In this series, we're going to tell you about what's been described as a toxic culture of misconduct and retaliation within the Metro Nashville Police Department. And the disciplinary system that has allowed that culture to thrive.

In this series, we're going to tell you about what's been described as a toxic culture of misconduct and retaliation within the Metro Nashville Police Department. And the disciplinary system that has allowed that culture to thrive.

Coming Soon: Behind The Blue Wall

If you glance down at the street at the right moment in Nashville, you might spot a “stikman.” This little street art character appears in thousands of places around the world, but the artist behind them remains mostly unknown. Thanks to an observant listener, Curious Nashville delves into the phenomenon.   Curious Nashville is a project of Nashville Public Radio. The executive producer is Tony Gonzalez and the editor is Emily Siner. This episode’s music is courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions.

If you glance down at the street at the right moment in Nashville, you might spot a “stikman.” This little street art character appears in thousands of places around the world, but the artist behind them remains mostly unknown. Thanks to an observant listener, <a href="https://wpln.org/?p=111395&amp;preview=true" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Curious Nashville delves into the phenomenon</a>.  Curious Nashville is a project of Nashville Public Radio. The executive producer is Tony Gonzalez and the editor is Emily Siner. This episode’s music is courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions.

How Stick Figures Spotted Downtown Fit Into A Global Street Art Project

Nashville was right on-trend in 1975 when the revolving Polaris restaurant opened atop what was then the Hyatt Regency hotel. It quickly became the go-to destination for special occasions and marriage proposals. But the restaurant has navigated some tougher turns in the past decade, leaving a local architect wondering: Does it still spin?

Nashville was right on-trend in 1975 when the revolving Polaris restaurant opened atop what was then the Hyatt Regency hotel. It quickly became the go-to destination for special occasions and marriage proposals. But the restaurant has navigated some tougher turns in the past decade, leaving a local architect wondering: Does it still spin?

Whatever Happened To Nashville’s Revolving Restaurant?

To combat our feelings of isolation and everyday repetitiveness, we present four short stories that deliver surprises about things we might otherwise overlook:  What a tree in the backyard can tell us about environmental changes  How the past flickers on amid Nashville’s growing skyline Whether a famous 1904 short story accurately depicts Nashville How proximity to an interstate is a good thing for an Antioch cemetery  These stories are a testament to our observant listeners. When you notice interesting things and ask us to learn more, we find stories we’d otherwise miss! Prod us with your latest questions at curious.wpln.org. Credits: Tony Gonzalez is executive producer; editing by Emily Siner; music from the Blue Dot Sessions.

To combat our feelings of isolation and everyday repetitiveness, we present four short stories that deliver surprises about things we might otherwise overlook: <ul> <li><a href="https://wpln.org/post/curious-nashville-are-tennessees-sassafras-trees-disappearing/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">What a tree in the backyard can tell us about environmental changes </a></li> <li><a href="https://wpln.org/post/curious-nashville-how-the-citys-first-skyscraper-gave-weather-reports-and-why-it-stopped/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How the past flickers on amid Nashville’s growing skyline</a></li> <li><a href="https://wpln.org/post/curious-nashville-why-did-o-henry-choose-the-city-for-his-famous-1904-short-story/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Whether a famous 1904 short story accurately depicts Nashville</a></li> <li><a href="https://wpln.org/post/curious-nashville-what-protects-hundreds-of-old-cemeteries-around-davidson-county/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How proximity to an interstate is a good thing for an Antioch cemetery</a></li> </ul> These stories are a testament to our observant listeners. When you notice interesting things and ask us to learn more, we find stories we’d otherwise miss! Prod us with your latest questions at <a href="https://wpln.org/wpln-news/curious-nashville/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">curious.wpln.org</a>. Credits: Tony Gonzalez is executive producer; editing by Emily Siner; music from the Blue Dot Sessions.

How Overlooked Buildings And Trees Can Reveal Wonderment Around Us

A simple question about some of Nashville’s suburban pockets opens a deeper review of how the Metro government formed in the 1950s and 60s. WPLN News reporter Ambriehl Crutchfield finds that the combining of the city and county had implications for Black residents and five ‘satellite’ cities that remained mostly independent. (To see more photos and a written version of this story, visit Curious Nashville online.)  Curious Nashville is a project of Nashville Public Radio. The executive producer is Tony Gonzalez, with editing by Emily Siner and Anita Bugg. Web production and promotions by Mack Linebaugh and Elle Turner. Audio mastering by Carl Pedersen. This episode’s music comes from the Blue Dot Sessions.

