State & Beale: a Tennessee podcast

Toby Sells
  • 4.8 (6)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

Tennessee lifestyles: food and drink, music, the outdoors, travel, people, the arts, places, crafts, home and garden, fashion, events, and more. Anything that makes Tennessee, Tennessee. If Tennessee culture is on display, that's where State & Beale will be.

  1. Jun 7

    True Tennessee Stories: The Great Western Land Pirate

    Every year, the Tennessee State Museum brings out a severed human thumb for the public to see.According to legend, it belonged to John Murrell, the infamous Tennessee outlaw once known as the Great Western Land Pirate.But who was John Murrell really?A criminal mastermind who led a vast secret organization called the Mystic Clan? A river outlaw whose hidden treasure inspired Mark Twain and Tom Sawyer? Or simply a horse thief and slave thief whose legend grew larger than life?In this episode of True Tennessee Stories, we explore the strange and fascinating tale of John Murrell, including the preserved thumb, the missing skull, the treasure hunters, the Mark Twain connection, and the question historians are still debating nearly 200 years later:How much of John Murrell was real… and how much was legend?CHAPTERS0:00 The Severed Thumb1:14 The Great Western Land Pirate2:51 The Slave Thief3:42 The Mystic Clan5:59 Mark Twain’s Outlaw7:12 Murrell’s Lost Gold8:46 The Thumb and the Missing Skull10:04 Did America Invent John Murrell?

    11 min

  2. May 28

    True Tennessee Stories: Murderous Mary

    In 1916, a circus elephant named Mary killed a handler during a parade in Kingsport, Tennessee. What happened next shocked the nation. Under pressure from angry crowds and fearful towns, the circus transported Mary to Erwin, Tennessee, where thousands gathered to watch one of the strangest and darkest events in Tennessee history: the public execution of an elephant using a railroad crane. More than a century later, the story of “Murderous Mary” still haunts East Tennessee — raising questions about justice, spectacle, fear, cruelty, and how people once treated animals in America. In this episode of True Tennessee Stories, longtime Tennessee journalist Toby Sells tells the bizarre true story of Murderous Mary. #Tennessee #TrueCrime #History #Appalachia #CircusHistory #MurderousMary #Elephant #TrueStories

    7 min

  3. Apr 7

    New Tennessee State Symbol: Cast Iron

    Cast iron isn’t just cookware in Tennessee — it’s history, culture, and family. In this episode of State & Beale, I sit down with Scott Selliers, one of the people behind a the push to make cast iron the official frontier cookware of Tennessee. From a Rotary meetings to the State Capitol, what started as a simple idea between friends made its way all the way to the governor’s desk. We talk about: How the bill came together Why cast iron matters across all three Grand Divisions The culture and stories behind it And yes… how to actually take care of cast iron (myths included) State & Beale — Tennessee stories that help communities feel like destinations.

    19 min

  4. 11/06/2025

    Jackson Morgan Southern Cream

    Jackson Morgan Southern Cream makes delicious Tennessee whiskey liqueur. The Fayetteville company has had products on store shelves since around 2014. Its products are now in nearly 40 states from Maine to Florida, and Montana to Texas. Jackson Morgan Southern Cream has flavors for nearly every palette. They have Banana Pudding, Orange Creme, and its Salted Caramel, which has a cult-like following. On this episode, we talk with Morgan Weinstock, whose family created the brand. She works for the company and she is one half of Jackson Morgan's namesake. For more information: www.sipjacksonmorgan.com

    19 min

  5. 06/13/2025

    East Nash Grass!

    White-hot bluegrass band  @EastNashGrass  heads out on tour this summer, promoting their new record, “All God’s Children.” It's due in August. We also have cuts from our spring issue. We have a look at Benton County, the outdoor paradise. And was Merriwether Lewis killed on the Natchez Trace?

    26 min

  6. 02/28/2025

    American Eagle Foundaiton, Hagy's Catfish Hotel, and the Great Indoors

    This episode showcases: • Hagy's Catfish Hotel, a historic family-run restaurant serving Southern cuisine on the banks of the Tennessee River • The American Eagle Foundation in Kodak, Tennessee. Jessica Hall, the Executive Director of the foundation, talks about their vital work in conserving and protecting American bald eagles, highlighted by appearances of their well-known eagles, Lincoln and Challenger, at national events. • Also, we recommend three great indoor experiences to enjoy in Tennessee during winter — King's Dining and Entertainment in Franklin, The Discovery Center of America in Union City, and Xperian in Sevierville.

    26 min

  7. 01/15/2025

    "Off-Road Disneyland" - Winter Wonderland @ Windrock

    Winter Wonderland is a massive group trail ride happening this weekend at Windrock Park near Oak Ridge. Sean Clark is the lead guide for Venture Unknown, the company hosting the event. He calls Windrock Park "off-road Disneyland." Easy to see why .Windrock is the largest privately held off-road park in America. It sits on 73,000 acres and has about 300 miles of trails. I'll also bring you some selections from the Winter Issue of State & Beale, including our gift guide and tell you why the Tennessee State Capitol Building has tombs.

    22 min

  8. 10/03/2024

    Drew Holcomb

    Our first issue is out on stand right now! Head over to stateabdbeale.com to subscribe. In that issue, you'll find my great conversation with Tennessee musician, Drew Holcomb. We talk about his new record, "Strangers No More Vol. 2" and the success of "Strangers No More Vol.1." We also talk about Tennessee state pride and his anthem (and love letter) to the state, a song called "Tennessee."

    16 min
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4.8
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About

Tennessee lifestyles: food and drink, music, the outdoors, travel, people, the arts, places, crafts, home and garden, fashion, events, and more. Anything that makes Tennessee, Tennessee. If Tennessee culture is on display, that's where State & Beale will be.

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