Tea Thyme with J.J.

J.J. Pershing-Francis
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

Join J.J. Pershing for unfiltered talk with a variety of guests, and weekly episodes packed with real advice, fresh perspectives, and relatable stories.

Episodes

  1. 11/03/2025

    Episode 8 - "Matthew DeBardelaben: Standing up for Knoxville’s Spirit"

    Guest: Matthew DeBardelaben, Candidate for Knoxville City Council – District 4 In this week’s episode of Tea Thyme with J.J., we sit down with commercial real estate broker and Knoxville City Council candidate Matthew DeBardelaben for a thoughtful, grounded conversation about what it really means to serve as a fiduciary - not just in business, but in community life. Matthew shares how his background in commercial real estate shapes his approach to growth, infrastructure, and accountability. And how the same principles of trust, stewardship, and long-term vision can help Knoxville navigate its next chapter. We talk about the proposed ½-cent special-option sales-tax increase, what responsible development looks like for a city on the rise, and how to keep our neighborhoods safe, supported, and sustainable without losing that unmistakable Knoxville spirit that makes this place home. 💬 Walk the Talk. Civic-minded Responsibility. Knoxville Spirit. 🔗 Learn more at https://www.matthewforknoxville.com #Knoxville #CommunityGrowth #LocalVoices #TeaThymeWithJJ

    52 min

  2. 10/15/2025

    Episode 7 - "Maggie Tharp's e.p., 'Love, Maggie': Mountains, Music, and the Art of Showing Up"

    In this episode, J.J. sits down with Knoxville musician, Maggie Tharp, to talk about her brand-new EP, 'Love, Maggie' — a musical love letter to her family, friends, and listeners. The record carries themes of driving long distances and the pull of majestic mountainous landscapes, reflecting Maggie’s life across Colorado, North Carolina, and now Tennessee —places where, like J.J., she’s discovered that deep sense of “home” that echoes through her heart and hums beneath every song. The two explore the creative process, goal-setting and procrastination simultaneously, and what it means to keep showing up for everyone else while learning to show up for yourself. At the heart of the episode is Maggie’s song, “The Sea,”  where she sings: “I called my own bluff before I even got started;I kept pushing it off like I was some kind of martyr;and when the going got rough, I admit that I faltered;I was made for the sea, and still I fear the water.” 🎶 Episode Flow & Music Credits 🎵 0:00 — Maggie Tharp – “Your Song’s The Same As Mine”🎵 4:00 — Shayla McDaniel – “Wild Dreamer”🎵 7:43 — Kelsi Walker – “Shoes”🎙️ 12:10 — Conversation with Maggie Tharp🎵 59:00 — Maggie Tharp – “The Sea”🎵 1:03:36 — Maggie Tharp – “Shed My Tears”🎵 1:07:41 — Maggie Tharp – “Your Song’s The Same As Mine”🎵 1:11:40 — Maggie Tharp – “Northern Hwy”🎙️ 1:16:28 — Conversation with Maggie Tharp🎵 1:45:45 — Maggie Tharp – “Highway Love” ✨ All Maggie Tharp tracks featured in this episode are from her new e.p. , 'Love, Maggie', now streaming on Spotify . Music flows before, between, and after the interview segments — so feel free to linger through the closing track for the full journey. Thank you for tuning in to, 'Tea Time with J & J.'

    1h 50m

  3. 08/21/2025

    Episode 6 - "Becki Grace Livingston: Enigmatic Kayaking and "Songs by the Brook"

    Episode 6 - We sit down with the incomparable Becki Grace Livingston — singer, songwriter, radio host, and licensed professional counselor — for a conversation as raw as it is inspiring. The episode opens with a song, “Haunted by Tom Petty” by 3 Mile Smile, the band Becki Grace once shared with her late husband, Jeff. The video for the track — filmed at Lost and Found Records in North Knoxville with cameos from some of Knoxville’s favorite local music scenesters — captured a vibrant moment in their shared musical journey. But after Jeff’s tragic passing in 2021, Becki Grace is navigating a life reshaped by grief, resilience, and rediscovery. Our talk winds through her work as a mental health practitioner, the conversations she even has with her own therapist, and the unvarnished truths of adapting to “life after.” She gifts us a pair of unreleased songs midway through the episode and talks about her own brand of joyful defiance — how memories of Jeff spark lyrics at unexpected times, like in the middle of the night or while driving — and how the muscle memory of making music keeps carrying her forward. Becki Grace will be performing live at Songs By the Brook in Blount County on Thursday, August 21 at 6 pm — don’t miss the chance to experience her artistry in person.

