In this episode of In The Box, former Sheriff David Millsap sits down with Lebanon Now founder and producer Ryan Sherrer for a powerful and transparent conversation about life, growth, and the evolution of local media. Ryan opens up about his early years, the lessons that shaped him, and how those experiences led to the creation of Lebanon Now, a platform built to reconnect the community through honest storytelling, local coverage, and accessible information without paywalls or spin.
The two talk about the challenges of running a growing multimedia company in a small town, the weight of covering hard news when everyone knows each other, and the responsibility that comes with representing the community accurately and fairly. Ryan discusses his views on leadership, mental health, ADHD, creativity, and how finding balance between structure and passion became the key to his success.
They also cover the changing landscape of small-town journalism, the struggles traditional outlets face, and how Lebanon Now’s model has become a blueprint for the next generation of local media. From personal setbacks to professional wins, this is a raw and honest look at what it takes to build something real and lasting in today’s fast-moving digital world.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
02:30 Ryan’s background and early career
07:10 The beginnings of Lebanon Now
13:40 Shifts in local news and media decline
19:20 Returning home and finding purpose
26:00 Building a business while staying authentic
32:10 Learning from struggle and personal growth
39:40 The challenges of hard news and transparency
46:50 The vision for expansion and community focus
53:00 Advice on leadership and staying grounded
58:30 Final thoughts on Lebanon Now’s mission and future
The two talk about the challenges of running a growing multimedia company in a small town, the weight of covering hard news when everyone knows each other, and the responsibility that comes with representing the community accurately and fairly. Ryan discusses his views on leadership, mental health, ADHD, creativity, and how finding balance between structure and passion became the key to his success.
They also cover the changing landscape of small-town journalism, the struggles traditional outlets face, and how Lebanon Now’s model has become a blueprint for the next generation of local media. From personal setbacks to professional wins, this is a raw and honest look at what it takes to build something real and lasting in today’s fast-moving digital world.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
02:30 Ryan’s background and early career
07:10 The beginnings of Lebanon Now
13:40 Shifts in local news and media decline
19:20 Returning home and finding purpose
26:00 Building a business while staying authentic
32:10 Learning from struggle and personal growth
39:40 The challenges of hard news and transparency
46:50 The vision for expansion and community focus
53:00 Advice on leadership and staying grounded
58:30 Final thoughts on Lebanon Now’s mission and future