Shows / This Is Nashville
This Is Nashville
This Is Nashville is a live one-hour daily show driven by community, for community. This flagship program of WPLN News will become your one-stop-shop for news in Nashville and Middle Tennessee, as we continue to show up each day.
Episodes
- This Is Nashville
Carla Christina Contreras on the SAG-AFTRA strike
Now that the Writers Guild of America finally has a deal, what does that mean for SAG-AFTRA? Last week, WGA reached a deal with the Alliance of Motion Pictures…
- This Is Nashville
Gettin' batty!
Even though bats may not be the first animal to come to mind when we dream of our fine flying friends in Middle Tennessee, they're arguably some of the most…
- This Is Nashville
Formerly incarcerated people want their voting rights back. That's why they're suing Tennessee.
Tennessee has one of the strictest policies of all US states for formerly incarcerated people who want to vote. The state permanently bars people with felony…
- This Is Nashville
Gimme Shelter — in Madison!
When we think about our unhoused community, Nashville is no longer just Nashville. Nashville is now Antioch, Hermitage, West Meade…Madison — many tight…
- This Is Nashville
The writer's strike is coming to an end. Now what?
The Writers Guild of America strike began on May 2, and as of yesterday, the union has reached a tentative deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and…
- This Is Nashville
Tennessee's close-knit fiber arts community
When you think about knitting, crocheting or any other fiber arts, you might recall your long-lost pandemic pastime. You might even think of an older relative…
- This Is Nashville
New call-in show coming to WPLN wants to hear from the political 'Middle'
People in the political center, and people in the middle of the country, will decide the presidential election of 2024. If you're one of these people, Jeremy…
- This Is Nashville
What to know about this year's Americana Fest
This episode first aired September 16, 2022. Americana is a unique genre of music. Straight away, its name lets you know that it is a self-aware exploration of…
- This Is Nashville
Dr. Rich Milner on classroom discipline, restorative practices and the opportunity gap
Dr. Rich Milner is a leading voice in bringing restorative practices into the classroom. As the Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair of Education in the Department of…
- This Is Nashville
What helps students finish college?
College is difficult for everyone, but the high costs and confusing bureaucracy make it especially difficult for low-income students, as well as those who are…
- This Is Nashville
Strong Inside: A courtside look at Nashville hero Perry Wallace
Nashville Children's Theatre presents the world premiere of "Strong Inside," the story of Perry Wallace, a Nashville pioneer on the basketball court and civil…
- This Is Nashville
What's next for Freddie O'Connell, Nashville's new mayor
In a landslide, Freddie O'Connell has won the runoff election for mayor of Nashville with 64% of the vote. Runoff elections for Metro Council seats and a…
- This Is Nashville
Don't dream it's (almost) over: the mayoral runoff in Davidson County
Today is Election Day! It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. The 2023 mayoral race is finally coming to a close. Alice Rolli and Freddie O’Connell have…
- This Is Nashville
Mayoral forum with Freddie O'Connell and Alice Rolli
Our city is about to choose a new mayor, and election day is less than two weeks away — Thursday, September 14th. Freddie O’Connell and Alice Rolli are the…
- This Is Nashville
Tea time in Middle Tennessee
It has a rich history in East Asia, where the Camellia sinensis plant is native. This is the tea leaf plant that produces the black, green, oolong and white…
- This Is Nashville
How caring for an older relative impacts life, finances and health
Finding or providing care for an older adult will almost certainly touch many of us at some point, especially as people live longer. Estimates are that by…
- This Is Nashville
How Egyptian Americans in Nashville find community
Thousands of Egyptian families have arrived in Nashville since the 1990s, and many of the new arrivals have kept the local service industry afloat, staffing…
- This Is Nashville
Driving toward a better bus system for Nashville
The past few years have not been easy for Nashville’s WeGo bus network. But behind the scenes, the agency has been trying to make progress on improvements that…
- This Is Nashville
Kicking asphalt and dirt, too: running in Middle Tennessee
But what barriers exist for people to get into running — beyond finding a good pair of shoes? How do running groups make it more welcoming and accessible? And…
- This Is Nashville
Bonus: Tennessee special session Day 4 updates
The special session is … not … over. WPLN state politics reporter Blaise Gainey discusses the surprise turn of events that will extend the session and provides…
- This Is Nashville
Nashville perspectives on the Maui wildfires
Hawaiians have faced uncertainty as authorities rushed to save lives, distribute aid and contain the fires. As of Tuesday, Aug. 22, 115 people were confirmed…
- This Is Nashville
Bonus: Tennessee special session Day 3 updates
As lawmakers race through special session, WPLN journalists Rose Gilbert, Char Datson, and Tony Gonzalez bring us the latest from the state capitol.
