Meanwhile in Memphis with New Memphis

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.

Entrepreneurial spirit has shaped Memphis for decades, and the city still supports entrepreneurship today! This conversation has a strategic focus on attracting and retaining businesses — from small businesses to large-scale industry leaders — as well as exploring what makes Memphis a city of choice for entrepreneurs and innovators looking to launch a business. These leaders not only see what's possible, but they are also carving paths for the future of the city and positioning Memphis as a city of choice for changemakers. 

This conversation originally took place as a live event on August 26, 2026, as part of New Memphis’ Celebrate What’s Right series and was made possible by Tennessee Valley Authority, Kroger, and Servis1st Bank. We work very hard to make these events accessible, but we know that there are a myriad of reasons why members of our community had to miss this live event. In an effort to ensure that these leaders’ insights are disseminated far and wide, we’re bringing you their conversation on the radio waves this morning.

Guests:

Meka Egwuekwe | Co-Founder & Executive Director of Code Crew (moderator)

Anthony Young | President & CEO of Epicenter Memphis

Ido Sairig I Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation at The University of Memphis

Gwyn Fisher I Chief Economic Development Officer for The Greater Memphis Chamber

Trey Moore | Senior Small Business Specialist at EDGE Memphis