Freedom isn't free—a truth Michelle Stewart and the Honor Flight program understand deeply. As president of Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands, Michelle has dedicated herself to giving veterans the recognition they earned through their service and sacrifice.

What began as a Facebook message from a high school friend in 2021 has transformed into a mission that's touched hundreds of veterans' lives throughout Northeast Tennessee. Michelle reveals the powerful journey these veterans experience during their three-day Honor Flight trips to Washington DC. From the moment they board the bus amid motorcycle escorts and flag-waving supporters, these veterans—many who never received proper recognition upon returning home—are finally given the "welcome home" they deserved decades ago.

The itinerary is both exhaustive and emotionally charged. Veterans visit Arlington Cemetery for wreath-laying ceremonies, tour memorials dedicated to their specific conflicts, and experience the camaraderie of fellow servicemembers who truly understand their experiences. For Vietnam veterans especially, who often faced hostility rather than gratitude upon their return, these trips heal wounds carried for half a century. As Michelle poignantly shares, "We want to change that. We want to give them that welcome home."

Perhaps most touching is the Memorial Mission program, where photographs of deceased veterans are carried throughout the journey, ensuring those who never had the chance to participate are still honored at every memorial. "You die your first death when you leave this earth," Michelle explains, "but as long as your name is spoken, you don't ever die a second death." Through these missions, veterans' sacrifices are acknowledged, their stories preserved, and their service celebrated.

With approximately 50,000 Vietnam veterans nationwide still waiting for their Honor Flight opportunity, Michelle and her team rely on community support to continue their mission. Follow their journey on Facebook and Instagram at Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands or email gotodc@honorflightah.org to discover how you can help honor those who gave so much for our freedom.

To help you to navigate the home buying and mortgage process, Jonathan & Steve are currently licensed in Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia, contact us today at 423-491-5405 or visit www.jonathanandsteve.com.

What does it take to transform a childhood passion into a thriving beauty business? Shamail McKenzie's journey from practicing on Barbie styling heads to becoming an award-winning hair and makeup artist reveals the perfect blend of artistic talent, business savvy, and genuine care for clients.

Shamail opens up about her 15+ years in the beauty industry, sharing how she built her business from the ground up without any entrepreneurial role models in her family. Her mother's unwavering support—encouraging her daughter to pursue her passion and even ensuring she had Brown Barbies that reflected her own appearance—laid the foundation for a career celebrating women's unique beauty.

What truly sets Shamail apart is her philosophy of personalized beauty. "Don't be cookie-cutter," she emphasizes, explaining how she adapts techniques for different face shapes, bone structures, and features. Through training at MAC Cosmetics and cosmetology school, she developed a keen eye for how to enhance rather than mask individual beauty. Her approach transforms not just appearances but confidence—helping clients see themselves through a lens of celebration rather than criticism.

Now pivoting toward coaching other beauty professionals, Shamail aims to fill a gap she encountered herself: guidance on the business aspects of beauty artistry. From contracts to pricing to client experience, she's passionate about helping others avoid the trial and error that marked her early career. Her practical advice for aspiring makeup artists—practice on yourself before bed, work at makeup counters to experience diverse faces, and continuously revisit educational resources—offers a roadmap for success in this competitive field.

Listen in as we explore Shamail's inspiring story and gather valuable insights about beauty, business, and the art of celebrating what makes each person uniquely beautiful. Connect with Shamail at ShamailMcKenzie.com or TheArtOfBeautiful.com to learn how she can transform your special day or help you build your own beauty business.

To help you to navigate the home buying and mortgage process, Jonathan & Steve are currently licensed in Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia, contact us today at 423-491-5405 or visit www.jonathanandsteve.com.

Judge Jim Goodwin lifts the veil on what recovery courts really are—not programs for first-time offenders as commonly misunderstood, but rather the last line of defense before long-term incarceration for those caught in addiction's grip. As Criminal Court Judge for the Second Judicial District in Sullivan County, Goodwin has transformed the landscape of rehabilitation in East Tennessee through innovative court programs that break the cycle of addiction and crime.

Goodwin's journey began during his 15 years as a prosecutor, including work with child abuse cases that left him seeking something positive to balance the emotional weight. This experience, coupled with his early exposure to the judiciary during law school, planted the seed for his eventual role as a judge. Taking office in 2014, he wasted no time establishing the region's first recovery court, accepting their first participant by spring 2015.

What makes this story particularly compelling is the evolution of recovery court services under Goodwin's watch. The original outpatient program has expanded to include a compliance docket for lower-risk individuals and residential programs housing up to 85 men in Roan Mountain and 12 women in Johnson City. The most striking testament to the program's effectiveness? Among 30-40 graduates over nearly a decade, only two participants have relapsed—an extraordinary success rate in addiction recovery work.

Behind the statistics lie powerful human stories, including a woman who was contemplating suicide in her jail cell while applying for the program. After initially going through the motions, something clicked, and she committed fully to recovery. Today, she's a regional manager who has regained custody of her children, helped her husband and sister overcome their own addictions, and even established support meetings in her community. As Judge Goodwin notes, many participants have never before had authority figures tell them they have value or recognize their achievements—something that proves transformative when combined with structure, support and accountability.

Ready to hear more inspiring stories of redemption through East Tennessee's innovative approach to addiction and criminal justice? Listen now and discover why Judge Goodwin calls his recovery court sessions "the best part of my work week."

To help you to navigate the home buying and mortgage process, Jonathan & Steve are currently licensed in Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia, contact us today at 423-491-5405 or visit www.jonathanandsteve.com.