Letters from Appalachia
Hello from Appalachia… where today is a new beginning.
For me it is, anyway. And if you’ve clicked through the hoops and somehow found this, I suspect you’re wondering - why?
What’s up with the new beginning, Josh? Why inflict uncomfortable change on yourself and others who’ve gotten used to your shiny bald head on the evening news?
Great questions! They’re questions I’ve asked myself too, only about a million times.
Why leave a job (btw - a job that I’ve loved) that’s highly visible (around here anyway), fast-paced and seemingly “glamorous” (not really, but whatever) to do….uh…something else?
Since announcing on TV that I won’t be on TV anymore, I’ve been amazed by the flood of kindness. Floored, I tell you. And I’ve been left struggling to understand why anyone would care what I am doing next. It’s not that I didn’t think people were kind. It’s just - all of us have lives to manage, so who has the time to wonder what I’m doing with mine?
Thankfully, my wife and others have helped me see that no - people do care. They really want the best for me, and they want to know because I’ve been a face in their homes for a lot of years, and that’s something to honor and something for which I must be grateful.
And truly - I am.
So here’s the deal.
Simply put, I knew it was time. After almost 30 years in journalism, I began to sense last year that a page was turning. As in - it was BEING TURNED by something bigger than me. And at first, it made no sense. I loved the job I was doing, where I was doing it, and the people with whom I got to do the job every day. More confusing, I didn’t know what was on the next page, where I would go, or what I would do. I didn’t know anything.
And that brought panic. All you fellow planners will understand this. No plan = no peace.
But then came…. Peace! The GIFT of peace, really, because it wasn’t something I conjured up. I received it. Like all the best gifts, it came without me asking.
And then another gift followed - the realization that whatever was next would be a continuation of the “why” that led me into journalism in the first place. Years ago, I saw it as a way to help, to serve, to inform and educate, and even to inspire. That, and the desire to avoid a lot of math classes at the University of Tennessee (no joke). In a moment, I knew without a doubt that whatever came next would be a continuation of that core mission.
Typing this, I realize it sounds a bit like something from the interview portion of a beauty contest. But I swear it’s true.
The surprises continued. Early this year, an unexpected opportunity came my way that combined the ability to care for my family, serve the region, and stay in Northeast Tennessee - my life-long home and the place I hope to call home for the rest of my life.
The new role would do something else: give me more time with my wife and three children. Time to be home in the evenings when our house begins to fill with conversations and homework and laughter and bickering and a review of the high’s and low’s of the day and dogs barking and the smell of baking brownies because someone is hungry for brownies. All that beautiful chaos. All of it which I’ve had to miss for so many years.
So - I said yes.
And that’s it, really.
Walking away from something you love is never easy. But it’s made easier when you know it’s time. And I knew.
And it’s easier when you’re walking toward something wonderful. And I am. I’ll be able to share more about that soon.
As I type this, I’m breathless with gratitude for the kindness of my former employers for whom my departure meant a lot of extra work. They prioritized me in the process, and that’s a gift I’ll never be able to repay. I’m grateful to my colleagues and connections who’ve reached out to root me on. And I’m grateful to you and all who’ve remained interested and connected through the years and who want to stay connected to the point of finding me here and reading all of these words. (I’m almost finished, I promise!)
And it’s because of you that I decided to create “joshsmithwrites.com”. Here, I’ll share what I’m writing (because I know there’s no way I’ll be able to stop writing… about something). And here we’ll always be able to stay in touch.
Periodically, I’ll write “Letters from Appalachia…” Look for ideas and observations and discussions about our complex and complicated and completely wonderful home in the hills.
I’m also excited to keep writing about one of the people I’ve covered for years - Dolly Parton. But this will be different from the news. Over on “The School of Dolly,” I plan to examine the “how” and “why” behind the “what” of her remarkable life and career and share my take on the ways “Professor Parton” is quietly teaching a masterclass in servant leadership with practical lessons for all of us who want to do a better job of serving and leading in our hometowns.
You’ll notice that I’m posting on a platform that gives you the chance to “subscribe” and get content straight to your inbox. It’s totally free, and I’m hopeful it’s convenient. Let me know your thoughts!
And I’ll post some videos from time to time too. Not sure what the topic will be. We’ll see!
That’s it for now. I’m off to enjoy the first weekend of “official summer” that hopefully involves a fresh watermelon, some cold iced tea, and a walk by a river with nothing but the sounds of water and birds who seem to be joining with me in simply saying… thank YOU.
