Class of '26: Highs and loans

The job market seems to be on the downturn, especially if you’re a young person.College graduates are scrambling to get their hands on just about any kind of job — but there are still sectors that need professionals, and schools are listening. Today, we hear some hope from some fresh journalism graduates. Then we'll talk with a graduate of Lipscomb's Accelerated Nursing program to see how she’s holding up in the workforce, and we'll wrap the show learning how Nashville Software School is changing software engineering and addressing AI.This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. Guests Seth Thorpe, Belmont '26 Terry Prude, TSU '26 Chelsia Harris, Lipscomb University Executive Director of Nursing Peyton Smith, Lipscomb Accelerated Nursing Program Graduate '25 Kate Rogers, Nashville Software School Program Director Ava Dominie, Nashville Software School Graduate

It’s tough to be a kid. It’s tough to be a parent of a kid. And nothing is tougher than when a kid is having a tough time. May is a month set aside for Mental Health Awareness, but it’s always a good time to visit the resources available to children – from disruptive toddlers to teens in a life-and-death crisis. Tennessee has been expanding its no-cost services, but sometimes they're hidden in plain sight. Plus, an interview with musician Mo Sabri about "Tennessee Desi," a project that fuses Appalachian country and south Asian Qawwali in an upcoming performance with the Nashville Symphony. Guests: Melissa Binkley, director of infant and early childhood initiatives, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Melissa Bayless, technical assistance coordinator, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Diana Jackson, nursing director, Mental Health Cooperative Mo Sabri, musician

Business licenses, marriage licenses, license plates.For some of us, this is our primary interaction with local government – standing in line, navigating the system. In Tennessee, it’s the job of the county clerk to keep those lines moving, or, increasingly, figure out how you don’t have to wait in a line at all. Today, we bring you a timely profile interview with the outgoing Davidson County Clerk, Brenda Wynn. Because we’re electing a new clerk tomorrow, we’ll talk about what she’s learned in 14 years as our line leader and hear her own story from growing up in public housing and becoming a teen mother to beating the odds through serving this city.This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. Guests Brenda Wynn, Davidson County Clerk

The dust is starting to settle after the annual whirlwind that is the final days of the legislative session at the Tennessee State Capitol.Today we take you inside the halls of power to wrap-up. We hear from reporters who offer their insights into what passed and why, what failed and what might surface again in 2027. From school vouchers and immigration policy to preempting local laws, what were the predominant issues and political dynamics that shaped the laws — and will shape our state’s future? And we want to hear from you: How would you rate legislative performance? Were your priorities addressed? If not, what do you want from lawmakers next year? Join the conversation by calling 615-760-2000 or chiming in on the chat on our live YouTube stream.This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.Guests Marianna Bacallao, State Legislature reporter, WPLN Sarah Grace Taylor, Statehouse reporter, Nashville Banner Vivian Jones, State government and politics reporter, Tennessean

As usual, it all starts with a question to Curious Nashville:"I live in East Nashville, on Sharpe Avenue. We adopted a hound mix and she digs up bizarre trash. Did people bury their trash? Was there no trash pick up? Auto parts, beer bottles, air gun cartridges, porn videos. Others in East have described similar experiences."We've learned this is not an isolated experience. You folks are obsessed with what you find in the dirt. So, why do we dig what we dig? We're unearthing some answers.The phone lines and our live stream are open for this one. Give us a call at 615-760-2000 or pop into chat on our YouTube stream.Guests:• Whit Hill, metal detectorist, musician• Matt Pilcher, landscaper, Gardens of Babylon• Benjamin C. Nance, Cultural Resource Consultant Manager, Tennessee Division of Archaeology

Our need and desire for connection doesn’t retire as we grow older. NextAge Season 2 explores love, intimacy, and companionship in the second half of life.Through personal stories and expert insight, we’re covering topics from digital dating, sex, and changing bodies to medical myths, healing psyches and long-held identities finally coming into full expression. Today's episode kicks off another season of our special series featuring stories and information about growing older in the 21st century — and how Middle Tennesseans are reframing aging. In Tennessee, our population that’s 60-plus now includes the oldest GenXers and is projected to grow by 30% in the next 15 years. Today, we review some of the stories and topics from last year and how it led to new reporting on  what it means to keep falling in love with others — and ourselves.Guests: LaTonya Turner, news editor & on-air host, WPLN News Natasha Senjanovic, journalist & contributing producer

We call ourselves Music City.But for a lot of kids growing up here, music lessons are simply out of reach. There’s a place in Edgehill where lessons still cost fifty cents — just like they did more than 40 years ago. It’s called the W.O. Smith Music School, and hundreds of students benefit from its founding each year. Our guest today is executive director Valerie Cordero. She’s an ethnomusicologist whose own story veered away from music for much of her career. Now she’s back to helping make music every day.This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. Guests Valerie Cordero, W.O. Smith Music School Executive Director

Mayor Freddie O’Connell joins us live in the studio to take your questions –– and nothing is off the table.Today we're asking about Waymo, the Superbowl and the new state laws that will affect the city. But as always, the most important questions are yours.So what’s been bothering you lately? Are you looking forward to next week's State of Metro? Do you have concerns about your city services or something in your neighborhood that just hasn’t been addressed? No matter what it is, this is your chance to ask the man directly. Call 615-760-2000 during the live show or pop into chat on our YouTube stream to join the conversation.After we say goodbye to Mayor O'Connell, Curious Nashville is back to answer the Nashville questions piquing your curiosity. Today, we round out the show with a hot topic in light of the severe weather and the NES kerfuffle the city experienced this winter. Guest Wade Sexton has thirty years of experience working in the utility industry –– on the company side and as a utility contractor –– and he's here to answer a question that's been on our minds: "What would it take to put electrical lines underground? And, would it even be worth it?"Guests: Freddie O'Connell, mayor, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Wade Sexton, board member, National Utility Contractors Association

For some, a book is just a book. For others, it can be life-changing, or controversial, or both.When the Age-Appropriate Materials Act was signed into law by Governor Lee in 2022, it paved the way for certain book titles to be challenged and removed from both school and public libraries. Now, the debate about access, education and community values rages throughout the state.What does book banning actually look like? Who’s making these calls — and how do they affect readers? Today, we unpack the issue, share perspectives and talk about what might be at stake when a book disappears from the shelf.Guests: Bruce Barry, opinion columnist, Tennessee Lookout Angele Latham, First Amendment reporter, Tennessean Christina Soontornvat, author; state leader, Authors Against Book Bans

We’re bringing our voices together in harmony.It’s a show where everyone has a part. This is a choir town, after all. And choral music is a communal act. We’re visiting with the symphony chorus, the Crimm singers and Vox Grata. Do your warm ups and join us for a singing on the web, on 90.3 or live streaming on our YouTube channel.This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. Guests Tucker Biddlecombe, Nashville Symphony Chorus Director Renita Smith-Crittendon, Nashville Symphony Chorus Member Heaven Howard, Nashville Symphony Chorus Member Patrick Dailey, W. Crimm Singers Director Nicole Simone, W. Crimm Singers Assistant Director and Member Brooklyn Cook, W. Crimm Singers Member Jeanette MacCallum, Vox Grata Chorus Founder and Artistic Director Hannah Baisley, Vox Grata Member