On the one-year anniversary of the Let's Move Nashville referendum, Zak Accuardi and John Buntin look back and discuss lessons learned. Call it "Talking Transit Part 6." Zak is a transit and transportation expert who has conducted over 40 interviews as part of a forthcoming case study on the Let's Move Nashville transit referendum. Hosted by Govern…

In February 1994, Cyrus Wilson was convicted for the 1992 murder of Christopher Luckett. Wilson maintained his innocence at the time and has ever since. Cyrus Wilson is scheduled for a parole hearing on April 17th at 8:00 a.m. at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution. Guests on this episode: Casey Wilson and daughter KassidyRahim Buford - Unheard …

For those of you who don't know anything about Will Pinkston, here is his twitter bio: @WillPinkston: Served on the Nashville School Board from 2012-19. Blocks cranks and nitwits. Author of “Race to the Bottom: How Bad Actors Tried to Destroy Public Education" www.RacetotheBottom.usThis interview includes questions about:- His support for MNPS Supe…

Bishop Marcus Campbell has a powerful personal story and his group Gentlemen And Not Gangsters does some of the most important work in Nashville. GANG is a youth diversion program that combats youth violence by changing lives.You're going to want to listen to what Bishop Campbell has to say. After you listen, please join me in supporting his work.h…

My guest on this episode is Dr. BethAnn McLaughlin, a neuroscientist in the Vanderbilt University Medical Center and a faculty member in the School of Medicine. Dr. McLaughlin is the founder of the #MeTooSTEM nonprofit group and was awarded the MIT Disobedience award for her advocacy for victims of sexual harassment and misconduct. We recorded this…

After a decade of reporting in Nashville, Joey Garrison is off to Boston! Joey covered Metro Nashville government and local politics for The Tennessean after covering local issues including education for the Nashville City Paper. Topics by minute:1:23 - When are you launching your sports podcast?3:00 - Would you rather see a Preds Stanley Cup, Tita…

In January, Holly McCall challenged Mary Mancini in the election for Tennessee Democratic Party chair. Holly McCall is a longtime Democratic operative and public communications strategist. She currently serves as the chair of Emerge Tennessee and as the chair of the Williamson County Democratic Party. In 2016, McCall ran for TN State House in Distr…

David Plazas leads the Civility Tennessee campaign. Plazas is the opinion and engagement director for the USA Today Network Tennessee. He writes editorials and columns, manages community engagement, and serves on The Tennessean Editorial board.Topics by minute: 1:08 - Book Recommendation1:45 - First year of Civility Tennessee campaign4:50 - Civilit…

I sat down with Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Mary Mancini following her January 12th re-election to a third two-year term. See the below list of topics with minute markers. Interview with challenger Holly McCall coming soon!Topics by minute: 1:15 - Critiques of her tenure at the TNDP4:33 - Path back to relevance in a deeply red state8:33 - What…

Trying something new for the final episode of 2018! Vanderbilt University Professor Larry Bartels discusses his book, Democracy for Realists, with guest host and Governing Magazine writer John Buntin. Bartels also discusses what identity politics means and why politics today is more partisan than ever. (Scroll down for list of books mentioned)Topic…

This episode features Lindsey Krinks, the Education and Street Chaplaincy Coordinator and co-founder of Open Table Nashville (http://opentablenashville.org/). See timeline of topics below. Interview minute markers:1:30 - Book recommendation: "Evicted"2:15 - How did you start doing this work?3:20 - The work of Open Table Nashville6:05 - What have yo…

This episode is a follow-up conversation with Dr. Sekou Franklin and Theeda Murphy, two leaders of Community Oversight Now, a coalition pushing for a police community oversight board in Nashville. The COB Charter Amendment appears on the November 6th ballot as Amendment 1. Interview highlights with minute markers:1:55 - Campaign after death of Dani…

Governing Magazine writer John Buntin talks about Nashville, police oversight, and the unintended consequences of recent local decisions.The first half of the interview follows up on Buntin's July article, "Amid Scandal and Explosive Growth, Nashville Ponders Its Future."In the second half of the episode, we discuss community oversight of police an…

This episode features Vonda McDaniel and Ethan Link. Vonda McDaniel serves as the President of the Central Labor Council (CLC) of Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Ethan Link is the Assistant Business Manager of the Southeast Laborers' District Council (LIUNA) and serves as Treasurer of the CLC. Interview highlights and minute markers:15:30 - Constru…

This episode features Metro Council members Sheri Weiner and Jim Shulman, the two candidates for Vice Mayor of Nashville. Election day is September 6, 2018.They discussed their respective political party affiliations, the proposed soccer stadium deal and community oversight of police among other topics. They also each got to ask the other a questio…

Alanna Autler guest hosted this interview with Councilman at-large John Cooper. Autler is an investigative reporter, formerly of WSMV News 4 in Nashville. This interview includes discussion of the proposed soccer stadium deal, growth and affordability, the transit referendum, business incentives, tax increment financing (TIF) and the impact on scho…

Kyle Southern and Joseph Williams are both first-time candidates for the Tennessee House of Representatives. They're in different political parties, but both Kyle and Joseph have backgrounds in education, hold two degrees from Vanderbilt University and served as student body president during their time in college. Find out what drove them to run fo…

