This Is Nashville

Today, we hear from WPLN's Power and Equity Reporter, Marianna Bacallao. She'll update us on the recent wiretapping scandal involving the office of Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk. Next, we hear from authors Joel Ebert and Erik Schelzig, who recount years of abuses of political power at the state legislature in their book, Welcome to Capitol Hill: Fifty Years of Scandal in Tennessee Politic...

Cryptids — like Sasquatch and the Jersey Devil — capture the imagination and have been sighted across the globe. Not surprisingly then, Middle Tennessee has its own reported cryptid activity. Here, people have seen a giant bird with a 6-foot-long wingspan, a dogman and, of course, the Tennessee Wild Man, our version of Bigfoot. Today, we delve into firsthand accounts of these beasts and chat with...

The majority of his career has been positioned at the intersection of conservative Christian communities and higher education. Today, he’s transitioning away from his main career as a tenured professor and finds himself somewhat displaced, contemplating how his long-standing faith interacts with politics and the next phase of his work. To that end, through his podcast he welcomes guests like Malco...

And the relationship between new Americans and Nashville is reciprocal. Today, we look at the many ways immigrants and refugees add to the fabric of our community — and how the community empowers them with the tools they need to succeed. Plus, we're taking your calls. Join us! This episode was produced by Mary Mancini. Guests Cathy Carrillo | Director of Community Engagement, Metro Human Relations...

These local chefs, influenced by the culinary creations of their ancestors, blend the ingredients and techniques of their homelands with those found in home of Nashville. Their new creations offer diners a peek inside their culture and allow them to stretch their imaginations and creativity. Join us as we speak with local chefs who share their unique stories, traditions, and recipes. This episode...

Observing or performing a cultural dance can be a joyful, fun, challenging and deeply meaningful experience. Today, we’re speaking with local students and performers of dances from Mexico, India and West Africa. We’ll talk about what it takes to be part of dance traditions — and find out how to catch upcoming performances or join a class to learn. This episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys. GUE...

As a Muslim Nigerian, she often finds herself at the intersection of race and religion, both locally and globally. Now in her second term, she has dedicated herself to making Nashville a city for everyone. Today, we’ll explore how these identities shape her role in Nashville, influence her work on the council, and highlight her core values and priorities. This episode was produced by Elizabeth Bur...

While other areas of the city may be nearly blank slates for redevelopment, North Nashville boasts a vibrant history, thriving business district and a community deeply invested in preserving its culture and landmarks. In this episode, we hear from local business owners and ambassadors from two organizations dedicated to thoughtfully guiding North Nashville's redevelopment. The Jefferson Street His...

In Tennessee, two very different groups are leading the way. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has launched Project Milkweed , a free milkweed seed distribution program designed to support the breeding and flourishing of the monarch butterfly. Simultaneously, the green witches use holistic means – herbs, plants, and the rhythms of the lunar and solar cycles – to heal and nurture th...

In places where there is homelessness, we often see clashes between neighbors and businesses, service providers and the government. And, as neighbors and businesses lose patience, they can put pressure on politicians to find quick solutions, which can result in the abrupt removal of people and their encampment structures from public spaces. In today’s episode, we discuss how to mitigate tension by...

As the recently installed pastor of the historic First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill in Nashville, he’s on a mission to inspire a new generation while respecting, in his unique way, the foundation of past leaders. In this episode we learn about his childhood in rural Louisiana and northern California, the work he is most proud of, and his vision for the future of Nashville's oldest Black Baptist ch...

Often, in places where a bit of extra effort is needed, organizations, community groups and individuals step in to fill in the blanks and help navigate a sometimes confusing tangle of rules and regulations. As the deadline to register to vote for the November election approaches, we look at the most frequently asked questions about voting in Tennessee and hear from organizations that actively enga...

