Meanwhile in Memphis with New Memphis

Every election brings fresh opportunities for leadership. And with it, new energy, new priorities, and a renewed opportunity to shape Memphis and Shelby County's future. Local offices like the Shelby County Commission, Memphis City Council, and Memphis-Shelby County School Board shape the policies, resources, and opportunities that impact our daily lives. These elected bodies help determine how our neighborhoods develop, how our schools are supported, and how our community's future is built. 
Newly elected Shelby County officials stepped into office on September 1, 2026, and this nonpartisan conversation brings together some of these leaders for a forward-looking dialogue about what comes next for our community. 
This conversation originally took place as a live event on September 30, 2026, as part of New Memphis' Celebrate What's Right series. The event was powered by Tennessee Valley Authority and made possible by Kroger and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee. This event featured breakfast, cross-sector networking, conversations on stage with recently elected members of the Shelby County Commission, and a fireside chat with the new Shelby County Mayor, Mikkel Lowry. 
This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

There is always something exciting to talk about in Memphis, and Memphis Magazine and The Memphis Flyer have weathered decades of change, and they continue to evolve, proving that good reporting is always relevant.

This conversation with Anna Traverse (Chief Executive Officer of Memphis Magazine and The Memphis Flyer) explores how these publications are stepping into a new era with a new publication partner: Noisy Creek, a media company that’s working to bolster independent, local publications.
Resources mentioned in this episode include:

Memphis Magazine

The Memphis Flyer

Memphis Parent

Noisy Creek

Memphis Magazine celebrates 50 years of Memphis stories (Action News 5)

Memphis Magazine and Memphis Flyer to Join Noisy Creek (Memphis Magazine)

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Memphis has a long, rich history of music, and there are many organizations working to ensure culture and creativity are part of the city's present and future. This conversation features Natalie Wilson (Overton Park Shell) and Isaac Daniel (Stax Music Academy), who are working to build a bright future for Memphis.
Resources mentioned in this episode include:

Stax Music Academy

The Overton Park Shell

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Soulsville Foundation

Memphis Symphony Orchestra 

Music Eploys

Kirk Whalum

Kirk Whalum's TEDxMemphis Talk

Kameron Whalum

David Porter

Shell on Wheels

5 Fridays of Jazz

Previous episodes on similar topics can be found here, here, and here.

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Memphis' higher-ed institutions play a critical role in city vibrancy. 

Memphis’ colleges and universities are essential civic anchors shaping the region’s talent pipeline, stabilizing neighborhoods, driving research and innovation, and influencing long-term economic vitality. All of these factors play a critical role in employee readiness, attraction, and retention for local employers. This conversation, moderated by Dr. Joann Massey (EDGE), features Dr. Bill Hardgrave (University of Memphis), Jennifer Collins (Rhodes College), and Dr. Tracy D. Hall (Southwest Tennessee Community College).

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

Rhodes College

University of Memphis

Southwest Tennessee Community College

Tennessee Promise

Previous episodes on similar topics can be found here, here, and here.

BONUS: Dr. Christopher Davis (LeMoyne-Owen College) shares how Memphis’ HBCU is anchoring talent in the city by creating job-ready, community-informed leaders here, and Ron Brandon (Christian Brothers University) discusses the impact of turning learners into leaders here.

Note: This is a recording of a live Celebrate What's Right: Educating Memphis' Future that happened on February 24 at The National Civil Rights Museum for a conversation with presidents from Memphis-area institutions.

Memphis is a media oasis! The city has a vibrant, people-powered ecosystem with a wealth of public radio stations. Go behind the scenes of two of the city’s signature public stations with Jared "Jay B" Boyd (WYXR 91.7 FM - the host station for Meanwhile in Memphis) and Charles McLarty. (WKNO 91.1 FM) to learn what role they play in connecting the community through news, music, and future-focused missions. This episode first aired on November 18, 2025 (S5E46).
Resources mentioned in this episode include:

WYXR

WKNO

The Daily Memphian

Previous episodes on similar topics can be found here, here, here, and here

NPR

PBS

Morning Edition

All Things Considered

KLOVE

Donate to WKNO and donate to WYXR

The University of Memphis

Crosstown Concourse

Congress rolls back $9 billion in public media funding and foreign aid article from NPR

Timeline: The History of Public Broadcasting in the U.S.

Educational Television Facilities Act of 1962

Public Broadcasting Act of 1967

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.