Good Neighbor Podcast: TN-WNC-SWVA

Skip Mauney

Bringing together local businesses and neighbor of the TN-WNC-SWVA region. Good Neighbor Podcast hosted by Skip Mauney helps residents discover and connect with your local business owners in and around The TN-WNC-SWVA.Is your business serving the residents of TN-WNC-SWVA? Then, we need to talk! Visit gnpTri-Cities.com to schedule your free interview.

Episodes

  1. EP# 375: From Lost Sheep To Dream Center: How A Local Ministry Feeds Families, Supports Seniors, And Protects Widows

    FEB 5

    EP# 375: From Lost Sheep To Dream Center: How A Local Ministry Feeds Families, Supports Seniors, And Protects Widows

    Quiet service changes cities. That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with Pastor Paul Harris, founder of Knoxville Dream Center and leader of Lost Sheep Ministry, as we trace how a weekly meal under a bridge became a countywide network feeding families, supporting seniors, and standing up for widows. Pastor Paul shares the practical systems that keep this work moving—rescue food partnerships with Second Harvest, neighborhood distributions in low income, low access areas, and tight coordination with more than 80 school social workers who treat the Dream Center as a first call because it’s simple and fast. We dig into the Nehemiah Projects, where the team prioritizes widows’ home repairs, from minor plumbing and electrical fixes to coordinating trustworthy pros for full HVAC replacements. The Dream Center acts as an advocate and project manager so pricing stays fair and work gets done right. Along the way, Pastor Paul tackles common misconceptions about feeding programs head‑on, explaining why most recipients are seniors, children under 17, or people living with disabilities, and why no one waits an hour in line unless the need is real. Rescue food prevents waste. Direct delivery reduces barriers. Feeding a child is not enabling—it’s essential. What stands out most is the philosophy: consistency over credit. If there’s a pair of shoes in the warehouse, they get to someone who needs them—no stage, no spectacle. We talk about how that quiet reliability scales impact, how Lost Sheep helped birth the Dream Center and how the “child now cares for the parent,” and how a simple app and website make it easy for volunteers and partners to plug in. You’ll leave with a clear view of what effective community care looks like and concrete steps to help, whether you’re an individual or a local business ready to contribute. If this story moved you, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review. Ready to serve? Explore volunteer shifts and partnerships at knoxvilledreamcenter.org or on the app, then sign up and show up.

    16 min
  2. EP# 374: Inside Knoxville’s First Alcohol-Free Bar And The Kombucha Brand Behind It

    FEB 5

    EP# 374: Inside Knoxville’s First Alcohol-Free Bar And The Kombucha Brand Behind It

    What if your best night out didn’t end with a headache, a blank memory, or a text you regret? We sit down with Frog Greishaw, founder of Frog Juice Kombucha and The Boocherie—to explore a bold reimagining of nightlife in Knoxville: all the music, comedy, and community you love, without the alcohol. Frog brings the perspective of a former bartender who quit drinking, then turned a personal shift into a public space where the drinks nourish your body and the conversations actually stick. We trace Frog’s journey from brewing kombucha in Chicago to opening a full-fledged alcohol-free bar in East Tennessee. Along the way, we unpack why kombucha and gut health belong in the same conversation as entertainment and first dates. Frog explains how the microbiome influences mood and immunity, why clean, readable ingredients matter, and how complex, craft flavors can satisfy the ritual of going out—glassware, garnishes, and all—without the fog. You’ll hear how artists love the clarity of a sober audience, how guests feel more at ease without the crutch of liquid courage, and why so many people simply want to stay alert and present. Rooted in a family legacy of farming, Frog also makes the case for local sourcing and transparency. We talk farmers’ markets, seasonal produce, and the pride of knowing exactly what’s in your glass. That farm-to-glass mindset meets a thriving arts calendar: live music, comedy, burlesque, and community events that prove alcohol-free equals fully alive. Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just craving a night off, this conversation offers a welcoming blueprint for healthier social life—and tastier drinks. If you enjoy the show, follow and share it with a friend. Subscribe for more local business stories, and leave a quick review to help others find us.

