City Cast Nashville

There’s lots to love about Nashville, but being able to get in and out of it easily and cheaply can be an underrated metric of its livability. Accommodating, accessible, and affordable local airports are a specific resource that many cities need. To find out which cities are leading the charge and the kinds of amenities that elevate an airport to gold status, City Cast CEO David Plotz chats with Scott Keyes, founder and Chief Flight Expert of Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) about everything he’s seen in his work and travels. How does your airport stack up? Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Metro Council didn’t gavel out until 1:48 a.m. this week, so long was the list of residents who signed up to speak in favor of restricting data centers in Nashville. On today’s Friday News Roundup, creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson and executive producer Whitney Pastorek salute the civic energy and get into what happens next. Plus, BNA now has two boards! We’re getting a new Complete Street! Greek fro-yo is having a moment! They’re fundraising to cover up some awful graffiti in East Nashville! And in our bonus segment only for City Cast Nashville Neighbors, Hell Naw, we’re calling out Marsha Blackburn’s stupid racist campaign ad.  Learn more about the sponsors of this July 10th episode: Adventure Science Center Hoffmann Brothers Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

From frozen yogurt to ice cream sandwiches, Lokelani Alabanza knows Nashville’s best sweet treats. To celebrate the release of her first book, “Ice Cream Queen: Flavors from Black America’s Past, Present, and Future,” she joins Marie Cecile Anderson to share her favorite cold desserts, delve into some fascinating history, and celebrate the nostalgia that comes with the sound of the ice cream truck song. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 9th episode: Adventure Science Center Hoffmann Brothers Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Going on vacation? In this economy? If you’re keeping things close to home this year, City Cast Nashville contributor and travel journalist Amelia Edelman joins Marie Cecile Anderson to share her favorite locals-friendly hotel pools and spas in town, where you’re just a day pass away from the perfect staycation. Whether you want a trendy party-style hang or a secret zen spot, we’ve got you covered. ** This episode originally aired July 15, 2025. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 8th episode: Adventure Science Center Hoffmann Brothers Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

There’s one American classic that will never go out of style: The drive-in movie theater. Film critic Jason Shawhan joins Marie Cecile Anderson to talk vibes, etiquette, concessions, and why sitting in your car to watch a cheesy blockbuster is still a great summer night out. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 7th episode: Adventure Science Center Hoffmann Brothers Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Nashville residents have a litany of complaints about Metro Parks, from broken amenities to stalled projects. With the recent release of the 2026 Plan to Play update, Parks has once again outlined an ambitious 10-year plan — but do we have the resources to implement it? Veronica Foster and Kaitlin Dastugue from the Civic Design Center join executive producer Whitney Pastorek to talk about possible solutions. Plus: We ask a local teen to describe their dream park! Learn more about the sponsors of this July 6th episode: Adventure Science Center Hoffmann Brothers Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

See if your Nashville knowledge serves you well! In the first-ever Your City Could Be Better trivia episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz goes head to head with journalist and historian Alexandra Petri to see who knows more about U.S. history, geography, and celebrities ahead of the country’s semiquincentennial. Sean McPherson, trivia wiz and City Cast Twin Cities host, leads four riveting rounds of questions covering everything from The Declaration of Independence to the hottest college rivalries, and all 13 City Cast cities make an appearance. See how you stack up! Mentioned on the show: Trivia Mafia website and locations Alexandra Petri's US History: Important American Documents (I Made Up) Milwaukee's block of Frank Lloyd Wright - Atlas Obscura Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

We can make lists all day of things WE think would be fun for kids to do this summer, but we are old and clueless. So we invited two local kiddos, Mary and Rocky (and their mom, Toby) to join Marie Cecile Anderson and tell us about their dream summer day, from water parks to arcades and even some surprise restaurant suggestions. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 2nd episode: Adventure Science Center Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

