In 2023, Phil Williams became the first Nashville reporter to receive the John Chancellor Award for Excellence in Journalism from Columbia University. It was yet another piece of hardware to add to his already crowded shelf of accolades, full of numerous Peabody Awards, including one for his coverage of Franklin mayoral candidate Gabrielle Hanson.

Investigative reporting is hard work, and it can rub people the wrong way, especially if they have something to hide. But if that's what it takes to get to the truth, then Phil Williams is OK with people not liking him. And there are plenty of people who don't like him. But for this veteran investigative reporter, it's never personal when it comes to the facts.

Host: Demetria Kalodimos

Producers: Andrea Tudhope and Steve Haruch

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices