Neighbors

The Garden Oct 07, 2021

This episode was produced for the Goethe-Institut's Big Ponder project and edited by William Gilcher.

To learn more about neighbors visit www.neighborspodcast.com.

Neighbors is a production of Great Feeling Studios. www.greatfeelingstudios.com

Support Neighbors at www.patreon.com/neighbors

The Pen Pal Sep 23, 2021

This episode was produced for the Goethe-Institut's Big Ponder project and edited by William Gilcher and Rachel Aronoff.

To learn more about neighbors visit www.neighborspodcast.com.

Neighbors is a production of Great Feeling Studios. www.greatfeelingstudios.com

Support Neighbors at www.patreon.com/neighbors

IM GOD Neighbors Presents: Middle Of Everywhere Dec 18, 2020

Today we present a new podcast from WKMS in Murray Kentucky called Middle Of Everywhere—Big stories from the small places we call home. What happens when an atheist stands up for free speech when the government favors Christianity? Many people in this country think that patriotism and Christianity go hand in hand, but can a person be a patriot and non-religious? In this episode, Ariel and Austin hear from one feisty and independent man who has devoted his life to crusading for freedom of expression. His journey became world renowned with his lawsuit against the state of Kentucky for denying him the vanity license plate IM GOD.

You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors

Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, Tony Gonzalez, Christopher Mastin and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!)

Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to show your patriotism ;)

Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, Dan Burns. Use Dan Burns for your podcast/videogame/film project!

Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

Get to know your neighbors.

Photo credit: The Freedom From Religion Foundation

I Am Not Your Enemy Dec 04, 2020

This episode I do something I have never done in the entire history of the show. I just interview someone. No story. I interview Michael McRay to shed some light and hope on our current political divide. He’s a Nashville-based author of the new book I Am Not Your Enemy: Stories to Transform a Divided World. He’s a story-practitioner using the power of personal stories to heal harm, make meaning, and create connection. He works most often with the global empathy nonprofit organization Narrative 4 and earne his master’s degree in Belfast, Northern Ireland, studying conflict resolution and reconciliation.

Our conversation starts with the political divide in America, but ends up in a much more intimate place. We’ll learn about the scale of sectarian danger, a scale to determine the escalation of violence that can occur based on sectarianism, a helpful tool called the PIN model for conflict resolution, and here a couple stories of disparate people connecting in deeply human ways.

Scale of Sectarian Danger (from Moving Beyond Sectarianism: Religion, Conflict and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland)
Escalation by words and actions

We are different, we behave differently
We are right.
We are right and you are wrong
You are a less adequate version of what we are
You are not what you say you are
We are in fact what you say you are
What you are doing is evil
You are so wrong that you forfeit ordinary rights
You are less than human
1. You are evil
2. You are demonic

PIN diagram

You can learn more about the story exchanges Michael refers to in this episode at: https://narrative4.com/

You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors

Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, Tony Gonzalez, Christopher Mastin and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!)

Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts for peace

Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, Dan Burns. Use Dan Burns for your podcast/videogame/film project!

Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

Get to know your neighbors.

The Coronabride Nov 13, 2020

Coping with the pandemic, the election, really anything in 2020—it can come in waves. Sometimes after a big milestone happens, like getting married, the weight of it all can hit you like a semi truck. Need a good cry to honor the big things in your life that did or didn’t happen in 2020? Guest producer Michelle Dahlenburg brings us the story of Susan and Mark's shift to holding one of the most important days of their lives on zoom and just what it means for their union.

You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors

Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, Tony Gonzalez, Christopher Mastin and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!)

Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts because my life depends on it

Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, Dan Burns. Use Dan Burns for your podcast/videogame/film project!

Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

Get to know your neighbors you dingus.

The Joy Of Chickens Oct 30, 2020

Cynthia Capers used to be a nurse but she chose to get out of that life and teach herself how to be a farmer. This piece was originally produced as part of the Transom Traveling Workshop in Nashville, TN at WPLN by India Hunter (her very first radio piece ever). If you’d like to make pieces like this check out www.transom.org.

You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors

Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, Tony Gonzalez, Christopher Mastin and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!)

Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts PG, PG-13, R???

Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, Dan Burns. Use Dan Burns for your podcast/videogame/film project!

Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

Photo by N I F T Y A R T on Unsplash

Get to know your neighbors.

Finding My Parents Oct 16, 2020

Having heard stories about the country he only lived in for the first year of his life, producer Jakob Lewis goes back to Frankfurt to connect with the life his parent's once had.