America is turning 250 years old, and we’ve got your ultimate guide to July in Nashville! Join creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson, newsletter editor Margaret Kingsbury, and executive producer Whitney Pastorek as they talk about the best things to do this month, from urban exploring ideas to ways to step outside your comfort zone. Plus, the details on how to enjoy — or avoid — the two-day 4th of July spectacular downtown. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 1st episode: Adventure Science Center Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Once upon a time, then-Mayor Bill Purcell decided to spread the good news of hot chicken to the masses, via a festival in East Park as part of Nashville’s bicentennial. Twenty years later, the Music City Hot Chicken Festival (a July 4th tradition) continues to thrive, and hot chicken outposts can be found as far away as Uzbekistan. Mayor Purcell sits down with Marie Cecile Anderson to tell us about his four decade journey with the spiciest of fowl. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 30th episode: Adventure Science Center Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Here's a piece of history you probably didn't learn in school: The city of Nashville once owned enslaved people. Historian and contributor Betsy Phillips joins us to share their stories and discuss how our city is beginning to recognize their contributions and honor their legacy, including the recent installation of a memorial bench at City Cemetery. Content warning: This episode includes historical discussions of slavery and the lived experiences of enslaved people that some listeners may find difficult. Please listen with care. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 29th episode: Adventure Science Center Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Just how good are the sidewalks in Nashville? The state of a city’s sidewalks can be a good indicator of how healthy that city is — and pedestrian safety is just the beginning. In Denver, voters approved a new fee a few years ago to fund much-needed sidewalk repairs, and after a lot of back-and-forth, those repairs are finally underway. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Denver podcast host Bree Davies about what drove this initiative, how it’s going, and who’s paying for it. And speaking of sidewalks, do bikes, scooters, and people playing music belong on public sidewalks? Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

We can’t get enough of the news that a man who lives literally next door to Cheekwood is trying to get the Board of Zoning Appeals to give Cheekwood a stop work order due to traffic volume, so Marie Cecile Anderson is digging into all the details with executive producer Whitney Pastorek and musician at large Freddy Angelico. Plus: What did the mayor know about the zoo data center and when did he know it? We’ve also got your Pride preview for the weekend, and in our special members-only bonus segment, Hell Naw, it’s time to talk about poop. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 26th episode: Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Adventure Science Center Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

With all the hubbub swirling around the proposed data center next to the Nashville Zoo, we’re revisiting our conversation with the zoo’s director of marketing, Jim Bartoo. He joins Marie Cecile Anderson to talk about local endangered species and how conservation programs work to support animal populations around the world.  **This episode originally aired Dec. 19, 2024. If you enjoyed this interview with Supriya Sundaram, the director of growth marketing for TaskRabbit, learn more here.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 25th episode: Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The hottest hobby for this summer might be birding, whether you’re watching, listening to, drawing, or simply appreciating our feathered friends. Kristen Englenz and Liz Clayton Fuller, the team behind Nashville’s new Feminist Bird Club chapter, join Marie Cecile Anderson to share their favorite spots and why they say we should all put our phones down and look up. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 24th episode: Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

