Neighbors

This episode was produced for the Goethe-Institut's Big Ponder project and edited by William Gilcher. To learn more about neighbors visit www.neighborspodcast.com.Neighbors is a production of Great Feeling Studios. www.greatfeelingstudios.comSupport Neighbors at www.patreon.com/neighbors

This episode was produced for the Goethe-Institut's Big Ponder project and edited by William Gilcher and Rachel Aronoff. To learn more about neighbors visit www.neighborspodcast.com.Neighbors is a production of Great Feeling Studios. www.greatfeelingstudios.comSupport Neighbors at www.patreon.com/neighbors

Today we present a new podcast from WKMS in Murray Kentucky called Middle Of Everywhere—Big stories from the small places we call home. What happens when an atheist stands up for free speech when the government favors Christianity? Many people in this country think that patriotism and Christianity go hand in hand, but can a person be a patriot and non-religious? In this episode, Ariel and Austin hear from one feisty and independent man who has devoted his life to crusading for freedom of expression. His journey became world renowned with his lawsuit against the state of Kentucky for denying him the vanity license plate IM GOD. You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, Tony Gonzalez, Christopher Mastin and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!) Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to show your patriotism ;) Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, Dan Burns. Use Dan Burns for your podcast/videogame/film project! Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org Get to know your neighbors. Photo credit: The Freedom From Religion Foundation

This episode I do something I have never done in the entire history of the show. I just interview someone. No story. I interview Michael McRay to shed some light and hope on our current political divide. He’s a Nashville-based author of the new book I Am Not Your Enemy: Stories to Transform a Divided World. He’s a story-practitioner using the power of personal stories to heal harm, make meaning, and create connection. He works most often with the global empathy nonprofit organization Narrative 4 and earne his master’s degree in Belfast, Northern Ireland, studying conflict resolution and reconciliation. Our conversation starts with the political divide in America, but ends up in a much more intimate place. We’ll learn about the scale of sectarian danger, a scale to determine the escalation of violence that can occur based on sectarianism, a helpful tool called the PIN model for conflict resolution, and here a couple stories of disparate people connecting in deeply human ways. Scale of Sectarian Danger (from Moving Beyond Sectarianism: Religion, Conflict and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland) Escalation by words and actions We are different, we behave differently We are right. We are right and you are wrong You are a less adequate version of what we are You are not what you say you are We are in fact what you say you are What you are doing is evil You are so wrong that you forfeit ordinary rights You are less than human You are evil You are demonic PIN diagram You can learn more about the story exchanges Michael refers to in this episode at: https://narrative4.com/ You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, Tony Gonzalez, Christopher Mastin and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!) Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts for peace Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, Dan Burns. Use Dan Burns for your podcast/videogame/film project! Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org Get to know your neighbors.

Coping with the pandemic, the election, really anything in 2020—it can come in waves. Sometimes after a big milestone happens, like getting married, the weight of it all can hit you like a semi truck. Need a good cry to honor the big things in your life that did or didn’t happen in 2020? Guest producer Michelle Dahlenburg brings us the story of Susan and Mark's shift to holding one of the most important days of their lives on zoom and just what it means for their union. You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, Tony Gonzalez, Christopher Mastin and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!) Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts because my life depends on it Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, Dan Burns. Use Dan Burns for your podcast/videogame/film project! Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org Get to know your neighbors you dingus.

Cynthia Capers used to be a nurse but she chose to get out of that life and teach herself how to be a farmer. This piece was originally produced as part of the Transom Traveling Workshop in Nashville, TN at WPLN by India Hunter (her very first radio piece ever). If you’d like to make pieces like this check out www.transom.org. You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, Tony Gonzalez, Christopher Mastin and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!) Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts PG, PG-13, R??? Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, Dan Burns. Use Dan Burns for your podcast/videogame/film project! Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org Photo by N I F T Y A R T on Unsplash Get to know your neighbors.

