This Is Nashville

Let's talk about the C-word: Caregiving . In this episode, we continue our monthly series, NEXT AGE, with stories of people who are caring for an older adult relative.  If you’re thinking "who cares?" —  this might make you feel differently: According to a report from the National Alliance for Caregiving , for every five people you know, at least one of them is caring for a family member and even...

Welcome back to our second season of In My Place . This special series educates listeners on what communities like Nashville can do to prevent and end homelessness — while caring for our neighbors who are still unhoused. Many people experiencing homelessness have to overcome hurdles to access services and housing. In our last episode, we discussed the time tax of filling out redundant paperwork. O...

Tennessee put a hold on executions in 2022 due to concerns about its lethal injection protocol . This morning, the state resumed executions , using lethal injection to put to death Oscar Franklin Smith.  He had spent more than three decades incarcerated and went through numerous execution dates. Today on the show, we speak with one of Smith's sons, Casey Smith, about the impact this crime — and it...

On today’s show, we speak with experts in the fields of dialect coaching and sociolinguistics to learn the cultural and scientific aspects of what we call an “accent.”  We'll also hear from people who have moved to America and worked to change the way they sound. And we want to hear from you, too! So call into the show and talk about your own speech patterns. Do you think you have an accent? Have...

For sixteen years Giancarlo Guerrero has captivated audiences with his charismatic conducting — all while championing the works of prominent American composers and winning multiple GRAMMY Awards. This weekend, Guerrero’s tenure as Music Director at the Nashville Symphony comes to a close. On today’s episode, he joins us to talk about his life, his work and, of course, the music. This episode was p...

GRAMMY winner Béla Fleck has taken the art of playing the banjo to stellar heights. He's here to share about his journey playing music professionally for more than 50 years — and about his latest album, BEATrio , which dropped last week.  Fleck has amassed a career playing the banjo for audiences all over the world as well as with legendary musicians. Most recently, he's teamed up with musicians E...

Nashville’s non-profit film center The Belcourt Theatre turns one hundred this month and there's no denying its long and positive impact on this city. Over the course of a century, The Belcourt has been many different things including a stage for the Grand Ole Opry, a silent film house and a community playhouse for children's theatre. Join us today as we explore celebrations planned for this impre...

Mister Rogers once told his young viewers to “look for the helpers” in times of crisis. On this episode we talk with advocates who work every day with some of the most vulnerable in this country: immigrants. We hear from lawyers on both the employment side and the humanitarian side of immigration law. Plus, we learn about the impact of being an immigration lawyer in 2025 has on mental health.  Thi...

Do you have a concern you would like him to address? Do you have a question about the direction of the city? Every month, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell joins us to discuss the latest happenings in and around the city — and take your calls! This month, the mayor talks ICE raids, transportation, the State of Metro and more. Then, later in the show, we hear from Metro Property Assessor Vivian Wil...

Bill Birdsong Miller has been playing and creating music for over 50 years. He might be having more fun now than ever before. Nashville-based musician Bill Birdsong Miller is an icon in the Native American music community. He discovered his love for music when he was young, and the deep connection and joy he found when he played has guided him through a career spanning several decades, countless t...

Yesterday, reporters assigned to cover the Tennessee State Capitol joined us for a legislative wrap-up . Today, we go a bit deeper with a post-session analysis. How will the bills passed on issues like education, immigration and foster care impact the lives of the people who live and work in Tennessee? Plus, we’re opening up the phone lines because it’s your turn to talk. What questions or comment...

The Tennessee legislature recently wrapped up the first half of the 114th General Assembly, and there is a lot to digest. Today, we bring you the first of a two-part review. Reporters assigned to cover the work of our elected state representatives join us to recap the bills passed, the bills still waiting to be signed by the governor, and the constitutional amendments that will appear on the ballo...

