Metro’s Planning Department just released a Housing and Infrastructure Study that showed Nashville’s affordable housing crisis in stark reality: We need to build at least 20,000 more homes in the next decade, and 99% of our neighborhoods are out of reach for the average Black or Hispanic family. Planner Greg Claxton joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to explain the changes we need to make to fix the way this city gets built. Planning wants to hear from you! Share your thoughts with them here . Lea...
Apr 14, 2025•29 min
Last weekend’s tragic car crash in the Gulch proves why the improvements Metro is making to traffic calming and signals can’t come soon enough. On today’s Friday News Roundup, host Marie Cecile Anderson is joined by executive producer and WNXP morning show host Celia Gregory to break down the proposed improvements, chat about why Ryman Hospitality won the bid to operate Ascend Amphitheater , and shout out our picks for the best releases and local events for Record Store Day tomorrow. Want some m...
Apr 11, 2025•28 min
Are Trump’s tariffs on aluminum imports and Canadian grain brewing up trouble for the beer industry? Host Marie Cecile Anderson sits down with East Nashville Beer Works president Anthony Davis to get the scoop on those impacts and learn about ways to enjoy great local beer this weekend, from East Nashville Beer Fest to Fridays by the River — we’re the presenting sponsor! Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter. Follow us @citycastnashvi...
Apr 10, 2025•26 min
The Nashville Public Library has books, but did you know it also has cake pans, stud finders, and musical instruments? Host Marie Cecile Anderson is celebrating National Library Week by talking to NPL marketing manager Andrea Fanta about all the free stuff your library card can do, from renting an ebike to helping you find a job. Donate to the Nashville Public Library Foundation here . Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter. Follow us ...
Apr 09, 2025•26 min
We’re in the midst of the annual Nashville Comedy Festival , and our “clean comedy” scene is having a breakout moment thanks to Old Hickory’s own Nate Bargatze . Host Marie Cecile Anderson sat down with local clean comics Paula Kosienski and John Datoy to find out why. And don’t miss Paula at the Ryman Auditorium tonight, performing as part of Nateland Presents Good Clean Funny ! Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter. Follow us @cityc...
Apr 08, 2025•27 min
Metro leaders announced the closure of the 40-year-old Old Tent City encampment last week, giving residents 60 days to leave. Host Marie Cecile Anderson sits down with former Metro Homeless Impact Division head Judith Tackett to learn how this closure as well as pending anti-encampment legislation at the state level will affect our unhoused neighbors. Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter. Follow us @citycastnashville You can also tex...
Apr 07, 2025•29 min
It’s been a crazy weather week that’s still not over. On today’s Friday News Roundup, host Marie Cecile Anderson, executive producer Whitney Pastorek, and Metro Council contributor Nicole Williams catch you up on our storms and flooding, discuss the financial settlements reached at Tuesday’s Metro Council meeting, and with the State of the City address on the horizon, we discuss what we’d like to hear from our mayor. And hey! Weather permitting, today is the first night of Fridays By the River ,...
Apr 04, 2025•28 min
Nashville has no Michelin-starred restaurants . Why? City Cast food and travel contributor Margaret Littman is here to help us understand, and alongside host Marie Cecile Anderson, she’s handing out some stars of her own. (In breaking news, Michelin just announced a Guide to the American South , coming at some undetermined time in the future.) Plus, we’re learning about Margaret’s upcoming gallery exhibition, Are We Done Yet? , featuring her unfinished projects — and maybe yours, too. Check it o...
Apr 03, 2025•26 min
Since building community feels more important than ever right now, we’re revisiting our conversation from last fall between host Marie Cecile Anderson and Emma McCallie, the founder of Folx Table , a “sit-down social network” that fosters connections between strangers over a meal. **This episode originally aired October 7, 2024. Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter. Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicema...
