Shows / Banner & Company
Banner & Company
Banner & Company Productions makes interview and narrative podcasts about Nashville life and the news that affects it.
Episodes
Banner & CompanyBonus: Your pre-election primer
Banner reporters Steven Hale and Stephen Elliott sit down to talk about next week’s elections. They answer community questions about election integrity, bus…
Banner & CompanyStaking Our Claim Episode 2: Working Overtime
Miguel* knows what work is. During the peak of summer, he works seven days a week, sometimes 14 hours a day or more. He does it to provide a good life for his…
Banner & CompanyStaking Our Claim Episode 1: Walking Home
Shawn Dromgoole was afraid to walk in his own neighborhood. Even though he’d grown up in 12South, as a Black man in a rapidly gentrifying part of Nashville, he…
Banner & CompanyMetro happenings — a DC Blox loss, Sheriff Hall and more
Banner reporters Steven Hale and Stephen Elliott sit down to talk about the DC Blox lawsuit, Sheriff Daron Hall’s retirement and this week’s Metro Council…
Banner & CompanyStaking Our Claim: Trailer
Introducing Staking Our Claim — a new limited podcast series from Banner & Company Productions and the Nashville Banner. Hosted by writer, critic and podcaster…
Banner & CompanyA nightmare execution in Tennessee
Banner managing editor Andrea Tudhope sits down with reporters Steven Hale and Mikeie Honda Reiland to talk about the nightmare that unfolded at Riverbend…
Banner & CompanyJoe Kennedy III: former U.S. Representative, diplomat and founder of Groundwork Project
Formerly the U.S. special enjoy to Northern Ireland and U.S. representative for Massachusetts's 4th congressional district, Joe Kennedy III has had an…
Banner & CompanyTamara Saviano: author of Poets and Dreamers: My Life in Americana Music
Tamara Saviano has worked in radio, been a publicist — Kris Kristofferson was a client — served as president of the Americana Music Association (the first…
Banner & CompanyA new look at Nashville’s migrant population and the extreme loss of services they face under Trump
Banner reporters Steven Hale, Stephen Elliott and Eden Turner sit down to talk about new data on how many refugees have likely ended up in Nashville in recent…
Banner & CompanySmilin' Jay McDowell: writer and former member of BR549
Like many musicians before him, Jay McDowell came to Nashville with a guitar and a dream. And then, as he was trying to help his friends find an upright bass…
Banner & CompanyA top city official’s shady deals
Banner reporters Steven Hale and Stephen Elliott go deep into the weeds of an unfolding scandal involving a top official in one of the Metro government’s…
Banner & CompanyMindy Merrell and R.B. Quinn: authors of 'Self-Rising'
Every Southerner knows the importance of a good biscuit. But not everyone knows how deeply important self-rising flour has been to the development of the…
Banner & CompanyWatching Waymos watching us
Banner reporters Steven Hale and Sarah Grace Taylor put on their tinfoil hats and chat about why it feels like somebody or something is watching them. Sarah…
Banner & CompanyBrian Hull: Dolly Parton Collaborator, Writer, Singer and Puppeteer
Not too many people can say they got to sing with Dolly Parton. But Brian Hull can. Over the years, he wrote and directed numerous multimedia performances for…
Banner & CompanyCandice Storey Lee: Vanderbilt University athletic director
Candice Storey Lee was recruited to play basketball for Vanderbilt University, and halfway through the drive from Alabama, she changed her mind. She begged her…
Banner & CompanyMusic City Center, police drones and vice mayor, oh my!
