After graduating from UC Santa Barbara, Steve Swenson set out to make a name for himself in the radio industry. Mission accomplished. 

His 45-year career has seen him in key positions in Washington DC, Los Angeles, New York and finally Nashville. Well, he's soon retiring and This Is Nashville would be remiss if we did not sit down with our boss for last drop of wisdom. Listen in to this episode as he reflects on a fantastic career.

This episode was produced by Khalil Ekulona.

We're saying goodbye to Khalil today! After more than 550 episodes and thousands of guests, Khalil Ekulona is taking his last turn behind the This Is Nashville mic.

 We have gratitude — but no words — so we're inviting the public to call in with some. Join the conversation at noon or listen later to hear what he has meant to you and Middle Tennessee!

Today's episode was produced by Mary Mancini, Katherine Ceicys and Josh Deepan.

GUESTS

No matter what you think about aging, one thing is for sure: EVERYbody’s doing it!

It’s also true that in the U.S., people are living longer, and overall, healthier, more active and empowered than ever in our country’s history.

It’s not uncommon to have three, four, or even five generations in the same family or workplace.

According to the last U.S. Census, adults in Tennessee over 60 make up 23% of the population. That’s about one in 5 people — and growing.

This rapid demographic shift is changing conversations around aging. Starting with this first episode, we join that discussion with a new series titled “Next Age.” Once a month, we’ll bring you stories and information about growing older in the 21st century — and how Middle Tennesseans are reframing aging.

Our show is made possible by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee and our series on aging is made possible by a grant from The West End Home Foundation — enriching the lives of older adults though grantmaking, advocacy and community collaboration.

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Elite piano tuning is grueling work. It’s taxing on the body, it strains relationships, and it never leads to fame or glory.

Music Citizens, a podcast series by WNXP and Nashville Public Radio, recently explored how someone becomes the top piano tuner in Nashville and why they would want to. Today we welcome the voices of episode three, The Tuner. They're just some of the people who keep the music business moving — but whose vital work goes largely uncelebrated. Plus, we learn what it takes to fix a piano when it is seemingly broken beyond repair.

Guests

Further listening

• Listen to Music Citizens Episode 3: The Tuner, and every episode of Music Citizens, wherever you get your podcasts or on the WNXP website.

Khalil Ekulona has been the voice — and a driving force — of This Is Nashville since he helped launch the show three years ago. He has brought his curiosity, warmth and genuine empathy to the more than 550 episodes he’s hosted. Today, he’s sitting down on the other side of the mic to share about his time on This Is Nashville and the surprising journey that led him to public radio. 

We’ll also hear about the large family that shaped Ekulona, his love for creating music, and his philosophy on the importance of living life right now, no matter what. Jad Abumrad is the special guest host today.

Today's episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys. 

GUESTS

FURTHER LISTENING

Every month, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell joins us to discuss the latest happenings in and around the city — and take your calls.

Do you have a concern you would like him to address? Do you have a question about the direction of the city? Call 615-760-2000 with your question or comment. Then, later in the show, we hear from Jaffee Judah about his path to environmental justice advocacy and the work of his non-profit, Recycle and Reinvest.

This episode was produced by Mary Mancini and Josh Deepen.

Guests

Hip hop as a genre is getting more attention from the music industry in Nashville. A good thing! But not all hip hop music is the same, nor are the ways in which hip hop music is made. The old technique, i.e., sampling, is as popular as ever, but in certain aspects it is different from when it was introduced.

Once a month, a group of producers gathers together to play each other's tracks they are working on. Music City Producers, based out of Madison, hosts producers of all types of hip hop and its derivatives: boom-bap, trap, R&B, lo-fi, EDM, trance, club, etc.

Today we meet some of the producers and talk with them about their music, how they create it, and why samples are important to how they work.

We also follow the process of how to use samples to create a hip hop song. Hip hop artist M Slago will travel with host Khalil Ekulona as they venture into a record store to shop for vinyl, head back to the studio to listen, and create their own hip hop track for all to hear.

Guests

We love hearing about the moment in someone’s life when they decide it’s time to start helping others. We call it “a civic spark.”

Today, we’re talking to two people — Brittney Brown with The Store and Samaria Leach with Window of Love — about their civic spark moments. How were they able to turn their own hardship into help for others? And how do you make sure that spark becomes a flame that doesn’t just burn out?

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There are only about 800 forensic pathologists in the entire United States. That is much lower than the number of deaths requiring investigation.

How do they handle workload? What is the day in the life of a pathologist like? What are some common causes of death in Tennessee? How do pathologists determine the manner of death? If you’re into true crime, this is for you. Joining us on this edition of This Is Nashville is the state chief medical examiner for the Tennessee Department of Health, Adele Lewis.

This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. 

GUESTS

Metro Nashville oversees 178 parks and over 100 miles of greenway.

But that only scratches the surface. From recreational arts to dance classes, nature lectures, and team sports, everyone can find their "something" at a Nashville park. In this episode, we speak with representatives from the Nashville Parks Department about how to make the most of the spring weather.

And you have a chance to speak with them! Our phone lines are open: Call us at 615-760-2000 with your question, or perhaps even some sage advice for Nashville newcomers.

This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. 

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