Best Nashville Public Radio Podcasts (2024)

1
Citywide reporter roundup: Entertainment edition 50:37

3h ago50:37

50:37

Today, we’re speaking with Caché McClay, The Tennessean’s dedicated Beyoncé reporter, and Bryan West, The Tennessean’s dedicated Taylor Swift reporter, about what it’s like to cover two global superstars from here in Nashville. Julia Masters from the Nashville Business Journal will be in to break down her recent entertainment coverage, including: a…

1
Peggy Seeger spills Folk Feminist Tea with Dawn Landes, ep. 270 1:10:30

26m ago1:10:30

1:10:30

Editor's note: For this episode, we invited our friend Dawn Landes to interview Peggy Seeger. Dawn was the perfect choice to interview the feminist folk icon. She recently joined us on a special episode with Aoife O'Donovan to discuss their feminist-themed new albums. We're thrilled to welcome Dawn back as guest host! I can’t believe it took me 40 …

1
This is Nicheville 50:39

5h ago50:39

50:39

One of the main ways we can interact with others is through our hobbies and niche interests. And they’ve got another benefit, too: When we learn more about other people’s hobbies and niche interests, we better appreciate the world around us and we can embrace and celebrate our differences. Today, we delve into three vastly different niche activitie…

1
Worker safety: A cloud over the construction boom 50:58

3h ago50:58

50:58

We're seemingly full of towering yellow cranes and active construction sites busy with workers using hefty machinery and hoisting heavy materials – often several hundred feet in the air. Tragically, Tennessee is one of the most dangerous states when it comes to construction worker on-the-job injury and deaths. In recent years, the city of Nashville…

1
Profile: María Magdalena Campos-Pons 50:40

1d ago50:40

50:40

Campos-Pons is the Cornelius Vanderbilt chair of fine arts and identifies just as much as a teacher as an artist. She grew up in a small village in the Cuban state of Matanzas, and the community, topography, and vibrant Cuban artistic community she experienced in her youth continues to inform her work. In 2023, Campos-Pons was named a MacArthur Fel…

1
‘Dynamite Nashville’ pieces together what happened in the Nashville bombings 50:42

2d ago50:42

50:42

In 1946, a violent uprising in Columbia, Tenn., led to national attention and a court case that historians say was the first time the legal system was used by Black defendants in the Civil Rights Movement. Then, in the late '50s and early '60s, three bombings in Nashville kicked off a nationwide campaign of violence in opposition to the movement. T…

1
Ana Egge on Dream-Writing, the Truth, and Sinead O'Connor, ep. 269 1:06:06

7d ago1:06:06

1:06:06

Folk music singer Ana Egge's 13th album Sharing in the Spirit came out of the musician one song at a time. She didn't even think about moving onto a new song before the writing and production of each song was complete. Working with her friend and collaborator Lorenzo Wolff, the songwriting process and music production plan was to just work on a han…

1
'Lo Fi' by Liz Riggs takes readers to the time before new Nashville 50:44

3d ago50:44

50:44

Dubbed the "High Fidelity" for millennials, the book paints a picture of Nashville before it became "It City" — before the bachelorettes moved in, before Lower Broad was owned by country stars and before most major bands added Music City as a tour stop. "Lo Fi" takes us back to a time when Nashville felt like it was by residents and for residents. …

1
Paddle, paddle, paddle! Making a splash in Tennessee's scenic waterways 50:45

4d ago50:45

50:45

One of the gifts of living here in Middle TN is that our state is full of some of the nation’s most beautiful ponds, rivers, and lakes. There are so many ways to enjoy the water from swimming, to paddling a kayak, canoe or paddle board, to fishing. If you’re not familiar with how to jump in, how can you get started? And what do you need to know to …

1
Profile: Dr. Steven Townsend 50:43

5d ago50:43

50:43

Dr. Townsend’s lab ‘cares about why people get sick’ and applies organic chemistry to help people everywhere get and stay healthy. He is pioneering the chemical make-up of human breast milk. He discovered a new class of sugars in human milk that prevent babies from getting viral and bacterial infections, and the wide-reaching applications for his l…

1
Soundcheck Stories and Life Lessons: Chris Smither and Peter Mulvey, ep. 268 1:01:23

9d ago1:01:23

1:01:23

Chris Smither has been Peter Mulvey's mentor since back in 1993, when the young Mulvey opened for the already seasoned Smither. The blues and folk legend liked what he heard and enjoyed the similarities in creativity and quirks and he took that young man on the road with him. Their musical partnership has crossed paths and outlasted the digital age…

