Talking to strangers with Folx Table

Through guided dialogues, One Small Step encourages participants to listen just as much as they speak and stay open to a wide range of opinions. Dialogue Vanderbilt has partnered with StoryCorps to bring One Small Step to Middle-Tennessee and Jad Abumrad, Vanderbilt’s Distinguished Research Professor of Communication of Science and Technology and co-founder of Radiolab, joins us to talk about the essentials and efficacy of this ambitious program.This episode was produced by Mary Mancini and Josh Deepan.GUESTJad Abumrad, Distinguished Research Professor of Communication of Science and Technology and co-founder of Radiolab, Vanderbilt UniversityFURTHER READING One Small Step FAQ Watch One Small Step conversations

Today, we talk about Tennessee’s job market and some of the major concerns employers and employees face right now. We also hear about the local resources available to help anyone, even young people, figure out their next career step and get support while navigating a job search.This episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys.GUESTS Dr. Donald Bruce, Boyd Distinguished Professor in the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee Adam Sichko, Senior Reporter, Nashville Business Journal Paul Hines, Team Lead Nashville, American Job Center Dr. Julie Williams, Associate Vice President, Student Affairs Nashville State Community College Betsy Wills, Co-Founder of YouScience, Author of "Your Hidden Genius" FURTHER READING University of Tennessee Knoxville | Boyd Center Report Shows Tennessee’s Economy to Surpass US Growth in 2025 Nashville Business Journal | Here's what companies expect for hiring and pay in 2025

Folx Table provides strangers the space and opportunity to meet — and hopefully, become friends. Today, we talk with the founders about connection and building community. Plus, to demonstrate how it works, some people who have never met join us in the studio to play Folx Table's "get to know someone better" games.Guests Emma McCallie | Co-founder and CEO, Folx Table Dallas Condra | Co-founder and COO, Folx Table Justin Allman Hannah Kelly Tina Dominguez

Today, we sit with the thought leader as he reflects on the rigidity of political thought and the ways in which he believes political discourse in America must evolve. Plus, we talk about his journey and what led him to write for high profile publications like the New York Times. And, as we enter another new era of Conservatism and Liberalism, what does he envision for the future of our country? Further reading and listening: The New York Times Opinion | My Old Church's Fundamentalist Wing Canceled Me by David French The New York Times Opinion | We Don’t Have Time to Waste in Despair by David French

Their responses can be spoken word poetry, an essay, a speech. It can be ... whatever they want. It’s their voice expressing what their city means to them. Today seven people share their perspective on what this city and region means to them. Their words. Their voices.This Is Nashville presents … This Is Nashvillians.This episode was produced by Khalil Ekulona.Guests:Mac PirkleChris CroftonS’Kaila ColbertErica PerryBenjamin BrowningWillie “Big Fella” SimsKate ParrishMusic Playlist:Christmas Time Is Here - Vince Guaraldi TrioMerry Something To You - DevoLast Christmas - WHAMSound the Trumpet - The Wailers (feat. Bob Marley)Snow Fall - Ahmad Jamal TrioChristmas In Hollis - Run-DMCSilver Bells - Loretta LynnMillie Pulled a Pistol on Santa - De La Soul

The holiday season is in full swing! With preparing for all of the fun, parties, family gatherings- and maybe even traveling, you might find yourself feeling a bit drained and tired. That is where practices like tai chi, yoga and meditation come in. Today we’ll talk with Nashvillians who use those practices to help themselves and others recenter and find peace. We’ll learn about what the practices are, how anyone can get started in a few moments today, and what you need to know if you want to step into a dedicated practice. We’ll even have a guided meditation and sound meditation in studio too! Join us!Guests:  Peter Hodes, Founder, Instructor Tai Chi River  Sujatha Yarlagadda, Yoga Instructor, Yoga Therapist Khrys Baltodano,  Founder, Owner, and Teacher Hola Yoga Jo-Jo Jackson, Yoga and Meditation Instructor, www.theyogibassist.com Today’s episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys.

Our host, Khalil Ekulona, joins us as a guest alongside his parents to share how they started celebrating Kwanzaa as a family and what the holiday means to them. Then, local community leaders share more about how Kwanzaa is celebrated in Nashville.Guests: Khalil Ekulona, host of This Is Nashville Olufemi Ekulona, retired caregiver and Khalil’s mom Ademola Ekulona, retired television producer, activist, community leader, and father of Khalil MarQuita Holt, board member of Kwanzaa Nashville Jeneene Blackman, CEO of the African American Cultural Alliance

It features music from his modern holiday classic LP 'Socks' alongside handpicked, off-the-wall Christmas song selections and paired with interviews delving deep into 'Socks' and McPherson’s own holiday traditions. It’s guaranteed to be the only holiday special to reference 'Goodfellas,' dictatorial crowd control techniques and Black Sabbath’s "Children of the Grave" right beside the Andrews Sisters, the Drifters and Vince Guaraldi.A WNXP Production.

One of the main ways we can interact with others is through our hobbies and niche interests. And they’ve got another benefit, too: When we learn more about other people’s hobbies and niche interests, we better appreciate the world around us and we can embrace and celebrate our differences.Today, we delve into three vastly different niche activities and the people who pursue them. From Rubik’s cubing to cooking to professional Santa artistry, these guests illustrate the importance of finding our “niche” in all stages of life.This episode was produced by Leslie Eiler Thompson.Guests: Shook G. | Rubik’s Cube player Zach and Maggie White | Regional cooking Santa Shed (Shedrich) Webster | Professional Santa portrayal artist Further reading and listening: Niche to Meet You is an investigative storytelling podcast by Leslie Eiler Thompson about the little-known niche subcultures where misfits are making meaning.

Today, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell joins us to take your calls. You can dial (615) 760-2000 to participate.Plus, Niche to Meet You podcast producer and host Leslie Eiler Thompson joins us to talk about the history of Santa, the personal stories of some of the real-life Santas she’s met, and how for these folks, being Santa is more than just a hobby. And we end the show with a special reading of the most famous poem about Santa Claus ever written.Guests Freddie O’Connell | Mayor, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Leslie Eiler Thompson | Producer and Host, Niche to Meet You Further Reading and ListeningYou can listen to Leslie's three-part podcast miniseries about being Santa Claus here.