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...
Feb 13, 2024•51 min
To learn more about the series, Khalil sits down with two of the producers. And we speak to the legendary McCrary sisters, who are considered Nashville gospel royalty by many. We'll hear how Gospel expands on Gates' previous work The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song, and learn about Nashville's role in gospel music's story. Guests: Shayla Harris, producer for Gospel Stacey L. Holman, producer for Gospel The McCrary Sisters , Regina, Alfreda, and Ann This episode was produced by ...
Feb 12, 2024•51 min
WPLN reporters Alexis Marshall and Blaise Gainey have been closely following local politics in Sumner County. The ultra-conservative Sumner County Constitutional Republicans have amassed incredible political power in a very short time, effectively taking over the county commission. The county's upcoming March 5 elections could significantly change the makeup of the school board. But how did we get here? And how that has shifted the political and educational landscape for those living in Sumner C...
Feb 08, 2024•50 min
In 2015, Paula Vogel’s “Indecent” premiered at Yale Repertory Theatre. It took a relatively familiar format to the audience — the play within a play. “God of Vengeance” was a play from the 1920s, written by Polish-Jewish author and playwright Sholem Asch. The story centered on a respectable Jewish family who lives above a brothel. When their young daughter falls in love with one of the sex workers downstairs, chaos ensues. A play like this wouldn’t be controversial in the 2020s, but with the ris...
Feb 07, 2024•51 min
While you can easily hear many languages in Middle Tennessee, Spanish is the second-most spoken language here after English. For anyone who is not fully bilingual, communicating across a language barrier can be at times humorous, but more often than not frustrating, discouraging, if not high stakes when it comes to situations involving medical care, education or basic services. So how can we better connect? Today, we’re talking with the people behind companies and organizations that offer local ...
Feb 06, 2024•51 min
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 h...
Feb 05, 2024•51 min
The year of the Dragon approaches. Wood Dragon to be exact. What will this New Year bring — and how are Chinese Nashvillians preparing to celebrate? This is a time of reflection of the previous year and anticipation for the good fortune that’s to come in the next one. All across Nashville and parts of Middle Tennessee groups are planning to welcome in the Year of the Dragon in style! Traditional dances, music, storytelling, food and fun will be taking place. And the best part? Anyone who wants t...
Feb 01, 2024•51 min
Those eyes belong to a Metro Nashville police officer, who is viewing camera footage on a cloud service called Fusus. A business you frequent or a private residence in your neighborhood may have voluntarily agreed to share their camera footage with MNPD via this platform. In the event of an emergency or violent crime, MNPD can tap in and hopefully catch the perpetrator in action. This all sounds great. Who among us doesn't love less crime? The problem is that we don't actually know that the impl...
Jan 31, 2024•51 min
Still, there are unique stigmas and challenges that come with age. What are the greatest needs for older adults? What challenges are they facing that younger folks may be unaware of? And what are the benefits and joys of getting older? In this episode, we talk with older adults to hear their experiences, concerns — and their wisdom that only time can give. Guests: Dianne Oliver, Executive Director West End Home Foundation Mike Hodge, former director of NOAH Martha Lugo, volunteer at TIRRC , Casa...
Jan 30, 2024•51 min
Housing is one of the biggest issues we all face here in Middle Tennessee. From new homeowners, to renters, to the unhoused community. The issue of housing, something all of us need, is pervasive. Today, we’ll learn more about the upcoming series, In My Place , and hear how the producers hope to educate and talk about solutions to issues that impact us all. First up, WPLN's News Director, Tony Gonzalez, gives us a past/present/future look at Nashville Public Radio's commitment to housing coverag...
Jan 30, 2024•51 min
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 Mi...
Jan 25, 2024•51 min
Some people grow up learning how to use firearms and enjoy shooting or hunting, but others have never personally held a gun. Whether you’re comfortable with guns or not, it’s arguably a good idea for everyone to know how to safely handle them. Today we’re talking with local firearm instructors about the entry-level classes they teach for adults and kids for self-defense, gun safety and hunting- and we’ll hear from students about what it’s like to go through them. Guests: Bo Smith, firearm instru...
Jan 24, 2024•51 min
Dr. Metzl’s book asks was there any law that could have stopped Travis Reinking from carrying out his tragic assault at the Waffle House? And where does need for gun laws intersect with nuanced conversation about who can own and carry a gun in Tennessee? What do we really know about the causes of gun violence? Then, we hear from WPLN’s Paige Pfleger for an update on her reporting on gun dispossession in the state, and what’s next for her partnership with ProPublica. Guests: Dr. Jonathan Metzl , ...
Jan 23, 2024•51 min
After her child survived the Covenant school shooting last March, Melissa Alexander was thrust into a new role as a Firearm Safety Advocate. This new role changed her life. In this episode, we hear an intimate account of the day of the shooting from one of the only parents who was able to see their child before reunification. And we learn how this long-time gun owner is now finding herself a "Covenant Mom" and navigating the ins and outs of our legislature during a time of personal tragedy and h...
Jan 22, 2024•51 min
Dr. Gracie Andrews King is an associate professor of Biology at Nashville State Community College. She primarily teaches Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2, the challenging gateway classes students must take to go on to medical careers like physical therapy, nursing or being a doctor. Dr. King grew up in the rural south and - like some of her current students- was the first in her family to go to college. It was not an easy road, but she made her way all the way to getting her PHD and discovering he...
Jan 18, 2024•50 min
Between the Barbie movie and the resurgence of American Girl for millennials and Gen Zers, lots of people are returning to the childhood collections and even looking to expand those collections. Today, we’re talking with doll collectors, creators and restorers in Middle Tennessee about community and vintage, antique and modern dolls. This episode was produced by Elizabeth Burton. Guests: Linda Boardman, doll collector Amanda Boylston, doll collector and owner of LovedAGainDollsTN Dr. Carla Davis...
