This Is Nashville

Although we never know exactly what’s going to come up on our Ask the Mayor show — that's up to you – on this month's agenda is the Capital Spending Plan, the grocery sales tax and the arrest by Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers of several people for camping on state property Downtown. Plus, Jude Mason from our sister station, WNXP, joins us to talk about Thanksgiving traditions. Jude is originall...

Through the Nashville Environmental Justice Initiative , Tennessee State University and Urban Green Lab are working to capture the voices of those affected first and worst. Today we hear about this first-of-its-kind oral history project . We also hear how these same communities are a source for real solutions to a more sustainable and equitable Nashville. Today's episode was produced by Tasha A.F....

The Nashville International Airport , or BNA, recently completed a major phase of its latest expansion — and is already moving forward on the next phase. Today, representatives from BNA, Southwest Airlines and the Transportation Security Administration , or TSA, are here to give us the latest on what travelers can expect when they show up. Plus, we'll get some behind-the-scenes information about h...

iNDigo recently dropped his latest album, Until I Get There , and was named Nashville’s best rapper by the Nashville Scene and WNXP Artist of the Month. Music has always been a large part of his life since he joined his church’s choir as a kid, but he didn’t discover his passion for creating as an artist until he was older. He's here to share about his journey, why he’s drawn towards self-reflecti...

The music industry is riddled with instability. More and more concerts and festivals are being canceled. Ticket prices continue to escalate. The ever-present cell phone is dampening the live music experience. Whether you’re a concertgoer, musician, manager, promoter, agent, or road crew, we’re taking your calls – How are you navigating these complex issues?

On this episode, Nina is joined by Noëlle Taylor from the National Museum of African American Music and Sarah Arntz from the Nashville Public Library archives, who’ve also found ways to educate the public about our history in compelling ways. This episode was produced by Emily Siner. Guests Nina Cardona | Morning host and NashVillager host, WPLN Noëlle Taylor | senior director of earned income ope...

While we can’t predict an event like a house fire, the full impact of severe weather, or the loss of a major utility, we can be ready, so we can keep our families and neighbors safe. Today, we’re speaking with local emergency preparedness experts about what we should know and have on hand to navigate emergencies. We’ll also find out how our local government agencies, organizations and volunteers w...

Since then, she's worked to combat the shame and guilt associated with substance use disorder, ran for Congress and wrote a book.  Fresh off her campaign, Barry sits down to talk with us about second chances, the responsibilities that come with redemption, and what she hopes readers of her new book, " It's What You Do Next ," will understand about the more tumultuous times in her life.

But you all have a lot to say, so we’re opening up the phone lines, once again, to provide a space to share your different views, experiences, opinions and values. What is your biggest takeaway from the election? How are you feeling about the results? What type of conversations are you having now?  Plus, journalist Garrison Hayes of Mother Jones joins us to talk about his experiences covering this...

Today, we’re once again opening up the phone lines to provide a safe space for people with different views, experiences, opinions, and values to hear from one another. Joining us to take your questions and comments are WPLN Newsroom Editor Tony Gonzalez, Tennessee Lookout Editor and Chief Holly McCall, and Tennessee State University political scientist Dr. Ian Shapiro . Guests Holly McCall | Edito...

WPLN reporter Paige Pfleger and MTSU Journalism and Strategic Media professor Dr. Jason Reineke are in the studio to take your calls and report on any results. Plus, Marianna Bacallao and Cynthia Abrams are reporting live from watch parties around town. It's election night and we're live! Guests Paige Pfleger, Criminal Justice Reporter, WPLN Jason Reineke, Associate Professor, School of Journalism...

Are you excited, nervous, energized — or all of the above? Don't worry, we’ve got you covered. We're here to hear all your thoughts, concerns and observations live on air. Joining us is WPLN’s Rose Gilbert who's been out to the polls to bring us the word from voters and county election officials. We also have a panel of political scientists who will weigh in on polling, campaigns, and the state of...

Christina grew up multi-racial in a small Texas town. Although she loved to read, becoming a professional writer was never part of her original plan. After earning an engineering degree and then undergoing a transformational career change, she embraced her passion for storytelling. Today we speak with her about her life, her work, and her ten-year journey to becoming a best-selling author and how,...