Apr 02, 2025•25 min
Rabbit rabbit rabbit! We’ve got your ultimate guide to April, the best month for bunny aficionados. Host Marie Cecile Anderson, producer Daniel Sumstine, and Hey Nashville newsletter editor Margaret Kingsbury are breaking down the best Easter egg hunts and brunch spots, plus everything you need to know to get your garden started, and some great indoor options for when your allergies just can’t take it anymore. If you’re looking for even MORE options, we’ve covered some great activities and impor...
Apr 01, 2025•25 min
How is Vanderbilt University weathering the funding freeze and threatened cuts from the federal government? Host Marie Cecile Anderson is checking in with Vanderbilt Hustler editorial director Brina Ratangee for the latest on that, as well as how students are feeling about the recent string of high-profile ICE detainments on other college campuses. Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter. Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text u...
Mar 31, 2025•24 min
Community Review Board member (and former chair) Alisha Haddock joins host Marie Cecile Anderson and executive producer Whitney Pastorek for today’s Friday News Roundup, to fill us in on the news that the TBI raided the law firm of the independent investigators looking into MNPD’s possible involvement in abolishing the Community Oversight Board. Plus, how dissolving the Dept. of Education and cutting local nonprofit funding could impact our city, and our reactions to the new Snoop Dogg and Dr. D...
Mar 28, 2025•35 min
Benton McDonough is the director of the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife, but you can just call him the Night Mayor . He’s giving host Marie Cecile Anderson his tips for how locals can best enjoy our downtown entertainment district, and explaining how his office is working with bars, MNPD, and other partners to make sure revelers on Lower Broad stay safe. Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter. Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text...
Mar 27, 2025•27 min
Anybody else miss loitering at the mall? Host Marie Cecile Anderson, Hey Nashville newsletter editor Margaret Kingsbury, and guest comedian Miriam Kirk reminisce about Nashville’s finest shopping palaces past and present, and talk about the future of our malls that are currently being redeveloped. Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter. Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested ...
Mar 26, 2025•24 min
Prices on everything from eggs to lumber are going up. Looking for bargains? Host Marie Cecile Anderson turned to an in-house expert — her mom, Linda — to get her picks for the best thrift stores in town. Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter. Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE ....
Mar 25, 2025•21 min
A recent bill moving the Metro Historic Zoning Commission under the auspices of the Planning Department sparked unanticipated levels of controversy over the past few weeks. Why? And how does that tie into larger discussions about Nashville’s housing crisis? WPLN Metro reporter Cynthia Abrams joins executive producer Whitney Pastorek to explain. Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter. Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or...
Mar 24, 2025•24 min
In a city where neighborhoods are begging for sidewalks, the residents of Belle Meade Boulevard are suing to stop one . Plus, the state is still trying to cut our Metro Council in half , Ag Day on the Hill was once again a classic photo opportunity (click here to see the photo of Gov. Bill Lee referenced in the episode), and we’re updating you on the bills that caught our eye in the TNLeg this week. Nashville Scene columnist and City Cast Nashville contributor Nicole Williams joins host Marie Ce...
Mar 21, 2025•31 min
The first quarter of the year brought another flood of incredible new restaurants and bars to Nashville, and City Cast Nashville contributor Jenn Harbin, aka the Hungry Loner , is back to give host Marie Cecile Anderson the deets. Jenn also brings us a conversation with chef Edgar Victoria from Alebrije , one of her top picks, about why eating local is more important than ever. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 20th episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Want some m...
Mar 20, 2025•31 min
For most people, life in Nashville requires owning a car. But what are the rules of our pothole-riddled roads? Host Marie Cecile Anderson, producer Daniel Sumstine, and executive producer Whitney Pastorek are chatting about the things you need to know to survive behind the wheel in our city where turn signals are optional, traffic circles are confusing, and no one knows how to merge. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 19th episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Want ...
Mar 19, 2025•23 min
Holi at Cheekwood is back for its fourth year on Saturday, March 22, celebrating the Indian festival of spring. Cheekwood Indian Advisory Committee members Roochita Jaju Mathur and Asha Patel Nivison join host Marie Cecile Anderson to share their memories of growing up Indian in Nashville, and what Holi means to them today. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 18th episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up...
