Profile: Kristin Mejia

Since then, she's worked to combat the shame and guilt associated with substance use disorder, ran for Congress and wrote a book. Fresh off her campaign, Barry sits down to talk with us about second chances, the responsibilities that come with redemption, and what she hopes readers of her new book, "It's What You Do Next," will understand about the more tumultuous times in her life.

But you all have a lot to say, so we’re opening up the phone lines, once again, to provide a space to share your different views, experiences, opinions and values. What is your biggest takeaway from the election? How are you feeling about the results? What type of conversations are you having now? Plus, journalist Garrison Hayes of Mother Jones joins us to talk about his experiences covering this very long election and reflect on results, the changing electorate, and what led us to where we are now.GuestsGarrison Hayes | Video Correspondent, Mother JonesFurther Listening Your Turn to Talk: Election Day Your Turn to Talk: Election Night Your Turn to Talk: Post-Election Debrief, Part 1

Today, we’re once again opening up the phone lines to provide a safe space for people with different views, experiences, opinions, and values to hear from one another. Joining us to take your questions and comments are WPLN Newsroom Editor Tony Gonzalez, Tennessee Lookout Editor and Chief Holly McCall, and Tennessee State University political scientist Dr. Ian Shapiro.GuestsHolly McCall | Editor-in-chief, Tennessee LookoutTony Gonzalez | News Director, WPLNDr. Ian Shapiro | Political Scientist, TSU

WPLN reporter Paige Pfleger and MTSU Journalism and Strategic Media professor Dr. Jason Reineke are in the studio to take your calls and report on any results. Plus, Marianna Bacallao and Cynthia Abrams are reporting live from watch parties around town. It's election night and we're live!Guests Paige Pfleger, Criminal Justice Reporter, WPLN Jason Reineke, Associate Professor, School of Journalism and Strategic Media, MTSU Marianna Bacallao, Power and Equity Reporter, WPLN Cynthia Abrams, Metro Reporter, WPLN

Are you excited, nervous, energized — or all of the above? Don't worry, we’ve got you covered. We're here to hear all your thoughts, concerns and observations live on air. Joining us is WPLN’s Rose Gilbert who's been out to the polls to bring us the word from voters and county election officials. We also have a panel of political scientists who will weigh in on polling, campaigns, and the state of the electorate. And Stacie Huckaba, aka the creator of Ugly Crying While Early Voting, will be with us to share her thoughts on why voting this year is just so emotional. It's Your Turn To Talk!Guests Rose Gilbert, Reporter, WPLN Dr. Ian Shapiro, Political Scientist, Tennessee State University Dr. A. Hannibal Hamdallahi, Political Scientist, Fisk University Stacie Huckaba, Photographer, Writer, Speaker, TikTok Creator

Christina grew up multi-racial in a small Texas town. Although she loved to read, becoming a professional writer was never part of her original plan. After earning an engineering degree and then undergoing a transformational career change, she embraced her passion for storytelling.Today we speak with her about her life, her work, and her ten-year journey to becoming a best-selling author and how, along the way, she leaned on her cultural roots as well as the life lessons instilled in her by her family.

Although we never know exactly what’s going to come up on our Ask the Mayor show — that's up to you — today is Halloween, and we expect some extra spooky surprises. For instance, did you know that downtown Nashville is haunted?In addition to Mayor O'Connell answering the most difficult of Halloween-related questions ("Candy corn — yum or ick?"), we’ll hear the story of the Ghost Mayor of Printer’s Alley, David "Skull" Schulman. Schulman, the beloved owner of the original Skull’s Rainbow Room, was murdered there during a robbery in 1998, and now, some say Skull’s ghost has joined others that haunt the narrow, two-block street tucked away in downtown Nashville. Join us for a scary edition of Your Turn to Talk!Guests: Freddie O'Connell | Mayor, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Mark Therrien | Owner, Nashville Tours and Haunted Nashville

Every polling place is run by trained poll officials who make sure voters can efficiently and easily cast their vote. Today, we speak with poll officials as well as the administrator of elections for the Davidson Country Election Commission to learn what goes into working at a polling station and how polling officials keep our elections fair, safe and secure. Plus, our guests will answer some of the most common questions about voting.GUESTS: Jeff Roberts, Administrator of Elections, Davidson County Christiev Alphin, Poll Official  Mark Blankenship, Poll Official Further Reading: Check your voter registration, find sample ballots and confirm your polling place through the Election Commission of Davidson County WPLN | Full election coverage including voter guides Nashville Banner | Here’s What it Takes to Be a Poll Worker for Nashville’s Elections

What does it take to build an efficient homelessness response system? What next steps are needed to address the affordability crisis and implement solutions? Does society have the tools necessary to end homelessness in Nashville and nationwide?In My Place educates listeners on what cities like Nashville can do to prevent and end homelessness — while caring for our neighbors who are still unhoused. We talk to national and local guests about everything from best practices to worst failures and hear from people who intimately know the complexities of having nowhere to go. This show highlights how affordable housing affects each of us even if we think it doesn't.This series was created thanks in part to support from Pinnacle Financial Partners and was produced by Judy Tackett and Tasha A.F. Lemley.Today's guests:Ann Oliva | CEO, National Alliance to End HomelessnessBrain Haile | CEO, Neighborhood HealthShawn Lesley | Vendor, The ContributorJamie Berry | Chief of Staff, Metropolitan Development and Housing AuthorityDeirdre Nicole Childress | Guest Commentator; Director of Communications, Director of Trauma Services, Director of Case Management, Gideon’s ArmyFurther in:• Overview Episode of In My Place• Episode 1: Homelessness Facts and Faces• Episode 2: Housing First• Episode 3: Housing Strategies• Episode 4: The interconnectedness of health care, housing and homelessness• Episode 5: Upstream homelessness prevention• Episode 6: Hidden Homelessness• Episode 7: Permanent supportive housing• Episode 8: The Impact of Homelessness on Residents and Business Owners

Horror hosts emerged nationwide after Vampira burst onto the late night Los Angeles television scene in 1954. In 1971, Nashville's WSM-TV launched their own with Creature Feature Saturday hosted by Sir Cecil Creape. Decades later on July 1, 1999, Larry Underwood, inspired by the legendary Creape, created his Dr. Gangrene alter-ego and produced his first episode of Chiller Cinema.Today we welcome the physician of fright Dr. Gangrene and Horror Host Hall of Famer Underwood to tell us about the history of Nashville horror hosts, the Gangrene origin story, and Underwood's fascination with monsters, fear, and the horror host genre of cornball humor.This episode was produced by Khalil Ekulona and Elizabeth Burton.GUEST Larry Underwood | Actor, writer, producer Dr. Gangrene | TV horror movie host