    10 min
  3. EP# 373: From Anxiety To Agency With Reflections Counseling

    JAN 19

    EP# 373: From Anxiety To Agency With Reflections Counseling

    Skip welcomes Jessica Cox, owner of Reflections Counseling Services, for a candid, myth-busting look at modern therapy that trades TV clichés for real tools that work. Jessica specializes in helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, healthy relationships, and major life transitions, and she explains why strength often looks like asking for help before life hits a breaking point. We explore what it means to build an “invisible toolbox” of coping skills, starting with grounding techniques that bring anxiety down to something workable. From there, Jessica walks us through cognitive behavioral therapy in plain language—how to spot distorted thinking, test assumptions, and rewrite the inner script that keeps old patterns alive. She also shares why she focuses on individual therapy rather than couples work, creating a space where people can speak unfiltered and move faster toward clarity and change. Her current pursuit of certification in narcissistic abuse recovery offers vital perspective for survivors who need validation, language for what happened, and steps to rebuild agency and boundaries. Beyond the clinical lens, we get to know Jessica’s love for nature, photography, and the office’s most popular teammate: Stevie, an English cream golden retriever who helps lower stress the moment clients walk in. Whether you’re a college student finding your footing or a midlife parent balancing everyone’s needs, you’ll find practical, compassionate guidance on how to navigate hard feelings without pretending they’ll vanish. Want to learn more or book a session—virtual or in-person with Stevie by your side? Visit www.reflectionscounseling.org. If this conversation helped you, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review so more neighbors can find the support they need.

    11 min
  4. EP# 372: From Mercantile Roots To Modern Hardware: How Leeper Hardware Serves Jefferson City With Faith, Fair Prices, And Hands-On Help

    JAN 19

    EP# 372: From Mercantile Roots To Modern Hardware: How Leeper Hardware Serves Jefferson City With Faith, Fair Prices, And Hands-On Help

    What if the best place to solve your toughest home project isn’t the biggest store in town, but the one that knows your name? We sit down with Brian Williams, third-generation owner of Leeper Hardware in Jefferson City, to trace a 1949 mercantile’s journey into a modern hardware, paint, rental, and outdoor power hub that still puts people first. From parts and service for Gravely and Husqvarna to hands-on guidance in every aisle, Brian explains how a local shop can match big box prices and outperform them on expertise and care. The conversation moves from family legacy to real-world tactics: price shopping competitors to keep parity, diversifying into rental equipment and repair services, and building a team that can diagnose problems at the counter. Brian shares the hard truth about the post‑COVID landscape—volatile prices, supply chain whiplash, and the daily discipline it takes to offer fair pricing without losing the mission. His story blends strategy and heart: a return from overseas mission work, a calling to serve the community through business, and a store culture where listening, problem-solving, and even praying with a neighbor are part of the job. You’ll hear how Leeper Hardware supports Jefferson City with practical solutions and a clear purpose. We dig into misconceptions about small hardware stores, why service depth matters more than aisle width, and how a strong local network becomes the best SEO any business can ask for. If you care about small business resilience, community-driven customer service, and the craft of getting things fixed right the first time, this conversation will resonate—and likely inspire your next visit to a local shop that still shows up for you. If this story moves you, follow the show, share it with a neighbor, and leave a quick review so more people can find local businesses worth supporting.

    11 min
  5. EP# 371: Inside Emotionally Focused Therapy For Couples: Healing Hearts

    JAN 16

    EP# 371: Inside Emotionally Focused Therapy For Couples: Healing Hearts

    Ever felt like the same argument keeps looping no matter how carefully you choose your words? We sit down with counselor and supervisor Dana Vince, owner of Healing Hearts Counseling, to unpack how Emotionally Focused Therapy helps couples break those cycles and rebuild real connection grounded in safety, clarity, and care. Dana shares the story behind growing from a solo practice in Florida to a thriving group practice in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina alongside her partner, Adam York. We dig into the EFT approach—what it is, why it’s backed by research, and how it moves beyond talk and into targeted change. Instead of playing referee, a skilled therapist maps the interactional patterns that fuel disconnection, helps partners name the softer emotions under anger or withdrawal, and guides them to reach for each other in new, effective ways. That shift—from blame to understanding—makes space for trust, intimacy, and lasting repair. We also tackle common myths about couples therapy, like the idea that a therapist will take sides or simply rehash last night’s fight. Dana explains how her team of fifteen clinicians creates a safe, nonjudgmental space while using structured interventions that clients can practice at home. Along the way, she offers a grounded reminder: every relationship struggles at times, and there’s no shame in asking for help. For those ready to learn more, Dana points to resources on her site and EFT literature that demystify the process and show what good couples work looks like day to day. If you’re curious about how to turn conflict into connection—whether you’re in crisis or just want a stronger bond—this conversation delivers practical insights and hope. Subscribe, share with a friend who could use encouragement, and leave a review to tell us what topic you want us to explore next.

    9 min
  • 5 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Bringing together local businesses and neighbor of the TN-WNC-SWVA region. Good Neighbor Podcast hosted by Skip Mauney helps residents discover and connect with your local business owners in and around The TN-WNC-SWVA.Is your business serving the residents of TN-WNC-SWVA? Then, we need to talk! Visit gnpTri-Cities.com to schedule your free interview.

Information

  • Creator
    Skip Mauney
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Good Neighbor Podcast: TN-WNC-SWVA