This week on Georgia On Your Mind, Maya Jarrell sits down with Chris Green at the Georgia Student Finance Commission office in Decatur, Georgia to discuss his journey from Athens native to President of the Commission. He reflects on how receiving the HOPE Scholarship shaped his opportunities, guided his education at the University of Georgia, and inspired him to dedicate his career to making higher education more accessible.

Chris shares insights on leading initiatives like GEORGIA MATCH, supporting students who may never have considered college, and busting myths about financial aid. From navigating his own career path to shaping Georgia’s future talent pipeline, he offers a candid look at leadership, opportunity, and the impact of investing in students.

This week on Georgia On Your Mind, Chris Sharp sits down with Maritza McClendon at the Freeman Aquatic Center at Greater Atlanta Christian School in Norcross, Georgia to reflect on her remarkable journey from San Juan, Puerto Rico to the Olympic stage. Diagnosed with severe scoliosis at just seven years old, Maritza first entered the pool as a form of therapy and quickly discovered a passion that would shape the rest of her life. That passion propelled her to a historic career at the University of Georgia, where she became a 27-time All-American and 11-time NCAA champion before earning a spot on the United States Olympic Team and capturing a silver medal in the 400-meter freestyle relay at the 2004 Summer Olympics. In doing so, she made history as the first woman of color to make the U.S. Olympic swim team.In our conversation, Maritza reflects on the perseverance required to overcome challenges, including missing the Olympic team in 2000 before returning four years later to secure her place on the Olympic roster. She also discusses her mission beyond competition through Swim 1922, a program focused on expanding swimming education and water safety in underserved communities.

This week on Georgia On Your Mind, host Hailey Kwak sits down with Andy Pearson at The Roadhouse in Athens, Georgia to explore the creative philosophy behind one of the fastest-growing non-alcoholic beverage brands in the country, Liquid Death. He reflects on the role of bold ideas and calculated risks in building Liquid Death, the brand’s commitment to reducing plastic waste, and how humor and irreverence became central to its marketing approach. Andy also shares lessons from earlier career risks, the value of mentorship, and how challenges, from creative stunts to endurance running, have shaped his perspective.

Georgia On Your Mind — Season 4, Episode 1 | Ivy Odom

Season 4 of Georgia On Your Mind kicks off with a true Georgia success story. In Episode 1, host Grace Chandler sits down with Ivy Odom, Senior Lifestyle Editor at Southern Living, to talk about her roots and the experiences, people, and places that shaped her journey. From growing up cooking alongside her parents and grandmother to arriving at the University of Georgia with plans to become a home economics teacher, Ivy shares how one bold email to renowned Georgia food writer Rebecca Lang changed everything—leading to mentorship, cookbook development, and a pivot from education to consumer journalism.

We dive into her time at UGA, culinary school, and Atlanta’s Empire State South, as well as her fellowship with Time Inc. Food Studios and eventual rise in Southern Living’s video space during the pandemic. Along the way, Ivy reflects on creating her debut cookbook, My Southern Kitchen, and the humble South Georgia chocolate layer cake that became a career-defining moment. This episode is all about trusting your instincts, honoring where you come from, and saying yes to unexpected opportunities.

This season, Georgia On Your Mind leaves the studio and hits the road. Our new concept, Dawgs On the Road, brings listeners closer to the action with on-site interviews and stories captured where they happen. From Georgia to across the country, we’re spotlighting UGA alumni, faculty, athletes, and students who are shaping industries, driving change, and strengthening communities.

With natural sound, authentic voices, and Bulldog energy, Season Four continues the storytelling tradition of Georgia On Your Mind—but with a fresh twist that puts you right in the middle of it all. Tune in to hear the lasting impact of Georgia’s flagship institution through the people living it every day.

Host Beth Anne DeKeizer speaks with Eric Baker, Senior Creative Director for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ at Universal Creative. A Grady College Fellow, Emmy Award nominee, and recipient of the 2025 Grady Lifetime Achievement Award, Baker reflects on his journey from prop fabricator at Nickelodeon to working on the design teams building immersive worlds like Hogsmeade™, Diagon Alley™, and the newly opened Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Ministry of Magic™ at Universal Epic Universe.

Host Hope Thornton sat down with Dr. Denis Dumas, a leading researcher in creativity and education, to explore how creative intelligence is often misunderstood in traditional classrooms. Dumas shares how his research challenges the one-size-fits-all approach to learning and how tools like AI could help educators better identify and support creative students who think outside the box.

Host Hope Thornton sat down with Laura Whitaker, Executive Director of Extra Special People, to discuss her journey. Whitaker shares what it means to lead with purpose and how ESP creates joyful, inclusive spaces for children and young adults of all abilities.