Story produced by Jakob Lewis, edited by Rosie Forrest, special thanks to Bill Gilcher for helping aid me in my quest to find my parent’s neighbor.

Produced for the Goethe-Instituts “Big Pond” Project.

You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors

Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, Tony Gonzalez, Christopher Mastin and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!)

Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts because writing one on the bathroom stall of a Waffle House would be less helpful, though more intriguing.

Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, Dan Burns and Podington Bear.

Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

Finding Stephanie Oct 02, 2020

One woman searches for a serial panhandler and the answer to what to do when someone asks you for money.

Story produced by Tasha A. F. Lemley, edited by Tony Gonzalez, sound designed and mixed by Jakob Lewis.

You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors

Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, Tony Gonzalez, Christopher Mastin and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!)

Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts because writing one on the bathroom stall of a Waffle House would be less helpful, though more intriguing.

Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, Dan Burns and Podington Bear.

Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

Nashville's Sister City Sep 11, 2020

In the historic city of Magdeburg, Germany, there is a “Johnny Cash”-themed country music festival called Nashville Days – complete with corn dogs and cowboy hats. This is one of the fruits of the sister city relationship between Nashville and Magdeburg. Host Jakob Lewis, a Nashville citizen, goes to Magdeburg to see where the rubber meets the road for Sister Cities' idealistic vision to “promote peace one individual, one community at a time.”

If you’ve been to Germany, Magdeburg probably isn’t the first city that comes to mind when you to think of cosmopolitan cities. Yet for the past 15 years, Magdeburg has developed a great relationship with its sister city Nashville through the Sister Cities International program. For The Big Pond, Jakob Lewis traces the origins of the sister cities back to the aftermath of World War II as a means to (re)connect former adversaries.
Or, as Joel Dark, the Nashville chair of the Nashville-Magdeburg partnership puts it: “The concept is to build a local-to-local relationship so that international relations [are] not reduced to just relationships between governments and their agendas but can be a relationship really between people.” At a time when the US’ general tone for diplomacy has shifted, what does Sister Cities’ idealistic vision of peace really look like? Does it actually make a difference? Is it just a glorified trip club where well-to-do folks can drink wine in another country? Or is it the key to world peace? Listen to find out more.

This story was produced in 2018 as part of the The Big Pond series with the Goethe-Institut, and the Year of German American Friendship 2018/2019 under the motto “Wunderbar Together”. Special thanks to Rosie Forrest for editing this story. Thanks Rosie!

You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors

Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, Tony Gonzalez, Christopher Mastin and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!)

Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts because writing one on the bathroom stall of a Waffle House would be less helpful, though more intriguing.

Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, Dan Burns and Podington Bear.

Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

Leaving The Du Barry Aug 28, 2020

According to a July study from the Pew Research Center, around 3% of Americans have moved because of COVID-19, many of them adults who moved back in with their parents. One of those people is Theo Greenly, a writer and radio producer in Los Angeles. When the pandemic hit, both he and his partner lost their jobs. Unsure about when they would start working again, they decided to move in with family to save money. Specifically, to move in with Theo’s mom in the house that he lived in during high school. Theo documented the process, and he produced this story about it.

You can find more of Theo’s work at TheoGreenly.com or follow him on Twitter @TheoGreenly.

You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors

Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, Tony Gonzalez, Christopher Mastin and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!)

Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts so we can take down Joe Rogan!!!

Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, Dan Burns and B. Roost3r

Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

The Hadley Park Line Dancers Aug 14, 2020

Meet Joann Jones. She's 79 years old, and she loves to dance. So, she helped start a line dancing class for senior citizens at the Hadley Park Community Center in North Nashville. For Joann, the group has become like a family. The community she's found there has helped her overcome loneliness, grief, and serious health issues. But this year, a tornado and a pandemic are testing the group's bond more than ever.

special thanks to Joann Jones, Sharon Jarrett, and all of the Hadley Park Line Dancers. Here is a link to The Hadley Line Dancers Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HPLDancers/. David Condos originally recorded the tape of the dance class as part of the Transom workshop.

You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors

Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, Tony Gonzalez, and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!)

Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Music from the Blue Dot Sessions and Dan Burns

Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

Neighbors presents: Resettled Jul 31, 2020

For this episode Neighbors is presenting an episode from the show Resettled from VPM:

Not a lot of teens are excited about being the “different” kid that stands out in high school. As a Muslim teen from Iraq, Fatimah is learning to navigate that typical experience: striking the balance between fitting in and being your own person. In her senior year at Harrisonburg High, Fatimah decided to try out for the school play, which pushed her boundaries around sexuality and acceptance.

