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Welcome back to our second season of In My Place. This special series educates listeners on what communities like Nashville can do to prevent and end homelessness — while caring for our neighbors who are still unhoused.In our last episode, we learned what happens when the paperwork finally comes through and puzzle pieces start building a hopeful picture.Well, we're taking a couple steps back. Today, our table is staying packed for a Q&A with folks who want to help us remember even when things seem to be going well a lot of last-minute hurdles can stand in the way of an apartment.Over the course of nine monthly episodes, we're learning what it feels like to access services and weave through our local homelessness and healthcare systems. And we're discussing what services work, what resources are missing, and what ideas our guests have for improvement.This series was created thanks in part to support from Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and was produced by Judith Tackett.Guests: Lisa Abell, vendor with The Contributor Darrin Bradbury, Founder, The Beat Will Connelly, Executive Director, The Contributor Jane Dimnwaobi, Equal Justice Works Fellow, Tennessee Justice Center Joy Flores, VP of Ministries, Nashville Rescue Mission Olivia Messina, TN Program Lead, Hope for Justice Quatrece McKinney, VP of Programs, Monroe Harding Further listening: Overview episode of In My Place Listen to all episodes at the In My Place page on the WPLN website or as a podcast on Apple, Spotify and more.
WPLN's Rose Gilbert takes listeners on a journey — from Nashville all the way to northern Iraq and back again — to tell the story of one Kurdish family and its generations-long fight to exist. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
WPLN's Rose Gilbert takes listeners on a journey — from Nashville all the way to northern Iraq and back again — to tell the story of one Kurdish family and its generations-long fight to exist. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
WPLN's Rose Gilbert takes listeners on a journey — from Nashville all the way to northern Iraq and back again — to tell the story of one Kurdish family and its generations-long fight to exist. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
WPLN's Rose Gilbert takes listeners on a journey — from Nashville all the way to northern Iraq and back again — to tell the story of one Kurdish family and its generations-long fight to exist. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
t's not just a one-year budget crisis.Federal support for public media may be a thing of the past. And it's hardly just WPLN at risk. Leaders of public media outlets in Middle Tennessee will be in the studio talking about the immediate impacts and uncertainty that lies ahead. Plus, it's your turn to talk! We're taking your calls, whether it's curiosity or a particular critique, the lines will be open. Call 615-760-2000 to join the conversation. You can also catch us streaming on YouTube and send your questions through chat!GuestsVal Hoeppner, Executive Director, WMOTMack Linebaugh, Vice President of Audience & Content, Nashville Public RadioBecky Magura, President & CEO, Nashville PBS/WNPTKen Paulson, Dean Emeritus and director, Free Speech Center at the College of Media and Entertainment, MTSUFurther reading and listening Weathering the rescission storm (Nashvillager) How Donald Trump is using legal action against the media (1A) How bipartisan support for public media unraveled in the Trump era (NPR) Community radio stations are collateral damage as Congress cuts NPR funding (NPR) In the West Virginia mountains, a radio station is caught in the funding cut crossfire (NPR) How public broadcasting funding cuts would impact one rural Indiana station (NPR)
Nashville summers haven't been the same since Opryland closed in the late 90s. Plus the local news for July 17, 2025, and harm reduction for the drug overdose crisis. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
Tennessee may not have any ocean ports, but we do have a Naval presence, and some pretty important Navy officers came from this state. Plus, the local news for July 16, 2025, and this week's edition of What Where Whens-day. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
This month, Bridgestone shut down a tire plant that was once a major part of LaVergne's local economy, and a big influence on labor relations. Plus, the local news for July 15, 2025, and what the size of Metro Council means. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
This year, one Tennessee lawmaker put a lot of pressure on the TSSAA to change one of its rules. Now we might know why he cared so much. Plus, the local news for July 14, 2025, and a new excerpt from Music Citizens. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
Nashville-based denominations could have much more freedom to try to influence elections thanks to the latest move from the federal government. Plus, the local news for July 11, 2025, and fireflies. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
There are few free places to park in downtown Nashville anymore, and that's by design. Plus, the local news for July 10, 2025, and the financial cost of staying in your home as you age. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
WPLN recently released Rose Gilbert's four-part podcast series, “The Country In Our Hearts,” telling the story of how Nashville became home to the largest Kurdish population in the United States. Host Marie Cecile Anderson sits down with Gilbert and cultural advisor Dilman Yasin to learn more about the strife that led families to flee Iraqi Kurdistan in 1988, how they've rebuilt community in our city, and why the Trump administration's anti-immigrant stance is endangering the systems that brought them to safety in the first place. Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter. Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Once, Nashville was on the cutting edge of cleaning up municipal water sources. Now, we're fighting about whether new advances are necessary in Tennessee. Plus, the local news for July 9, 2025, and this week's edition of What Where Whens-Day. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
Tennessee's early days were kind of wild and lawless, but one lawmaker really pushed those boundaries. Plus, the local news for July 8, 2025, and the queer exodus from Tennessee. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
