The Nashville International Airport , or BNA, recently completed a major phase of its latest expansion — and is already moving forward on the next phase. Today, representatives from BNA, Southwest Airlines and the Transportation Security Administration , or TSA, are here to give us the latest on what travelers can expect when they show up. Plus, we'll get some behind-the-scenes information about how the airport runs and friendly reminders for what we need to know to have the smoothest possible e...
Nov 19, 2024•50 min
iNDigo recently dropped his latest album, Until I Get There , and was named Nashville’s best rapper by the Nashville Scene and WNXP Artist of the Month. Music has always been a large part of his life since he joined his church’s choir as a kid, but he didn’t discover his passion for creating as an artist until he was older. He's here to share about his journey, why he’s drawn towards self-reflection in his work, and what his deep roots here in Nashville mean to him. Today's episode was produced ...
Nov 18, 2024•50 min
The music industry is riddled with instability. More and more concerts and festivals are being canceled. Ticket prices continue to escalate. The ever-present cell phone is dampening the live music experience. Whether you’re a concertgoer, musician, manager, promoter, agent, or road crew, we’re taking your calls – How are you navigating these complex issues?
Nov 14, 2024•49 min
On this episode, Nina is joined by Noëlle Taylor from the National Museum of African American Music and Sarah Arntz from the Nashville Public Library archives, who’ve also found ways to educate the public about our history in compelling ways. This episode was produced by Emily Siner. Guests Nina Cardona | Morning host and NashVillager host, WPLN Noëlle Taylor | senior director of earned income operations at NMAAM Sarah Arntz | program coordinator at the Nashville Public Library archives...
Nov 13, 2024•50 min
While we can’t predict an event like a house fire, the full impact of severe weather, or the loss of a major utility, we can be ready, so we can keep our families and neighbors safe. Today, we’re speaking with local emergency preparedness experts about what we should know and have on hand to navigate emergencies. We’ll also find out how our local government agencies, organizations and volunteers work together to keep everyone safe — and to get back to normal when the unexpected happens. TODAY'S ...
Nov 12, 2024•50 min
Since then, she's worked to combat the shame and guilt associated with substance use disorder, ran for Congress and wrote a book. Fresh off her campaign, Barry sits down to talk with us about second chances, the responsibilities that come with redemption, and what she hopes readers of her new book, " It's What You Do Next ," will understand about the more tumultuous times in her life.
Nov 11, 2024•50 min
But you all have a lot to say, so we’re opening up the phone lines, once again, to provide a space to share your different views, experiences, opinions and values. What is your biggest takeaway from the election? How are you feeling about the results? What type of conversations are you having now? Plus, journalist Garrison Hayes of Mother Jones joins us to talk about his experiences covering this very long election and reflect on results, the changing electorate, and what led us to where we are ...
Nov 07, 2024•50 min
Today, we’re once again opening up the phone lines to provide a safe space for people with different views, experiences, opinions, and values to hear from one another. Joining us to take your questions and comments are WPLN Newsroom Editor Tony Gonzalez, Tennessee Lookout Editor and Chief Holly McCall, and Tennessee State University political scientist Dr. Ian Shapiro . Guests Holly McCall | Editor-in-chief, Tennessee Lookout Tony Gonzalez | News Director, WPLN Dr. Ian Shapiro | Political Scient...
Nov 06, 2024•51 min
WPLN reporter Paige Pfleger and MTSU Journalism and Strategic Media professor Dr. Jason Reineke are in the studio to take your calls and report on any results. Plus, Marianna Bacallao and Cynthia Abrams are reporting live from watch parties around town. It's election night and we're live! Guests Paige Pfleger, Criminal Justice Reporter, WPLN Jason Reineke, Associate Professor, School of Journalism and Strategic Media, MTSU Marianna Bacallao, Power and Equity Reporter, WPLN Cynthia Abrams, Metro ...
Nov 06, 2024•50 min
Are you excited, nervous, energized — or all of the above? Don't worry, we’ve got you covered. We're here to hear all your thoughts, concerns and observations live on air. Joining us is WPLN’s Rose Gilbert who's been out to the polls to bring us the word from voters and county election officials. We also have a panel of political scientists who will weigh in on polling, campaigns, and the state of the electorate. And Stacie Huckaba, aka the creator of Ugly Crying While Early Voting, will be with...
