Thompson's Station, TN April 2026

COM EDIAN DAVID SPADE

DEL IVERS LAUGHS AT THE NASHVILLE COMEDY FESTIVAL

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Investing in You

Strong communities are built by the people who choose to invest in them.

In this April Invest Issue, we highlight local businesses that are doing exactly that, pouring their time, talent, and passion back into the community through the services they provide and the experiences they create. The entrepreneurs featured in these pages are not only building successful businesses, they are strengthening the place we all call home.

As the publisher of Thompson's Station/Spring Hill Lifestyle, I see this magazine as an investment in our community as well. By showcasing the people, events, and businesses that make this area special, our goal is to celebrate what makes Franklin such a vibrant place to live.

After all, this is where we all live, work, and play.

The stories in this issue are a reminder that when local businesses invest in people and community, the returns extend far beyond the balance sheet. They create connection, pride, and a stronger foundation for the future we are building together. Investing in you,

ATHENA WEST, PUBLISHER @THOMPSONSSTATIONLIFESTYLE

Thompson’s Station Lifestyle is available for pickup at the following locations:

• Grecian Family Restaurant and Bakery

• Frankie’s Pizza & Grill

• Local Dr’s Offices and businesses around the area

April 2026

PUBLISHER

Athena West | athena.west@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Karen Creason | karen.creason@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sheila Johnson, Jessie Summerville, Maria Dinoia, Sophie Brock

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Josh Govero

LAYOUT DESIGNER Rhiannon Coffman

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.

Proverbs 3:5-6

ARTICLE BY JESSIE SUMMERVILLE

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

FINDING Beauty IN THE IN BETWEEN

How Jessie Summerville of Mochuelo Designs Turned Life Transitions Into Handcrafted Meaning

The moment life grows quiet is often when creativity finally has room to speak.

For Jessie Summerville, founder and designer of Mochuelo Designs, that quiet arrived unexpectedly. After decades spent raising children, working as a registered nurse and building beloved Franklin businesses, the sudden shift into an empty nest created both space and uncertainty. What emerged from that season is a jewelry brand rooted in story, heritage and deeply personal connection.

“I went to school for art with an emphasis on jewelry a lifetime ago, before becoming an RN and having a family,” Summerville said. “Through the years, jewelry got put on the back burner since I was raising two kids, working as an RN, and starting multiple businesses in Franklin.”

Mochuelo Designs did not begin as a business plan or brand strategy. It began as a return. When Summerville’s youngest child left for college in 2023, the transition was more difficult than she expected.

“I was having a very difficult time as an empty nester with all of my free time,” she said. “That stage of life isn’t discussed enough. It is HARD. People need to be more prepared for it.”

Encouraged by a close friend who even purchased equipment to help her get started, Summerville transformed a room in her home into a studio and began creating again. What started as

part-time exploration quickly became something more. After losing her job in November, she leaned fully into her craft, allowing Mochuelo Designs to become both livelihood and lifeline.

The jewelry itself reflects that layered journey. Described as handcrafted sterling creations, each piece carries a sense of grounding and intention. Sterling silver and turquoise are central materials, chosen as much for emotional resonance as aesthetic appeal.

“With my family being from the southwest, sterling and turquoise have always been favorites of mine,” Summerville said. “When I started creating jewelry in college, it was just natural that I gravitated towards these materials.”

Summerville’s family roots trace back to New Mexico and Colorado, and the influence is evident in her work. Organic shapes, earthy stones and subtle nods to Native design traditions give each piece a sense of place and history.

In her studio, the creative process is intentionally intuitive rather than rigid. Summerville often begins by sitting with her stones, allowing the final form to reveal itself organically.

“I have so much fun from start to finish with the creative process,” she said. “I usually sit down with my stones and feel their energy and what they are asking to be created into. Sometimes I sketch out ideas and other times I just have it in my mind’s eye and go from there.”

“By taking time to spend and being intentional with each one, I hope to create something that speaks not just to me, but to others as well.”

That same reverence carries into some of Mochuelo Designs’ most meaningful offerings. When creating heirloom jewelry from vintage family china, Summerville approaches the process as a quiet ceremony rather than a technical task. She spends time in prayer and meditation, intentionally honoring the family member whose china is being repurposed. Rather than seeing the process as breaking something old, she frames it as continuing its story in a new form, transforming sentimental objects into wearable heirlooms meant to be loved again.