1
Music Citizens: A new podcast from WNXP 50:42

10d ago50:42

50:42

Music Citizens is about the people who make music work. Each episode will explore what it takes to do the jobs that keep the music business moving and introduce you to the characters who are often well-known within their worlds but whose vital work goes largely uncelebrated. Today, we’re speaking with Jason Moon Wilkins, program director for WNXP a…

1
Writing about the death penalty 50:47

11d ago50:47

50:47

Meanwhile, time marches on — as do cases, appeals and new bills. Today, we're welcoming journalists and authors Liliana Segura, Steven Hale and Joe Ingle to talk about their latest work writing about this punishment. Today's guests: Liliana Segura | Investigative journalist covering the U.S. criminal justice system, The Intercept Steven Hale | Auth…

1
Profile: Tonya Abari 50:36

12d ago50:36

50:36

When Tonya started looking for books for her children to read, she noticed that they all featured white kids. At the same time she wanted to get back into journalism and even considered writing classroom curriculum. Writing for the classroom didn't work out, but writing children's books that celebrate Juneteenth and a diverse range of Black hairsty…

1
Citywide reporter roundup: religion edition 50:42

21d ago50:42

50:42

In 2024, many different faith communities are flourishing in Middle Tennessee and local religion reporters, whose work often reaches national audiences, have a lot to cover. Today we are joined by Liam Adams, Religion Reporter for The Tennessean, Holly Meyer, the Global Religion News Editor for the Associated Press, and WPLN’s own Rachel lacovone, …

1
Steve Poltz Wants to Listen to The Grateful Dead, Watch Laugh-In and Write a Song Together, ep. 267 1:18:43

21d ago1:18:43

1:18:43

If you're looking for recommendations for desserts, might I suggest asking folk music and comedy savant Steve Poltz? This man loves gluten and carb-heavy deserts. He also loves collaborations, camaraderie, creativity and using humor in music. It all began for Poltz, or Poltzy as his friends call him, in his birthplace of Halifax Nova Scotia, making…

1
They say diplomacy starts at home- so do diplomats! 50:43

17d ago50:43

50:43

US diplomats live and work overseas, helping US citizens abroad as well as building relationships with host countries. They get a new assignment to change countries — and often the languages they’re working in — about every two years. What is their life and work really like? And who are the people working here in the US to support US foreign policy…

1
In My Place, Episode 5: Upstream homelessness prevention 50:40

18d ago50:40

50:40

In My Place educates listeners on what cities like Nashville can do to prevent and end homelessness — while caring for our neighbors who are still unhoused. We talk to national and local guests about everything from best practices to worst failures and hear from people who intimately know the complexities of having nowhere to go. This show highligh…

1
Basic Folk Presents: Only Vans 29:52

18d ago29:52

29:52

Editor’s note: Basic Folk is pleased to introduce our listeners to one of our favorite podcasts by sharing an episode in our feed! I am awestruck with the charm and charisma of Texas Country Musician Bri Bagwell - most impressively demonstrated on her podcast Only Vans, where she talks to her friends in her van (actually she recently upgraded to an…

1
Re-air: A soldier, a sailor and a marine all walk into the studio… 50:42

22d ago50:42

50:42

Military service is a point of pride for many here in Tennessee and across the country. From wanting to serve something bigger than oneself, to seeking job experience or world travel, to honoring a family tradition of service — everyone who joins the military must find their own reason for signing up. Today, we’re talking with local recruiters from…

1
Re-Air: Tyler Merritt 50:39

24d ago50:39

50:39

Today, he talks with host Khalil Ekulona about the upcoming elections, diversity in Nashville, and how he talks about difficult, political topics. This episode was produced by Elizabeth Burton.By WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio

1
Archiving the Heart: Greg Brown on Music, Family, and Throwing Out Old Notebooks, ep. 266 44:27

23d ago44:27

44:27

Iowa folk music icon Greg Brown is living that retired life. After playing his farewell retirement concert in 2023, he's returned with a new book: Ring Around The Moon: A Songbook, which highlights a song selection personally picked by the songwriter himself, as well as family photos, personal anecdotes and self-penned drawings. The book features a…

1
Ask the mayors 50:50

26d ago50:50

50:50

Call 615-760-2000 to share what’s on your mind or to ask either mayor a question. This is your opportunity to get your questions answered. From transportation to transportainment, we never know what’s going to come up on our Ask The Mayor show, but it’s always interesting. Join us! This episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys and Mary Mancini. Gue…

1
Profile: Big Fella 50:38

27d ago50:38

50:38

Big Fella, aka Willie Sims, Jr., is a musician, entertainer, TV producer, community activist and advocate, ordained minister, board member, chef, teacher, life coach and is known by many as the Unofficial Mayor of Music City. You may have seen his self-produced cooking show, Cookin' Wit' Big Fella. Perhaps, you know him from the Juneteenth firework…

