The Heart of Memphis

Steve Herrington served Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis in homeowner services following a career in the banking industry. After retirement, he enrolled at Memphis Theological Seminary to pursue a Master of Divinity degree. He joined us to talk about the work of Habitat for Humanity and ministering to the people of Memphis.

Todd Richardson is the President of Crosstown Redevelopment Cooperative, a co-founder of Crosstown Arts, and a former professor of Art History, Criticism, and Conservation. He shared his story from childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi, to a PhD from Leiden University in the Netherlands, to the dream of redeveloping the Crosstown Concourse in Midtown Memphis.

Eric Martin is the founder and owner of Martin Music, and a native Memphian. He joined us to talk about his life and career in the Memphis music scene.

Diane Vescovo is a former federal Chief Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Tennesee. She's also a second generation native Memphian. She joined us to talk about her distinguished legal career and her love of our city.

Ryan Starr is the Senior Minister at Kingsway Christian Church. He is also a soccer official who regularly works NCAA and professional matches. He joined us to talk about his route from college athletics to ministry, and ultimately to the Memphis area.

Janice Morgan is an addiction recovery advocate. She shared her inspiring personal journey with us, including how Memphis became home.

Rev. Dr. Kenneth Whalum Jr. is pastor of New Olivet Worship Center. He and his family have been well-known in the Memphis community for decades, and he joined us to talk about his personal history with the city he loves.

Chris Herrington is a columnist and editor at The Daily Memphian, where he covers the Grizzlies and writes about Memphis culture, food, and civic life. He joined us to talk about the state of journalism, his love of the city, and the path that brought him here.

Josie Wallace is the Director of the Lindenwood Christian Child Care Center, where she has served for 17 years. She joined us to discuss the importance of early childhood education and the current state of childcare in our city and beyond.

Justin Bailey is the Chairperson of the Memphis Housing Authority's Board of Commissioners, Senior Counsel at FedEx Freight, and a former Assistant U.S. Attorney. He's also a lifelong Memphis with deep roots and a deep love for the city.

Laren McCormack is the Family Life Minister at Lindenwood Christian Church. From growing up in a vibrant, diverse, multicultural community in Houston to international missions work to student and family ministry; Laren shared her story and the journey that led her to Memphis.

Depp Britt is a southern gospel singer turned designer. Listen to his story from small-town Kentucky to Nashville, Branson, and eventually finding home in Memphis.

Dr. Hill is the President of Memphis Theological Seminary. He was a three-year football letterman at Ole Miss, and he's the author of 38: The Chucky Mullins Effect, a New York Times bestseller.

Broderick Connesero is the Pastor of Preaching & Vision at The Common. In this inspiring conversation, Broderick shared about growing up in South Central Los Angeles and the years of consequential decisions and experiences that eventually led him to start a church in the Orange Mound community of Memphis.

Mike McLaren is a highly sought-after and successful trial attorney. He spoke with us about his legal career, his time playing college basketball at Yale, and his acting career (he has appeared in A Time to Kill, The Firm, The People v. Larry Flynt, and several other feature films).

Cody Robertson is the Associate Minister at Lindenwood Christian Church and a brand new Memphian. He sat down for a conversation about growing up a preacher's kid, playing and coaching Division III college football, and what led him to full-time ministry.

Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Valerie L. Smith joined us for a discussion about what drew her to the law and what keeps her in the city she serves.

From a small town in North Carolina to becoming the first female Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church - Rev. Kathryn (Kat) Kimmel shares the story of what led her to Memphis and what excites her about the future here.

Jon Hornyak is the Sr. Executive Director of the Memphis Chapter of the Recording Academy and a fixture of the Memphis music scene. He sat down for a fun conversation about his history with and love for the city.

Sally Isom has lived in Memphis for 25 years. In this episode, she shares about her experience with addiction, recovery, and how a proud Texan eventually became one of our city's biggest cheerleaders.

This episode takes us to the heart of the Memphis music scene. Dave Smith has been a first-call session and gigging musician for decades. He sat down with Geoff to share stories about what brought him to Memphis, what brought him back, and what keeps him here.

Rory Thomas is the President of the Memphis Medical District Collaborative. He is a native Memphian who was listed by the Memphis Business Journal as one of Memphis’ “Top 40 Under 40” business professionals. He joined us to talk about his vision for the District and his love for the city.

Julia Turner is a native Memphian, with deep roots and a deep love for the city. In this fun and wide-ranging conversation, Geoff talks with Julia about her days as a high school and college basketball player, a shot at the WNBA, and the journey that followed, eventually leading her to become the Executive Minister at Lindenwood Christian Church.

The Heart of Memphis is a podcast exploring the contours of the arts, commerce, culture and faith.