14, 2024

The Growth in East Tennessee’s Tech Industry with Travis Howerton

In this episode of Connect the Knox, host Julia Hurley sits down with Travis Howerton, local entrepreneur, CEO, and co-founder of RegScale. Travis shares his journey through U.S. national security, his roles at Oak Ridge National Lab and Bechtel, and...

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July 31, 2024

Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Athletes with Dana Hart

In this episode of Connect the Knox, host Julia Hurley is joined by Dana Hart, Executive Director of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Dana shares her compelling journey from Missouri to Knoxville and her deep involvement in the Hall …

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July 17, 2024

The Essential Role of IT in Business with Brian Strong

In this episode of Connect the Knox, host Julia Hurley interviews TenHats CEO Brian Strong. They explore his career journey from various sales roles to his current position in IT and data center services. Brian explains the role of TenHats …

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July 3, 2024

Homesteading with the “Chicken Librarian” Kristin Webber

From cheese making to fermentation, Kristin Webber has the knowledge to help you get back to the basics. Julia sits down with Kristin to find out what homesteading is, how Kristin developed her love for it, and why Knoxville has …

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June 19, 2024

Elevating Knoxville’s Young Professionals with Sam Elliott

Sam Elliott, the Vice President of Development for the Young Professionals of Knoxville (YPK), shares his journey from a pilot to a pivotal community leader, detailing the impact of YPK in fostering a vibrant network for young professionals in...

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June 5, 2024

Laying the Foundation for Knoxville's Growth with John Ewart

In this episode, we meet John Ewart, the dynamic leader of the Knoxville Chapter of the Associated General Contractors. John shares his inspiring journey from his early days in the Navy to playing football at the University of Tennessee and …

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May 8, 2024

Orange to a "T" with George Bove Children’s Book Author

In this heartwarming episode of Connect the Knox, Julia sits down with George Bove, a cherished children's book author who brings the spirit of Knoxville, Tennessee, to life through his stories. George gives us a peek into how he crafts …

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April 24, 2024

Insights Into Knoxville’s Commercial Real Estate Scene With Justin Ca…

In this exciting episode of Connect the Knox, host Julia Hurley speaks with Justin Cazana, one of Knoxville's leading commercial real estate brokers and developers. With over 20 years of experience, Justin shares stories about his experiences in real...

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April 10, 2024

Roadmap to Grant Funding in Knoxville with Lisa Shiveler

In this episode of Connect the Knox, Julia Hurley engages with grants expert Lisa Shiveler. From her journey to Knoxville to her pivotal role in transforming local educational and community initiatives through grant writing, Lisa offers an insider's...

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March 27, 2024

Transforming Knoxville into a Tourism Triumph With Kim Bumpas

Julia is joined by Kim Bumpas, the president of Visit Knoxville, to discuss the transformation of Knoxville into a must-visit destination. They explore Kim’s journey in the tourism industry, the revitalization of iconic landmarks like the Sunsphere,...

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March 13, 2024

Crafting Knoxville's Workforce for the Future with Stephanie Vozar

This episode of ConnectTheKnox features a conversation with Stephanie Vozar, Director of Corporate Philanthropy at the University of Tennessee, focusing on her role in forging connections between the university and corporate partners to prepare...

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Feb. 28, 2024

Your Knoxville Guide with Kristen Combs

Julia Hurley talks with Kristen Combs, the creative mind at Visit Knoxville and the author of 100 Things to Do in Knoxville Before You Die. Kristen's move from Michigan to Knoxville led her to promote the city's rich history, lively …

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Feb. 14, 2024

Brewing Community Connections with Zack Roskop

Zack Roskop, the innovative mind behind Knox Brew Tours, shares his journey from uncertainty to creating a unique craft beer experience in Knoxville on this episode of ConnectTheKnox.

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Jan. 31, 2024

Volpe's Vision: Unpacking Remote Area Medical's Impact and the Power …

On this episode of ConnectTheKnox, Julia sits down with John Volpe to discuss Remote Area Medical (RAM) and its impact on East Tennessee.

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Jan. 17, 2024

Savoring Change: A Culinary Legacy and the Future of a Family-Owned B…

On this episode of ConnectTheKnox, Julia and Elise Collier Massey discuss the immense growth that Knoxville County has seen over the last 40 years and why being local is so important to her community and success.

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Jan. 3, 2024

Keeping Tennessee Competitive with Its Peers with Marc Gibson

On this episode of ConnectTheKnox, Julia and Marc Gibson sit down to talk about what Tennessee is doing to stay competitive with its peer states.

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Dec. 20, 2023

Why Community, Fans, and Donor Support are the Pillars of Vols Baseba…

Chad Zurcher is the Director of Baseball Operations at the University of Tennessee. On this episode of ConnectTheKnox, Julia sits down with Chad to talk about the Volunteer’s incredible connection with the community, the 95 million dollar upcoming...

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