Extraordinary Pen Pals

Our host, Khalil Ekulona, joins us as a guest alongside his parents to share how they started celebrating Kwanzaa as a family and what the holiday means to them. Then, local community leaders share more about how Kwanzaa is celebrated in Nashville.Guests: Khalil Ekulona, host of This Is Nashville Olufemi Ekulona, retired caregiver and Khalil’s mom Ademola Ekulona, retired television producer, activist, community leader, and father of Khalil MarQuita Holt, board member of Kwanzaa Nashville Jeneene Blackman, CEO of the African American Cultural Alliance

It features music from his modern holiday classic LP 'Socks' alongside handpicked, off-the-wall Christmas song selections and paired with interviews delving deep into 'Socks' and McPherson’s own holiday traditions. It’s guaranteed to be the only holiday special to reference 'Goodfellas,' dictatorial crowd control techniques and Black Sabbath’s "Children of the Grave" right beside the Andrews Sisters, the Drifters and Vince Guaraldi.A WNXP Production.

One of the main ways we can interact with others is through our hobbies and niche interests. And they’ve got another benefit, too: When we learn more about other people’s hobbies and niche interests, we better appreciate the world around us and we can embrace and celebrate our differences.Today, we delve into three vastly different niche activities and the people who pursue them. From Rubik’s cubing to cooking to professional Santa artistry, these guests illustrate the importance of finding our “niche” in all stages of life.This episode was produced by Leslie Eiler Thompson.Guests: Shook G. | Rubik’s Cube player Zach and Maggie White | Regional cooking Santa Shed (Shedrich) Webster | Professional Santa portrayal artist Further reading and listening: Niche to Meet You is an investigative storytelling podcast by Leslie Eiler Thompson about the little-known niche subcultures where misfits are making meaning.

Today, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell joins us to take your calls. You can dial (615) 760-2000 to participate.Plus, Niche to Meet You podcast producer and host Leslie Eiler Thompson joins us to talk about the history of Santa, the personal stories of some of the real-life Santas she’s met, and how for these folks, being Santa is more than just a hobby. And we end the show with a special reading of the most famous poem about Santa Claus ever written.Guests Freddie O’Connell | Mayor, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Leslie Eiler Thompson | Producer and Host, Niche to Meet You Further Reading and ListeningYou can listen to Leslie's three-part podcast miniseries about being Santa Claus here.

Demand for affordable spaces outpaces supply, rates are soaring and parking management wrongfully charge fees and boot without warning. Today, we discuss parking problems, what can be done to alleviate some of them, and what the future of parking looks like as new construction continues to boom and expand into residential areas. And we want to hear from you! Call 615-760-2000 to join the conversation. Parking Management companies that were contacted did not want to comment or did not respond to requests.This episode was produced by Joan Kite.GuestsNicholas Brindle | Senior Associate Council, Tennessee Department of Human ServicesJacob Kupin | Council member, District 19

A recent study by Belmont University reports that 70-80% of young people who age out of foster care without adequate support face homelessness, addiction, imprisonment and mental illness by the age of 21. Today we speak with two Nashvillians who both found themselves in foster care. We’ll hear about their stories, the support that made a difference for them, and how they are both dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others who are navigating similar experiences. Join us!This episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys and Mary Mancini.TODAY'S GUESTS Sahar McGill, former foster youth, Youth Villages Life Set specialist Tristan Slough, former foster youth, Tennessee Higher Education Initiative (THEI) Student Resource Coordinator FURTHER READING Learn more about foster care, resources, and becoming a foster parent through the Tennessee Department of Children Services. Check out Youth Villages to find out more about support services for youth and becoming a foster parent. Belmont University | Every Child Tennessee: Foster Youth in Tennessee 2024 Landscape Study – Transitioning to Adulthood Tristian Slough via The Tennessean | I went from foster care to the Ivy League, but I did it because of the support around me

Their responses can be spoken word poetry, an essay, a speech. It can be ... whatever they want. It’s their voice expressing what their city means to them. Today seven people share their perspective on what this city and region means to them. Their words. Their voices.This Is Nashville presents … This Is Nashvillians.This episode was produced by Khalil Ekulona.Guests:Mac PirkleChris CroftonS’Kaila ColbertErica PerryBenjamin BrowningWillie “Big Fella” SimsKate ParrishMusic Playlist:Christmas Time Is Here - Vince Guaraldi TrioMerry Something To You - DevoLast Christmas - WHAMSound the Trumpet - The Wailers (feat. Bob Marley)Snow Fall - Ahmad Jamal TrioChristmas In Hollis - Run-DMCSilver Bells - Loretta LynnMillie Pulled a Pistol on Santa - De La Soul

Just over a year ago, a tornado outbreak struck Middle Tennessee, killing seven people, injuring more than 80, and damaging or destroying thousands of homes. In September, Hurricane Helene and the subsequent flooding devastated upper East Tennessee. In the aftermath of both disasters, volunteers and relief organizations quickly mobilized to provide immediate assistance and assess the damage. Once the initial recovery phase was complete, efforts shifted to long-term recovery and building. Today, we’ll provide an update on the status of that recovery, the ongoing efforts to reduce the risk of future catastrophic weather events, and ways you can support survivors during the holiday season.Guests Alex Dorman | Senior Director, Community Partnerships Hands On Nashville, Powered by United Way of Greater Nashville; Chair, Nashville Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster’s Long-term Recovery Group (LTRG)  Andrea Prince | CEO, Rebuilding Together Nashville;  Chair, Nashville Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster’s Long-term Recovery Group (LTRG) Construction Committee Dawn Day | Executive Director, American Red Cross Northeast Tennessee Dr. Andrew Joyner | Tennessee’s climatologist and Associate professor at East Tennessee State University

Today’s guest, long-time Nashvillian Keely Scott, kept a written relationship for over 30 years with an eccentric Manhattan artist, starting when she was a second grader in Texas. The story of their relationship is marked by moments in Keely’s own life and contains beautiful stories of friendship. Not surprisingly, Keely is passing this legacy onto her daughter, who now has her own faraway pen pal.Read Keely's full letter to BarbaraLearn more about Compassion InternationalThis episode is produced by Leslie Thompson.GuestKeely Scott | Executive for Compassion International

In today’s episode, we explore how to make connections and have meaningful conversations across our differences — while maintaining healthy boundaries. We'll also explore what community means and feels like today and learn about the skills necessary to feel more connected. Plus, we hear how one Nashville family stays close-knit despite it all.This episode was produced by Ambriehl Crutchfield.