Unscripted TN

Jeremy Rivera
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We're talking with businesses all across the Volunteer state, learning about their history, challenges and victories

Episodes

  1. FEB 13

    Exploring Cookeville TN

    If you live or run a small business in Cookeville, then this is a good quick episode for you!  Show Notes: Cookeville's Hidden History Links mentioned in this episode: Need a quality driveway? Learn more about asphalt residential driveways from J's Driveways Putnam County Library  Cookeville History Museum Historical Timeline: 1854: Major Richard Cooke surveys the area 1890: Tennessee Central Railway arrives 1893: Jere Whitson develops West Side 1909: Tennessee Tech (University of Dixie) founded 1930s: Cream City Ice Cream Company operations Featured Locations: Historic Downtown Square Tennessee Tech University Historic West Side District Broad Street Historic District

    2 min

  2. FEB 11

    From Backyard to Self-Sufficiency: Rethinking Modern Homesteading with Ryan Steva

    Episode Description: Join host Jeremy Rivera as he sits down with Ryan Steva, founder of The Homestead Consultant, to explore how modern homesteading can work for everyone - from apartment dwellers to large property owners. Ryan shares his journey from a life-changing health crisis to becoming a Cookeville area home inspector and homesteading consultant, offering practical insights on sustainable living, energy independence, and building resilient systems. Show Notes: [00:01] - Introduction to Ryan Steva and The Homestead Consultant [00:37] - Ryan explains his approach to homesteading and working with clients [01:17] - Discussion of modern homesteading: from urban spaces to full properties [03:04] - Ryan shares his first gardening experience and learning from failure and challenges of being a Cookeville service area business [04:42] - Deep dive into problems with current food systems [07:12] - Ryan's personal health crisis and discovering food as medicine [11:24] - Breakdown of different homesteading areas (food, energy, permaculture) [13:36] - Detailed explanation of permaculture design principles [14:33] - Discussion of efficient farming systems and soil management [21:18] - Practical approaches to home energy production [23:12] - Creative solutions for direct solar applications [29:03] - Emergency preparedness vs. practical skills development [31:07] - Inside look at Ryan's consultation process [34:25] - Key skills for beginning homesteaders [39:13] - Information about classes and how to connect with Ryan Featured Links: Website: thehomesteadconsultant.com YouTube Channel: The Homestead Consultant Key Topics: Modern homesteading approaches Sustainable agriculture practices Direct solar applications Permaculture design principles Emergency preparedness Skill development for beginners Guest Contact: Ryan Steva offers free classes in the Tennessee area (including Sparta, Cookeville, Spencer, and Lebanon) and can be reached through his website thehomesteadconsultant.com Referenced Podcasts & resources: Jack Sherell, Cookeville's The Asphalt Team Save Fry Oil - A commercial restaurant cost savings company

    41 min

  3. SEP 24

    Paving Excellence: Interview With The Asphalt Team's Jack Sherrell

    # Episode 1: The Asphalt Team's Jackson Sherrell on Quality, Growth, and Community On this episode of Unscripted TN, we sit down with Jackson Sherrell, a seasoned professional in asphalt maintenance and a true local success story. With over 30 years in the business, Jackson shares insights into growing a local business into a multi-state operation while maintaining small-town values and quality standards. ## Guest Information - **Name**: Jackson Sherrell - **Company**: The Asphalt Team - **Website**: [theasphaltteam.com](https://theasphaltteam.com) - **Commercial Service Area**: Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Georgia, and Alabama -** Driveway Service Area: Sparta, Cookeville   Referenced Resources: How to tell your driveay needs repairs Driveways improve your home value 20 Years of experience in Driveways, based in Cookeville Expert Driveway service Oklahoma Heat, Air, and Refrigeration in Oklahoma City Why experience matters in asphalt contracting The science behind great driveways ## Episode Highlights - The evolution of The Asphalt Team from a small seal coating operation in 1990 to managing over 5 million square feet of asphalt annually - How proper asphalt maintenance can double the life of your pavement - The direct correlation between parking lot appearance and business success - The company's expansion into pickleball and tennis court specialization - Jackson's commitment to maintaining relationships with local residential customers despite regional growth ## Key Quotes from the Episode "People want to do business where business is being done." - Jackson shares this wisdom from "Crown Charlie," explaining how property appearance directly impacts business success. "If you'll seal asphalt and keep it in good condition, repair any major cracks and things like that to prevent further water damage, you'll double the life of that asphalt." "We really try to do it as if each one of those projects, regardless of the price, if it was a small driveway or a large parking lot, we do it as if it was my lot." ## Featured Q&A Segments **On Quality Standards:** Q: "I've seen there's a wide spectrum of quality when it comes to asphalt jobs. I'd say you're on the higher end. Is that correct?" A: Jackson explained how they mix their own materials with specific chemicals and sand, going beyond the standard practice of simply adding water to sealer. This attention to detail is especially crucial for high-traffic commercial areas. **On Customer Education:** Q: "If I was looking to bid out or to look into doing a job. Is there anything that I should educate myself as a consumer to know?" A: Jackson emphasized that not all products and processes are the same, encouraging customers to look beyond just the lowest bid and understand the value pro...

    22 min
  • 3 Episodes

About

We're talking with businesses all across the Volunteer state, learning about their history, challenges and victories

Information

  • Creator
    Jeremy Rivera
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Unscripted TN