Harrisonburg, Virginia is unique as well: there are 51 countries and 57 languages represented in Harrisonburg’s public schools. Not every refugee teen experience is a positive one, but the overwhelming support and pride that the Harrisonburg community takes in its immigrants and refugees means that leaders prioritize their needs in a way that the federal government is not.

Resettled is hosted by Ahmed Badr. This story was reported by Maria Parazo Rose. This episode was produced by Gilda Di Carli and edited by Kelly Hardcastle Jones. Learn more at vpm.org/resettled and listen to Resettled wherever you get your podcasts.

You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors

Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, Tony Gonzalez, and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!)

Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, Sandhill and Dan Burns

Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

Sunday Night Soul Jul 17, 2020

Nashville, Tenn., aka Music City, has thrown a lot of money at its own tourism industry. But if you walk country music’s famed Broadway Street you will notice that these tourist spaces are overwhelmingly white. But just across the river every 2nd and 4th Sunday night of the month you can reliably find an alternative to the country music scene in town via soul music acts put together by Jason Eskridge. You can also find something else that’s a rarity in Nashville—a racially diverse crowd.

This story was produced by Cariad Harmon. Editing and story consulting provided by Andrea Williams with additional editorial help from Mohini Madgavkar. Special thanks to the 5 Spot and everyone at Sunday Night Soul. You can hear Jason’ music here: https://www.facebook.com/jasoneskridgemusic and learn more about Sunday Night Soul here: https://www.facebook.com/sns5spot

As always this episode also contains YOUR voices from the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line sharing how you’re doing. This episode we asked people to call in and tell us about an interaction with someone that has brought them hope.

You can always share a message with us by recording a voice memo on your phone and emailing it to **neighborspodcast@gmail.com **or call 615-601-1411 and leave us a message. We’d love to hear from you!

You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors

Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, Clark Hill, and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!)

Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com

Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, and Dan Burns

Special thanks to everyone at the 5 spot and Sunday Night Soul

Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

Listening, Learning, Taking Action Jun 13, 2020

A list of resources to learn from this moment so it's not just a moment.

We recommend this course, the 7 Day Anti Racism Challenge that starts June 15th but possibly will repeat again

Podcast recommendations You can find all of this on this Spotify playlist Listening, Learning, Taking Action

Books:

How To Be Anti-Racist

The Color of Compromise

Articles:

Reflections From A Token Black Friend

Videos:

John Oliver This Week Tonight: Police

The Race Horses Of The Sky May 22, 2020

Today we’re giving you a break from all things Covid and we’re entering into the intriguing and competitive world of pigeon racing. From the pigeons released at the first Olympic Games to the heroic birds of WWI, homing pigeons have been helping humans deliver important messages for thousands of years. These days, however, homing pigeons are bred and sold not to deliver mail, but to compete in avian races. Although pigeon racing is rapidly growing in places like China and India, here in the U.S., organizations like the Rhode Island Racing Pigeon Club are struggling to gain new members. Despite the challenges, pigeon fanciers in the Northeast are dedicated to keeping the sport alive.

As always this episode also contains YOUR voices from the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line sharing how you’re doing.

If you would like to share the ways you’re staying sane and connected with your community during the COVID-19 crisis, give the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line a call: record a voice memo on your phone and email it to **neighborspodcast@gmail.com **or call 615-601-1411 and leave us a message.

You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors

Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean, Travis Hall, and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!)

Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com

Music from the Blue Dot Sessions, Dan Burns and Lobby Hotel from their album Psychedelephant

Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

Stay Home. Save Lives.

Cover Art features photo by Sanjiv Nayak

How Long Is The Dark? May 08, 2020

In August of 2017 Neighbors co-host Jakob and his wife Catherine got to witness a total solar eclipse from inside an orchard owned by a living saint—Hector Black. Hector is 95 and has lived a storied life, most notably he did the hard work of forgiving the man who murdered his adopted daughter Patricia. Through Hector’s ominous question “how long is the dark?” we explore our current circumstance amidst this pandemic and the wisdom that Hector’s story might have for us.

You can visit Hector’s family’s plant nursery website here: http://www.hiddenspringsnursery.com/

As has become our custom this episode also contains YOUR voices from the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line sharing one thing that’s difficult right now and one things that you’re grateful for.

If you would like to share the ways you’re staying sane and connected with your community during the COVID-19 crisis, give the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line a call: record a voice memo on your phone and email it to **neighborspodcast@gmail.com **or call 615-601-1411 and leave us a message.