In this episode, I spoke with Councilmembers Jeremy Elrod and Angie Henderson to discuss the status of e-scooters in Nashville. Councilman Elrod has introduced legislation to regulate e-scooters and other vehicles in the space. We discussed the utility of the scooters and dockless bikes, associated risks and problems, how this regulation attempt co…

In this episode I spoke with Dr. Sekou Franklin and Theeda Murphy. Both are members of Community Oversight Now, a coalition pushing for a police community oversight board in Nashville. The group is gathering petition signatures to get a COB Charter Amendment on the ballot later this year. This interview includes discussion of their COB proposal, th…

Steve Cavendish guest hosted this episode. He interviewed Councilman at-large Bob Mendes and Councilwoman Tanaka Vercher. Vercher represents District 28 and is Chair of the Metro Nashville Budget and Finance Committee. This interview includes discussion of Metro's revenue shortfall, a potential property tax increase, public trust, school funding, c…

Part 4 of a series of interviews with candidates running to be Mayor of Nashville and Davidson County. Metro Councilwoman Erica Gilmore is one of thirteen candidates. Election day is May 24, 2018.We discussed Metro's budget situation, her evolution from an advocate to opponent of the transit plan, incentive deals, affordable housing, community over…

Part 3 of a series of interviews with candidates running to be Mayor of Nashville and Davidson County. Ralph Bristol is one of thirteen candidates. Election day is May 24, 2018.Ralph Bristol is a retired conservative radio talk show host. Bristol vocally opposed the Let's Move Nashville transit plan and recently drew attention for his comments on r…

Part 2 of a series of interviews with candidates running to be Mayor of Nashville and Davidson County. State Representative Harold Love is one of thirteen candidates. Election day is May 24, 2018.We discussed his experience as a legislator and his "back to the basics" campaign platform. Issues discussed include Metro's revenue shortfall, affordable…

Part 1 of a series of interviews with candidates running to be Mayor of Nashville and Davidson County. jeff obafemi carr is one of thirteen candidates. Election day is May 24, 2018. We discussed his activism at TSU, his opposition to the transit referendum, and his campaign platform. Issues discussed include Metro's revenue shortfall, the push for …

After the Tennessee legislative session concluded, I sat down with Sen. Yarbro (D - Nashville) to discuss some of the biggest policy issues in Tennessee. We discussed sanctuary cities, the opioid epidemic, Medicaid expansion, transit, short-term rentals, sexual harassment legislation, and more.Nashville Sounding Board is a new podcast dedicated to …

This episode features a debate between Council Members Angie Henderson and Freddie O'Connell. They debate the merits of the "Let's Move Nashville" transit plan and discuss the campaigns on each side. (Part 5 and the finale of a series on the "Let's Move Nashville" transit plan leading up to the referendum on May 1, 2018.)Nashville Sounding Board is…

My guests in this episode are Kennetha Patterson of Homes for All Nashville and Tamika Douglas of PATHE and Music City Riders United. They discuss the transit plan in context of affordable housing concerns in our city. (Part 4 of a series on the "Let's Move Nashville" transit plan leading up to the referendum on May 1, 2018.)Nashville Sounding Boar…

My guest in this episode is Metro Nashville Public Schools Director Dr. Shawn Joseph. As MNPS is in the midst of budget season, I ask Dr. Joseph about Title I funding, student achievement, teacher retention, enrollment projections and free lunches. Nashville Sounding Board is a new podcast dedicated to discussing social and political issues affecti…

In this episode, you'll hear from Erin Hafkenschiel, the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Sustainability in Nashville, TN. We discuss the transit plan's components, best practices, transit-oriented development and more. (Part 3 of a series on the "Let's Move Nashville" transit plan leading up to the referendum vote on May 1, 201…

David Fox, runner-up in the 2015 Nashville mayoral election, talks mass transit, the May 1st referendum, and his future political plans. (Part 2 of a series on the "Let's Move Nashville" transit plan leading up to the referendum vote on May 1, 2018.)Nashville Sounding Board is a new podcast dedicated to discussing social and political issues affect…

This episode features Metro Nashville Councilman Jeremy Elrod, the Chairman of the Metro Council Public Works Committee and the lead sponsor of the transit initiative. (Part 1 of a series on the "Let's Move Nashville" transit plan leading up to the referendum vote on May 1, 2018.)Interview has been edited for length and clarity.Nashville Sounding B…

This episode features Vesia Wilson-Hawkins, a former Metro Nashville Public Schools student, parent and staffer. Vesia is an education activist and blogger. Interview has been edited for length and clarity.Nashville Sounding Board is a new podcast dedicated to discussing social and political issues affecting the Nashville community. www.facebook.co…

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Clay Bailey, president of the Friends of Fort Negley. We discuss Fort Negley Park's rich history and the ongoing preservation efforts. Fort Negley is a Civil War fort in Nashville, Tennessee. Interview has been edited for length and clarity.Nashville Sounding Board is a new podcast dedicated to discussing social…

Nashville Sounding Board is a new podcast dedicated to discussing social and political issues affecting the Nashville community. In this first episode, I sit down with Metro Nashville Councilman Freddie O'Connell to discuss proposed regulation of the short-term rental industry in Nashville, Tennessee. Interview has been edited for length and clarit…