The Tennessee History Nerd

John
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  • HISTORY

A long-form, research-driven podcast exploring the people, places, and stories that shaped Tennessee history—one county, one legend, one narrative at a time.

Episodes

  1. 2D AGO

    TTHN Ep 6 - Damn the Torpedoes

    Send us your comments. We'd love to hear what you think about the episode! There are moments in history that become larger than life—reduced to a single phrase, a single decision, a single flash of action. “Damn the torpedoes.” But behind that moment is a life shaped long before Mobile Bay. In this episode, we trace the full arc of Admiral David Glasgow Farragut—from his beginnings along the Tennessee River near Campbell’s Station… to a childhood marked by loss… to a life forged almost entirely at sea. By the time the Civil War began, Farragut was not an untested officer looking for opportunity. He was something far more dangerous—experienced, disciplined, and decisive. At New Orleans, he proved he would act. At Mobile Bay, he proved how. But this story is not just about a command shouted in battle. It is about: the weight of decisionthe cost of loyaltyand the kind of life that prepares a man to move forward when others hesitateBecause when the moment came… Farragut did not wait. He moved. Full speed ahead. Sources DeHaan, P. (n.d.). Damn the torpedoes: Farragut & USS Hartford: 158 years of service. Self-published. Farragut Museum. (n.d.). David Glasgow Farragut exhibits and interpretive materials. Farragut, TN. Tennessee Encyclopedia. (n.d.). David Glasgow Farragut. https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/david-glasgow-farragut/ Tennessee History for Kids. (n.d.). David Farragut. https://www.tnhistoryforkids.org/people/david_farragut American Battlefield Trust. (n.d.). Jorge Farragut. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/jorge-farragut Credits: Hosted by Big John Summers Produced by Summers Media Enterprises Follow & Support: Follow The Tennessee History Nerd on Facebook, Instagram, and X for additional content, including on-location videos and historical insights from around the state of Tennessee as well as other places that bear relevance. Support the show on Patreon for: Early access to episodesAd-free listeningExclusive bonus content, including full-length interviews🔗 Links  🎧 Support the show on Patreon (early access, bonus content, interviews): https://www.patreon.com/summersmediaenterprises 🧢 Merch & Apparel: https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch 🎤 Book John for Speaking Engagements: https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/speaking-engagements 📘 Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTennesseeHistoryNerd/ Premium tier Patreon subscribers have exclusive access to bonus content, including interviews that tell the stories behind the stories. We have great episodes coming your way in the month of April! Buy branded The Tennessee History Nerd merchandise at https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.

    40 min

  2. APR 6

    TTHN Ep 5 - The Talking Leaves

    Send us your comments. We'd love to hear what you think about the episode! Long before widespread literacy reached much of the world, one man accomplished something extraordinary. Sequoyah, a Cherokee silversmith with no formal education, created a written language for his people—transforming a primarily oral culture into a literate society in less than a generation. In this episode of The Tennessee History Nerd, we explore the life and legacy of Sequoyah, the development of the Cherokee syllabary, and the lasting impact of one of the most remarkable intellectual achievements in American history. But this story is more than invention—it’s about perseverance, identity, and the power of language to shape a people’s future. Because sometimes, the most enduring revolutions don’t come through force… but through understanding. Sources  Hoig, S. (1999). Sequoyah: The Cherokee genius. University of Tennessee Press. Tennessee Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Sequoyah; Monroe County. Retrieved from https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net Carey, B. (2015, June 1; updated 2022, November 1). Sequoyah—a great man whose life is shrouded in mystery. The Tennessee Magazine.Cherokee Nation. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cherokee.org Tennessee History for Kids. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.tnhistoryforkids.org Sequoyah Birthplace Museum. (n.d.). Interpretive materials and on-site exhibits. Rhodarmer, C. (2026, April 1). Personal interview. 🧠 Notes on Historical Interpretation Much of what we know about Sequoyah comes from a combination of written records and oral histories. As with many historical figures whose stories were preserved through oral tradition, there can be variation—and at times contradiction—among sources. This episode reflects a synthesis of widely accepted accounts, supported by available documentation and interpretive scholarship. Differences in narrative do not necessarily indicate error, but rather the complexity of reconstructing lives preserved across multiple traditions. 🎧 Bonus Content A full-length interview with Charlie Rhodarmer, director of the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, is available for premium supporters on Patreon. 🔗 Links & Support 🎧 Support the show on Patreon (early access, bonus content, interviews): https://www.patreon.com/c/SummersMediaEnterprises 🧢 Merch & Apparel: https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch 🎤 Book John for Speaking Engagements: https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/speaking-engagements 📘 Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTennesseeHistoryNerd/ Premium tier Patreon subscribers have exclusive access to bonus content, including interviews that tell the stories behind the stories. We have great episodes coming your way in the month of April! Buy branded The Tennessee History Nerd merchandise at https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.

