This Is Nashville

Healthcare is all about who is going to pay for it. Because if you can't afford to go to the doctor, you probably won't until it becomes an emergency – which isn't good for the patient or the system. This is a particular problem in rural Tennessee. When there's a hiccup in the system, rural systems may shutter.Healthcare Hollow is a WPLN series that takes an in-depth look at the crisis of rural hospital closings.In this episode, we're focused on who is going to pay for care in rural Tennessee. Those residents are more likely to rely on TennCare (the state's version of federal Medicaid). Post-COVID policy changes have resulted in more people losing TennCare coverage. At the same time, fewer people are keeping insurance under the Affordable Care Act because of the expense.This episode is part of our Healthcare Hollow series, made possible, in part, by the NIHCM Foundation.GuestsGordon Bonnyman, staff attorney & co-founder, Tennessee Justice CenterJackie Shrago, ACA marketplace volunteer navigatorSarah Boden, independent healthcare journalist with KFFKelly Insana, vice president of marketing & communications, Tennessee Hospital Association

“All-American Girl.”“God Bless the U.S.A.”“Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.”You'll hear these songs many times this summer as we celebrate America's 250th anniversary. But those aren't everyone's anthems.In Nashville, a group of musicians and songwriters are responding to this milestone with something different: unfiltered reflections on what it means to exist in America as Black, Brown, and Queer people living in the South. Through their music, visuals, fashion and performance, they are defining and embracing — or rejecting — American identity and patriotism on their own terms.Guests The Cowgays (Chris Housman, Brooke Eden & Adam Mac) Jewly Hight, senior music writer, Nashville Public Radio Kapali Long, Native Hawaiian Americana Country Blues artist & songwriter Lizzie No, producer, guitarist and harpist Tray Wellington, folk, bluegrass, jazz and contemporary roots music banjo innovator

With one of the oldest tracks in America, racing is part of our city's fabric as one of Nashville's earliest professional sports.Even as diehard fans say it's time to invest in our history, the sound of the cars has become an unwelcome neighbor amid rapid development south of downtown. Whether you're a fan or not, it's worth understanding this deep legacy as we make decisions about the future. Today, we're revving up to chase down our racing roots.And, we want to hear from you. Have you seen fandom fading? What explains that? What got you into racing in the first place? What's the importance of having a track in the heart of the city? We're taking your calls during the show at 615-760-2000. You can also send your thoughts through our livestream.This episode was produced by Josh Deepan.Guests Larry Woody, retired sports reporter Gary Baker, former owner, Bristol Motor Speedway Joseph Love, painter

With Father's Day on the horizon, two dads join us to share their perspectives on love, loss, priorities and fatherhood.After David Fischette stepped away from the day-to-day grind of running his business, he began walking 10,000 steps a day as a personal health challenge. Before long, the habit evolved into a series of “walk and talk” videos exploring themes of love, loss, priorities and codependency, and eventually into Hello Fine Friends, a book that, in part, reflects on his efforts to repair his fractured relationship with his daughters.Then, fatherhood is a public health issue for Robert Taylor. He spent the last few years helping fathers change a few more diapers, and more importantly, see themselves as more than providers. He leads the New Life Center, which has produced a documentary called Fatherhood Beyond the Frame.This episode was produced by Mary Mancini and Blake Farmer.Guests: David Fischette, founder, Go West Creative; author, Hello Fine Friends Robert Taylor, founder and president, New Life Center

CMA Fest is upon us. How you feel about that will inform whether or not you're hitting up Broadway this weekend.But the festival has a storied past in Nashville, and so do the iconic cowboy boots both fans and performers wear when attending. For this episode, we'll have historians and writers, as well as a seasoned CMA performer and a full-time bootmaker.What's more—we want to hear from you. The number to call in and talk about your boot experiences is 615-760-2000. You can also pop into the chat on our YouTube stream live during the show.This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. Guests Jewly Hight, WPLN Senior Music Writer Holly George-Warren, Music Historian and Writer Angie K., Country Music Artist Lisa Sorrell, Bootmaker

This summer, much of the nation is commemorating 1776, the year the Thirteen Colonies declared their independence from Great Britain. Tennessee would not become a state for another two decades, but the region that would one day become our Volunteer State was already a place of profound change and activity located on what the founders considered the western frontier.Each Wednesday this month, we're exploring the 250th anniversary of American independence from a different perspective. Today, we explore the Middle Tennessee of 1776. We're examining life on the frontier through the eyes of indigenous people who were here at the time and long before as well as the white settlers trying to expand America's borders and the enslaved people they forced into frontier life.This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.Guests Paul Clements, author, Chronicles of the Cumberland Settlements; authority on early settlement life Rob McDonald, Jr., filmmaker, photographer, creator of documentary about James Robertson - founder of Nashville - Native Son: The Untold Story of James Robertson Dr. Raymond Orr, professor of Political Science at UC Santa Barbara; member of the Potawatomi Nation in Oklahoma Dr. Kristofer Ray, associate professor of Early American and Indigenous History at the College of the Holy Cross Dr. Learotha Williams, Jr., professor of African American History, Tennessee State University; North Nashville Heritage Project, Davidson County Historian

