City Cast Nashville

It’s Election Day, Nashville! Host Rachel Iacovone is joined by executive producer Whitney Pastorek and the Tennessee Lookout’s Adam Friedman to unpack a surprisingly quiet election cycle that’s still managed to produce plenty of political drama, like State Sen. Brent Taylor’s sexting scandal. Plus, we talk about yesterday’s Tennessee Supreme Court ruling that will shrink the size of our Metro Council to 20 members, and Nashville’s plan to spend nearly $430,000 on an independent review of the city’s emergency management response to January’s devastating Winter Storm Fern. Are we any better prepared for the next big storm? And stick around for some good news from Second Harvest Food Bank, and an alleged wallet thief whose story has commenters cracking jokes.

Learn more about the sponsors of this November 3rd episode:

Nashville Banner

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 athttps://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/nashvillehttp://membership.citycast.fm/nashville.

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Election Day is tomorrow, Nov. 3, and poll observers will be stationed at all 178 Nashville polling precincts. Host Rachel Iacovone is joined by Selah Torralba, advocacy manager for the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition, to explain how poll observers can help, what to do if you run into a problem or feel intimidated, and how to make sure you’re headed to the right polling place. We also talk about language access and what voters should know if they’re worried about federal law enforcement at the polls.

Voter resources:
Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition election information — nonpartisan information in English and multiple languages

Organize Tennessee

Davidson County Election Commission: 2026 election information

Check your voter registration

Find your county election commission and polling location

Voter Protection Hotline Numbers:

• 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
• Spanish Voter Protection Hotline: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682)
• Arabic Voter Protection Hotline: 1-844-YALLA-US (1-844-925-5287)
• Asian Languages Voter Protection Hotline: 1-888-API-VOTE (1-844-925-5287)
• Disability Hotline: 1-800-342-1660
• Music City MigraWatch: 615-933-8409

Learn more about the sponsors of this November 2nd episode:

Nashville Banner

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 athttps://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/nashvillehttp://membership.citycast.fm/nashville.

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You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392

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When you think of Waymo, you might not yet think of Nashville. But you should definitely be thinking of Austin, Texas. State law governing autonomous vehicles (AVs) supersedes city authority and prevents local governments from regulating AVs, creating areas that have become increasingly attractive to AV companies. City Cast Austin host Miles Bloxson joins Your City Could Better to talk about if this loose regulation is good for Texas, particularly its dense capital city, whether local benefit is a priority for manufacturers at all, and how cities can learn from Austin if a similar influx hits their streets.

Mentioned on the show:

• City Cast Austin’s episode on AVs regulation: https://austin.citycast.fm/podcasts/are-texas-schools-using-ai-to-ban-books-plus-driverless-cars-in-austin-and-new-michelin-stars
• Waymo blocking emergency response to Austin shooting: https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/02/waymo-vehicle-blocks-ems-austin-mass-shooting
• The city of Austin’s public dashboard tracking incidents involving AVs: https://austin.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/dbd59d9b20634de1afad32a8267b739b#

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

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Crank up the Mariah Carey — it’s the month when Nashville blows straight past Thanksgiving and careens towards Christmas. Of course, host Rachel Iacovone, audience development manager Emma White, and creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson are still sharing their Turkey Day food suggestions, along with everything else they’re excited to eat, hear, and do this November.

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 30th episode:

James Beard Foundation

Frist Art Museum

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 athttps://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/nashvillehttp://membership.citycast.fm/nashville.

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Harley Whitehouse, a.k.a. @harlzcookz, isn’t a trained chef — but his love of Nashville restaurants inspired him to learn how to cook their dishes at home. Now, he shares his dupe recipes on social media with the goal of helping other people get inspired in the kitchen, too. He joins host Rachel Iacovone to share his essential Nashville dishes and give us even more reasons to get out and support our locally owned culinary gems.

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 29th episode:

James Beard Foundation

Frist Art Museum

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 athttps://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/nashvillehttp://membership.citycast.fm/nashville.

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Follow us @citycastnashville

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Did y’all know the Mother Church is haunted? We’re revisiting our conversation with tour guide Ken Wood, who takes creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson inside the Ryman Haunted History Tour to share all the unexplained phenomena lurking in those famous pews. And this year, you can go get ghosted in person on Halloween night, Oct. 31!

**This episode originally aired Sept. 25, 2025.

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 28th episode:

James Beard Foundation

Frist Art Museum

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 athttps://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/nashvillehttp://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.