A simple question about some of Nashville’s suburban pockets opens a deeper review of how the Metro government formed in the 1950s and 60s. WPLN News reporter Ambriehl Crutchfield finds that the combining of the city and county had implications for Black residents and five ‘satellite’ cities that remained mostly independent. (To see more photos and a written version of this story, <a href="https://wpln.org/post/curious-nashville-a-simple-question-about-metros-satellite-cities-reveals-deeper-questions-about-growth-and-race/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">visit Curious Nashville online</a>.) Curious Nashville is a project of Nashville Public Radio. The executive producer is Tony Gonzalez, with editing by Emily Siner and Anita Bugg. Web production and promotions by Mack Linebaugh and Elle Turner. Audio mastering by Carl Pedersen. This episode’s music comes from the Blue Dot Sessions.

How Black Political Power Changed In Nashville After Government Consolidation

As a crucial election approaches, Tennesseans have reached out to WPLN News and Curious Nashville with their pressing questions. In this special crossover with The Tri-Star State podcast, Sergio Martinez-Beltran and Rachel Iacovone provide answers.

As a crucial election approaches, Tennesseans have reached out to WPLN News and Curious Nashville with their pressing questions. In this special crossover with The Tri-Star State podcast, Sergio Martinez-Beltran and Rachel Iacovone provide answers.

Tennessee Voting Rules Are Causing Confusion, So We're Answering Your Questions

When a resident notices an unusual sign at the end of her cul-de-sac — it says ‘The Gathering’ — she wonders if there’s a cult operating. To find out what’s really going on, WPLN News contributor Tasha Lemley takes up a cryptic search. It leads her to a group of devotees, just not the ones we might have expected. 

When a resident notices an unusual sign at the end of her cul-de-sac — it says ‘The Gathering’ — she wonders if there’s a cult operating. To find out what’s really going on, WPLN News contributor Tasha Lemley takes up a cryptic search. It leads her to a group of devotees, just not the ones we might have expected.

How A Handmade Sign On A Dead-End Road Had Us Searching For A Tennessee Cult

Confederate monuments have triggered debates, protests, and even the murder of a demonstrator in Virginia. The unrest in Tennessee has prompted questions about how monuments are governed.  In this episode, Curious Nashville reexamines what happened when MTSU tried to rename a building dedicated to Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan grand wizard Nathan Bedford Forrest, and explains the evolving role of the Tennessee Historical Commission.  Curious Nashville is a project of Nashville Public Radio. The executive producer is Tony Gonzalez, with editing by Emily Siner and Anita Bugg, audio mastering by Carl Pedersen. Web production and promotions by Mack Linebaugh and Elle Turner. The theme music is by Podington Bear.

Confederate monuments have triggered debates, protests, and even the murder of a demonstrator in Virginia. The unrest in Tennessee has prompted questions about how monuments are governed. In this episode, Curious Nashville reexamines what happened when MTSU tried to rename a building dedicated to Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan grand wizard Nathan Bedford Forrest, and explains the evolving role of the Tennessee Historical Commission. Curious Nashville is a project of Nashville Public Radio. The executive producer is Tony Gonzalez, with editing by Emily Siner and Anita Bugg, audio mastering by Carl Pedersen. Web production and promotions by Mack Linebaugh and Elle Turner. The theme music is by Podington Bear.

Why Is It So Hard To Alter Confederate Monuments in Tennessee?

There are some assumptions that people have about Nashville that aren’t quite right — and plenty of quirks that baffle all the tourists who visit. So in this special episode taped live on stage, three local experts unravel some of the most essential history of the city and then take questions from attendees.  Recorded live on May 31, 2019, at the PodX Conference, this is the first live taping for Curious Nashville. Thank you to our local experts: [J.R. Lind](https://www.nashvillescene.com/ http://instagram.com/thenashvilleiwishiknew ), of the Nashville Scene; food writer Jennifer Justus; and historian [David Ewing](https://www.nashvillescene.com/ http://instagram.com/thenashvilleiwishiknew). Curious Nashville is a project of Nashville Public Radio. The executive producer is Tony Gonzalez, with editing by Emily Siner and Anita Bugg, audio mastering by Carl Pedersen, web production by Mack Linebaugh, and promotions by Elle Turner. The theme music is by Podington Bear.