Jan 17, 2024•51 min
Today, we’re talking cold weather tips and re-airing conversations about Nashville's cold weather shelter resources with people who have experienced harsh weather when they didn't have stable housing. Guests: Terry Warren , previously unhoused Nashvillian Vicky Batcher , previously unhoused writer Alex Smith , outreach worker who was previously unhoused Brian Haile , CEO of Neighborhood Health Cathy Jennings , Finance Director at The Contributor [caption id="attachment_128064" align="aligncenter...
Jan 17, 2024•51 min
Have you ever tried to take the bus from Madison to the Cheekwood Estate? Chris Crofton did for the latest edition of Nashville Confidential . On this episode, we will hear how his journey went. Also, Jerome More talks with Marcus Knight in the newest Diversely Segregated . We’ll also have an update on the legislative session when we talk with reporters from the WPLN news desk. GUESTS WPLN politcal reporter Blaise Gainey WPLN health reporter Catherine Sweeney WPLN education reporter Alexis Marsh...
Jan 11, 2024•51 min
Dr. J, George “The Iceman” Gervin, and Rick Barry are hall of fame basketball players. Did you know they got their start in the American Basketball Association? Did you know that Nashville has a team? The Aces are currently undefeated and making waves. We talk to player-owners, coaches, meet the state’s top-ranked high school basketball player — and talk with him about the pressure and excitement of college recruitment. Guests: Allen Rogers Jr. , Aces' co-owner and Point Guard Duncan McClure , A...
Jan 10, 2024•51 min
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 ...
Jan 09, 2024•51 min
Crys Matthews grew up in the South, serendipitously found her way to writing and performing music, and has since won multiple awards including the acclaimed International Folk Music Song of the Year in 2022 for her song Changemakers . In her music she explores both everyday life and love- and current social justice issues like Black Lives Matter, immigration and gun safety. She cares deeply about making challenging topics approachable- and making sure everyone can jam out at her shows. We’re sit...
Jan 08, 2024•53 min
This week, the producers take the host mic to bring you some of our favorite This Is Nashville episodes and moments from last year. Elizabeth Burton has been with the show team since May 2023. In her time at WPLN, she has worked on a wide range of episodes — including a profile on Nashville Predators’ David Poile and a live spoken word performance. For her turn in the hot seat, she’ll review her three favorite topics that she covered from 2023: fiber arts, SAG-AFTRA and Black horror. This episod...
Jan 04, 2024•51 min
This week, the producers take the host mic to bring you some of our favorite This Is Nashville episodes and moments from the last year! Multimedia producer Katherine Ceicys is the newest member to the This Is Nashville team and has produced episodes on 12 Step communities and mindfulness practitioners here in Middle Tennessee. Today, Katherine is digging into one of her favorite episodes about the Emo music scene here in Nashville. She'll explain why the episode changed how she listens to record...
Jan 03, 2024•53 min
Multimedia producer Magnolia McKay has been with the This Is Nashville team since October 2022, and has produced episodes on topics ranging from the proposal to arm teachers , to Nashville's ride ecosystem , to karaoke . For her turn in the host seat, Magnolia brings listeners a lost scene from last spring about one of the city's most charming beekeepers, and a lively conversation about Nashville's partner dancing communities. To hear more about pollinators in Middle Tennessee, listen back to th...
Jan 02, 2024•51 min
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 st...
Dec 14, 2023•51 min
East Tennessee native Dr. Stephen Loyd once had a 100-pill-a-day addiction and even stole pain pills from his own patients. Years after he first sought help for his substance use disorder, he's now the Chief Medical Officer of Cedar Recovery and the Chairman of the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council. Loyd's says he has yet to find a way to treat dead people. His past has shaped his approach to addiction treatment, and he's now one of the most stringent harm-reductionists in Tennessee. But what e...
Dec 13, 2023•51 min
The holidays are a time full of joy and celebration for most- but they can also be an especially challenging time for those struggling with alcoholism or addiction - or who have a loved one who is. Today, we are talking to members of different recovery communities here in Middle Tennessee to learn about 12 Step programs, local 12 Step resources and how they themselves are approaching staying healthy and connected during the holiday season. (In keeping with the tradition of anonymity in 12 Step p...
Dec 12, 2023•51 min
Devastating tornadoes touched down in our community on Saturday. Residents of Clarksville, Hendersonville, and Madison felt the brunt of the storm’s force. We’re talking with a WPLN reporter who’s been covering the storm, folks who were impacted, someone who’s dedicated their time to keeping us safe and a professor who studies infrastructure vulnerabilities.
Dec 11, 2023•51 min
Coming up on the end of 2023, more than 100 unhoused families have found a permanent place to live. Family homelessness is called an “invisible” type of homelessness. Those who don’t have a permanent place to stay are often able to stay away from public view — in cars, couch-hopping, shelters, or low-budget motels. In just a couple days, Safe Haven, in partnership with 30 other nonprofits, is set to wrap up a challenge to house 100 families experiencing homelessness in 100 days. Well, they’ve al...
Dec 07, 2023•42 min
First up is Chris Crofton also known as the Advice King for his column with the Nashville Scene. He’s a comedian, musician, philosopher and an interesting human being. He recently ran for local office and reflected on that journey as well as what it means to be a person who cares about the city they live in. He travels to the halls of Metro Council to Trader Joe's as he explores his civic duty. Also... The diversity of Nashville is growing by leaps and bounds…every day. But are we living that di...
Dec 06, 2023•36 min