We're surrounded by wildlife that tells us something about our ecosystem if we'll take just a moment to stop and smell the roses (or, in this case, take a gander at the kudzu). With our partners in the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, we're investigating so-called “signal species," starting with the lovable black bear. As their population has rebounded, so have human interactions – both positive and negative.Guests Caroline Eggers, WPLN environmental reporter John Boyle, deputy managing editor, Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom Janelle Musser, black bear support biologist, Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency Mark Thurman, director of conservation collaboratives in Tennessee, The Nature Conservancy

Jim Palmer was a crusader for Christianity.He accepted the calling in East Tennessee, went to seminary, and started preaching in one of the largest mega churches in the country. He moved to Nashville to start an offshoot. But then things started to unravel. Faith turned to doubt and then to deconstruction. He was into deconstruction before it was cool, and now he sits down with us to talk about how he's guiding others who are figuring out what's next after Christianity.This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. Guest Jim Palmer, Post-Religion Spiritual Director and founder of The Center for Non-Religious Spirituality

It takes more than 500 pages for Lamar Alexander to tell the story of his political career, and that's understandable given his 26 years as Tennessee governor and U.S. senator.We'll dig into some untold stories from his new memoir, “The Education of a Senator,” which landed on the New York Times Best Seller list this week and we'll also get his take on the current state of affairs in American politics and take your questions. So, if you'd like to ask a question or comment, join us on air at 615-760-2000 or in the chat at youtube.com/@wpln.Then, we'll wrap this episode with a timely update on congressional redistricting which turns Tennessee's last remaining seat held by a Democrat into one that leans Republican.  Guests Lamar Alexander, former U.S. senator, Tennessee governor, U.S. Education Secretary and president of the University of Tennessee Josh Clinton, Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions, Vanderbilt University Marianna Bacallao, WPLN power and equity reporter

Once again, Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell joins This Is Nashville live on the air to answer your questions.From traffic headaches and development concerns to parks, transit, and public safety, this is your opportunity to speak directly with the mayor. What's going on in your neighborhood that city leaders need to hear about?We'll also dive into some of the biggest issues facing the city right now – including the budget, taxes, and major building projects shaping Nashville's future.Stay with us after the mayor and we'll explore why one local school still bears the name of a segregationist – and why changing that name has proven nearly impossible. We're wrapping the hour with our latest installment of Curious Nashville.Guests Freddie O'Connell, mayor, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Camellia Burris, education reporter, WPLN Larry Woods, civil rights attorney and professor of criminal justice, Tennessee State University

Nashville is still stepping onto the global stage during the World Cup.Years ago, uncertainty surrounding the future of Nissan Stadium kept Nashville from becoming a host city. Still, the tournament is bringing an international spotlight to Music City in another way: Samurai Blue, Japan's national team, has chosen Nashville as its basecamp during the competition.Today, we hear a preview of the players and the competition and what it takes to host a world-class team. We'll also explore Nashville's decades-long relationship with Japan – a connection that dates back to the late 1970s, when Gov. Lamar Alexander helped recruit Nissan to build its first American manufacturing plant here.This episode was produced by Justin Barney.Guests Mike Woitalla, executive editor, Soccer America Teresa Tatlonhari, VP of Marketing & Communications, Nashville Soccer Club Mina Johnson, former Councilmember, Metro Nashville Masami Tyson, chief of staff, Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell

We've done enough tapdancing around touchy words in this important conversation about intimacy and romance in the second half of life.It's time to hear you do it. What have you learned about your body or being with another that could help the rest of us? We'll have a sex therapist, a reformed pastor and an open-minded geriatrician in the studio. Call ahead of the show with your intimacy insights or romance recommendations at 615-760-2000. This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. Guests Raven O'Rourke, Geriatric Sex Therapist James Powers, VUMC Gerontologist Jim Palmer, former Megachurch Pastor

Menopause is having a moment! After generations of misunderstanding, myths and mockery, menopause and perimenopause is starting to get the attention and support it deserves. And no wonder: in the United States, about 6,000 women enter menopause each day, according to scientific data. In this episode of NextAge Season 2, we're joining the conversation. You'll hear from some of familiar on-air hosts here at Nashville Public Radio about their experiences and medical experts who specialize in menopause healthcare.Got a story to share for our NextAge series? Leave us a message at 615-751-2500 or chime in during the live show on our YouTube stream.This season of NextAge is made possible by a grant from the West End Home Foundation — Advancing Aging with Dignity and Strengthening Communities — and by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.This episode was hosted and produced by LaTonya Turner.Guests: Nina Cardona, Morning Edition Host, WPLN/Nashville Public Radio Jude Mason, Mid-day Host, WNXP Radio Leigh Mayo, Account Manager, WPLN/Nashville Public Radio Megan Jones, Digital Editor, WPLN/Nashville Public Radio Dr. William Lee, Associate Professor Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt Medical Center; certified menopause practitioner  Anne-Ward Eshelman - Nurse Practitioner at HaneyGYN

