It’s Thursday and time for another episode of The Roundabout. The Roundabout is your news of the week , analyzed by our panelists from points of view that span left, right and center. Joining us today are former congressional candidate and founder of Rise & Shine TN Maryam Abolfazli , political advisor Mark Rogers and Tennessean opinion reporter Andrea Williams . Today we talk about Tennessee teachers, the guard deployed to D.C., defending IVF and auditing Nashville’s eye-popping property ap...
Aug 21, 2025•50 min
It’s back-to-school time, and that includes older adults! An increasing number of people 50 and older are actively learning new things (55% of Americans age 45 and older, according to AARP surveys). These lifelong learners want to stay mentally sharp, intellectually stimulated or even start another career. Some take a class or two based on their interests; some develop (or refine) a talent or skill; and some pursue a high school or college degree . Many institutions and organizations are scrambl...
Aug 20, 2025•50 min
This year, Tennessee became the first state in the South to pass legislation specifically protecting in vitro fertilization — and the debate between Republicans made it clear that IVF does need some protection. The fight to outlaw abortion in states like Tennessee has also crept into the clinics that help people conceive children. This hour, we’ll talk to local doctors who specialize in fertility and hear from several families who’ve been on the long, challenging and expensive road to creating a...
Aug 19, 2025•50 min
If you’re really looking for the hardest working man in showbusiness, he might not be on camera. It might have been our guest this hour – Tom Morales. He made his name catering the biggest movies in Hollywood – thousands across the globe. But he’s also a guy who sees himself as a defender of Nashville. His hometown. He’s built iconic spaces here like the Acme Feed & Seed. He helped turn Loveless Cafe into the tourist draw it’s become. He’s fought to protect the city’s soul. And he’s not so s...
Aug 18, 2025•50 min
It’s Thursday and time for another episode of The Roundabout. The Roundabout is your news of the week , analyzed by our panelists from the points of view that span left, right and center. Joining us today are former Metro council member Fabian Bedne, former Metro school board chair and candidate for mayor, David Fox, and Tennessee State University political scientist Dr. Ian Shapiro . We're hitting the brakes on electric vehicle production in Tennessee, talking about AI surveillance of Tennessee...
Aug 14, 2025•50 min
Freddie O’Connell is back for another round of “Ask the Mayor.” There are questions about a win for Metro's transit plan in the state's high court, airport tunnels, ICE recruitment on city property and the prospect of using the National Guard for policing. But there’s more to be asked. What does the mayor need to know about your part of Nashville? Where is Metro Government needed? Where is Metro getting in the way? Finish this sentence: I wish the city would just…Then call us at 615-760-2000 . P...
Aug 13, 2025•50 min
We’re facing the four-letter word no parent wants to hear — lice. Updated guidance from federal health authorities and the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests parents and schools don't need to panic. In fact, schools are now discouraged from sending kids home just because they have active lice. Tennessee has embraced this thinking with a new manual for schools. But it’s been tough to put into practice. Williamson County Schools put a pause on updating its policy last Fall when questions star...
Aug 12, 2025•50 min
Local, award-winning author Kevin Wilson has deep Tennessee roots: he grew up in Franklin County, attended Vanderbilt, and today, teaches at Sewanee: The University of the South. Earlier this year, he released his latest novel, Run for the Hills . Like much of his work, the story considers the, (sometimes unexpected) ways “family” can come to be. He sat down with "This Is Nashville" to read an excerpt of his new release, talk about his upbringing in Tennessee and share his thoughts about why fic...
Aug 11, 2025•50 min
It’s the weekly Roundabout. From the uniquely Nashville to the national conversation, our guests today – left, right and center – will help us chew on the big stories of the week. And our Roundabout episodes give you a chance to weigh in. This week, we’ll face an execution, examine Elon Musk’s airport tunnel, and take an honest look at ourselves with Tennessee’s new ranking as one of the worst states to live in. Give us a call at 615-760-2000 to weigh in — or join us live streaming on YouTube at...
Aug 07, 2025•50 min
In 2021, the Tennessee State Government introduced new tax incentives to encourage film productions to make their next project in the Volunteer State. On today’s show, we sit down with artists, producers, and members of the Tennessee Entertainment Commission to learn why film-related economic output has grown by nearly fifty percent and whether or not Nashville has the potential to become a major film hub in the United States. This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. Guests: Bob Raines, Tenness...