Having heard stories about the country he only lived in for the first year of his life, producer Jakob Lewis goes back to Frankfurt to connect with the life his parent's once had. Story produced by Jakob Lewis, edited by Rosie Forrest, special thanks to Bill Gilcher for helping aid me in my quest to find my parent’s neighbor. Produced for the Goethe-Instituts “Big Pond” Project. You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, Tony Gonzalez, Christopher Mastin and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!) Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts because writing one on the bathroom stall of a Waffle House would be less helpful, though more intriguing. Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, Dan Burns and Podington Bear. Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

One woman searches for a serial panhandler and the answer to what to do when someone asks you for money. Story produced by Tasha A. F. Lemley, edited by Tony Gonzalez, sound designed and mixed by Jakob Lewis. You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, Tony Gonzalez, Christopher Mastin and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!) Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts because writing one on the bathroom stall of a Waffle House would be less helpful, though more intriguing. Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, Dan Burns and Podington Bear. Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

In the historic city of Magdeburg, Germany, there is a “Johnny Cash”-themed country music festival called Nashville Days – complete with corn dogs and cowboy hats. This is one of the fruits of the sister city relationship between Nashville and Magdeburg. Host Jakob Lewis, a Nashville citizen, goes to Magdeburg to see where the rubber meets the road for Sister Cities' idealistic vision to “promote peace one individual, one community at a time.” If you’ve been to Germany, Magdeburg probably isn’t the first city that comes to mind when you to think of cosmopolitan cities. Yet for the past 15 years, Magdeburg has developed a great relationship with its sister city Nashville through the Sister Cities International program. For The Big Pond, Jakob Lewis traces the origins of the sister cities back to the aftermath of World War II as a means to (re)connect former adversaries. Or, as Joel Dark, the Nashville chair of the Nashville-Magdeburg partnership puts it: “The concept is to build a local-to-local relationship so that international relations [are] not reduced to just relationships between governments and their agendas but can be a relationship really between people.” At a time when the US’ general tone for diplomacy has shifted, what does Sister Cities’ idealistic vision of peace really look like? Does it actually make a difference? Is it just a glorified trip club where well-to-do folks can drink wine in another country? Or is it the key to world peace? Listen to find out more. This story was produced in 2018 as part of the The Big Pond series with the Goethe-Institut, and the Year of German American Friendship 2018/2019 under the motto “Wunderbar Together”. Special thanks to Rosie Forrest for editing this story. Thanks Rosie! You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, Tony Gonzalez, Christopher Mastin and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!) Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts because writing one on the bathroom stall of a Waffle House would be less helpful, though more intriguing. Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, Dan Burns and Podington Bear. Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

According to a July study from the Pew Research Center, around 3% of Americans have moved because of COVID-19, many of them adults who moved back in with their parents. One of those people is Theo Greenly, a writer and radio producer in Los Angeles. When the pandemic hit, both he and his partner lost their jobs. Unsure about when they would start working again, they decided to move in with family to save money. Specifically, to move in with Theo’s mom in the house that he lived in during high school. Theo documented the process, and he produced this story about it. You can find more of Theo’s work at TheoGreenly.com or follow him on Twitter @TheoGreenly. You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, Tony Gonzalez, Christopher Mastin and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!) Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts so we can take down Joe Rogan!!! Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, Dan Burns and B. Roost3r Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

Meet Joann Jones. She's 79 years old, and she loves to dance. So, she helped start a line dancing class for senior citizens at the Hadley Park Community Center in North Nashville. For Joann, the group has become like a family. The community she's found there has helped her overcome loneliness, grief, and serious health issues. But this year, a tornado and a pandemic are testing the group's bond more than ever. special thanks to Joann Jones, Sharon Jarrett, and all of the Hadley Park Line Dancers. Here is a link to The Hadley Line Dancers Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HPLDancers/. David Condos originally recorded the tape of the dance class as part of the Transom workshop. You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, Tony Gonzalez, and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!) Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Music from the Blue Dot Sessions and Dan Burns Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

For this episode Neighbors is presenting an episode from the show Resettled from VPM: Not a lot of teens are excited about being the “different” kid that stands out in high school. As a Muslim teen from Iraq, Fatimah is learning to navigate that typical experience: striking the balance between fitting in and being your own person. In her senior year at Harrisonburg High, Fatimah decided to try out for the school play, which pushed her boundaries around sexuality and acceptance. Harrisonburg, Virginia is unique as well: there are 51 countries and 57 languages represented in Harrisonburg’s public schools. Not every refugee teen experience is a positive one, but the overwhelming support and pride that the Harrisonburg community takes in its immigrants and refugees means that leaders prioritize their needs in a way that the federal government is not. Resettled is hosted by Ahmed Badr. This story was reported by Maria Parazo Rose. This episode was produced by Gilda Di Carli and edited by Kelly Hardcastle Jones. Learn more at vpm.org/resettled and listen to Resettled wherever you get your podcasts. You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, Tony Gonzalez, and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!) Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, Sandhill and Dan Burns Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

