This Is Nashville (WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio)

It is just a reality of living in this country, that not a day goes by without a shooting. Recently mass shootings have dominated the news: a grocery store in Buffalo, New York, then an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, and a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois.

However, what’s more common, and receives less media coverage, is the daily incidents of gun violence in our communities.

In this episode, we’ll explain the Tennessee gun laws and its recent changes. We’ll hear from experts about how many gun owners and guns there are in Tennessee, and what kind of gun violence is most common. Also joining us is a Davidson County juvenile court judge and a community activist who’ll have insight on the impacts of gun violence.  

Guests:

• Damon Mitchell, WPLN enterprise reporter

• John Harris, executive director of the Tennessee Firearms Association 

• Becky Bullard, senior director of programs at the Metro Office of Family Safety 

• Juvenile Court Judge Sheila Calloway

• Clemmie Greenlee, founder and CEO of Nashville PeaceMakers and Mothers Over Murder

Restorative practices can be employed in a plethora of environments, but what impact does taking a restorative approach to the legal system have? How are environments, communities and individuals changed when restorative justice is applied? Today, we talk to people who have first-hand experience in this method of conflict resolution.

Guests:

• Travis Claybrooks, Raphah Institute

• Dia Mimms, Raphah Institute program participant

• Quinton Perkins, Raphah Institute program participant

Further Listening and Reading:
Raphah Institute
Dr. Rich Milner on classroom discipline, restorative practices and the opportunity gap

This episode was produced by Magnolia McKay.

Her political career began in St. Paul, Minnesota. When she came back to her hometown of Nashville, she became the Mayor of Oak Hill, then State Senator. Last year she ran for Mayor of Nashville, she even ran for Congress in 2022. But did you know that path to holding public office was not the path she first envisioned for herself? We’ll talk with the Nashville native who found her way to politics after experiencing events that helped her view life from a different perspective.

This episode was produced by Khalil Ekulona

A “second sanctuary” — that’s how one of our guests describes her barbershop because these places are about much more than cutting hair. They’re about community. Barbers can take the role of a counselor, even a parent, to their customers. The shop is a place were conversations flow and don’t shy away from religion and politics.

At the same time, another guest says barbershops are “the segregated picture of America.” In this episode, we talk straight as a razor about the role of barbershops in our region. Plus, we’ll cut into the art of a fade, learn the secrets shared from the chair, and explore the vulnerability of our local barbershops.

But first, we talk about a push to change Tennessee’s “HIV criminalization” laws.

Guests:

• Katie Riordan, WKNO Memphis reporter

• Robin Lennon-Dearing, associate professor at the University of Memphis School of Social Work

• Jarod Parrish, pharmacist

• Stephen Mason, Handsomizer owner

• Dejaun Conley, Anointed Handz owner

• Celina Vito, shop manager at Sage & Brush

• Hader Feron, Golden Star owner

Today, we sit with David as he reflects on the rigidity of political thought and the ways he believes political discourse in America must evolve. Plus, we talk about his journey and what led him to write for high profile publications like the New York Times. As we enter another new era of Conservatism v. Liberalism, what does he envision for the future of our country?

This episode was produced by Tasha AF Lemley. 

Further reading and listening:

• The New York Times Opinion | My Old Church’s Fundamentalist Wing Canceled Me by David French
• The New York Times Opinion | We Don’t Have Time to Waste in Despair by David French

Since we last talked about school vouchers back in fall 2022, the state legislature and governor have made major steps toward making them a reality for all Tennesseeans. Right now, there are bills on the table in the House and Senate that would give over $7000 per student against their private school tuition— regardless of whether they were ever even enrolled in  public school. Some are calling this a subsidy for the rich, and some are saying vouchers will make private school more accessible for low and middle class families. We’ll talk today with lawmakers, parents, advocates, and reporters to understand this legislation. We will also turn to national perspectives on what has happened in states like Vermont and Arizona with their respective voucher programs— and see what we can learn from them.

This episode was produced by Elizabeth Burton. Special thanks to WPLN’s Alexis Marshall, Austin Sauerbrei, Ken Jobe, Katherine Ceicys, and Marta Aldrich at Chalkbeat.

Guests:

• Liv Cook, former special education teacher and Public Education Campaign Organizer at the Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment (SOCM)

• Barbara Long, retired Murfreesboro schoolteacher, current board member at Murfreesboro City Schools

• Freda Player, board member at MNPS 

• Representative Sam McKenzie (D-15), state legislator representing Knox County, chairman of the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators, member of the House K12 subcommittee

• Victor Evans, Executive Director of TennesseeCAN, former teacher in Memphis

• Alec MacGillis, investigative reporter with ProPublica

Follow this link for further reading: https://wpln.org/post/episodes/whats-going-on-with-school-vouchers/

With more than 40 years of journalism experience in Nashville, Emmy-award-winning Demetria Kalodimos is still one of the best-known names and faces in local news. After a long career in television, she’s moved on to documentary filmmaking, teaching and resurrecting the print-gone-web Nashville Banner. We sit down with her to talk about her career, the golden days of local tv news, and what’s next for this venerable journalist.

Guests: 

• Demetria Kalodimos, host of Banner and Company

Franklin Pride is this weekend. The festival narrowly survived a months-long campaign to have the city deny its permit over backlash against last year’s drag performances.

In today’s episode, we’re talking with Franklin Pride organizers about that controversy and what attendees can expect this year. We’re also joined by two Tennessee drag queens to hear how they’re celebrating Pride this year.

But first, Tennessee passed a first-of-its-kind law restricting drag from public spaces, but a judge blocked it the night before it would’ve taken effect. A ruling in that case is expected as early as Friday, when many Pride festivals will already be in full swing. We’ll hear from WPLN afternoon host Marianna Bacallao about the future of the law.

Guests: 

• Clayton Klutts, president of Franklin Pride

• Robert McNamara, president emeritus and founder of Franklin Pride

• Ginny Bailey, secretary of Franklin Pride

• Micah Winter (AKA Goldie Dee Collins), Memphis-based drag queen and member of the Friends of George’s theater group

• Veronika Electronika, Nashville-based drag queen for 20 years, has conducted local story hours

Expanding access to alternative forms of schooling is central to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s education plans.

The Educational Savings Account Program gives families access to vouchers that allow students in Davidson and Shelby counties to use money designated for public schooling and apply it to tuition at alternative institutions like private schools, in addition to other approved expenses.

The act that created the program was passed in 2019, but it has been challenged in court. In today’s episode, we discuss the status of the program and talk to parents about why they might, or might not, opt to use the voucher program.

But first, we check hear the latest on Metro Nashville’s community-based efforts around violence reduction.

Guests:

• Paige Pfleger, WPLN criminal justice reporter

• Mariah Timms, justice reporter, The Tennessean

• Tanya Coats, president, Tennessee Education Association

• Shaka Mitchell, director of state strategy and advocacy, Tennessee Federation for Children

• Emily Masters, MNPS District 3 representative

• Trisha Lucente, Parents’ Choice Tennessee

• Jason Sparks, MNPS parent

Every polling place is run by trained poll officials who make sure voters can efficiently and easily cast their vote. Today, we speak with poll officials as well as the administrator of elections for the Davidson Country Election Commission to learn what goes into working at a polling station and how polling officials keep our elections fair, safe and secure. Plus, our guests will answer some of the most common questions about voting.

GUESTS:

• Jeff Roberts, Administrator of Elections, Davidson County
• Christiev Alphin, Poll Official 
• Mark Blankenship, Poll Official

Further Reading:

• Check your voter registration, find sample ballots and confirm your polling place through the Election Commission of Davidson County
• WPLN | Full election coverage including voter guides
• Nashville Banner | Here’s What it Takes to Be a Poll Worker for Nashville’s Elections

Nashville has a healthy local beer scene, with dozens of local breweries and beer halls, and even a WNXP-themed beer. This Sunday, the Craft Brewers Conference is coming to town, so in today's episode, we’re diving into the history and culture of the local beer scene, as well as hosting an on-air taste test.

But first, Tennessee’s top education official is stepping down at the end of this school year. Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn has served in her position since 2019, when she was appointed by Gov. Bill Lee. Now she’s leaving the post. We're joined by WPLN’s education reporter Alexis Marshall to learn more.

Guests:

• Alexis Marshall, WPLN education reporter

• Will Cheek III, attorney specializing in alcoholic beverage work

• Sharon Cheek, executive director of the Tennessee Craft Brewers Guild

• Bailey Spaulding, CEO and founder of Jackalope Brewing Company

• Kent Taylor, owner and founder of Blackstone Brewing Company

• Chad Mueller, head brewer TennFold Brewing

With the help of Nashville-native writer and reporter Kim Green and Chantha’s daughter, Clara Kim, Nguon’s story will reach worldwide and show us all that it’s possible to make something sweet out of something bitter.

Today's guests:

• Chantha Nguon, author, chef, nonprofit founder

• Kim Green, author, journalist

• Clara Kim, Nguon's daughter and Slow Noodles audiobook narrator

More:

• Previous story on Chantha by WPLN reporter Blake Farmer.

• You can find Slow Noodles here.

• Upcoming events:

  • Tuesday, Feb. 20 @ 6-9pm - Book launch & art exhibition at Julia Martin Gallery
  • Wednesday, Feb. 21 @ 6:30pm - Reading & book talk hosted by The Bookshop Nashville, next door at Hanna Bee Coffee
  • Sunday, Feb. 25 @ 5-8pm - Cambodian à la carte popup at Bastion Big Bar (no reservation needed - 21+ only)
  • Monday, Feb. 26 @ 3pm - Book club(s) discussion & reading at Blakeford in Green Hills. (Park at lot across Burton Hills Rd. and check in at front desk, then head to Blakeford Hall.)

On Saturday at 9:00 a.m., WPLN will officially turn 60 years old!

Today, we're celebrating with past and present staff, former guests and listeners. We're taking a dive into station history, from the library days all the way to the launch of This Is Nashville. Then, we're sitting down with listeners to discuss what they want to hear from us in the next 60 years.

Guests: 

• Steve Swenson, president and CEO of WPLN

• Pat Nolan, host of Inside Politics at NewsChannel 5

• Anita Bugg, VP of Content at WPLN

• Ellen McPherson, longtime listener

• Jehlin Hayes, college freshman and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle TN Tennessee Youth of the Year

• Rachel Iacovone, WPLN digital editor

Today we explore two of the elements of Hip Hop culture: Beats (producing) & Rhymes (emceeing).

Wordsmiths, beat-makers, lyricists, and sound providers. Those are some of the names Hip Hop culture uses to describe emcees and producers. How is being an emcee different from being a rapper? What’s up with sampling in hip hop? We talk with local Hip Hop artists who specialize in two of the core elements of hip hop. Beats and Rhymes.