Early voting ends this Thursday at 7 p.m., so get out and vote! Host Rachel Iacovone joins creative producers Marie Cecile Anderson and Margaret Kingsberry to talk about voter turnout, then ask whether Nashville is safe for tourists after a distracted driver rear-ended a pedal tavern on Demonbreun Street, and a tourist died after a fight outside a Second Avenue bar. Then we discuss what Oracle actually does as it gets ready to break ground on its River North campus. We also get into the East Nashville billboard helping men make new friends. Plus, Punk Wok gets a second chance, Noko Yaki opens on West End Nov. 6, and we round up Halloween events happening this week.

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 27th episode:

James Beard Foundation

Frist Art Museum

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 athttps://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/nashvillehttp://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.

Councilmember Sandra Sepulveda spent the past several months trying to push legislation to ban right turns on red through Metro Council — only to withdraw her bill at last week’s meeting after a pledge from the Nashville Department of Transportation that they would start implementing the ban on their own. CM Sepulveda joins host Rachel Iacovone to explain her process, how fear of the state continues to impact the way our city is governed, and why she thinks we need to just do things.

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 26th episode:

James Beard Foundation

Frist Art Museum

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 athttps://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/nashvillehttp://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.

How prepared is Nashville to deal with the effects of climate change? In a recent report, Chicago was ranked as the most climate resilient city in the world — the only U.S. city to make it into the top 10. What’s Chicago doing right? City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran is joining David this week to talk about how the city is adapting to face climate risks, its work in renewable energy, and other projects in the works.

Mentioned on the show:

• New York Times article about climate resilience: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/03/realestate/is-your-city-prepared-for-climate-disaster.html
• AlphaGeo's report: https://alphageo.ai/how-climate-resilient-are-the-worlds-largest-cities/
• City Cast Chicago's episode about their climate resilience ranking: https://chicago.citycast.fm/podcasts/loop-restaurants-resurging-chicagos-climate-resilience-and-meet-us-at-lit-fest
• Previous episode about Jacoby visiting all of Chicago's libraries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytx9DWibpQc

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!

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The ultra-rich are moving to Middle Tennessee, but what does that mean for the rest of us? Host Rachel Iacovone joins executive producer Whitney Pastorek and creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson to discuss why multimillionaires are flocking to Franklin, the new report warning Nashville that Elon Musk’s Music City Loop could cause sinkholes, and ICE accessing license plate reader data from Flock cameras at BNA. Plus, Nashville Scene food writer Chris Chamberlain joins us to break down the winners, surprises, and snubs from this week’s Michelin Guide awards. And we say goodbye to some beloved Nashville restaurants and local legends.

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 23rd episode:

Andrew Jackson's Hermitage

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 athttps://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/nashvillehttp://membership.citycast.fm/nashville.

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Follow us @citycastnashville

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Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

It’s time for our annual tradition of waging war on pumpkin spice! City Cast Nashville contributor and Nashville Scene food and travel correspondent Margaret Littman joins host Rachel Iacovone to, once again, divulge her alternative fall favorites. This year, that includes seasonal specials — from squash-free candle scents to a new ice cream made from suburban rodents’ favorite snack.

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 22nd episode:

Andrew Jackson's Hermitage

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 athttps://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/nashvillehttp://membership.citycast.fm/nashville.

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Woof, things are expensive these days, so we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes: How far can $50 get you in Nashville? Creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson, Daniel Sumstine, producer of sponsored content Anthony Luciani, and executive producer Whitney Pastorek each planned the perfect day in a different Nashville neighborhood while spending $50 or less. They’ve got cheap eats, free activities, and budget-friendly finds all over town. Who will win and earn the ultimate title of Cheaper McCheaperson?

**This episode originally aired September 30, 2025

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 21st episode:

Andrew Jackson's Hermitage

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 athttps://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/nashvillehttp://membership.citycast.fm/nashville.

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The petition to drop auto racing as a required use at the Nashville Fairgrounds is officially certified, but the fight is far from over. Host Rachel Iacovone joins executive producer Whitney Pastorek and creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson to discuss whether all the drama is worth it. Plus, we dig into how 12 South changed so much, so fast, and why longtime businesses like Epice are leaving. We also talk about the push for pedestrian safety on Jefferson Street, Nashville SC making history, a Titans comeback win, and what to watch for in this week’s Michelin Guide American South Awards. And come see us at Open Table Nashville’s annual fundraiser Thursday, Oct. 22!