Nashville, Tenn., aka Music City, has thrown a lot of money at its own tourism industry. But if you walk country music’s famed Broadway Street you will notice that these tourist spaces are overwhelmingly white. But just across the river every 2nd and 4th Sunday night of the month you can reliably find an alternative to the country music scene in town via soul music acts put together by Jason Eskridge. You can also find something else that’s a rarity in Nashville—a racially diverse crowd. This story was produced by Cariad Harmon. Editing and story consulting provided by Andrea Williams with additional editorial help from Mohini Madgavkar. Special thanks to the 5 Spot and everyone at Sunday Night Soul. You can hear Jason’ music here: https://www.facebook.com/jasoneskridgemusic and learn more about Sunday Night Soul here: https://www.facebook.com/sns5spot As always this episode also contains YOUR voices from the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line sharing how you’re doing. This episode we asked people to call in and tell us about an interaction with someone that has brought them hope. You can always share a message with us by recording a voice memo on your phone and emailing it to **neighborspodcast@gmail.com **or call 615-601-1411 and leave us a message. We’d love to hear from you! You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!) Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, and Dan Burns Special thanks to everyone at the 5 spot and Sunday Night Soul Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

A list of resources to learn from this moment so it's not just a moment. We recommend this course, the 7 Day Anti Racism Challenge that starts June 15th but possibly will repeat again Podcast recommendations You can find all of this on this Spotify playlist Listening, Learning, Taking Action Reveal The Stoop Seeing White The Ezra Klein Show Intercepted Books: White Fragility How To Be Anti-Racist The Color of Compromise Articles: Reflections From A Token Black Friend Videos: John Oliver This Week Tonight: Police

Today we’re giving you a break from all things Covid and we’re entering into the intriguing and competitive world of pigeon racing. From the pigeons released at the first Olympic Games to the heroic birds of WWI, homing pigeons have been helping humans deliver important messages for thousands of years. These days, however, homing pigeons are bred and sold not to deliver mail, but to compete in avian races. Although pigeon racing is rapidly growing in places like China and India, here in the U.S., organizations like the Rhode Island Racing Pigeon Club are struggling to gain new members. Despite the challenges, pigeon fanciers in the Northeast are dedicated to keeping the sport alive. As always this episode also contains YOUR voices from the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line sharing how you’re doing. If you would like to share the ways you’re staying sane and connected with your community during the COVID-19 crisis, give the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line a call: record a voice memo on your phone and email it to **neighborspodcast@gmail.com **or call 615-601-1411 and leave us a message. You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!) Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, Dan Burns and Lobby Hotel from their album Psychedelephant Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org Stay Home. Save Lives. Cover Art features photo by Sanjiv Nayak

In August of 2017 Neighbors co-host Jakob and his wife Catherine got to witness a total solar eclipse from inside an orchard owned by a living saint—Hector Black. Hector is 95 and has lived a storied life, most notably he did the hard work of forgiving the man who murdered his adopted daughter Patricia. Through Hector’s ominous question “how long is the dark?” we explore our current circumstance amidst this pandemic and the wisdom that Hector’s story might have for us. You can visit Hector’s family’s plant nursery website here: http://www.hiddenspringsnursery.com/ As has become our custom this episode also contains YOUR voices from the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line sharing one thing that’s difficult right now and one things that you’re grateful for. If you would like to share the ways you’re staying sane and connected with your community during the COVID-19 crisis, give the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line a call: record a voice memo on your phone and email it to **neighborspodcast@gmail.com **or call 615-601-1411 and leave us a message. You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!) Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com Music from the Blue Dot Sessions and Dan Burns https://danburns.bandcamp.com/music Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org Stay Home. Save Lives. Cover Art features photo by Palmer Richardson

