Artists have flocked to the city’s community-centered scene and passionate fans. As the emo revival continues to thrive today, Nashville has claimed its rightful spot as a hub for the genre. Today, we’ll talk with musicians and the people supporting them behind the curtain. Guests: Ryan Burleson, music journalist and musician Piper Payne, mastering engineer and owner of Physical Music Products Aaron Hartley, founder of Theory 8 Records and Indienet Aaron Gillespie, musician and producer Jack Ohm...
Aug 16, 2023•51 min
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?...
Aug 15, 2023•51 min
What is new music you should know about? Who is coming to town to perform? The cast at WNXP will join us to give you everything you need to know about the cool and hip new music in town. Guests: Jason Moon Wilkins, program director Celia Gregory , morning host and special programs manager Justin Barney , assistant program director Jude Mason , host This episode was produced by Khalil Ekulona....
Aug 14, 2023•51 min
On Aug. 11, 1973, a party in the Bronx changed the direction of music history. That night, DJ Kool Herc showed off a new way to play records on two turntables — alternating between them to maintain a breakbeat. Add an emcee to rap over the beat, and you've got the foundations of hip-hop. Bring in dancers and artists, and you've got a cultural movement. In this episode, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and explore how Nashville is marking the occasion. Guests : Dan Charnas , writer an...
Aug 11, 2023•51 min
As discussed previously on this show , license plate readers have been a controversial technology for law enforcement. Some see them as a crucial tool for tracking crime. Others see them as another facet of over-policing that is ripe for abuse. A six-month pilot program ended last month, and Metro Council recently voted to put off voting on further use of LPRs, in order to give themselves more time to review data compiled by the Community Oversight Board . What's in the COB’s report? What are th...
Aug 10, 2023•51 min
Few people make the kind of impact on a city that Charlie Strobel did. On a winter night in 1985, Father Strobel, then pastor at Holy Name Catholic Church in East Nashville, saw people gathered in the parking lot trying to endure the cold. He invited them inside, and gave them food and shelter for the night. From this, the program he called Room In the Inn began. And so did his dedication to serving people who are experiencing homelessness, which would never waver — even as Room In the Inn grew ...
Aug 09, 2023•51 min
One safety measure used by Metro Nashville Public Schools is school resource officers — SROs — which are staffed by the city’s police department. But having police officers in schools isn’t a panacea. It’s unclear if having SROs can prevent major tragedies like school shootings. And critics say that having officers in schools exacerbates the school-to-prison pipeline by criminalizing behavior that could be resolved in other ways, like counseling, conflict resolution or other restorative practice...
Aug 08, 2023•51 min
The MNPD has faced lawsuits both internally and externally regarding sexual assault and harassment, police brutality and more. The city caps any settlements at $300,000, and recently more folks have been awarded that amount or close to it. Why? And why does that cap exist in the first place? What makes someone more likely to receive the full amount? We’ll dive into this with local lawyers and individuals who have brought claims against MNPD. First, Paige Pfleger joins us to discuss her coverage ...
Aug 07, 2023•51 min
Karaoke is where amateur singers go to shine! Or, in Nashville, where aspiring professionals sometimes go to try and drum up a following. It’s a low-stakes fame game where you can be an American Idol for a night. Music City is lucky to have a plethora of options for singing karaoke, and whether you’re a fan or not, there’s no denying it’s a staple of Nashville nightlife. But first, we check in with interim news director Tony Gonzalez and midday news producer Cynthia Abrams for analysis of August...
Aug 04, 2023•51 min
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 vol...
Aug 03, 2023•51 min
Public access television is arguably the most intimate and personal form of programming offered in our country. Legendary for its low budget production quality, public access TV shows regular people who have an interest in creating a television show. Want a show about popular and off the wall sports? Check. How about a show about religion and spirituality? Check. Maybe you want to do a show about odd-ball and rarely seen movies? Check. Public access possesses all manner of television. It’s telev...
Aug 02, 2023•51 min
During the Civil War, the city was under Union control and full of soldiers, which created a demand for sex workers. After attempts to remove the women failed, the Union Army legalized prostitution in Nashville . If they paid the registration fee, and kept up with weekly medical checks, these women were free legally to provide services. After the war, sex work was made illegal once again, but, of course, that doesn't mean it went away. Today we learn about our city's early and more recent histor...
Aug 01, 2023•51 min
With Election Day just three days away, we're talking about voting! Today, we'll bring you an update on early voting turnout and walk through some basics about how to vote, why to do it, and where to find the information you need. We'll also hear from folks who are out talking with voters and potential voters about why they cast their ballot — and why some choose not to. But first, it's time to respond to your feedback with a special Monday edition of our @ us! segment. Guests: Jeff Roberts , ad...
Jul 31, 2023•51 min
Why do so many people ignore or avoid the Cumberland River? And how have perceptions — and access to our winding river — changed? In this episode, we dive into how feelings about our river are rapidly changing, thanks in part to a rise in paddling and boating outfitters, as well as the fresh eyes of newly arriving transplants (and developers). We'll hear from avid paddlers about their experiences. We'll also unpack some misconceptions and talk about the surge in new ideas for our riverfront. WPL...
Jul 28, 2023•51 min
Giving birth costs an average of $18,885 nationwide before insurance. If you have a medical emergency, you can expect to spend hundreds on your ambulance ride — and that doesn’t even include the cost of the medical care itself. In fact, medical debt is the leading type of debt on credit cards in the U.S. But… if you live with disabilities or chronic illnesses, those medical costs are significantly higher. On top of that, the sacrifices you might make in order to afford the medical care can come ...
