City Cast Nashville

With the Tennessee General Assembly in full swing, we’re taking a look at the bills moving through the legislature this session. Chaplain Dahron Anneliese Johnson, Tennessee Equality Project’s Davidson County co-chair, sits down with host Marie Cecile Anderson to talk about legislation targeting our LGBTQ+ community, proposals impacting our immigrant neighbors, and the common thread that ties them...

Homelessness is one of the major issues that cities like Nashville are trying to solve. The state of Utah is planning to build a 16-acre homeless campus on the outskirts of Salt Lake City, where unhoused people with mental illnesses or addiction issues could be sheltered and in some cases involuntarily committed. This controversial idea is the brainchild of conservative think tanks, and it’s one t...

Metro Council voted this week to approve a non-binding resolution officially opposing the Boring Co.’s Tesla Tunnels in Nashville. Is that the end of it? LOL, absolutely not. Host Marie Cecile Anderson, producer Daniel Sumstine, and executive producer Whitney Pastorek dig into that plus more state overreach in this week’s Tunnel Time, as well as a zombie bill the TN GOP just revived in hopes of co...

Spring break is March 7-15, and while some folks may be headed to 30A or other exotic locales, most of us are stuck in Nashville. But never fear! Host Marie Cecile Anderson is joined by contributor Amelia Edelman and the entire City Cast Nashville team, who gathered around the mic to share over 20 incredible ideas for staycation fun right here in Music City.  Get more from City Cast Nashville when...

After weeks of confusion and public outcry, ICE is no longer planning to put a detention center that could house up to 16,000 immigrants right down the road in Lebanon. Many in that community are now breathing a sigh of relief, including Wilson County mayor Randall Hutto. He joins executive producer Whitney Pastorek to explain why he and other Republican local leaders were surprised by the project...

Artists and fans from around the world are welcome at Nashville’s music venues — unless they’re disabled, in which case, obstacles abound. Dr. Cynthia George, a.k.a. Dr. Cyn, is a TSU professor, brain injury survivor, and literal rock star who leads the Disabled to the Front Advisory Group, working to promote disabled people’s access to nightlife in Nashville. From finding parking to getting on st...

As we emerge from our winter cocoons, there’s a whole city’s worth of activities awaiting us for March and the glorious arrival of spring. Host Marie Cecile Anderson is joined by producer Daniel Sumstine and executive producer Whitney Pastorek to talk about everything they’re excited to eat, hear, and do this month. From St. Patrick’s Day to March Madness, we’ve got you covered. If you’re looking...

A lot of cities, including Nashville, are trying to figure out how best to revitalize downtown. It's an issue that's especially top of mind for Pittsburgh, who is hosting the NFL Draft in April. To solve the problem of vacant properties and empty storefronts, the city is trying out a new rent abatement program. So, City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Pittsburgh podcast host Megan Harris...

After seven Metro Councilmembers brought a lawsuit challenging a state law making it a felony to vote in favor of “sanctuary policies,” the state has agreed it was unconstitutional. Contributor Nicole Williams joins host Marie Cecile Anderson and executive producer Whitney Pastorek to discuss that result. Plus, the resignation of NDOT’s director; the push for a new state authority governing all th...

Did you know you can get free stuff in Nashville, just for being born? We’re revisiting a conversation with comedian and radio host Jessica Carter, who joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to talk about great local party ideas and share her list of birthday freebies. Let’s make 2026 the year of taking your birthday seriously! ** This conversation originally aired June 11, 2025. Learn more about the sp...

Meet Democrat Adam “Ditch” Kurtz — one of the most unconventional candidates in Tennessee’s race for governor. A Nashville musician with no prior political experience, he says he’s ready to challenge the status quo with a fully grassroots campaign and bold policy ideas. We talk about healthcare, education, immigration, and whether an outsider can realistically compete in this state. If you enjoyed...

Waymo’s self-driving vehicles are already on the streets of Nashville, running tests as they prepare for launch later this year. Is that a good thing? Andrew Hawkins, transportation editor at The Verge, joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to explain how the service works, the concerns in other cities, and everything else we need to know about the robots sharing our roads. Learn more about the sponsor...