When a Nashville man named Robert was young, no one seemed to care that he didn’t know how to read. As he got older, lack of literacy affected his life in devastating ways no one could have predicted. Now at Age 55, he’s learning a new skill and awakening the poet within. You can find out more about the Nashville Adult Literacy Council here: http://nashvilleliteracy.org/ As has become our custom this episode also contains YOUR voices from the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line sharing one thing that’s difficult right now and one things that you’re grateful for—for some that’s getting a moment to brush their teeth. If you would like to share the ways you’re staying sane and connected with your community during the COVID-19 crisis, give the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line a call: record a voice memo on your phone and email it to **neighborspodcast@gmail.com **or call 615-601-1411 and leave us a message. You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!) Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com Music from the Blue Dot Sessions and Dan Burns https://danburns.bandcamp.com/music Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org Stay Home. Save Lives. Cover Art features photo by Sean Brown on Unsplash

"The Stuttering Paradox" is the story of a Nashville musician who saw stuttering as his greatest flaw. After trying to "fix" it his entire childhood, he was confronted with the "subway challenge”. By facing his fear JP Ruggieri learned to authentically accept himself just the way he was...and turns out that also dramatically helped his stutter. This story was produced by Cariad Harmon and edited by Jakob Lewis. You can hear JP’s music HERE. You can find out more about the American Institute for Stuttering here: https://stutteringtreatment.org/ This episode also contains YOUR voices from the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line and a remembrance of legendary Nashville singer-songwriter John Prine. If you would like to share the ways you’re staying sane and connected with your community during the COVID-19 crisis, give the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line a call: 615-601-1411 or record a voice memo on your phone and email it to neighborspodcast@gmail.com You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!) Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

This episode is an artful exploration of Neighbors' year of hiatus in which host Jakob Lewis had a son and put on a performance art piece about preparing for his birth. Utilizing old interview tapes from Neighbors over the years Jakob creates a meditative exploration of what it means to attend to the things that matter in life. If you would like to share the ways you’re staying sane and connected with your community during the COVID-19 crisis, give the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line a call: **615-601-1411 **or record a voice memo on your phone and email it to neighborspodcast@gmail.com You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!) Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com

We put out a call last week to listeners and friends across the globe who are in isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked you to share the ways in which you’re managing to stay connected while we’re all so far apart. In this season of social distancing, solidarity and kindness flooded our voicemail, and we have put several of those calls together for a special episode to lift our spirits ahead of this Friday’s season release. All music in this episode was live streamed or recorded on social media by musicians during the past 2 weeks of social distancing. Musicians included in this episode are:  Johnny Duke www.johnnydukemusic.com Dave Madden www.facebook.com/davemaddenmusic Tim Easton http://www.timeaston.com Rachel Baiman http://www.rachelbaiman.com If you would like to share the way’s you’re connecting with your community during the COVID-19 crisis, give the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line a call: 615-601-1411 Special thanks to our Patrons: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Tonya Lewis You can become a patron and join “The Neighborhood” at www.patreon.com/neighbors Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com

Hi there! Neighbors Season 7 officially launches March 27th, but we thought everyone could use some connection today. We want to hear from you and give you an opportunity to share! Call into the Neighbors "reverse complaint" line. This voicemail box was created for a new segment in the upcoming season, but we've decided to use it right now. We are putting together a special episode this week, and we want to hear how you are connecting safely with your neighbors during the Covid-19 pandemic and this time of social distancing and isolation. Call in now to 615-601-1411 and share the creative ways you are seeing humanity be kind around you. Then look for a special episode later this week. Stay connected AND safe everyone! The Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line: 615-601-1411 Special thanks to our Patrons: Allison Sebastian, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Tonya Lewis You can become a patron and join “The Neighborhood” at www.patreon.com/neighbors Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com

When Jakob signed off of his last episode he said he was taking a hiatus of an undetermined length. The open endedness of that declaration is now resolved! It took 1 year, but the show is back with an additional neighbor at the helm, Cariad Harmon. Look for new episodes coming at you more frequently soon! Special thanks to our new Patrons: Cody Spriggs, Eric Detweiler, Griffin Bonham, Landon Rives, Patrick Black, Ray Ware, Samuel Adams Join the Neighborhood by supporting the show on Patreon and receiving special access and perks.