GUESTS:

PE McCallum aka Pow Shadowz The General

Kyna Ealey aka JusBam

Ah Dell aka Ah-Deli

Chris Jones aka M-SLAGO

Brian Brown

Sunil Rajan - aka Carmine Prophets

Today's episode was produced by host Khalil Ekulona

Songwriters are at the heart of Music City’s namesake industry, from big-name performers to veteran hitmakers to those just starting out. In this episode, we’re sitting down with songwriters, musicians and a local union president to learn about what it takes to write songs and make a living in Music City.

But first, we’re saying goodbye to WPLN enterprise reporter Damon Mitchell and talking about some of his proudest work from his time at WPLN.

Guests:

• Damon Mitchell, WPLN enterprise reporter

• Henry Brill, songwriter and producer

• Ellisa Sun, songwriter artist

• Dave Pomeroy, President of the Nashville Musicians Association

Songs played during the show: 

• “Lights Down Low” by The Thing With Feathers

• “Past Noon” by Ellisa Sun

• “The Day the Fingerpickers Took Over the World” by Chet Atkins and Tommy Emmanuel

The special session is … not … over. WPLN state politics reporter Blaise Gainey discusses the surprise turn of events that will extend the session and provides the latest updates from the state capitol.

Squirrels, possums, turtles, foxes, birds of prey and countless other wild creatures live right here with us in Middle Tennessee. Unfortunately, interactions with humans and human-made things can lead to injuries or death for these animals. Today we’re speaking with the dedicated leaders and volunteers of several local wildlife rehabilitation centers to learn about what to do - and not do- if we come across an injured wild animal. We'll also discuss steps we can take to be considerate and help prevent injuries to our wild neighbors. Join us!

This episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys.

GUESTS:

• Joanna Johnson, animal care manager Walden's Puddle
• Jerry Vandiver, volunteer with Walden's Puddle
• Anastasia Kudrez, executive director Harmony Wildlife
• Debbie Sykes, director of Nashville Wildlife Conservation Center
• Molly Mayes, wildlife educator Nashville Wildlife Conservation Center

We’re less than a decade away from maximum capacity at Middle Point landfill in Rutherford County, where Nashville and Middle Tennessee’s trash goes.

What will we do when we reach that capacity? One idea to expand the landfill. However, the city of Murfreesboro has already pushed back with a lawsuit against Middle Point on the basis of it violating several EPA standards. What to do with Middle Tennessee’s trash is a real problem, and it’s not going anywhere. Some are asking why we are making so much trash in the first place. Is there a smarter way to deal with our waste? Can we soften our impact on the environment with recycling, composting and utilizing technology? What will it take to solve this problem?

But first, WPLN special projects editor Tony Gonzalez takes us on an intergalactic caper in Hickman County for the latest installment of Curious Nashville.

Guests:

• Dr. Jeremy Aber, Murfreesboro resident, professor of geography at MTSU and member of SOCM 

• Scott Banbury, Conservation Program Coordinator and lobbyist at the Sierra Club 

• Kendra Abkowitz, Chief Sustainability and Resilience Officer at Metro Nashville, Davidson County

• Jenn Harrman, Zero Waste Program Manager at Metro Water Services

White lightning. Firewater. Mountain dew. There are a lot of names for moonshine, but what is it? Strictly speaking, it’s any illegal homemade spirit, and can be made from pretty much anything including fruits, grain and vegetables.

People all over the world have been making their own alcohol for millennia, but moonshine as we know it today came to be after Prohibition laws made getting legally-produced liquor impossible. Tennessee was both the first state to adopt Prohibition laws and one of the earliest birthplaces of moonshine. 

To learn more, we’re joined by a local historian, a distiller and a fourth-generation moonshiner from Cannon County.

Guests: 

• Sarah Arntz, program coordinator at the Nashville Public Library Metro Archives

• Billy Kaufman, owner of Short Mountain Distillery

• Ricky Estes, fourth-generation Cannon County moonshiner

On Monday, Jan. 16, Tennessee State University announced its plans to spend a $250 million lump sum from the state on improvements to its campus. The money comes after the bipartisan Joint Land-Grant Institution Funding Study Committee found that between 1956 and 2006, the state of Tennessee underfunded Tennessee State University by as much as $544 million. The state's other land-grant school, the University of Tennessee, was fully funded over this period.

We explore how this infusion of money will be used at TSU, and look at the history of how this underfunding came to light.

But first, we respond to your feedback in our weekly @ Us! segment.

Guests:

• Antonio Renfroe, TSU student

• Frank Stevenson, TSU associate vice president of student affairs and dean of students

• Dr. Andrea Ringer, TSU assistant professor of history

• Rep. Harold Love Jr., chair of the Joint Land-Grant Institution Funding Study Committee

• Brittany L. Mosby, executive director of HBCU success on the Tennessee Higher Education Commission

The Nashville Symphony is preparing for the world premiere of "The Jonah People: A Legacy of Struggle and Triumph," an epic and ambitious opera from composer and jazz trumpeter Hannibal Lokumbe.

"The Jonah People" tells the story of the African American experience, starting with abduction and enslavement to the present day. It’s a massive, multimedia undertaking that hasn’t been done before in a symphony hall. Lokumbe’s visionary creation is intended to have a huge impact as entertainment but also attitudes, or in the his words “Come as you are; leave transformed.”

In today's episode, we hear how Lokumbe created his visionary work and his collaboration with the Nashville Symphony. WPLN editor LaTonya Turner also takes us behind-the-scenes for a look at the complex scenic and technical design that must be put together in the next few days.

But first, three state representatives are facing expulsion from the Tennessee legislature for leading a protest for gun control from the House floor. We'll be joined by Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, and Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, to talk what happened and the reaction from their constituents.

Guests: 

• Hannibal Lokumbe, composer of "The Jonah People: A Legacy of Struggle and Triumph"

• Alan Valentine, Nashville Symphony president and CEO of the Nashville Symphony

• Karen Slack, soprano and "The Jonah People" cast member

Grab a blanket and snuggle up with a cuppa on this rainy spring day. We've got some poetry for you.

We bring you words from poets of Nashville's past, highlighting The Fugitive Poets of the early 20th century. Then we invite a few of poets of today to share some of their work and inspirations.

But up first, WPLN environmental reporter Caroline Eggers will join at the top of the show to talk about her recent coverage of the United Nations climate report and the Tennessee Valley Authority's response to the call for clean energy. 

Guests: 

• Caroline Eggers, WPLN Environmental Reporter

• Ridley Wills II, author and historian

• Mark Jarman, poet and critic

• Destiny O. Birdsong, multi-genre writer

• Joshua Moore, poet and Versify host

Since 2021, the financial health of Tennessee State University has been in the news.

In 2021 a group of state lawmakers found that in the previous 50 years the state had underfunded the school by about a half a billion dollars. Then, in 2023, a federal report said that the state underfunded the university by far more than the original estimate — about $2 billion dollars just between 1987 and 2020. This fall, TSU laid off more than 100 employees and just last month the administration announced further cost-saving measures to keep from running out of money by the end of the school year. Today we’re taking your calls and speaking with HBCU historian Dr. Crystal deGregory, Tennessean reporter Rachel Wegner and Andrea Williams, op-ed columnist and curator of the Black Tennessee Voices initiative for the The Tennessean. We’ll explore HBCU history, TSU’s funding, and what could be done to permanently fix this chronic situation.

Today we’re talking with two couples who have been together for several decades … and who are happy to say that they continue to love and like each other each day. We’ll also hear about a bonded couple who show their love through sharing treats, making biscuits, and grooming each other … guess what species they are!? A shorter version of this episode aired earlier this year. Tune in for the full conversations today!

Guests:

• Beth and Tommy Womack
• Teresa Birdsong and Cameron Adkins

Learn More:

Nashville Catio

This episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys and Magnolia McKay.

One of the main ways we can interact with others is through our hobbies and niche interests. And they’ve got another benefit, too: When we learn more about other people’s hobbies and niche interests, we better appreciate the world around us and we can embrace and celebrate our differences.

Today, we delve into three vastly different niche activities and the people who pursue them. From Rubik’s cubing to cooking to professional Santa artistry, these guests illustrate the importance of finding our “niche” in all stages of life.

This episode was produced by Leslie Eiler Thompson.

Guests:

• Shook G. | Rubik’s Cube player
• Zach and Maggie White | Regional cooking
• Santa Shed (Shedrich) Webster | Professional Santa portrayal artist

Further reading and listening:

• Niche to Meet You is an investigative storytelling podcast by Leslie Eiler Thompson about the little-known niche subcultures where misfits are making meaning.

The annual Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival takes place tomorrow. Founded in 2009 as a collaboration between the Japan-America Society of Tennessee, the General Consulate of Japan, and the Mayor’s Office, the festival is a celebration of Japanese culture, from martial arts to traditional music to wood block prints. Today, we're talking about the history of the festival, what it means to the community, and the symbolism of cherry blossoms with folks who helped found the festival, as well as tree and beautification experts.

But first, Franklin Pride narrowly survived a 5-4 vote by the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen after a passionate public comment period. We’re joined by The NEWS reporter Matt Masters to learn more about what happened.

This episode was produced by Rose Gilbert.

Dubbed the "High Fidelity" for millennials, the book paints a picture of Nashville before it became "It City" — before the bachelorettes moved in, before Lower Broad was owned by country stars and before most major bands added Music City as a tour stop. "Lo Fi" takes us back to a time when Nashville felt like it was by residents and for residents.

Today, we interview author Liz Riggs about the book, her inspirations, and her Nashville. Also joining us for today's music-filled episode will be Mike “Grimey” Grimes and WNXP's Emily Young.

Today's Guests:

• Liz Riggs | Author, Lo Fi
• Mike Grimes | Owner/operator of Grimey's New & Preloved Music and The Basement venues
• Emily Young | WNXP Events and Promotions director
  
  
  
• Jude Mason | Guest Host

Today's show was produced by Jude Mason.

As lawmakers race through special session, WPLN journalists Rose Gilbert, Char Datson, and Tony Gonzalez bring us the latest from the state capitol.

As a Muslim Nigerian, she often finds herself at the intersection of race and religion, both locally and globally. Now in her second term, she has dedicated herself to making Nashville a city for everyone. Today, we’ll explore how these identities shape her role in Nashville, influence her work on the council, and highlight her core values and priorities.

This episode was produced by Elizabeth Burton.

Around Nashville, more and more churches are becoming LGBTQ-affirming. According to the website Gay Church, affirming congregations — also known as reconciling or welcoming — have increased by more than 50 percent in Nashville over the past decade. That reflects a national trend.

For some Nashville churches, the mission goes well beyond welcoming, centering LGBTQ people in worship and leadership. What does LGBTQ-affirming church look like in Nashville? We explore what it means for the religious culture of our city.

But first, we respond to listener feedback in our weekly @Us segment.

