NextAge: Deep connections in the digital age

Love, romance and intimacy can look very different in the second half of life — no matter your gender or sexuality. Today we get stories of gay men growing older together, a trans woman from Coffee County finally living in full expression after a huge loss and a woman with her own coming out story who is now coaching people later in life on how to get through the messy middle and beyond.Throughout a lifetime, one hope is that we never stop growing into ourselves — evolving as we know more, overcome more and love more. On today’s episode of NextAge, we talk with leaders in our LGBTQ+ community to learn how we can become more resilient and kind to ourselves and those around us. Especially in the face of mighty hurdles.Got a story to share for our NextAge series? Leave us a message at 615-751-2500 or chime in during the live show on our YouTube stream.This season of NextAge is made possible by a grant from the West End Home Foundation — Advancing Aging with Dignity and Strengthening Communities — and by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.Guests• Dwayne Jenkins, Nashville Black Pride, Nashville Cares, Brothers United• Ginger Cutrell, transgender community advocate• Anne-Marie Zanzal, Coming Out Coach

Second half of life companionship may look a lot different than the first. Procreation is off the table, merging households holds new logistical challenges, and there’s often grown children with strong opinions to consider. Whether it’s through death, divorce, or another kind of shift, love, intimacy and romance change as we age. And for many who end relationships that started in the first half of life, what they want out of the second looks very different. Our guests on the show today have, to quote the great Joni Mitchell, seen love from both sides now. They’ve been in love. They’ve been alone. They’ve got mixed feelings and find the beauty in it all. NextAge season 2 continues.Got a story to share for our NextAge series? Leave us a message at 615-751-2500 or chime in during the live show on our YouTube stream.This season of NextAge is made possible by a grant from the West End Home Foundation — Advancing Aging with Dignity and Strengthening Communities — and by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.Guests• Barb Opyt, Learning and Development consultant• Angela Hobbs, retired trainer• Philip Tulimieri, author

NextAge Season 2, our series on romance and intimacy in the second half of life, continues with a deep dive on technology and dating apps. Smart phones, tablets and computers, social media sites like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, and online dating apps like OurTime, SilverSingles, and SeniorMatch help a growing number of seniors find companionship and keep connected with family. However, entering into the digital world isn’t always simple. So how are older adults learning to navigate these platforms? How do they build confidence online? How do we all keep up with constant tech changes — and stay safe?As more seniors explore dating later in life, are these apps working to meet everyone's needs? Today we get some professional advice, tech support, and a safety briefing – all while hearing the good, bad, and in between of the new state of dating.You can join in on the conversation during the noon hour on our YouTube livestream. Listen now to aired episodes of NextAge on our website.This season of NextAge is made possible by a grant from the West End Home Foundation — Advancing Aging with Dignity and Strengthening Communities — and by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.Guests Julie Grower, dating app user Chuck Taylor, dating app user June Moore, particpant, Seniors on the Move, Tech Goes Home Dr. Jess Carbino, sociologist; relationship & online dating expert Breana Clark, MSW, program Manager, Senior Renaissance Center Rachel Solava, outreach and advocacy manager, Digital Literacy for Seniors, Greater Nashville Regional Council

Today we kick off NextAge Season 2, a series focused on romance, intimacy, and relationships in the second half of life, with a personal and hilarious conversation with Brenda Kay and Sheri Lynn, the purveyors of NashTrash Tours.For nearly 30 years, Brenda Kay and Sheri Lynn, also known as the Jugg Sisters, have been carting tourists and locals alike around town, showing off the city with their comedy show on wheels. Known for their wigs, makeup, and over-the-top humor, the pair prove that the characters on the big pink bus aren’t far from the real thing: authentic, fearless, and hilarious. Today, the real-life sisters open up about love, aging, intimacy, and things many of us still laugh nervously about discussing out loud.Please note: This episode contains candid conversations about intimacy, aging and physiology that may not be suitable for younger listeners.This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.NextAge is made possible by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

Opryland has been closed for nearly 30 years, and as the producer of a new documentary puts it, some people are still “butt hurt” about it. Maybe we didn’t know what we had until it left a theme park-size hole in Nashville’s heart. A documentary premiering at the Nashville Film Festival, called “A Circle Broken,” gives us a good excuse to reopen that wound and hear the story of Opryland like we’ve not heard before, a story about how perhaps Opryland saved the Grand Ole Opry itself. We’re talking to the characters who are keeping the memory alive and hearing your memories of Opryland USA.Guests: Brandon Vestal, filmmaker David Ewing, historian Bob Whitaker, former Opryland General Manager Michael-Demby Cain, Opryland performer who went to Broadway Jennifer Roberts, performer Lynn Wright, half of first couple married at Opryland Sean Hughes, “The Balloon Guy”

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