On this episode of Applaudable Perspectives, Pamela Lewis sits down with Kevin Hensley, whose two decades of military service left him with constrictive bronchiolitis, a severe and irreversible lung disease caused by burn pit exposure. Kevin opens up about the maddening fight to get properly diagnosed within the VA system, and how he stumbled onto an unexpected lifeline: hyperbaric oxygen therapy—a treatment that didn't just help his lungs, but became a turning point for his toxic brain injury and PTSD.This is a conversation about what it takes to survive the invisible wounds of war, the legislative battles reshaping veteran care (including the PACT Act and emerging state-level HBOT laws), and why Kevin believes every veteran needs to become their own fiercest advocate.If you've ever felt like the system wasn't built to hear you—this episode is proof that persistence can still win.

Some places hold a community's memory in their walls — and the Five Points Post Office in Franklin, Tennessee is one of them. Built in 1925, it was Franklin's very first post office, and over the decades it served not just as a mail hub, but as a gathering place woven into the fabric of the city. Williamson Source In 1991, when the USPS chose to sell the building, it was listed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the country's most endangered post office locations. Williamson Source It survived — but just barely.Then came Julie Brown.When the previous operator announced his departure, Julie didn't hesitate. As she recalls it, her husband Matt came home and said, "Do you know anyone who wants to run the post office?" — and she simply said, "I'll do it." Her mission was clear: save the post office, save the zip code, and give Franklin back a piece of itself.On December 1, 2023, Julie and Matt Brown reopened the Five Points Post Office as a Contracted Postal Unit — one of only a handful of privately operated USPS-authorized locations remaining in the entire country.  But Julie's vision goes far beyond stamps and P.O. boxes — she's turned the space into a community hub that highlights local nonprofits, student entrepreneurs, and local artists. In this episode of PLA Media's series on important women and their connection to history, host Pamela Lewis sits down with Julie Brown to talk about what it really means to be the keeper of a living landmark — and why one woman's "yes" gave an entire town back its heart.Five Points Post Office | 510 Columbia Ave, Franklin, TN | fivepointspostoffice.com

In this episode of Applaudable Perspectives, Pam Lewis sits down with Scarritt Bennett Center's own Dr. Michael Castellaw-Vaughn for an impromptu conversation about radical hospitality, fellowship, community, what makes Scarritt Bennett Center special, and more about his journey to becoming the Center's Director of Technology.Guest Bio:Dr. Michael Castellaw-Vaughn is a minister, musician, scholar, and technology leader based in Nashville, Tennessee. He currently serves as Director of Technology at Scarritt Bennett Center.

As Director of the Williamson County Public Library, Jessica Jeffers leads one of Middle Tennessee’s most dynamic and community-focused library systems, serving a rapidly growing population with innovative programming, expansive collections, and forward-thinking services. Under her leadership, the library has evolved beyond books—offering everything from digital learning tools and cultural programs to resources that support lifelong learning for all ages.In this conversation, Jeffers opens up about the realities of leading a six-branch system on a limited budget, balancing the needs of a diverse and growing community while continuing to expand access and opportunity. She shares insight into her day-to-day work, her approach to building collections and selecting books that resonate across generations, and the importance of encouraging a love of reading at every stage of life.She also reflects on the evolving role of libraries as true community centers—hosting programs like the “Salon Series with Eric Jacobson,” welcoming a broad multicultural audience, and creating spaces where people can gather, learn, and connect. Along the way, Jeffers discusses the personal side of leadership, including maintaining work-life balance and navigating the challenges that come with sustaining and growing a vital public resource.

In this episode, we honor Lillian Stewart — the first and, so far, only female mayor of Franklin, Tennessee — through an intimate conversation with Pam Lewis. A sixth-generation Williamson County native and former French teacher, Stewart brought a deep sense of place and long-term vision to city leadership. During her tenure she championed historic preservation, transformed the look of downtown Franklin's streetscape, and helped establish the state's first impact and adequate facilities fees on new development — policies that allowed Franklin to grow without sacrificing its character. As she put it herself, "Quality costs money. I wanted to keep Franklin's idyllic quality of life, and create policies that were good for everyone."

In this special Women’s History Month episode, we sit down with Franklin, Tennessee’s “First Lady of Preservation,” Rudy Jordan, whose bold vision and fearless leadership helped transform Franklin into one of America’s most beloved Main Streets. As a driving force behind the town’s historic preservation movement, Rudy championed revitalization efforts that protected its character while sparking economic growth—proving that progress and preservation can go hand in hand. From sparking festivals to saving storefronts, her story is one of “good trouble,” grit, and a deep belief in the power of place to shape community.

In honor of Women's History Month, Applaudable Perspectives sits down with award-winning author and historian Mary Ellen Pethel for a conversation that brings the past to life. Mary Ellen shares her journey as a historian and storyteller, exploring the voices and stories that have shaped her work — and why preserving history matters now more than ever.From her award-winning writing to her passion for uncovering untold narratives, this episode is a celebration of the power of women in history — both those who made it and those who write it.Whether you're a history lover, an aspiring author, or simply someone who believes every story deserves to be told, this is an episode you won't want to miss.🎙️ Tune in, listen closely, and let history speak.

In this episode, Pam Lewis talks to Matt Bjorke about his remarkable evolution from globe-trotting country music journalist to strategic publicity specialist, and the unlikely road that shaped his perspective along the way. From living and teaching in China and South Korea to covering country music’s biggest names and emerging voices, Matt reflects on how his global experiences informed his storytelling, sharpened his industry instincts, and ultimately led him to pivot from reporting on artists to representing them. It’s a candid conversation about reinvention, risk, and the enduring power of a well-told story.

On today’s episode, Pam Lewis sits down for a heartfelt, in-depth conversation with the Scarritt-Bennett Center’s Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Sondrea L. Tolbert, to explore the true meaning of community and the transformative power of hospitality. Set against the spirit and legacy of Scarritt-Bennett Center, this special video edition invites viewers into a thoughtful dialogue about belonging, welcome, and the sacred work of creating spaces where everyone feels seen and valued. It’s a rich, visually engaging episode we hope you’ll watch wherever video podcasts are available.Please visit https://scarrittbennett.org/ for more information!

In this episode, Pam Lewis talks With the journalism legend himself, Markos Papadatos. Markos is an award-winning Greek-American journalist and educator known by the professional moniker "The Power Journalist". As of late 2025, he has authored over 24,000 original articles, primarily as the Editor-at-Large for Music News at Digital Journal. #PowerJournalist