City Cast Nashville

There’s a chill in the air, and maybe you want to snuggle up with someone special. But where oh where to find them? We’re revisiting our conversation with writer Lane Scott Jones, who went on 31 dates in three months last year. She’s sitting down with host Marie Cecile Anderson to give us her advice on how to meet someone, great local date spots, and why we should all be flirting more. *** This ep...

The Nashville Scene’s 2025 Best of Nashville issue is on stands now, and holy crap, y’all named us the best podcast in town! Scene editor in chief D. Patrick Rodgers joins executive producer Whitney Pastorek and producer Daniel Sumstine to talk about the rest of the winners. Plus we dig into the results in Tuesday’s special primary election for TN’s 7th congressional district, the recall effort ag...

Is pumpkin spice delicious, or are we all victims of a massive marketing conspiracy? Either way, for the nutmeg-avoidant, there are plenty of other fall flavors to enjoy in Nashville right now. City Cast Nashville food and travel contributor Margaret Littman joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to share her seasonal faves.  Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighb...

The official seal of Metro Nashville and Davidson County is … strange. Which means our flag is also strange! Can we get a new one? D13 Councilmember and massive flag nerd Russ Bradford joins host Marie Cecile Anderson and executive producer Whitney Pastorek to discuss what the current one means, how it could be better, and what it would take to design a new one! Do you have ideas for a new Nashvil...

Last month, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” disappeared from our Nashville airwaves. Now he’s back. So, who really controls our local TV stations, and what does the First Amendment have to say about this? Matt Gertz, senior research fellow at media watchdog organization Media Matters for America, joins executive producer Whitney Pastorek to explain. Plus, what’s going on with CBS and Tiktok … and why is Nash...

As our city wrestles with a housing crisis, what happens when councilmembers and constituents clash over solutions? Host Marie Cecile Anderson is joined by Jamie Agin, a steering committee member for 16th United — a group formed in response to D16 Councilmember Ginny Welsch’s failed attempt to rezone their neighborhood — and D20 Councilmember Rollin Horton, who recently upzoned his district in The...

With the federal government shut down, the stress on BNA’s air traffic controllers is growing — and the traffic over there isn’t getting any better. Executive producer Whitney Pastorek and producer Daniel Sumstine are joined by Nashville Banner staff reporter Sarah Grace Taylor to dig deeper into the big stories of the week, including her reporting on new ICE dragnet footage and the 100 Taylor Art...

Mark Blankenship, Nashville bureau chief for The Food Section, joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to talk about how immigrant traditions are reshaping the city’s culinary scene. From family recipes carried across borders to restaurants redefining “Southern food,” they reflect on how Nashville has become home to so many cultures and cuisines. **This episode originally aired February 20, 2025. Get mor...

From cocktails in blood bags to eyeballs in corn, our city doesn’t snooze on spooky szn. Host Marie Cecile Anderson, producer Daniel Sumstine, and Hey Nashville newsletter editor Margaret Kingsbury have your guide to the best Halloween activities for kids and adults this month. If you’re looking for even MORE options, we’ve featured some great activities and important news stories across the city...

It’s expensive just to walk out your front door in Nashville these days, but we wanted to put our bargain hunting skills to the test. Host Marie Cecile Anderson, producer Daniel Sumstine, producer of sponsored content Anthony Luciani, and executive producer Whitney Pastorek challenged themselves to plan the perfect day in our city while spending $50 or less. Who will win? Who will forget how comed...

The new Titans Stadium construction on the East Bank is pretty obvious, but what about everything else? Shawn Seaman, chief development officer for the Fallon Company — the development firm that won the bid to create “Nashville’s Next Great Neighborhood” — joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to give us the lowdown on when we’ll see cranes, what they’re building first, and who’s in charge of that pesk...

Two massive headlines dropped this week, with the resignation of Metro’s chief development officer Bob Mendes and the ethical complaint filed against Fair Board chair Jasper Hendricks alleging he’s been colluding with Bristol Motor Speedway to bring NASCAR to the Nashville Fairgrounds. Contributor Nicole Williams joins host Marie Cecile Anderson and executive producer Whitney Pastorek to dig deepe...