Aug 06, 2025•50 min
On the eve of World Elephant Day , we celebrate with one of Tennessee’s best kept secrets — The Elephant Sanctuary . Nestled in the woods and knolls of Hohenwald, Tenn., about 80 miles southwest of Nashville is a 3,000-acre refuge for retired elephants where they can live out their days out of the spotlight. These magnificent animals spend their remaining years in a natural habitat developed specifically for their needs. In this episode, we get a rare report from within the complex, which is off...
Aug 05, 2025•50 min
Garrison Keillor is still performing , even as he turns 83 this week. He sat down with This Is Nashville in the greenroom at City Winery before his performance in June because this city was central to his creation of "A Prairie Home Companion," which launched 50 years ago. For a long time, it was one of the biggest things in public radio . He now calls leaving the show a mistake. He’ll explain. And if you’re thinking, “didn’t he have a #MeToo moment?” Yes, we get some rather candid answers plus ...
Aug 04, 2025•50 min
It’s one of the toughest balancing acts of our time – kids and their screens. With most young teens having their own cellphones , screen usage is an unavoidable issue for schools. A new Tennessee law has led school districts to revisit their policies and in some cases strengthen their screen restrictions. We’ll hear what’s changing, what experts recommend and go deep at a school that banned phones altogether. Plus it’s your turn to talk. Join on air by calling 615-760-2000. Or watch live and joi...
Jul 31, 2025•50 min
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to live behind bars, any episode of “Ear Hustle” will give you a pretty good idea. It’s basically “This American Life” but for the 2 million Americans who are incarcerated – primarily produced by people who are in prison. “Ear Hustle” hosts and co-founders Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods join us to talk about what they’ve learned in 15 seasons of podcasting from a prison and highlighting the live show that is coming to Nashville next week. Plus, Plus, ...
Jul 30, 2025•50 min
Welcome back to our second season of In My Place . This special series educates listeners on what communities like Nashville can do to prevent and end homelessness — while caring for our neighbors who are still unhoused. In our last episode , we learned what happens when the paperwork finally comes through and puzzle pieces start building a hopeful picture. Well, we're taking a couple steps back. Today, our table is staying packed for a Q&A with folks who want to help us remember even when t...
Jul 29, 2025•50 min
Tia Sillers has written her fair share of hit songs — most notably, “I Hope You Dance,” performed by Lee Ann Womack. From her beginnings as a songwriter to performing with her husband, she joins us to reflect on her career, her approach to creativity and her relationship with Nashville. We also learn about her personal life and how her husband’s death further strengthened her musical expression. This episode was produced by Josh Deepan....
Jul 28, 2025•50 min
t’s not just a one-year budget crisis. Federal support for public media may be a thing of the past. And it’s hardly just WPLN at risk. Leaders of public media outlets in Middle Tennessee will be in the studio talking about the immediate impacts and uncertainty that lies ahead. Plus, it’s your turn to talk! We’re taking your calls, whether it’s curiosity or a particular critique, the lines will be open. Call 615-760-2000 to join the conversation. You can also catch us streaming on YouTube and sen...
Jul 24, 2025•50 min
As rent in Nashville remains close to its all-time high, some affected tenants rush to court to contest their eviction notices. They may have medical issues, significant personal challenges or legal hurdles, but the same question hangs over each of them: where are they going to go once their lease is up? The Eviction Right to Counsel program is a group of local advocates who have collaborated to provide legal services for tenants in need. In this episode, we'll hear from organizations, those imp...
Jul 23, 2025•50 min
Opryland has been closed for nearly 30 years, and as the producer of a new documentary puts it, some people are still “butt hurt” about it. Maybe we didn’t know what we had until it left a theme park-size hole in Nashville’s heart. A documentary premiering at the Nashville Film Festival, called “A Circle Broken,” gives us a good excuse to reopen that wound and hear the story of Opryland like we’ve not heard before, a story about how perhaps Opryland saved the Grand Ole Opry itself. We’re talking...
Jul 22, 2025•50 min
Pastor Glenda Gleaves Sutton arrived in Nashville with her two sons in tow. She had left a stressful but steady life as an air traffic controller and was on a mission to repair her own family. That effort didn’t pan out as quickly as hoped, and left her temporarily homeless. She has since dedicated her life to repairing the families of anyone within the sound of her voice. She’s dished out diapers and confronted drug dealers — always stepping out in faith and always in support of others. Her sto...
