City Cast Nashville

Cuts to USDA programs and SNAP benefits in President Trump’s budget bill mean Second Harvest of Middle TN is working overtime to support our food insecure neighbors — and keep local farmers in business. CEO Nancy Keil and senior manager of government relations Tammy Deiter join host Marie Cecile Anderson to talk about the impact of those cuts on our community, and why all hope isn’t lost. Learn mo...

The Office of Homeless Services may now be facing a formal audit due to millions of dollars in financial irregularities within the department. Independent journalist Mike Lacy — who recently broke the news of a fire at Strobel House, Nashville’s permanent supportive housing facility, and the resignation of the director of Depaul USA, its management company — joins host Marie Cecile Anderson and ex...

It’s time for another road trip! City Cast Nashville travel and food contributor Margaret Littman joins executive producer Whitney Pastorek to tell us what makes Highlands, NC a great destination for fall. With cool alpine vibes (and limited cell service), this Blue Ridge Mountain town is packed with places to stay, eat, shop, hike, and get away from it all. Learn more about the sponsors of this S...

With rents climbing and affordable housing in short supply, renting in Nashville can feel overwhelming. From signing a lease to facing an eviction notice, Elizabeth Leiserson from the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands shares with us practical advice for anyone trying to keep a roof over their head in Music City. Learn more about the sponsors of this September 3rd episode: M...

September always feels like a rebirth after the humid slog of summer, a month full of fairs, football, and fun stuff to do. Host Marie Cecile Anderson, producer Daniel Sumstine, and executive producer Whitney Pastorek have your guide to the best things to eat, see, and hear this month in Nashville. If you’re looking for even MORE options, we’ve featured some great activities and important news sto...

A business owner alleging that District 1 Councilmember Joy Smith Kimbrough asked him for $500,000 in exchange for her support of a project has filed a formal ethics complaint against Kimbrough. City Cast Nashville contributor Nicole Williams joins host Marie Cecile Anderson and executive producer Whitney Pastorek to explain how that works. Plus: The city removed handmade downtown benches; the rac...

For 15 years, Musician’s Corner has brought an all-star lineup of artists to Centennial Park for a series of free concerts twice a year. As their fall series kicks off tomorrow, Aug. 29th, host Marie Cecile Anderson is talking to executive producer Justin Branam about this year’s lineup, how the festival endures, and the massive rock star who once got tossed from backstage. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY T...

As we wrap up National Dog Month, we’re spotlighting the work of the Nashville Humane Association, whose roots helping animals and humans go all the way back to 1887. NHA community engagement director Taylor Spreitler joins host Marie Cecile Anderson — who recently adopted her pup, Lottie, from NHA — to talk about their rescue process, why they’re pushing back against breed restrictions, and how o...

There’s speculation that President Trump will seize control of — or privatize — the Tennessee Valley Authority, the country’s largest public utility, which provides energy for everyone in Nashville. How would that work? What impact would it have on jobs? And what does country singer John Rich have to do with it? Ironworkers Local 492 vice president and political director Justin Humbles joins execu...

We’re going downtown for a look at how the newly-expanded Central Business Improvement District is impacting the neighborhood, for better or worse. Nashville Scene columnist Lena Mazel joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to explain how private security and “hostile architecture” are impacting our unhoused community, cyclists, and everyone else who ventures through. Vote for City Cast Nashville as Bes...

The return of NASCAR to the Fairgrounds may be on the horizon, and benches are disappearing downtown — with critics accusing the city of creating hostile architecture instead. Host Marie Cecile Anderson, producer Daniel Sumstine, and executive producer Whitney Pastorek are once again wondering who Nashville is actually for. Plus: Metro Council turns nasty, who got paid half a million taxpayer doll...

The Nashville Shakespeare Festival’s Summer Shakespeare run of “The Merry Wives of Windsor” opens tonight at The Yard at oneC1TY. Host Marie Cecile Anderson takes us inside this year’s production to discuss the state of Nashville theater with festival artistic director Jason Spelbring and Nashville Shakes conservatory members Aubrey Bagley, Trey Smith, and Makinley Smith.  Vote for City Cast Nashv...

A cheap night out, in THIS economy? It can be done! Host Marie Cecile Anderson is joined by her mother, Linda Anderson, to reveal their secret family list of the best happy hours and early bird specials in Nashville — because you don’t need to be on the AARP mailing list to eat at 5 p.m. ** This episode originally aired Oct. 24, 2024 Vote for City Cast Nashville as Best Podcast in the Nashville Sc...