It's not that what we learned about the birds and the bees was all wrong. It's just that it was mostly about procreation and – more likely – focused on how not to make a baby before the time is right. As we've learned in this season of NextAge, baby making and physical intimacy are not the same thing, and that's especially apparent in the second half of life. In this episode, we bring you the birds and the bees for those who've been around the block. It may be a useful discussion for all of us, no matter our age.Got a story to share for our NextAge series? Leave us a message at 615-751-2500 or chime in during the live show on our YouTube stream.This season of NextAge is made possible by a grant from the West End Home Foundation — Advancing Aging with Dignity and Strengthening Communities — and by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.This episode was produced by Blake Farmer.Guests: Jill Danford, MD, board-certified urogynecologist, Ascension Saint Thomas Melissa Kaufman, MD, PhD, urology professor, Vanderbilt

We're kicking off Week 2 of our NextAge season on romance, intimacy and our bodies with one of our city's most interesting citizens: George Rowe. A man who has lived many lives.He's been a Christian music recording artist with a big publishing deal. He's been an attorney. And now he heads the Nashville office of Compass Realtors. He's also lived the life of the stereotypical nuclear American family with his wife and three kids — until something had to change.This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. NextAge is made possible in part by BlueCross BlueShield of TennesseeGuest George Rowe, Compass Real Estate principal broker

Love, romance and intimacy can look very different in the second half of life — no matter your gender or sexuality. Today we get stories of gay men growing older together, a trans woman from Coffee County finally living in full expression after a huge loss and a woman with her own coming out story who is now coaching people later in life on how to get through the messy middle and beyond.Throughout a lifetime, one hope is that we never stop growing into ourselves — evolving as we know more, overcome more and love more. On today's episode of NextAge, we talk with leaders in our LGBTQ+ community to learn how we can become more resilient and kind to ourselves and those around us. Especially in the face of mighty hurdles.Got a story to share for our NextAge series? Leave us a message at 615-751-2500 or chime in during the live show on our YouTube stream.This season of NextAge is made possible by a grant from the West End Home Foundation — Advancing Aging with Dignity and Strengthening Communities — and by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.Guests• Dwayne Jenkins, Nashville Black Pride, Nashville Cares, Brothers United• Ginger Cutrell, transgender community advocate• Anne-Marie Zanzal, Coming Out Coach

Second half of life companionship may look a lot different than the first. Procreation is off the table, merging households holds new logistical challenges, and there's often grown children with strong opinions to consider. Whether it's through death, divorce, or another kind of shift, love, intimacy and romance change as we age. And for many who end relationships that started in the first half of life, what they want out of the second looks very different. Our guests on the show today have, to quote the great Joni Mitchell, seen love from both sides now. They've been in love. They've been alone. They've got mixed feelings and find the beauty in it all. NextAge season 2 continues.Got a story to share for our NextAge series? Leave us a message at 615-751-2500 or chime in during the live show on our YouTube stream.This season of NextAge is made possible by a grant from the West End Home Foundation — Advancing Aging with Dignity and Strengthening Communities — and by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.Guests• Barb Opyt, Learning and Development consultant• Angela Hobbs, retired trainer• Philip Tulimieri, author

NextAge Season 2, our series on romance and intimacy in the second half of life, continues with a deep dive on technology and dating apps. Smart phones, tablets and computers, social media sites like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, and online dating apps like OurTime, SilverSingles, and SeniorMatch help a growing number of seniors find companionship and keep connected with family. However, entering into the digital world isn't always simple. So how are older adults learning to navigate these platforms? How do they build confidence online? How do we all keep up with constant tech changes — and stay safe?As more seniors explore dating later in life, are these apps working to meet everyone's needs? Today we get some professional advice, tech support, and a safety briefing – all while hearing the good, bad, and in between of the new state of dating.You can join in on the conversation during the noon hour on our YouTube livestream. Listen now to aired episodes of NextAge on our website.This season of NextAge is made possible by a grant from the West End Home Foundation — Advancing Aging with Dignity and Strengthening Communities — and by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.Guests Julie Grower, dating app user Chuck Taylor, dating app user June Moore, particpant, Seniors on the Move, Tech Goes Home Dr. Jess Carbino, sociologist; relationship & online dating expert Breana Clark, MSW, program Manager, Senior Renaissance Center Rachel Solava, outreach and advocacy manager, Digital Literacy for Seniors, Greater Nashville Regional Council