Guests:

• Rev. Dawn Bennett, pastor at Table Nashville

• Steven Adair, worship and communications at Glendale United Methodist Church

• Eric Patton, minister specializing in LGBTQ weddings

• Kashif Andrew Graham, outreach librarian for religion and theology for Vanderbilt Divinity Library

• Lóre Stevens, MDiv, intern pastor at First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

The first marker, "Heaton's Station," was placed in 1968 at a bend in the Cumberland River in North Nashville and commemorates one of the city’s first structures, a fortified house built for protection in 1780. Now there are almost 300 markers across the city, with at least one in every council district. Today, we’ll talk about the importance of the marker program and how to get one made and planted. We'll also find out all about the marker for Warehouse 28, a gay disco that also made possible the founding of Nashville CARES, and the double-sided marker that commemorates Riverside Sanitarium and honors Dr. Dorothy Brown, the first female African American surgeon in the South.

Guests:

• Jessica Reeves | Preservationist, Metro Historical Commission; Administrator, Historical Marker Program 
• John Bridges | Author; Board member, Metro Historical Commission 
• Bennie Thompson | Founder and Chairman, Riverside Historical Society
• Michael Hubbard | Member, Riverside Historical Society; Executive Director, Charles and Etta Dudley Foundation

Further Reading and Listening:

• WPLN News | On A Downtown Corner, A New Marker Acknowledges Nashville’s Slave-Trading Past
• NPR Investigations | Off The Mark: The fractured landscape of U.S. historical markers
• Read about all the people, places and things Nashville's historical markers commemorate at the program website.

Note: This episode originally aired on March 24, but the show was unexpectedly interrupted by a press conference with President Joe Biden about the war in Ukraine. We are re-airing this so listeners can hear the full episode.

Everyone wants to live in a safe community. The big question is, what is the best way to prevent violence?

The 2020 murder of George Floyd created new urgency across the country to find alternatives to policing. Nashville was no exception. Over the past few years, one local anti-violence group, Gideon’s Army, has been trying out one approach called violence interruption. The approach treats violence like an infectious disease and takes a community-based approach to public safety. On today’s episode, we’ll hear how this approach has been going.

We’re joined by a panel of community members who have been personally affected by violence, to hear what they would like to see the city and local advocacy groups do to keep our communities safe, beyond policing. We will also hear from some of the people doing the work, including a boxing coach and an emergency physician.  

Guests: 

• Nashville Peacemakers and Mothers over Murder founder Clemmie Greenly

• Susie McClendon, member of Mothers over Murder

• Randall Venson, founder and CEO of the International Boxing Academy of Nashville

• Dr. Katrina Green, emergency physician and board member of Gideon’s Army

It seems that everyone can agree that no child should experience the terror of a school shooting, nor should any family experience the pain of an unimaginable loss; we just can’t agree on how to get there. Today, we’ll get an update on the circumstances surrounding yesterday’s tragedy. And we want to hear from you. What do you think can be done?

This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.

GUESTS

• Catherine Sweeney, WPLN Health Reporter
• Paige Pflegler, WPLN Criminal Justice Reporter
• Erica Perry, Attorney, Executive Director, Southern Movement Committee 

FURTHER READING

• WPLN | 2 dead, 1 injured in shooting at Nashville high school

Bookstores are exactly what their name implies, but they’re so much more than that. They are vital spaces where people go not only to find and buy books, but to encounter new ideas, meet fellow readers and build community. Even so, a decade ago, with the rise of online retail and e-books, the local independent bookstore was widely considered a dying breed. And many of them did die off, including the beloved Davis-Kidd in Green Hills.

Whether or not you call it a comeback, the bookstore scene in Nashville is healthy and growing. In part, that’s because the personality and curation of a small bookstore is something you just can’t get from a website.

This hour, we explore Nashville’s bookselling scene, past, present and future. We talk with newcomers Novelette, longtime staples Alkebu-Lan Images, and also browse the city’s diminishing used bookstore scene.

But first, we talk with WPLN morning producer Alexis Marshall about how Nashville employers are planning to help employees access reproductive care after the reversal of Roe v. Wade.

Guests:

• Jordan Harris, owner, Alkebu-Lan Images

• Deezy Violet, co-owner, Novelette Booksellers

• Cat Bock, store manager, Parnassus Books

• Larry Woods, bookseller, Book Man Book Woman

• Carl Smith, book reseller

Across the world it is known as futbol or, the beautiful game. Here in the states, we call it by another name – soccer. While the globe is focused on the World Cup, we’re shining a light on what the game means to our local Latino communities. We’ll talk with fans, enthusiasts and players about the game that brings people together.

But first, we respond to listener comments and questions in @Us.

Guests:

• Francisco Morales, event host and program director of Latino radio stations at Plaza Mariachi 

• Stephanie Montenegro, Nashville Soccer Club fan, member of The Roadies fan club

• Dayana Morales, youth development coordinator at Conexión Américas

• Moises Rodriguez, co-founder of Maná Sports Club

• Pablo Aracena, lifelong soccer player

Previous WPLN reporting: 

• It takes two to tango: Nashville SC courts Latino fans with Spanish merch and cultural offerings at the new stadium

Today’s guest, long-time Nashvillian Keely Scott, kept a written relationship for over 30 years with an eccentric Manhattan artist, starting when she was a second grader in Texas. The story of their relationship is marked by moments in Keely’s own life and contains beautiful stories of friendship. Not surprisingly, Keely is passing this legacy onto her daughter, who now has her own faraway pen pal.

Read Keely's full letter to Barbara
Learn more about Compassion International

This episode is produced by Leslie Thompson.

Guest

Keely Scott | Executive for Compassion International

Death is something that’s sure. It’s also something many of us avoid. Certain people, though, have made facing death part of their everyday life.

In an opening feature, we visit Larkspur Conservation – one of the only conservation burial grounds in the country as we say goodbye to one man’s son. Then we speak with a woman who recently buried her dad at Larkspur as well as ordained ministers from different traditions about how they are plugging into, and guiding us through, the dying time.

First up: @ Us!  We answer a couple of questions about our Native Roots episode and talk about a poem our guest Anita Smith shared with us after our recent episode on domestic violence, "He Gave Me Flowers Today."

Guests: 

• Lindsey Baydoun, photographer who recently lost her father, Cory Fite

• Becca Stevens, speaker, social entrepreneur, author, priest, founder of 10 nonprofit justice initiatives including Larkspur Conservation, and president of Thistle Farms

• Chaplain Omarán Lee, pastoral counselor, chaplain at Nashville General Hospital at Meharry

• Rev. Jeannie Alexander, co-founder and co-director of No Exceptions Prison Collective, death doula in training

More:

• A documentary on Larkspur will be available on PBS beginning April 18. Learn more here.

• See more photos of Cory Fite's burial ceremony that is featured in the documentary here. Photos by John Brown and courtesy Lindsey Baydoun.

Today we talk about our station's history through your eyes - from that first day to where we are now, how long have you been listening and why?

WPLN's first broadcast was on December 17, 1962, and lasted for just 12 hours. Back then, programming consisted of classical music, local content, and informational programs from sources all over the world. This year the station celebrates its 63rd birthday, and we've come a long way from our first studio in the Richland Park library. Join us!

This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.

Guests

• Nina Cardona, morning host, WPLN
• Jama Mohamed, listener and community member
• Tia Sillers, Grammy award winning songwriter, listener

Further Reading and Listening

• You can find some archived WPLN broadcasts from 1995-2007 online at the American Archive of Public Broadcast.
• In 2012, Nina Cardona wrote about WPLN's 50th anniversary.
• Listen to This is Nashville celebrate sixty years of WPLN in December 2022.

Nashville is a “song town,” but what’s the first step into songwriting for young people? For many, that first touch comes through the Words & Music curriculum from the Country Music Hall of Fame, which has been teaching kids how to write lyrics since 1979.

The initiative guides teachers — often in language arts or music classes — to teach songwriting to students. They turn out songs about fun things like chicken nuggets, bus rides, and prom, but also their challenges, like loneliness, the isolation of the pandemic and the loss of loved ones.

“It makes these topics that are often taboo or hard to talk about — it gives them a platform to do just that,” says Aaron Helvig, associate director of music programs. “It never ceases to surprise us the originality we get from students every time they write.”

Then a bit of magic comes in: the hall of fame enlists local professional songwriters to review the songs and put a melody to some of their favorites, and then perform those versions to students when they visit the museum on a field trip.

Those song selections come as a surprise to students. And the teacher testimonials are rave — how students perk up, feel pride and bask in the support of their peers in those moments.

In this episode, we’ll learn more about Words & Music, meet teachers who champion the curriculum and hear from students and their paired songwriters — plus lots of music!

This episode was produced by Tony Gonzalez.

Guests:

• Aaron Helvig, associate director of music programs at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

• Riley Moran, Ensworth fourth grader

• Claire Wyndham, artist and songwriter

• Ryan Murphey, songwriter and teacher at Nashville School of the Arts

• Jahnae Hardnett, recent Nashville School of the Arts graduate and soon-to-be vocal major at Belmont University

• Kyshona, singer-songwriter and music therapist

• Alexis Derryberry, general music teacher at Stewarts Creek High School in Rutherford County

Related Reading:

• View recent performances from Words & Music Night

• Learn more about the special partnership with Nashville School of the Arts

• All coverage of Kyshona as WNXP’s Nashville Artist of the month (August 2022)

• Hear songs from Studio 103: Songwriting at Stewarts Creek High School

Special thanks to Jerry Vandiver and Tasha A. F. Lemley.

Dr. Townsend’s lab ‘cares about why people get sick’ and applies organic chemistry to help people everywhere get and stay healthy. He is pioneering the chemical make-up of human breast milk. He discovered a new class of sugars in human milk that prevent babies from getting viral and bacterial infections, and the wide-reaching applications for his lab’s work span from new medicines to industrial paint from new medicines to industrial pain. 

Today we’re talking with Dr. Townsend about his work, how he became a chemist,  and why he especially loves helping others find their success in what many consider one the most difficult fields of scientific study. Join us!

Today's Guest:

• Dr. Steven Townsend, Stevenson Professor of Chemistry at Vanderbilt University

Further Reading and Listening:

• Vanderbilt's Quantum Potential series featured Dr. Townsend. You can watch the video here.
• Check out our episode Exploring Vanderbilt’s new Quantum Potential series

They may think of the local emergency shelter or an encampment that has popped up in their neighborhood. But rarely do they think about a student in the local school system, a young person kicked out from their home, two or more families sharing a 2-bedroom apartment or living in motel rooms. Families are among the fastest-rising populations experiencing homelessness. Today, we examine the many faces of “hidden homelessness” and how communities like Nashville can address the issue by building a system in which all people have access to safe and affordable housing.

