XPLR.NASH Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell for a wide-ranging conversation on what it’s really like leading one of America’s fastest-growing cities. We talk candidly about the challenges of modern politics, building and maintaining public trust, and what Mayor O’Connell has learned during his time in office. The conversation dives deep into Nashville’s transit future, East...

What happens when a Philly native runs track at TSU, falls in love with Nashville, and decides the city deserves a real cheesesteak? On this episode of The XPLR.NASH Podcast, we sit down with Z, owner of It’z a Philly Thing, to talk about how he turned a single food trailer into one of Nashville’s most talked-about spots for authentic Philadelphia cheesesteaks — now serving daily from a permanent...

They built one of Tennessee’s best barbecue spots out of pure grit, faith, and heart ❤️ Nick and Kendra from Brazen Q in Livingston, TN, share their incredible story — from being house parents helping at-risk kids to surviving cancer, building a restaurant from the ground up, and learning how to keep their dream alive through community, consistency, and good food. They talk about: 🔥 The differenc...

Glenn Jacobs — known to millions around the world as Kane from WWE — sits down with XPLR.NASH to talk about life after the ring, leadership, and what it means to serve Tennessee. In this conversation, Glenn opens up about his 30-year wrestling career, what it was like joining the WWE Hall of Fame, his journey to becoming Mayor of Knox County, and how faith and family keep him grounded. He also sha...

Small Space, Huge Success: The Gold’s Deli StoryGeorge Kougias went from Boston restaurant life to launching Gold’s Deli in Columbia, Tennessee, inside a tiny 275 sq ft shop. In this episode, we get real about starting small, serving quality over quantity, and building a deli that often sells out by mid-afternoon. George shares honest lessons on staffing, menu focus, catering at scale, handling th...

BlackBox Ice Cream – From Food Truck to Nashville Favorite 🍦What happens when a touring musician and a Disney-trained artist team up to create Nashville’s most adventurous ice cream shop? You get BlackBox Ice Cream. In this episode of the XPLR.NASH Podcast, we sit down with Alex and Holly, the husband-and-wife team behind BlackBox. Their story is one of creativity, resilience, and community — fro...

Inside the Champion Mindset with Brandon Curry On this episode of the XPLR.NASH Podcast, we sit down with Nashville native and 2019 Mr. Olympia Brandon Curry. From his early football days at MTSU to becoming one of the best bodybuilders in the world, Brandon shares how discipline, visualization, and staying present shaped his career. We dive into his training philosophy, how he balances family and...

From Cupcakes to Tequila: Ivey Childers’ Southbound Journey 🌵🥃From running one of Nashville’s most beloved bakeries to creating an award-winning tequila brand, Ivey Childers has reinvented herself in the most inspiring way. 🌟In this episode of the XPLR Podcast, Ivey shares her Southbound Journey—from Tennessee to Mexico—where she built Southbound Tequila, a brand rooted in quality, creativity,...

In this episode of the XPLR.NASH Podcast, we sit down with Andy Lang — Army veteran, former Green Beret, and founder of Leatherwood Distillery in Clarksville, TN.We talk about:Making Skittles wine during deployment in IraqBuilding a distillery from scratch with just $100KWhiskey, bourbon, and the secrets behind Snake Eater BourbonNavigating insane alcohol tax lawsHis journey through PTSD and findi...

Go behind the scenes with Anas, the creator of Nashville Hidden Gems, as he shares the real story of how he built one of Nashville’s most unique food and culture accounts. In this episode, we talk about: How Nashville Hidden Gems started with local food tours and grew during a massive wave of new Nashvillians. The importance of community, authenticity, and telling YOUR story as a business or creat...

Join us on the XPLR.NASH podcast for an inspiring conversation with Kalani, the creator behind “Kalani Ghost Hunter,” as he shares his incredible journey from a Tennessee state job to building a viral platform with millions of followers. Discover how Kalani went from living out of his car and filming in haunted locations across the U.S. and UK, to reviewing food, exploring local culture, and telli...

Welcome to the XPLR.NASH Podcast! In this special episode, we sit down with Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton to reveal the real secrets behind Tennessee’s ongoing success. Discover what truly sets Tennessee apart—from the Volunteer spirit and thriving communities to booming business, authentic local stories, and one-of-a-kind travel experiences. We dive deep into the people, places, a...

Welcome to the XPLR.NASH Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Rey Bello—a Venezuelan immigrant whose journey from starting over in Nashville to hosting some of the city’s most exclusive culinary events is nothing short of incredible. Rey’s story goes way beyond food and live events. He opens up about the tough lessons he’s learned in business, why emotional resilience is everything, and how...

