Do you want a manager who keeps things running smoothly, or a founder who's willing to tear up the rulebook and rebuild from scratch?

Arthur Herman is the author of Founders Fire, which traces a single mindset across 250 years of American history.

In this episode, Arthur and I discuss how real progress only happens when founders are willing to disrupt the status quo, and why this matters for Tennessee right now. We cover everything from our investment in quantum computing and nuclear technology to the upcoming legislative session and a new governor.

Key Takeaways:

• Why Tennessee's growth in quantum computing and nuclear technology fits squarely into Arthur's founder framework
• Why starting a business doesn't make you a founder, and why disruption doesn't either
• What Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, and Abraham Lincoln reveal about who actually gets remembered as a founder
• Why most people prefer managers day-to-day, but only remember founders fondly in hindsight

About the Guest:

Dr. Arthur Herman is a New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize finalist who brings 35 years of experience as a historian, defense and tech policy analyst, and national security official. He is the author of ten books, most recently Founders Fire: From 1776 to the Age of Trump, as well as the New York Times and Washington Post bestseller How the Scots Invented the Modern World; the Pulitzer Prize Finalist Gandhi and Churchill; and Freedom’s Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II, which The Economist named one of the Best Books of 2012 and which has been on the recommended reading list of Secretaries of Defense, Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, key members of Congress, and across the defense industry, since its publication.

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Tennessee Today is your inside look at state government: what’s happening, why it matters, and how it affects you in your daily life. I break down key legislative topics, have important discussions with special guests, share my experiences in the Senate, and give you a firsthand perspective on how policies come to life. You’ll get the information you need straight from the source, so you can stay informed, engaged, and empowered! Share your questions for future episodes by emailing info@bofortn.com!

Tennessee is one of the most conservative, most Republican states in the nation. But that hasn't always been the case, and if Republican voters aren't careful, it won't be the case going forward.

With so many people moving to Tennessee, I think it's important we discuss who they are, what they believe, and what that means for our state's political future. I also break down how redistricting really works (not the political narrative you've heard, but the legal and historical reality), and why this election season matters more than most people realize.

Key Takeaways:

• Who is moving here from blue states (it's not who you think)
• What 150 years of political history tells us about what could happen next
• Why redistricting is more straightforward than the controversy around it suggests
• Why Republican voters can't afford to make the same mistake Democrats made

Times Free Press article: https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/may/26/california-is-chattanoogas-top-source-of-new-out/

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Tennessee Today is your inside look at state government: what’s happening, why it matters, and how it affects you in your daily life. I break down key legislative topics, have important discussions with special guests, share my experiences in the Senate, and give you a firsthand perspective on how policies come to life. You’ll get the information you need straight from the source, so you can stay informed, engaged, and empowered! Share your questions for future episodes by emailing info@bofortn.com!

Parks aren't just green spaces, they're economic engines. Hamilton County generates $1.8 billion in visitor spending annually, and outdoor recreation is a big reason why.

Matt Folz is the Director of Hamilton County Parks and Recreation. In this episode, we’re discussing how Hamilton County thinks strategically about its parks by giving each one a unique identity, connecting them to broader trail systems, and making sure every investment generates a return for the community.

Key Takeaways:

• What's coming to Hamilton County: McDonald Farm State Park, a $15M riverfront revitalization, and improvements at Chester Frost
• Why preserving green space might be one of the best investments a community can make
• How Hamilton County is making parks accessible and safe for everyone, from motorized trail wheelchairs to ranger presence

About the Guest:

Matt Folz is the Director of Hamilton County Parks and Recreation. He spent over 15 years managing operations in national and state parks before joining Hamilton County in 2021, first as a Park Superintendent and then as Director. He now oversees three regional parks and more than a dozen community parks across the county.

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Tennessee Today is your inside look at state government: what’s happening, why it matters, and how it affects you in your daily life. I break down key legislative topics, have important discussions with special guests, share my experiences in the Senate, and give you a firsthand perspective on how policies come to life. You’ll get the information you need straight from the source, so you can stay informed, engaged, and empowered! Share your questions for future episodes by emailing info@bofortn.com!