This week, Chris Thomas and Winston Cruze pull up their rocking chairs and dig into one of the South’s most beloved - and now most controversial - institutions: Cracker Barrel. From rocking chairs on the front porch to hashbrown casserole on Sunday mornings, the Barrel has always been a Southern staple. But lately? Well, let’s just say some of their recent brand changes have folks scratching their heads (and not because of the peg game).

Chris and Winston break down what’s happening inside those country stores, how the company is shifting its image, and whether the fried okra still tastes the same. Expect laughs, hot takes, and maybe even a few stories about their own Cracker Barrel memories. Grab a biscuit and join the conversation - this is one you won’t want to miss.

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In this episode of the Southern Gentlemen Podcast, hosts Chris Thomas and Winston Cruze dig into the world of college athletics and NIL. Winston shares details from a recent meeting he attended with The Volunteer Club—a Knoxville-based collective dedicated to supporting University of Tennessee student-athletes and fans through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. He breaks down what he learned about the current landscape of NIL, how it’s shaping the future of college sports, and what it really means for both players and programs. Chris and Winston also share their own perspectives on how NIL could impact traditions, recruiting, and the Southern culture around college athletics. Then they answer a question from a listener from Norway who is planning an upcoming road trip through the American South.

If you’ve ever wondered how NIL is changing the game, this episode offers an inside look with plenty of laughs and Southern perspective along the way.

Subscribe, share, and don’t forget — stay Southern, y’all.

Subscribe, share, and don’t forget — stay Southern, y’all.