Every good story deserves to be told. And as I wrap up this season of A Good Pour, I couldn’t think of a better way to close out our intern series than with a conversation about history, storytelling, and the power of marketing to connect us to our roots.
This episode was extra special because my guest wasn’t just any intern—he’s my son, Caleb. A senior at Station Camp, Caleb chose to work with Trousdale Place for his special project, blending his love of history with the marketing strategies he’s learned through his internship. And I have to say, watching him bring it all together has been an experience I’ll never forget.
A Passion for the Past
Caleb has always loved history. (I still remember his fifth-grade teacher telling me that if she ever got sick, Caleb could take over the class.) When given the opportunity to pick a project, he gravitated toward Trousdale Place, a historic home in Gallatin that once belonged to Tennessee’s 13th governor. It’s a place with stories layered into its very walls, from its role as a family home to its later years serving as Gallatin’s first lending library.
Caleb’s goal? To bring these stories to life and help more people discover the significance of this hidden gem.
The Work Behind the Story
Historic homes like Trousdale Place have a unique challenge—they sit quietly, often unnoticed, while thousands of people drive by every day. That’s where marketing comes in. Through his internship, Caleb learned that good marketing is about three things: staying top of mind, staying top of search, and telling great stories.
With that in mind, he worked to develop recommendations for Trousdale Place to enhance their digital presence, engage with the community, and make history feel alive for visitors. And along the way, he learned something else—sometimes, the best stories are hidden in attics, waiting to be discovered.
Uncovering Forgotten Stories
One of the most exciting moments in this project happened when a volunteer at Trousdale Place brought in a framed document from her sister’s home. It turned out to be a copy of the original deed transferring land from Captain James Trousdale—William Trousdale’s father—to establish the city of Gallatin as the county seat.
It was a reminder that history isn’t just something we read about in books—it’s living, breathing, and often right in front of us. We just have to take the time to see it.
Why This Matters
As Sue, the volunteer director of Trousdale Place, put it: “This is the people’s house.” It belongs to all of us. It’s filled with real stories of real people—families who gathered around the same dinner table, letters written from faraway places, decisions made that shaped our state.
Marketing, in its purest form, is just storytelling with a purpose. It’s about making sure these stories don’t get lost. And that’s exactly what Caleb worked to do.
Lessons Learned
When I asked Caleb what he took away from his internship, he talked about the power of AI in marketing, the behind-the-scenes work of running a business, and—of course—the depth of history tucked away in places like Trousdale Place. But more than anything, I think he realized that history isn’t just about remembering—it’s about sharing.
And that’s what marketing is, too.
Looking Ahead
This experience has been a full-circle moment. From me launching Good Circle Marketing to Caleb stepping into this world and finding his own path, it’s been incredible to see him bring his strengths into the work. And while this is my last internship episode for now, I hope the impact of projects like this continues.
If you haven’t visited Trousdale Place, I highly recommend stopping by. And if you’ve got old documents, letters, or stories about local history—don’t keep them hidden away. You never know what piece of the past might still be waiting to be told.
Thanks for being here, friends. Keep telling good stories, and keep preserving the past for the future.