Today we kick off NextAge Season 2, a series focused on romance, intimacy, and relationships in the second half of life, with a personal and hilarious conversation with Brenda Kay and Sheri Lynn, the purveyors of NashTrash Tours.For nearly 30 years, Brenda Kay and Sheri Lynn, also known as the Jugg Sisters, have been carting tourists and locals alike around town, showing off the city with their comedy show on wheels. Known for their wigs, makeup, and over-the-top humor, the pair prove that the characters on the big pink bus aren't far from the real thing: authentic, fearless, and hilarious. Today, the real-life sisters open up about love, aging, intimacy, and things many of us still laugh nervously about discussing out loud.Please note: This episode contains candid conversations about intimacy, aging and physiology that may not be suitable for younger listeners.This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.NextAge is made possible by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

Opryland has been closed for nearly 30 years, and as the producer of a new documentary puts it, some people are still “butt hurt” about it. Maybe we didn't know what we had until it left a theme park-size hole in Nashville's heart. A documentary premiering at the Nashville Film Festival, called “A Circle Broken,” gives us a good excuse to reopen that wound and hear the story of Opryland like we've not heard before, a story about how perhaps Opryland saved the Grand Ole Opry itself. We're talking to the characters who are keeping the memory alive and hearing your memories of Opryland USA.Guests: Brandon Vestal, filmmaker David Ewing, historian Bob Whitaker, former Opryland General Manager Michael-Demby Cain, Opryland performer who went to Broadway Jennifer Roberts, performer Lynn Wright, half of first couple married at Opryland Sean Hughes, “The Balloon Guy”

The job market seems to be on the downturn, especially if you're a young person.College graduates are scrambling to get their hands on just about any kind of job — but there are still sectors that need professionals, and schools are listening. Today, we hear some hope from some fresh journalism graduates. Then we'll talk with a graduate of Lipscomb's Accelerated Nursing program to see how she's holding up in the workforce, and we'll wrap the show learning how Nashville Software School is changing software engineering and addressing AI.This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. Guests Seth Thorpe, Belmont '26 Terry Prude, TSU '26 Chelsia Harris, Lipscomb University Executive Director of Nursing Peyton Smith, Lipscomb Accelerated Nursing Program Graduate '25 Kate Rogers, Nashville Software School Program Director Ava Dominie, Nashville Software School Graduate

It's tough to be a kid. It's tough to be a parent of a kid. And nothing is tougher than when a kid is having a tough time. May is a month set aside for Mental Health Awareness, but it's always a good time to visit the resources available to children – from disruptive toddlers to teens in a life-and-death crisis. Tennessee has been expanding its no-cost services, but sometimes they're hidden in plain sight. Plus, an interview with musician Mo Sabri about "Tennessee Desi," a project that fuses Appalachian country and south Asian Qawwali in an upcoming performance with the Nashville Symphony. Guests: Melissa Binkley, director of infant and early childhood initiatives, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Melissa Bayless, technical assistance coordinator, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Diana Jackson, nursing director, Mental Health Cooperative Mo Sabri, musician

Business licenses, marriage licenses, license plates.For some of us, this is our primary interaction with local government – standing in line, navigating the system. In Tennessee, it's the job of the county clerk to keep those lines moving, or, increasingly, figure out how you don't have to wait in a line at all. Today, we bring you a timely profile interview with the outgoing Davidson County Clerk, Brenda Wynn. Because we're electing a new clerk tomorrow, we'll talk about what she's learned in 14 years as our line leader and hear her own story from growing up in public housing and becoming a teen mother to beating the odds through serving this city.This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. Guests Brenda Wynn, Davidson County Clerk

The dust is starting to settle after the annual whirlwind that is the final days of the legislative session at the Tennessee State Capitol.Today we take you inside the halls of power to wrap-up. We hear from reporters who offer their insights into what passed and why, what failed and what might surface again in 2027. From school vouchers and immigration policy to preempting local laws, what were the predominant issues and political dynamics that shaped the laws — and will shape our state's future? And we want to hear from you: How would you rate legislative performance? Were your priorities addressed? If not, what do you want from lawmakers next year? Join the conversation by calling 615-760-2000 or chiming in on the chat on our live YouTube stream.This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.Guests Marianna Bacallao, State Legislature reporter, WPLN Sarah Grace Taylor, Statehouse reporter, Nashville Banner Vivian Jones, State government and politics reporter, Tennessean