- This Is Nashville
Nashville’s body positive movement
Pop culture and widely accepted ideas about body size and shape have long been dominated by standards set by supermodels and pro athletes. But there’s a…
- This Is Nashville
Bonus: Tennessee special session Day 2 updates
As lawmakers enter special session, WPLN political reporter Blaise Gainey and host Marianna Bacallao brings us the latest from an exceptionally long day at the…
- This Is Nashville
How the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes are hitting Nashville
With no writers and no actors, scripted television and most of the film industry has come to a complete halt. With growing concerns about AI, and lack of fair…
- This Is Nashville
Bonus: Tennessee special session Day 1 updates
As lawmakers enter special session, WPLN political reporter Blaise Gainey brings us the latest from an exceptionally long day at the state capitol. From a…
- This Is Nashville
From ‘Rocky Top’ to ‘Tennessee Waltz,’ corruption scandals are an old song in Tennessee
As the state legislature enters its special session, reporters and watchdogs are circling to make sure everyone plays by the rules. In their new book, Welcome…
- This Is Nashville
What’s so special about next week’s special legislative session?
Starting the afternoon of Aug. 21, lawmakers will get to work. This “extraordinary session” is limited to bills regarding things like mental health, school…
- This Is Nashville
Want to make it as a writer? Try the Killer Nashville Writers’ Conference
Since 2006, hundreds of writers of mystery, crime, suspense and other genres have gathered here in Nashville. The Killer Nashville International Writers’…
- This Is Nashville
Exploring Nashville’s emo past and future
Artists have flocked to the city’s community-centered scene and passionate fans. As the emo revival continues to thrive today, Nashville has claimed its…
- This Is Nashville
The grind never stops
When you think of side hustles and Nashville, you probably imagine an aspiring country singer bartending on Broadway while he hopes one of the country legends…
- This Is Nashville
Talking new music with WNXP
What is new music you should know about? Who is coming to town to perform? The cast at WNXP will join us to give you everything you need to know about the cool…
- This Is Nashville
Celebrating 50 years of hip-hop culture
On Aug. 11, 1973, a party in the Bronx changed the direction of music history. That night, DJ Kool Herc showed off a new way to play records on two turntables…
- This Is Nashville
The city's license plate reader pilot program has ended. What now?
As discussed previously on this show, license plate readers have been a controversial technology for law enforcement. Some see them as a crucial tool for…
- This Is Nashville
Remembering Charlie Strobel, Room In the Inn founder and homeless advocate
Few people make the kind of impact on a city that Charlie Strobel did. On a winter night in 1985, Father Strobel, then pastor at Holy Name Catholic Church in…
- This Is Nashville
The pros and cons of school resource officers
One safety measure used by Metro Nashville Public Schools is school resource officers — SROs — which are staffed by the city’s police department. But having…
- This Is Nashville
Exploring Metro Nashville police lawsuits and settlements
The MNPD has faced lawsuits both internally and externally regarding sexual assault and harassment, police brutality and more. The city caps any settlements at…
- This Is Nashville
Nashville’s karaoke superstars
Karaoke is where amateur singers go to shine! Or, in Nashville, where aspiring professionals sometimes go to try and drum up a following. It’s a low-stakes…
- This Is Nashville
Jerome Moore, host of Deep Dish Conversations, on social change, Nashville and beyond
How do communities change? Who can make change in their communities? North Nashville native Jerome Moore takes a broad approach to exploring both those…
- This Is Nashville
NECAT
Public access television is arguably the most intimate and personal form of programming offered in our country. Legendary for its low budget production…
- This Is Nashville
History of brothels in Nashville
During the Civil War, the city was under Union control and full of soldiers, which created a demand for sex workers. After attempts to remove the women failed…
- This Is Nashville
How to vote in Nashville, and why
With Election Day just three days away, we're talking about voting! Today, we'll bring you an update on early voting turnout and walk through some basics about…
- This Is Nashville
Reimagining the Cumberland River
Why do so many people ignore or avoid the Cumberland River? And how have perceptions — and access to our winding river — changed? In this episode, we dive into…
- This Is Nashville
The cost of disability and chronic illness
Giving birth costs an average of $18,885 nationwide before insurance. If you have a medical emergency, you can expect to spend hundreds on your ambulance ride…
- This Is Nashville
What does the vice mayor do?