You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors

Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!)

Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com

Music from the Blue Dot Sessions and Dan Burns https://danburns.bandcamp.com/music

Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

Stay Home. Save Lives.

Cover Art features photo by Palmer Richardson

The Tree Apr 24, 2020

When a Nashville man named Robert was young, no one seemed to care that he didn’t know how to read. As he got older, lack of literacy affected his life in devastating ways no one could have predicted. Now at Age 55, he’s learning a new skill and awakening the poet within.

You can find out more about the Nashville Adult Literacy Council here: http://nashvilleliteracy.org/

As has become our custom this episode also contains YOUR voices from the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line sharing one thing that’s difficult right now and one things that you’re grateful for—for some that’s getting a moment to brush their teeth.

If you would like to share the ways you’re staying sane and connected with your community during the COVID-19 crisis, give the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line a call: record a voice memo on your phone and email it to **neighborspodcast@gmail.com **or call 615-601-1411 and leave us a message.

You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors

Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, Laurel Dean and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!)

Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com

Music from the Blue Dot Sessions and Dan Burns https://danburns.bandcamp.com/music

Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

Stay Home. Save Lives.

Cover Art features photo by Sean Brown on Unsplash

The Stuttering Paradox Apr 10, 2020

"The Stuttering Paradox" is the story of a Nashville musician who saw stuttering as his greatest flaw. After trying to "fix" it his entire childhood, he was confronted with the "subway challenge”. By facing his fear JP Ruggieri learned to authentically accept himself just the way he was...and turns out that also dramatically helped his stutter. This story was produced by Cariad Harmon and edited by Jakob Lewis. You can hear JP’s music HERE.

You can find out more about the American Institute for Stuttering here: https://stutteringtreatment.org/

This episode also contains YOUR voices from the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line and a remembrance of legendary Nashville singer-songwriter John Prine.

If you would like to share the ways you’re staying sane and connected with your community during the COVID-19 crisis, give the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line a call: 615-601-1411 or record a voice memo on your phone and email it to neighborspodcast@gmail.com

You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors

Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, Bea Troxel, Craig and Brenda Burns, and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!)

Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com

Our sonic logo at the beginning of the episode is by Dallas Taylor’s company Defacto Sound. Dallas makes a podcast about sound called Twenty Thousand Hertz listen at www.20k.org

Pay Attention Mar 27, 2020

This episode is an artful exploration of Neighbors' year of hiatus in which host Jakob Lewis had a son and put on a performance art piece about preparing for his birth. Utilizing old interview tapes from Neighbors over the years Jakob creates a meditative exploration of what it means to attend to the things that matter in life.

If you would like to share the ways you’re staying sane and connected with your community during the COVID-19 crisis, give the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line a call: **615-601-1411 **or record a voice memo on your phone and email it to neighborspodcast@gmail.com

You can join “The Neighborhood” along with these wonderful, thoughtful, generous people by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/neighbors

Who’s in “The Neighborhood”: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Nikki Black, Hunter and Bonnie Moore, Newton Dominey, and my mom Tonya Lewis (thanks mom!)

Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com

Staying Sane And Connected: Calls From Our Neighbors Mar 24, 2020

We put out a call last week to listeners and friends across the globe who are in isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked you to share the ways in which you’re managing to stay connected while we’re all so far apart. In this season of social distancing, solidarity and kindness flooded our voicemail, and we have put several of those calls together for a special episode to lift our spirits ahead of this Friday’s season release.
All music in this episode was live streamed or recorded on social media by musicians during the past 2 weeks of social distancing.
Musicians included in this episode are:
Johnny Duke
www.johnnydukemusic.com
Dave Madden
www.facebook.com/davemaddenmusic
Tim Easton
http://www.timeaston.com
Rachel Baiman
http://www.rachelbaiman.com
If you would like to share the way’s you’re connecting with your community during the COVID-19 crisis, give the Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line a call: 615-601-1411

Special thanks to our Patrons: Allison Sebastian, Adrian Cobb, Nathalie Stewart, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Tonya Lewis

You can become a patron and join “The Neighborhood” at www.patreon.com/neighbors

Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com

Let's Stay Connected Mar 17, 2020

Hi there! Neighbors Season 7 officially launches March 27th, but we thought everyone could use some connection today.

We want to hear from you and give you an opportunity to share! Call into the Neighbors "reverse complaint" line. This voicemail box was created for a new segment in the upcoming season, but we've decided to use it right now. We are putting together a special episode this week, and we want to hear how you are connecting safely with your neighbors during the Covid-19 pandemic and this time of social distancing and isolation. Call in now to 615-601-1411 and share the creative ways you are seeing humanity be kind around you. Then look for a special episode later this week. Stay connected AND safe everyone!