Nov 05, 2024•50 min
Christina grew up multi-racial in a small Texas town. Although she loved to read, becoming a professional writer was never part of her original plan. After earning an engineering degree and then undergoing a transformational career change, she embraced her passion for storytelling. Today we speak with her about her life, her work, and her ten-year journey to becoming a best-selling author and how, along the way, she leaned on her cultural roots as well as the life lessons instilled in her by her...
Nov 04, 2024•50 min
Although we never know exactly what’s going to come up on our Ask the Mayor show — that's up to you — today is Halloween, and we expect some extra spooky surprises. For instance, did you know that downtown Nashville is haunted? In addition to Mayor O'Connell answering the most difficult of Halloween-related questions ("Candy corn — yum or ick?"), we’ll hear the story of the Ghost Mayor of Printer’s Alley, David "Skull" Schulman. Schulman, the beloved owner of the original Skull’s Rainbow Room , ...
Oct 31, 2024•51 min
Every polling place is run by trained poll officials who make sure voters can efficiently and easily cast their vote. Today, we speak with poll officials as well as the administrator of elections for the Davidson Country Election Commission to learn what goes into working at a polling station and how polling officials keep our elections fair, safe and secure. Plus, our guests will answer some of the most common questions about voting. GUESTS: Jeff Roberts , Administrator of Elections, Davidson C...
Oct 30, 2024•51 min
What does it take to build an efficient homelessness response system? What next steps are needed to address the affordability crisis and implement solutions? Does society have the tools necessary to end homelessness in Nashville and nationwide? 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 he...
Oct 29, 2024•51 min
Horror hosts emerged nationwide after Vampira burst onto the late night Los Angeles television scene in 1954. In 1971, Nashville's WSM-TV launched their own with Creature Feature Saturday hosted by Sir Cecil Creape. Decades later on July 1, 1999, Larry Underwood , inspired by the legendary Creape, created his Dr. Gangrene alter-ego and produced his first episode of Chiller Cinema. Today we welcome the physician of fright Dr. Gangrene and Horror Host Hall of Famer Underwood to tell us about the h...
Oct 28, 2024•51 min
Nashville's music scene contains talented artists from all over the musical landscape and we've been fortunate enough to have some of them on the show to share their talents with us. In this episode you'll hear from The McCrary Sisters , Crys Matthews , Mike Floss , Alex Barnes , Zach and Maggie White , and Ashley McBryde . You'll also hear from some of the best freestylers in the city – Pow Shadowz , JusBam , Brian Brown , Ah-Deli – and a voice that will be very familiar to This is Nashville li...
Oct 23, 2024•37 min
Each week during Your Turn to Talk we convene a panel of guests with in-depth knowledge of a variety of subjects like media consumption, presidential immunity, overdose awareness, immigration, voting, and navigating a complex healthcare system. Then, we open the phone lines to take your questions and comments. In this episode, you'll hear highlights from shows about civic engagement, the future of Jefferson Street and the transit referendum that's on the November ballot. This episode was produce...
Oct 22, 2024•36 min
You'll hear from local chaplain and trans rights advocate Dahron Anneliese Johnson , preeminent TSU professor and historian Dr. Learotha Williams , journalist and ghost writer Nancy French , and singer, author, actor and speaker Pat Boone . This episode was produced by Tasha A.F. Lemley. GUESTS Dahron Anneliese Johnson | Chaplain and trans rights advocate Pat Boone | Singer, author, actor and speaker Nancy French | Journalist and author Dr. Learotha Williams, Professor of African American Histor...
Oct 21, 2024•36 min
The 2024 referendum, Choose How You Move: An All-Access Pass to Sidewalks, Signals, Service, and Safety in Nashville , is on the ballot for the November election. As part of WPLN's ongoing coverage of the transit plan and referendum, we've assembled a panel of guests with in-depth knowledge of the proposal to answer your questions and hear your comments. What you do like about the plan? Do you have concerns? How will the funding mechanism affect your bottom line? Election Day is almost here and ...
Oct 17, 2024•51 min
Squirrels, possums, turtles, foxes, birds of prey and countless other wild creatures live right here with us in Middle Tennessee. Unfortunately, interactions with humans and human-made things can lead to injuries or death for these animals. Today we’re speaking with the dedicated leaders and volunteers of several local wildlife rehabilitation centers to learn about what to do - and not do- if we come across an injured wild animal. We'll also discuss steps we can take to be considerate and help p...
