How are you staying informed and staying sane as we get closer to November? To lend us a hand we've assembled a panel of experts from the fields of political science, psychology, and American studies to take your calls at 615-760-2000. Join us! Today's guests: Dr. Heather Alesch | Clinical Director, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Nashville Center for Trauma and Psychotherapy Dr. Nikol Alexander-Floyd | Professor of Political Science, Rutgers University Dana D. Nelson, Dr. | Nancy Perot Chair of...
Aug 01, 2024•51 min
Today, we explore the past and present history of Olympians from Nashville. Who was John Noel, Sr., the first Olympian born in Tennessee to bring home a gold medal in 1924? And how did the Tennessee State University Tigerbelles, the 1960 all-Black women’s track team, find Olympic glory despite turbulent times at home? This episode was produced by Khalil Ekulona and Mary Mancini. Today’s guests: John Noel lll | Grandson of John Noel, Sr., first Tennessean to bring home the gold Matthew Gailani | ...
Jul 31, 2024•51 min
They may think of the local emergency shelter or an encampment that has popped up in their neighborhood. But rarely do they think about a student in the local school system, a young person kicked out from their home, two or more families sharing a 2-bedroom apartment or living in motel rooms. Families are among the fastest-rising populations experiencing homelessness. Today, we examine the many faces of “hidden homelessness” and how communities like Nashville can address the issue by building a ...
Jul 30, 2024•51 min
For over 21 years, his work has uncovered corruption and crimes and helped victims know they are not alone. He has received well-deserved recognition for his work, including three prestigious Investigative Reporters and Editors awards, 25 Midsouth Emmys, and four regional Edward R. Murrow Awards. He is also a novelist who writes thrillers in his spare time. We’re speaking with Jeremy about how he found his way into investigative journalism, what it takes to hold wrongdoers accountable, and the v...
Jul 29, 2024•51 min
Call 615-760-2000 to share what’s on your mind or to ask a question. This is your opportunity to get your questions answered. We never know what’s going to come up on our Ask The Mayor show, but it’s always interesting. Join us! This episode was produced by Mary Mancini. Guests: Freddie O'Connell | Mayor, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Wally Dietz | Director of Law, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Listen to previous Ask the Mayor episodes: Ask t...
Jul 25, 2024•51 min
The Christmas Day bombing caused extensive damage to the historic buildings, homes and businesses that dot Second Avenue. Redevelopment of the area is ongoing, with some sections rebuilt and open to pedestrians and cars, while others remain untouched. Today, we’ll learn about the historic cultural and economic importance of Second Avenue, provide updates on the vision for redevelopment and communication infrastructure improvements, and check in on former residents and business owners. This episo...
Jul 24, 2024•51 min
The first marker, "Heaton's Station," was placed in 1968 at a bend in the Cumberland River in North Nashville and commemorates one of the city’s first structures, a fortified house built for protection in 1780. Now there are almost 300 markers across the city, with at least one in every council district. Today, we’ll talk about the importance of the marker program and how to get one made and planted. We'll also find out all about the marker for Warehouse 28, a gay disco that also made possible t...
Jul 23, 2024•51 min
She has written under her own name and collaborated on multiple books for celebrities - five of which made the New York Times best seller list. Now in her memoir Ghosted , she has emerged from behind the scenes to tell the story of losing her political allies, feeling spiritually adrift and politically confused, and becoming unemployable after she was unwilling to endorse an unsuitable president. Nancy lives in Franklin, Tennessee with her husband – journalist David French – and family. This epi...
Jul 22, 2024•51 min
Today, we’re speaking with Caché McClay, The Tennessean’s dedicated Beyoncé reporter, and Bryan West, The Tennessean’s dedicated Taylor Swift reporter, about what it’s like to cover two global superstars from here in Nashville. Julia Masters from the Nashville Business Journal will be in to break down her recent entertainment coverage, including: a new plan by hospitality leaders to shape tourism in Nashville, the current trends in local restaurants, and Metro Council's look into how to better s...
Jul 18, 2024•51 min
One of the main ways we can interact with others is through our hobbies and niche interests. And they’ve got another benefit, too: When we learn more about other people’s hobbies and niche interests, we better appreciate the world around us and we can embrace and celebrate our differences. Today, we delve into three vastly different niche activities and the people who pursue them. From Rubik’s cubing to cooking to professional Santa artistry, these guests illustrate the importance of finding our...
