About the Guest:

Matthew Dodd-Berry: Matthew Dodd-Berry is a talented young golfer hailing from the Wirral in England. With a strong background in competitive golf, Matthew has excelled at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) under the guidance of Coach Jake Amos. He is now transitioning to Louisiana State University (LSU) to pursue his golfing career at a higher competitive level. Matthew’s achievements include making it to the national championships with ETSU, playing in the prestigious Open Championship, and establishing a robust reputation in the golfing community both in the UK and the US.

Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode of the podcast, Colin Johnson sits down with Matthew Dodd-Berry, an accomplished golfer from England who has recently made waves by participating in the Open Championship. Traveling all the way from the Wirral, Matthew shares insights into his journey from East Tennessee State University (ETSU) to joining Louisiana State University (LSU) for an exciting new chapter in his golfing career.

Matthew delves into the nuances of moving from a tightly-knit community in Johnson City to the bustling and competitive environment of Baton Rouge. He discusses the challenges and rewards of playing collegiate golf, his preference for the close-knit feel of ETSU, and his decisions that have paved the way for his transition to LSU. Furthermore, listeners get a rare glimpse into his experience at the Open Championship, ranging from the rigorous qualifications to the awe-inspiring moments playing alongside golfing legends like Scotty Scheffler.

Key Takeaways:

• Transition in Collegiate Golf: Matthew explains his move from ETSU to LSU and the factors that influenced his decision, including seeking a higher level of competition and the opportunity to play in the SEC.
• Golfing Beginnings and Family Influence: The episode explores Matthew's early introduction to golf, influenced by his grandmother, and his realization of his potential at a young age.
• Attitude and Mental Toughness: Matthew emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and mental resilience, both on the golf course and in life—echoing lessons taught by his coaches and experiences in competitive play.
• Open Championship Insights: Detailed recount of Matthew’s journey to the Open Championship, including overcoming the final qualifiers and playing against top golfers like Scotty Scheffler.
• Future Aspirations: Matthew shares his goals for the upcoming year, including winning more college tournaments and making another appearance at the Open Championship.

Notable Quotes:

1. "I think I made a good decision choosing golf [over football], you can play golf forever."
2. "People around me had told me that you need to go in there with an attitude of just, it's nothing special, just go there like you're trying to win."
3. "It's not about how we're playing right now, it's about how we play in post season."
4. "The pros aren't actually—they don't strike it as good as you think they would, but the six inches between their ears is where they really step ahead of everyone."
5. "If I hadn't made [that 15ft putt], I wouldn't have made it into the final qualifying and who knows what would have happened. I possibly wouldn't have played the Open."

Resources:

• Instagram: @matty_dodd_berry
• Twitter: @matty_dodd_berry

Enjoy the full episode to hear Matthew's journey firsthand and stay tuned for more insightful episodes from our series. Whether you're a golf enthusiast or looking for inspiration and life lessons from sports, this episode is sure to offer valuable insights.

About the Guest:

Damon Johnson\ Damon Johnson is a former professional basketball player hailing from Johnson City. He has played for various international teams, including those in Iceland, Spain, Indonesia, and Chile. After a successful 15-year career, he returned to his hometown to give back to the community. Currently, Damon is the Executive Director of LXI, an after-school program focused on supporting underprivileged youth, particularly those dealing with trauma and mental health challenges. Damon's journey from a local athlete to a global basketball player and now a community leader demonstrates his commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of children in Johnson City.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, host Colin Johnson sits down with longtime friend and community leader Damon Johnson. It's a heartfelt conversation about growing up in Johnson City, the transformative power of basketball, and the importance of giving back. Damon details his journey from participating in local basketball teams to playing professionally overseas, and eventually, returning home to make a difference in his community.

Damon talks at length about his role as Executive Director at LXI, an after-school program centered around addressing trauma and mental health in youth. The discussion highlights LXI's unique approach, which diverges from traditional curriculum-based after-school programs by focusing more on mental health and providing a safe space for kids to express and deal with their trauma. Damon shares his future vision for LXI, including exciting partnerships and potential expansions aimed at providing even more resources to children in need.