Her memorial pet pieces are approached with similar care. After the loss of her dog, Oreo, who was nearly 14 years old, Summerville found herself unable to create for several weeks. When she returned to her bench, the first piece she made was a tribute, a sterling silver keepsake designed to keep that bond close.

As she fills each memorial piece before sealing it, Summerville prays over the ashes and gives thanks for the love the animal brought into its family. It is a deeply personal ritual, one that reflects her belief that jewelry can hold memory, grief, and comfort all at once.

“I usually create from a very personal place by listening to the stones’ vibrations of what they want to be created into,” she said. “By taking time to spend and being intentional with each one, I hope to create something that speaks not just to me, but to others as well.”

Summerville’s vision for the future remains rooted in curiosity and collaboration. While sterling silver will always anchor her work, she continues to experiment with copper, 14k gold and the possibility of introducing bronze. She is equally open to creative partnerships that align with her values.

“Mixed metals is a fun way to wear jewelry, but silver will always be where my heart is,” she said. “I do love a good collab and am always open to that though.”

“Mixed metals is a fun way to wear jewelry, but silver will always be where my heart is,” she said. “I do love a good collab and am always open to that though.”

Beyond adornment, Mochuelo Designs has become a vehicle for connection. Each piece is one of a kind, infused with care, memory and intention. Summerville hopes that love is felt the moment someone wears her work.

“I hope it brings joy and happiness in the same way it does for me,” she said.

For those considering a creative leap later in life or during an uncertain season, Summerville offers simple but hardearned advice.

“You’ve gotta put yourself out there, no matter how uncomfortable it is,” she said.

Mochuelo Designs stands as proof that creativity does not expire and that transitions, even painful ones, can open the door to something unexpectedly beautiful. In returning to her first love, Jessie Summerville has created more than jewelry. She has created a reminder that meaning often waits patiently for us to come back to ourselves.

MochueloDesigns.com

UNLOCKING HO THE POWER OF YOUR ME

Everything You Need to Know About HELOCs

To shed light on the ins and outs of Home Equity Lines of Credit, commonly known as HELOCs, we sat down with Tammy Robinson, Assistant Vice President, Mortgage Lending at Southeast Financial Credit Union*. Her insights offer a clear and practical perspective on this powerful lending tool, how it works, and how homeowners can make the most of their home’s value for a range of financial needs. Whether you’re a first-time borrower or simply curious about leveraging your equity, Robinson’s expertise provides essential guidance to help you navigate your options and avoid common pitfalls.

What is a HELOC?

A HELOC is a revolving credit line secured by the equity you’ve built up in your home. Equity is simply the difference between your home’s current market value and the remaining balance on your mortgage. Lenders typically let you borrow up to a certain percentage of your home’s value, minus what you owe.

What sets a HELOC apart from other loans is its flexibility. Imagine it as a credit card with a large limit, but instead of being unsecured, your home serves as collateral. You don’t have to take out the entire amount at once. Instead, you can borrow as much or as little as you need (up to your credit limit) during what’s known as the “draw period.” This flexibility makes a HELOC ideal for ongoing projects or unpredictable expenses.

Why would homeowners open a HELOC?

Members use HELOCs for a wide variety of reasons. Popular uses include funding home improvement projects, consolidating high-interest credit card debt into one manageable payment, and covering education expenses. The appeal of a HELOC lies in its ability to adapt to your needs over time, whether you’re planning a series of renovations or dealing with unexpected costs. However, with flexibility comes responsibility. While many HELOCs require only interest payments during the draw period (often the first five years), it’s wise to pay more than the minimum whenever possible. By putting extra money toward the principal, you not only reduce your outstanding balance but also ease your transition into the repayment phase, when principal and interest payments kick in. Additionally, since HELOCs have variable interest rates that can change monthly, it’s important to budget for the possibility of rate and payment increases over time.

HELOC vs. HELOAN: Which is the right choice for homeowners?

While the HELOC is a flexible, revolving line of credit, a Home Equity Loan (HELOAN) offers a more traditional lending experience. With a HELOAN, you receive a lump sum up front, typically at a fixed interest rate, and repay it in equal monthly installments over a set term. This can be ideal for one-time, well-defined expenses, such as paying for a major home renovation, purchasing a vehicle, or covering medical bills, when you know exactly how much you need to borrow.