In My Place educates listeners on what cities like Nashville can do to prevent and end homelessness — while caring for our neighbors who are still unhoused. We talk to national and local guests about everything from best practices to worst failures and hear from people who intimately know the complexities of having nowhere to go. This show highlights how affordable housing affects each of us even if we think it doesn't.

This series was created thanks in part to support from Pinnacle Financial Partners.

This episode was produced by Judy Tackett and Tasha A.F. Lemley.

Today's guests:

Kate Pooler | Program Director of Basic Needs, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville
Bennett Baker | Volunteer and peer support
Catherine Knowles | Director of Special Populations, MNPS
Deirdre Nicole Childress | Guest commentator

The locally-founded black-owned music promotion company Lovenoise changed the music landscape of Nashville — and you can hear how on 'Making Noise.' Today, we’re talking with WPLN Senior Music Writer Jewly Hight and several guests featured on the series about the current Black music scenes here in Nashville. We’ll dig into 'Making Noise,' the rich tradition of artists from different generations supporting each other, and what resources are available right now to help launch home-grown talent. Join us!

Guests:

• Eric Holt, Lovenoise co-founder, Assistant Professor of Music Business at Belmont

• Jewly Hight, Senior Music Writer Nashville Public Radio

• Brian Brown, Hip Hop artist

• Mimi McCarley, We Own Now co-founder, Collab Music Network owner, Nashville Is Not Just Country Music partner

• Logan Cromwell, founder HOME

Today's episode was co-produced by Katherine Ceicys and Jewly Hight.

The summer heat hasn’t quite kicked in yet here in Nashville. But the city’s outdoor public pools are opening for the season soon, so we’re diving in!

We discuss the benefits of swimming and access to public pool facilities. What if you still need to learn how to swim? What about lifeguarding? What should you look for if you’re swimming out in nature? We've got you covered. And host Khalil Ekulona takes a ride with a member of the city’s swift water rescue team.

Guests:

• Antwan Majors, special programs coordinator for Metro Parks

• Seriol Kumabong, swim instructor

• Ellen Crosby, aquatics coordinator at Centennial Sportsplex

• Laura Franklin, interpretation and recreation manager, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

This episode was produced by Steve Haruch.

Tennessee enacted one of the strictest abortion bans in the nation shortly after the U.S. Supreme overturned Roe v. Wade. The ban doesn't have any exemptions for rape, incest or if the pregnant woman's life is at risk.

The law has reshaped how pregnant people in Tennessee find abortion care and how medical professionals are able to provide it.

In this episode, we'll talk about what it's like to navigate this new reality.

We'll also check in with Abortion Care for Tennessee, which had a flood of donations after the reversal of Roe v. Wade.

But first, WPLN environmental reporter Caroline Eggers will be in the studio to talk about TVA's decision to convert a coal facility into a natural gas plant.

Guests:

• Hannah, Tennessean who traveled out of state for an abortion

• Robyn Baldridge, president of Abortion Care for Tennessee

• Dr. Lisa Zuckerwise, maternal-fetal medicine physician

• Jennifer Pepper, president and CEO of CHOICES Center for Reproductive Health

Additional reading:

• Nashville's nearest abortion clinic is now a three-hour drive away

• How the Dobbs decision affects Tennesseans' reproductive options

Tennessee is one of many states across the nation that has a backlog of untested sexual assault kits. The average wait time to process a sexual assault kit in the state is ten months.

The national spotlight fell on the Tennessee’s backlog after a Memphis jogger was murdered by a man who sexually assaulted someone else a year before — but her rape kit went untested, until it was too late.

Now the backlog is on the mind of legislators at the capitol, and the Tennessee Bureau of investigation is making moves to reduce the backlog.

On this episode, we’ll examine the process of getting a rape kit and reporting an assault, talk about the toll of waiting for answers, and explore the reasons why justice is hard to come by.

Guests: 

• Paige Pfleger, WPLN criminal justice reporter

• Danielle, sexual assault survivor

• Lorraine McGuire, vice president of development and marketing at Sexual Assault Center

• Ilse Knecht, director of policy and advocacy at the Joyful Heart Foundation

• Kate Melby, chief prosecutor of sexual violence and human trafficking for the Davidson County District Attorney’s Office

• Brittany Johnson, victim witness coordinator for the Davidson County District Attorney’s Office

Resources: 

• Sexual Assault Center crisis support

• Statewide 24-Hour crisis & support line: 1-866-811-7473

• End the rape kit backlog website

• Tennessee Bureau of Investigations: Information on sexual assault kits

Tennessee has one of the strictest policies of all US states for formerly incarcerated people who want to vote. The state permanently bars people with felony convictions from voting unless they meet a rigorous set of standards and get the court that sentenced them to sign off.

Recently, the state got even stricter, making the process discretionary — even if someone follows all of these steps, they can still be denied.

Activists have sued Tennessee in federal court to get these rules overturned. Today, This is Nashville talks with a lawyer and an advocate who are part of this lawsuit, and with people who've tried to restore their right to vote.

Guests:

• Dawn Harrington, executive director, Free Hearts

• Blair Bowie, attorney, Campaign Legal Center and director, Restore your Vote

• Rahim Buford, founder, Unheard Voices Outreach

This episode was produced by Char Daston.

How do communities change? Who can make change in their communities? North Nashville native Jerome Moore takes a broad approach to exploring both those questions. In his podcast Deep Dish Conversations, he talks to everyone, from elected officials of all political viewpoints to activists and artists, about what a better, fairer Nashville might look like.

We talk with the North Nashville native about the goals of his show and how it came to be. We’ll also hear about his time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay, his experience running NGOs in Costa Rica and China, and why he wants Nashvillians to “think globally, act locally.” He recently collected some of his Deep Dish Conversations in a book from Vanderbilt University Press.

We kick off the show by checking in with WPLN’s Nina Cardona and Rose Gilbert, who fill us in on what’s happening at the polls this election day. Follow WPLN’s coverage election coverage here.

Guest:

• Jerome Moore, host of Deep Dish Conversations

This episode was produced by Char Daston.

When you think of side hustles and Nashville, you probably imagine an aspiring country singer bartending on Broadway while he hopes one of the country legends will come in and give him his big break. That is definitely a huge part of Nashville's culture — we are Music City, after all.

But as gas prices continue to rise, student loan repayments resume, and groceries seemingly have quadrupled in price overnight, the side hustle is no longer just for the young and hungry. Who else has side hustles? And why?

In this episode, we’ll dive into what the culture of side hustles is in Nashville for people across generations and professional fields. 

But first, WPLN general assignment reporter Rose Gilbert joins us to talk about her latest reporting on Fulbright scholars in Afghanistan.

Guests: 

• Jack Settle, country musician and pressure washer

• Jakob Wilkomm, bass player, German translator, and dog-sitter

• Jeff Bornstein, acclaimed magician, stuntman, and special effects artist

• Micah Puncochar, co-owner of Compost Nashville and builder of raised flower beds

• Kimberly Bornstein, acclaimed magician and mentalist

• Lara Parker, restaurant manager, tarot card reader, and aspiring birth doula

Quantum computers can already complete calculations that would take current computers millions of years to solve, and experts say that researchers are on track to cross a game-changing threshold in this new technology by 2030. MTSU recently launched its Quantum Science Initiative and is working with regional partners, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory, to educate and train students here in Middle Tennessee to step into research and technical jobs in this emerging field. 

Today, we’re speaking with students and researchers about their work — and what we all need to know about what many are calling a revolutionary technology.

Today's episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys.

GUESTS

• Dr. Hanna Terletska, Associate professor, MTSU’s  Physics and Astronomy Department, head of MTSU's Quantum Science Initiative
• Ariel Nicastro,  Rising junior at MTSU
• Adetoro Akinola, Rising junior at Fisk University
• Dr. Stephen Jesse, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Section Head of Nanomaterials Characterization at the CNMS

FURTHER READING

• Check out the MTSU Quantum Science Initiative.
• Learn more about Quantum @ Oak Ridge.
• If you're curious about quantum science in Ant-Man, check out the University of Chicago's coverage, Experts discuss quantum science at screening of ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’

Many of Tennessee’s traditional and folk art forms are carried on by small numbers of artisans. But since 2017, the Tennessee Arts Commission has been pairing up knowledgeable “masters” with “apprentices” to work to preserve traditions.

Broom makers, shoe cobblers, luthiers and milliners, along with gospel singers, buck dancers, Kurdish musicians and square dance callers have taken part in the Tennessee Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program.

On today’s episode, we hear from both masters and apprentices about preserving their crafts for the next generation, along with Director of Folklife Bradley Hanson, who launched and oversees the apprenticeship program for the arts commission.

“The world is not telling kids to go become old-time fiddlers. It just isn’t. But we are,” says Hanson. “We’re a kind of cheerleader, booster, funder and advocate. … It’s the state of Tennessee saying, ‘We value this.’ ”

But first, we’re hearing the latest about the rising opposition to gender affirming surgeries from Tennessee Republicans, who are vowing to file new legislation. WPLN state politics reporter Blaise Gainey and senior healthcare reporter Blake Farmer will share what they learned while covering a heated rally on Friday in downtown Nashville.

Guests:

• Jimmy Bilbrey, bluegrass musician and apprentice fiddle maker

• Jack Martin, broom maker and owner of Hockaday Handmade Brooms

• Arkan Doski, traditional Kurdish musician

• Manuel Delgado, luthier and owner of Delgado Guitars

• Bradley Hanson, director of folklife at the Tennessee Arts Commission

• Maxine White, milliner and owner of Maxie’s Hats

The Metro Council will soon vote on a $2.2 billion plan to build a new stadium for the Tennessee Titans.

In December, the Council voted to approve the term sheet, which includes $500 million in state funds that can only be used toward a new enclosed stadium. Additional funding would come in the form of football-related revenue, a 1% hotel tax in Davidson County and money collected from the stadium campus.

The vote passed by a wide margin, but there is a small, yet vocal, contingent opposed to using taxpayer funds to build a new home for a professional sports team worth $3 billion.

Mayor John Cooper's office has maintained that Nashvillians won't pay out of pocket for the new stadium, and that the plan gets the city out from under a cumbersome 1990s-era lease. Community groups have questioned whether a new NFL stadium should be a priority for the city. As the plan moves closer to a final vote, there have also been questions about the economic benefits of a new stadium.

In this episode, we speak to local leaders who are for and against the new stadium. Titans CEO and a representative from the city also answer listener questions about the proposal.

But first, we talk WNXP assistant program director Justin Barney about the Nashville Artist of the Month R.A.P. Ferreira.

Guests:

• Brett Withers, Metro Council member, District 6

• Bob Mendes, Metro Council at-large member

• Burke Nihil, Tennessee Titans CEO and president

• Benjamin Eagles, senior advisor to Mayor John Cooper

Related reading:

• WPLN: Tennessee Titans and Nashville’s mayor strike a deal for a new domed stadium

• WPLN: Experts say Nashville won’t recoup money from building a new stadium with taxpayer dollars

• NewsChannel5: How does the proposed Titans community benefits agreement stack up against other deals?