1
WPLN News & NPR's Embedded present: "Supermajority" 3:02

29d ago3:02

3:02

Supermajority is a new podcast from NPR’s Embedded, in partnership with WPLN News, exploring what happens when one political party has near-complete control. In this four-episode series, hosted by Meribah Knight, we follow the story of three conservative women challenging their own party. As Americans focus on national politics this election year, …

1
Kids in action 50:40

1M ago50:40

50:40

So what do teenagers in Nashville want their home city and region to be like now and in the future? What’s working and what isn’t? Today, we’ll speak to kids in two different youth-oriented programs who share the same goal — to have a future in a city that is built to work for all. Guests: Chef Sterling Wright | Chef, community advocate, and Napier…

1
The Reckoning of Montreal Banjo-Witch Kaïa Kater, ep. 265 1:23:59

1M ago1:23:59

1:23:59

After banjo player Kaïa Kater attended Americana Fest in 2016, the music industry started telling her she was a part of the genre, which encompasses all kinds of roots music, acoustic music, folk music, singer-songwriter and alternative country music. She was singing about heavy themes like historical trauma, her cultural heritage (her father is fr…

1
Kids in service 51:13

1M ago51:13

51:13

Today, we’ll hear from young people about how they are volunteering in their communities. We'll kick off with Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee and a young student to get the scoop on the Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge, which invites elementary kids to devote a portion of their summer break to serving others. Next, we'll speak with young people…

1
What it's like to be a kid right now 50:41

1M ago50:41

50:41

We want to know: What is it really like to be a kid right now? Rising 6th, 8th and 11th graders are here to tell us all about school, friendships, parents, social media and what they think about where they are in life right now. We are ready — and excited — to listen to these young voices from schools across Middle Tennessee. Join us for an especia…

1
Profile: Ann Powers 50:42

1M ago50:42

50:42

For over 40 years, Ann Powers has been writing about music and pop culture for outlets such as The Village Voice, The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times. She’s probably interviewed all of the relevant music artists of the past four decades — from Prince to Madonna — and she’s authored many books. They include: "Weird Like Us: My Bohemian Amer…

1
How Metro Arts conflict is impacting artists 51:06

1M ago51:06

51:06

As much as we all love drama, we’d prefer it stayed on stage. At the June 4 council meeting, Metro Council approved the $200,000 settlement that would ensure former Director Daniel Singh’s resignation from the Metro Arts Commission. This is just the latest in a multiyear long conflict regarding equity — within the Metro Arts staff, between Metro Ar…

1
Guster is a Place, ep. 264 59:03

1M ago59:03

59:03

Frontman Ryan Miller joins us to talk about all things Guster. From their tried and true collaborative writing process to the theatrical delights of their recent "We Also Have Eras" tour, to what it really looks like to make environmental sustainability a priority on tour. Guster has just released their 9…

1
Tennessee Pageant and Scholarship Competitions 50:44

1M ago50:44

50:44

From the outside, the world of beauty pageants and scholarship competitions can be fun to watch- but sometimes difficult to fully understand. What are the competitions really like? What does it take to win? And what exactly does a titleholder do for the year after she wins? Miss Tennessee USA 2024, Miss Black Tennessee USA 2024, Miss Tennessee 2023…

1
Re-Air: Long-lasting Love 50:44

1M ago50:44

50:44

Today we’re talking with two couples who have been together for several decades … and who are happy to say that they continue to love and like each other each day. We’ll also hear about a bonded couple who show their love through sharing treats, making biscuits, and grooming each other … guess what species they are!? A shorter version of this episo…

1
Profile: State Senator Heidi Campbell 50:35

1M ago50:35

50:35

Her political career began in St. Paul, Minnesota. When she came back to her hometown of Nashville, she became the Mayor of Oak Hill, then State Senator. Last year she ran for Mayor of Nashville, she even ran for Congress in 2022. But did you know that path to holding public office was not the path she first envisioned for herself? We’ll talk with …

1
Ask not one, but two, mayors! 50:38

2M ago50:38

50:38

Dial 615-760-2000 to share what’s on your mind or to ask either mayor a question. We never fully know what’s going to come up on our Ask The Mayor show, but it’s always a good time. Join us! This episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys and Mary Mancini. Guests: Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell Franklin Mayor Ken Moore Listen to previous Ask the M…

1
Finding Freedom in a Flip Phone: John Moreland's Quest for a Simple Life, ep. 263 59:05

1M ago59:05

59:05

I hate surprises. However, Oklahoma's pride and joy John Moreland surprised us with his latest album Visitor and I guess I'm okay with it. Moreland's gone back to a sparse acoustic instrumentation, unlike the electronic sound (which I also loved) on his previous release, 2022's Birds in the Ceiling. Recently, he took a page from his wife Pearl Rach…