In contrast, a HELOC comes with a variable rate, which means your payments may fluctuate with changes in the Wall Street Journal Prime Index Rate plus a margin based on your creditworthiness. During the draw period, you’re often required to pay only the interest on the amount you’ve borrowed, making it a good fit for expenses that arise over time or when you want the option to borrow as needed.

Choosing between a HELOC and a HELOAN depends on your specific needs and financial goals. If you value predictable payments and have a specific lump-sum expense, a HELOAN may be the best option. If you’d prefer flexibility and ongoing access to funds, a HELOC could be the smarter choice.

Tell us a little about the application process at Southeast Financial Credit Union.

Applying for a HELOC at Southeast Financial Credit Union is designed to be straightforward and member-focused. You can begin by applying online or by contacting one of the credit union’s knowledgeable mortgage loan officers for assistance.

Once your application is submitted, a mortgage loan officer reviews your credit history, credit score,

income, and an estimate of your property’s value. If you meet the approval criteria, the officer will contact you to discuss any additional documentation needed to move the loan into processing, such as proof of income or property insurance.

The processing period typically lasts 10 to 12 business days, after which your loan will be ready to close. At closing, all owners of the property used as collateral must sign the required loan documents. After closing, there is a mandatory three-business-day waiting period before your line of credit becomes available, giving you time to review the terms and access your funds.

How are HELOC limits determined?

Several factors influence how much you can borrow through a HELOC at Southeast Financial. The most significant is your home’s Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio, which is calculated by dividing your total mortgage debt by your home’s appraised value. The lower your LTV ratio, the more equity you have, and the more you can potentially borrow. Other factors include your credit score, income, and overall debt-to-income ratio. For instance, if your home is worth $300,000 and you owe $200,000, with a maximum LTV of 90%, you might be eligible for a HELOC totaling $70,000.

What is the repayment structure for HELOCs?

HELOCs typically feature a draw period of around five years, during which you can borrow as needed and make interest-only payments. After the draw period ends, your HELOC enters a 15-year repayment phase, where both principal and interest payments are required. Interest rates on HELOCs are variable, tied to the Prime Index plus a margin based on your credit profile, and may change monthly throughout both the draw and repayment periods.

Something important to remember: variable rates mean your payments may increase. If you’ve only made interest payments during the draw period, expect a higher monthly payment once principal repayment begins.

We would like to thank Tammy for sharing her expertise and explaining how a HELOC is a versatile tool for accessing your home’s equity. Understanding how they work helps you use them wisely and support your financial goals. For more information about HELOCs or to explore your options, contact Southeast Financial Credit Union today.

*Tammy Robinson, Assistant Vice President, Mortgage Lending (NMLS# 430160)

“Popular uses include funding home improvement projects, consolidating high-interest credit card debt into one manageable payment, and covering education expenses.”

Where Family Values Meet a Better Automotive Experience

Being a dealership built on family values means not cutting corners. It means personalized videos instead of canned messages. It means honest appraisals instead of games. Most importantly, it means treating every customer the way we’d treat our own family.

Laugh Out Loud

The Nashville Comedy Festival Returns To Nashville For Its 12th Year

ARTICLE BY MARIA DINOIA | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Nashville has long been known as a city that does live entertainment better than almost anywhere else in the country. But for 11 days each spring, the spotlight shifts from the musical stage to the mic stand, as the Nashville Comedy Festival takes over six venues across Music City.

CONTINUED >

Now in its 12th year, the festival is put on by Outback Presents, the Nashville-based promoter that bills itself as the largest independent comedy promoter in the world. Andrew Farwell, who was named president of Outback last May, has been with the company for 16 years, long enough to watch it grow from a 13-person operation into a force that produces thousands of events annually. "We're really proud of the city, the opportunities, the different sized stages, the diversity," Farwell says.