• Council Member At-Large Zulfat Suara: The Titans Stadium and Term Sheet — My Vote and Why

• Council Member At-Large Bob Mendes: Reject the Proposed Stadium Deal

• Nashville.gov: East Bank Stadium Committee Information

• Nashville.gov: Summary of Titans’ Stadium Term Sheet

Today, Jeremy Finley, chief investigative reporter for News Channel 4; Adam Sichko, senior reporter for Nashville Business Journal; and Mike Organ, college sports reporter for The Tennessean, will break down their latest stories and what they’re keeping their eyes on coming up. Join us for our citywide reporter roundup!

Today’s episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys.

GUESTS

• Jeremy Finley, Chief investigative reporter, WSMV-TV
• Adam Sichko, Senior reporter, Nashville Business Journal
• Mike Organ, College sports reporter/veteran sports reporter, The Tennessean

FURTHER READING AND LISTENING

• For more on the new Nashville Mental health Response teams, you can read this recent story by Jeremy Finley: How the city’s new mental health response teams show up less than half of the time they’ve been requested.
• In another WSMV investigative report — You can be charged with DUI even if you’re sober — Finley finds that sober drivers are not only being arrested for DUIS but that a backlog at the TBI is causing a delay in proving their innocence.
• You can read more about how certain residents in Sumner County are fighting growth in their area in Adam Sichko’s Nashville Business Journal story: They’re revolting against growth.
  
  
  
  
• Sichko also wrote this profile on Clay Travis — The business of outrage (and business is good): Clay Travis runs OutKick from his Franklin home’s bonus room. From there, he takes the nation’s pulse.
• Check out Mike Organ’s coverage of Former Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher named Arena Football League interim commissioner.
• And you can learn more about The Tennessean’s 1990s all-decade boys basketball team.

Thursday marked the anniversary of the day the Nashville Predators sold enough season tickets to qualify for a National Hockey League franchise in 1998. It was a pretty formative moment for our city. Fast forward to today, and the Preds are in the hunt for a playoff spot.

We’ll kick off today’s show with a local hockey reporter who's going to fill us in on how this season has gone, and what we have to look forward to in the next couple weeks. Then, we’ll go back in time. We're joined by a panel of authors, fans and journalists to help us understand how the Preds first came to be and how they've changed the city. And, of course, we'll discuss Smashville's unique fan culture. 

Finally, we're going to head out of the studio and into the rink with our host, Khalil Ekulona, as he learns about the ice scientists who keep everything running smoothly at Bridgestone Arena.

Guests: 

• Bryan Bastin, editor and analytics writer for On The Forecheck

• Justin Bradford, author of "The Making of Smashville" and host of Penalty Box Radio

• Mathew Carfi, Day 1 Preds fan and employee at Bridgestone Arena

• Megan Seling, co-host of the podcast It's All Your Fault

• Balin Ali, vice president of Kurdish Professionals

 After 43 years under the same editor, the literary magazine — which had once published the work of Southern writers like Flannery O’Connor, Eudora Welty and William Faulkner — had fallen into a slump.

But, in 2016, Nashville-based writer Adam Ross took over as editor. Since then, the review has seen a revival. Ross has brought the previously print-only journal into the digital age — it now has a website, an Instagram, a podcast — and has published the work of contemporary literary giants.

In this episode, we hear from the review’s editorial staff and a recently published writer about the review's history and the value of a literary magazines, plus excerpts from pieces published in the review itself.

This episode was produced by Cynthia Abrams.

Guests

• Adam Ross, editor of the Sewanee Review
• Kanak Kapur, writer and graduate of Vanderbilt's MFA program
• Luke Gair, associate editor of the Sewanee Review
• Brighid Griffin, assistant editor of the Sewanee Review
• Kate Bailey, editorial assistant of the Sewanee Review

Further reading

• "Long Sleeves" by Kanak Kapur (the Sewanee Review)
• "Why I Don't Wait" by Vievee Francis (the Sewanee Review)
• "Omnivore" by Vievee Francis (the Sewanee Review)
• "Till It and Keep It" by Carrie R. Moore (the Sewanee Review)
• "Mongo Two" by Daniela Garvue (the Sewanee Review)
• New Life for a 125-Year-Old Literary Journal (The New York Times)

Unions have historically been associated with factory workers and those in the automotive industry. In Tennessee, food service employees – particularly baristas – are leading the labor organization push.

In Knoxville, Memphis and Murfreesboro, there’s been various efforts to unionize local Starbucks locations. While in Nashville, much of the labor organizing is taking place at smaller, independent shops – like Three Brothers Coffee and Barista Parlor.

In this episode, we talk to community members who are leading the unionization efforts about why they want a union and some of the pushback they’ve received from their employers. We’ll also hear from labor groups about the history of unions in Tennessee.

We reached out to Three Brothers and Barista Parlor for comment. We did not hear back from Three Brothers before the beginning of the show, but Andy Mumma of Barista Parlor sent a statement:

Unionization is an employee right, and Barista Parlor respects that right. We have not and would not attempt to curtail that right.  

 We fully reject the claims that have been made. We will not comment further as there is a pending charge with the NLRB.  That is the appropriate forum to address these false allegations, which is what we will do.

But first, host Khalil Ekulona and digital lead Anna Gallegos-Cannon respond to listener feedback in the weekly segment At Us.

Guests:

• Xóchitl Cruz-López, former Barista Parlor employee

• Fern Welch, former Three Brothers Coffee employee

• Paige McCay, organizer with ROC Music City

• A.J. Starling,  Tennessee AFL CIO‘s secretary-treasurer

Councilmember Sandra Sepulveda represents district 30 on the Nashville Metro Council. When she first ran for the position in 2019, she was the first Latina elected to the council and the youngest member ever, starting her term at 26. The daughter of two Mexican immigrants, she came to Nashville when she was 5 years old and cares deeply about the city and community she has grown up in and called home for over two decades.

We’re talking with her today about her story, the responsibility she feels as representative of a majority Hispanic district, and her day-to-day reality — and hopes — as she serves on the Metro Council.

Guests:

• Councilmember Sandra Sepulveda

This show was produced by Katherine Ceicys and Liv Lombardi.

Newroz (also spelled Nowruz) is the start of the Persian New Year and a celebration of spring that is held throughout the Middle East. It's also celebrated in Middle Tennessee because Nashville is home to the largest Kurdish population in the United States.

Today's guests share what Newroz means to them and their cultural identity as either Kurds or Afghans living in the U.S.

Also in this episode, WPLN healthcare reporter Blake Farmer talks about why hospitals are closing in Middle Tennessee.

Guests:

• Blake Farmer, WPLN healthcare reporter

• Kasar Abdulla, Kurdish immigrant and community organizer

• Hangama Wahidi, president of the Nashville Afghan Association

• Tabeer Sindi, president of the Tennessee Kurdish Community Council and organizer of its annual Newroz celebration

In 2022, our first year on air, the This Is Nashville team went out all across this city and region getting to know you and your community better. From the start, we wanted to deliver you a variety of voices and perspectives in a fresh and dynamic way. Most of all, we set out to meet you, our community, where you are.

For this special episode, we retraced some of the steps we took last year to bring you the best stories of 2022, from posting up under the Jefferson Street bridge in search of the missing purple martins, to riding shotgun with a cab driver on a busy Friday night.

These are just a few of the stories highlighted in this episode. Press play for more.

• ‘It is built on a rock’: A historic Black church in Hendersonville reflects on the legacy buried in its foundation by Rose Gilbert

• Displaced purple martins struggle to find new Middle Tennessee roost by Tasha A.F. Lemley

• The case of the missing fang and the meteoric rise of Nashville’s beloved hockey team by Rose Gilbert

• Larkspur’s natural burial restores the land and returns the dead to their roots by Tasha A.F. Lemley

• How a Persian-owned rug business in Nashville is keeping the art of weaving alive by Dereen Shirnekhi

• ‘This is church for some people’: After nearly two decades in business, Lipstick Lounge is a fixture of queer community by Rose Gilbert

If you’re a baseball fan, it’s an exciting time because the MLB season started Thursday and the Nashville Sounds' season is already underway. 

This a packed and heartwarming episode starting with a 1-on-1 with ESPN analyst Buster Olney. Then we spend some time with Dr. Harriet Kimbro-Hamilton and learn about how the Negro Leagues changed her father's life — as well as her own. Finally, we call two Little League coaches up to bat: Ronald "Gooch" Gooch and Joey Hale. They share why Little League Baseball is so much more than physical activity — it builds skills that last a lifetime and sets young players up for success.

We also take you out to a tailgating party at Music City Baseball and then to Springfield for their Little League opening ceremonies, which includes its brand new adaptive league — Springfield Buddies. Later, Khalil plays catch in a Cracker Barrel parking lot with Mark Jent of Simply a Fan.

Guests: 

• Buster Olney, baseball analyst for ESPN’s Baseball Tonight

• Dr. Harriet Kimbro-Hamilton, TSU professor, author and daughter of Negro League player Henry Kimbro

• Ronald “Gooch” Gooch, East Nashville Little League Coach

• Joey Hale, Goodlettsville Little League Coach and two-time World Series participant

Special thanks to Skip Nipper for his help crafting this show!

We’ll learn one hip hop artist’s perspective about the word's origins, and we’ll talk with prominent local comedians about how the word has seemingly taken over the circuit.

To land the show, we'll hear from Ademola Ekulona, the father of host Khalil Ekulona.

Guests:

• PE McCallum, aka Pow Shadowz, hip hop artist, author, organizer

• Mike Floss, hip hop artist, activist

• Brad Sativa, comedian

• Elizabeth Burton, Multimedia Producer, This is Nashville

• Ademola Ekulona, father, organizer, activist, scholar

Featuring:

• Willie "Big Fella Sims

• Elizabeth "Easy E" Burton

• Magnolia "Dolly" McKay

• Keri "Jr. Mint" Pagetta

The Nashville International Airport, or BNA, recently completed a major phase of its latest expansion — and is already moving forward on the next phase. Today, representatives from BNA, Southwest Airlines and the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, are here to give us the latest on what travelers can expect when they show up. Plus, we'll get some behind-the-scenes information about how the airport runs and friendly reminders for what we need to know to have the smoothest possible experience from curbside to takeoff.

Today's episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys.

GUESTS

• Stacey Nickens, VP of Corporate Communications and Marketing, Nashville International Airport
• Shannon Gillum, General Manager of Ground Operations at BNA, Southwest Airlines
• Mark Howell, Regional Spokesperson, TSA South East Region

When Tonya started looking for books for her children to read, she noticed that they all featured white kids. At the same time she wanted to get back into journalism and even considered writing classroom curriculum. Writing for the classroom didn't work out, but writing children's books that celebrate Juneteenth and a diverse range of Black hairstyles.