Jul 27, 2023•49 min
On August 3rd, voters will decide who they want their next mayor and council members to be. But they’ll also cast their vote for vice mayor. It’s a job that flies under the radar for many Nashvillians. So what, exactly, does the vice mayor do, and how would the candidates for vice mayor approach the job? We’ll answer those questions in this Citizen Nashville episode all about Nashville’s vice mayor. We’ll get insights about the role from a former vice mayor, and hear from both candidates seeking...
Jul 26, 2023•51 min
And it’s projected that in 20 years, urban growth might extend a trip to Chattanooga or Memphis by an hour. One potential solution to stem this congestion is creating more Amtrak passenger lines between Tennessee cities, as well as major regional hubs like Atlanta, Chicago and Louisville. For now, commuter rail is more of an idea than a reality in Nashville, with one exception: the WeGo Star, which shuttles passengers between downtown Nashville and Lebanon during peak hours. WeGo is currently so...
Jul 25, 2023•51 min
A new music video from country singer Jason Aldean has created quite the buzz. It places his song, “Try That In A Small Town,” amid scenes of riots and police encounters, and critics are flagging its racist tropes. Nashville Public Radio's senior music writer Jewly Hight joins us to unpack the video. Then, we're bringing back a timeless episode from April 2022 that answers the questions: who is country music for? And who decides? Guests: Holly G , founder of the Black Opry Frankie Staton , singe...
Jul 24, 2023•51 min
Some of the most exciting research in astronomy is happening right here in Nashville. A little more than a year ago, NASA released the first images from the James Webb Space Telescope . One of the first approved studies using this imagery was led by Vanderbilt professor Keivan Stassun, who is searching for Earth-like planets with NASA's TESS Exoplanet Mission . And just weeks ago, a groundbreaking study demonstrating how gravitational waves permeate the universe was published by a team led by an...
Jul 21, 2023•51 min
Some are turning to men’s groups as a resource. In these groups, they find brotherhood, support and judgment-free spaces to talk about things that come up in life. From relationships to fatherhood, career stress to spirituality — opening up and talking to other men can be transformative. Today, we invite leaders of local men’s groups on to talk about masculinity and what it means for them to get together in this way. But first, we address listener feedback in our @ Us! segment with senior produc...
Jul 20, 2023•49 min
What’s allowed to be built in my neighborhood? Can I build a second unit on my property? How can I make sure new construction will benefit my community and not harm it? The answers to these questions all come back to the city’s zoning code — more than 200 pages describing what kinds of buildings can be built where, what they can look like, and how to get special permission to build something different. In this episode, we sit down with a city official to answer your questions about zoning in Nas...
Jul 19, 2023•51 min
His legacy includes pastoring The Church at Mt. Carmel, ministering to his neighborhood through events and summer camps, and starting the Gentlemen And Not Gangsters (GANG) program that works with the juvenile court system to help at-risk youth. His impact in the community was great. Today we speak with his loved ones and those who worked alongside him to celebrate the man, and talk about his legacy. But first, WPLN healthcare reporter Catherine J. Sweeney joins us to talk about her reporting on...
Jul 18, 2023•51 min
Major Jackson has published five books of poetry, and is also the host of the Slowdown podcast from American Public Media and the Poetry Foundation. On top of that, the Vanderbilt University professor was recently named a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In this episode, Major Jackson talks about his work, his forthcoming book Razzle Dazzle: New & Selected Poems , and his Nashville roots. But first, several new laws aimed at LGBTQ rights took effect in Tennessee this mont...
Jul 17, 2023•51 min
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 ride...
Jul 07, 2023•51 min
On May 5, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the global Public Health Emergency for the pandemic. That was a cause for celebration for most, but many Covid long-haulers felt even more marginalized and forgotten than before. It’s currently estimated that 1 in 5 American adults who had an initial infection end up experiencing long COVID. The initial diagnosis requires symptoms to last three months or longer, but some long-haulers are experiencing symptoms a full 3 years later....
Jul 06, 2023•51 min
Roller skating videos went viral on social media during the lockdown days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a lot of people took up the sport during that time. But the scene here in Nashville has been going strong for decades. So don’t call it a comeback! We talk with local skaters about their favorite moves, favorite spots, and the reasons they keep on rolling. And we visit the Rivergate Skate Center in Madison for a Pin Drop feature highlighting the history of this beloved neighborhood institution...
Jul 05, 2023•51 min
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. In honor of the annual Music City Hot Chicken festival on this holiday, we're rebroadcasting our 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 ex...
Jul 04, 2023•49 min
Zoos are a staple of American culture. They’re an enjoyable outing for families, couples and friends and a rare opportunity to see animals that a lot of us wouldn't otherwise get to see. In recent years, many zoos have pivoted to focusing on conservation and animal welfare rather than entertainment. Here in Nashville, the Zoo says that conservation is their mission . But, what does this really mean? Today, we'll learn how the Zoo is working to bolster the hellbender salamander population in Nash...
Jul 03, 2023•51 min
Since 2015, Nashville has gone from a couple thousand short-term rentals to nearly 7,000 with official permits. And in the past five years, the city has fielded more than 8,000 complaints . So how exactly did we get here? And where do we stand on these rentals? You can also click through to our web post for related reading . To start today’s show, WPLN news editor LaTonya Turner will break down what two Supreme Court decisions will mean for this university town: the overturning of affirmative ac...
Jun 30, 2023•51 min
In Part 2, candidates answer questions on economic development, mental health and guns, and This Is Nashville senior producer Steve Haruch, multimedia producer Elizabeth Burton and WPLN education reporter Alexis Marshall provide analysis. Plus, we've got bonus behind the scenes content from Monday's event. * Listen to Part 1. *** On Monday, June 26, This Is Nashville and WPLN News collaborated with the Nashville Child and Youth Collaborative to put on a mayoral forum , which we called “For Nashv...
Jun 29, 2023•56 min