Jul 21, 2025•50 min
It’s that time again! Time for you to talk with Mayor Freddie O’Connell. Do you have a concern you would like him to address? Do you have a question about the direction of the city? Every month, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell joins us to discuss the latest happenings in and around the city — and take your calls! Plus, Last month, an appeals court upheld a state law reducing the Nashville Metro Council from forty members to twenty. Attorney Ben Gastel joins us to discuss the impact of reduced ...
Jul 17, 2025•50 min
When you go to a live show these days, you expect to see a spectacle — an artistic production that will blow you away. Behind the scenes, there’s one person responsible for bringing this production to life — the production manager. Today we join with WNXP's Music Citizens podcast to go behind the scenes with Nashville-based production manager, Tori Butash. As a “lady soundguy,” Tori worked her way up doing sound for Rob Thomas, Imagine Dragons and other bands including Sylvan Esso. It was Sylvan...
Jul 16, 2025•50 min
There is no more tender time than the months, weeks and days before a loved one's passing. More likely than not, hospice care is going to be involved. Still, many people don’t fully understand what hospice looks like. So today we’re breaking down what you need to know so you’ll be a little more prepared when it matters. We'll hear from two Tennesseans who relied on hospice care, both at home and at a care facility, during each of their mother's final days. We'll talk with representatives from ho...
Jul 15, 2025•50 min
Candice Lee is a Vanderbilt Commodore through and through. In the late 90’s and early aughts, she played for the women’s basketball team. She endured injuries but never quit. After her playing days were over she moved to the administration side of sports. Also earning a PhD from the university. Today, we learn what it’s like to get inside the mind of an athletic director for a school in the most powerful athletic conference in the country.
Jul 14, 2025•50 min
The school voucher debate has been raging in Tennessee for almost two decades... but it was just this year the Tennessee State Legislature successfully passed a law creating a statewide program. The Education Freedom Scholarship Act will provide 20,000 eligible students with about $7,300 per year in public school funds to use for private school tuition. So far, nearly 40,000 families have applied for the program. Today we ask: now that the school voucher horse is out of the barn...what’s next? H...
Jul 10, 2025•50 min
In 1960s Southern California, a movement called "Kustom Kulture" emerged. Its mission: restore and refurbish cars. Since then, thousands across America have had their own vehicles customized. On today's show, we speak with local builders, musicians, and enthusiasts about their Kustom Kulture, how it helps people express themselves creatively, and the outlook of the community today. This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. GUESTS: Tim & Carrie Strange — Strange Motion Murpho & Kollette M...
Jul 09, 2025•50 min
Today we’re talking with identical twins who live here in Middle Tennessee - including two who work at the same local police department- to learn about how their unique connection has shaped their lives. We’ll also speak with the parent and a spouse of identical twins to learn about how they love the twins closest to them. It’s going to be a double fun hour. Join us! This episode was produced by Liv Lombardi and Katherine Ruppelt. Guests: Sergeant Kyle Neal , identical twin Sergeant Matt Neal , ...
Jul 08, 2025•50 min
For many people, getting involved in your community is something they would like to do — but don’t have much time to do. For Tequila Johnson, though, community is a calling. Today we sit down with an entrepreneur, mom, and the co-founder of The Equity Alliance to talk about her life and how her philosophy on humanity is evolving. This episode was produced by Khalil Ekulona and Liv Lombardi
Jul 07, 2025•50 min
For over three decades Kurdish refugees have found a safe place to land in America. The latest wave of Kurds is arriving from Turkey – fleeing political repression and nationalist hate groups. But today, they’re coming to a very different America. It’s an America in turmoil. A place where immigrants are increasingly seen as enemies within, to be rooted out and sent back to where they came from. The Country in our Hearts is the story of how Nashville became home to the largest Kurdish diaspora in...
Jul 03, 2025•50 min
When a wave of Kurdish refugees came to Nashville, they quickly got to work. They opened businesses and raised their kids. As those kids grew up, they had to figure out how to navigate the world of a first-generation Kurdish-American teenager. And in that world, something new was forming — something that threatened to tarnish the sterling reputation their parents worked hard to build. The Country in our Hearts is the story of how Nashville became home to the largest Kurdish diaspora in America i...
Jul 02, 2025•55 min
