CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – For this week’s episode of Clarksville’s Conversation, Katie Gambill and Charlie Koon chatted with the stars of Q108‘s Ryan and Gretchen in the Morning.

This month Ryan Ploeckelman and Gretchen Cordy are celebrating 14 years of their morning show, which airs every Monday through Friday on Q108.

Throughout the years, Ryan and Gretchen have become as close as siblings, making their show unique for listeners in Clarksville and the surrounding area.

“I’m probably closer to Ryan than I am to any of my brothers and sisters just because we spend so much time talking about things,” Gretchen said.

Ryan agrees that the two have a special dynamic that keeps listeners coming back every morning.

“Our goal with the show has always been to make it sound not like a pre-rehearsed show but like a conversation between two people that enjoy each other’s company,” he said.

When the pair first started the show, Gretchen was fresh off her run as a contestant on the first season of the popular CBS series ‘Survivor’ and Ryan was brought in later as her co-host. It took some time for them to get to know each other, but they have shared many memorable moments both on and off the air.

Gretchen, who is an Air Force veteran of six years, was one of the first female SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape) instructors in the country. She recalled a time when she and Ryan were discussing her experience on the air and another military veteran doubted her service because female SERE instructors are such a rarity. In her humble fashion, Gretchen laughed and brushed off the insult.

She and Ryan have dealt with many obstacles throughout the years, including the birth of Ryan’s third child (which was a surprise!) and the flood of 2010 that completely swamped Gretchen’s house. No matter what, these two have always arrived at work every morning well before dawn to share information and laughter with the community.

Why do they do it? Gretchen and Ryan say it’s because they love what they do and they love Clarksville.

“It’s fun because it’s different every day. You meet really interesting people,” Ryan said. “You kind of realize that Clarksville is a small town that has big advantages. It’s a really good place for kids and it became home.”

To learn more about Ryan and Gretchen and their show, listen to the full Clarksville’s Conversation podcast below:

About Clarksville’s Conversation:
The Clarksville’s Conversation podcast, hosted by Katie Gambill and Charlie Koon on Clarksvillenow.com, gives you the opportunity to eavesdrop on interviews with leaders and innovators in Clarksville-Montgomery County who shape our community. Check back every Wednesday for new episodes.