Steve Swenson, President and CEO, Nashville Public Radio

Summer is on the way! Today, we're talking how to get out to enjoy local ponds, rivers and lakes to cool down and have some fun!Swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, or fishing! There are so many ways to enjoy being on the water. Today we're talking with local water enthusiasts about their favorite ways to jump in — and what you need to know to get out there  to join them – and stay safe. Join us!2025 update: Want to gain skills and confidence on the water? Check out the 2025 National Safe Boating Week and consider signing up for Kayak 101 classes which will be held across several TN state parks on May 17th for $15 (usually $50-100).Today's show was produced by Katherine Ceicys.Today's Guests: Candace Daniels, Tennessee State Parks Ranger Joel Morales, Stand up paddle boarder Stephanie Sullivan, Operations Manager, Tennessee Scenic River Association (TSRA) Gabbie, Nashville 8th grader and TSRA River Kids participant Geoff Luckett, American Canoe Association (ACA) Kayak and Kayak Fishing Instructor Blake Osborn, Coordinator, MSTU Outdoor Pursuits

Students here in Middle Tennessee are gearing up for finals, special dances, and for some, graduation. Today we are checking in with local students to hear about their past school years. We’ll find out what they’ve learned in and out of the classroom and how they are navigating friendships, responsibilities and new freedoms. We’ll also hear from some students who were on the show in the fall. Join us!Today's episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys. GUESTS Sharp, 5th grader Jocelyn, 7th grader Annika, 9th grader Sofia, 9th grader William, 11th grader FURTHER LISTENING This Is Nashville | Civically engaged young people

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 first two episodes of this season, we talked about what the first point of contact is like between someone who’s experiencing homelessness and someone who could potentially offer help — and then how they build trust after that point.In this episode, we talk about what happens next on the road home: the processes and paperwork it takes for people to transition out of homelessness to housing.Over the course of nine monthly episodes, we’re learning about what it feels like to access services and weave through our local homelessness and healthcare systems. 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: Brian Haile, CEO of Neighborhood Health Jesse Call, resident care manager at The Village at Glencliff India Pungarcher, Associate Director of Advocacy, Open Table Nashville

After graduating from UC Santa Barbara, Steve Swenson set out to make a name for himself in the radio industry. Mission accomplished. His 45-year career has seen him in key positions in Washington DC, Los Angeles, New York and finally Nashville. Well, he's soon retiring and This Is Nashville would be remiss if we did not sit down with our boss for last drop of wisdom. Listen in to this episode as he reflects on a fantastic career.This episode was produced by Khalil Ekulona.

We're saying goodbye to Khalil today! After more than 550 episodes and thousands of guests, Khalil Ekulona is taking his last turn behind the This Is Nashville mic. We have gratitude — but no words — so we're inviting the public to call in with some. Join the conversation at noon or listen later to hear what he has meant to you and Middle Tennessee!Today's episode was produced by Mary Mancini, Katherine Ceicys and Josh Deepan.GUESTS Khalil Ekulona Celia Gregory Keri Pagetta

No matter what you think about aging, one thing is for sure: EVERYbody’s doing it!It’s also true that in the U.S., people are living longer, and overall, healthier, more active and empowered than ever in our country’s history.It’s not uncommon to have three, four, or even five generations in the same family or workplace.According to the last U.S. Census, adults in Tennessee over 60 make up 23% of the population. That’s about one in 5 people — and growing.This rapid demographic shift is changing conversations around aging. Starting with this first episode, we join that discussion with a new series titled “Next Age.” Once a month, we’ll bring you stories and information about growing older in the 21st century — and how Middle Tennesseans are reframing aging.Our show is made possible by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee and our series on aging is made possible by a grant from The West End Home Foundation — enriching the lives of older adults though grantmaking, advocacy and community collaboration.GUESTS: Patricia D’Antonio, Executive Director, Center to Reframe Aging Rhonda Cherry, member, Fifty Forward Ralph Bristol, member, Fifty Forward Jon Wellington, co-founder, GenX Takeover Sallie Hussey, Chief Executive Officer, Fifty Forward Dr. James Powers, geriatrician/researcher/professor, VUMC Division of Geriatric Medicine

Elite piano tuning is grueling work. It’s taxing on the body, it strains relationships, and it never leads to fame or glory.Music Citizens, a podcast series by WNXP and Nashville Public Radio, recently explored how someone becomes the top piano tuner in Nashville and why they would want to. Today we welcome the voices of episode three, The Tuner. They're just some of the people who keep the music business moving — but whose vital work goes largely uncelebrated. Plus, we learn what it takes to fix a piano when it is seemingly broken beyond repair.Guests Brent Arledge, Owner, Arledge Piano Service James Arledge, Owner, Arledge Music Wire, Brent's dad Justin Barney, Music Reporter at Nashville Public Radio Jonathan Rizzo,  Owner, American Piano Tuning Further listeningListen to Music Citizens Episode 3: The Tuner, and every episode of Music Citizens, wherever you get your podcasts or on the WNXP website.

Khalil Ekulona has been the voice — and a driving force — of This Is Nashville since he helped launch the show three years ago. He has brought his curiosity, warmth and genuine empathy to the more than 550 episodes he’s hosted. Today, he’s sitting down on the other side of the mic to share about his time on This Is Nashville and the surprising journey that led him to public radio. We’ll also hear about the large family that shaped Ekulona, his love for creating music, and his philosophy on the importance of living life right now, no matter what. Jad Abumrad is the special guest host today.Today's episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys. GUESTS Khalil Ekulona, host This Is Nashville Guest host: Jad Abumrad FURTHER LISTENING This Is Nashville episodes mentioned | The N Word Part 1; The N Word Part 2; The horror, the horror!

Every month, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell joins us to discuss the latest happenings in and around the city — and take your calls.Do you have a concern you would like him to address? Do you have a question about the direction of the city? Call 615-760-2000 with your question or comment. Then, later in the show, we hear from Jaffee Judah about his path to environmental justice advocacy and the work of his non-profit, Recycle and Reinvest.This episode was produced by Mary Mancini and Josh Deepen.Guests Freddie O’Connell, mayor, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Jaffee Judah, executive director of Recycle & Reinvest; artist

Hip hop as a genre is getting more attention from the music industry in Nashville. A good thing! But not all hip hop music is the same, nor are the ways in which hip hop music is made. The old technique, i.e., sampling, is as popular as ever, but in certain aspects it is different from when it was introduced.Once a month, a group of producers gathers together to play each other's tracks they are working on. Music City Producers, based out of Madison, hosts producers of all types of hip hop and its derivatives: boom-bap, trap, R&B, lo-fi, EDM, trance, club, etc.Today we meet some of the producers and talk with them about their music, how they create it, and why samples are important to how they work.We also follow the process of how to use samples to create a hip hop song. Hip hop artist M Slago will travel with host Khalil Ekulona as they venture into a record store to shop for vinyl, head back to the studio to listen, and create their own hip hop track for all to hear.Guests Kamaal Malak, musician, Arrested Development; Artist In Residence/Vanderbilt University Jason Rawls, aka J Rawls, hip hop musician and Assistant Professor of Hip Hop at Ohio State University Corey Parker aka Just Vybes, musician, producer Johnathan Harris aka Jon Jyzzle, musician, producer Sims Lester aka The Orbit Sound