Key Takeaways:

• Damon's Basketball Journey: His career spanned countries like Iceland, Spain, Indonesia, and Chile, ultimately shaping his perspective and bringing him back to his roots in Johnson City.
• LXI's Mission: The program is committed to dealing with trauma and mental health rather than adhering strictly to conventional curriculum-based activities.
• Future Plans for LXI: Exciting partnerships and community collaborations are in the works to ensure the nonprofit can reach more children and provide substantial resources.
• Community Impact: Damon emphasizes the importance of community support and collaboration to drive meaningful change in the lives of youth.
• Personal Stories: Damon shares anecdotes about his professional basketball career and his motivation to mentor and support kids through their struggles.

Notable Quotes:

1. "I don't think we can heal people at LXI, but we can start the process of healing."
2. "Kids in basketball just kept swirling in my mind. So I started TCF, which was a nonprofit basketball program."
3. "We really focus on mental health and trauma more than most after-school programs."
4. "Find somebody to talk to if you can't go through a therapist, find a support system that will challenge you."
5. "I think just go after it and be prepared to fail. Failure is just a way of learning."

Resources:

• Damon Johnson's Email: dash.m.o@movelxi.com
• LXI Website: Move LXI

Call to Action:

Explore this deep dive into Damon Johnson’s inspiring journey from professional basketball to community leadership. Learn about the transformative work being done at LXI and how addressing trauma and mental health can significantly impact the lives of underprivileged youth. Tune in and be inspired to make a positive difference in your own community! Stay tuned for more insightful episodes from the Colin and Carter Group.

About the Guest:

Nancy Williams is an author, teacher, and freelance public relations professional based in Johnson City. With degrees in French and History, Nancy transitioned into advertising, working for renowned agencies and companies like FedEx. She later taught public relations at Milligan College and pursued her passion for writing, authoring books that include a devotional for women facing infertility and the historical fiction novel "To Love a Falcon." Nancy’s work is deeply influenced by her background in history, her experiences with Russian culture, and her strong Christian faith.

Episode Summary:

Join Colin Johnson as he welcomes Nancy Williams, a prolific author, teacher, and beloved neighbor from Johnson City, to the podcast. Nancy shares her journey from working in advertising and corporate communications to becoming an author. Her extensive background in history and writing shines through as she discusses her various projects, including her novel "To Love a Falcon," which beautifully intertwines historical fiction with elements of romance, mystery, and Christian faith.

In this episode, Nancy delves deep into her writing process, the inspiration behind her stories, and the historical context that enriches her novels. She highlights remarkable stories, such as Project Hula—a top-secret World War II mission, and discusses how her travel and family experiences, including adopting her son from Siberia, have influenced her writing. Nancy also offers invaluable advice for aspiring writers and previews her next project, a time-slip novel based in Johnson City. Don’t miss this captivating conversation full of local history, literary insights, and personal anecdotes.

Key Takeaways:

• Nancy Williams’ novel "To Love a Falcon" is rooted in the true story of Project Hula, a secret World War II mission.
• Historical fiction can provide a unique platform to explore themes like faith, persecution, and forgiveness.
• Nancy draws inspiration from personal experiences, such as adopting her son from Siberia.
• Aspiring writers should begin by simply getting their ideas down on paper and consider joining writers' groups for support.
• Nancy is working on a new novel based in Johnson City, blending historical and contemporary narratives through a time-slip format.

Notable Quotes:

1. “It is a hot but beautiful August day here in Johnson City, and kids are going back to school.” - Colin Johnson
2. “I've kind of watched the growth over that span of time. But my husband is from here originally.” - Nancy Williams
3. “I think Memphis is special… the people were fantastic.” - Colin Johnson
4. “I wanted to have a mission for the book… I wanted them to know that there was a real persecution.” - Nancy Williams
5. “Start writing. Just sit down and start. Just put it all down, and it'll… you will look back at it when you finished it and go, oh, that. That's gotta be changed.” - Nancy Williams

Resources:

• Nancy Williams’ Website: nancycwilliams.com
• Books by Nancy Williams:
• To Love a Falcon
• Devotional for Women Facing Infertility (title not specifically mentioned)
• References in the Episode:
• Project Hula on Wikipedia
• Finnist the Falcon (Russian fairy tale) on Wikipedia
• Westminster Presbyterian Church (YouTube available services)
• Various local dining and hiking spots in Johnson City

Stay tuned for more enlightening conversations on the podcast and dive into the full episode to discover more about Nancy Williams’ literary journey and her deep connections with history and faith.