As usual, it all starts with a question to Curious Nashville:"I live in East Nashville, on Sharpe Avenue. We adopted a hound mix and she digs up bizarre trash. Did people bury their trash? Was there no trash pick up? Auto parts, beer bottles, air gun cartridges, porn videos. Others in East have described similar experiences."We've learned this is not an isolated experience. You folks are obsessed with what you find in the dirt. So, why do we dig what we dig? We're unearthing some answers.The phone lines and our live stream are open for this one. Give us a call at 615-760-2000 or pop into chat on our YouTube stream.Guests:• Whit Hill, metal detectorist, musician• Matt Pilcher, landscaper, Gardens of Babylon• Benjamin C. Nance, Cultural Resource Consultant Manager, Tennessee Division of Archaeology

Our need and desire for connection doesn't retire as we grow older. NextAge Season 2 explores love, intimacy, and companionship in the second half of life.Through personal stories and expert insight, we're covering topics from digital dating, sex, and changing bodies to medical myths, healing psyches and long-held identities finally coming into full expression. Today's episode kicks off another season of our special series featuring stories and information about growing older in the 21st century — and how Middle Tennesseans are reframing aging. In Tennessee, our population that's 60-plus now includes the oldest GenXers and is projected to grow by 30% in the next 15 years. Today, we review some of the stories and topics from last year and how it led to new reporting on  what it means to keep falling in love with others — and ourselves.Guests: LaTonya Turner, news editor & on-air host, WPLN News Natasha Senjanovic, journalist & contributing producer

We call ourselves Music City.But for a lot of kids growing up here, music lessons are simply out of reach. There's a place in Edgehill where lessons still cost fifty cents — just like they did more than 40 years ago. It's called the W.O. Smith Music School, and hundreds of students benefit from its founding each year. Our guest today is executive director Valerie Cordero. She's an ethnomusicologist whose own story veered away from music for much of her career. Now she's back to helping make music every day.This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. Guests Valerie Cordero, W.O. Smith Music School Executive Director

Mayor Freddie O'Connell joins us live in the studio to take your questions –– and nothing is off the table.Today we're asking about Waymo, the Superbowl and the new state laws that will affect the city. But as always, the most important questions are yours.So what's been bothering you lately? Are you looking forward to next week's State of Metro? Do you have concerns about your city services or something in your neighborhood that just hasn't been addressed? No matter what it is, this is your chance to ask the man directly. Call 615-760-2000 during the live show or pop into chat on our YouTube stream to join the conversation.After we say goodbye to Mayor O'Connell, Curious Nashville is back to answer the Nashville questions piquing your curiosity. Today, we round out the show with a hot topic in light of the severe weather and the NES kerfuffle the city experienced this winter. Guest Wade Sexton has thirty years of experience working in the utility industry –– on the company side and as a utility contractor –– and he's here to answer a question that's been on our minds: "What would it take to put electrical lines underground? And, would it even be worth it?"Guests: Freddie O'Connell, mayor, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Wade Sexton, board member, National Utility Contractors Association

For some, a book is just a book. For others, it can be life-changing, or controversial, or both.When the Age-Appropriate Materials Act was signed into law by Governor Lee in 2022, it paved the way for certain book titles to be challenged and removed from both school and public libraries. Now, the debate about access, education and community values rages throughout the state.What does book banning actually look like? Who's making these calls — and how do they affect readers? Today, we unpack the issue, share perspectives and talk about what might be at stake when a book disappears from the shelf.Guests: Bruce Barry, opinion columnist, Tennessee Lookout Angele Latham, First Amendment reporter, Tennessean Christina Soontornvat, author; state leader, Authors Against Book Bans

We're bringing our voices together in harmony.It's a show where everyone has a part. This is a choir town, after all. And choral music is a communal act. We're visiting with the symphony chorus, the Crimm singers and Vox Grata. Do your warm ups and join us for a singing on the web, on 90.3 or live streaming on our YouTube channel.This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. Guests Tucker Biddlecombe, Nashville Symphony Chorus Director Renita Smith-Crittendon, Nashville Symphony Chorus Member Heaven Howard, Nashville Symphony Chorus Member Patrick Dailey, W. Crimm Singers Director Nicole Simone, W. Crimm Singers Assistant Director and Member Brooklyn Cook, W. Crimm Singers Member Jeanette MacCallum, Vox Grata Chorus Founder and Artistic Director Hannah Baisley, Vox Grata Member

At 84, biochemist Billy Hudson is still at it, researching collagen and kidney function. He's been named as a 2026 medal of honor recipient by the Ellis Island Honors Society. An unlikely pioneer in the field of nephrology, Hudson endured poverty and abuse in rural Arkansas, not even finishing high school before he found himself on a welcoming college campus. After a successful research career, he's spent the last two decades trying to make a path to higher education for kids like himself through a program he started with his wife and siblings called Aspirnaut. Not until he was working with kids whose stories rivaled his own trauma did he start dealing with it in a meaningful way. Note: The details of Hudson's story are somewhat graphic and there is some mention of thoughts of suicide.Further Reading: After Escaping 'Torture' and Poverty as a Kid, Professor Has Helped Thousands of Struggling Students Arkansas scientist behind 'magic' school bus expands learning opportunities for kids Ellis Island Medal of Honor 2026 recipients

