Best Nashville Public Radio Podcasts (2024)

1
Ask the mayors 50:50

4h 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

1d 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

5h 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

19h 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

44m 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

2d 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

5h 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

7h 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

8d 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

1d 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

7d 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

12d 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

4d 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

9d 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

17d 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

10d 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

11d 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

20d 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

27d 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

17d 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

22d 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

23d 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

27d 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

22d 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

28d 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

1M 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

1M 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…

1
How the four-day workweek works 50:44

1M ago50:44

50:44

Studies show that employee well-being, job satisfaction, retention and productivity all increase with a compressed schedule. In a recent six-month trial in the UK, nearly 90% of companies that gave a four-day workweek a try kept with it over a year later. But is it as good as it sounds? And how exactly does it work across different industries? Toda…

1
Relevant, Radical & ROTFL: Billy Bragg, Folk Music's Political Poet, ep. 260 1:04:52

29d ago1:04:52

1:04:52

Billy Bragg joins lizzie and Cindy on-board Cayamo to talk about songwriting, social justice, punk rock and, of course, The Little Guy (Bragg's nickname for Woody Guthrie). In our interview we talked about using humor as a way to connect to his audience, so that he can bring up his political activism like fighting for transgender rights, the import…

1
Where Tennessee's medieval enthusiasts find community 50:23

1M ago50:23

50:23

n this episode, we’ll talk to Ren Fest enthusiasts and other folks who celebrate the medieval era to learn what inspires them to take up this type of historical reenactment, whether it’s a lifestyle or just for a weekend. This episode was produced by Magnolia McKay. Guests: Paolo Garbanzo, jester, professional entertainer extraordinaire Kate Brown,…

1
Service dogs and their handlers 50:42

1M ago50:42

50:42

If you don’t have a disability, you may not have ever thought twice about how you would get into a building or whether you can really trust a gluten-free label. When you are disabled, it can seem like every decision you make has to be calculated in order to avoid flareups, episodes or more. Prescription medication, surgery, therapy, Eastern medicat…

1
Profile: Stacy Downey 50:42

1M ago50:42

50:42

In 2010, Stacy Downey founded The Little Pantry That Could in North Nashville, which provided free food and support to any one in need –no questions asked. In 2022, the loss of a lease and sky-high real estate prices forced The Little Pantry to permanently close. Stacy, who has also worked at One Generation Away, joins us today to share her story a…

1
Nashville’s exvangelical movement 50:42

1M ago50:42

50:42

While mainline denominations are seeing a overall decline in attendance, exvangelicals, a term that denotes former evangelical status, are part of a growing online community who are outspoken about why they’ve left the church. In Nashville, evangelical culture is everywhere — think Bible verses on your favorite donut store’s boxes, prayer at social…

1
Leyla McCalla's Joyful Rebellion: Sun Without Heat and the Freedom of Play, ep. 259 1:21:36

1M ago1:21:36

1:21:36

Singer-songwriter Leyla McCalla and her band (bassist Pete Olynciw, drummer Shawn Meyers and guitarist Nahum Zdybel) join us onboard the Cayamo cruise to go through their incredible, righteous and fun new record Sun Without Heat. It is a Leyla McCalla solo album but no solo artist is an island! Once we saw Leyla perform with her band, with whom she…

1
The state of local and public media 50:26

1M ago50:26

50:26

Whether we’re battling fake news, censorship, or just sloppy reporting, it can be extremely difficult for the average person to be engaged with what’s going on — especially in their city or region. Not to mention challenges with the funding model for some types of journalism. The news landscape can look bleak at times. The first half of 2024 has br…

1
In My Place, Episode 3: Housing Strategies 50:43

1M ago50:43

50:43

This series, thanks in part to support from Pinnacle Financial Partners, brings in national and local guests to discuss everything from best practices to worst failures — and we get to hear from people who intimately know the complexities of having nowhere to go. In today's episode, we focus on what it entails to assist a person transitioning from …

1
Humbird: From Dinner Table Singing to Dismantling White Supremacy, ep. 258 1:05:00

2M ago1:05:00

1:05:00

Siri Undlin, better known as Humbird, is a talented singer-songwriter from the Twin Cities with deep roots in Minnesota music and the land that surrounds her. Growing up, she was a true cold weather kid who loved hockey during winter In Minnesota, but also loved music and feeding her vivid imagination. Her love of music was nurtured by her parents,…