This month in our recurring series of neighborhood guides, we're heading to “Hip” Donelson to see if it lives up to the name. Max and Kayla Palmer, owners of Bagelshop, join Marie Cecile Anderson to walk us through their perfect day in the area, from smoothie bowls and record stores to patios, parks, local sandwiches … and Nashville's only train, the WeGo Star. Plus, the inspiration behind Bagelshop’s “Spread the Love” collaborations with other local chefs and restaurants. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 23rd episode: Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Window Nation Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The East Bank Development Authority is on the clock. Now that the Super Bowl has been confirmed for 2030, will “Nashville’s Next Great Neighborhood” be built quickly … or built right? EBDA communications director Kerry Hayes joins Marie Cecile Anderson to answer our questions about timeline, priorities, and the potentially “painful” process ahead. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 22nd episode: Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Shelby Park’s Cornelia Fort Airpark is a favorite spot for families, cyclists, skaters, and dogs — so why did they set it on fire last year? Friends of Shelby director of community engagement Grant England joins Marie Cecile Anderson to explain the native grassland reconstruction taking place at the former airport, as well as ways you can help with that and other conservation projects in your own backyard. Heads up: The next airpark restoration closure starts June 22! If you enjoyed today's interview with Tess Rowser, the Marketing Manager of the Water Lantern Festival, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 18th episode: Window Nation Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Nashville Predators Greater Birmingham CVB Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Nashville has a reputation as a party town, but it's also home to one of the largest recovery communities in the country. So where do sober Nashvillians go to find community, have fun, and connect without drugs and alcohol being the center of everything? Casey Hyatt of the Cumberland Heights Foundation joins us to share sober events, recovery resources, and some of the best substance-free spaces around town. To learn more about the sober hang at the 4th of July celebration or any of Casey’s other events around town, follow the Nashville Recovery Community on Facebook or Instagram. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 17th episode: Window Nation Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Nashville Predators Greater Birmingham CVB Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The General Jackson Showboat has company! As the paddlewheelers of Nashville Riverboats join the tourist traffic on the Cumberland River, City Cast Nashville contributor and paddling enthusiast Margaret Littman joins Marie Cecile Anderson to talk about our floating entertainment options, and encourage locals to get back in touch with the river. Plus, a bonus conversation with Nashville Riverboats owner and captain Troy Manthey!  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 16th episode: Window Nation Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Nashville Predators Greater Birmingham CVB Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

A long line of Nashville residents spoke at last week’s Planning Commission meeting to voice their support for CM Rollin Horton’s data center regulation bill, which will be up for second reading at council on July 7. But what’s in the legislation? Would it stop the proposed centers at the Nashville Zoo and Fisk University? Why can’t we just ban data centers entirely? Horton joins Marie Cecile Anderson to explain. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 15th episode: Window Nation Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Nashville Predators Greater Birmingham CVB Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Do you know how many parks Nashville has? Residents of Salt Lake County have wondered about their parks for years — that is, until City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta set out to catalog them all. Over the course of two years, she visited all 511 parks in the county, seeking to record their amenities (e.g., bathrooms, playgrounds), write helpful summaries, and track down the people in charge. The resulting map has already become a valuable tool for locals, who now not only know who to call when trash cans are overflowing: they can also find outdoor spaces that meet their needs. Mentioned on the show: Every Park SLC - The First-Ever Guide to Every Park in Salt Lake County (City Cast Salt Lake) Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

CM Courtney Johnston’s proposed temporary data center moratorium passed first reading at Metro Council this week, but can it actually stop the proposed center next to the zoo? Marie Cecile Anderson, Whitney Pastorek, and contributor Nicole Williams are digging into that, plus why Metro’s insurance company is suing the Nashville Downtown Partnership, what’s going on with control of the airport, and why the TN GOP can’t get enough of redistricting. And hey! City Cast Nashville Neighbors also get to enjoy our weekly bonus segment, Hell Naw, where we’re talking food truck bans and golf carts gone wild. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 12th episode: Window Nation Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Nashville Predators Greater Birmingham CVB Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Nashville’s Porter Flea Summer Market returns this weekend, so Marie Cecile Anderson is chatting with local makers. Porter Flea founder Katie Vance and local ceramic artist Emilee Martin of Mineral Haus discuss where to get crafty in town, why people are leaving fast fashion behind, and what makes our vibrant local artisan community special. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 11th episode: Window Nation Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The ticks are out with a vengeance this year, and the mosquitoes are loving all our recent rain. How can we avoid those jerks while keeping habitats safe for our bee, bird, and butterfly friends? We’re revisiting our conversation with local naturalist and author Jo Brichetto, who popularized the “Mosquito Bucket of Doom.” She joins Marie Cecile Anderson to share her tips for warding off the bitey guys while enjoying and protecting the other amazing bugs of summer. Learn how to make your own Bucket of Doom here. Get Jo’s book, ‘This is How a Robin Drinks,’ here. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 10th episode: Window Nation Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Now that Metro Council’s annual budget hearing is behind us, it falls to Budget and Finance Committee chair CM Kyonzté Toombs to take everyone’s feedback and come up with a substitute budget ordinance that works. She joins Marie Cecile Anderson to talk about what she heard from the community and her colleagues, how the substitute process works, and what’s going on with the contentious Nashville Downtown Partnership budget, too. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 9th episode: Window Nation Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The Metro Nashville Police Department is testing a new emergency response program in Madison that uses drones to respond to certain 911 calls. WPLN Metro reporter Cynthia Abrams joins us to explain how it works, why some residents and activists are raising concerns about surveillance and the legality of the program, and what questions we should all be asking as this new technology takes flight. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 8th episode: Window Nation Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Nashville recycles some of its water, but not as much as Las Vegas, where the water there stays in the city. How else could a desert city possibly have enough water for its year-round tourists, a metro area population of over 2 million, and all those pools? The process just might be grosser than you think. With innovative recycling, strict lawn rules, and infrastructure to monitor it all, Vegas has become a global leader in water reuse. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Las Vegas podcast host Jesse Merrick to learn how the city makes do with what it has and how its practices could save other cities’ water supplies. Plus, are any Las Vegans actually going to the casinos? Mentioned on the show: "Reality Check - There are Big Fines If You Don’t Change Your Watering Clock" (Southern Nevada Water Authority) "Federal Regulators Cut Lake Mead Water. Can Vegas Handle It?" (City Cast Las Vegas) Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