The Ryman Auditorium isn’t just the Mother Church of Country Music, it’s also one of the most haunted spots in Nashville. Tour guide Ken Wood takes us inside the Ryman’s Haunted History Tours (September 25th & October 3rd) to share spooky stories of country legends still hanging around backstage, unexplained sightings by late-night security guards, and the creepiest corners of the building. Learn...

With cooler temps rolling in, it’s the perfect season to explore Nashville’s climbing scene! Lark Hodges, General Manager of Climb Gyms, joins producer Daniel Sumstine to share her top tips for getting involved in one of the world’s fastest-growing indoor and outdoor communities. Check out our list of climbing spots mentioned in this episode on Overlook Maps! Learn more about the sponsors of this...

We’re prepared to officially state that most of the “speakeasies” on local lists are … not actually speakeasies! (Don’t @ us.) City Cast Nashville contributor Amelia Edelman joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to help us define the term, shout out some truly hidden spots, and learn who’s got the best Prohibition-era vibes in Music City. Check out our list of the bars mentioned in this episode on Over...

With football season underway, we’re digging into the pros and cons of online sports betting in Tennessee — the largest online-only sports betting market in the country. Ryan Nanni, co-host of the Phantom Island podcast, joins executive producer Whitney Pastorek to talk about how these ubiquitous betting platforms work and what makes them so addictive. Plus: Could the new Titans Stadium or Fairgro...

The Nashville International Airport experienced an “unprecedented surge” on Monday evening that left some travelers in gridlock for hours. Radley Balko, the investigative journalist behind The Watch and the author of Rise of the Warrior Cop, was one of those people. He joins host Marie Cecile Anderson and executive producer Whitney Pastorek to give his first-hand account of the BNA nightmare, as w...

Executive producer Whitney Pastorek and Hey Nashville newsletter editor Margaret Kingsbury sit down with Michelle Spiva, author of the book “Music City Musings: Old Nashville Knowledge for Newcomers,” to discuss her list of essential rules for life in our town. Spoiler alert: Leave the boots at home … and the celebrities alone! Read Margaret’s article on the Essential Rules here. Learn what to do...

Early voting starts today in the special election primary to replace former U.S. Rep. Mark Green, who walked away from his TN-07 Congressional district seat earlier this year. We've got your rundown of the top candidates, as well as interviews with those who responded to our requests. Host Marie Cecile Anderson, executive producer Whitney Pastorek, and producer Daniel Sumstine break down who they...

After a summer of serious concerns in the downtown core, we brought in some stakeholders to talk it through. District 19 Councilmember Jacob Kupin and Vision Zero Advisory Committee member Charlie Weingartner join host Marie Cecile Anderson to face off on dangerous crosswalks, disappearing benches, bike lanes, and more. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighb...

The successful large-scale rezoning of the Nations raised controversy last month, which came as no surprise to District 16 Councilmember Ginny Welsch, who has tried unsuccessfully to apply similar upzonings in the neighborhoods she represents. CM Welsch joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to talk about why she’s not giving up on the density conversation, as well as why she’s pursuing her recent reque...

The Nashville Innovation Alliance got a boost from the mayor recently, but, uh, what is it? And why does it involve genetic information? City Cast contributor Nicole Williams joins host Marie Cecile Anderson and executive producer Whitney Pastorek to try and figure that out. Plus, the Boring Co. has a strange sense of the word “confidential,” the law threatening elected officials with jail time fo...

From tacos to ceviche, we’re running down the list of best Latino food in Nashville. Anas Saba, creator of Nashville Hidden Gems, joins host Marie Cecile Anderson and producer/San Diego Mexican food snob Daniel Sumstine to give us his current faves. Get your Nashville Restaurant Passport here. Check out our Outlook Map of all the spots mentioned in this episode! Learn more about the sponsors of th...

Nashville is a hub for higher education — the Athens of the South! With students back on campus at our dozen-plus colleges and universities, Vanderbilt Hustler Life Editor and senior Daniela Aguilar joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to give us her tips and tricks for navigating Music City as a new student. Learn more about the sponsors of this September 10th episode: Huel - Save 15% with code NASHV...

Mandy Shucher is a bassist who’s been playing the bars on Lower Broadway for nearly 20 years. She joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to tell us what downtown Nashville looks like from the stage, from the worst tippers to the weirdest moments, and the biggest changes she’s seen over her two decades in the business.  Learn more about the sponsors of this September 9th episode: Huel - Save 15% with cod...