Banner reporters Steven Hale and Stephen Elliott get together to talk about the Metro Council. First thing’s first, Steven asks Stephen to weigh in on the…
Banner & CompanyMichael Burcham: Entrepreneur
A connector, mentor and start-up whisperer, Michael Burcham is one of the most influential figures in Nashville's business ecosystem. The founding president…
Banner & CompanyThe execution of Anthony Darrell Hines
Banner reporter Steven Hale sits down with Steve Cavendish and Mikeie Honda Reiland to talk about Thursday’s execution of Anthony Darrell Hines for the 1985…
Banner & CompanyBonus: Meet the Women Behind Nashville’s 40+ Double Dutch Subclub
Kimmie Christian has been jumping Double Dutch for as long as she can remember. “It's kind of like a passage, right?” she said. “When you're born, you just…
Banner & CompanyMarsha’s win, Ogles’ defeat and all things primary election
Banner reporter Steven Hale is joined by Steve Cavendish and Sarah Grace Taylor to talk about all of Thursday night’s primary election results, from Marsha…
Banner & CompanyAndrew Leeper and Will Minkoff: Nashville Severe Weather Livestreamers
Middle Tennessee weather can be unpredictable — and dangerous. When things get iffy, a trio of "suburban dads" keeps the information flowing. But once the…
Banner & CompanyThe school year ahead
Banner reporters Steven Hale and Lillian Avedian sit down to talk about the coming school year in Nashville and how Lillian approaches covering education. They…
Banner & CompanyLarry Underwood: Horror Movie Host aka Dr. Gangrene
Do you like scary movies? Larry Underwood sure does. He remembers growing up in Nashville watching Frankenstein and Creature From the Black Lagoon movies on…
Banner & CompanyWillie Steele: Writer, Professor and Aspiring Knuckleball Pitcher
When the other kids wanted to watch Indiana Jones, Willie Steele took a chance on a baseball movie instead. He didn't know it at the time, but watching Field…
Banner & CompanyBonus: 2026 Election Round Up
Banner reporters Steven Hale, Sarah Grace Taylor and Stephen Elliott sit down to talk about primary elections. Steven asks about their formative…
Banner & CompanyLamar Alexander: Former Senator and Tennessee Governor
Lamar Alexander once walked more than 1,000 miles from one end of Tennessee to the other, won election as governor as a Republican when Democrats ruled the…
Banner & CompanyBonus: The Bills and the Beef on Data Centers
Banner reporters Steven Hale and Stephen Elliott and intern Anna Blubaugh sit down to discuss — what else? — data centers. Anna and Stephen talk about what…
Banner & CompanyShane Caldwell: Comedian
Shane Caldwell got his start on public access television as "kind of a goof," after watching a comedy show and thinking he and his fellow bartender friends…
Banner & CompanyJill Biden: Former First Lady and Author, 'View From the East Wing'
Former first lady Jill Biden's new book View From the East Wing looks back at her time in the White House and her relationship with former President Joe Biden…
Banner & CompanyMatt Wiltshire: Affordable Housing Investor
Even if everyone can't agree on what "affordable housing" means, one thing is for sure: Nashville needs more of it. Matt Wiltshire has been working on this…
Banner & CompanyLucas L. Johnson II: Author, 'Remembering Roots'
Few Tennesseans have had the cultural impact of Alex Haley, whose landmark 1976 book and subsequent television mini-series Roots: The Saga of an American…
Banner & CompanyBonus: Nashville Debates Data Centers
reporters Steven Hale and Sarah Grace Taylor sit down to discuss data centers. Sarah Grace talks about her reporting on the data center planned for the Fisk…
Banner & CompanyMacon Kimbrough: Former Warehouse 28 Manager and LGBTQ Activist
A historical marker commemorating the storied dance club Warehouse 28 was unveiled two years ago this month. The Warehouse began as a gay disco but was an…
Banner & CompanyBonus: A Marathon Metro Council Meeting, Public Hearing on Budget
Banner reporters Steven Hale and Stephen Elliott sit down to discuss Tuesday night's marathon Metro Council meeting. Stephen talks about the…
Banner & CompanyMargot McCormack: Chef and Restaurateur
When Margot McCormack bought the former gas station that eventually became her restaurant, East Nashville was not considered a culinary destination. More…
Banner & CompanyFreddy Angelico: Musician, Writer and Host of Podcast 'Girl in a Hurry'
As a musician, Freddy Angelico plays many instruments well, but his first love is still his go-to: the guitar. You can hear him play on albums by Lola Kirke…
Banner & CompanyBonus: A 'botched' execution in Tennessee
Banner reporter Steven Hale sits down with editor Steve Cavendish to talk about a day that will go down in history in Tennessee. The day the state intended to…
Banner & CompanyRuth and Lloyd Shular: Nashville Couple Married 75 Years
Every morning at breakfast, Ruth and Lloyd Shular hold hands and, as Lloyd puts it, "associate" — that is, talk about their plans for the day. It's a ritual…
