Chicken and Waffles, shrimp and grits, powdered sugar on top of fresh French toast—not to mention bottomless mimosas.

For those not addicted to social media, that spells brunch. According to listwithclever.com, New Orleans, Indianapolis and San Francisco are ranked among the top cities in the country for that late-morning, breakfast/lunch hybrid. Although Nashville is known for music, food, and satiating that grumbling stomach after church, it seemingly lags behind other brunch-centric cities. On today’s show, we take a look at the brunch scene in Nashville. We’ll speak with chefs and restaurant owners, as well as experts in the field of catering and fashion to better understand the culture and history of brunch and its local impact.

This episode was produced by Anthony White and Josh Deepan.

Guests

We have an episode dedicated to a tiny fraction of the population that fascinates us all: the identical twins in our midst. Life is just different for those who share all of their genetics — and we’re looking to understand them more.

We’ll talk to Middle Tennessee twins who work together keeping our community safe, teenage twins growing up and one twin who you hear every day on our show. We’ll also meet the parent and a spouse of identical twins to learn about how they love the twins closest to them. It’s going to be a double fun hour. Join us!

This episode was produced by Liv Lombardi and Katherine Ruppelt.

Guests:

It’s Thursday and time for another episode of The Roundabout.

The Roundabout is your news of the week, analyzed by our panelists from points of view that span left, right and center. Joining us today are former congressional candidate Kiran Sreepada, Vanderbilt young Republican Noah Jenkins and the Tennessean’s Austin Hornbostel. We’re stepping back from the news of the week and looking for meaning in it all. Gov. Lee resisting guard troops policing Memphis, the latest on the airport tunnel, and the Cracker Barrel kerfuffle. Plus headlines that flew under the radar.

And The Roundabout also welcomes your voice on the big stories of the week! hat story is making the rounds in your circle? Give us a call at 615-760-2000 to weigh in — or join us live streaming on YouTube at noon and pop your question into chat!

This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.

Guests:

There’s a caregiving crisis in America, and taking care of our parents is just one part of the struggle.

It’s caring for adults with a disability. It’s grandparents raising kids again, or parents as primary caregivers for a medically complex child. Then there are friends caring for friends like they’re family. Today is dedicated to highlighting resources to help caregivers of all kinds – both paid and unpaid. And, we're taking your calls. Call 615-760-2000 to ask the experts – or join us live streaming on YouTube at noon and pop your question into chat!

Plus, we hear about actor Bradley Cooper’s new PBS documentary about caregiving in America, which probably hits home because most of us will spend part of our life playing the role he played for his father. As first lady Rosalynn Carter said, "There are only four kinds of people in the world – those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.”

This episode was produced by LaTonya Turner and Mary Mancini.

Guests

Welcome back to our second season of In My Place. This special series educates listeners on what communities like Nashville can do to prevent and end homelessness — while caring for our neighbors who are still unhoused.

In our last episode, we heard about how last minute hurdles can stand in the way of an apartment.

Today? We’re going home.

We’re gonna hear what it’s like to finally open that door, what all it takes to get set up, and how that’s different from folks like you and me…who likely have a few more resources available to us.

Over the course of nine monthly episodes, we’re learning what it feels like to access services and weave through our local homelessness and healthcare systems. And we’re discussing what services work, what resources are missing, and what ideas our guests have for improvement.

This series was created thanks in part to support from Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and was produced by Judith Tackett.

Guests:

• Sarah Champion, Housing Stability Guide for The Contributor & co-director for The Beat
• Andrew Terry IV, Program Operations Team Lead with The Contributor
• Billy Warner, case navigator, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist with Community Care Fellowship
• Jonquil Stewart, expert through experience
• Lisa Abell, vendor with The Contributor

Earlier this year, Demetrius Short spoke at Fisk University's Honors Convocation and got some apologies off his chest. He disclosed to his mentors and professors he was sneaking into their offices to sleep on their couches. He was grabbing a tray of chicken legs and hoping the cafeteria workers would look the other way. He was attending class for years without officially being enrolled as a student.

Through seven years scraping by in school, Short always kept an internship. With no car, he walked both ways from the Fisk campus to an office in West End, wearing a suit and alligator skin shoes. After graduating, Short used that experience to start a fundraiser 5k where runners are asked to wear suits and sneakers. The Steps of Success 5k is now in its 15th year.

When a man can run a 5k in a full business suit, he’s got a story worth tuning in for. Join us!

It’s Thursday and time for another episode of The Roundabout.

The Roundabout is your news of the week, analyzed by our panelists from points of view that span left, right and center. Joining us today are former congressional candidate and founder of Rise & Shine TN Maryam Abolfazli, political advisor Mark Rogers and Tennessean opinion reporter Andrea Williams.

Today we talk about Tennessee teachers, the guard deployed to D.C., defending IVF and auditing Nashville’s eye-popping property appraisals. That and more.

And The Roundabout also welcomes your voice on the big stories of the week! Give us a call at 615-760-2000 to weigh in — or join us live streaming on YouTube at noon and pop your question into chat!

This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.

Guests:

Further reading:

It’s back-to-school time, and that includes older adults! An increasing number of people 50 and older are actively learning new things (55% of Americans age 45 and older, according to AARP surveys).

These lifelong learners want to stay mentally sharp, intellectually stimulated or even start another career. Some take a class or two based on their interests; some develop (or refine) a talent or skill; and some pursue a high school or college degree. Many institutions and organizations are scrambling to meet this demand among older adults for learning opportunities that are accessible, affordable and – most of all – age-friendly. 

In this episode of our monthly series NEXT AGE, we’ll hear from some lifelong learners and why they strove to continue pursuing knowledge as they age. We’ll also learn what’s being offered by local universities, non-profits and community groups and some of the efforts to remove barriers that deter some older adults who want to continue learning.

This episode was produced by LaTonya Turner and Josh Deepan. 

Guests: 

Jan Goddard, Vanderbilt University's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute student

Sheila Brown Thompson, graduate of Metro Action Commission Adult Education Program

Dennis Piper, learner at Lipscomb's Lifelong Learning Program

Dr. Brandon Grubbs, co-founder, MTSU's Positive Aging Consortium

Tara Hamilton, Vanderbilt University's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Program Director

Tom Kamber, executive director of Older Adults Technology Service (OATS) & AARP's Senior Planet

This year, Tennessee became the first state in the South to pass legislation specifically protecting in vitro fertilization — and the debate between Republicans made it clear that IVF does need some protection.

The fight to outlaw abortion in states like Tennessee has also crept into the clinics that help people conceive children. This hour, we’ll talk to local doctors who specialize in fertility and hear from several families who’ve been on the long, challenging and expensive road to creating a family with the help of IVF. The process and the politics. Join us!

You can also see us streaming on YouTube!

Today's episode was produced by Katherine Ruppelt.

GUESTS

If you’re really looking for the hardest working man in showbusiness, he might not be on camera. It might have been our guest this hour – Tom Morales.

He made his name catering the biggest movies in Hollywood – thousands across the globe. But he’s also a guy who sees himself as a defender of Nashville. His hometown. He’s built iconic spaces here like the Acme Feed & Seed. He helped turn Loveless Cafe into the tourist draw it’s become. He’s fought to protect the city’s soul. And he’s not so sure who is winning that fight.  

This episode was produced by Tasha AF Lemley.