The Neighbors “Reverse Complaint” Line: 615-601-1411

Special thanks to our Patrons: Allison Sebastian, Ben Lehman, Caroline Martin, Clark Buckner, Cody Spriggs, Dan Burns, Em Vo, Eric Detweiler, Gina, Griffin Bonham, Heather Price, John Kesling, Landon Rives, Marc Kochamba, Patrick Black, Patrick Gillis, Ray Ware, Ryan Arnett, Samuel Adams, Tom and Rachel Kraft, Tonya Lewis

You can become a patron and join “The Neighborhood” at www.patreon.com/neighbors

Visit our website at www.neighborspodcast.com

Neighbors is coming back! Season 7 trailer Dec 05, 2019

When Jakob signed off of his last episode he said he was taking a hiatus of an undetermined length. The open endedness of that declaration is now resolved! It took 1 year, but the show is back with an additional neighbor at the helm, Cariad Harmon. Look for new episodes coming at you more frequently soon!

Special thanks to our new Patrons: Cody Spriggs, Eric Detweiler, Griffin Bonham, Landon Rives, Patrick Black, Ray Ware, Samuel Adams

Join the Neighborhood by supporting the show on Patreon and receiving special access and perks.

The Hero's Journey Dec 04, 2018

The town of Harrenheim is mysteriously out of water, yet its reservoir is full. The Heroes’ Guild summons four of its bravest to investigate. These particular heroes are middle schoolers, playing a tabletop roll-playing game at a Nashville community center. The game master is Josh Unruh. He's also a barista and leather worker. A couple years ago, Josh was sinking into despair over our polarizing political climate. Rather than give into the hostility, he decided he would “follow his bliss”. As a lifelong enjoyer of role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons, Josh decided to share the benefits of those games with kids and founded an afterschool program to teach them a new game he and his friend Keith created for that purpose: The Heroes’ Guild RPG. It incentivizes peacemaking and cooperation over fighting, and you get a front row seat at how four kids embody the game.

Thanks for listening all these years! You’re the best! To find out about Jakob’s new venture visit www.voxfamilia.net

My Grandma's A Spy Nov 21, 2018

What happens when you want to learn more about your cultural heritage and find out that your grandma was a spy? 80-year-old Sara McCall grew up in Cuba. Now her family is learning just exactly how she came to America.

Learn more about how you can tell your family’s story at www.VoxFamilia.net

Back Home On Short Mountain Nov 07, 2018

This is a story about a way of life put on trial. Jeffory Young was a beloved farmer and major landowner in scenic Short Mountain, Tennessee. But when police uncovered his major marijuana dealing operation, they seized much of his coveted property. Yet Young never became a pariah — instead, his community rallied to get his land conserved as a wildlife area. And 12 years later, the 60-year-old is home from prison and finding that the people and the land that shaped him are now providing what he needs to get his life going again.

Dispatches From A Pub In Belfast Oct 23, 2018

Jakob is traveling for the next two weeks doing some work for the Goethe-Institut about two of Nashville’s Sister Cities—Belfast, Northern Ireland and Magdeburg, Germany.

The Distressed Comedian Oct 09, 2018

The story of how Stephen Spinola got to Nashville is not a typical one. The stand-up comedian posted a tweet on the day of Trump’s inauguration that got him in a lot of trouble, so much that death threats started pouring in. Fearing for his life he uprooted from New York to settle in Tennessee, but that’s only a fraction of Stephen’s story.

Before I Could Give Her The Ring Sep 25, 2018

A story of Jakob’s is turned into poetry courtesy of the podcast Versify. Fighting wildfires is dangerous work. But to a 20 year old Jakob Lewis the work was all fun and games—at first. Jakob tells his story about fighting fire in Redding California to poet Lagnajita Mukhopadhyay. She then turns his story into a poem and reads it back to him.

Queen Of The Kitchen Sep 11, 2018

An immigrant restaurateur, Elizabeth Martinez, struggles to make it in America, when the person she came to the U.S. with betrays her. After contemplating suicide and being coaxed out of it by a snuggly pitbull, Elizabeth started her own Honduran restaurant and earned the title Queen of the Kitchen.