Oct 16, 2024•51 min
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 and 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 by Tasha A.F. Lemley. Special thanks to John Michael Cassidy, Alan Hatcher, and John French. Guests: Cory Holliday , Cave and Karst Program Manager at The Nature Conservancy Dus...
Oct 15, 2024•51 min
Have you discovered any of the hundreds of colorful painted animal signs with the word ‘ vote ’ on them here in Nashville? Or have you encountered the giant books around town which are part of the Unbannable Library installation? Middle Tennessee artist and Austin Peay State University professor Paul Collins is behind both of these projects. Today we’ll talk with Collins about the stories behind his works and his own journey as an artist. Join us! This episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys GU...
Oct 14, 2024•51 min
How do you establish care after moving to a new city? What do you do if you want a second opinion on a cancer diagnosis? Is there something you can say if you feel like your emergency room doctor isn’t listening to you? Dr. Divya Shroff hears these questions all the time. As the former chief medical officer of TriStar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, she has an expert-level understanding of how our medical system works. Today, she’s live on This Is Nashville to answer your questions about...
Oct 10, 2024•51 min
Today, we hear from WPLN's Power and Equity Reporter, Marianna Bacallao. She'll update us on the recent wiretapping scandal involving the office of Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk. Next, we hear from authors Joel Ebert and Erik Schelzig, who recount years of abuses of political power at the state legislature in their book, Welcome to Capitol Hill: Fifty Years of Scandal in Tennessee Politics. And finally, Keel Hunt, author of Coup, tells the story of Democratic Tennessee Governor Ray Blan...
Oct 09, 2024•51 min
Cryptids — like Sasquatch and the Jersey Devil — capture the imagination and have been sighted across the globe. Not surprisingly then, Middle Tennessee has its own reported cryptid activity. Here, people have seen a giant bird with a 6-foot-long wingspan, a dogman and, of course, the Tennessee Wild Man, our version of Bigfoot. Today, we delve into firsthand accounts of these beasts and chat with local field investigators who gather their stories. Plus, we hear from an anthropologist and anthroz...
Oct 08, 2024•51 min
The majority of his career has been positioned at the intersection of conservative Christian communities and higher education. Today, he’s transitioning away from his main career as a tenured professor and finds himself somewhat displaced, contemplating how his long-standing faith interacts with politics and the next phase of his work. To that end, through his podcast he welcomes guests like Malcolm Gladwell, Martin Sheen and Cyntoia Brown Long to answer some of life's big questions like, "what ...
Oct 07, 2024•51 min
And the relationship between new Americans and Nashville is reciprocal. Today, we look at the many ways immigrants and refugees add to the fabric of our community — and how the community empowers them with the tools they need to succeed. Plus, we're taking your calls. Join us! This episode was produced by Mary Mancini. Guests Cathy Carrillo | Director of Community Engagement, Metro Human Relations Commission Max Rykov | Director of Development & Communications, Nashville International Center...
Oct 03, 2024•51 min
These local chefs, influenced by the culinary creations of their ancestors, blend the ingredients and techniques of their homelands with those found in home of Nashville. Their new creations offer diners a peek inside their culture and allow them to stretch their imaginations and creativity. Join us as we speak with local chefs who share their unique stories, traditions, and recipes. This episode was produced by David Hooper. Guests Vivek Surti | Tailor Nashville Son Pham | Mister Son’s Ana Agui...
Oct 02, 2024•51 min
Observing or performing a cultural dance can be a joyful, fun, challenging and deeply meaningful experience. Today, we’re speaking with local students and performers of dances from Mexico, India and West Africa. We’ll talk about what it takes to be part of dance traditions — and find out how to catch upcoming performances or join a class to learn. This episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys. GUESTS Rubi Rodriguez , Co-founder and director Ballet Folklorico Sol de Mexico Ashley, dancer with Bal...
Oct 01, 2024•51 min
As a Muslim Nigerian, she often finds herself at the intersection of race and religion, both locally and globally. Now in her second term, she has dedicated herself to making Nashville a city for everyone. Today, we’ll explore how these identities shape her role in Nashville, influence her work on the council, and highlight her core values and priorities. This episode was produced by Elizabeth Burton.
Sep 30, 2024•51 min