The annual public budget hearing at Metro Council this week was another marathon session, with over 100 residents lining up to speak for nearly four hours about what they’d like to see in our city’s budget this year. Marie Cecile Anderson, Margaret Kingsbury, and Whitney Pastorek are discussing what they heard from their neighbors on today’s Friday News Roundup. Plus: Why did the council meeting almost come to blows? How’s the zoo feeling about the proposed data center next door? And what’s it gonna take to make Nashville an affordable place to live? In our special bonus segment, Hell Naw, we’re taking on the local middle school that’s named for a segregationist, and hey y’all — Happy Pride Month! Learn more about the sponsors of this June 5th episode: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Visit Tupelo Centennial Park Conservancy Ancient Lore Village Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Country music has always had a funny side, but lately, comedy is taking center stage! Inspired by her recent WPLN report, "Country Music Comedy Is Back," Nashville Public Radio senior music writer Jewly Hight joins Marie Cecile Anderson to explore the history of humor in country music, why it's making a comeback, and which local comics are leading the charge. Plus, Marie shares what she learned from 15 years performing in the country comedy duo Reformed Whores. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 4th episode: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Visit Tupelo Centennial Park Conservancy Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

We all know Dollywood is the best theme park in Tennessee, but do we have any other options? Local rollercoaster enthusiast and friend of the pod Charlie Weingartner joins Marie Cecile Anderson to give us the best destinations for a thrill-seeking day trip or weekend visit to the best amusement parks near Nashville. Plus: What does he really think about Nate Bargatze’s theme park plans? If you enjoyed today's interview with Tess Rowser, the Marketing Manager of the Water Lantern Festival, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 3rd episode: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Visit Tupelo Centennial Park Conservancy Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

In his New York Times bestselling autobiography, “The Education of a Senator: From JFK to Trump,” former Tennessee governor and U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander digs into his nearly 60 years of public service. He joins Marie Cecile Anderson for a conversation about civil rights — did you know he helped desegregate Vanderbilt? — our recent redistricting, and how Nashville can hang onto its soul amidst all this growth. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 2nd episode: Country Music Hall of Fame Visit Tupelo Centennial Park Conservancy Window Nation Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Pride! Juneteenth! CMA Fest! Bonnaroo! June in Nashville is jam-packed every year, and Marie Cecile Anderson, Margaret Kingsbury, and Whitney Pastorek are here to help you make the most of it. From laser shows to waterfront dining, we’ve got the best things to eat, hear, and do this month in Music City. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 1st episode: Country Music Hall of Fame Visit Tupelo Centennial Park Conservancy Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Where would Nashville be without its libraries? Chicago is opening its 82nd public library branch in June, and loaning out books is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what these institutions offer residents. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran about how Chicago’s libraries have evolved to meet community needs, from opening a food pantry inside a branch to turning student IDs into automatic library cards — and how they could be even better. Plus, are the Chicago Bears still the Chicago Bears if they move to Indiana? Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