Chimes, A Shrine, And a Cabinet Shop: Listener Questions Elicit Surprising Revelations Aug 28, 2018

Jakob breaks from his usual format to sit down with his editor Mack Linebaugh and answer your questions. You’ll find out why he started the podcast, his favorite episode, and what’s up with those windchimes. Also Jakob calls back one question asker which led to an epic check-in with the subject of the recent “Dog Trap” series—Joel Rice.

The Dog Trap, Part 2 Aug 14, 2018

Joel Rice got the opportunity to ghost-write the memoir of one of his childhood heroes—skateboarding legend Christian Hosoi. But Joel’s experience was an unpleasant one that brought up an old childhood trauma at a skatepark. In this episode, I call Christian to hear his side of the story, and then both Joel and Christian hash out the past on the phone together. And much like the first episode, Joel’s experience with Christian did not go how he hoped it would.

Want to ask Jakob a question and have it answered in next week’s episode? Visit www.neighborspodcast.com/ask to submit your question!

Music by Podington Bear and Tony Gage, editing by Mack Linebaugh, Anita Bugg, and Galen Bebe. Production assistance from Caleb Shiver.

The Dog Trap, Part 1 Aug 07, 2018

What happens to someone when the thing they love most in the world — skateboarding— is also the source of their greatest wound? When Joel Rice, a naturally bookish kid was younger he wanted nothing more than to be a pro skater like his heroes, Christian Hosoi and Tony Hawk. That dream died the day he hit the “dog trap,” a hazard at a popular skating spot in San Francisco. Falling on his face in front of everyone that afternoon was a major trauma that haunted Joel as he became a prominent skateboarding journalist for ESPN and McSweeney’s. Years later, he got the opportunity to ghostwrite the memoir of his idol, Hosoi. It was a second chance to join the ranks of professional skaters, but it did not go how he hoped.

ESPN’s X-games just wound down, the world is gearing up for skateboarding in the Olympics in 2020 for the first time, and Jonah Hill just released his trailer for his new movie “The Mid 90’s” following a young boy steeped in skateboarding culture. A nostalgic reflection on skate culture is in the zeitgeist.

Ask a question at www.neighborspodcast.com/ask and Jakob will answer it!

Donate to the show at http://neighborspodcast.com/donate-to-the-show

Music by Podington Bear and Tony Gage. Editing by Anita Bugg, Mack Linebaugh and Galen Beebe. Production assistance from Caleb Shiver.

Bonus: Miso And Dejan React May 22, 2018

Jakob gets a rare chance to hear what his guests think of how they're portrayed as Miso and Dejan, the subjects of “Miso’s Brother”, have a drink and reflect on hearing their story. Also we pull some tape off the cutting room, and a sad farewell to our favorite production assistant, Caleb Shiver.

Red State Mama May 08, 2018

Marlo Mack has a young transgender daughter. She met another woman named Debi Jackson who has a very similar parenting story to her own, the only difference is where they live. Marlo lives in a liberal community where she and her transgender daughter are supported. Debi grew up a Southern Baptist conservative in a Red State. This transition has cost her a lot more, than Marlo and her daughter.

Our Father Apr 24, 2018

Jakob issues himself a challenge to redo the first story he ever made, about Anglican priest Father Thomas McKenzie and his dad. The title of Father can come with some pretty weird and difficult territory—counseling people through tough times, performing weddings, visiting people on their deathbed. Most are routine to Thomas, but he was stopped in his tracks when he got a call saying that his own father was dying.

Miso's Brother Apr 12, 2018

Miso and Dejan are Bosnian refugees who met as children when they were both resettled in the same apartment complex in Nashville, Tenn. After they each turned 30 they made a pilgrimage all the way back to Bosnia to visit the grave of Miso’s younger brother. In confronting generations of grief and the void left in his family, Miso finds the brother he actually does have.

The Baker's Son Mar 27, 2018

Sam Tucker is a passionate baker who doesn’t like to compromise on ingredients, but one of them contains a tiny little protein known as gluten, and it’s proven to be a tyrannical ruler of their lives. Hear how Sam and his family fight back and still make high quality food.

The Sister's Gift Mar 13, 2018

When Katie Cooley found out her brother needed a kidney transplant, she volunteered without hesitation—despite not being super close to him. Hear just how her gesture affected their relationship.

Credits and Notes:
The show is edited by Emily Siner, Mack Linebaugh and Anita Bugg with special help from Tony Gonzalez and production assistance from Caleb Shiver. Music in this episode by Podington Bear.