This year's festival spans almost two full weeks, from April 9-19, with shows spread across Bridgestone Arena, the Ryman Auditorium, the Fisher Center, Zanies Comedy Club, The Lab, EXIT/ IN, and The Schermerhorn. The headliners alone make a strong case for clearing your calendar: Shane Gillis tops the bill at Bridgestone Arena,

while Heather McMahan headlines the Ryman. David Spade and Kevin James each host their own shows, and Albert Brooks, "the legend," as Farwell puts it, takes the Fisher Center stage with special guest host Kevin Pollack. Morgan Jay plays two nights at the Ryman. Other performers include Kathy Griffin, Sal Vulcano, Jeff Arcuri and Nate Jackson, to name a few.

But the real point of the festival, Farwell says, isn't the headliners. It's the breadth.

"People confuse comedy as a genre," he says. "It really isn't the case. Comedy is similar to music in the sense that there are so many subgenres within that vehicle and there's something for everybody. You've got clean comedy, you've got the dirty comedy, you've got the family comedy, you have niche comedy, you have prop comedy, you have improv comedy, so there are so many different formats."

That philosophy shapes every booking decision. The goal isn't to build the biggest possible bill but to build the most representative one. "You want to book something for every audience," Farwell says, "and it's so indicative and representative of Nashville to be able to have something for everybody."

Farwell speaks about the city of Nashville with genuine affection, and he sees the festival as an expression of what Nashville is at its best — welcoming, diverse, and full of homegrown talent that's ready for the national stage.

Zanies Comedy Club, the festival's longtime venue partner, holds a special place in that story. "We're so proud to have Zanies as a partner, because of what they represent," Farwell says. "For as long as they've been around, they've seen it all, they've seen that neighborhood grow up."

“You want to book something for every audience and it's so indicative and representative of Nashville to be able to have something for everybody.”

Local talent is a consistent priority. Farwell points to Nate Bargatze and Leanne Morgan as examples of what the festival's investment in Nashville comics can yield over time. "Local guy, local gal, and what they've grown on to do, it's homegrown talent," he says. Features like New Material Monday at Zanies provide a pipeline for emerging comics to develop their craft in front of live audiences. "You're definitely going to see the next big thing," Farwell says. "It just kind of happens organically."

The festival's economic footprint is no small thing either. Outback Presents estimates the event drives more than $10 million in economic impact on Nashville across its 11-day run. That's a figure that earned the festival an official proclamation last year from Mayor Freddie O'Connell, designating April 3rd as National Comedy Festival Day.

The festival has expanded steadily over the years, adding days and venues as demand has grown. But Farwell is careful about what growth means, and what it doesn't. "We're not going to say that this is going to be like a Coachella or a Bonnaroo, that's not what we're hoping for," he says. "You don't want to overdo it, so you need to be very cautious and careful with the approach that you have to growing a festival."

The model has already extended beyond Nashville. Outback Presents launched the 312 Comedy Festival in Chicago, applying the same tent-pole booking philosophy to the Chicagoland market in the fall. Closer to home, conversations about bringing programming to venues like The Caverns and the Franklin Theatre in Franklin are ongoing, but only when the timing and purpose are right.

"It needs to have a purpose," Farwell says. "It has to be the right act serving the right demo. So we're very intentional with our decisions from that perspective."

When asked what he hopes audiences take away from the festival this year, Farwell's answer is straightforward.

"Joy," he says. "I mean, that's one of my favorite things about working in comedy, because it's so much more than a person with a microphone. It's a platform, people are delivering a message. And more often than not, the whole purpose of comedy is to make people laugh. If you feel better than when you walked in when you're walking out, we've done our job and the comedian's done their job. The case for a room full of laughter doesn't require much elaboration."

"To have that live experience is unmatched," he says, "and to be able to laugh at your favorite comedian with your friends, a whole room of people, there's just this unifying feeling that you get that you can't replicate anywhere else. Have a good time, enjoy a laugh or two and find your new, next favorite comedian."

Tickets and the full schedule are available at NashComedyFest com

“You're definitely going to see the next big thing and it just kind of happens organically.”

Three Home Investments that Reveal Hidden Damage

Unexpected bumps in the road of renovation can be a blessing. Homeowners rarely go looking for water in the basement or mold in the crawl space. When problems under the home reveal themselves during remodeling, they can be solved as part of the bigger plan rather than evolving into their own, more expensive repair project.