Today, she joins us to talk about how she came to Nashville, how she became an author, culturally responsive education and why she chooses to homeschool her children. 

This episode was produced by Elizabeth Burton.

But who are these giant beings living among us?  Researchers tell us that trees have an underground network that they use to communicate with each other. So, how is the health of Middle Tennessee’s arboreal ecosystem? Which trees are native to this region? Which species are endangered, and what do we lose if we lose them?

Due to the bustling housing construction industry, tree removal is big business here. But are there enough protections for our oldest and most important trees? Today, we speak with tree experts and tree lovers to learn more about these green giants.

Guests:

• Adrian Wagner, freelance arborist

• Richard Hitt, President of the Middle Tennessee Wild Ones

• Ingrid Campbell, Root Nashville Neighborhood Plant Captain 

• Georgia Bromehead, certified Guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy

Produced by Magnolia McKay.

In this episode, we hear from reporters who will offer insights into what’s at stake and break down the major topics expected to dominate the conversation in the coming months — from school vouchers and abortion pill access to immigration and guns. And we want to hear from you: What issues are important to you? And what do you want from lawmakers in the coming months? Today, it's your turn to talk, so join us by calling 615-760-2000!

This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.

GUESTS:

• Sam Stockard, Tennessee Lookout Reporter and Columnist
• Marianna Bacallao, WPLN State Legislature Reporter
• Catherine Sweeney, WPLN Health Reporter
• Char Daston, WPLN Reporter

When you think about knitting, crocheting or any other fiber arts, you might recall your long-lost pandemic pastime. You might even think of an older relative who presented everyone with warm, homemade scarves each holiday season. Here in Middle Tennessee, the fiber arts community has been here long before the pandemic, and it caters to a much more diverse population than one might expect.

Today, we're talking all about yarn. Locally, we have several local yarn shop options, including Haus of Yarn right here in Nashville and The Yarn Patch in Cookeville. There is truly something for all disciplines, skill levels and styles. We'll dive into the truly local yarn options, visit with some alpacas, talk about the differences between fiber arts and more.

This episode was produced by Elizabeth Burton. The feature was produced by Elizabeth Burton and Magnolia McKay. 

Guests: 

• Rin M.O., owner of Modus Operandi Fibers

• Deb Peterson, owner of Bliss Yarns

• Erica Hundley, owner of Knitting in the Good

Fall is here and the weather is perfect for getting outside and exploring the parks, trails and greenways of Middle Tennessee. In today's episode, we're joined by outdoors educators to learn more about just what kinds of hiking experiences and resources the Nashville area has to offer. Then, a pair of experienced hikers will talk about equipment, safety, community and the Appalachian trail. 

But first, WPLN metro reporter Ambriehl Crutchfield will dive into the discussions over the rezoning of the Riverchase apartments.

Guests: 

• John Michael Cassidy, Shelby Bottoms director

• Sophia Wang, outdoors educator

• Jess Mae Lancaster, avid hiker and author of She Hikes Tennessee 

• Melanie Harsha, avid hiker who has completed the Appalachian Trail

These local chefs, influenced by the culinary creations of their ancestors, blend the ingredients and techniques of their homelands with those found in home of Nashville. Their new creations offer diners a peek inside their culture and allow them to stretch their imaginations and creativity. Join us as we speak with local chefs who share their unique stories, traditions, and recipes.

This episode was produced by David Hooper.

Guests

Vivek Surti | Tailor Nashville
Son Pham | Mister Son’s
Ana Aguilar | Tantisimo

On April 19, 1960, a bomb exploded in the North Nashville home of attorney and former city councilmember Z. Alexander Looby. The blast was so powerful it shattered windows at the nearby Meharry Medical College, but Looby and his wife escaped unscathed. The bomber behind the assassination attempt was never identified.

In this episode, we’ll reflect on Looby's legacy and unravel the pivotal role he played in the Civil Rights Movement in Middle Tennessee, including as a lawyer after the 1946 Columbia race riot.

But first, Metro Council voted in favor of a stadium for the Tennessee Titans for the second time on Tuesday night. We check in with WPLN producer Cynthia Abrams about the vote and what's next.

Guests: 

• Ludye N. Wallace, former Metro Councilmember

• Betsy Phillips, historian writing a book on the Looby bombing and Nashville Scene contributor

• Elliott Robinson, program specialist in the Special Collections Division of the Nashville Public Library, which oversees the Civil Rights Room

Related reading: 

• Nashville Scene: Who Bombed Z. Alexander Looby’s North Nashville Home?

• WPLN: A shattered Civil Rights Era plaque picks up ‘a new life’ in Fisk collection

• Tennessean: On April 19, 1960, the bombing of a civil rights attorney's home set off a protest like few had seen in Nashville

• Video footage of Looby's home after the bombing

How are Nashville’s small businesses rebounding from the pandemic? The report card is mixed.

Metro recently handed out $9 million in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan, and more than 450 local businesses benefited. Yet, nearly twice that number applied and were unable to tap into the money before it ran out. That sent a clear message that the city’s small businesses still need support.

In this episode, we’ll hear from Pathway Lending, which works to get capital to underserved small businesses. Pathway also oversees the federal grants that make up the Nashville Small Business Recovery Fund — and while the grant money is finished, another pool of $9 million is still available in the form of low-interest loans.

We’ll also hear firsthand from three business owners — about their work, the difficulties they’ve faced, and the support programs they have (and haven’t) been able to access. Three of our guests are Latina business owners who have tapped into programs like Negocio Próspero at Conexión Américas and Avanzando through the Tennessee Latin American Chamber of Commerce.

But first, we’ll learn the latest about a police body camera footage dispute. Host Khalil Ekulona and WPLN criminal justice reporter Paige Pfleger will delve into the tension between the Metro Nashville Police Department and the Community Oversight Board, which investigates allegations of misconduct.

Guests:

• Thomas Sheffield, director of the Nashville Opportunity Fund through Pathway Lending

• Altagracia Buendia, owner of We Clean residential cleaning service

• Noelia Chinchilla Oliva, owner of Olive Plates Rental & Catering

• Becca Blank, business development chair with Voces De Nashville, a cooperatively owned company that teaches Spanish

Squirrels, possums, turtles, foxes, birds of prey and countless other wild creatures live right here with us in Middle Tennessee. Unfortunately, interactions with humans and human-made things can lead to injuries or death for these animals.

Today, we’re speaking with the dedicated leaders and volunteers of several local wildlife rehabilitation centers to learn about what to do — and not do — if we come across an injured wild animal. We’ll also discuss steps we can take to be considerate and help prevent injuries to our wild neighbors.

This episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys.

GUESTS:

• Joanna Johnson, animal care manager, Walden’s Puddle Wildlife Center of Greater Nashville
• Jerry Vandiver, volunteer with Walden’s Puddle Wildlife Center of Greater Nashville
• Anastasia Kudrez, executive director of Harmony Wildlife
• Debbie Sykes, director of Nashville Wildlife Conservation Center
• Molly Mayes, wildlife educator, Nashville Wildlife Conservation Center

Nashville is experiencing an unprecedented housing boom. Building technology and materials have changed significantly since Nashville saw growth from streetcar neighborhoods or after World War II. 

What are the advantages and drawbacks of using these new materials, plans and methods for building housing? And how do we ensure that the quality of what we're building is keeping pace with the quantity we need? Today, we talk to professionals in the building field to talk about how we're building the city, and what that means for our future. 

Guests:

• JP Harris, historic restoration carpenter 

• Martin Shofner, architect, owner, ArchitectSure firm 

• Tim Rowland, building inspector for Metro Codes Dept.

This episode was produced by Magnolia McKay.

Today, we’re once again opening up the phone lines to provide a safe space for people with different views, experiences, opinions, and values to hear from one another. Joining us to take your questions and comments are WPLN Newsroom Editor Tony Gonzalez, Tennessee Lookout Editor and Chief Holly McCall, and Tennessee State University political scientist Dr. Ian Shapiro.

Guests

Holly McCall | Editor-in-chief, Tennessee Lookout
Tony Gonzalez | News Director, WPLN
Dr. Ian Shapiro | Political Scientist, TSU

Nashville is a party city, full of honky-tonks, cherished bars and good old Tennessee whiskey. Pedal taverns and party buses fill the streets, while music venues are stocked with drinks. It’s hard to imagine what it’s like to go out in this city when you can’t, or choose not to, drink. But that’s the reality for many Nashville residents. 

In this episode, we’ll be joined by people who have made the decision to not drink. What did their decisions mean for their social lives and their careers? Then, we’ll hear from a current college student and a recent graduate. They’ll share how it felt to not be able to freely navigate Nashville’s nightlife scene due to being under 21 and what they did instead. How have these people found alternative ways to enjoy themselves in Nashville? 

First, Tennessean reporter Adam Friedman will be on the show to discuss his recent article about local payday lenders and the millions of dollars they have spent lobbying for predatory lending practices to remain legal in Tennessee.

Guests:

• Adam Friedman, Tennessean reporter

• Samantha Cutler, artist and life coach

• Jason Goforth, musician

• Marcus Whitney, entrepreneur and author

• Nikki Wildy, second-year student at Belmont University

• Varsha Nair, recent Vanderbilt University alum

Related episode:

Who is Nashville’s nightlife really for?

Nashville has an ongoing lack of affordable housing. What exactly is "affordable housing"? Who defines it? And what does it mean to get subsidized housing?

In this episode we talk with some experts who can knock out some of those questions for us. We'll also hear from a former landlord who's navigated making a profit while renting to college students and Section 8 voucher holders. Then we bring in a couple renters who are imminently experiencing the anxiety that comes with being priced out of their neighborhoods.

But first up @ Us!: Host Khalil Ekulona and digital lead Anna Gallegos-Cannon respond to listener comments on recent episodes about adoption and sidewalks.

Guests:

• Burkley Allen, council member at-large

• James Fraser, director of researcher for Preservation of Affordable Housing

• Lisa Smith, former landlord

• Donna Clay, East Nashville/Inglewood resident

• Efrat Dim, Vanderbilt PhD student and renter

Additional reading: 

• WPLN's Displaced reporting series

Special thanks to: Jamie Berry, Paulette Coleman, Kay Bowers, Benjamin Wachter, Mina Shedd, Richard Shaffer, Avi Poster and Carolyn Naifeh for their help with this episode.

Over the course of this series, we have taken a closer look at the different aspects of homelessness examining the Housing First philosophy, the interconnectedness of housing and healthcare, prevention efforts, and what hidden homelessness looks like. In today's episode, we focus on the tools available for developers and communities to build supportive housing and the support systems necessary to help people maintain their homes. Additionally, we dive into braiding, a funding mechanism used to build units to serve people with zero income.