Jul 17, 2024•51 min
We're seemingly full of towering yellow cranes and active construction sites busy with workers using hefty machinery and hoisting heavy materials – often several hundred feet in the air. Tragically, Tennessee is one of the most dangerous states when it comes to construction worker on-the-job injury and deaths. In recent years, the city of Nashville and the State of Tennessee have not seen eye-to-eye on how to improve safety for workers. Today, we’re speaking with reporters, local advocates and t...
Jul 16, 2024•51 min
Campos-Pons is the Cornelius Vanderbilt chair of fine arts and identifies just as much as a teacher as an artist. She grew up in a small village in the Cuban state of Matanzas, and the community, topography, and vibrant Cuban artistic community she experienced in her youth continues to inform her work. In 2023, Campos-Pons was named a MacArthur Fellow in recognition of how her art "forges connections between her own experiences as a Cuban woman and global issues of displacement and inequality." ...
Jul 15, 2024•51 min
In 1946, a violent uprising in Columbia, Tenn., led to national attention and a court case that historians say was the first time the legal system was used by Black defendants in the Civil Rights Movement. Then, in the late '50s and early '60s, three bombings in Nashville kicked off a nationwide campaign of violence in opposition to the movement. Today, we speak with historian and author Betsy Phillips about her new book, "Dynamite Nashville: Unmasking the FBI, the KKK, and the Bombers Beyond Th...
Jul 11, 2024•51 min
Dubbed the "High Fidelity" for millennials, the book paints a picture of Nashville before it became "It City" — before the bachelorettes moved in, before Lower Broad was owned by country stars and before most major bands added Music City as a tour stop. "Lo Fi" takes us back to a time when Nashville felt like it was by residents and for residents. Today, we interview author Liz Riggs about the book, her inspirations, and her Nashville. Also joining us for today's music-filled episode will be Mik...
Jul 10, 2024•51 min
One of the gifts of living here in Middle TN is that our state is full of some of the nation’s most beautiful ponds, rivers, and lakes. There are so many ways to enjoy the water from swimming, to paddling a kayak, canoe or paddle board, to fishing. If you’re not familiar with how to jump in, how can you get started? And what do you need to know to stay safe? We’re talking with local water enthusiasts about how they’re enjoying Tennessee’s natural waterways this summer- and what you need to know ...
Jul 09, 2024•51 min
Dr. Townsend’s lab ‘cares about why people get sick’ and applies organic chemistry to help people everywhere get and stay healthy. He is pioneering the chemical make-up of human breast milk. He discovered a new class of sugars in human milk that prevent babies from getting viral and bacterial infections, and the wide-reaching applications for his lab’s work span from new medicines to industrial paint from new medicines to industrial pain. Today we’re talking with Dr. Townsend about his work, how...
Jul 08, 2024•51 min
Music Citizens is about the people who make music work. Each episode will explore what it takes to do the jobs that keep the music business moving and introduce you to the characters who are often well-known within their worlds but whose vital work goes largely uncelebrated. Today, we’re speaking with Jason Moon Wilkins, program director for WNXP and host of the Music Citizens podcast, and Justin Barney, assistant program director for WNXP and the reporter and producer of Music Citizens , about ...
Jul 03, 2024•51 min
Meanwhile, time marches on — as do cases, appeals and new bills. Today, we're welcoming journalists and authors Liliana Segura, Steven Hale and Joe Ingle to talk about their latest work writing about this punishment. Today's guests: Liliana Segura | Investigative journalist covering the U.S. criminal justice system, The Intercept Steven Hale | Author, "Death Row Welcomes You" ; journalist at Nashville Banner Joe Ingle | Death row chaplain; author Too Close to the Flame Further in: The books our ...
Jul 02, 2024•51 min
When Tonya started looking for books for her children to read, she noticed that they all featured white kids. At the same time she wanted to get back into journalism and even considered writing classroom curriculum. Writing for the classroom didn't work out, but writing children's books that celebrate Juneteenth and a diverse range of Black hairstyles. Today, she joins us to talk about how she came to Nashville, how she became an author, culturally responsive education and why she chooses to hom...