There are some assumptions that people have about Nashville that aren’t quite right — and plenty of quirks that baffle all the tourists who visit. So in this special episode taped live on stage, three local experts unravel some of the most essential history of the city and then take questions from attendees. Recorded live on May 31, 2019, at the PodX Conference, this is the first live taping for Curious Nashville. Thank you to our local experts: [J.R. Lind](<a href="https://www.nashvillescene.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.nashvillescene.com/</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/thenashvilleiwishiknew" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://instagram.com/thenashvilleiwishiknew</a> ), of the Nashville Scene; food writer <a href="http://jenniferjustuswrites.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jennifer Justus</a>; and historian [David Ewing](<a href="https://www.nashvillescene.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.nashvillescene.com/</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/thenashvilleiwishiknew" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://instagram.com/thenashvilleiwishiknew</a>). Curious Nashville is a project of Nashville Public Radio. The executive producer is Tony Gonzalez, with editing by Emily Siner and Anita Bugg, audio mastering by Carl Pedersen, web production by Mack Linebaugh, and promotions by Elle Turner. The theme music is by Podington Bear.

The True Stories Behind Nashville’s Claims To Fame (Live Taping)

Out in the thick woods of West Nashville there’s an epic remnant of Cold War history. But it is largely unknown. The former fallout shelter where Tennessee’s governors would have gone in the case of nuclear attack has rarely appeared in news stories. But a question to Curious Nashville revealed that a local businessman now owns the unusual underground facility — and after a tour and other research and interviews, the history is no longer hidden. Credits: Curious Nashville is a project of Nashville Public Radio. The executive producer is Tony Gonzalez, with editing by Emily Siner and Anita Bugg, audio mastering by Carl Pedersen. Web production and promotions by Mack Linebaugh and Elle Turner. The theme music is by Podington Bear.

Out in the thick woods of West Nashville there’s an epic remnant of Cold War history. But it is largely unknown. The former fallout shelter where Tennessee’s governors would have gone in the case of nuclear attack has rarely appeared in news stories. But a question to Curious Nashville revealed that a local businessman now owns the unusual underground facility — and after a tour and other research and interviews, the history is no longer hidden. Credits: Curious Nashville is a project of Nashville Public Radio. The executive producer is Tony Gonzalez, with editing by Emily Siner and Anita Bugg, audio mastering by Carl Pedersen. Web production and promotions by Mack Linebaugh and Elle Turner. The theme music is by Podington Bear.

Inside The Governor’s Defunct Nuclear Bomb Shelter

In Curious Nashville from Nashville Public radio, we answer your questions about the city and region. Listeners decide which question we should investigate and answer next.

A massive Nashville development includes a construction pit that is eight stories deep. It looks like a quarry, with sheer cliffs carved into the gray limestone. But when the project stalled, the hole filled with water, and it became nicknamed "Lake Palmer,” after its struggling developer. The project has been raising questions ever since, but now a new owner has started work at the site. WPLN’s Jason Moon Wilkins interviews Adam Sichko, senior reporter with the Nashville Business Journal, about the history and future of “Lake Palmer.”

A massive Nashville development includes a construction pit that is eight stories deep. It looks like a quarry, with sheer cliffs carved into the gray limestone. But when the project stalled, the hole filled with water, and it became nicknamed "Lake Palmer,” after its struggling developer. The project has been raising questions ever since, but now a new owner has started work at the site. WPLN’s Jason Moon Wilkins interviews <a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2019/05/02/deep-hole-deeper-pockets-this-alabama-billionaire.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Adam Sichko, senior reporter with the Nashville Business Journal</a>, about the history and future of “Lake Palmer.”

The Construction Pit That Became Known As A Lake — And What’s Happening Now

Red Grooms

It’s been 15 years since the Tennessee Foxtrot Carousel — a whirling artistic marvel by pop artist Red Grooms — was taken down from the Nashville riverfront. Its wild figurines, which depict famous Tennesseans, were put into storage. Yet the legend of the carousel lives on. And now there’s hope that the carousel’s riverboats, giant banjos, mountain scenery and crazy caricatures will spin again. WPLN Senior Editor Chas Sisk has been reporting on the fate of the carousel for three years, and opens up his notebook to share fascinating nuggets of history and his latest findings about its future.  CREDITS: Curious Nashville is a project of Nashville Public Radio. The executive producer is Tony Gonzalez, with editing by Emily Siner and Anita Bugg, audio mastering by Carl Pedersen, and web production by Mack Linebaugh. The theme music is by Podington Bear.