The former Tennessee House speaker is asking for a retrial after the jury heard more of an audio recording than they should have. It could overturn his conviction on federal corruption charges, but his fate is in the hands of a judge. Plus, the local news for July 7, 2025, and Dom Flemons of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
You'll probably see a strawberry or two on an American flag cake this holiday weekend, but the fruit in Tennessee is under threat. Plus, the local news for July 3, 2025, and a look at community benefits agreements in the state. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
National chains can offer more competition than local shops can handle. But one chain based here is offering a hand to some kinds of small businesses. Plus, the local news for July 2, 2025, and this week's edition of What Where Whens-Day. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
Tennessee has a long history of naming official state songs, wildflowers, fish and other wildlife. One of our favorites has to be the official state artifact. Plus, the local news for July 1, 2025, and a trip to Dayton for the 100-year anniversary of the Scopes Trial. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
Fifty-three years ago, Opryland USA opened its doors. Plus, the local news for June 30, 2025, and look at WNXP's Nashville Artist of the Month — the improvisational musician Jarren Blair. Credits:This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Cynthia AbramsEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Nina Cardona, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
When did a Tennessee governor put his foot down? Today, we look back at that time a Tennessee governor vetoed the entire state budget. Plus, the local news for June 27, 2025, and Big Freedia at Nashville Pride this weekend.Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Blake Farmer Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
On this day in 1974, the UPC barcode was scanned at a checkout counter for the first time. It may have seemed small at the time, but it revolutionized product tracking and is still going strong today. Plus, the local news for June 26, 2025 and an excerpt from the final culminating episode of “The Country In Our Hearts” podcast on Nashville's Kurdish community. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Tony Gonzalez Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Nina Cardona, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
On this day in 1848, the first act of photojournalism took place in Paris during a workers' strike. It took a few days for the photo to become a wood engraving and then to appear in print. We move a bit faster nowadays, so this podcast is recorded and assembled before 6 a.m. and dispatched to your phone within minutes — with the local news for June 25, 2025, and the latest edition of What Where Whens-day. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Tony Gonzalez Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
It's Scottish Heritage Day in Tennessee. Plus, the local news for June 24, 2025, and an update on a WPLN-ProPublica investigation into the embattled head of a Tennessee youth detention center. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Blake Farmer Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
It's hot this week in Middle Tennessee, and over a dozen states nationwide are under a heat advisory. When has it been hotter in Tennessee history? In the 1950s, Tennessee had over a week of 100 degree days.Plus, the local news for June 23, 2025, and a deeper look at a niche running event in Tennessee. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public Radio Host/producer: Cynthia Abrams Editor: Miriam Kramer Additional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
It's the longest day of the year. We're looking at what is known about the ritual site that people built to mark the solstice in this area thousands of years ago. Plus, the local news for June 20, 2025, and episode three of The Country In Our Hearts. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
Today, an explanation of how Nashville stopped being a city and became Metro instead, and how a major part of that transformation may have to change. Plus, the local news for July 18, 2025, and this week's edition of What Where When's-Day. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
Local Juneteenth and Pride organizers are reporting problems with sponsorships this year. Plus, the local news for June 17, 2025, and the Belcourt Theatre at 100 years old. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
This station has come a long way, and we're continuing to stride forward with purpose and confidence. But the Congressional funding battle happening now is a consequential one. Plus, the local news for June 16, 2025, and Remember the Removal. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
Is Friday the 13th really so bad? Or is the problem just that it isn't the 12th? Plus, the local news for June 13, 2025, and a look at the working conditions inside Kentucky's BlueOval SK plant. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
The Nashville-based SBC voted this week to go on the offensive against laws the church considers immoral. Plus, the local news for June 12, 2025, and The Country In Our Hearts. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
Some communities naturally evolve into towns or cities along a clear, straight path. And some put up a fight. Plus, the local news for June 11, 2025, and this week's edition of What Where Whens-Day Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
Last month, rural Tennesseans, Hollywood actors and a live studio audience in New York City came together. On the agenda were issues that bind us.Theater of War is a New York theater company that "presents community-specific, theater-based projects that address pressing public health and social issues." Recently, they approached WPLN criminal justice reporter Paige Pfleger with a fascinating opportunity. Today we bring you the result – an esteemed group of Hollywood actors reading “In Rural Tennessee, Domestic Violence Victims Face Barriers to Getting Justice. One County Has Transformed Its Approach.” The piece, written by Paige Pfleger for WPLN and ProPublica, is read in its entirety. What follows is a post-performance conversation between people from one of Tennessee's most rural areas and the audience in New York City.This episode was produced by Theater of War Productions, Liv Lombardi and Paige PflegerActors Debra Winger (Terms of Endearment, Urban Cowboy) Josh Hamilton (Eighth Grade, The Walking Dead) Daphne Rubin-Vega (In the Heights, Only Murders in the Building) Bill Irwin (Interstellar, Rachel Getting Married).