The town of Harrenheim is mysteriously out of water, yet its reservoir is full. The Heroes’ Guild summons four of its bravest to investigate. These particular heroes are middle schoolers, playing a tabletop roll-playing game at a Nashville community center. The game master is Josh Unruh. He's also a barista and leather worker. A couple years ago, Josh was sinking into despair over our polarizing political climate. Rather than give into the hostility, he decided he would “follow his bliss”. As a lifelong enjoyer of role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons, Josh decided to share the benefits of those games with kids and founded an afterschool program to teach them a new game he and his friend Keith created for that purpose: The Heroes’ Guild RPG. It incentivizes peacemaking and cooperation over fighting, and you get a front row seat at how four kids embody the game. Thanks for listening all these years! You’re the best! To find out about Jakob’s new venture visit www.voxfamilia.net

What happens when you want to learn more about your cultural heritage and find out that your grandma was a spy? 80-year-old Sara McCall grew up in Cuba. Now her family is learning just exactly how she came to America. Learn more about how you can tell your family’s story at www.VoxFamilia.net

This is a story about a way of life put on trial. Jeffory Young was a beloved farmer and major landowner in scenic Short Mountain, Tennessee. But when police uncovered his major marijuana dealing operation, they seized much of his coveted property. Yet Young never became a pariah — instead, his community rallied to get his land conserved as a wildlife area. And 12 years later, the 60-year-old is home from prison and finding that the people and the land that shaped him are now providing what he needs to get his life going again.

Jakob is traveling for the next two weeks doing some work for the Goethe-Institut about two of Nashville’s Sister Cities—Belfast, Northern Ireland and Magdeburg, Germany.

The story of how Stephen Spinola got to Nashville is not a typical one. The stand-up comedian posted a tweet on the day of Trump’s inauguration that got him in a lot of trouble, so much that death threats started pouring in. Fearing for his life he uprooted from New York to settle in Tennessee, but that’s only a fraction of Stephen’s story.

A story of Jakob’s is turned into poetry courtesy of the podcast Versify. Fighting wildfires is dangerous work. But to a 20 year old Jakob Lewis the work was all fun and games—at first. Jakob tells his story about fighting fire in Redding California to poet Lagnajita Mukhopadhyay. She then turns his story into a poem and reads it back to him. 

An immigrant restaurateur, Elizabeth Martinez, struggles to make it in America, when the person she came to the U.S. with betrays her. After contemplating suicide and being coaxed out of it by a snuggly pitbull, Elizabeth started her own Honduran restaurant and earned the title Queen of the Kitchen.

Jakob breaks from his usual format to sit down with his editor Mack Linebaugh and answer your questions. You’ll find out why he started the podcast, his favorite episode, and what’s up with those windchimes. Also Jakob calls back one question asker which led to an epic check-in with the subject of the recent “Dog Trap” series—Joel Rice. 

Joel Rice got the opportunity to ghost-write the memoir of one of his childhood heroes—skateboarding legend Christian Hosoi. But Joel’s experience was an unpleasant one that brought up an old childhood trauma at a skatepark. In this episode, I call Christian to hear his side of the story, and then both Joel and Christian hash out the past on the phone together. And much like the first episode, Joel’s experience with Christian did not go how he hoped it would. Want to ask Jakob a question and have it answered in next week’s episode? Visit www.neighborspodcast.com/ask to submit your question! Music by Podington Bear and Tony Gage, editing by Mack Linebaugh, Anita Bugg, and Galen Bebe. Production assistance from Caleb Shiver.

What happens to someone when the thing they love most in the world — skateboarding— is also the source of their greatest wound? When Joel Rice, a naturally bookish kid was younger he wanted nothing more than to be a pro skater like his heroes, Christian Hosoi and Tony Hawk. That dream died the day he hit the “dog trap,” a hazard at a popular skating spot in San Francisco. Falling on his face in front of everyone that afternoon was a major trauma that haunted Joel as he became a prominent skateboarding journalist for ESPN and McSweeney’s. Years later, he got the opportunity to ghostwrite the memoir of his idol, Hosoi. It was a second chance to join the ranks of professional skaters, but it did not go how he hoped. ESPN’s X-games just wound down, the world is gearing up for skateboarding in the Olympics in 2020 for the first time, and Jonah Hill just released his trailer for his new movie “The Mid 90’s” following a young boy steeped in skateboarding culture. A nostalgic reflection on skate culture is in the zeitgeist. Ask a question at www.neighborspodcast.com/ask and Jakob will answer it! Donate to the show at http://neighborspodcast.com/donate-to-the-show Music by Podington Bear and Tony Gage. Editing by Anita Bugg, Mack Linebaugh and Galen Beebe. Production assistance from Caleb Shiver.