FLOOR REPLACEMENT

The decision to replace flooring in the home opens a world of possibilities, and there's a thrill to visiting the flooring warehouse to inspect various styles and colors. Unfortunately, many homeowners have had their new possibilities dimmed by high humidity in their subfloor.

Moisture testing is essential when laying hardwood. An installer will refuse to lay flooring if the subfloor has moisture levels above 12%. If the subfloor is past that threshold, it’s a great opportunity for the homeowner to have their crawl space inspected, as high moisture content in the wood often indicates high levels of humidity beneath the home.

Inspectors should always check relative humidity (RH) during crawl space evaluations. RH over 60% creates a prime environment for mold growth and wood rot. A proper remedy often includes installing a dehumidifier and full encapsulation. Without this renovation discovery, mold may have continued to thrive and rot the wood in your crawl space, possibly resulting in full subfloor replacement.

Aside from moisture, floors may slope due to a lack of support beneath the home. Ground settlement underneath support pillars in the crawl space removes support from floor joists, causing them to bend and the floor to sag. Adjustable steel support systems can be installed under the home to brace the floor joists and raise the floor back to its original position.

For homeowners looking to expand usable living space, similar discoveries often happen during basement renovations.

ARTICLE BY SHEILA JOHNSON

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

BASEMENT FINISHING

You may have decided it’s time to turn your basement into an extra living suite, a media room, or an in-home gym. While updating that extra room under your feet, you may find some surprises along the way.

Before beginning the project, it’s advantageous to inspect the space for existing moisture. Signs could include wet carpet, rusted carpet tacks, mold on furniture, or white chalky substance on walls called efflorescence. It’s also a good time to check for cracks or bowing in your basement walls which could indicate your walls need additional support or potential foundation problems.

If any of these symptoms are present, consider calling a waterproofing and foundation specialist to create a solution before renovating. They will give you the best idea of how much you’ll need to budget for the project. If no moisture is present, time to move on to the fun part of designing your space!

If moisture is the issue in your basement, consider installing a drainage system and a sump pump to remove the collected water. A dehumidifier is often used to pull humidity from the air. Walls and floors can be installed as normal over any waterproofing measures.

If bowing or cracked walls are an issue, there are several solutions that will stabilize or straighten them. Most solutions are low-profile and allow for renovations to continue as planned.

CONTINUED >

HVAC UPGRADES

With Williamson County’s hot summer humidity and cold winter dips, it’s important to have a fully functioning HVAC system. Your HVAC system works hard to keep you comfortable, but you may be footing a bigger bill than necessary. If you’ve been considering a new HVAC system, you may want to inspect your crawl space first.

If your home takes a long time to reach the correct temperature, your floors are cold over the crawl space even when the rest of the home is comfortable, or a musty smell permeates the home, the crawl space may be impairing your HVAC ducts.

Air circulates through your home in a process called the Stack Effect, where warm air inside a building rises and escapes through the top, causing cooler outside air to be drawn in from the bottom.

According to Energy Star, typical homes lose 20-30 percent of conditioned air moving through the duct system. Small openings allow for that air to leave the duct and unconditioned crawl space air to flow in and distribute throughoutthe home.

Encapsulation creates a conditioned space under your feet and reduces stress on your HVAC system. A sealed vapor barrier prevents musty, crawl space air from circulating through your home, stabilizes temperatures, and lowers your heating and AC bill. Air rising into your home will be healthier, and musty smells will be reduced.

SUMMARY

Unexpected barriers in renovation are frustrating. They can interrupt your timeline and your budget. But while repairing unseen damage in your home isn’t as glamorous as new floors or a basement, it ensures your home will last longer and be healthier to live in. You can end your project with peace of mind knowing your money was well spent and your home protected for years to come.

Redefining MVP: TIM TEBOW’S LIFE BEYOND FOOTBALL

An exclusive Q&A with City Lifestyle

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

From championship trophies to global humanitarian impact, Tim Tebow’s journey has defied every standard playbook. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Tebow pulls back the curtain on the moments that truly defined him, from a humbling middle school church retreat to the life-altering shift of fatherhood. This isn’t just a look back at a career; it’s an invitation into the heart of a man driven by purpose. Read the highlights below, then join us for the full, unfiltered experience by scanning the QR code at the end.

Q: WE ALL KNOW YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD, BUT TELL US ABOUT THE CURL CONTEST.

