One thing that a burgeoning arts and music scene needs to thrive is space — to gather, to express their craft, to incubate creative ideas and share them. DIY spaces are where independent musicians and creatives find home. These elusive improvised venues might be a defunct auto shop, the local VFW or a warehouse. Or, just as common, someone’s living room or basement! The do-it-yourself scene has a long legacy of punk and anarchist ideologies that are expressed through music, visual arts and liter...
Oct 04, 2023•51 min
Now that the Writers Guild of America finally has a deal, what does that mean for SAG-AFTRA? Last week, WGA reached a deal with the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers. Nationwide, writers celebrated historic wins regarding the use of artificial intelligence and residuals. In the midst of celebration, everyone wondered what the WGA deal would mean for the actors. Ahead of heading back out to Los Angeles for the next round of negotiations with AMPTP, actor Carla Christina Contrer...
Oct 03, 2023•49 min
Even though bats may not be the first animal to come to mind when we dream of our fine flying friends in Middle Tennessee, they're arguably some of the most important in our town. On this episode, we gaze skyward — at dusk — and pay tribute to the best mosquito-eaters around. Bat-loving guests join us to debunk a ton of misconceptions, teach us where bats live, what makes up their diet, what their greatest threats are, and how we can actually share our homes with them. This episode was produced ...
Oct 02, 2023•51 min
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. ...
Sep 28, 2023•51 min
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 ...
Sep 27, 2023•51 min
The Writers Guild of America strike began on May 2, and as of yesterday, the union has reached a tentative deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). But, this doesn't necessarily mean your favorite shows are coming back. Today, we're re-airing our episode from last month about how the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes are hitting Nashville. It's easy to think of these strikes as a Hollywood problem, but Nashville's creatives are also feeling the impact. With no writers a...
Sep 26, 2023•51 min
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 Ya...
Sep 25, 2023•51 min
People in the political center, and people in the middle of the country, will decide the presidential election of 2024. If you're one of these people, Jeremy Hobson, the former host of NPR's Here and Now, wants to know what you're thinking. His new call-in show, The Middle , airs on select public radio stations across the country, including WPLN. The show will air Thursday evenings at 8 p.m., and for the next several weeks, will re-air Fridays at noon. Today on This is Nashville , Jeremy Hobson ...
Sep 22, 2023•39 min
This episode first aired September 16, 2022. Americana is a unique genre of music. Straight away, its name lets you know that it is a self-aware exploration of national identity and culture, something that our country has been fiercely debating for the past several years. In this episode, we’re sitting down with artists from Nashville and beyond to talk about the future of this genre and its relationship to Music City. We kick off the episode with an update on Americana Fest 2023 from WPLN senio...
Sep 21, 2023•38 min
Dr. Rich Milner is a leading voice in bringing restorative practices into the classroom. As the Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair of Education in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Vanderbilt University, Milner's holistic view of the student has helped to shift the conversation from talking about the achievement gap to pointing to the opportunity gap. Starting his career as a teacher, Dr. Milner's early years in the classroom informed his passion for equity in K-12 education. He offers restorat...
Sep 20, 2023•51 min
College is difficult for everyone, but the high costs and confusing bureaucracy make it especially difficult for low-income students, as well as those who are the first in their families to go to college. These barriers to college mean fewer career opportunities for people who grew up in Nashville. Only 25% of Metro Nashville Public Schools graduates go on to receive a college degree. In this episode, This is Nashville sits down with counselors who help students navigate college, and with a curr...
Sep 19, 2023•38 min
Nashville Children's Theatre presents the world premiere of "Strong Inside," the story of Perry Wallace, a Nashville pioneer on the basketball court and civil rights leader. Wallace attended Pearl High School where he was a star athlete, known as “King of the Board” for his slam dunks. In 1966, he was recruited by Vanderbilt University — becoming the first African-American to play basketball in the segregated Southeastern Conference. Wallace excelled on the basketball court and in the classroom,...
Sep 18, 2023•39 min
In a landslide, Freddie O'Connell has won the runoff election for mayor of Nashville with 64% of the vote. Runoff elections for Metro Council seats and a special election for the state representative in District 51 have also concluded. Catch up with WPLN's election night coverage here . But what will the new mayor and council mean for Nashville? What challenges can we expect our leaders to face in the next four years? This Is Nashville sits down with political commentators and former officeholde...
Sep 15, 2023•38 min
Today is Election Day! It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. The 2023 mayoral race is finally coming to a close. Alice Rolli and Freddie O’Connell have made it to the runoff, and only one will emerge victorious. All eyes have been on Nashville following the Covenant School mass shooting , the subsequent expulsion of the Tennessee Three , and a slew of contentious bills such as the drag restrictions, bans on gender-affirming healthcare and more . Our next mayor is going to be tasked with no...
Sep 14, 2023•51 min
Our city is about to choose a new mayor, and election day is less than two weeks away — Thursday, September 14th. Freddie O’Connell and Alice Rolli are the finalists in a race that many consider one of the most pivotal in Nashville’s history. On Aug. 23, Meharry Medical College and the Urban League of Middle Tennessee hosted a virtual mayoral forum in partnership with WPLN and the Tennessee Lookout . Today we’ll bring you a special broadcast of the forum, which focused on historically underserve...