Tennessee has a precious natural resource: wetlands. We even have wetlands right here in the heart of Nashville. And they are at risk. During the 2025 legislative session, Tennessee lawmakers passed a bill that will cut some of the protections for wetlands across the state. Developers now have the option to build over wetlands without informing the state and will no longer be financially incentivi...

For 50 years, Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Amy Grant has captivated audiences. And luckily for us, she calls Nashville home. On today’s show, we speak with Amy about not just her career but her experiences raising a family while on the road, her perceptions of Nashville, and what she has in store next. We also speak with her about her approach to writing and composing a song and the impo...

Summer is on the way! Today, we're talking how to get out to enjoy local ponds, rivers and lakes to cool down and have some fun! Swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, or fishing! There are so many ways to enjoy being on the water. Today we're talking with local water enthusiasts about their favorite ways to jump in — and what you need to know to get out there  to join them – and stay safe...

Students here in Middle Tennessee are gearing up for finals, special dances, and for some, graduation. Today we are checking in with local students to hear about their past school years. We’ll find out what they’ve learned in and out of the classroom and how they are navigating friendships, responsibilities and new freedoms. We’ll also hear from some students who were on the show in the fall. Join...

Welcome back to our second season of In My Place . This special series educates listeners on what communities like Nashville can do to prevent and end homelessness — while caring for our neighbors who are still unhoused. In our first two episodes of this season, we talked about what the first point of contact is like between someone who’s experiencing homelessness and someone who could potentially...

After graduating from UC Santa Barbara, Steve Swenson set out to make a name for himself in the radio industry. Mission accomplished.  His 45-year career has seen him in key positions in Washington DC, Los Angeles, New York and finally Nashville. Well, he's soon retiring and This Is Nashville would be remiss if we did not sit down with our boss for last drop of wisdom. Listen in to this episode as...

We're saying goodbye to Khalil today! After more than 550 episodes and thousands of guests, Khalil Ekulona is taking his last turn behind the This Is Nashville mic.  We have gratitude — but no words — so we're inviting the public to call in with some. Join the conversation at noon or listen later to hear what he has meant to you and Middle Tennessee! Today's episode was produced by Mary Mancini, K...

No matter what you think about aging, one thing is for sure: EVERYbody’s doing it! It’s also true that in the U.S., people are living longer, and overall, healthier, more active and empowered than ever in our country’s history. It’s not uncommon to have three, four, or even five generations in the same family or workplace. According to the last U.S. Census, adults in Tennessee over 60 make up 23%...

Elite piano tuning is grueling work. It’s taxing on the body, it strains relationships, and it never leads to fame or glory. Music Citizens , a podcast series by WNXP and Nashville Public Radio, recently explored how someone becomes the top piano tuner in Nashville and why they would want to. Today we welcome the voices of episode three, The Tuner. They're just some of the people who keep the musi...

Khalil Ekulona has been the voice — and a driving force — of This Is Nashville since he helped launch the show three years ago. He has brought his curiosity, warmth and genuine empathy to the more than 550 episodes he’s hosted. Today, he’s sitting down on the other side of the mic to share about his time on This Is Nashville and the surprising journey that led him to public radio.  We’ll also hear...

Every month, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell joins us to discuss the latest happenings in and around the city — and take your calls. Do you have a concern you would like him to address? Do you have a question about the direction of the city? Call 615-760-2000 with your question or comment. Then, later in the show, we hear from Jaffee Judah about his path to environmental justice advocacy and the...

Hip hop as a genre is getting more attention from the music industry in Nashville. A good thing! But not all hip hop music is the same, nor are the ways in which hip hop music is made. The old technique, i.e., sampling, is as popular as ever, but in certain aspects it is different from when it was introduced. Once a month, a group of producers gathers together to play each other's tracks they are...

We love hearing about the moment in someone’s life when they decide it’s time to start helping others. We call it “a civic spark.” Today, we’re talking to two people — Brittney Brown with The Store and Samaria Leach with Window of Love — about their civic spark moments. How were they able to turn their own hardship into help for others? And how do you make sure that spark becomes a flame that does...