Rising Rock is excited to showcase some of our best audio stories from this past semester in a continued partnership with Scenic Roots.
Check out the individual audio stories here or listen to the entire showcase on WUTC
A Race to the Finish Line
Zoie Denton speaks with Thad Robards as he reflects on his son Axel’s journey to Formula 4 racing. From his earliest memory of his son, the different challenges and emotions that have happened along the journey, and the brand new journey Axel has started with VRD Racing. Axel joined VRD Racing Academy in April 2024, and since then, Thad has done what he can to help his son achieve his dream.
Paws on Patrol
Mackenzie Sweat speaks with Aaron Bayer about Sophie, the University of Tennessee at Chattanoogas newest campus police member. Only, Sophie is a 13-month old K9 therapy dog. The friendly pair at UTC hopes to comfort, calmness, and connection to students and the campus police staff.
Band Balance
Aidan Henderson sat down with lead singer, Johnathan Pazdan. For Pazdan, having his band Pilot Fish is no easy feat. Pazdan and his bandmates all are working everyday to find balance between school and following their passion, making music.
On the Edge
Everett Christiansen follows an extraordinary local rock climber that has highlined and installed routes across the world. Christiansen brings listeners into Edward Yates’s world, exploring his philosophy, his climbing legacy, and the goals climbs towards to elevate life both and on off the rock.
Street Smiles
Kayelyn McCaslin speaks with an anonymous artist bringing smiles to the streets of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The faceless artist fills potholes in Chattanooga with mosaic smiley faces. In an effort to bring silly revenge to the streets while doing a good samaritan service, this artist has become a local fame, leaving smiles and notes without a trace.
The Future of the First National Park City in the United States of America
Malcolm Key speaks with Daniel Raven-Ellison, the founder of the National Park City movement, and Gail Loveland-Braille, director of Outdoor Chattanooga. Each person explains what a National Park City means and what the future holds for the first NPC in America.
A Foundation for Hope
Emily Mitchell reports on TeAndra Shackleford as she reflects on her experience from being homeless on 11th Street to now being an advocate with the help of the Chatt Foundation. Shackleford explains how she would not be where she is today without the resources and opportunities the Chatt Foundation offered her. Now, she comes back to the same street to encourage others to ask for help and use the foundation as a helping hand towards recovery and self-sufficiency.
Mountain Music
Corbin Winters speaks with Mark Hervey, co-owner of The Mountain Opry. Hervey shares how the new Mountain Opry continues to bring the community of Chattanooga, Tennessee together through Bluegrass music. The Mountain Opry has sustained and preserved for over 40 years due to the steady support they see atop Signal Mountain the last Saturday of each month.
Helping Hooves
Ansley Barry sits down with Olivia King, the executive director of the Tri-State Therapeutic Riding Center. The Riding Center is a farm in McDonald, Tennessee that works to provide safe and effective equine therapy programs to the community.
Farewell Fairmount
Clara Paulson tells the story of Fairmont Orchard, a family owned orchard on Signal Mountain, Tennessee. The farm was purchased by the family in 1928, but now its closing its doors. For 97 years, workers and loyal customers have loved and embraced Fairmont Orchard, today that embrace is turning into a final celebration, the end of a season and era.
From Yours to Ours
Malcolm Key reports on Studio Ours, a new maker-space in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Christian Chan Sok, the screenprinter behind Studio Ours describes the process of opening the doors to Chattanoogas newest collaborative hub and what the new space means to her.
Bridge the Gap
Ryan Conley reports on Calvin Sneed, a retired African American News Anchor. Today, Sneed visits historical bridges to fuel his passion and love for the importance of these bridges and preserving them. Sneed hopes to teach listeners why upkeep and historical preservation matters.
Feast or Famine: a Physical Artist in the Digital Age
Delaney Holman speaks with J.W. Butts, a muralist in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The artist goes by Mute0n, and his murals can be seen throughout the city but being a physical artist in a digital world brings new challenges.
Shower Up
Moses Malone sat down with John Justin Lynn, a volunteer at ShowerUP, a non-profit organization in Chattanooga, Tennessee providing mobile showers to unhoused individuals throughout the city. Lynn shares his experience and personal stories about challenging preconceived notions of unhoused people, and why it is important to him to provide a helping hand to the most vulnerable communities.
The Buzz in Your Backyard
Sydney Banks speaks with Angela Dittmar of Chattanooga Area Pollinator Partnership about their mission and the necessity of pollinators in the environment. Dittmar addresses how to care for pollinators in our own spaces and encourages the public to reflect on their beauty.