A: I was competing for my future high school team (my brother’s team), and I pushed myself way past what was smart. I ended up collapsing and needing medical attention. But what stayed with me wasn’t the pain, it was the lesson. Would I be willing to do something that others aren’t? For much of my life, I strived to bring my best for a game, but I hope that I can say at the end of my life I was willing to do that for things that actually matter.

Q: YOU’VE ACHIEVED SO MUCH IN SPORTS. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT NOW?

A: Becoming a dad. Nothing compares. From the moment I knew my wife was pregnant, I felt a new depth of love for our child, but when you bring your baby home, the responsibility hits you like nothing else. Suddenly, everything you see, every decision you make, you’re asking, “Is this corner too sharp? What happens if she reaches that drawer?” It changes how you see the world and how you see other people.

Q: YOU’VE SPOKEN OPENLY ABOUT DISAPPOINTMENT, ESPECIALLY AROUND FOOTBALL. HOW DID THAT SEASON OF LIFE SHAPE YOU?

A: I talked a lot about that very thing in my book Shaken . We all go through moments where our faith in our abilities and purpose feels rattled, but I believe it’s often in those storms when God can show us who we could become.

Q: YOU TALK A LOT ABOUT COMPARISON CULTURE. WHY DO YOU BELIEVE COMPARISON HAS BECOME SUCH A TRAP TODAY?

A: Because we’re comparing our real, everyday lives to someone else’s highlight reel. Social media shows people’s “best day,” often filtered and staged, and then we measure our reality against that. There’s a reason filters are so popular—it’s not real. We end up scrolling through images that don’t tell the full story, and without realizing it, comparison starts to steal our joy and our gratitude.

“We’re comparing our real, everyday lives to someone else’s highlight reel... comparison starts to steal our joy.”

Q: YOUR FOUNDATION FOCUSES ON THE “MOST VULNERABLE.” WHERE DID THAT CALLING BEGIN?

A: When I was 15, I met a boy in the Philippines who was treated as a throwaway because he was born with physical differences. That moment changed me. I realized God was calling me to pursue a different kind of MVP, not “Most Valuable Player,” but “Most Vulnerable People.”

Q: FINALLY, WHAT’S ONE THING PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?

A: I have some weird coffee habits, which include protein powder, collagen, and cream all mixed together. I love golf dates with my wife. And every night, I bring snacks to bed to share with our dogs. It brings me more joy than it probably should.

This conversation barely scratches the surface. Tim goes deeper into the moments that rattled him, the joys of fatherhood, and one story he has never shared publicly until now. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on Share the Lifestyle Podcast.

ARTICLE BY SOPHIE BROCK

FOUR SIMPLE WAYS TO INVEST IN YOUR MORNING AND START YOUR DAY OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT

habits morning for success

One of the best ways to invest in yourself is by creating a consistent and intentional morning routine. No matter how unpredictable or chaotic the rest of your day may become, starting your morning with self-care and purpose sets a positive tone that stays with you throughout the day.  Once you develop a morning routine that truly resonates with you, you’ll look forward to it every night, knowing it will set the foundation for a productive and fulfilling day.

If you’re ready to elevate your mornings, here are some meaningful ways to invest in your routine and start each day on the right foot.

Be Your Own Barista:

One of life’s simplest pleasures is savoring a homemade coffee each morning. While skipping the drivethru may be tough at first, brewing your own allows you to appreciate the process—and chances are, you’ll end up preferring your own perfect cup of joe.

Get Your Steps In:

An hour-long gym session before work may not be realistic, but a quick morning walk is. Use this time to clear your mind, enjoy nature, and listen to your favorite podcast or artist—an easy way to start your day feeling relaxed.

Enjoy Some Breakfast:

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, yet often the most overlooked. Setting your alarm just minutes earlier to prepare a fresh, nutritious meal can transform your morning, fueling your body and mind for a more energized and productive day.

Read A Book:

Starting your day with a book is far more calming than scrolling through social media. Reading in the morning helps ease you into the day, providing a peaceful and mindful escape that sets a positive, focused tone for what’s ahead.

