Do you have a concern you would like him to address? Do you have a question about the direction of the city? Every month, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell joins us to discuss the latest happenings in and around the city — and take your calls! Plus, we celebrate sixty years of Nashville's Metro Human Relations Commission with current executive director, Reverend Davie Tucker, Jr.

This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.

Guests

Further reading

One thing is true. What goes up must go down. That goes for relationships, that basketball you like to play with and even the city of Nashville.

Recently, a study indicated Nashville is experiencing subsidence — or in simpler terms, the surface level is sinking. Experts continue to debate whether this phenomenon has any urgency. To shed light, we have geologists joining us to talk about what risks subsidence may pose, what causes it and how much human interaction comes into play. We’re also talking about what else is going on underneath our cowboy boots so Olivia Hill with Metro Council and Lipscomb Professor Monica Sartain join our panel to share how energy is transferred through tunnels and pipes and how infrastructure gets us to where we need to go.

This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. Special thanks to Caroline Eggers and Tony Gonzalez. 

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Bob Clement’s life has been a fascinating one.

At 29, he became the youngest Tennessean elected to statewide office, a title he still holds today. After his time at the PSA, President Jimmy Carter tapped him for a spot on the board of Tennessee Valley Authority. In the late eighties, he ran and won the congressional race for the 5th district. He served for eight years. Now, as the Board President Emeritus of the Clement Railroad Hotel Museum in Dickson, he protects and curates the legacy of his father, Governor Frank G. Clement. Congressman Clement joins us today  share stories about his life and the extraordinary people he’s met along the way. Plus he examine his father’s legacy and ruminates on the state of politics and civil discourse today.

Like it or not, it’s snake season.

They eat rats, mice and moles. Some good snakes even eat "bad" ones! They help keep lakes and rivers clean. Their venom has been used to treat diseases from high blood pressure to cancer. Whether it's a harmless corn snake or a coiled-up copperhead — rarely are they a welcome sight. But knowledge is power, so we’re taking on local herpetology! And we're doing it together. Bring us your questions on air.

Whenever it’s Your Turn to Talk, call 615-760-2000 between noon and 1pm to join the conversation.

This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.

Guests

Further Reading

Last month, rural Tennesseans, Hollywood actors and a live studio audience in New York City came together. On the agenda were issues that bind us.

Theater of War is a New York theater company that "presents community-specific, theater-based projects that address pressing public health and social issues." Recently, they approached WPLN criminal justice reporter Paige Pfleger with a fascinating opportunity. Today we bring you the result – an esteemed group of Hollywood actors reading “In Rural Tennessee, Domestic Violence Victims Face Barriers to Getting Justice. One County Has Transformed Its Approach.” The piece, written by Paige Pfleger for WPLN and ProPublica, is read in its entirety. What follows is a post-performance conversation between people from one of Tennessee’s most rural areas and the audience in New York City.

This episode was produced by Theater of War Productions, Liv Lombardi and Paige Pfleger

Actors

We’re sailing over to Nashville's waterfront. Percy Priest is a local's lake — and the experiences there are as diverse as the growing communities surrounding it. We’re sharing stories about the land, the water and the wildlife. And we're opening the phone lines to hear your stories! (Extra credit if you call in while on the water.)

Situated between Nashville International Airport, Mt. Juliet and Smyrna, Percy Priest is a man-made reservoir dotted with nearly 40 islands. Rarely a tourist destination, and lacking a well-funded “friends” group, it's still loved by many. Join us for the short trip to the shores of this lake today! 

This episode was produced by Katherine Ruppelt.

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FURTHER READING & BROWSING:

Growing up as an Arab-American woman in rural Waverly — and traveling for her career — have shaped Samar Ali's life as a peacemaker.

Her journey includes stops at Vanderbilt University, the Supreme Court of South Africa, the White House, and eventually back to her home state. Along the way, she has faced and overcome personal attacks. It's all fueled her longing for unity and justice. Now, through her nonprofit Millions of Conversations, Ali works to create a future where every American feels safe and free to be themselves. In this episode, we explore how her life and career guide her mission to heal division.

Further reading

Fifty-seven percent of the mayor’s recommended budget for next year comes from property taxes. Another almost twenty percent comes from local sales tax.

But what are the other funding sources? And what does the budget cover? On today’s episode we cover many of the details of the proposed $3.8 billion spending plan — how the money's allocated, how metro departments request increases, and the difference between the operating budget and the Capital Improvements Budget. It’s your money, so join us!

Whenever it's Your Turn to Talk, call 615-760-2000 between noon and 1pm to join the conversation.

Guests

Further reading

Every year, thousands enter the temple in Nashville's Parthenon to view the nearly 42-foot statue of Athena.

But this year, she turns 35 years young. The Greek goddess of warfare and wisdom, carved out of gypsum cement, took eight years to complete. On today's show, we chat with the sculptor behind the deity, Alan LeQuire, to hear about his process. Plus, we learn about his new exhibition, Monumental Figures. Parthenon Museum Curator Jennifer Richardson joins the panel along with Parthenon Director of Education Helen Sanders.

This episode was produced by Josh Deepan and Mary Mancini. 

GUESTS

Across cultures, rites of passage often honor a transition from one cycle of life to another.

 On today's show, three Nashvillians share their own experiences and how it felt entering a new stage of life. From performing a bat mitzvah to living as a Buddhist monk — and even undergoing a "croning" — each of these ceremonies left an impact on our guests. Join us as we learn how different cultures mark these milestones.

This episode was produced by Char Daston and Josh Deepan. 

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