As police drones take flight in Madison, Mayor Freddie O’Connell is defending their legality while others say they’re in violation of city code. Contributor Nicole Williams lives within the drone radius, and she joins Marie Cecile Anderson and Whitney Pastorek to share her thoughts. Plus, could a new bill restricting data centers prevent someone from building one next to the zoo? And why is retiring Lt. Gov. Randy McNally still trying to control Sen. Charlane Oliver … while misspelling her name? Plus, good news about Dolly Parton’s new travel stop, and our bonus segment Hell Naw takes on that rainy graduation ceremony down in Franklin. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 29th episode: Ancient Lore Village Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Since it’s Mental Health Awareness Month, Marie Cecile Anderson is sitting down with the father-son duo behind the Black Men Vent Too podcast, Leon Davis, Jr. and Johnathon Davis. Winners of the Nashville Scene Readers’ Poll for Best Podcast in 2023 (and our very worthy runners-up last year), they’re talking community, vulnerability, where to find your zen, and their upcoming Spare Your Mind event happening this Saturday at Hermitage Strike & Spare. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 28th episode: Ancient Lore Village Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Earlier this year, HiFi Cookies owner Sean Newsome posted a plea on social media for influencers to better understand the challenges small businesses are facing before reaching out to demand a collab. He’s sitting down with Marie Cecile Anderson to elaborate on the problem, tell us how he came to make some of the best cookies in Nashville, and preview a new concert series happening at his Porter Road shop. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 27th episode: Ancient Lore Village If you enjoyed this interview with Supriya Sundaram, the director of growth marketing for TaskRabbit, learn more here.  Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The children are now free! But what to do with them this summer? We’re revisiting our conversation with City Cast Nashville contributor Amelia Edelman, who’s telling Marie Cecile Anderson her favorite destinations that kids will love within driving distance of Nashville. ** This episode originally aired May 13, 2025. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 26th episode: Ancient Lore Village Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

As anticipated, NFL owners unanimously voted to give Nashville the Super Bowl in 2030. Sooooo, now what? The Nashville Banner’s Sarah Grace Taylor joins Marie Cecile Anderson and Whitney Pastorek to discuss what needs to be built, and who’s likely to benefit most. We’re also taking a look at the lawsuit TIRRC just filed against the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and diving into the latest Vanderbilt poll — which shows that Pres. Trump’s approval rating is now under 50% statewide — to talk about how those vibes might impact the upcoming midterms. Plus, it’s Memorial Day weekend, and in our members-only bonus segment, Hell Naw, we have thoughts about Nate Bargatze’s forthcoming theme park. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 22nd episode: Window Nation Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson hosts this showdown where 12 City Cast reps, including City Cast Nashville host Marie Cecile Anderson, compete head-to-head and debate which city is the best for a weekend trip this summer. From hot tub boats (exactly what they sound like) to epic outdoor summer festivals, our hosts are bringing the best of what their city has to offer this season. Can Marie Cecile beat out her competitors from Chicago, DC, Denver, Las Vegas, Madison, Philly, Pittsburgh, Portland, Salt Lake, Seattle, and the Twin Cities? Learn more about the sponsors of this May 21st episode: Window Nation Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