There's trouble again at one Core Civic prison in Tennessee, as the Brentwood company attempts to reopen several others around the nation to handle ICE detainees. Plus the local news for June 10, 2025 and Louie the Singer. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
In 1918, scores of people died in a train wreck. Many of them might have lived if the railroad hadn't put profit over safety. Plus, the local news for June 9, 2025, and a child's life upended over a social media post. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
Some stories stick with you. For WPLN's Char Daston, the story of Don Srisuriyo, a Murfreesboro man who became a Buddhist monk, was one of them. Plus, the local news for June 6, 2025. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
Episode 1 of WPLN's new series “The Country In Our Hearts” is out now! We travel from a market in South Nashville to the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan to discover what happened on one terrible, pivotal day in 1988.
The Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium weren't always connected. We take a look at how they became forever linked. Plus, the local news for June 5, 2025, and going to Kurdistan to better understand a vibrant Nashville community. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
The meme-worthy escape of a Rutherford County zebra raises all kinds of questions about laws pertaining to animals. Plus the local news for June 4, 2025 and this week's edition of What Where Whens-Day. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
Tennessee's water is remarkably full of an invisible pollutant that sticks around in our bodies. Plus, the local news for June 3, 2025, and a look at a CMA Fest showcase that played to a largely immigrant audience. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
The South is famously averse to unions. These days, that's especially true in Nashville. Plus the local news for June 2, 2025, and TVA's coal about-face. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
Mister Rogers told us to find the helpers when things in the news get to be too much, and that's what we're doing today. Plus, the local news for May 30, 2025, and immigration policy as a wedge issue in churches. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
Many states have outlawed payday loans, but Tennessee is the proving ground for an arguably more predatory option. Plus, the local news for May 29, 2025, and the spread of black bears. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
Thousands of people from five Native nations were forced to leave their ancestral lands on foot, and many of them walked through our communities on their way West. Plus, the local news for May 28, 2025, and this week's edition of What Where Whens-Day. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
The Nashville-based Southern Baptist Convention is meeting soon, and the future of its public policy arm will likely be on the agenda. Plus the local news for May 27 and WNXP's Nashville Artist of the Month. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
Welcome back to our second season of In My Place. This special series educates listeners on what communities like Nashville can do to prevent and end homelessness — while caring for our neighbors who are still unhoused.Many people experiencing homelessness have to overcome hurdles to access services and housing. In our last episode, we discussed the time tax of filling out redundant paperwork. Once that paperwork is filled out and submitted, people are still unhoused. Today we talk about what happens during that waiting period. We will discuss with our guests how providers work with people while they are in limbo about whether, when, and where they will be able to access housing, and we'll hear how people feel about this waiting period.Over the course of nine monthly episodes, we're learning about what it feels like to access services and weave through our local homelessness and healthcare systems. We're discussing what services work, what resources are missing, and what ideas our guests have for improvement.This series was created thanks in part to support from Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and was produced by Judith Tackett and Tasha AF Lemley. Further listening: Overview episode of In My Place Listen to all episodes at the In My Place page on the WPLN website or as a podcast on Apple, Spotify and more.
Memorial Day Weekend is the annual kick off of road trip season. It turns out, it's also the anniversary of the very first proof of concept. Plus, the local news for May 23, 2025, and Niche to Meet You. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
Thousands of Tennessee residents could have their lives upended by a recent federal decision. Plus, the local news for May 22, 2025, and the execution of Oscar Franklin Smith. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
There are tens of thousands of bridges across Tennessee, carrying roads, streets and foot traffic over ravines, creeks, rivers and lakes. Some of them really need repairs. Plus, the local news for May 21, 2025, and this week's edition of What Where Whens-day. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP
When states and cities don't agree, it can get a little complicated. Plus, the local news for May 20, 2025, and a conversation about Tennessee's first lethal injection execution in years scheduled for this week. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP