This Is Nashville

Mayor Freddie O'Connell will be in the studio and wants to hear from you! Call at the top of the show to join: 615-760-2000. Later, we'll hear from Jeff Fasano, who, at the age of 40, left his corporate life and pursued his passion of photography. We will talk about his life, how it's never too late to follow one's dreams, and about his book Americana Portrait Sessions that photos of everyone from...

TINA: The Tina Turner Musical is playing at TPAC now through February 18th.  The musical production, of which Turner was a producer, tells the story of her life. Tina Turner grew up in Nutbush, Tennessee, a rural community about 50 miles outside of Memphis. Her genre-breaking career spanned over 6 decades. When she passed in May of 2023, she left behind an impressive legacy of work. In this episod...

Councilmember Sandra Sepulveda represents district 30 on the Nashville Metro Council . When she first ran for the position in 2019, she was the first Latina elected to the council and the youngest member ever, starting her term at 26. The daughter of two Mexican immigrants, she came to Nashville when she was 5 years old and cares deeply about the city and community she has grown up in and called h...

To learn more about the series, Khalil sits down with two of the producers. And we speak to the legendary McCrary sisters, who are considered Nashville gospel royalty by many. We'll hear how Gospel expands on Gates' previous work The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song, and learn about Nashville's role in gospel music's story. Guests: Shayla Harris, producer for Gospel Stacey L. Holm...

WPLN reporters Alexis Marshall and Blaise Gainey have been closely following local politics in Sumner County. The ultra-conservative Sumner County Constitutional Republicans have amassed incredible political power in a very short time, effectively taking over the county commission. The county's upcoming March 5 elections could significantly change the makeup of the school board. But how did we get...

In 2015, Paula Vogel’s “Indecent” premiered at Yale Repertory Theatre. It took a relatively familiar format to the audience — the play within a play. “God of Vengeance” was a play from the 1920s, written by Polish-Jewish author and playwright Sholem Asch. The story centered on a respectable Jewish family who lives above a brothel. When their young daughter falls in love with one of the sex workers...

While you can easily hear many languages in Middle Tennessee, Spanish is the second-most spoken language here after English. For anyone who is not fully bilingual, communicating across a language barrier can be at times humorous, but more often than not frustrating, discouraging, if not high stakes when it comes to situations involving medical care, education or basic services. So how can we bette...

On February 1, 1981, the  Metropolitan Interdenominational Church  held its first Sunday service — or celebration, as they call it. The founders of the church are D. Billye Sanders and Rev. Edwin Sanders. Observing denominational and political division amongst the Christian community, they decided to found a church where  all  were welcome. Their guiding principle is the Bible verse John 3:16, whi...

The year of the Dragon approaches. Wood Dragon to be exact. What will this New Year bring — and how are Chinese Nashvillians preparing to celebrate? This is a time of reflection of the previous year and anticipation for the good fortune that’s to come in the next one. All across Nashville and parts of Middle Tennessee groups are planning to welcome in the Year of the Dragon in style! Traditional d...

Those eyes belong to a Metro Nashville police officer, who is viewing camera footage on a cloud service called Fusus. A business you frequent or a private residence in your neighborhood may have voluntarily agreed to share their camera footage with MNPD via this platform. In the event of an emergency or violent crime, MNPD can tap in and hopefully catch the perpetrator in action. This all sounds g...

Still, there are unique stigmas and challenges that come with age. What are the greatest needs for older adults? What challenges are they facing that younger folks may be unaware of? And what are the benefits and joys of getting older? In this episode, we talk with older adults to hear their experiences, concerns — and their wisdom that only time can give. Guests: Dianne Oliver, Executive Director...

Housing is one of the biggest issues we all face here in Middle Tennessee. From new homeowners, to renters, to the unhoused community. The issue of housing, something all of us need, is pervasive. Today, we’ll learn more about the upcoming series, In My Place , and hear how the producers hope to educate and talk about solutions to issues that impact us all. First up, WPLN's News Director, Tony Gon...

