Karlen Evins is a true renaissance woman. A fixture on Nashville radio’s morning drive scene for more than 20 years, she was has since added syndicated columnist, author, and publishing entrepreneur to her repertoire.

After graduating from the University of Tennessee, communications degree in hand, Karlen struck out to build a career in advertising. In short-order, she realized her passion lies on the creative side of the advertising equation. Her thirst for creating was temporarily quenched with her first foray into the entertainment business – as producer for a top-rated radio program. Armed with engaging personality, girlnext-door good-looks and intellectual sensibilities, it wasn’t long before Karlen moved to the other side of the mic, and became the sole female panelist on the city’s longest running political radio talk show.

     Growing up in rural Middle Tennessee around salt-of-the-earth country folk, Karlen discovered a fascination with words and expressions. During her college days, she spent hours combing through etymology books, newspapers, and farmer’s almanacs, looking for clues to the origins of commonly used phrases. It was on a whim one day while on air that the “I Didn’t Know That” brand was born. Attempting to break the tension of a particularly heated political debate, Karlen asked the guests if they knew the origin of the phrase “Slush Fund.” They didn’t – and after she shared the story behind this phrase, the two political opponents instantly, and almost in unison, said “I didn’t know that!” What had begun as a hobby quickly took on a life of its own, with Karlen carving out her own niche on the radio, and soon after launching her trademark book series “I Didn’t Know That!”

     While at home on either side of the mic or camera, Karlen acknowledges she is a creator at heart. “I find inspiration in everyday life – at the grocery store, nail salon, at a restaurant – everywhere! There are great stories and interesting people around every corner – you just have to pay attention.”

     Not one to rest on her laurels, in 2004 Karlen received her Masters in Divinity from Vanderbilt University. When she isn’t writing or otherwise creating, Karlen devotes her time to helping Nashville's homeless and volunteers as a reading mentor in local city schools. A life-long resident of Tennessee, Karlen shares a home with her with her pup, Minsky.