Profile: Stacy Downey

Studies show that employee well-being, job satisfaction, retention and productivity all increase with a compressed schedule. In a recent six-month trial in the UK, nearly 90% of companies that gave a four-day workweek a try kept with it over a year later. But is it as good as it sounds? And how exactly does it work across different industries? Today, we’re talking with a researcher and veteran HR leader about the rising popularity of compressed schedules. We'll also hear from one employer about how she transitioned her family business to a four-day workweek and what it's like to work there now from one of the company's team members. Join us!This episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys.Guests:  Timothy Munyon, associate professor of management at Haslam College of Business, University of Tennessee Knoxville Tracey Power, chief people officer at Vaco, a global talent solutions company based in Nashville Erin Richardson, third generation owner of family business, All-American Pest Control  Adrian Zavala, operator, All-American Pest Control

We’re seemingly full of towering yellow cranes and active construction sites busy with workers using hefty machinery and hoisting heavy materials – often several hundred feet in the air. Tragically, Tennessee is one of the most dangerous states when it comes to construction worker on-the-job injury and deaths. In recent years, the city of Nashville and the State of Tennessee have not seen eye-to-eye on how to improve safety for workers. Today, we’re speaking with reporters, local advocates and the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development about the sometimes deadly problems workers face, how they’re working to make construction sites safer, and what to do if you get injured on the job.This episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys and Mary Mancini. Guests: Molly Davis | Growth and Development Reporter, The Tennessean  Cynthia Abrams | Metro Reporter, WPLN Sandra Sepulveda | Metro Councilwoman, District 30 Charlie Rodriguez | Organizer, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Troy Haley | Administrator, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development

Every Thursday, we open up the phone lines because it's Your Turn to Talk. We never know what topics will come up when you call in to ask the mayor a question, but it's always an interesting discussion. Later on, we look at the basics of overdose prevention and learn what local organizations and law enforcement are doing to strengthen the overdose prevention strategy of harm reduction.Guests: Freddie O'Connell | Mayor, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Charles Cuthbert | Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist, STARS Nashville Sgt. Michael Hotz | Overdose Unit, Metro Nashville Police Department Listen to previous Ask the Mayor episodes: Ask the Mayor and Metro Legal Director with Freddie O'Connell and Wally Dietz (July 25, 2024) Ask the Mayors with Freddie O'Connell and Benton McDonough (June 18, 2024) Ask the Mayors with Freddie O'Connell and Ken Moore (May 30, 2024) Ask the Mayor with Freddie O'Connell, plus Taking Cover (April 17, 2024) Ask the Mayor with Freddie O'Connell, plus Votes For Women (March 28, 2024) Ask the Mayor with Freddie O'Connell & Photographer Jeff Fasano (Feb. 15, 2024)

Some step into single parenthood by choice, and others unexpectedly find themselves raising kids on their own. Today, we’re speaking with two single parents here in Nashville about their journeys to parenthood, how they take care of both their kids and themselves, and where they find connection and community.This episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys.GUESTS Megan Staggs, Single mom Steve Younes, Single dad

Over the course of this series, we have taken a closer look at the different aspects of homelessness examining the Housing First philosophy, the interconnectedness of housing and healthcare, prevention efforts, and what hidden homelessness looks like. In today's episode, we focus on the tools available for developers and communities to build supportive housing and the support systems necessary to help people maintain their homes. Additionally, we dive into braiding, a funding mechanism used to build units to serve people with zero income.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.This episode was produced by Judy Tackett and Tasha A.F. Lemley.Today's guests:Leah Werner | Director Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee Program, CSHAngela Hubbard | Housing Director, Metro Nashville Planning DepartmentDavid Langgle-Martin | Chief Housing Officer, Park CenterAnita Smith | Speaker and advocate

Clark, a well-known Nashville producer, multi-instrumentalist, music supervisor and writer, was born and raised in Memphis — a city he says is utterly baked into him at a cellular level. It was in Memphis where he picked up his first instrument, bought his first dixieland jazz records, and played his first gig. Since then, Clark has gone on to write for numerous national publications – including Billboard and Rolling Stone – produce the first seven volumes of the award-winning Oxford American Magazine music CDs, supervise the music for numerous film and TV projects, and record and release music under his own name.Today's episode was produced by Mary Mancini.GUEST Rick Clark, Music Supervisor, Producer, Writer, and Creative Guy

Some people say they vote because it’s the least they can do. But what if you want to do more? What other options are available to voice your opinion, advocate for or against issues you care about, and influence policy? And what do you do when the action you take doesn't get the results you want? Do you keep hope alive, or do you let the cynicism creep in?We’re joined by a panel of community organizers who will take your calls and help us figure out how in the world we can make a difference. Plus, Garrison Hayes is back with us live from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. He has a unique perspective, having recently attended the Republican National Convention as well, and gives us an in-depth comparison of the two events.This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.GUESTSAdam Altendorf | Organizing Director, Organize TennesseeEva Frasca | Interim Executive Director, Rise & Shine TNColleen Weiss | Community member, Rise & Shine TNGarrison Hayes | Video Correspondent, Center for Investigative ReportingFURTHER IN

But the legacy and impact of this small HBCU in Nashville often gets overlooked. Now, as ABC celebrates its 100th anniversary, we look at the college’s role in training generations of activists. How has it changed in the decades since the Civil Rights movement? And how can religion and theology be used to advance social justice causes in an increasingly secular world?This episode was produced by Emily Siner.GUESTSDr. Forrest Harris, President of American Baptist CollegeDr. Phyllis Qualls, Communications director, American Baptist CollegeAaron Ford, Student government president, American Baptist CollegeRev. Dr. James Douglas Clay, Alum of ABC and pastor at New Visions Baptist Church

Architects shape skylines and neighborhoods with a vision that can last for centuries. Today, we're speaking with some of Nashville's NextGen architects about their priorities, lessons learned, and the challenges they face building in the New Nashville.This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.GUESTSAmy Hardin, Senior project manager and senior architect at Gresham SmithBrittany Hodge, Project Architect at EOA ArchitectsJoseph Cole, CEO, Culture Architecture and DesignBrenda Cano Trejo, Designer, Culture Architecture and Design

Sara Figal has always been willing to work hard, follow her passions – and let herself be surprised. She recently retired from being the executive director of the Nashville Conflict Resolution Center, an organization that facilitates mediation to help people and families work together to create solutions to their problems so they don’t have to end up in a court system. Today we’re speaking with Sara about the often unexpected outcomes and impact of mediation that she has witnessed here in Tennessee, the life path she’s weaved between opportunities and roadblocks, and what it looks like for her to savor a new path ahead. Join us!Today's episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys.GUEST Sara Figal, former director of the Nashville Conflict Resolution Center FURTHER READING AND LISTENING This Is Nashville | How mediation solves disputes, including between landlords and renters Tennessee Courts Mediation Resources