Although we never know exactly what’s going to come up on our Ask the Mayor show — that's up to you — today is Halloween, and we expect some extra spooky surprises. For instance, did you know that downtown Nashville is haunted? In addition to Mayor O'Connell answering the most difficult of Halloween-related questions ("Candy corn — yum or ick?"), we’ll hear the story of the Ghost Mayor of Printer’...

Every polling place is run by trained poll officials who make sure voters can efficiently and easily cast their vote. Today, we speak with poll officials as well as the administrator of elections for the Davidson Country Election Commission to learn what goes into working at a polling station and how polling officials keep our elections fair, safe and secure. Plus, our guests will answer some of t...

What does it take to build an efficient homelessness response system? What next steps are needed to address the affordability crisis and implement solutions? Does society have the tools necessary to end homelessness in Nashville and nationwide? In My Place educates listeners on what cities like Nashville can do to prevent and end homelessness — while caring for our neighbors who are still unhoused...

Horror hosts emerged nationwide after Vampira burst onto the late night Los Angeles television scene in 1954. In 1971, Nashville's WSM-TV launched their own with Creature Feature Saturday hosted by Sir Cecil Creape. Decades later on July 1, 1999, Larry Underwood , inspired by the legendary Creape, created his Dr. Gangrene alter-ego and produced his first episode of Chiller Cinema. Today we welcome...

Nashville's music scene contains talented artists from all over the musical landscape and we've been fortunate enough to have some of them on the show to share their talents with us. In this episode you'll hear from The McCrary Sisters , Crys Matthews , Mike Floss , Alex Barnes , Zach and Maggie White , and Ashley McBryde . You'll also hear from some of the best freestylers in the city – Pow Shado...

Each week during Your Turn to Talk we convene a panel of guests with in-depth knowledge of a variety of subjects like media consumption, presidential immunity, overdose awareness, immigration, voting, and navigating a complex healthcare system. Then, we open the phone lines to take your questions and comments. In this episode, you'll hear highlights from shows about civic engagement, the future of...

You'll hear from local chaplain and trans rights advocate Dahron Anneliese Johnson , preeminent TSU professor and historian Dr. Learotha Williams , journalist and ghost writer Nancy French , and singer, author, actor and speaker Pat Boone . This episode was produced by Tasha A.F. Lemley. GUESTS Dahron Anneliese Johnson | Chaplain and trans rights advocate Pat Boone | Singer, author, actor and spea...

The 2024 referendum, Choose How You Move: An All-Access Pass to Sidewalks, Signals, Service, and Safety in Nashville , is on the ballot for the November election. As part of WPLN's ongoing coverage of the transit plan and referendum, we've assembled a panel of guests with in-depth knowledge of the proposal to answer your questions and hear your comments. What you do like about the plan? Do you hav...

Squirrels, possums, turtles, foxes, birds of prey and countless other wild creatures live right here with us in Middle Tennessee. Unfortunately, interactions with humans and human-made things can lead to injuries or death for these animals. Today we’re speaking with the dedicated leaders and volunteers of several local wildlife rehabilitation centers to learn about what to do - and not do- if we c...

On this episode, we gaze skyward — at dusk — and pay tribute to the best mosquito-eaters around. Bat-loving guests join us to debunk a ton of misconceptions and teach us where bats live, what makes up their diet, what their greatest threats are, and how we can actually share our homes with them. This episode was produced by Tasha A.F. Lemley. Special thanks to John Michael Cassidy, Alan Hatcher, a...

Have you discovered any of the hundreds of colorful painted animal signs with the word ‘ vote ’ on them here in Nashville? Or have you encountered the giant books around town which are part of the Unbannable Library installation? Middle Tennessee artist and Austin Peay State University professor Paul Collins is behind both of these projects. Today we’ll talk with Collins about the stories behind h...

How do you establish care after moving to a new city? What do you do if you want a second opinion on a cancer diagnosis? Is there something you can say if you feel like your emergency room doctor isn’t listening to you? Dr. Divya Shroff hears these questions all the time. As the former chief medical officer of TriStar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, she has an expert-level understanding of...