Jul 01, 2024•51 min
In 2024, many different faith communities are flourishing in Middle Tennessee and local religion reporters, whose work often reaches national audiences, have a lot to cover. Today we are joined by Liam Adams , Religion Reporter for The Tennessean , Holly Meyer , the Global Religion News Editor for the Associated Press, and WPLN’s own Rachel lacovone , one of the our newsroom leaders who has reported and edited much of WPLN's religion coverage. They'll break down the latest news and share what it...
Jun 27, 2024•51 min
US diplomats live and work overseas, helping US citizens abroad as well as building relationships with host countries. They get a new assignment to change countries — and often the languages they’re working in — about every two years. What is their life and work really like? And who are the people working here in the US to support US foreign policy goals? Today we’re talking with native Tennesseans who are serving in the US State Department's Civil Service and Foreign Service. We’ll find out wha...
Jun 26, 2024•51 min
In My Place educates listeners on what cities like Nashville can do to prevent and end homelessness — while caring for our neighbors who are still unhoused. We talk to national and local guests about everything from best practices to worst failures and hear from people who intimately know the complexities of having nowhere to go. This show highlights how affordable housing affects each of us even if we think it doesn't. This series was created thanks in part to support from Pinnacle Financial Pa...
Jun 25, 2024•51 min
Military service is a point of pride for many here in Tennessee and across the country. From wanting to serve something bigger than oneself, to seeking job experience or world travel, to honoring a family tradition of service — everyone who joins the military must find their own reason for signing up. Today, we’re talking with local recruiters from the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps to learn more about each branch and the first steps anyone here in Middle Tennessee can take toward serving. Gue...
Jun 24, 2024•51 min
Today, he talks with host Khalil Ekulona about the upcoming elections, diversity in Nashville, and how he talks about difficult, political topics. This episode was produced by Elizabeth Burton.
Jun 20, 2024•51 min
Call 615-760-2000 to share what’s on your mind or to ask either mayor a question. This is your opportunity to get your questions answered. From transportation to transportainment, we never know what’s going to come up on our Ask The Mayor show, but it’s always interesting. Join us! This episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys and Mary Mancini. Guests: Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell Nashville Night Mayor Benton McDonough Listen to previous Ask the Mayor episodes: Ask the Mayors with Freddie O...
Jun 18, 2024•51 min
Big Fella, aka Willie Sims, Jr., is a musician, entertainer, TV producer, community activist and advocate, ordained minister, board member, chef, teacher, life coach and is known by many as the Unofficial Mayor of Music City. You may have seen his self-produced cooking show, Cookin' Wit' Big Fella . Perhaps, you know him from the Juneteenth fireworks celebration at Fort Negley . Or maybe you’ve run into him at a fundraising event, Metro Council meeting or a really great party. Today, he joins us...
Jun 17, 2024•51 min
So what do teenagers in Nashville want their home city and region to be like now and in the future? What’s working and what isn’t? Today, we’ll speak to kids in two different youth-oriented programs who share the same goal — to have a future in a city that is built to work for all. Guests: Chef Sterling Wright | Chef, community advocate , and Napier Kitchen Table Fellowship Xavier | Teenage chef Marianna | Teenage chef Lois | Member, Nashville Youth Design Team Mia | Member, Nashville Youth Desi...
Jun 13, 2024•51 min
Today, we’ll hear from young people about how they are volunteering in their communities. We'll kick off with Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee and a young student to get the scoop on the Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge, which invites elementary kids to devote a portion of their summer break to serving others. Next, we'll speak with young people to find out how they are organizing service projects themselves or finding the right service opportunities through their schools and faith communitie...
Jun 12, 2024•51 min
We want to know: What is it really like to be a kid right now? Rising 6th, 8th and 11th graders are here to tell us all about school, friendships, parents, social media and what they think about where they are in life right now. We are ready — and excited — to listen to these young voices from schools across Middle Tennessee. Join us for an especially fun conversation! Guests: Jemma, rising 6th grader Luca, rising 6th grader Hayley, rising 6th grader Millie, rising 8th grader Griffin, rising 8th...
Jun 11, 2024•51 min
For over 40 years, Ann Powers has been writing about music and pop culture for outlets such as The Village Voice, The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times. She’s probably interviewed all of the relevant music artists of the past four decades — from Prince to Madonna — and she’s authored many books. They include: "Weird Like Us: My Bohemian America, a memoir"; "Good Booty: Love and Sex, Black & White, Body and Soul in American Music, on eroticism in American pop music"; and "Piece by Piec...
Jun 10, 2024•51 min