The Cottages at Drakes Creek are being transformed into a limited equity housing co-op, aiming to give residents an ownership stake in their community and, hopefully, provide a new model to address Nashville’s affordable housing crisis. Host Marie Cecile Anderson sits down with Andy Zhu, a principal at MFX Ventures, and Stephen Watts, cooperative housing developer at the Southeast Center for Coope...

We asked for your complaints about Metropolis Parking, and y’all had a lot to say! But just as this episode was coming to air, Metropolis did something pretty cool. Host Marie Cecile Anderson, producer Daniel Sumstine, and executive producer Whitney Pastorek are airing your grievances, celebrating the recent good news, and pondering the eternal mysteries of parking in Nashville. Vote for City Cast...

The route for The Boring Company’s Tesla tunnels might put the endangered Nashville crayfish in Mill Creek at risk, but they’ve started digging anyway. City Cast Nashville contributor Nicole Williams joins host Marie Cecile Anderson and executive producer Whitney Pastorek for this week’s edition of Tunnel Time, and helps us understand the controversy surrounding a school board decision to settle w...

Here in Nashville, we’ve got pretty strong feelings about our neighborhoods — and why they’re better than everyone else’s. Acclaimed musician and local treasure Ellen Angelico joins host Marie Cecile Anderson with a guide to the best restaurants, shops, and ways to spend a day in Madison, the still-affordable area just north of East. Check out our Overlook map of Ellen’s favorites here. Vote for C...

The Wilson County - Tennessee State Fair starts tomorrow, Aug. 14th, out in Lebanon. Fair President Randall Clemons joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to preview the truly astounding number of food vendors, exhibits, competitions, and entertainment options available this year — including a walkthrough of where bacon cheeseburgers come from, and the ride most likely to make you puke.  Vote for City C...

If you think EDM (electronic dance music) is just glow sticks and noodle dancing, think again. John Hanna, co-founder of this weekend’s Deep Tropics Music, Art, & Style Festival, joins producer Daniel Sumstine to teach us about the local scene, what EDM can learn from country music, and why Deep Tropics is hailed as one of the greenest festivals in the world. Vote for City Cast Nashville as Best P...

The Nashville Banner, alongside the Tennessee Lookout and several other media outlets, is suing the state of Tennessee over a provision of the recently enacted PEACE Act that makes it a crime to come within 25 feet of law enforcement when ordered to stay back. Banner president and editor Steve Cavendish joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to explain why he joined the suit, and why the law has “grave...

Two rezonings dominated Tuesday’s Metro Council meeting: An Urban Design Overlay in The Nations, and a logistics warehouse on Franklin Limestone Road. What did public comment teach us about neighborhood outreach in Nashville? District 29 Councilmember Tasha Ellis joins host Marie Cecile Anderson and executive producer Whitney Pastorek to explain why she voted no on the UDO, and how she’s hoping to...

Tomato Art Fest returns to East Nashville this weekend! To celebrate, BELL Garden’s director of gardens and programs Missy Hamilton joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to teach us how to grow our own ‘maters, even if all we have is a patio and a pot. Plus: Dealing with pests, “woo-woo” gardening hacks, and what’s the best mayo for your tomato sammy? (You better already know.) Vote for City Cast Nashv...

With school back in session, we’re chatting with Nashville Public Library marketing manager Andrea Fanta, who joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to walk us through all the surprising things you can snag for free with your library card, from art to cake pans. And don't forget, the downtown library branch is still closed due to the parking garage fire, so get out there and explore the other 20 branche...

Even the most beautiful places in the state have their haters. Host Marie Cecile Anderson, producer Daniel Sumstine, and executive producer Whitney Pastorek are quizzing each other — and you — on some of the best parks in the state and the city of Nashville, based solely off their one-star reviews. Spoiler alert: We’ve pulled all the parks into a list on Overlook Maps for your reference. Don’t loo...

Tomorrow is the start of a new school year for Metro Nashville Public Schools! Hey Nashville newsletter editor and MNPS second-grade parent Margaret Kingsbury is joined by MNPS Teacher of the Year Natalie Williams to talk about school safety, funding cuts, and how parents can give their kiddos the best year possible. Vote for City Cast Nashville as Best Podcast in the Nashville Scene’s 2025 Best o...