We're zooming out for the end of our week-long coverage on guns. We've talked about firearms in Tennessee — from training to tragedy and recovery to recreation. Now, it's time to talk about Tennessee's place on the national stage when it comes to gun ownership, gun use, and gun violence. Tennessee, along with the rest of the South, generally has a different relationship to guns than our Northern c...

Some people grow up learning how to use firearms and enjoy shooting or hunting, but others have never personally held a gun. Whether you’re comfortable with guns or not, it’s arguably a good idea for everyone to know how to safely handle them. Today we’re talking with local firearm instructors about the entry-level classes they teach for adults and kids for self-defense, gun safety and hunting- an...

Dr. Metzl’s book asks was there any law that could have stopped Travis Reinking from carrying out his tragic assault at the Waffle House? And where does need for gun laws intersect with nuanced conversation about who can own and carry a gun in Tennessee? What do we really know about the causes of gun violence? Then, we hear from WPLN’s Paige Pfleger for an update on her reporting on gun dispossess...

After her child survived the Covenant school shooting last March, Melissa Alexander was thrust into a new role as a Firearm Safety Advocate. This new role changed her life. In this episode, we hear an intimate account of the day of the shooting from one of the only parents who was able to see their child before reunification. And we learn how this long-time gun owner is now finding herself a "Cove...

Dr. Gracie Andrews King is an associate professor of Biology at Nashville State Community College. She primarily teaches Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2, the challenging gateway classes students must take to go on to medical careers like physical therapy, nursing or being a doctor. Dr. King grew up in the rural south and - like some of her current students- was the first in her family to go to coll...

Between the Barbie movie and the resurgence of American Girl for millennials and Gen Zers, lots of people are returning to the childhood collections and even looking to expand those collections. Today, we’re talking with doll collectors, creators and restorers in Middle Tennessee about community and vintage, antique and modern dolls. This episode was produced by Elizabeth Burton. Guests:   Linda B...

Today, we’re talking cold weather tips and re-airing conversations about Nashville's cold weather shelter resources with people who have experienced harsh weather when they didn't have stable housing. Guests: Terry Warren , previously unhoused Nashvillian Vicky Batcher , previously unhoused writer Alex Smith , outreach worker who was previously unhoused Brian Haile , CEO of Neighborhood Health Cat...

Have you ever tried to take the bus from Madison to the Cheekwood Estate? Chris Crofton did for the latest edition of Nashville Confidential . On this episode, we will hear how his journey went. Also, Jerome More talks with Marcus Knight in the newest Diversely Segregated . We’ll also have an update on the legislative session when we talk with reporters from the WPLN news desk. GUESTS WPLN politca...

Dr. J, George “The Iceman” Gervin, and Rick Barry are hall of fame basketball players. Did you know they got their start in the American Basketball Association? Did you know that Nashville has a team? The Aces are currently undefeated and making waves. We talk to player-owners, coaches, meet the state’s top-ranked high school basketball player — and talk with him about the pressure and excitement...

Today we explore two of the elements of Hip Hop culture: Beats (producing) & Rhymes (emceeing). Wordsmiths, beat-makers, lyricists, and sound providers. Those are some of the names Hip Hop culture uses to describe emcees and producers. How is being an emcee different from being a rapper? What’s up with sampling in hip hop? We talk with local Hip Hop artists who specialize in two of the core el...

Crys Matthews grew up in the South, serendipitously found her way to writing and performing music, and has since won multiple awards including the acclaimed International Folk Music Song of the Year in 2022 for her song Changemakers . In her music she explores both everyday life and love- and current social justice issues like Black Lives Matter, immigration and gun safety. She cares deeply about...

This week, the producers take the host mic to bring you some of our favorite  This Is Nashville  episodes and moments from last year. Elizabeth Burton has been with the show team since May 2023. In her time at WPLN, she has worked on a wide range of episodes — including a profile on  Nashville Predators’ David Poile  and a  live spoken word performance. For her turn in the hot seat, she’ll review...

This week, the producers take the host mic to bring you some of our favorite This Is Nashville episodes and moments from the last year! Multimedia producer Katherine Ceicys is the newest member to the This Is Nashville team and has produced episodes on 12 Step communities and mindfulness practitioners here in Middle Tennessee. Today, Katherine is digging into one of her favorite episodes about the...