Mar 18, 2025•25 min
The Duck River is the most bio-diverse river in North America, and one of the most endangered in the country. As Middle TN’s growth requires ever more water to be pulled from this important waterway — and ever more trash to be dumped somewhere near its banks — can the Duck be saved? Tennessee Lookout reporter Cassandra Stephenson joins executive producer Whitney Pastorek to explain. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 17th episode: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Babbel - Get up to...
Mar 17, 2025•23 min
The decision to arrest unhoused individuals living downtown under the state’s rarely-enforced camping law came as quite the surprise to community advocates and Metro officials, as reported in a Nashville Banner story this week. Banner editor Steve Cavendish joins producer Daniel Sumstine and executive producer Whitney Pastorek to share what his team learned about who made the arrests. Plus: Why the Office of Homeless Services has to drop DEI language , the bills we were watching at the state lev...
Mar 14, 2025•31 min
We’re taking a turn for the grisly and slightly explicit today thanks to our guests, Ed Larson and Henry Zebrowski from the hilarious hit horror podcast Last Podcast on the Left . Ahead of their headlining slot at the Ryman Auditorium tomorrow , March 14, they join host Marie Cecile Anderson to learn all about the tragic murder of Skull’s Rainbow Room founder David “Skull” Schulman back in 1998. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 13th episode: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Want ...
Mar 13, 2025•30 min
A SpaceX capsule is scheduled to depart Earth today and head to the International Space Station, where it intends to pick up Middle TN-born astronaut Butch Wilmore and his fellow astronaut Suni Williams after nine months stranded in space. We’re revisiting our conversation with both astronauts — live from the ISS! — in celebration of their hopeful return. A video of Butch floating aboard the ISS during this conversation can be seen here . **This episode originally aired November 11, 2024. Learn ...
Mar 12, 2025•18 min
Given the massive success of the Athletes Unlimited pro women’s basketball tourney, the Vanderbilt University women’s team lighting up the court, and a Pat Summitt-inspired proposal for a WNBA expansion team making headlines, producer Daniel Sumstine sits down with former Metro Council member and lady hoops superfan Nancy VanReece to find out why women’s basketball is having a moment. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 11th episode: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Want some more C...
Mar 11, 2025•25 min
The CEO of Nashville General Hospital, the city’s safety net facility, is stepping down amidst controversy this Friday . How did we get here? Nashville Banner reporter Stephen Elliott joins executive producer Whitney Pastorek to explain. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 10th episode: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter. Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voic...
Mar 10, 2025•28 min
And now, the exciting conclusion of Metro Council’s two-part Fusus cliffhanger! Nashville Scene columnist Nicole Williams joins us to talk through the latest local news, including poorly-timed cuts to the National Weather Service , the threatened closure of a local Social Security office , and a weird group home in DC being run by local car dealer Lee Beaman. Finally, we’re celebrating being named the 6th most sinful state in the nation by discussing where in Nashville we’d like to indulge in th...
Mar 07, 2025•33 min
The Food Section Nashville bureau chief Mark Blankenship joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to discuss his recent article on the out-of-state food traditions that have found a home in our booming culinary scene. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 6th episode: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter. Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Inter...
Mar 06, 2025•21 min
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is one of our city’s best tourist attractions, but did you know they’ve got great resources for locals, too? With their annual American Currents exhibit opening today — featuring a famous Taylor Swift Eras Tour dress and other artifacts from Orville Peck, Amythyst Kiah, Billy Strings and more — museum director of editorial Paul Kingsbury joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to give us the scoop. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 4th episode: Countr...
Mar 05, 2025•25 min
Nashville’s experiencing a trash crisis, and our landfills are nearly full — but what if we fixed our old stuff instead of tossing it out? NashVillager contributing writer Emily Siner has been collecting recommendations for hard-to-find repair services via her “Give A Rec, Get A Rec” series. She joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to swap suggestions for local cobblers, seamstresses, fix-it fairs, and much, much more. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 4th episode: Country Music Hall of Fa...
Mar 04, 2025•30 min
