Episode #10
The State of Memphis: Tigers, Grizzlies, Penny, Paul Young & Falling Crime | WIA - Ep10
Where It’s At hits double digits! For Episode 10, J.R. Moore, Alex Rasmussen, and Greg Graber celebrate the milestone by looking back at the first 10 episodes—and then jump straight into a packed show covering Memphis football, Tigers basketball, a massive SEC showdown in Oxford, the return of the Grizzlies, the latest conversations surrounding the city, and one music controversy that somehow found its way onto a Memphis podcast. Memphis Football: 2–1… So How Worried Should We Be? After a 38–20 road loss at Boise State, the Tigers sit at 2–1—but the final score doesn't tell the whole story. Memphis surrendered 352 rushing yards and failed to score in the second half, while Marcus Stokes and Hunter Tipton delivered huge individual performances. With a roster loaded with newcomers and Charles Huff still building his program, the guys debate whether Memphis fans should be concerned or simply patient. Memphis Basketball Is Back in the Gym Practice is underway, which means expectations for Penny Hardaway and the Tigers are officially back. What would make this season a success? How much pressure is on Penny? And should Memphis measure itself against the AAC—or against the national standard fans believe the program should reach? The guys make their early predictions before the season gets underway. LSU vs. Ole Miss: Lane Kiffin Returns to Oxford One of college football’s biggest games of the weekend is happening just down the road from Memphis as No. 7 LSU travels to Oxford to face No. 8 Ole Miss. But this isn’t just another chapter in the LSU–Ole Miss rivalry. Lane Kiffin returns to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium for the first time as LSU’s head coach after leaving Ole Miss, adding another layer to a matchup already loaded with SEC and College Football Playoff implications. With College GameDay in town and Oxford preparing for an electric Saturday night, the guys break down the matchup, the atmosphere, and just how wild Kiffin’s return could get. The Grizzlies Are Almost Back NBA basketball is right around the corner, and it's time to figure out what this new version of the Memphis Grizzlies can become. Who enters camp with the most pressure? Which player are the guys most excited to see? What needs to change after last season? And what would it take to believe in the Grizzlies again? Plus, the crew makes some way-too-early win predictions. Paul Young vs. Social Media Memphis Mayor Paul Young's response to online criticism sparks a larger discussion about politicians, authenticity, and social media. Do people really want elected officials to speak like normal people—or only when they agree with what's being said? The guys discuss the line between being authentic, defending yourself, and allowing online battles to become a distraction from governing. Ed Sheeran, Macklemore & Who Controls the Stage? The conversation moves outside Memphis after Macklemore was removed from the U.S. leg of Ed Sheeran's tour following his pro-Palestinian remarks. Rather than trying to solve an international conflict in one podcast segment, the guys focus on the debate surrounding artists, promoters, venues, political expression, and control of the platform. How much freedom should an artist have on someone else's tour—and can the headliner really remain neutral when their name is on the marquee? Memphis Crime Is Down—Are We Willing to Admit It? The episode closes with an important conversation about Memphis and crime. Reported crime has been moving in the right direction, even as public perception of the city remains difficult to change. If we're willing to criticize Memphis when the numbers get worse, are we equally willing to acknowledge progress when they improve? The guys dig into why perception can lag behind reality, who deserves credit, what still isn't good enough, and how long positive trends need to continue before people truly believe Memphis is changing. And the bigger question: What could Memphis look like five years from now if that progress holds? Ten episodes down—and plenty more to talk about. ️ Where It's At brings J.R. Moore, Alex Rasmussen, and Greg Graber together for honest conversations about Memphis sports, music, culture, business, and the stories shaping the 901. Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/1-OzXbkGMWA Do you have an event, a perspective on shaping the city, or a story to share with our audience? Send it to stories@whereitsatmemphis.com