Sep 01, 2023•51 min
It has a rich history in East Asia, where the Camellia sinensis plant is native. This is the tea leaf plant that produces the black, green, oolong and white tea leaves we’re familiar with. And each culture that has embraced tea creates their own traditions for brewing, presenting, and drinking it. We’ll explore different traditions around hot tea, and find out who in Nashville is carrying on these traditions! But first, Emily Young at sister station WNXP stops by the studio to tell us how we can...
Aug 31, 2023•51 min
Finding or providing care for an older adult will almost certainly touch many of us at some point, especially as people live longer. Estimates are that by 2034, there will be more adults 65 and older than children under 18 , for the first time in U.S. history. As aging adults are living longer, those who require care will need it for longer. Yet, fewer than 10 percent of Americans are saving and planning specifically for long-term care and many family caregivers are doing so without adequate and...
Aug 30, 2023•51 min
Thousands of Egyptian families have arrived in Nashville since the 1990s, and many of the new arrivals have kept the local service industry afloat, staffing the Gaylord Opryland hotel and other tourist destinations. As the community continues to plant roots in Nashville, it faces several challenges. There are those many communities face, like displacement due to gentrification, but also unique issues, like the need for an Arabic language option on driving tests, and more communication between a ...
Aug 29, 2023•51 min
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 frequen...
Aug 28, 2023•50 min
But what barriers exist for people to get into running — beyond finding a good pair of shoes? How do running groups make it more welcoming and accessible? And what does safety mean for a runner? Especially for runners of color, woman-identified runners, queer-identified or runners with disabilities. Today we hear from runners about what motivates them, how they got into the world of running, and how running has changed their lives. But first, we sit down with our founding technical director Mika...
Aug 25, 2023•50 min
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.
Aug 25, 2023•8 min
Hawaiians have faced uncertainty as authorities rushed to save lives, distribute aid and contain the fires. As of Tuesday, Aug. 22, 115 people were confirmed dead, and at least 850 people were still missing. The Hawaiian community in Middle Tennessee is doing what they can to support their family and friends. From benefit concerts to mailing supplies and aid, they are intent on spreading the word and ensuring their loved ones are able to rebuild. To open today’s show, senior producer Steve Haruc...
Aug 24, 2023•51 min
As lawmakers race through special session, WPLN journalists Rose Gilbert, Char Datson, and Tony Gonzalez bring us the latest from the state capitol.
Aug 24, 2023•10 min
Pop culture and widely accepted ideas about body size and shape have long been dominated by standards set by supermodels and pro athletes. But there’s a growing movement based on dispelling the myth that one has to be thin to be healthy. Folks in the movement are working to break down the years of prejudice and anti-fat bias that has permeated our healthcare system and pop culture. Today we talk to medical professionals and folks in the fat positive community to debunk the myths of diet culture ...
Aug 23, 2023•51 min
As lawmakers enter special session, WPLN political reporter Blaise Gainey and host Marianna Bacallao brings us the latest from an exceptionally long day at the state capitol.
Aug 23, 2023•9 min
With no writers and no actors, scripted television and most of the film industry has come to a complete halt. With growing concerns about AI, and lack of fair compensation for actors and writers, it’s unclear whether a deal will be reached with AMPTP studio executives any time soon. When we think about TV and film, we often direct our attention to LA, NYC, and maybe Atlanta, Georgia. But what about Nashville? Music videos, corporate shoots, and even narrative work happens all over our city, and ...
Aug 22, 2023•51 min
As lawmakers enter special session, WPLN political reporter Blaise Gainey brings us the latest from an exceptionally long day at the state capitol. From a morning prayer gathering to lawmakers’ contentious evening debate over the rules of the session, tune in for a special evening update from WPLN News and This Is Nashville .
Aug 22, 2023•8 min
As the state legislature enters its special session, reporters and watchdogs are circling to make sure everyone plays by the rules. In their new book, Welcome to Capitol Hill , authors Joel Ebert and Erik Schelzig reveal that Tennessee has had more than its fair share of political scandals over the last 50 years. From bribery to sexual harassment to selling pardons for cash, these scandals, and their aftermath, have helped shape today’s political landscape and the rules politicians and lobbyists...
Aug 21, 2023•51 min
Starting the afternoon of Aug. 21, lawmakers will get to work. This “extraordinary session” is limited to bills regarding things like mental health, school safety and arrest records. So what can we expect to come from this special session? What bills are being introduced? Do they address the concerns that Tennessee residents expressed in the wake of Covenant? Today we get a preview from our reporters and two members of the Tennessee General Assembly of what to expect from this special session. W...
Aug 18, 2023•51 min
Since 2006, hundreds of writers of mystery, crime, suspense and other genres have gathered here in Nashville. The Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference helps writers compare notes about their craft, connect with agents and build a community of writer friends. Killer Nashville 2023 begins today, Aug. 17, and continues through Sunday. In this episode, we sit down with the founder and organizer of the conference, an honored guest, and a group of writers who’ve used Killer Nashville as ...
Aug 17, 2023•50 min
