This Is Nashville

Some people say they vote because it’s the least they can do. But what if you want to do more? What other options are available to voice your opinion, advocate for or against issues you care about, and influence policy? And what do you do when the action you take doesn't get the results you want? Do you keep hope alive, or do you let the cynicism creep in? We’re joined by a panel of community orga...

But the legacy and impact of this small HBCU in Nashville often gets overlooked. Now, as ABC celebrates its 100th anniversary, we look at the college’s role in training generations of activists. How has it changed in the decades since the Civil Rights movement? And how can religion and theology be used to advance social justice causes in an increasingly secular world? This episode was produced by...

Architects shape skylines and neighborhoods with a vision that can last for centuries. Today, we're speaking with some of Nashville's NextGen architects about their priorities, lessons learned, and the challenges they face building in the New Nashville. This episode was produced by Mary Mancini. GUESTS Amy Hardin, Senior project manager and senior architect at Gresham Smith Brittany Hodge, Project...

Sara Figal has always been willing to work hard, follow her passions – and let herself be surprised. She recently retired from being the executive director of the Nashville Conflict Resolution Center, an organization that facilitates mediation to help people and families work together to create solutions to their problems so they don’t have to end up in a court system. Today we’re speaking with Sa...

At the state capital, Nashville has a good amount of local news coverage. We’ve also attracted national attention, including multiple conservative outlets and their personalities. So, with a myriad of choices and a never-ending supply of information, what news sources do you use to stay fully and accurately informed? Are you willing to pay for that information? And how do you tell the difference b...

After the Covenant School shooting in the spring of 2023, three Covenant moms — Melissa Alexander, Mary Joyce, and Sarah Shoop Neumann — set out to pursue gun reform here in Tennessee. The women were lifetime conservatives and supporters of the Second Amendment. WPLN senior reporter Meribah Knight documented the women’s efforts to impact Tennessee state politics where the Republican Party holds a...

You’ve seen them around town, organizing Black Nashvillians to become greater participants in local, state and national governments. They are not the only organization in town to do this work, but they are one of the most effective. So, who are the folks that make up the BNA? How did they form? What is next for the group? And how important do they think your vote is for this year’s election in Nov...

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, his heavy-metal phase and so much more. Join us! Today's episode was produced by Tasha A.F. Lemley. GUEST Pat Boone | Singer,...

This isn’t the first time they’ve ruled on this issue, with additional decisions on immunity in civil cases given during both the Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton administrations. But what does the ruling actually state? And what degree of immunity do our state and local leaders have? Most importantly, how do we as a country balance immunity with accountability? We've convened a panel of experts to...

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...

Quantum computers can already complete calculations that would take current computers millions of years to solve, and experts say that researchers are on track to cross a game-changing threshold in this new technology by 2030. MTSU recently launched its Quantum Science Initiative and is working with regional partners, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory , to educate and train students here in...

His focus on African American history has led to many discoveries about a hidden and sometimes forgotten past. He is leaned on by city officials, historic foundations, community members and most importantly, his students, to learn about the many people whose lives and work have impacted our city, region, and state. Today, we'll learn more about Dr. Lee, as he is famously known. Where did his thirs...

How are you staying informed and staying sane as we get closer to November? To lend us a hand we've assembled a panel of experts from the fields of political science, psychology, and American studies to take your calls at 615-760-2000. Join us! Today's guests: Dr. Heather Alesch   | Clinical Director, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Nashville Center for Trauma and Psychotherapy Dr. Nikol Alexander...

Today, we explore the past and present history of Olympians from Nashville. Who was John Noel, Sr., the first Olympian born in Tennessee to bring home a gold medal in 1924? And how did the Tennessee State University Tigerbelles, the 1960 all-Black women’s track team, find Olympic glory despite turbulent times at home? This episode was produced by Khalil Ekulona and Mary Mancini. Today’s guests: Jo...

They may think of the local emergency shelter or an encampment that has popped up in their neighborhood. But rarely do they think about a student in the local school system, a young person kicked out from their home, two or more families sharing a 2-bedroom apartment or living in motel rooms. Families are among the fastest-rising populations experiencing homelessness. Today, we examine the many fa...

For over 21 years, his work has uncovered corruption and crimes and helped victims know they are not alone. He has received well-deserved recognition for his work, including three prestigious Investigative Reporters and Editors awards, 25 Midsouth Emmys, and four regional Edward R. Murrow Awards. He is also a novelist who writes thrillers in his spare time. We’re speaking with Jeremy about how he...

Call 615-760-2000 to share what’s on your mind or to ask a question. This is your opportunity to get your questions answered. We never know what’s going to come up on our Ask The Mayor show, but it’s always interesting. Join us! This episode was produced by Mary Mancini. Guests: Freddie O'Connell | Mayor, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Wally Dietz | Director of Law, Metro...

The Christmas Day bombing caused extensive damage to the historic buildings, homes and businesses that dot Second Avenue. Redevelopment of the area is ongoing, with some sections rebuilt and open to pedestrians and cars, while others remain untouched. Today, we’ll learn about the historic cultural and economic importance of Second Avenue, provide updates on the vision for redevelopment and communi...

The first marker, "Heaton's Station," was placed in 1968 at a bend in the Cumberland River in North Nashville and commemorates one of the city’s first structures, a fortified house built for protection in 1780. Now there are almost 300 markers across the city, with at least one in every council district. Today, we’ll talk about the importance of the marker program and how to get one made and plant...

She has written under her own name and collaborated on multiple books for celebrities - five of which made the New York Times best seller list. Now in her memoir Ghosted , she has emerged from behind the scenes to tell the story of losing her political allies, feeling spiritually adrift and politically confused, and becoming unemployable after she was unwilling to endorse an unsuitable president....

Today, we’re speaking with Caché McClay, The Tennessean’s dedicated Beyoncé reporter, and Bryan West, The Tennessean’s dedicated Taylor Swift reporter, about what it’s like to cover two global superstars from here in Nashville. Julia Masters from the Nashville Business Journal will be in to break down her recent entertainment coverage, including: a new plan by hospitality leaders to shape tourism...

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...

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...

Campos-Pons is the Cornelius Vanderbilt chair of fine arts and identifies just as much as a teacher as an artist. She grew up in a small village in the Cuban state of Matanzas, and the community, topography, and vibrant Cuban artistic community she experienced in her youth continues to inform her work. In 2023, Campos-Pons was named a MacArthur Fellow in recognition of how her art "forges connecti...

In 1946, a violent uprising in Columbia, Tenn., led to national attention and a court case that historians say was the first time the legal system was used by Black defendants in the Civil Rights Movement. Then, in the late '50s and early '60s, three bombings in Nashville kicked off a nationwide campaign of violence in opposition to the movement. Today, we speak with historian and author Betsy Phi...