This Is Nashville

Today, we talk with Settles about the philosophy behind her mission to heal, what music means to her, and how she chose to center everything she does from a place of love. Plus, she performs live for us in the studio. Guest Odessa Settles , musician and retired nurse

Through guided dialogues, One Small Step encourages participants to listen just as much as they speak and stay open to a wide range of opinions. Dialogue Vanderbilt has partnered with StoryCorps to bring One Small Step to Middle-Tennessee and Jad Abumrad , Vanderbilt’s Distinguished Research Professor of Communication of Science and Technology and co-founder of Radiolab , joins us to talk about th...

Today, we talk about Tennessee’s job market and some of the major concerns employers and employees face right now. We also hear about the local resources available to help anyone, even young people, figure out their next career step and get support while navigating a job search. This episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys. GUESTS Dr. Donald Bruce , Boyd Distinguished Professor in the Haslam Coll...

Folx Table provides strangers the space and opportunity to meet — and hopefully, become friends. Today, we talk with the founders about connection and building community. Plus, to demonstrate how it works, some people who have never met join us in the studio to play Folx Table's "get to know someone better" games. Guests Emma McCallie | Co-founder and CEO, Folx Table Dallas Condra | Co-founder and...

Today, we sit with the thought leader as he reflects on the rigidity of political thought and the ways in which he believes political discourse in America must evolve. Plus, we talk about his journey and what led him to write for high profile publications like the New York Times. And, as we enter another new era of Conservatism and Liberalism, what does he envision for the future of our country? ...

Their responses can be spoken word poetry, an essay, a speech. It can be ... whatever they want. It’s their voice expressing what their city means to them. Today seven people share their perspective on what this city and region means to them. Their words. Their voices. This Is Nashville presents … This Is Nashvillians. This episode was produced by Khalil Ekulona. Guests: Mac Pirkle Chris Crofton S...

The holiday season is in full swing! With preparing for all of the fun, parties, family gatherings- and maybe even traveling, you might find yourself feeling a bit drained and tired. That is where practices like tai chi, yoga and meditation come in. Today we’ll talk with Nashvillians who use those practices to help themselves and others recenter and find peace. We’ll learn about what the practices...

Our host, Khalil Ekulona, joins us as a guest alongside his parents to share how they started celebrating Kwanzaa as a family and what the holiday means to them. Then, local community leaders share more about how Kwanzaa is celebrated in Nashville. Guests: Khalil Ekulona, host of This Is Nashville Olufemi Ekulona, retired caregiver and Khalil’s mom Ademola Ekulona, retired television producer, act...

It features music from his modern holiday classic LP 'Socks' alongside handpicked, off-the-wall Christmas song selections and paired with interviews delving deep into 'Socks' and McPherson’s own holiday traditions. It’s guaranteed to be the only holiday special to reference 'Goodfellas,' dictatorial crowd control techniques and Black Sabbath’s "Children of the Grave" right beside the Andrews Siste...

One of the main ways we can interact with others is through our hobbies and niche interests. And they’ve got another benefit, too: When we learn more about other people’s hobbies and niche interests, we better appreciate the world around us and we can embrace and celebrate our differences. Today, we delve into three vastly different niche activities and the people who pursue them. From Rubik’s cub...

Today, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell joins us to take your calls. You can dial (615) 760-2000 to participate. Plus, Niche to Meet You podcast producer and host Leslie Eiler Thompson joins us to talk about the history of Santa, the personal stories of some of the real-life Santas she’s met, and how for these folks, being Santa is more than just a hobby. And we end the show with a special readin...

Demand for affordable spaces outpaces supply, rates are soaring and parking management wrongfully charge fees and boot without warning. Today, we discuss parking problems, what can be done to alleviate some of them, and what the future of parking looks like as new construction continues to boom and expand into residential areas. And we want to hear from you! Call 615-760-2000 to join the conversat...

A recent study by Belmont University reports that 70-80% of young people who age out of foster care without adequate support face homelessness, addiction, imprisonment and mental illness by the age of 21. Today we speak with two Nashvillians who both found themselves in foster care. We’ll hear about their stories, the support that made a difference for them, and how they are both dedicated to maki...