1
En Pointe: Nashville’s dance and choreography scene 50:31

2M ago50:31

50:31

Today we'll check in with those who are are innovating in Nashville’s dance scene and find out where Middle Tennesseans can go to see the work of local dancers and choreographers. Plus, visionary dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey carved out a space in the dance world for African American dancers to express themselves, and brought a blend of jazz…

1
Navigating the Waters of Folk Music: Community vs Capitalism, ep. 257 48:40

2M ago48:40

48:40

We're live at sea! lizzie and Cindy recorded this episode onboard Cayamo, which is a singer/songwriter cruise that's been sailing yearly since 2008 and is one of the best music festivals we've attended. AND it's another edition of FOLK DEBATE CLUB. This time it's Community vs Capitalism! Our panel features Jenny Owen Youngs (musician and co-host of…

1
Ask the Mayor, plus 'Taking Cover' 50:41

2M ago50:41

50:41

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell takes listeners calls today. Then, starting this Friday, April 19, Nashville Public Radio will be running the seven-part series Taking Cover at noon. Hosted by NPR's Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman and Graham Smith of the Investigations unit, Taking Cover investigates the worst Marine-on-Marine friendly fire inci…

1
Student reporter roundup 50:19

2M ago50:19

50:19

Middle schoolers, high schoolers and college students all over Middle Tennessee run student newspapers, TV stations and recording studios. These student journalists work hard to deliver news and inform their communities. Today, we’re talking with student writers, reporters and podcasters about their latest coverage — and what it’s like to be an eme…

1
Re-air: Demetria Kalodimos 50:42

2M ago50:42

50:42

With more than 40 years of journalism experience in Nashville, Emmy-award-winning Demetria Kalodimos is still one of the best-known names and faces in local news. After a long career in television, she’s moved on to documentary filmmaking, teaching and resurrecting the print-gone-web Nashville Banner. We sit down with her to talk about her career, …

1
The one about the bras 47:16

2M ago47:16

47:16

Nearly 20 years ago Oprah Winfrey had a segment on her show encouraging women to get fitted, saying "change your bra, change your life." We'll talk to our own local expert on what makes a good bra. And then we turn our attention to a group of women who support each other in their time of breastfeeding. The members of La Leche League, an organizatio…

1
Is liberty and justice really for all? 47:51

2M ago47:51

47:51

If you stand outside a local Old Navy on a hot summer day, you might see a grandmother carrying large bags, overflowing with discounted American-themed apparel for the whole family. It's hard to resist a good sale, especially when it comes in the form of patriotic polyester. Others might be a little more hesitant to proudly display patriotism via f…

1
Jontavious Willis Says Blues Music is for The Kids, ep. 256 49:38

2M ago49:38

49:38

Originally from Greenville Georgia, musician Jontavious Willis is a Blues music phenom. When we talk about the Blues, the phrase or the word "torchbearer" comes up a lot when it comes to young, new Blues artists. I think of that word as a double edged sword. When you think of a torchbearer, you think about someone who's carrying on a flame that was…

1
A soldier, a sailor and a marine all walk into the studio... 47:34

2M ago47:34

47:34

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 t…

1
Nashville's freemasons 51:36

2M ago51:36

51:36

When you think about freemasons, your mind might wander to the founding fathers. Then, you might feel a shiver down your spine and wonder why you sense the eerie presence of Tom Cruise. It turns out, that all of that fear and cult association might be misplaced. Today, we go straight to the source: two freemasons from our very own West Nashville Ph…

1
Long-lasting love 52:27

2M ago52:27

52:27

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! Join us! Guests: Beth and Tommy Wom…

1
This ain't Texas. This is Nashville. 50:58

2M ago50:58

50:58

The idea that Black people can make country music is new to some, but it’s not really a new concept. We’ll dive deep into the history of country music, and the Black artists who helped create and innovate in the genre. Join us here on KNTRY Radio. This episode was produced by Elizabeth Burton and Jewly Hight. This episode was hosted by Jewly Hight.…

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