Banner & CompanyBonus: Tennessee Abortion Ban Lawsuit Delay
Banner reporters Steven Hale and Mikeie Honda Reiland sit down to discuss the ongoing litigation over Tennessee's abortion ban. Mikeie shares the stories of…
Banner & CompanyFeed Drop: You Might Be Right
This week we’re sharing a special episode from our friends at the You Might Be Right Podcast, the chart-topping politics/government podcast produced by the…
Banner & CompanyBonus: Tennessee Congressional Redistricting Recap
Banner reporters Steven Hale and Sarah Grace Taylor sit down to discuss the state legislature's special session and rapid redrawing of Tennessee's…
Banner & CompanyAudrey Shulman: Screenwriter, 'Sitting in Bars With Cake'
"That's not how your movie is supposed to end," Audrey Shulman remembers a director telling her. It was surprising to hear, since the movie was based on her…
Banner & CompanyBonus: 2026 State of Metro Analysis and Yes, He's Running
Banner reporters Steven Hale and Stephen Elliott sit down to talk about the 2026 State of Metro. They discuss the speeches they've attended in the past with…
Banner & CompanyMichael Shane Neal: President Biden Portrait Artist
Michael Shane Neal knew from an early age he wanted to be an artist. But there were no artists in his family, so he wasn't sure how he'd turn that into a…
Banner & CompanyBonus: 2026 Legislative Session Recap
Banner reporters Steven Hale and Sarah Grace Taylor sit down to discuss the state legislative session, which came to a whirlwind end on Thursday night. Sarah…
Banner & CompanyJordan Ritter Conn: Writer and Author, 'American Men'
In his new book, writer Jordan Ritter Conn delves into the lives of four men, from very different backgrounds, living in disparate parts of the country. All of…
Banner & CompanyAdam Dread: Attorney, Comedian and Former Metro Councilmember
Adam Dread didn't mean to become an attorney. For a time, he tried his hand at stand-up comedy, touring the country one club at a time. But he studied law, he…
Banner & CompanyBonus: The Latest From Metro Council and the East Bank, Plus Shadow Politics
Banner reporters Steven Hale and Stephen Elliott sit down to talk about Tuesday's Metro Council meeting. Stephen explains the council's debates about nominees…
Banner & CompanyMorgxn: 'Make It Out Alive' Singer, Songwriter and Advocate
Back in his hometown after stints in New York and Los Angeles, Morgxn has a new album, Heartland, and will be performing at Freely Fest — a celebration of the…
Banner & CompanyBonus: Cooperative Housing and Community at Drakes Creek
Banner reporters Steven Hale and Eden Turner sit down to talk about Eden's reporting on the Cottages at Drakes Creek, Nashville's first publicly funded housing…
Banner & CompanyRobert Churchwell Jr.: Son of 'The Jackie Robinson of Journalism'
Robert Churchwell Sr. made history when he joined the original Nashville Banner as the city's first African American reporter. The paper's owner at the time…
Banner & CompanyDr. Sekou Franklin: Executive Director, John Lewis Center for Social Justice
When he took over as executive director Fisk University's John Lewis Center for Social Justice last year, Dr. Sekou Franklin knew he was stepping into a big…
Banner & CompanyBonus: The Case of Estefany Rodríguez
Banner reporters Steven Hale and Mikeie Honda Reiland sit down to talk about Mikeie's reporting on the case of Estefany Rodríguez, the Nashville Noticias…
Banner & CompanyMo Sabri: Muslim Country Musician
Growing up in Johnson City, Tenn., Mo Sabri could look out the window of his parents' house and see cows. He grew up listening to Dolly Parton and Kenny…
Banner & CompanyBonus: Soccer Stadium CBA Update, Plus a Brief History of the Fairgrounds
Banner reporters Steven Hale and Stephen Elliott sit down to talk about the fairgrounds, the property's fascinating role in Nashville politics over the past 15…
Banner & CompanyRev. Margie Quinn: Senior Minister, Vine Street Christian Church
"Is God really a boy?" That's a question that the Rev. Margie Quinn says she found written in her very first diary. Growing up in Nashville — and eventually…
Banner & CompanyBonus: Immigration Bills at the Tennessee Legislature — Undocumented Students and More
Banner reporter Steven Hale sits down with statehouse reporter Sarah Grace Taylor to talk about several immigration-related bills currently under debate at the…
Banner & CompanyAndrée LeQuire: Gallerist and Arts Advocate
From the beginning, Musica — the massive ring of dancing figures that towers nearly 40 feet above Buddy Killen Circle just off Music Row — was meant to be more…
Banner & CompanySpecial Episode: How Banner Reporters Reviewed 50-Plus Hours of THP-ICE Video
In May 2025, Tennessee Highway Patrol teamed up with ICE for a sweeping joint operation that resulted in more than 600 traffic stops, largely in immigrant…
Banner & CompanySai Clayton: Artist and Curator
Growing up with two artistically minded parents, Sai Clayton never wanted for something to fill her time — using her imagination wasn't just encouraged, it was…