Jakob gets a rare chance to hear what his guests think of how they're portrayed as Miso and Dejan, the subjects of “Miso’s Brother”, have a drink and reflect on hearing their story. Also we pull some tape off the cutting room, and a sad farewell to our favorite production assistant, Caleb Shiver.

Marlo Mack has a young transgender daughter. She met another woman named Debi Jackson who has a very similar parenting story to her own, the only difference is where they live. Marlo lives in a liberal community where she and her transgender daughter are supported. Debi grew up a Southern Baptist conservative in a Red State. This transition has cost her a lot more, than Marlo and her daughter.

Jakob issues himself a challenge to redo the first story he ever made, about Anglican priest Father Thomas McKenzie and his dad. The title of Father can come with some pretty weird and difficult territory—counseling people through tough times, performing weddings, visiting people on their deathbed. Most are routine to Thomas, but he was stopped in his tracks when he got a call saying that his own father was dying.

Miso and Dejan are Bosnian refugees who met as children when they were both resettled in the same apartment complex in Nashville, Tenn. After they each turned 30 they made a pilgrimage all the way back to Bosnia to visit the grave of Miso’s younger brother. In confronting generations of grief and the void left in his family, Miso finds the brother he actually does have.

Sam Tucker is a passionate baker who doesn’t like to compromise on ingredients, but one of them contains a tiny little protein known as gluten, and it’s proven to be a tyrannical ruler of their lives. Hear how Sam and his family fight back and still make high quality food.

When Katie Cooley found out her brother needed a kidney transplant, she volunteered without hesitation—despite not being super close to him. Hear just how her gesture affected their relationship. Credits and Notes: The show is edited by Emily Siner, Mack Linebaugh and Anita Bugg with special help from Tony Gonzalez and production assistance from Caleb Shiver. Music in this episode by Podington Bear.

In the final chapter of the Neighbors mini-series “Matt Got Shot,” we visit Jodi Hays,  the woman whose security camera captured the footage of Matt’s terrifying assault. Jodi is an abstract artist—captivated by the image of the moment Matt was shot in front of her house, she made several works out of it. Then she showed it to Matt. What happens when trauma is re-interpreted and shared in a broader context?

In Part 2 of the Neighbors mini-series “Matt Got Shot,” we explore the reality of the trauma of getting shot: first to Matt’s body, then his identity and finally to his mind. Matt says, “PTSD doesn’t show up with a name tag.” He was in the recording booth tracking a song called “Guide Your Light” when he had his first panic attack. Credits: Music in this episode by Matt Lovell and Podington Bear. This story was edited by Emily Siner, Mack Linebaugh and Anita Bugg with production assistance from Caleb Shiver.

It was inauguration day 2017 when Nashville singer-songwriter Matt Lovell was ambushed while sitting in his car — and then shot in the chest. A doorman at a nearby bar miraculously saved his life, setting in motion a series of life-changing events. In this first episode of a three-part Neighbors mini-series, we explore how the shooting forced Matt to come to terms with his identity and gave him an unexpected gift—peace. neighborspodcast.com Music in this episode by Podington Bear, Matt Lovell and the credits music is by Jason Goforth. A clip from Bill Fay’s “Be at peace with yourself” is used.

Everyone seems inspired by fitness instructor Katherine Tisha Wilson. People describe going to her class as "going to church." Her fierceness comes at you instantly from the front of the class, but this high school dropout wasn't always confident in herself. After a long road of disappointment, she found a fitness dance program and lost over 100 pounds, then used that momentum to start changing lives. Music by Podington Bear and Caleb Shiver.