Matt Got Shot: Part 3 or The Fabric We're All In Feb 27, 2018

In the final chapter of the Neighbors mini-series “Matt Got Shot,” we visit Jodi Hays, the woman whose security camera captured the footage of Matt’s terrifying assault. Jodi is an abstract artist—captivated by the image of the moment Matt was shot in front of her house, she made several works out of it. Then she showed it to Matt. What happens when trauma is re-interpreted and shared in a broader context?

Matt Got Shot: Part 2 Feb 13, 2018

In Part 2 of the Neighbors mini-series “Matt Got Shot,” we explore the reality of the trauma of getting shot: first to Matt’s body, then his identity and finally to his mind.

Matt says, “PTSD doesn’t show up with a name tag.” He was in the recording booth tracking a song called “Guide Your Light” when he had his first panic attack.

Credits:
Music in this episode by Matt Lovell and Podington Bear. This story was edited by Emily Siner, Mack Linebaugh and Anita Bugg with production assistance from Caleb Shiver.

Matt Got Shot: Part 1 Jan 30, 2018

It was inauguration day 2017 when Nashville singer-songwriter Matt Lovell was ambushed while sitting in his car — and then shot in the chest. A doorman at a nearby bar miraculously saved his life, setting in motion a series of life-changing events. In this first episode of a three-part Neighbors mini-series, we explore how the shooting forced Matt to come to terms with his identity and gave him an unexpected gift—peace. neighborspodcast.com

Music in this episode by Podington Bear, Matt Lovell and the credits music is by Jason Goforth. A clip from Bill Fay’s “Be at peace with yourself” is used.

The Manifestor Jan 16, 2018

Everyone seems inspired by fitness instructor Katherine Tisha Wilson. People describe going to her class as "going to church." Her fierceness comes at you instantly from the front of the class, but this high school dropout wasn't always confident in herself. After a long road of disappointment, she found a fitness dance program and lost over 100 pounds, then used that momentum to start changing lives.

Music by Podington Bear and Caleb Shiver.

Season 5 trailer (launches January 16th) Jan 11, 2018

Hello. I’m Jakob Lewis and Neighbors….is back. January 16th.

I’m on a quest to make sense of the human experience through the lives of my neighbors. There’s something magical about getting an intimate pass into someone’s world and hearing about the moments that transformed them.

*In season 5 I go deeper into their stories than I ever have before. Stories of getting shot, getting kicked out of the house, finding a lost brother, donating a kidney, starting a rock band, forgiving your daughter’s murderer. *

Subscribe now in apple podcasts or wherever you listen and GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS.

Music in trailer by Daniel Birch and Ben Pegley

The Language Learner Sep 19, 2017

As Myanmar aka Burma is going through a humanitarian crisis Neighbors brings an update to the story of a man who fled the region to come to America with his family. We meet Gin Thawng. The 66-year old man lives in a Nashville apartment with his ailing wife, a baby grandson, his daughter-in-law and son. A graduate of an innovative ESL program-on-wheels, Thawng shows us something about the power that language has and how human connection is bigger than just words.

Editing by: Emily Siner and Mack Linebaugh
Production Assistance by: Bailey Robbins and Caleb Shiver
Music by: Podington Bear and Dan Burns

Leave a rating or review in iTunes

Neighbors is a member of The Heard

Neighbors is from Nashville Public Radio

The Tuba Man Sep 06, 2017

It's an odd scene: A man, playing a sousaphone, stands inside a tunnel on a busy Nashville road during rush hour. Is he crazy, divinely inspired or something else entirely? In this episode of Neighbors, we go inside the world of "tuba man" Joe Hunter and discover what brings him and his instrument to the tunnel.

Some music by: Podington Bear
Editing help from: Emily Siner, and Mack Linebaugh
Production Assistance: Bailey Robbins

The Digger Aug 15, 2017

Whit Hill digs up items she finds with a metal detector — Civil War bullets, forgotten toys, old coins. Her treasures, and the songs she writes about them, remind her that there’s always the possibility of wonder in the ground beneath her feet.

This story was reported by Tony Gonzalez. The shows editors are Emily Siner, Mack Linebaugh, and Anita Bugg. Neighbors is a member of the Heard, find out more at Theheardradio.com.

Music by Podington Bear and Whit Hill

Shine Service Aug 01, 2017

Robert Person Sr. — Percy, as he’s known — has been shining shoes for 70 years. He started around age 10 and now, at 80, continues to work at Percy’s Shoe Shine Service in Nashville. He’s worn out, stressed out, but this veteran shoe shiner just can’t stop.

The shows editors are Emily Siner, Mack Linebaugh, and Anita Bugg. Neighbors is a member of the Heard, find out more at Theheardradio.com. Music by Podington Bear and Dan Burns.

