The Roundabout: News of the Week for August 28, 2025

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: Kiran Sreepada, former congressional candidate & former Director Programs at the States Project. Noah Jenkins, Vanderbilt senior and President Emeritus, Vanderbilt Young Republicans Austin Hornbostel, Tennessean Metro Reporter

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 Chris Durrance, director and senior producer of PBS documentary, Caregiving LaTonya Turner, editor and afternoon host, WPLN News Sandy Ewing, caregiver, medically complex child Aimee Luchterhand, caregiver, child with special needs Tina Lemon, caregiver, grandparent raising grandchildren Dr. Feylyn Lewis, Asst. Dean Student Affairs, VU School of Nursing; National Alliance for Caregiving researcher Dr. Megan Schwalm, President & CEO, Tennessee Caregiver Coalition

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: Maryam Abolfazli, former congressional candidate and founder of Rise & Shine TN Mark Rogers, Republican political advisor Andrea Williams, Tennessean opinion reporter Further reading: A brief history of how both parties lost their minds on immigration (The Hill) Survey shows Tennessee teachers’ feelings about cell phones, disciplinary measures and school culture (WPLN) MNPS leaders fight against other adults, not for children (Tennessean) Metro Moves Forward With Audit of Assessor’s Office Despite Wilhoite’s Opposition (Nashville Banner) Coalition urges Nashville vote on fairgrounds future over NASCAR plan (Axios)

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 studentSheila Brown Thompson, graduate of Metro Action Commission Adult Education ProgramDennis Piper, learner at Lipscomb's Lifelong Learning ProgramDr. Brandon Grubbs, co-founder, MTSU's Positive Aging ConsortiumTara Hamilton, Vanderbilt University's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Program DirectorTom 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 Dr. Abby Eblen MD, Double Board Certified OB/GYN and Reproductive Endocrinologist with Nashville Fertility Center; co-host Fertility Docs Uncensored Calea Davis, parent of three children through IVF Laura Lee and Stephanie Paha, parents of child through IVF Dr. Kendra Hayslett, Board Certified OB/GYN with Centennial Women's Hospital 

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.

It’s Thursday and time for another episode of The Roundabout.The Roundabout is your news of the week, analyzed by our panelists from the points of view that span left, right and center. Joining us today are former Metro council member Fabian Bedne, former Metro school board chair and candidate for mayor, David Fox, and Tennessee State University political scientist Dr. Ian Shapiro. We're hitting the brakes on electric vehicle production in Tennessee, talking about AI surveillance of Tennessee students, leaning into the the latest on the Boring Company’s airport tunnel plans and flooding for our neighbors in Chattanooga. 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: Fabian Bedne, former Metro councilmember David Fox, former Metro school board chair and candidate for mayor Dr. Ian Shapiro, Political Scientist, TSU  

Freddie O’Connell is back for another round of “Ask the Mayor.”There are questions about a win for Metro's transit plan in the state's high court, airport tunnels, ICE recruitment on city property and the prospect of using the National Guard for policing. But there’s more to be asked. What does the mayor need to know about your part of Nashville? Where is Metro Government needed? Where is Metro getting in the way? Finish this sentence: I wish the city would just…Then call us at 615-760-2000.Plus, we're opening up the phone lines to hear about your upcoming community event, like the Shades of Black Theatre Festival, celebrating twenty years next month.This episode was produced by Mary ManciniGuests Freddie O'Connell, Mayor, Metro Nashville and Davidson County Shawn Whitsell, playwright, actor, producer, director, and Co-Founder of the Shades of Black Theatre Festival Further reading and listeningAll previous episodes of Ask the Mayor can be found here.