The Warner Parks are beloved public spaces in Nashville … but who were Percy and Edwin Warner? Author, historian, and Nashville Scene columnist Betsy Phillips joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to tell the strange but true tale of two brothers whose love of parks, public transportation, and massive piles of money shaped our city. Plus: Ghosts, mud, and a pet crane named Rufus! Learn more about the s...

Everyone’s talking about AI these days, including Nashvillians. And now, more data centers are popping up across the country, thanks in part to the AI revolution. But some cities are stemming the tide, including Madison, Wisconsin, who recently passed a one-year moratorium on new data center construction. City Cast CEO David Plotz feels strongly that this was the wrong choice! He’s sitting down wi...

This week, the Nashville Banner published a collaborative investigative package diving deep into bodycam footage from the Tennessee Highway Patrol as they helped ICE agents make targeted detention stops last May. For today’s Friday News Roundup, the Banner’s Metro reporter Stephen Elliott joins host Marie Cecile Anderson and executive producer Whitney Pastorek to explain their findings, and what h...

Nashville’s dining scene isn’t just booming — it’s REALLY LOUD. Host Marie Cecile Anderson is tired of not being able to hear the waiter, so she asked contributor Margaret Littman to share her favorite quiet restaurants in town, perfect for conversation, contemplation, and finding a little zen over a delicious meal. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 19th episode: Special Olympics Tenn...

As Metro officials scrambled to enact a response plan in the wake of Winter Storm Fern, The ReMIX Way snapped into action, delivering tens of thousands of meals, stocking alternative shelter locations with food, and ensuring Spanish-speaking residents were informed. Organizers Cathy Carrillo and Kelly Chieng join host Marie Cecile Anderson to explain why they stepped up, what they learned, and whe...

Nashville’s incredible tree canopy was devastated by Winter Storm Fern — but all hope isn’t lost. Writer and naturalist Joanna Brichetto joins host Marie Cecile Anderson with advice for taking care of our leafy friends, from how to salvage damaged trees and make great use of brush piles to what to plant next — and why everyone should have a certified arborist on speed dial. Learn more about the sp...

All eyes have been on the Twin Cities lately, including Nashvillians’. Operation Metro Surge is reportedly ending in Minnesota, with the withdrawal of immigration agents expected over the next week. Over the last two months, though, residents of the Twin Cities have organized a range of local collective action efforts including protests, mutual aid, and monitoring ICE — and they’ve done it quickly...

Metro Council held a special-called committee meeting Tuesday night to address their questions about the response to Winter Storm Fern, and some members are even calling for the NES CEO to be fired. Contributor Nicole Williams joins host Marie Cecile Anderson and executive producer Whitney Pastorek to break down those stories. Plus, we check in with the state legislature, have questions about BNA’...

Dating in Nashville can be a nightmare. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, host Marie Cecile Anderson and executive producer Whitney Pastorek are “taking calls” from locals sharing truly unforgettable dating horror stories — from cringe first dates to ghosting, and people who asked zero questions. Get cozy… and maybe stay single. A very special thank you to our City Cast voice actors for toda...

In 1975, Win and Patti Myint opened International Market & Restaurant on Belmont Boulevard. More than 50 years later, their son, chef and James Beard Award nominee Arnold Myint, is carrying that legacy forward as his new cookbook Family Thai earns national praise. Arnold joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to talk about his family’s early beginnings, what International Market has meant to generations...

Tennessee ranks third in the nation in book banning — and it’s already happening in Rutherford County, right next door. Could it happen in Nashville? Christina Soontornvat, an award-winning children’s book author who also leads the Tennessee chapter of Authors Against Book Bans, joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to explain what’s happening, why current state legislation is complicating matters, and...

Gov. Bill Lee has submitted a letter of interest to the NFL to bring the Super Bowl to Nashville in 2029. The morning after the big game, producer Daniel Sumstine is chatting with David Boclair, a longtime sports writer and digital producer at the Nashville Banner, about what it would actually take to make that happen, from infrastructure and emergency preparedness to economic impact and who reall...

Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton is threatening state oversight of NES, as locals continue to call for accountability in the wake of Winter Storm Fern. On today’s Friday News Roundup, host Marie Cecile Anderson, newsletter editor Margaret Kingsbury, and executive producer Whitney Pastorek are breaking down that fallout. Plus, advice on how to manage our tree damage, ALL the sports happening...