State of the Workforce Program
The State of the Workforce program airs at 6 p.m. Central time Mondays on Spot Nashville 28.
Tennessee Innovation Centers Offer Students In-Demand Workforce Skills
In the August 2026 episode, we explore how Career and Technical Education (CTE) is preparing Tennessee students for successful careers.
We begin at the new Williamson County Innovation Center, where Jeremy Qualls and Kris Schneider discuss how hands-on learning, industry partnerships, and innovative programs are equipping students with the skills and credentials needed for today's workforce.
Next, we visit the PIE Innovation Center in Bradley County, where students are gaining real-world experience through partnerships with local businesses and educational institutions. PIE Director Brittany Cannon explains how the center is creating career pathways, strengthening the regional workforce, and helping students prepare for college, technical training, military service, or immediate employment.
Episode 1: Premiere of State of the Workforce
Guests: Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Deniece Thomas and Adult Education Assistant Commissioner Jay Baker
Episode 2: The new Nissan Stadium
Guests: Johari Matthews, ONE Community and the Titans Foundation for the Tennessee Titans; Beth Duffield, Tennessee Builders Alliance; and Garrett Rea, TOSHA
Episode 3: Nissan Powertrain Assembly Plant
Guests: Matt Oberbay of Nissan and Nikki L. Garry, a transformational speaker and educator
Episode 4: Apprenticeship TN
Guests: Brandon Phinx, Middle TN Apprenticeship Director; and Larry Dickens, Training Manager at North American Stamping Group
Episode 5: Stax Records
Guests: Pat Mitchell Workley, CEO of the Soulsville Foundation; Isaac Daniel of Stax Music Academy; and Denetra Gee of Stax Museum
Episode 6: Economic Trends Shaping 2025
Guests: TDLWD Commissioner Deniece Thomas, ECD Commissioner Stuart McWhorter, ECD Assistant Commissioner Lyndi Berrones
Episode 7: Tourism in Tennessee
Guests: Commissioner Mark Ezell, Sara Beth Urban of the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association, Greystone Lodge on the River GM Jackie Leatherwood
Episode 8: Nashville and Memphis American Job Centers
Guests: Dr. Shanna Jackson, President at Nashville State Community College; Marla Rye, Executive Director of Workforce Essentials; and Sarita Allen of Crosstown Concourse
Episode 9: Go Build Tennessee
Guests: Steve Van De Voorde of Go Build Tennessee; Clay Crownover of Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Tennessee; and Leslie Grower of Associated Contractors of East Tennessee
Episode 10: Youth Employment Program
Guests: Courtney Richardson of Peer Power, Chris Trull of Buffalo River Resort, and TCAT Nashville Vice President Kevin Harrison
Episode 11: ProStart
Guests: Brittany Barragan, Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association; Chef Lyndsey Weatherford of Nolensville High School; Audrey Mangrum and Evan Tracey, culinary students at Nolensville High
Episode 12: Teacher Apprenticeships and Lipscomb's IDEAL Program
Guests: Dr. Leslie Cowell, Dean of the College of Education at Lipscomb University; Melanie Shinbaum, Nashville Early Education Coalition; Angela Goddard of the Joe C. Davis Foundation; Misty Vetter Parsley and Becky Sullivan from the Lipscomb IDEAL Program
Episode 13: Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation
Guests: Troy Haley, Marion White, Claudia Byers, Lance Wheaton, Marshay Jones, and Suzy Douglas
Episode 14: The Demand for Skilled Workers
Guests: Michael P. Davidson of the Skilled Careers Coalition; JJ Owens; Chef Ben Vaughn of Sow Project
Episode 15: Benefit Cliffs
Guest: Timberly Russell of the Martha O'Bryan Center
Episode 16: Introducing TNWorks
Guests: Commissioner Deniece Thomas; Deputy Governor and Commissioner Stuart McWhorter; Tennessee Higher Education Commission Executive Director Dr. Steven Gentile; Tennessee Board of Regents Executive Director Dr. Jeff Sisk
Episode 17: UpRise Nashville
Guests: Carole Peterson and Al Brady of UpRise Nashville; UpRise Leader Diamond
Episode 18: Nuclear Innovation
Guests: Chancellor Flora Tydings and Teresa Duncan of the Tennessee Board of Regents
Episode 19: The Peabody Hotel
Guests: Doug Browne, President of Peabody Hotels & Resorts, and Karen Thompson, Director of Human Resources
Episode 20: Go Build Tennessee
Guests: Nick Lawrence, President of the Go Build Board of Directors and the Christman Co; Brent Davidson, Instructor at the Construction Trades Academy; student Jackson Art
Episode 21: A Nuclear Renaissance in Tennessee
Guests: Tracy Boatner, President and CEO of the East Tennessee Economic Council; Braden Stover, Chief Policy Adviser for the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development; and Brandon Phinx, State Apprenticeship Deputy Director
Episode 22: Thistle Farms
Guests: Thistle Farms CEO Tasha Kennard; Lacey Stone, graduate of Thistle Farms' job readiness program
Episode 23: Kofee Broz
Guest: Kofee Broz owner Elecxus Ellis
Episode 24: Workforce Pell
Guests: Jay Baker, Assistant Commissioner of Adult Education for the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development; Julie Roberts, Chief Academic Officer for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission; Russ Deaton, Executive Vice Chancellor of the Tennessee Board of Regents
About State of the Workforce: The State of the Workforce program examines the new and innovative approaches Tennessee is taking to grow its talent pipeline to meet the needs of business owners while helping Tennesseans find quality and meaningful work. The program aims at 6 p.m. Central time Mondays on Spot Nashville 28.