In My Place educates listeners on what cities like Nashville can do to prevent and end homelessness — while caring for our neighbors who are still unhoused. We talk to national and local guests about everything from best practices to worst failures and hear from people who intimately know the complexities of having nowhere to go. This show highlights how affordable housing affects each of us even if we think it doesn't.

This series was created thanks in part to support from Pinnacle Financial Partners.

This episode was produced by Judy Tackett and Tasha A.F. Lemley.

Today's guests:

Leah Werner | Director Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee Program, CSH
Angela Hubbard | Housing Director, Metro Nashville Planning Department
David Langgle-Martin | Chief Housing Officer, Park Center
Anita Smith | Speaker and advocate

Paul Vasterling, longtime artistic director for the Nashville Ballet, is retiring at the end of this season.

Vasterling has been with the company for more than 30 years and at its helm for 25 years.

Under Vasterling's leadership, the Nashville Ballet became one of the most notable ballet companies in the Southeast. He credits part of the Nashville Ballet's success an enthusiastic community and collaborating with local talent. The departing artistic director also strove to bring more diversity to the stage.

In this profile, we talk to Vasterling about the many creative visions he was able to bring to the stage.

But first, host Khalil Ekulona and senior digital producer Anna Gallegos-Cannon respond to the listener feedback in @ Us.

From Reconstruction to the Civil Rights Movement to the present day, Black churches in the American South have historically been vital centers of culture and community. In this episode, we’ll look at the history of Black churches in Middle Tennessee, and the role they play in the community today.  

But first, we’ll examine a recent investigative report about the Middle Point Landfill.

Guests: 

• Levi Ismail, NewsChannel 5 investigative reporter

• Sylvia Edmondson Holt, author of “Between the Pews”

• Cora Alston, senior pastor at Faith Church, Inc.

• Rev. Davie Tucker, Jr., pastor at Beech Creek Missionary Baptist Church 

• Omaràn D. Lee, director of spiritual care at Nashville General Hospital

• Keialah Hampton, member of Born Again Church

• Morris Tipton, pastor at First Baptist Church of East Nashville

Additional reading: 

• Nashville Scene: Churches Go Last: An Influx of Wealth Has Remade 12South

• Harvard Gazette: How the Black Church saved Black America

• Pew Research Center: Black adults in the U.S. South more likely than those in other regions to attend a Black congregation

The past few years have not been easy for Nashville’s WeGo bus network. But behind the scenes, the agency has been trying to make progress on improvements that riders have been requesting for many years.

On today’s show, we start by looking back over the bus system’s recent history. In 2018, voters rejected a sprawling mass transit proposal. In 2019, budget cuts led WeGo to eliminate some routes. And then the coronavirus pandemic slashed ridership.

We’ll also talk with WeGo leaders and frequent bus riders about what’s been going on since then. The agency has been using data and analysis to tweak its routes and schedules, and has had some success in running buses more frequently, as well as later into the night, and more often on weekends.

Guests:

• Tony Gonzalez, WPLN Special Projects Editor

• Trey Walker, WeGo chief development officer

• John Bull, bus rider and advocate for the unhoused

• Lisa Kim, student bus rider and WeGo Public Transit Youth Action Team member

• Beth Sims, regional bus rider and administrative coordinator at Vanderbilt School of Nursing

• Stacey Irvin, bus rider and photographer

Related: 

• This Is Nashville: Hoofing It: Getting around Nashville without a car

• WPLN: Nashville’s Bus Service Wants To Run Longer Hours, But Needs Funds To Pay For It

• WPLN: Nashville Bus Ridership Has Seen Ups And Downs After Route Cuts

This episode was produced by Tony Gonzalez. Original air date: Oct. 5, 2022.

While other areas of the city may be nearly blank slates for redevelopment, North Nashville boasts a vibrant history, thriving business district and a community deeply invested in preserving its culture and landmarks.

In this episode, we hear from local business owners and ambassadors from two organizations dedicated to thoughtfully guiding North Nashville's redevelopment. The Jefferson Street Historical Society was created to preserve and protect the over eighty Black-owned businesses that call it home — while increasing the visibility and potential uses of the area. Meanwhile, the Jubilee Bridge Area Revitalization Project aims to enhance, memorialize, and activate the gateway connecting the westside to two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) – Fisk University and Meharry Medical College — as well as Historic Jefferson Street.

This episode was produced by Khalil Ekulona and Mary Mancini.

The holiday season is in full swing! With preparing for all of the fun, parties, family gatherings- and maybe even traveling, you might find yourself feeling a bit drained and tired. That is where practices like tai chi, yoga and meditation come in. Today we’ll talk with Nashvillians who use those practices to help themselves and others recenter and find peace. We’ll learn about what the practices are, how anyone can get started in a few moments today, and what you need to know if you want to step into a dedicated practice. We’ll even have a guided meditation and sound meditation in studio too! Join us!

Guests: 

• Peter Hodes, Founder, Instructor Tai Chi River 
• Sujatha Yarlagadda, Yoga Instructor, Yoga Therapist
• Khrys Baltodano,  Founder, Owner, and Teacher Hola Yoga
• Jo-Jo Jackson, Yoga and Meditation Instructor, www.theyogibassist.com

Today’s episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys.

No need to bring a partner, either. Nashville’s dance communities are welcoming and many even include dance lessons. Needless to say, partner dancing is alive and well in our city. Today, local dance enthusiasts and instructors join us to talk about their favorite styles and what gets them out on the dance floor. 

But first, WPLN digital editor Rachel Iacovone stops by to highlight this weekend’s Juneteenth events around town.

Guests:

• Liza “Lavolta” Bennich, swing dancer

• “Ron D” Jones, breakdancer, performer, partner dance enthusiast

• Nicole Ahima, Salsa dance instructor

• Laura Mae Socks, two-step dance instructor

• León Berrios, musician and dancer, attorney, mediator and certified court interpreter

This episode was produced by Magnolia McKay.

We know Dry January is almost over, but a lot of us have made lifestyle changes. So today, we’re talking about what’s out there for those of us who aren’t drinking and those of us who are drinking less.

But first, WPLN afternoon host Marianna Bacallao joins us to discuss recently-proposed anti-trans legislation.

Guests:

• Marianna Bacallao, WPLN afternoon host

• Abra Myles, artist and dancer

• Anne, local resident who has been in recovery for the past 10 years

• Mika Nelson, senior at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga

• Natalie Newberry, lead bartender at The Continental

• Beau Gaultier, owner of Bay 6

• Drea Groeschel, founder of Better Than Booze

Happy Earth Day! Today, we’re talking about green space. First, why is it important? Second, who has access to it? And finally, how can we make green space in our city more equitable?

To answer those questions, we’re joined by a city official, a professor, a tree activist and an affordable housing expert. But first, we’ll hear from WPLN Criminal Justice Reporter Samantha Max about the last minute decision to delay Oscar Smith’s execution on Thursday night. 

Guests: 

• Samantha Max, WPLN criminal justice reporter 

• Kendra Abkowitz, Nashville’s chief sustainability and resilience officer  

• David Padgett, associate professor of geography at TSU and environmental justice expert

• Ingrid Campbell,  community trees advocate and Root Nashville neighborhood plant captain

• Brent Elrod, managing director of Urban Housing Solutions

Hot chicken is Nashville’s most famous dish. It has a cult following, a mythological backstory and humble beginnings. But it is much more than just a meal — it tells a story about gentrification and race in Nashville.

We take a deep dive into what hot chicken says about the city’s culture. We’re joined by the matriarch’s of hot chicken – Ms. André Prince of Prince’s, and Ms. Dollye Matthews of Bolton’s – to explore the legacy of hot chicken, and what it was like to watch it spread like wildfire.

But first, we’re joined by two people pushing for changes at the Natchez Trace Bridge – a mother who lost her son by suicide there and a woman who survived a suicide attempt. They update us on recent temporary safety measures put in place at the bridge.

Guests:

• Trish Merelo, co-founder of the Natchez Trace Bridge Barrier Coalition

• Briana Brown, mental health speaker and advocate

• Caroline Randall Williams, host of Hungry For Answers

• Rachel Louise Martin, author of Hot, Hot Chicken: A Nashville Story

• Dollye Matthews, general manager of Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish

• André Prince, owner of Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack

If you know someone in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741).

Tennessee House Republicans voted Thursday to expel two Democratic colleagues for breaking House rules. This came just days after Reps. Justin Jones, Gloria Johnson and Justin Pearson took to the House floor to join protesters calling for gun reform.

The expulsion made national and international headlines. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre opened the Thursday’s press briefing by calling the expulsion vote “shocking, undemocratic and without precedent.” Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Nashville on Friday to visit the Reps. Jones, Johnson and Pearson, who have been dubbed the “Tennessee Three.”

In this episode, we speak to local community leaders about the impact of Jones and Pearson’s expulsion and ask the question if the state is sliding into fascism.

But first, WPLN producer Cynthia Abrams gives an update on the Nashville Metro Council, which will meet to discuss the vacancy created by Rep. Justin Jones’ expulsion.

Guests:

• Holly McCall, editor in chief, The Tennessee Lookout

• Gicola Lane, statewide organizer, Free Hearts

• Cindy Kam, Vanderbilt University professor of political science

• Erin York, Vanderbilt University assistant professor of political science

Further reading:

• Tennessee House Republicans expel 2 young Black Democrats for gun protests after Covenant School shooting

• The nation reacts to the Tennessee legislature’s expulsion of 2 Black lawmakers

• Black leaders call out hypocrisy and racism after vote to expel Jones and Pearson from Tennessee House

• Who were the Tennessee House Republicans who voted against expulsion?

We're zooming out for the end of our week-long coverage on guns.

We've talked about firearms in Tennessee — from training to tragedy and recovery to recreation. Now, it's time to talk about Tennessee's place on the national stage when it comes to gun ownership, gun use, and gun violence. Tennessee, along with the rest of the South, generally has a different relationship to guns than our Northern counterparts. Today, we'll explore the impact of culture and political beliefs on firearms here in Middle Tennessee and around the world. We also open up the phone lines to hear from listeners.

Guests: 

• Elizabeth Burton, This Is Nashville producer

• Dr. H. Steven Moffic, psychiatrist

• Jeff Yarbro, State Senator

• Caleb Hemmer, State Representative

On February 1, 1981, the Metropolitan Interdenominational Church held its first Sunday service — or celebration, as they call it.

The founders of the church are D. Billye Sanders and Rev. Edwin Sanders. Observing denominational and political division amongst the Christian community, they decided to found a church where all were welcome. Their guiding principle is the Bible verse John 3:16, which reads: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

D. Billye Sanders and Rev. Edwin Sanders see “whosoever” as a “mandate for inclusion,” which has inspired decades of activism. Their work has made a difference in the lives of Nashvillians and people across the state. In this episode, we’ll talk with this powerhouse couple about their lives, their mission and what calls them to serve others.

