In the fourth episode of the Nashville Scene Podcast, co-hosts Jerome Moore and D. Patrick Rodgers speak with staff reporters Kelsey Beyeler and Eli Motycka about ongoing protests at Vanderbilt University. As we’ve covered heavily in recent weeks, pro-Palestinian activism on campus this semester has been met with bureaucratic opposition. That came to a head in late March, when a sit-in at Kirkland Hall led to student arrests and suspensions, and even the arrest of our own reporter, Eli. (Eli ultimately faced no charges and was released within a matter of hours.) Chancellor Daniel Diermeir continues to face mounting pressure from students, faculty, local lawmakers and members of the community who say the school’s response has been “excessive and punitive.”

We dive into all that and much more in this week’s episode. Follow Jerome Moore on Instagram (@jeromelmoore), and follow D. Patrick Rodgers on whatever platform you prefer (@dpatrickrodgers).

The third episode of the Nashville Scene Podcast is another two-parter. In our opening segment, co-hosts Jerome Moore and D. Patrick Rodgers speak with former Scene reporter — and current Nashville Banner reporter — Steven Hale about his book Death Row Welcomes You: Visiting Hours in the Shadow of the Execution Chamber. Out March 26, Death Row Welcomes You centers on the community of advocates Hale met during his time covering Tennessee’s spate of executions from 2018 to 2020. Also in this episode we talk to Scene contributor Brittney McKenna about her cover story on Kacey Musgraves’ brand-new fifth record, Deeper Well, out today via Interscope/MCA Nashville. Follow Steven Hale on Twitter/X (@iamstevenhale), follow Brittney McKenna on Twitter/X (@brittneymckenna), follow Jerome Moore on Instagram (@jeromelmoore), and follow D. Patrick Rodgers on whatever platform you prefer (@dpatrickrodgers).

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How much surveillance power will Nashville give its police? What’s a license plate reader? What’s Fusus? How much are Nashvillians already being watched?

In the second episode of the Nashville Scene Podcast — co-hosted by Scene editor-in-chief D. Patrick Rodgers and Deep Dish Conversations host Jerome Moore — staff reporter Eli Motycka joins us to talk about this week’s cover story. In his story — “Technical Difficulties: How Much Surveillance Power Will Nashville Give Its Police?” — Eli explores three forms of technology in particular: Fusus-integrated video, license plate readers and ShotSpotter. It’s a great, in-depth read about an increasingly relevant topic. Also in this episode, we talk to associate editor Cole Villena about this week’s Scene Critics’ Picks. Among our choices for things to do over the next week is the Belcourt’s ongoing Best Picture Marathon, featuring all 10 of this year’s Best Picture nominees. Follow Cole on Instagram at @cole.villena, follow Eli on Twitter/X at @ejmotycka, and follow Jerome on Instagram at @jeromelmoore.

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What's a neighborhood association? Why do they form? How do they affect things like housing density and "quality of life"?

In the first episode of the Nashville Scene Podcast — co-hosted by Scene editor-in-chief D. Patrick Rodgers and Deep Dish Conversations host Jerome Moore — contributor Nicole Williams joins us to speak about this week's cover story. In her story, "Gatekeeping the Neighborhood," Nicole dives into how neighborhood associations affect development in Nashville — in ways both good and bad. It's a great, informative read. Also in this episode, we discuss Nicole's Scene column, "On First Reading," and the messiness that took place at Nashville's most recent Metro Council meeting. Follow Nicole on X (aka Twitter) at @startleseasily.

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