It's Thursday, which means it's time for our weekly roundtable discussion featuring a variety of voices. Otherwise known as The Roundabout.Today is for anyone who's ever thought, “I'm not sure I can live here anymore,” or “I just got here and I'm never leaving.” People threaten to leave where they're from for all kinds of reasons: rising costs, community, limited opportunity, politics, principle, or personal health. After yesterday's conversation about Tennessee expats, today we're talking with those who've considered leaving and decided to stay, at least for now, as well as folks who came from other parts of the country and found Tennessee a more welcoming place to land.Guests: Malick Gaye, Vice President of Livability, Nashville Chamber of Commerce Margaret Littman, freelance journalist Morgxn, singer/songwriter, owner Fruity Farms

Folks are flocking to Nashville from around the country — and even around the world. Today we explore the other side of the story.As Middle Tennessee's economy continues to outpace much of the nation, fueled by a steady influx of new residents, there's also a consistent stream of departures. For some, it was a single inciting moment; for others, a gradual realization over time. Now living as expats, former Nashvillians join us remotely from California, Illinois, Oregon and Maryland to tell their stories.Guests: Dr. Michelle Fiscus, officer at a national non-profit related to public health Josh Black, comedian and artist Bean Chapman, Policy Analyst, Tennessee Equality Project, parent of a transgender adult Christina, parent of a transgender child Kristen Chapman, parent of a transgender child

Tennessee could get about $1 billion to invest in its rural health care over the next five years. Gov. Bill Lee and his administration are drumming up excitement for the plan, which they say is an opportunity to rebuild the state's broken rural health infrastructure.But some critics are worried there may be strings attached.On today's episode of This Is Nashville, our Healthcare Hollow series continues. We're sorting through the good, the bad and the unknown in this moment of rural health transformation.Guests:Arielle Zionts, rural health correspondent, KFF Health NewsJacy Warrell, chief executive officer of the Rural Health Transformation FundJessica Snowden, pediatric infectious disease pediatrician and vice chancellor for research, University of Tennessee Health Science CenterThis episode is part of our Healthcare Hollow series, made possible, in part, by the NIHCM Foundation.

Kevin Dyson was part of the biggest play during the biggest season the Tennessee Titans have had to date. He saw the highs of the Music City Miracle and the bitter lows of being one yard short at Super Bowl XXXIV. And before long, he found his injury-prone career cut short in 2005. He wanted to coach but didn't have the credentials. So he went back to school and found education was his passion. He earned a doctorate, became a public school principal in Williamson County, and now he's starting his own athletics-focused charter school in Nashville — Music City Academy, scheduled to open in fall of 2027 if approved by the Metro Schools board of education. His mother asks him why he doesn't just take it easy. Dyson points to the title of his book, "Qualified So I Am Justified," and says he's still got something to prove.

It's now or never to plant something if it's going to survive the Middle Tennessee summer. Today, we dedicate our weekly roundabout to the when's, where's and what's to plant — or whether we should plant at all given the dry spring we've had. Our panel includes an arborist, a naturalist and a nurseryman and we want to hear from you!The phone lines open at noon at 615-760-2000. You can also pop into chat on our YouTube stream with your questions and thoughts.This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. Guests Vera Roberts, Warner Park Nature Center Naturalist Michael Davie, Bartlett Tree Experts Arborist Austin Lohin, Bates Nursery Gardening Expert

Tasked with overseeing Title VI compliance, the Metro Human Relations Commission works to ensure that the city's 10,000 employees can do their jobs free from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. Since 2015, the commission has released IncluCivics, a recurring report that looks at the hiring trends, retention rates, and progress toward building a more inclusive environment across departments.The 2026 edition was released today, and in this episode, we take a closer look at what the data reveals. Where is the city making progress, and where do disparities remain? More importantly, how can leaders and communities use this information to drive meaningful change?Later on, we also preview the upcoming Community Needs Evaluation from Metro Social Services. Released yearly for the last seventeen years, this year's report,  "Affordability Issues for African Americans in Nashville: Enduring Legacies. Emerging Issues," focuses on continued affordability challenges facing African Americans in Nashville.Together, these reports raise critical questions about equity, opportunity, and the future of our city.This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.Guests: Dr. Jihan Mohammed, research analyst, Metro Human Relations Commission Rev. Davie Tucker, executive director, Metro Human Relations Commission Harriet Wallace, strategic communications manager, Metro Social Services