Hello. I’m Jakob Lewis and Neighbors….is back. January 16th. I’m on a quest to make sense of the human experience through the lives of my neighbors. There’s something magical about getting an intimate pass into someone’s world and hearing about the moments that transformed them. *In season 5 I go deeper into their stories than I ever have before. Stories of getting shot, getting kicked out of the house, finding a lost brother, donating a kidney, starting a rock band, forgiving your daughter’s murderer. * Subscribe now in apple podcasts or wherever you listen and GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS. Music in trailer by Daniel Birch and Ben Pegley

As Myanmar aka Burma is going through a humanitarian crisis Neighbors brings an update to the story of a man who fled the region to come to America with his family. We meet Gin Thawng. The 66-year old man lives in a Nashville apartment with his ailing wife, a baby grandson, his daughter-in-law and son. A graduate of an innovative ESL program-on-wheels, Thawng shows us something about the power that language has and how human connection is bigger than just words. Editing by: Emily Siner and Mack Linebaugh Production Assistance by: Bailey Robbins and Caleb Shiver Music by: Podington Bear and Dan Burns Leave a rating or review in iTunes Neighbors is a member of The Heard Neighbors is from Nashville Public Radio

It's an odd scene: A man, playing a sousaphone, stands inside a tunnel on a busy Nashville road during rush hour. Is he crazy, divinely inspired or something else entirely? In this episode of Neighbors, we go inside the world of "tuba man" Joe Hunter and discover what brings him and his instrument to the tunnel. Some music by: Podington Bear Editing help from: Emily Siner, and Mack Linebaugh Production Assistance: Bailey Robbins

Whit Hill digs up items she finds with a metal detector — Civil War bullets, forgotten toys, old coins. Her treasures, and the songs she writes about them, remind her that there’s always the possibility of wonder in the ground beneath her feet. This story was reported by Tony Gonzalez. The shows editors are Emily Siner, Mack Linebaugh, and Anita Bugg. Neighbors is a member of the Heard, find out more at Theheardradio.com. Music by Podington Bear and Whit Hill

Robert Person Sr. — Percy, as he’s known — has been shining shoes for 70 years. He started around age 10 and now, at 80, continues to work at Percy’s Shoe Shine Service in Nashville. He’s worn out, stressed out, but this veteran shoe shiner just can’t stop. The shows editors are Emily Siner, Mack Linebaugh, and Anita Bugg. Neighbors is a member of the Heard, find out more at Theheardradio.com. Music by Podington Bear and Dan Burns. Music by:  Podington Bear and Dan Burns

Prepare to be embedded into a gaggle of neighborhood kids, playing at the peak of summer. Producer Erica Heilman from the always-delightful podcast Rumblestrip brings us the story of children holding on to the last gasps of youth. The shows editors are Emily Siner, Mack Linebaugh, and Anita Bugg. Neighbors is a member of the Heard, find out more at Theheardradio.com. Music by Chris Zabriskie, Jason Goforth. Welcome our newest sponsors: Freshbooks - Go to www.freshbooks.com/neighbors and get a 30 day free trial by entering in Neighbors in the "How did you hear about us" section. Squarespace - Check Squarespace out at Squarespace.com and when your ready to launch enter in the promo code Neighbors to save 10%

Wayne cherishes his independence. And having had ALS for 33 years, he has to fight for it everyday. But his disease is only one of the seemingly insurmountable challenges he’s faced. Credits: Edited by Emily Siner, Mack Linebaugh and Anita Bugg. Production assistance by Caleb Shiver. Music by Kelly Latimore Welcome our newest sponsors: Freshbooks - Go to www.freshbooks.com/neighbors and get a 30 day free trial by entering in Neighbors in the "How did you hear about us" section. Squarespace - Check Squarespace out at Squarespace.com and when your ready to launch enter in the promo code Neighbors to save 10%

When Denice Hicks has to step unexpectedly into the role of King Lear, in some ways, she’s doing what she’s always done: living life like it’s her last day. What happens when you do that everyday over the course of a life?   Credits: Edited by Emily Siner, Mack Linebaugh and Anita Bugg. Production assistance by Caleb Shiver. Special thanks to speak-the-speech.org for use of their recordings of Shakespeare’s plays. Music by Podington Bear, Chris Zabriskie, and Dan Burns

Eddie and Mary Helen live in Chattanooga, Tenn. — a city, like many in the country, that still feels the effects of segregation. They started examining their hometown through the lens of race and ended up throwing a party. Credits: Edited by Emily Siner, Mack Linebaugh and Anita Bugg. Production assistance by Caleb Shiver. Music by Podington Bear, Chris Zabriskie, and Jason Goforth