ARTICLE BY ALLISON SWAN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

Inquiring Chef

START WITH A VEGETABLE

Jess Smith is the founder of the popular food blog InquiringChef. com, which she started in 2010 after moving to Thailand with her husband. She explored Thai cuisine, took cooking classes, and documented her experiences on the blog. Over time, her passion for cooking grew, leading her to focus on quick, easy meals for families. Today, Inquiring Chef receives over 5 million page views annually and supports a small team. She shares new recipes weekly through email, her blog, and social media, helping home cooks simplify mealtime without sacrificing flavor.

Smith is now an author. Her debut cookbook,  Start with a Vegetable, published in 2025 reimagines meal planning by putting vegetables at the center of the plate.

“Start with a Vegetable was the result of a natural transition in the way I started thinking about preparing dinner for my family. At the end of a busy day, I often didn't have the energy to think about dinner in parts by preparing a separate protein, vegetable, and starch,” says Smith. “I realized that if I put a vegetable at the center of the dish, the rest was easy to fill in.”

The book features 100 flexible recipes proving vegetables aren’t just a side—they’re key to simple, satisfying meals.

As chief recipe developer for the Cook Smarts meal-planning app, Smith worked closely with families struggling to get dinner on the table. She noticed a common challenge: people wanted to eat more vegetables but didn’t know how to build meals around them.

“As I started planning and testing recipes for the book, I just loved how easy it made dinnertime feel. Are there carrots in the fridge? Here are a bunch of ways to turn them into dinner. Nearly all of the 100 recipes are complete meals and include easy swaps to make them vegetarian. The book is truly flexitarian, with vegetable-forward recipes for all types of eaters.”

Unlike most cookbooks,  Start with a Vegetable is organized by ingredient. Each chapter focuses on a different vegetable, offering multiple ways to turn it into a meal.

“The concept is resonating with many readers who tell me they love that the chapters are organized by vegetable, making it easy to use whatever they have on hand.”

Smith went through a rigorous testing process, starting with over 300 ideas before narrowing them down to 100.

“I always have running lists of recipe ideas. I started sorting recipes into categories, making sure there was variety for each vegetable. I wanted different cooking methods and types of dishes, so each chapter might have a soup, a salad, a roasted dish, a stove-top dish, and a sandwich or pasta.”

After perfecting the recipes in her own kitchen, she passed them to a trusted friend, an everyday home cook, to ensure they worked under real-world conditions.

“I want to know how these recipes worked for a home cook who was shopping at regular grocery stores and trying to make dinner for a family on a weeknight. She sends me feedback on any ingredients that are hard to find, anything that is unclear in the recipe, and tracks how long it takes her to make it with reallife interruptions.”

To further refine the book, Smith enlisted 30 volunteer home cooks through Instagram and her email list to test the recipes.

“My goal was to ensure that the recipes in this book are reliable, easy, and adaptable. I wanted this to be a cookbook for real home cooks. I'm so grateful to that team of volunteers for helping to ensure that it is.”

To order a copy of the cookbook visit: InquiringChef.com

Stress & Hearing Health: Why It Matters

April April is Stress Awareness Month—a great time to consider how stress affects your hearing health. Ongoing stress can worsen tinnitus, increase listening fatigue, and impact how your brain processes sound. Addressing hearing concerns can ease daily strain and support overall well-being. HearTN offers comprehensive evaluations and personalized solutions to help you hear clearly and feel your best.

info@HearTN.com www.HearTN.com Take the first step toward better hearing and less stress— schedule your hearing evaluation with HearTN today. Less stress. Better hearing. Healthier living.

For our Franklin, Spring Hill, Nolensville, and Dickson Offices: (615) 591-6410 For our Tullahoma Office: (931) 393-2051 For our Chattanooga and Trenton, GA Offices: (423) 870-9930

Good Health Begins From Within.

Expert insight. Trusted voices. Conversations that care for our community.

Health Talks: From the Inside Out podcast brings healthcare insight directly to you from the experts who serve our community every day. From orthopaedics and general surgery to breast health, urogynecology and pelvic health to pulmonology and sleep medicine to cardiology and emergency medical services and more — we have an episode for every listener.

HEALTH TALKS: From The Inside OUT

Subscribe today! Health Talks: From the Inside Out is available to listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and more. You can also watch on Spotify and YouTube. Visit WilliamsonHealth.org/healthtalks or scan the code for more information.