America's rural hospitals are closing at an alarming pace, and Tennessee holds the highest closure rate.In a series of reports this month, WPLN takes an in-depth look at this crisis — how it has harmed communities and what is being done to reverse course.In this episode, Health Reporter Catherine Sweeney and This Is Nashville host Blake Farmer dive into history of these closures. Then, Catherine takes us to Linden — a rural Tennessee town that lost its hospital and got it back. Finally, providers discuss what communities can do to fill in the gaps when traditional health care delivery is hard to find.This episode is part of our Healthcare Hollow series, made possible, in part, by the NIHCM Foundation.GuestsKyle Kopec, Chief Operating Officer, Braden HealthShatiqua Jamerson, Administration and Programs Coordinator, Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health CenterDr. Charae Farmer-Dixon, Dean, Meharry School of Dentistry at Meharry Medical College

Today we meet Wu Fei, a master of the 21-string Chinese zither known as the guzheng.A classically trained composer and singer, Wu Fei was educated in China's conservatory system before continuing her studies at Mills College in the United States. She eventually made her home in Nashville, where her sound has evolved through collaborations with local folk artists.Though her roots are deeply classical, it's the simplicity and emotional clarity of folk music that she has embraced and made her own. In this episode, we explore the history and voice of this ancient instrument, hear it in action, and discover how its sound can reconnect us with something simple and deeply human.

It's time for our weekly Roundabout – a chance to step back and make sense of the biggest local headlines shaping Middle Tennessee.This week, we unpack the controversy over an Apache helicopter flyby at Kid Rock's property that drew attention all the way to the White House, the firing of a library director who refused to remove LGBTQ-themed children's books, and the role of dark money in ad campaigns aimed at protecting pharmacy consolidation. As always, our panel brings perspectives from the left, right, and center — and we make space for your voice, too. Guests:Levi Ismail, Emmy-award winning journalist, NewsChannel 5's investigative unitKiran Sreepada, Former Democratic candidate for Congressional District 5 and former Director of Programs for the States ProjectChris Walker, founding partner, The Poplar Group

You could start listing the locally owned restaurants that have closed already this year and tell a pretty dire story: Margot, Varallos, Pelican & Pig. And we're just three months into the year. But restaurants that are part of out-of-town investment groups have closed too — all while new concepts are opening up. Is it simply natural churn in a volatile business? We know it's more expensive than ever to open and maintain a restaurant, so we're looking at the economics and the local food scene with the people who watch it most closely.This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. Guests: Jill Melton, Edible Nashville Editor & Founder Brandon Styll, Nashville Restaurant Radio Host and Nashville Area Restaurant Alliance Founder (NARA) Mackensy Lunsford, Senior Dining Reporter, The Tennessean Naima Walker Fierce, Germantown Pub Primary Owner

The White House is experimenting with state-level immigration laws in Tennessee, but most of those proposals have hit resistance, and it's now do-or-die time for any bills. An expansion of private school vouchers is also far from a done deal with some Republicans objecting to doubling the program without performance data available. And the state's $58 billion budget has lobbyists in a frenzy to make sure their project is included. It's the biggest business that remains for the Tennessee legislature with members of the state house press corps as our guide.Guests: Marianna Bacallao, power & equity reporter, WPLN News Melissa Brown, bureau chief, Chalkbeat Tennessee Sarah Grace Taylor, reporter, Nashville Banner Erik Schelzig, editor, The Tennessee Journal Mandy Spears, executive vice president, Sycamore Institute

Knuckleball pitchers are a small fraternity, and R.A. Dickey is one of its most notable members.R.A. Dickey learned the unpredictable knuckleball pitch as a last-ditch effort to save his major league baseball career. Once he mastered its spin-free magic, it transformed his game. But for Nashville's own knuckleball king, that journey paralleled something deeper: an epiphany that reshaped his personal life.Once a risk-taker on and off the field, Dickey now takes his biggest risks in relationships, opening up about past trauma he once feared would push people away. In this episode, we slow down with Dickey to talk about working to end human trafficking, becoming an open book and, of course, the craziest pitch in baseball.This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.

WNXP is the music discovery go-to in Nashville.On 91.1, listeners get exposed to all kinds of songs not in their regular feed. But it doesn't stop there. They do more than tune in. Listeners play an active role in how playlists are curated, making the station an interactive, communal space for sonic lovers. In this episode, folks who have been with the station since the beginning share their strategies on how they bring their own knowledge base to the work and bust the online algorithms to bring you just the right song.This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. Guests  Celia Gregory, WNXP Morning Host Marquis Munson, WNXP Music Director Jason Moon Wilkins, WNXP Program Director Further inWNXP Sonic Cathedral Live Sessions

Each month, Mayor Freddie O'Connell joins us live in the studio to take your questions –– and nothing is off the table.We're asking about the latest on budgets and property taxes, updates on fairground racing, and a proposal to expand childcare access in Nashville. But as always, the most important questions are yours.So what's been bothering you lately? Are you still dealing with lingering issues from the ice storm? Do you have concerns about your neighborhood, city services, or something small that just hasn't been addressed? No matter how big, this is your chance to ask the man directly. 

