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In this episode of the Southern Gentlemen Podcast, Chris and Winston sit down with Will Newman, founder of Edley's BBQ, for a conversation that hits right at the crossroads of business, faith, family, and Southern Hospitality.

We start with Edley's response to Winter Storm Fern - when Will and his team fired up the pits to serve free pork sandwiches to linemen, first responders, and folks displaced by the storm. It's a powerful look at what it means to show up for your community when it matters most.

From there, Will walks us through the Edley's origin story, growing from a single location to 11 restaurants over the past 15 years, and what that kind of growth teaches you about leadership, humility, and building culture that scales. We dig into BBQ culture, what makes Tennessee BBQ special, and why food is often the front door to real hospitality.

Will also opens up about leaning more intentionally into his faith as the leader of a fast-growing company, and how running a business at this level has shaped him - as a husband, a dad, and a man trying to keep his priorities straight.

And of course, we keep it Southern and have some fun along the way, including Will's hot takes on timeless debates like Waffle House vs. Cracker Barrel. He even shares a story about trying a famous pitmaster's brisket that was so dang good it made him curse!

This one's about generosity, grit, and doing good work the right way - plates full, hearts open, and doors wide.

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