    40 min

  3. MAR 30

    TTHN Ep 4 - Singing for Glory

    Send us your comments. We'd love to hear what you think about the episode! In the years after the Civil War, freedom had come—but stability had not. In Nashville, a small group of students at Fisk University faced an uncertain future. Their school was struggling. Resources were scarce. The path forward wasn’t clear. So they did something unexpected. They sang. What began as a desperate effort to raise funds became something far greater. The Fisk Jubilee Singers carried the spirituals of a people—songs born out of suffering, faith, and endurance—across the country and eventually across the world. In this episode of The Tennessee History Nerd, we tell the story of the Jubilee Singers—how they preserved a musical tradition, helped save their university, and introduced the world to a sound that could not be silenced. Because sometimes the most powerful voices rise not in comfort—but in hardship. So grab your favorite beverage, find a comfortable place, and listen to a story that was meant to be heard. Sources Reconstruction: America’s Unfinished Revolution, 1863–1877 — Foner, E. (1988). Harper & Row.The African-American History of Nashville, Tennessee, 1780–1930: Elites and Dilemmas — Lovett, B. L. (1999). University of Arkansas Press. https://www.uapress.com/product/the-african-american-history-of-nashville-tennessee-1780-1930/ Tennessee Encyclopedia — Mitchell, R. L., Jr. (2018). “Fisk University” https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/fisk-university/ Tennessee Encyclopedia — McKenzie, R. T. (2018). “Reconstruction” https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/reconstruction/ National Register of Historic Places — Jubilee Hall (Fisk University) (1971). U.S. Department of the Interior. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NHLS/71000817_text The Jubilee Singers and Their Campaign for Twenty Thousand Dollars — Pike, G. D. (1873). Lee and Shepard. https://library.si.edu/digital-library/book/jubileesingersth00pike Dark Midnight When I Rise: The Story of the Jubilee Singers — Ward, A. (2000). Farrar, Straus and Giroux.Links & Support Support the show on Patreon (early access, bonus content, interviews):  https://www.patreon.com/summersmediaenterprisesMerch & Apparel:  https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merchBook John for Speaking Engagements:  https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/speaking-engagementsFollow on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TheTennesseeHistoryNerd/ Premium tier Patreon subscribers have exclusive access to bonus content, including interviews that tell the stories behind the stories. We have great episodes coming your way in the month of April! Buy branded The Tennessee History Nerd merchandise at https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.

    42 min

  4. MAR 30

    TTHN Ep 3 - The LOST Resort

    Send us your comments. We'd love to hear what you think about the episode! There was a time when people traveled from across the region to a quiet corner of Tennessee—not for business, not for politics, but for healing. Tucked away in Warren County, Nicholson Springs Resort was once a thriving destination. Visitors came for the mineral waters, the scenery, and the promise of restoration. For a season, it flourished. And then… it was gone. In this episode of The Tennessee History Nerd, we uncover the story of Nicholson Springs Resort—how it rose, why it mattered, and how something so significant could seemingly disappear from memory. Because Tennessee isn’t just full of the stories we remember. It’s full of the ones we’ve forgotten. So grab your favorite beverage, find a comfortable place, and let’s go find what’s left of a place that time almost erased. Sources Summers, M. (1986). Nicholson Springs Resort Hotel: A Nineteenth-Century Spa. Tennessee Historical Quarterly, 45(3), 244–255. https://www.jstor.org/stable/42626611 Tennessee Encyclopedia (2023). Entries: “Historic Resorts” and “Warren County” https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net Links & Support Support the show on Patreon (early access, bonus content, interviews):  https://www.patreon.com/summersmediaenterprisesMerch & Apparel:  https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merchBook John for Speaking Engagements:  https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/speaking-engagementsFollow on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TheTennesseeHistoryNerd/ Premium tier Patreon subscribers have exclusive access to bonus content, including interviews that tell the stories behind the stories. We have great episodes coming your way in the month of April! Buy branded The Tennessee History Nerd merchandise at https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.