1
What's going on at Metro Arts? 50:51

2M ago50:51

50:51

For people who haven’t been following the story, it’s hard to know where to start if you want to learn more. For people who have been following, it can get complicated, and it’s easy to forget what's really happened. Today, we’re diving into it all headfirst and reviewing the most impactful, dysfunctional (and wildest) moments that led us to where …

1
In My Place, Episode 4: The interconnectedness of health care, housing and homelessness 50:33

2M ago50:33

50:33

Housing is health care — which becomes especially apparent when we get to know our unhoused population. Here, we talk about what happens to people’s health and health care once they have lost their permanent housing. In My Place educates listeners on what cities like Nashville can do to prevent and end homelessness — while caring for our neighbors …

1
Nashville's farmers market communities 50:37

2M ago50:37

50:37

Farmers markets are a way for food growers and other vendors to serve the community directly, outside of big box grocery stores. So who are these farmers and other vendors? Who are the community members that come out to support them? And how do farmers markets intersect with food justice? GUESTS Michael Bradford, Farmer and co-owner of Una Acre Far…

1
Claps, Covers, and Come Ons: Inside Barnstar!'s Musical Mischief, ep. 262 57:49

2M ago57:49

57:49

Barnstar!, Boston's premiere kinda bluegrass and definitely bombastic band, has released their new album Furious Kindness and we're #blessed to welcome Mark Erelli and Zachariah Hickman to the pod. Originally a fun side hustle and bluegrass vehicle for Zack, the group, which also includes Charlie Rose and Taylor and Jake Armerding, started very cas…

1
Vietnam veterans of Middle Tennessee 50:42

2M ago50:42

50:42

Veterans and their advocates have worked hard over the past several decades to make sure that veterans receive the care and support they need. Today, we’re speaking with local Vietnam veterans about their experiences and those working to learn and share veteran’s stories. Plus, we'll learn how anyone can get involved to make a difference for local …

1
Citywide reporter roundup 50:43

2M ago50:43

50:43

Today, Jeremy Finley, chief investigative reporter for News Channel 4; Adam Sichko, senior reporter for Nashville Business Journal; and Mike Organ, college sports reporter for The Tennessean, will break down their latest stories and what they’re keeping their eyes on coming up. Join us for our citywide reporter roundup! Today’s episode was produced…

1
Profile: Pastor Greg Bullard 50:43

2M ago50:43

50:43

He leads the church Covenant of the Cross in Madison, and he is Nashville's longest serving openly gay pastor. Pastor Greg works to fill in the gaps left by antagonistic laws, homophobic and transphobic organizations, and to provide a place for LGBT worshippers to be spiritually filled while also getting the resources they need. This episode was pr…

1
The power of preventative health 50:45

2M ago50:45

50:45

Routine health habits might be easy to ignore, but they make a huge difference in our wellbeing. Today, local physicians and a mental health care provider are here to share what we all need to know — and can do — to take good care of our bodies and minds. This episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys. Guests: Dr. Carmen Tuchman, primary care physic…

1
Fran & Flora Are Reimagining Traditional Yiddish Folk Music, ep. 261 1:07:36

2M ago1:07:36

1:07:36

Two long-time collaborators, cellist Francesa Ter-Berg and violinist Flora Curazon, Fran & Flora, have bonded over their obsession with ancient music, rooted in Eastern European and Jewish culture, for over a dozen years. Together and separately, the English musicians have been studying with teachers of ethnomusicology in places like Transylvania a…

1
How restorative practices are changing some Nashville classrooms 50:44

2M ago50:44

50:44

The conventional methods of management and discipline rely heavily on removing struggling students from the classroom — putting them even further behind. And this discipline disproportionately affects students of color. But educators and researchers have been developing ways to avoid the school-to-prison pipeline — a lot of these fall under the umb…

1
What's going on with TVA? 50:43

2M ago50:43

50:43

Residents, elected officials, and climate activists have concerns about what the use of fossil fuels will mean for the state, especially as scientists say we should be phasing out our fossil fuel consumption. Today, we'll hear from reporters about their perspective on the TVA Board of Directors, which oversees the utility, and what the fossil fuel …

1
Profile: Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez 50:26

2M ago50:26

50:26

Prisca Dorcas Mojica RodrDespite finding acclaim and recognition in cities like LA and New York, and through her Instagram page @LatinaRebels, she struggles to find her place and feel seen in Nashville. She attributes part of that to being a disruptor- she was the one asking the tough questions and wearing upside down crosses while enrolled at Vand…

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