Much of Middle Tennessee's important Native American history has been disturbed by development.This has prompted listeners like Kelly Cannon to wonder what's been lost. She asked Curious Nashville about something she'd heard about the Brentwood Library:"A colleague recently told me that when the Brentwood Library was built remains were found of ancient Mississippian people, along with evidence of ancient mounds. Is this true? Where were the bodies moved to? Who took responsibility for the remains?"WPLN's Cynthia Abrams went to find the history of that site and shares the story — and its connections to other local sites, and the national movement for repatriation.We'll also talk to a ProPublica reporter about her reporting for 'The Repatriation Project' and the federal law that requires remains and artifacts to be returned to tribes — as well as the failure of institutions to do so. We also welcome Tom Kunesh, who is working to protect Native American sites across Tennessee.Guests:  Mary Hudetz, Investigative Reporter for ProPublica Tom Kunesh, President of Tennessee Ancient Sites Conservancy

Holly Kernan still needs Google Maps to get around Nashville and she's fine with that.Nashville Public Radio's new CEO came from Oakland, where she spent most of her career in public radio and where, as a fourth-generation Californian, she's a genuine rarity. Those deep roots didn't stop her from spending her entire young adulthood in Spain, though, lost and entirely at home making historical documentaries in her second language. It's a posture she's carried into every chapter of her life.Just over half a year in, we talk about what brought her to Nashville, what she sees in this city and what she believes public radio is now that federal funding is gone.The moment is hard. She'd also argue it's hopeful. By the end of this interview, you just might believe her.This episode was produced by Liv Lombardi.

We've learned a lot this week exploring the nuts and bolts of songwriting — from the creative process to the realities of the business. But we also have more questions.Today, three Nashville songwriters in various stages of their careers join us to tell us their stories and answer any lingering curiosities. Plus, they take your calls. Country Music Hall of Fame songwriter Rivers Rutherford, along with Rhys Rutherford and Joybeth Taylor, are in the studio. If you've ever wanted to pick the brain of an award-winning songwriter, this is your chance. This episode was produced by Liv Lombardi and Mary Mancini.Guests Rivers Rutherford, songwriter, The Highwaymen, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton, Montgomery Gentry, Gretchen Wilson, Trace Atkins and Brooks & Dunn Rhys Rutherford, singer/songwriter, Bailey Zimmerman's “Is This Really Over?,” ERNEST's “Hangin' On (feat. Morgan Wallen),” George Pippen's “Rest of Our Life” Joybeth Taylor, songwriter, “Choosin' Texas” by Ella Langley reached #1 at Country Radio

The business of songwriting is a full-blown economy of its own — chock full of jargon like “splits,” “P-R-Os,” “plugger” and “mailbox money.”But what does it all mean? Today we follow the money: how writers get paid, what happens when a song gets cut, what the different kinds of publishing deals are, and what the implications are for copyrights now that AI has come to town. It's day three of songwriting week and we're talking about the business of songwriting.This episode was produced by Liv Lombardi and Mary Mancini.Guests Lydia Schultz Cahill, Sr. Director of Creative Services, SESAC Performing Rights, Nashville Dr. E. Michael Harrington, Musicologist Olivia Rudeen, singer-songwriter Chandler Nicole Sherrill, Senior Director of Creative, Electric Feel Entertainment

Country music songwriter Harlan Howard famously described country music as “three chords and the truth.”He makes it sound simple, but thousands know it's much more complicated – and it's different for everyone. It may start with an idea and then come together from there. Or a note or a phrase may come first and then it's built word by word and note by note. On day two of songwriter week, Grammy-nominated Luke Dick and Grammy-winning Melody Walker, two songwriters with impressive songwriting credits, join Blake in the studio to start from scratch. Together they'll share ideas, write lyrics, and sample melodies and explain the choices they make along the way. Will inspiration strike? Will the muse show up? And by the end of the hour, will they have a hit song on their hands?This episode was produced by Liv Lombardi and Mary Mancini.Guests Luke Dick, Grammy-nominated songwriter Melody Walker, Grammy-winning songwriter

She's a subversive storyteller, slipping in sideways with hard-to-swallow truths. Growing up in Motown, Alice Randall was drawn to the sounds coming from Music City. The dream was to invade the “citadel” of country music, elevate progressive ideas and highlight the Black roots of a very white genre. She would become the first Black woman to co-write a number one country hit — Trisha Yearwood's “XXX's and OOO's.” She got her number one, made it big as a publisher, then got a little burned. So she assumed new roles. Randall has come to be viewed as a "griot" for the way she preserves and promotes the overlooked history of country music as laid out in her 2024 book "My Black Country." From her early days in Nashville learning the craft from Steve Earle to her evolution into a best-selling author and professor at Vanderbilt, she has her own remarkable stories to tell.This episode was produced by Blake Farmer.