From catering Hollywood's biggest stars on movie sets around the world to saving one of Nashville's most iconic buildings, Tom Morales has spent his life betting on Nashville — and winning. But after surviving COVID, watching competitors multiply, and pouring everything into Acme Feed and Seed on Lower Broadway, Tom received a tax bill that jumped from $129,000 to $600,000 in a single year. In this episode, Tom shares his remarkable journey from one of ten kids in Madison to Hollywood sets to downtown Nashville visionary, and why he's now leading a coalition of 500+ small businesses in a fight that could determine whether Nashville stays Nashville, or becomes just another city of glass towers and hedge fund bars.

Send us Fan Mail

Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Will Reid breaks down what TDOT actually does beyond paving roads, from operating ferries to inspecting 20,000 bridges to being the state's largest real estate buyer. Reid, the first employee to become commissioner in TDOT's history, explains how his department delivers projects at twice the national average and why people judge their government by the quality of their commute.

Send us Fan Mail

Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson breaks down the mechanics behind the Boring Company's underground tunnels, Choice Lanes, and the real drivers of Tennessee's explosive growth. From navigating misinformation to the sacrifice required for public service, Johnson reveals why state government is where problems actually get solved.

Send us Fan Mail

Location manager Wendall Hinkle pulls back the curtain on how major productions like Superman, Nashville, and 9-1-1 Nashville find and transform real places into the backdrops of our favorite shows. From knocking on doors in neighborhoods to shutting down bridges for rescue scenes, Wendall reveals the logistics, relationships, and grit required to bring scripts to life in Tennessee's booming film industry.

Send us Fan Mail

Lance Villio, Executive Director of the Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative, joins Signature Required to discuss how government, churches, and nonprofits can work together to serve Tennessee’s most vulnerable. Appointed by Governor Bill Lee, Lance leads an office positioned between the state’s 23 departments and local communities, addressing complex challenges through three key efforts: Every Child Tennessee, the Volunteer Mentorship Initiative, and the Human Flourishing Initiative. At the heart of the conversation is a simple but powerful idea: government plays an important role, but lasting change happens when everyday Tennesseans take shared responsibility for their neighbors.

Send us Fan Mail

This week, we sit down with Dr. Candice McQueen, President of Lipscomb University, to explore the evolving role of higher education in Tennessee. We discuss how Lipscomb is balancing academic rigor with a Christ-centered mission, the importance of preparing students for both career and purpose, and how universities can stay grounded in their identity during times of cultural and institutional change. Dr. McQueen also shares insights on leadership, student development, and the connection between education, community, and workforce needs.

Send us Fan Mail

Tiffany Kerns, Executive Director of the CMA Foundation, joins Signature Required for a grounded and expansive conversation about music education, leadership, and the power of community partnership. While many know the Country Music Association for CMA Fest and the CMA Awards, Tiffany explains the broader purpose behind the organization and how country music chose to invest deeply in one simple cause: ensuring students have access to music education.

Send us Fan Mail

At the Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga, learning looks a lot like play, and play is serious work. From the center of the museum’s atrium, Mackenzie Steele, Director of Marketing and Communications, shares how one of Tennessee’s most beloved children’s museums has spent 30 years helping families learn together through hands-on experiences, creativity, and curiosity. The conversation explores what makes Creative Discovery Museum uniquely place-based, how its exhibits reflect Chattanooga’s culture and growth, and why children’s museums are a powerful indicator of a healthy community.

Send us Fan Mail