It’s been 15 years since the Tennessee Foxtrot Carousel — a whirling artistic marvel by pop artist Red Grooms — was taken down from the Nashville riverfront. Its wild figurines, which depict famous Tennesseans, were put into storage. Yet the legend of the carousel lives on. And now there’s hope that the carousel’s riverboats, giant banjos, mountain scenery and crazy caricatures will spin again. WPLN Senior Editor Chas Sisk has been reporting on the fate of the carousel for three years, and opens up his notebook to share fascinating nuggets of history and his latest findings about its future. CREDITS: Curious Nashville is a project of Nashville Public Radio. The executive producer is Tony Gonzalez, with editing by Emily Siner and Anita Bugg, audio mastering by Carl Pedersen, and web production by Mack Linebaugh. The theme music is by Podington Bear.

Whatever Happened To The Red Grooms Carousel, And Why It Could Come Back

From plastic straws to old lightbulbs and shredded paper, it’s not always obvious what we’re allowed to recycle in Nashville. So after another wave of recycling questions to Curious Nashville, we’re back with a “lightning round” of fast answers, plus updates about changes coming to curbside recycling and the city’s attempt to gather glass from downtown honky tonks.  Curious Nashville is a project of Nashville Public Radio. The executive producer is Tony Gonzalez, with editing by Emily Siner and Anita Bugg, audio mastering by Carl Pedersen, and web production by Mack Linebaugh. The theme music is by Podington Bear.

From plastic straws to old lightbulbs and shredded paper, it’s not always obvious what we’re allowed to recycle in Nashville. So after another wave of recycling questions to Curious Nashville, we’re back with a “lightning round” of fast answers, plus updates about changes coming to curbside recycling and the city’s attempt to gather glass from downtown honky tonks. Curious Nashville is a project of Nashville Public Radio. The executive producer is Tony Gonzalez, with editing by Emily Siner and Anita Bugg, audio mastering by Carl Pedersen, and web production by Mack Linebaugh. The theme music is by Podington Bear.

Curious Convo: The Do’s And Don’ts Of Nashville Recycling

Animals prompt unusual questions to Curious Nashville, so we delve into three: a rumor about piranhas, the history of the city’s first zoo, and the reason a large pink elephant has stood alongside Charlotte Pike for decades.

Animals prompt unusual questions to Curious Nashville, so we delve into three: a rumor about piranhas, the history of the city’s first zoo, and the reason a large pink elephant has stood alongside Charlotte Pike for decades.

Piranhas, Pink Elephants, And Other Wild Animal Mysteries Explained

From the proper vantage point it materializes unmistakably: A gigantic peace sign, cut into roughly 3 acres of forest next to the Nashville International Airport. It can appear to anyone browsing satellite photography, and to air travelers like Nashville attorney Kelsey Bridges. She was the first person (of four) to ask Curious Nashville about what she’d seen. "There’s a giant peace sign, visible only from an aerial view, carved out of a wooded area near the airport. Who’s responsible for it?"

From the proper vantage point it materializes unmistakably: A gigantic peace sign, cut into roughly 3 acres of forest next to the Nashville International Airport. It can appear to anyone browsing satellite photography, and to air travelers like Nashville attorney Kelsey Bridges. She was the first person (of four) to ask Curious Nashville about what she’d seen. "There’s a giant peace sign, visible only from an aerial view, carved out of a wooded area near the airport. Who’s responsible for it?"

How One Man Created A Peace Sign Visible From The Sky

For most people, recycling means placing an empty soda can or some scrap paper in a blue bin. They might take that bin to the curb or to a drop-off site. But beyond that, the process is mysterious, filled with arbitrary rules and a vague reassurance that we’re doing the right thing for the environment. So WPLN listener Mark McCaw, an avid recycler, asked us this question: "What happens if I put the wrong item in the recycling bin?"

For most people, recycling means placing an empty soda can or some scrap paper in a blue bin. They might take that bin to the curb or to a drop-off site. But beyond that, the process is mysterious, filled with arbitrary rules and a vague reassurance that we’re doing the right thing for the environment. So WPLN listener Mark McCaw, an avid recycler, asked us this question: "What happens if I put the wrong item in the recycling bin?"