    1h 48m

  4. 08/10/2025

    Episode 5 - “Breathe In, Let Go: Feral Kitty’s Sonic Liberation”

    Episode 5 - “Breathe In, Let Go: Feral Kitty’s Sonic Liberation” Join us this week as our guest, Christina Horn—aka Feral Kitty—takes us deep into the art of letting go and embracing your own frequency. With her latest single “Breathe In,” Christina shows us how to hold it together when life’s on the edge, keeping her mind anchored against self-doubt’s high tides. We dig into her DIY ethos—how she’s becoming her best mixing and mastering engineer, taking full ownership of her creative sound. It’s a raw rebellion against perfectionism and the paralysis of people-pleasing, flavored with a dash of Buddhism and a little help from her friends. She shout’s out Knoxville’s Meditation and Modern Buddhism meet-up, where she finds community and stillness, and we dive into how her love of being on stage did not start out so lovingly. Christina proudly plants her performance artistry freak-flag in a landscape dominated by Americana, nurturing her own vibrant corner for the avant-garde to shine. Tune in for a poetic, self-deprecatingly silly, and honest conversation about confidence, creativity, and claiming your weirdness—and maybe exhaling a little easier afterward.

    1h 33m

  5. 07/20/2025

    Episode 4 - "Petals, Purpose & Saturn Returns"

    🌿 Episode 4 – “Petals, Purpose & Saturn Returns” In this fragrant and free-flowing episode of Tea Thyme with J&J, we welcome a fellow Radio KCM voice to the mic — the radiant Megan Lillie, host of Morning Morning (Sundays, 8–10am). Megan brings her green-thumbed wisdom from South Knoxville’s beloved Stanley’s Greenhouse and spills the (organic) tea on all things botanical. We talk flowers, herbs, essential oils, and even the wild world of weeds — the good, the bad, and the downright persistent. The convo meanders like a country garden path, touching on the quality of our tap water, the part landscaping plays in real estate investments, and whether Saturn is rising, returning, or just reminding us to get our lives in order. This episode is a full bouquet of curiosity, laughter, and heartfelt reflection. It’s about how we grow — in soil, in soul, and in seasons — and how we hope to age with joy, intention, and a little dirt under our fingernails.

    1h 42m

  6. 07/13/2025

    Episode 3 – “Onion Rings, Diplomacy & Sibling Chaos”

    Episode 3 – “Onion Rings, Diplomacy & Sibling Chaos” Tea Thyme with J & J | Aired June 22, 2025 This week, J.J. and Jocelyn serve up a full plate — starting with the U.S. bombing in Iran and Trump’s bold Truth Social post declaring, “NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE.” J.J. compares it to sibling antics, where you poke the bear then run to grandma shouting “truce!” before the smack lands. From there, it’s a sharp left turn into National Onion Ring Day and National Kissing Day — because of course it is. We chat about our favorite rings (the fried kind), quesadillas, and J.J.’s favorite crunchy cheese sandwiches, inspired by Mimi’s Cafe's French Quarter burger. We wrap with real estate wisdom: why agents should know the backstory on flipped homes, one homeowner's experience with HD's water testing interrogators, and a few of our own tips on bedding, cleaning, and domestic woes. It’s thoughtful, tasty, and just a little petty — the perfect blend for Tea Thyme.

    1h 32m

  7. 06/18/2025

    Episode 2

    🍵 Episode 2: Father's Day Feels, Foot Pain & Flooring Fixes On this special Father’s Day episode of Tea Thyme with J & J, we’re digging deep — not just into the headlines, but into our hearts. We open the conversation with an honest look at men’s mental health, sharing powerful stats, lived experiences, and personal reflections on how our own fathers — whether present, absent, loving, or lacking — shaped our emotional landscape. This one gets personal, and it gets real. Then, we pivot to what’s under our feet — literally — as we talk about the growing trend of luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring. From real estate upgrades to aching feet, we explore how flooring choices affect our joints, posture, and pain, especially in homes built on concrete slabs. Homeowners, listen up — your knees might thank you. We also sip on a little current events tea, with thoughts on the recent military parade, the wave of protests, and the bigger questions about patriotism, spending priorities, and who gets heard in America. It’s one part personal journey, one part health chat, one part real estate tip jar — and all steeped in truth.

    1h 37m

  8. 06/13/2025

    Episode 1

    In this kickoff episode, J & J dive into how to tell the difference between stress, anxiety, depression, and perimenopause — and why so many women struggle to sort it out. We talk about common symptoms, vitamins and supplements that may help, and how sleep and self-care play a role in mental health. Then we lighten it up with skydiving plans, fast food cravings (hello, In-N-Out Animal Fries & Freddie’s Steakburgers), and why our hilarious chats with ChatGPT keep us sane. Real conversations on women's health, wellness, and life — with plenty of laughs along the way.

    1h 40m
  • 8 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Join J.J. Pershing for unfiltered talk with a variety of guests, and weekly episodes packed with real advice, fresh perspectives, and relatable stories.

Information

  • Creator
    J.J. Pershing-Francis
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © J.J. Pershing-Francis
  • Show Website
    Tea Thyme with J.J.