Building Hope: Tim Leeper on Compassion, Community, and Kylan’s Light

Jun 12, 2025 at 11:07 am by Producer



Bryan Barrett and State Rep. Mike Sparks talk to Tim Leeper — a passionate advocate for community impact and a longtime supporter of mental health initiatives — to talk about the powerful work being done through Kylan’s Light. Founded in memory of his son, Kylan.

Tim has made it his mission to shine “Kylan’s Light” on a broken Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) and the private prison industry that operates under the TDOC leadership. Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility, where Kylan was placed, has the highest number of deaths and murders of any Tennessee prison. Tragically, when an inmate dies in prison the state never acknowledges responsibility.

Tags: grief support Kylan’s Light mental health advocacy mental health awareness suicide education suicide loss survivors suicide prevention suicide prevention podcast teen mental health Tim Leeper
Sections: Rutherford Issues Podcast