    34 min

  5. MAR 30

    TTHN Ep 2 - What's In a (Nick) Name?

    Send us your comments. We'd love to hear what you think about the episode! Why is Tennessee called the Volunteer State? It’s one of those names everyone recognizes—but not everyone really understands. The answer isn’t just a slogan or a bit of folklore. It’s a story rooted in moments when Tennesseans stepped forward—sometimes unexpectedly—and left a lasting mark on American history. In this episode of The Tennessee History Nerd, we trace the origins of Tennessee’s nickname and explore the events that helped define it. From early conflicts to pivotal turning points, we look at how the idea of “volunteerism” became part of the state’s identity—and why it still resonates today. Because sometimes a nickname isn’t just a name. It’s a legacy. So grab your favorite beverage, find a comfortable place, and let’s dig into the story behind Tennessee’s most famous title. Sources Tennessee Encyclopedia — https://tennesseeencyclopedia.netTennessee Blue BookTennessee History for Kids — https://www.tnhistoryforkids.org Links & Support Support the show on Patreon (early access, bonus content, interviews):  https://www.patreon.com/summersmediaenterprisesMerch & Apparel:  https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merchBook John for Speaking Engagements:  https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/speaking-engagementsFollow on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TheTennesseeHistoryNerd/ Premium tier Patreon subscribers have exclusive access to bonus content, including interviews that tell the stories behind the stories. We have great episodes coming your way in the month of April! Buy branded The Tennessee History Nerd merchandise at https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.

    25 min

  6. MAR 30

    TTHN Ep 1 - Sweet 16

    Send us your comments. We'd love to hear what you think about the episode! In 1796, Tennessee became the 16th state in the Union—but that moment didn’t come easily. Before statehood, this land was a rugged frontier—marked by scattered settlements, political uncertainty, and a determined push toward self-government. The people here weren’t waiting around for permission. They were building something. In this first episode of The Tennessee History Nerd, we step back into that world to trace Tennessee’s path to statehood—how it happened, who made it happen, and why it still matters today. Because Tennessee didn’t just join the Union—it earned its place in it. So grab your favorite beverage, find a comfortable place, and let’s go back to where it all began. Sources Tennessee Encyclopedia — https://tennesseeencyclopedia.netTennessee Blue BookTennessee History for Kids — https://www.tnhistoryforkids.org Links & Support Support the show on Patreon (early access, bonus content, interviews): https://www.patreon.com/summersmediaenterprisesMerch & Apparel: https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merchBook John for Speaking Engagements: https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/speaking-engagementsFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTennesseeHistoryNerd/ Premium tier Patreon subscribers have exclusive access to bonus content, including interviews that tell the stories behind the stories. We have great episodes coming your way in the month of April! Buy branded The Tennessee History Nerd merchandise at https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.

    32 min

  7. MAR 30

    TTHN Ep 0 - Introduction

    Send us your comments. We'd love to hear what you think about the episode! Welcome to The Tennessee History Nerd. This podcast is a labor of love—an exploration of the places, people, and stories that make Tennessee what it is. From quiet cemeteries and forgotten landmarks to well-known events seen in a new light, this project is built on the belief that history isn’t distant… it’s all around us. In this introductory episode, I share where this journey begins, what shaped my interest in Tennessee history, and what you can expect as we move forward. At its core, this podcast is built on five ideas: Resurrection, Recollection, Rectification, Relationships, and Responsibility. It’s about bringing forgotten stories back to life, revisiting the ones we think we know, restoring depth where it’s been lost, connecting people to the places around them, and preserving these stories so they don’t disappear. This is Tennessee’s story—told one place, one person, one moment at a time. If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of the Volunteer State.

    8 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

A long-form, research-driven podcast exploring the people, places, and stories that shaped Tennessee history—one county, one legend, one narrative at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    John
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Summers Media Enterprises, LLC
  • Show Website
    The Tennessee History Nerd

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