Their responses can be spoken word poetry, an essay, a speech. It can be ... whatever they want. It’s their voice expressing what their city means to them. Today seven people share their perspective on what this city and region means to them. Their words. Their voices. This Is Nashville presents … This Is Nashvillians. This episode was produced by Khalil Ekulona. Guests: Mac Pirkle Chris Crofton S...

Just over a year ago, a tornado outbreak struck Middle Tennessee, killing seven people, injuring more than 80, and damaging or destroying thousands of homes . In September, Hurricane Helene and the subsequent flooding devastated upper East Tennessee. In the aftermath of both disasters, volunteers and relief organizations quickly mobilized to provide immediate assistance and assess the damage. Once...

Today’s guest, long-time Nashvillian Keely Scott, kept a written relationship for over 30 years with an eccentric Manhattan artist, starting when she was a second grader in Texas. The story of their relationship is marked by moments in Keely’s own life and contains beautiful stories of friendship. Not surprisingly, Keely is passing this legacy onto her daughter, who now has her own faraway pen pal...

In today’s episode, we explore how to make connections and have meaningful conversations across our differences — while maintaining healthy boundaries. We'll also explore what community means and feels like today and learn about the skills necessary to feel more connected. Plus, we hear how one Nashville family stays close-knit despite it all. This episode was produced by Ambriehl Crutchfield.

Despite how influential they’ve become, they’ve maintained an insular musical world, evolving in their own way and at their own pace. Today, Nashville Public Radio Senior Music writer Jewly Hight sits down with Welch and Rawlings for an intimate conversation about their musical influences, the beauty of embracing imperfection, and the career self-sufficiency they didn’t really want but intentional...

Since 2021, the financial health of Tennessee State University has been in the news. In 2021 a group of state lawmakers found that in the previous 50 years the state had underfunded the school by about a half a billion dollars. Then, in 2023, a federal report said that the state underfunded the university by far more than the original estimate — about $2 billion dollars just between 1987 and 2020....

DPC has hosted US presidents. It’s been a hospital during the Civil War and has been on both the right and wrong side of civil rights. Today it houses a small, active congregation as well as nonprofits and artists — and the building itself is one of the best remaining examples of Egyptian Revival architecture. In this episode, as they celebrate what is most likely the longest-running fundraiser in...

Musicians and fans from all over journey to The Caverns in Grundy County for a truly unique experience. You can catch some performances there on the PBS series The Cavern Sessions (formerly Bluegrass Underground). Today we’re talking with the people who made the dream of holding concerts in a cave into a reality. We'll also hear from singer-songwriters Katie Pruitt and Bill Miller and a superfan a...

As an artist, Julia loves faces, the human figure, waxed pastels and oil paint. As the owner and operator of the Julia Martin Gallery, she relishes the close-knit arts community she’s helped build. In this episode we hear from Julia about her art, the life-changing exhibitions she’s curated, and why she thinks it’s important to give up-and-coming artists their first gallery experience. Guest Julia...

Wild turkeys are what biologists call an indicator species — meaning its presence in a location is indicative of a healthy ecosystem for all other species, including humans. The turkey is also a significant figure to Native cultures, both spiritually and practically. In the early 1900s, commercial hunting left the wild turkey population decimated, and it faced extinction. Hunters were the first to...

The holidays are a time full of joy and celebration for most- but they can also be an especially challenging time for those struggling with alcoholism or addiction - or who have a loved one who is. Today, we are talking to members of different recovery communities here in Middle Tennessee to learn about 12 Step programs, local 12 Step resources and how they themselves are approaching staying healt...

He may have been born in Florida, but Mr. Boone has deep Nashville roots. He attended Lipscomb, had his first performances in Centennial Park, recorded in middle Tennessee, and appeared on Hee Haw. Today, we'll hear from Boone about his singing and film career, his family, deep religious roots, his heavy-metal phase and so much more. Join us! Today's episode was produced by Tasha A.F. Lemley . GUE...