Meanwhile in Memphis is a program dedicated to conversations that celebrate the organizations, initiatives, and people that are shaping Memphis for the better. Meanwhile in Memphis is brought to you by New Memphis, an organization whose mission is develop, activate, and retain the city's most important resource - its people! ]]>
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August 11, 202633 min
S6E32 - Memphis is Protecting and Preserving Green Spaces
Memphis is made vibrant by its green spaces and the wildlife that inhabit them. Those spaces exist, and wildlife populations persist thanks in part to the organizations dedicated to protecting and preserving them, including today's guests from Ducks Unlimited and Wolf River Conservancy. From Ducks Unlimited's work conserving more than 20 million acres of waterfowl habitat across North America to Wolf River Conservancy's work planting more than 60,000 trees and protecting upwards of 20,000 acres of land, there's a lot to unpack in today's conversation. Joining us from Ducks Unlimited is Chief Operating Officer Karen Waldrop, and joining from Wolf River Conservancy is Chief Conservation Officer Ryan Hall.
August 4, 202624 min
S6E31 - Collaboration Helps Memphis Students Succeed
A proven model of success is helping students in Memphis persist to graduation and launch careers in the Mid-South thanks to an impact-driven collaboration between tnAchieves and MDRC. Listen in to learn how a state-wide program is taking a tailored approach to help students in Memphis succeed!Guests:
Krissy DeAlejandro (tnAchieves)
Sonia Drohojowska (MDRC).
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
tnAchieves
MDRC
MEMcomplete
MDRC Post Secondary focus
Tennessee Promise
Slingshot Memphis
MEMworks
Southwest Tennessee Community College
Previous Meanwhile in Memphis episodes on related topics can be found here , here , here , here , and here
This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.
July 28, 202654 min
S6E30 - Nonprofits Help Make Memphis Magnetic (re-air)
Whether it's Giving Tuesday or just a regular Tuesday, nonprofits play a vital role in the Memphis community. The 901 is repeatedly ranked as one of the most philanthropic cities in the U.S., but is everyone clear on what a nonprofit is? Why do they matter? This conversation covers the fundamentals of nonprofits: What makes these organizations unique? Who governs them? How do they operate? We’re getting answers to all of these questions and more with Tennessee Nonprofit Network's Kevin Dean.This episode originally aired on December 4, 2024.Resources mentioned in this episode include:
Tennessee Nonprofit Network
"I was told there would be snacks..." A Nonprofit Podcast
Hope House
Literacy Midsouth
National Council of Nonprofits
University of Memphis' Institute for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership
CARES Act 2020
Memphis Zoo
Arrow Creative
Hattiloo Theatre
Children's Museum of Memphis
LiveGive MidSouth
Community Foundation
Volunteer Odyssey
New Memphis activation work
This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.
July 21, 202643 min
S6E29 - Memphis is a Hope-Driven City
The challenges of daily life aren't organized by a single department or eligibility category, so it stands to reason that the resources shouldn't be siloed either. Today's conversation digs into a statewide initiative to create an easily accessible solution for Tennesseans. Here to share more about the Human Flourishing Initiative are David Jordan and Jeff Piker.
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
Agape Memphis
Restore Hope
Human Flourishing Initiative
Science of Hope
Powerlines Community Network
HopeHub
The Tennessee Governor's Faith-Based and Community Initiative
Tennessee Division of Labor and Workforce Development
Memphis Leaders Unite Around New Human Flourishing Initiative
Memphis Hope Summit
One By One Ministries
Porter Leath
Hope Research Center at University of Oklahoma
This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.
July 14, 202659 min
S6E28 - Revisiting Celebrate What's Right: Record of Success
Renowned as the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll and home to blues, soul, and hip-hop icons, Memphis’s role in global music influence is undeniable. The music ecosystem in Memphis contributes significantly to the local economy — to the tune of $720+ million. Beyond the economic impact of the ecosystem itself, music has the power to be a significant source of social and cultural value.
As decades change and musical tastes shift, some are left asking what the future holds for this music city. Today’s conversation will feature music industry giants sharing how leaders are ensuring the industry is thriving for both artists and the city’s economy,
This conversation originally took place as a live event on June 18, 2026, as part of New Memphis’ Celebrate What’s Right series and was made possible by Tennessee Valley Authority and Kroger.