What Happens When The Wrong Stuff Gets In The Recycling Bin?

Even many Nashville natives don’t know about the head-on train crash at Dutchman’s Curve on July 9, 1918. It killed 101 people — mostly African Americans — and by most counts remains the deadliest train accident in American history. We started looking into it after listener named Russell asked us this question as part of our Curious Nashville series: "I’d like to know more about the wreck at Dutchman’s Curve. How did it happen and what changes resulted from it?"

Even many Nashville natives don’t know about the head-on train crash at Dutchman’s Curve on July 9, 1918. It killed 101 people — mostly African Americans — and by most counts remains the deadliest train accident in American history. We started looking into it after listener named Russell asked us this question as part of our Curious Nashville series: "I’d like to know more about the wreck at Dutchman’s Curve. How did it happen and what changes resulted from it?"

Remembering America’s Deadliest Train Crash

We tackle a question that’s elemental to Nashville these days: What happens to the waste when old houses get demolished? To explore the subject, WPLN’s Meribah Knight picked a house in Inglewood and followed it from demolition permit to landfill. Then she tracked down the family that called it home for more than 50 years.

We tackle a question that’s elemental to Nashville these days: What happens to the waste when old houses get demolished? To explore the subject, WPLN’s Meribah Knight picked a house in Inglewood and followed it from demolition permit to landfill. Then she tracked down the family that called it home for more than 50 years.

The Life And Death Of An Old House In Boomtown

Before he was an international superstar, Jimi Hendrix spent a year on Nashville’s Jefferson Street. It’s a chapter in Hendrix’s musical life that many biographers gloss over. We explain why he came here — and what it says today about the city’s most prominent African-American neighborhood. Our question comes from Curious Nashville listener Joe Gramelspacher: "I understand that Jimi Hendrix played on Jefferson Street. What is the musical history of Jefferson Street?"

Before he was an international superstar, Jimi Hendrix spent a year on Nashville’s Jefferson Street. It’s a chapter in Hendrix’s musical life that many biographers gloss over. We explain why he came here — and what it says today about the city’s most prominent African-American neighborhood. Our question comes from Curious Nashville listener Joe Gramelspacher: "I understand that Jimi Hendrix played on Jefferson Street. What is the musical history of Jefferson Street?"

The Year Jimi Hendrix Jammed On Jefferson Street And How It Still Reverberates

This episode wanders into supernatural territory in the search for unmarked graves. It began innocently enough: A listener asked us about Nashville’s oldest structures. But as we visited some of the city’s oldest homes, we found family graveyards that date back 200 years or more — and some owners, it turns out, relied on a generations-old practice with mysterious power to find unmarked graves. Which led us to the question: What’s up with “water-witching” in Nashville?

This episode wanders into supernatural territory in the search for unmarked graves. It began innocently enough: A listener asked us about Nashville’s oldest structures. But as we visited some of the city’s oldest homes, we found family graveyards that date back 200 years or more — and some owners, it turns out, relied on a generations-old practice with mysterious power to find unmarked graves. Which led us to the question: What’s up with “water-witching” in Nashville?

‘Water Witching’ And The Search For Unmarked Graves

Interesting, relevant topics well presented. I eagerly await more episodes!

Well done!

An episode sprinkled here and there is ok.  But it seems this podcast has taken on a recycling theme.  I liked the original theme of investigating random curiosities around Nashville. As the podcast title seems to indicate it will be doing....

Enough with the Recycling

In Curious Nashville from Nashville Public radio, we answer your questions about the city and region. Listeners decide which question we should investigate and answer next.

Curious Nashville

The Curious Nashville inbox has received several variations on the same question: What happened to passenger rail service in Nashville? Residents are right to be curious. Nashville is one of the largest cities in the country to have no rail connection to another city.

The Curious Nashville inbox has received several variations on the same question: What happened to passenger rail service in Nashville? Residents are right to be curious. Nashville is one of the largest cities in the country to have no rail connection to another city.

How We Got Left With A Nice Station And No Passenger Train

The best podcasts about ourselves as well as the world through the lense of Science. Specific topics include things about our brain, emotions to biology, physics and more!

Best Episodes on Science, Humans & The World

The best philosophy podcast episodes. Asking questions about how to live a better life, what it means to be and do good, to the idea of God. This topic includes episodes that bring about important questions that everyone should be asking themselves. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!