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 20th episode:

Andrew Jackson's Hermitage

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 athttps://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/nashvillehttp://membership.citycast.fm/nashville.

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Did you know sex work was once legal in Nashville? Last month, local historian Betsy Phillips introduced us to Rebecca Higgins, Nashville’s “Queen of the Demimonde,” in her cover story for the Nashville Scene. Today, Betsy joins creative producer (and lover of the history of the world’s oldest profession) Marie Cecile Anderson to uncover the fascinating and often overlooked history of sex work in Music City. From Rebecca Higgins, a savvy 19th-century madam, to Jack Bender, a sex worker whose story raises questions about gender that the historical record can’t answer, we explore the lives of people who helped shape Nashville.

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 19th episode:

Andrew Jackson's Hermitage

Hoffmann Brothers

Wags and Walks

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 athttps://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/nashvillehttp://membership.citycast.fm/nashville.

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How much ownership or responsibility do you feel as a resident of Nashville? In Salt Lake City, people are being asked to “adopt a storm drain” to help keep city streets free of floods and trash — and to possibly slow the drying and pollution of the Great Salt Lake. City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta says it’s worth a shot. This week, she joins David to discuss how quick, periodic cleaning of a neighborhood sewer grate can be part of a much bigger solution.

Listeners, it’s that time again! Send us the dilemmas you’re facing living in a city, and we might debate them on our upcoming call-in show. Email us or submit using this Google Form.

Mentioned on the show:

• SLC’s Adopt A Storm Drain map: https://www.slc.gov/utilities/adoptastormdrain/
• Ali’s past Your City Could Be Better episode on making a park census: https://yccbb.citycast.fm/podcasts/why-every-region-needs-a-park-map-tool-like-salt-lakes-plus-dry-heat-vs-humidity

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.

Early voting is underway in Nashville! Host Rachel Iacovone is joined by creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson and local on-air personality and Tennessee Trends founder Tala Shatara to dig into Nashvillians’ concerns about heading to the polls. Then they debate whether downtown tourism tax dollars should bail out Broadway bar owners, talk about the lawsuit from Crieve Hall and Oak Hill neighbors over BNA flight noise, and celebrate TailGate Brewery buying Yazoo’s Madison headquarters. Plus, we say “hell nah” to a certain gubernatorial candidate’s recent post using AI, and how to request an Open Street for Halloween!

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 16th episode:

Andrew Jackson's Hermitage

Wags and Walks

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 athttps://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/nashvillehttp://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.

Spooky season has reached its peak, but where should kiddos get their costumes? What’s the best neighborhood for trick or treating? Is Boo at the Zoo actually worth it? Creative producer Margaret Kingsbury and contributor Amelia Edelman are back with their expert parenting advice to make the most of October. From pumpkin patches to haunted houses, they’ve got your guide to everything kids wanna do in Nashville this Halloween season.

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 15th episode:

Wags and Walks

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 athttps://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/nashvillehttp://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 Friday through Sunday, the 45th annual Tennessee Indian Education Pow Wow takes place at Long Hunter State Park. Host Rachel Iacovone talks with Andrea Walsh, vice president of the Native American Association of Tennessee, about what visitors can expect this year, from traditional food and music to vibrant regalia and dancing. Andrea also explains how to take part respectfully, how Native people are building community in Tennessee today, and the vision for a permanent Indigenous cultural 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 athttps://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/nashvillehttp://membership.citycast.fm/nashville.

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 14th episode:

Wags and Walks

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Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election starts tomorrow. Host Rachel Iacovone, executive producer Whitney Pastorek, and creative producer Marie Cecile Anderson break down the key races, new district boundaries, and the three constitutional amendments on the ballot. Davidson County voters can find their sample ballot and early voting information 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 athttps://account.citycast.fm/become-a-neighbor/nashvillehttp://membership.citycast.fm/nashville.

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 13th episode:

Andrew Jackson's Hermitage

Wags and Walks

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

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Another Nashville school year has begun — how are cell phones being handled? In Minnesota, one high school is demonstrating that a strict no-phone school day can work, and they’ve got the (mostly) positive feedback to show for it. City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson joins David to talk about how St. Paul Central High School is succeeding at enforcing a phone-free school environment, the surprising ways that some students approach it, and how these kinds of bans can even affect adults like Sean.

Listeners, it’s that time again! Send us the dilemmas you’re facing living in a city, and we might debate them on our upcoming call-in show. Email us or submit using this Google Form.

Mentioned on the show:

• Kids using public radio comment sections as ad hoc communication

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

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