As part of our ongoing series of Nashville neighborhood guides, today we’re learning about the Gulch. Is this railroad gully full of gleaming highrises and trendy rooftop bars actually a neighborhood? Jamaican DJ and proud Gulch resident merchant joins Marie Cecile Anderson to tell us where to go, what to do, and why he thinks it’s an unexpectedly chill place to live. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 20th episode: Window Nation Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Some local lawmakers are calling Tennessee’s recent statewide redistricting “a return to Jim Crow,” so we’re diving into the role Nashville played in shaping the Civil Rights Movement and wondering why our city doesn’t have a Civil Rights museum. Author and local historian Betsy Phillips joins Marie Cecile Anderson to talk about the 1960 Nashville lunch counter sit-ins, the everyday Nashvillians whose stories risk being forgotten, and why we’re running out of time to preserve their history. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 19th episode: Window Nation Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

As Metro Nashville Public Schools wind down for the summer this week, we’re checking in with middle schoolers who’ve been learning about housing and transportation through the Civic Design Center’s “Design Your Neighborhood” podcasting program. Marie Cecile Anderson is joined by four students to hear their unique perspectives on how they would plan our city differently if they were in charge: Salman and Melany from Wright Middle, and Townes and Aubriahna from Cresswell Middle. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 18th episode: Window Nation Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Would Nashville be safer if there were more automated traffic cameras? In 2025, Washington, DC, brought in nearly $270 million from more than 500 automated traffic enforcement cameras — including a single camera that issued $9 million in tickets. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast DC podcast co-host Bridget Todd about how these cameras work, the congressional scrutiny they've been getting, and whether they make DC safer. Plus, is DC becoming the new rave capital?  Mentioned on the show: "The deadliest road in America" (Vox) Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Tennessee’s new congressional maps have cast candidates both old and new into chaos as they navigate new districts. On today’s Friday News Roundup, executive producer Whitney Pastorek and contributor Nicole Williams are talking about who’s pulled petitions to run. Plus, Metro Legal director Wally Dietz has announced his retirement, the Office of Homeless Services had a curious request in their budget proposal, and residents and business owners in 12 South are trying to figure out where to put all the cars. And in our bonus segment Hell Naw: Do we really need 84 more hotels?? Learn more about the sponsors of this May 15th episode: Window Nation Centennial Park Conservancy Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

and recorded his first “emergency burger review” video. Since then, views on his social media burger takes have soared into the tens of thousands, and tonight, he’s a judge at Battle of the Burger 2026 at the Yard at oneC1TY. He joins Marie Cecile Anderson to explain his methodology, rank his top 5 burgers in town, and give us great local burger options for almost any occasion. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 14th episode: Window Nation Centennial Park Conservancy Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

As part of our continuing series on Nashville’s affordable housing crisis, today we’re looking at the challenges older adults are facing. The city has partnered with a program called Nesterly to pair seniors with younger residents through home sharing. Nesterly’s Nashville community liaison Kay Bowers joins Marie Cecile Anderson to explain how, and why, the program works. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 13th episode: Window Nation Centennial Park Conservancy Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Six months ago, chef Margot McCormack announced that Margot Café & Bar would close its doors on June 5, 2026 — the 25th anniversary of the French-inspired farm-to-table restaurant that launched Nashville’s now-booming food scene. She joins host Marie Cecile Anderson for an exit interview to share her thoughts on the community she’s built, why she couldn’t open a restaurant like Margot today, whether she ever got the national attention her trailblazing food deserved, and what she’s doing next. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 12th episode: Window Nation Centennial Park Conservancy Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The Tennessee General Assembly wrapped last month, and here to help us understand the education bills passed this session is Melissa Brown, Tennessee Bureau Chief for Chalkbeat Tennessee. She joins host Marie Cecile Anderson to break down everything from voucher expansion, to the Ten Commandments in classrooms, to stricter internet policies in schools. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 11th episode: Window Nation Centennial Park Conservancy Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Nashvillians, would your city be better if the bars stayed open later? This summer, Philadelphia is anticipating a record-breaking number of tourists coming to town for World Cup games and semiquincentennial events, so the city is allowing its bars to stay open until 4 a.m. during most of June and July. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri about the city’s nightlife, and the pros and cons of this extended hours experiment. Plus, how to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary without feeling like you’re serving a Trump narrative. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.