AARP ranked the state 47th on the Transportation Livability Index, indicating poor public transit, walkability, and coordination for people with disabilities. This episode looks at how four Nashvillians get around the city and what can be done to make Nashville a city that is truly inclusive of everyone. This episode is produced by David Hooper. Guests Robby Barbieri , United Spinal Association Ad...

Today, we’re talking with students who are working together to learn how government functions and young people who are using their voices to raise up concerns and ideas from their schools and neighborhoods. We’ll also check in with student representatives working with the Nashville Metro government. Join us for a special all-student panel! This episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys. Today's Gue...

Doulas are non-medical professionals who can provide trusted support during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the early weeks and months after childbirth. Kristin Mejia founded Nashville-based Homeland Heart Birth & Wellness Collective to offer education and increase the number of doulas locally to improve birth outcomes for women, infants and families of color. Today, we’re talking with Kris...

Today, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell is in the studio to take your calls and answer your questions. Plus, it’s political debate season, and Tennessee State University professor Josh Shapiro is with us to discuss their efficacy and importance, and answer all your presidential debate-related questions. Are decisions at the ballot box impacted by debate performance? Are post-debate spin rooms eff...

From cosmetology to automotive technology, building construction, plumbing, machine maintenance, and even coding, there are many programs right here in Middle Tennessee available to anyone looking to step into a new career. Today, we’re talking with people who chose a trade school or apprenticeship path to hear about their experiences — and about the careers they’ve built since graduating. This ep...

From Francis Craig and the Beatles to Jackie Shane and Minor Threat , United Record Pressing has made some of the world's most significant records. United CEO and Chairman Mark Michaels is here to tell the story of this unique Nashville-based, American-owned business, and how — thanks to some ingenuity, a few well-timed business decisions, and a whole lotta luck — it’s survived decades of changes...

These partnerships strive to connect the people of Nashville to the people of the world. And they follow a nationwide mission established in the 1950s to carry out what’s known as “citizen diplomacy,” under the belief that exchanging cultural ideas builds understanding and fosters international peace. One sister city is Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. WPLN reporter Rose Gilbert...

Studies show that employee well-being, job satisfaction, retention and productivity all increase with a compressed schedule. In a recent six-month trial in the UK, nearly 90% of companies that gave a four-day workweek a try kept with it over a year later. But is it as good as it sounds? And how exactly does it work across different industries?  Today, we’re talking with a researcher and veteran HR...

We’re seemingly full of towering yellow cranes and active construction sites busy with workers using hefty machinery and hoisting heavy materials – often several hundred feet in the air. Tragically, Tennessee is one of the most dangerous states when it comes to construction worker on-the-job injury and deaths. In recent years, the city of Nashville and the State of Tennessee have not seen eye-to-e...

Every Thursday, we open up the phone lines because it's Your Turn to Talk. We never know what topics will come up when you call in to ask the mayor a question, but it's always an interesting discussion. Later on, we look at the basics of overdose prevention and learn what local organizations and law enforcement are doing to strengthen the overdose prevention strategy of harm reduction. Guests: Fre...

Some step into single parenthood by choice, and others unexpectedly find themselves raising kids on their own. Today, we’re speaking with two single parents here in Nashville about their journeys to parenthood, how they take care of both their kids and themselves, and where they find connection and community. This episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys. GUESTS Megan Staggs, Single mom Steve Youn...

Over the course of this series, we have taken a closer look at the different aspects of homelessness examining the Housing First philosophy, the interconnectedness of housing and healthcare, prevention efforts, and what hidden homelessness looks like. In today's episode, we focus on the tools available for developers and communities to build supportive housing and the support systems necessary to...

Clark, a well-known Nashville producer, multi-instrumentalist, music supervisor and writer, was born and raised in Memphis — a city he says is utterly baked into him at a cellular level. It was in Memphis where he picked up his first instrument, bought his first dixieland jazz records, and played his first gig. Since then, Clark has gone on to write for numerous national publications – including B...