In this episode of the XPLR.NASH Podcast, we sit down with Chris Blair, the founder of The Listening Room — one of Nashville’s most beloved venues and songwriter stages. Chris opens up about why prioritizing artists and guests over profits helped him survive 19 years and four relocations in an ever-changing city. We talk through the challenges of operating a fast-paced restaurant + music venue, Na...

In this episode, we sit down with Akki Grover — the owner and operating partner behind Sindoore and Jashan in Nashville, Tennessee. Both restaurants have earned coveted spots on Yelp’s 2025 Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S., with Jashan ranked #49 and Sindoore at #55 Akki walks us through his journey from India to Music City, detailing how he combined tradition with creativity to build two standou...

Jam-Packed Success: The Story of Farmstead Nashville w/ Gary BaronJoin us on the XPLR.NASH Podcast as we sit down with Gary Baron, the mastermind behind Farmstead Nashville and the former Nashville Jam Company. Discover how a humble jar of strawberry jalapeño jam sparked a journey from farmer's markets to co-packing for some of Nashville's top restaurants. Gary shares his entrepreneurial i...

Twenty-five musicians. One stairwell. One chaotic take. That’s where the journey began for Chris Ruediger and the now-viral 615 House. In this episode, Chris sits down to unpack the wild story behind their most iconic shoot, the strategy behind standing out in a saturated digital world, and the founding of Fort Nash —a growing media empire rooted in country culture and collaboration. We talk about...

Tech, Beards, and Laughs: Joel Beasley’s Journey from CTO to Comedy Join us on this fascinating journey with Joel Beasley, the mind behind Modern CTO, a podcast that dives deep into the tech world, leadership, and innovation. In this episode, we get to know Joel beyond the microphone—from his unexpected leap into comedy to his passion for growing the perfect beard. We explore how AI is shaping the...

In this episode of the XPLR.NASH10 podcast, we sit down with filmmaker and creative mastermind Jordan. From his first time shooting out of a helicopter to working on WWE documentaries and navigating the wild world of Hollywood, Jordan shares his unique journey through filmmaking, creativity, and storytelling. We also dive into his thoughts on Nashville's growth, the evolution of content creati...

In this episode of the Explore Nash Podcast, Stuart Deming sits down with Nashville native and longtime collaborator Joe Penna for one of our most honest and personal conversations yet. From growing up across Middle Tennessee to living in cities like Houston and New Orleans, Joe has seen the best and worst of what Nashville was—and what it’s becoming. Together, Stuart and Joe explore the controver...

In this episode of the XPLR NASH Podcast , we sit down with Matt Burrill , co-owner of Raised Rowdy — one of Nashville’s rowdiest country music brands. From hosting Bailey Zimmerman’s first-ever performance to helping artists like Josh Ross and Ole 60 before they blew up, Matt shares how Raised Rowdy has built a powerful live music community in the heart of Music City. 🎤 What you’ll hear in this...

Tennessee is losing 60,000 acres of farmland and natural spaces every year — that's like losing a state park annually. In this episode of the XPLR.NASH Podcast, we sit down with Jon D. B. from TennGreen Land Conservancy to uncover why this is happening and what’s being done to protect Tennessee’s incredible natural landscapes. 🌲🌄From the Cumberland Trail, a 300-mile trail in the making, to t...

Join us as we sit down with Charles Hatcher of Hatcher Family Dairy to discuss the deep-rooted history, challenges, and innovations of running a multi-generational dairy farm in Middle Tennessee. From the impact of real estate on farming to the rise of local food movements and cutting-edge technology like robotic milking, Charles shares insights on the evolving world of agriculture. We also dive i...

In this episode, we sit down with Giovanna and Jared, the passionate owners behind Tutti Da Gio, one of the top-rated Sicilian restaurants in the U.S. according to Yelp! They share their incredible journey, from Giovanna’s upbringing in Sicily and her deep-rooted love for cooking to the challenges of opening a restaurant in Nashville and going viral overnight. We dive into what makes Sicilian cuis...

👉 What REALLY goes on in Nashville’s top restaurants? From the rise of French cuisine, to the truth about culinary school, and the hustle of running a top-tier food business in Nashville, this episode is packed with insider secrets you won’t hear anywhere else! Featuring:Brian Morris – Executive Chef of Hattie B’sAndy Little – Culinary Director at Strategic Hospitality (formerly of Josephine)What...