Today’s conversation features Jared "Jay B." Boyd of WYXR as moderator, and the panelists are:
Elizabeth Cawein I Music Export Memphis
Nykesha Cole I City of Memphis - Office of Creative & Cultural Economy
Boo Mitchell | Royal Studios
Brandon Seavers | Memphis Record Pressing
Gebre Waddell I Sound Credit
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
WYXR
The City of Memphis - Office of Creative and Cultural Economy
Memphis Record Pressing
Sound Credit
Royal Studios
Music Export Memphis
Music Ecosystem Fund
Code Crew
Previous episodes relating to the content featured in this conversation include: S5E51 , S5E46 , S5E33 , S5E16
J Brooks Coffee
Willie Mitchell
Americana Fest
Sam Phillips Studio
UNAPOLOGETIC. Studio
Memphis Magnetic Studio
Memphis Grammy Chapter
Hernando's Hideaway
Minglewood Hall
MEM's Merchandise Fund
The Levitt Foundation
Grind City Amp
Joe's Records in Wolfchase Galleria
This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.
July 7, 202634 min
S6E27 - Memphis is Innovating Through Collaboration
In Memphis, innovation and collaboration go hand in hand. Explore what that looks like at a civic level with Innovate Memphis and The City of Memphis' innovation team.
Guests:
Jessica Lotz (Innovate Memphis)
Jasmine Worles (The City of Memphis)
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
The City of Memphis i-team
Innovate Memphis
Binghampton Business Center
Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation
"City Hall on the Go" examples in Boston and Raleigh
This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.
June 30, 202636 min
S6E26 - Celebrating Changemakers (Past and Present)
Memphis isn't simply hoping for a bright future; we're creating the blueprint for success! Explore how collaboration is preparing a new generation to take an active role in historic preservation and the future of social justice with Arlinda Fair Cathey (National Civil Rights Museum) and Sam O'Bryant (BRIDGES USA).
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
Bayard Rustin Institute at the National Civil Rights Museum
National Civil Rights Museum
BRIDGES USA
Rustin Social Change Fellowship
Bridge Builders
Youth Action Center
Team BRIDGES
The Little Rock 9
The Memphis 13
The Memphis State 8
1963 March on Washington
Rustin Lecture Series
Micah Memphis
John Lewis
Bayard Rustin
Montgomery Bus Boycott
The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.
June 23, 202638 min
S6E25 - Memphis Makes Art Work
Memphis is a vibrant city that is home to artists and creatives in every medium. Crosstown Arts is an organization that is reshaping creative and economic opportunities for artists while providing Memphians with new opportunities to experience art in every form.
In today's episode, hear from two areas of Crosstown Arts -- Crosstown Sync and the Crosstown Artist Residency -- and learn how they are helping to ensure creatives can have thriving careers in Memphis.
Guests:
Charles Seaton (Crosstown Arts)
Dr. Christine Sears (Crosstown Arts)
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
Crosstown Arts
Crosstown Arts Music & Artist Services
Crosstown Sync
Crosstown Artist Residency
Memphis Music Strategy Report
Greater Memphis Chamber
Memphis Record Pressing
Music Export Memphis
Hyde Family Foundation
ARTSmemphis
Shared Art Making at Crosstown
mas@crosstownarts.org
Hear from real leaders making a real impact in Memphis each week on the Meanwhile in Memphis podcast! Meanwhile in Memphis conversations connect changemakers and community leaders who make Memphis a vibrant place to live, work, and play.
Created and produced by New Memphis.
Powered by Independent Bank.
June 16, 202634 min
S6E24 - Unlocking Community Impact with MICR and Memphis Rox
Investments in youth sports are unlocking community impact in Memphis! Degan Mesler (Memphis Inner City Rugby) and Becky Erickson (Memphis Rox) share how the use of "sport as a vehicle" is creating pathways for success for both individuals and neighborhoods.
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
Memphis Inner City Rugby
Memphis Rox
Teach for America Memphis
Project Green Fork
Clean Memphis
Food Desert
Soulsville Charter School
Moore Tech
Jay Uiberall Foundation
Girls Inc
Youth Connect Mental Health Support
UT Health Hub
Tech901
Sister Supply
LeMoyne Owen College
This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.
June 8, 202629 min
S6E23 - Collaborator Episode: The Sidebar with Eric Barnes
Memphis is THE place for collaboration, and our friends at The Daily Memphian recently invited New Memphis President & CEO Anna Mullins Ellis to their studio for an episode of their podcast, The Sidebar, which is hosted by The Daily Memphian CEO, Eric Barnes. We are thrilled to have such collaborative partners on the airwaves, and we’ll be airing their conversation today!
Host: Eric Barnes
Guest: Anna Mullins Ellis
This conversation originally aired here as an Episode of The Sidebar with Eric Barnes on May 18, 2026.
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