This episode was produced by Magnolia McKay and Elizabeth Burton.

Guests: 

• Rev. Edwin Sanders

• D. Billye Sanders

Today, we’re talking with an astronomer from the Adventure Science Center to find out everything we need to know about the eclipse and how to experience it. We’ll also hear from WPLN editor Miriam Kramer about what it’s like to report on space — and we’re even checking in with the one and only Neil deGrasse Tyson. Join us!

Guests:

• Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist, author, and science communicator

• Dr. Morgan Rehnberg, VP of Exhibits and Experiences, Adventure Science Center

• Miriam Kramer, Editor, WPLN

• Elizabeth Burton, Producer, This is Nashville

Further Reading:

Total Solar Eclipse Programming at the Adventure Science Center in Nashville

NASA: Eclipse 2024 Where and When

NPR: Everything you need to know about solar eclipse glasses before April 8

This episode was produced by Elizabeth Burton, Katherine Ceicys, and Khalil Ekulona.

Margo Price is a Grammy-nominated artist who released her latest album, Strays, this month. It’s her fourth studio album since her breakthrough debut Midwest Farmer’s Daughter in 2016.

But the journey to success in Nashville wasn’t easy, which she chronicles in her memoir Maybe We’ll Make It. In this episode, we’re talking to Margo about her path from small town Illinois to the center of country music.

But first, WPLN reporters Alexis Marshall and Blake Farmer talk about Gov. Bill Lee’s inauguration and what to watch for in his second term.

Guest: 

• Margo Price, singer-songwriter and author

For over 21 years, his work has uncovered corruption and crimes and helped victims know they are not alone. He has received well-deserved recognition for his work, including three prestigious Investigative Reporters and Editors awards, 25 Midsouth Emmys, and four regional Edward R. Murrow Awards. He is also a novelist who writes thrillers in his spare time. We’re speaking with Jeremy about how he found his way into investigative journalism, what it takes to hold wrongdoers accountable, and the value he sees in learning from failure.

Today's episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys.

GUEST

• Jeremy Finley, Chief investigative reporter, WSMV-TV

FURTHER READING AND LISTENING

• Watch the full episode of WSMV4's Predator: System Failure, the culmination of a four-year investigation.
• Check out WSMV4's The Thin Blurred Line story.
• Learn more about Jermey's books "The Darkest Time of Night" and "The Dark Above" here.
• Listen to Jeremy on our May 21, 2024 Citywide Reporter Roundup.
• You can learn more about Nashville Public Television's "A Word On Words" here or catch the podcast version of the show here.
• Read more about Jeremy Finley's recent induction into University of Illinois Springfield Public Affairs Reporting Hall of Fame.

What makes Nashville laugh? Where are the best places in town to catch a comedy show? What is it like to be a comedian in Music City? 

To answer these questions and more, we’re joined by a panel of local comedians, producers, and booking managers. They’ll share their experiences on stage, and give us some insight into what it takes to put together a show. 

The start the show, we’ll be joined by journalist Radley Balko to discuss his Nashville Scene report on Nashville Code enforcement and how its being abused.

Guests: 

• Radley Balko, opinion journalist for Washington Post

• Amber Autry, comedian and producer for Don’t Tell Comedy

• Brad Sativa, comedian and Tennessee native

• Lydia Popovitch, comedian who moved to Nashville from California in 2021 

• Donnie Sengstack, comedian and application developer with Vanderbilt Medical

Additional Reading:

Nashville Scene: Code Snitching – Nashvillians Are Weaponizing Metro Codes Against ‘Undesirable’ Neighbors

Nashville’s hotels broke records this year.

According to the Nashville Conventions and Visitors Corporation, this year’s CMA Fest ushered in the city’s best-ever month for hotel room sales, with more than 875,000 rooms booked in June.

It’s safe to say that hospitality is a booming industry in the city. But what is it like to work in hospitality?

Today we’ll talk with the people who keep our hotels running to find out what goes on behind the scenes of our city’s famous southern hospitality.

Guests: 

• Jen Seger, city director of Big Table Nashville

• Steven Gilbert, restaurant server and host of the podcast "Waiting Tables"

• Joseph Hunter, bartender with 30 years experience

• Leesa LeClaire, CEO and president of the the Greater Nashville Hospitality Association

• Ron Lustig, ESa's senior designer for hospitality and entertainment

In places where there is homelessness, we often see clashes between neighbors and businesses, service providers and the government. And, as neighbors and businesses lose patience, they can put pressure on politicians to find quick solutions, which can result in the abrupt removal of people and their encampment structures from public spaces. In today’s episode, we discuss how to mitigate tension by finding the middle ground — and solutions that address the needs of those experiencing homelessness and reduce negative community impact.

This series was created thanks in part to support from Pinnacle Financial Partners and was produced by Judy Tackett and Tasha A.F. Lemley.

Today's guests:

Mark Horvath | Founder and CEO, Invisible People
Ryan Lampa | Founder and CEO, People Loving Nashville
Councilman Jacob Kupin | Member, Metro Council; Founder, The Kupin Group
Dede Byrd | Certified registered nurse anesthetist (retired)
Tyrese Payton | Guest Commentator

But just a decade ago, these options didn’t exist. Taxis were the best option back then, and are still around. But one of these systems is regulated by the city, and one is not.

Today, we explore how citizens, both riders and drivers, are navigating a ride ecosystem that has two simultaneous systems, each with their own regulations.

But first, we talk with WPLN healthcare reporter Catherine J. Sweeney about the risks of mosquito borne-illness in Tennessee.

Guests:

• Rondriquez White, frequent rideshare passenger

• Semina Globe, Uber and Lyft driver

• Jim Burrow, retired taxi driver and company owner

• Candace Brakewood, PhD, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the UT Knoxville

This episode was produced by Magnolia McKay.

Sixty years ago, North Nashville was a thriving cultural oasis. There were taverns and gambling joints, restaurants and ice cream parlors, boarding houses and nightclubs that drew the likes of Etta James and Jimi Hendrix. Construction of Interstate 40 through North Nashville in the 1970s split the historically Black neighborhood in two, severed community ties and brought noise and pollution.

Much of the Black middle class that had sustained North Nashville moved away, leading to years of neglect and disrepair. Today, a new generation is working to honor the artistic heritage of the area while also bringing it into the future.

Before host Khalil Ekulona dives into the history of North Nashville, he talks to two guests - Kathryn Rickmeye and Diana Nalyvaiko - about how the Russian invasion of Ukraine is impacting Middle Tennesseans.

Guests:

• Kathryn Rickmeyer, Nashville Scene reporter

• Diana Nalyvaiko, Vanderbilt University student and Ukrainian citizen

• Elisheba Israel Mrozik, owner of One Drop Ink Tattoo Parlour and Gallery

• Jordan Harris, owner of Alkebu-Lan Images

• Lucius "Spoonman" Talley, musician

Resources and additional reading: 

WPLN: Metro hits pause on Jefferson Street cap project after community pushback

Dr. Alex Jahangir served as head of Metro Nashville’s COVID-19 Task Force for the two years it was in existence. It was a role he never expected to fill, but with the city between Public Health Department directors, he stepped up when asked by Mayor John Cooper.

The long hours, on top of his already demanding workload as a trauma surgeon and coupled with intense public scrutiny, took a toll on his personal life. Through it all, Dr. Jahangir kept a pandemic version of “op notes” — the entries he writes after each operation. He later expanded these into a book, Hot Spot: A Doctor’s Diary From the Pandemic, published this month. He talks about what he learned leading Nashville's COVID response.

But first, a new episode of Reveal looks into the history of convict leasing, a practice that enriched companies across the South and in Tennessee.

Guests:

• Margie Mason, reporter, Associated Press

• Dr. Alex Jahangir, professor of orthopaedic surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

After a brief intermission, Curious Nashville returns to the airwaves to answer listener questions about Middle Tennessee. The show reexamines history, explains what is — and isn’t — working in local government, and finds the story behind the oddball landmarks on the side of the road.

WPLN Special Projects Editor Tony Gonzalez joins This Is Nashville host Khalil Ekulona to share some of his favorite stories from past Curious Nashville episodes and gives a glimpse into what's being investigated next. 

Also in this episode, WPLN Criminal Justice Reporter Samantha Max joins in studio to talk about how she reported on a spike in drug overdoses in Tennessee prisons.

Guests: 

• WPLN Criminal Justice Reporter Samantha Max

• WPLN Special Projects Editor Tony Gonzalez

• Vicki Todd-Stubbs, daughter of legendary surgeon Dr. David B. Todd, Jr.

Through the Nashville Environmental Justice Initiative, Tennessee State University and Urban Green Lab are working to capture the voices of those affected first and worst. Today we hear about this first-of-its-kind oral history project. We also hear how these same communities are a source for real solutions to a more sustainable and equitable Nashville.

Today's episode was produced by Tasha A.F. Lemley.

Guests

• Stephanie Roach, Assistant Director of Special Initiatives, Urban Green Lab
• Dr. Reginald Archer, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Tennessee State University
• Elios Freeman, Nashville native and community activist and organizer
• Lyndell (Lynn) B. Edmondson, Instructional Designer, John Early Museum Magnet Middle School
  
  
  
  

Further in

VOICES OF RESILIENCE | A Nashville Environmental Justice Initiative Story Archive
WPLN | Tennessee officials are worried about wetlands. Here’s why.
WPLN | Wetlands lessen floods. Tennessee lawmakers plan to erode the regulations that protect them.

When we think about our unhoused community, Nashville is no longer just Nashville.

Nashville is now Antioch, Hermitage, West Meade…Madison — many tight communities with their own culture, nuanced challenges, and options. On today's show, we bring in people who live and work in Madison — navigating homelessness, treading water, and building the structures needed to save lives.

This episode was produced by Tasha A.F. Lemley. Special thanks to Darrin Bradbury.

Guests:

• Rev. Jay Voorhees, pastor of City Road Chapel UMC

• Caroline Lindner, housing navigator

• Frank Simmons, musician, Madison resident

• Joy Flores, Vice President of Ministries, Nashville Rescue Mission

• Brian Haile, CEO, Neighborhood Health

Drivers throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee share the road with truckers carrying loads of goods every day on our highways. But what do we know about truckers beyond the stereotypes?

Today, we're talking to truckers about what life is really like on the road, their role in the supply chain and what they think about local drivers.

But first, WPLN education reporter Alexis Marshall has an update on revisions to the third-grade retention law.

Guests:

• Mandie Moore, truck driver with TJ Russ Transports

• Walter Sawyers, driver, owner and founder of worker-owned cooperative 3rd Eye Trucking

• Klark Koharik, general manager at Dillon Transportation

• Joe Dileo, president of Chariot Logistics