On August 3rd, voters will decide who they want their next mayor and council members to be. But they’ll also cast their vote for vice mayor. It’s a job that…
- This Is Nashville
The future of passenger rail in Middle Tennessee
And it’s projected that in 20 years, urban growth might extend a trip to Chattanooga or Memphis by an hour. One potential solution to stem this congestion is…
- This Is Nashville
What the Jason Aldean controversy tells us about the state of country music
A new music video from country singer Jason Aldean has created quite the buzz. It places his song, “Try That In A Small Town,” amid scenes of riots and police…
- This Is Nashville
Peering into space with Nashville astronomers
Some of the most exciting research in astronomy is happening right here in Nashville. A little more than a year ago, NASA released the first images from the…
- This Is Nashville
The support and brotherhood found in men’s groups
Some are turning to men’s groups as a resource. In these groups, they find brotherhood, support and judgment-free spaces to talk about things that come up in…
- This Is Nashville
How zoning works in Nashville
What’s allowed to be built in my neighborhood? Can I build a second unit on my property? How can I make sure new construction will benefit my community and not…
- This Is Nashville
Remembering Bishop Marcus Campbell
His legacy includes pastoring The Church at Mt. Carmel, ministering to his neighborhood through events and summer camps, and starting the Gentlemen And Not…
- This Is Nashville
Major Jackson on poetry, podcasting and finding his voice
Major Jackson has published five books of poetry, and is also the host of the Slowdown podcast from American Public Media and the Poetry Foundation. On top of…
- This Is Nashville
Nashville’s ride ecosystem
But just a decade ago, these options didn’t exist. Taxis were the best option back then, and are still around. But one of these systems is regulated by the…
- This Is Nashville
Revisiting long COVID in Middle Tennessee
On May 5, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the global Public Health Emergency for the pandemic. That was a cause for celebration for…
- This Is Nashville
Nashville's roller skating culture
Roller skating videos went viral on social media during the lockdown days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a lot of people took up the sport during that time. But…
- This Is Nashville
The legacy of Nashville hot chicken
Hot chicken is Nashville’s most famous dish. It has a cult following, a mythological backstory and humble beginnings. But it is much more than just a meal — it…
- This Is Nashville
Nashville's approach to conservation
Zoos are a staple of American culture. They’re an enjoyable outing for families, couples and friends and a rare opportunity to see animals that a lot of us…
- This Is Nashville
Nashville’s short-term rental industry and regulations
Since 2015, Nashville has gone from a couple thousand short-term rentals to nearly 7,000 with official permits. And in the past five years, the city has…
- This Is Nashville
Listen to the kids! Here’s how Nashville mayoral candidates handled youth questions – Part 2
In Part 2, candidates answer questions on economic development, mental health and guns, and This Is Nashville senior producer Steve Haruch, multimedia producer…
- This Is Nashville
Listen to the kids! Here’s how Nashville mayoral candidates handled youth questions – Part 1
On Monday, June 26, This Is Nashville and WPLN News collaborated with the Nashville Child and Youth Collaborative to put on a mayoral forum, which we called…