Music by: Podington Bear and Dan Burns

Childhood's End Jul 18, 2017

Prepare to be embedded into a gaggle of neighborhood kids, playing at the peak of summer. Producer Erica Heilman from the always-delightful podcast Rumblestrip brings us the story of children holding on to the last gasps of youth.

The shows editors are Emily Siner, Mack Linebaugh, and Anita Bugg. Neighbors is a member of the Heard, find out more at Theheardradio.com.

Music by Chris Zabriskie, Jason Goforth.

Welcome our newest sponsors:

Freshbooks - Go to www.freshbooks.com/neighbors and get a 30 day free trial by entering in Neighbors in the "How did you hear about us" section.

Squarespace - Check Squarespace out at Squarespace.com and when your ready to launch enter in the promo code Neighbors to save 10%

The Fighter Jul 04, 2017

Wayne cherishes his independence. And having had ALS for 33 years, he has to fight for it everyday. But his disease is only one of the seemingly insurmountable challenges he’s faced.

Credits: Edited by Emily Siner, Mack Linebaugh and Anita Bugg. Production assistance by Caleb Shiver. Music by Kelly Latimore

Welcome our newest sponsors:

Freshbooks - Go to www.freshbooks.com/neighbors and get a 30 day free trial by entering in Neighbors in the "How did you hear about us" section.

Squarespace - Check Squarespace out at Squarespace.com and when your ready to launch enter in the promo code Neighbors to save 10%

The Role of a Lifetime Jun 20, 2017

When Denice Hicks has to step unexpectedly into the role of King Lear, in some ways, she’s doing what she’s always done: living life like it’s her last day. What happens when you do that everyday over the course of a life?

Credits: Edited by Emily Siner, Mack Linebaugh and Anita Bugg. Production assistance by Caleb Shiver. Special thanks to speak-the-speech.org for use of their recordings of Shakespeare’s plays. Music by Podington Bear, Chris Zabriskie, and Dan Burns

The Party Planners May 30, 2017

Eddie and Mary Helen live in Chattanooga, Tenn. — a city, like many in the country, that still feels the effects of segregation. They started examining their hometown through the lens of race and ended up throwing a party.

Credits: Edited by Emily Siner, Mack Linebaugh and Anita Bugg. Production assistance by Caleb Shiver. Music by Podington Bear, Chris Zabriskie, and Jason Goforth

Dave, The Weather Nut May 16, 2017

Dave Hayes is a “social media-rologist”. He has no meteorology degree, but posts dense and poetic weather updates on Facebook where he’s grown quite a following. Hear how one man uses his computer to bring Western Massachusetts together and protect them from the elements.

The Funeral Director May 02, 2017

Bethany embalmed bodies for a living, but she couldn’t help but empathize with every corpse she worked on, seeing her job as one final gift—one that was taking its toll. It turns out, some professions require a certain detachment.

Edited by Emily Siner, Mack Linebaugh and Anita Bugg. Music by Podington Bear, Chris Zabriskie, and Jason Goforth.

**Every Breath Is Precious** Apr 18, 2017
Hannah has a rare genetic disorder that causes her to stop breathing when she goes to sleep. She wears a ventilator at night. How does having to constantly monitor a basic human function change how Hannah and her family approach life?

Music by Podington Bear, Chris Zabriskie, Jason Goforth, and

Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

The Oregon Trailblazer Apr 04, 2017

In 2011, Rinker Buck crossed the Oregon Trail — yes, that Oregon Trail — in a covered wagon pulled by a team of mules. He traveled with his brother Nick and a Jack Russell Terrier named Olive Oyl. The journey forced Rinker to confront his greatest fear.

Music in this episode by William Tyler, Podington Bear, Chris Zabriskie, and Kevin Mcleod

Season 4 Starts April 4, New Episode Every Two Weeks Mar 31, 2017

Hey Everyone, a new season of Neighbors starts Tuesday April 4th. Tell your friends, tell your family, the party starts Tuesday.

www.podcasts.wpln.org

A Musical Recovery Dec 27, 2016

The season 3 finale is a little different. It is a personal story of Jakob’s told by taking a musical journey all around Nashville. Together, you will experience an Irish session, an Indian jam in a Mexican restaurant, a Jewish musical Shabbat, Beer and Hymns, and sacred harp singing.

The Ordinary Radicals Dec 08, 2016

In 1969, Leroy and Gloria Griffith got married in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It would have been an ordinary event, except that they are believed to be the first interracial couple to legally wed in the county. We hear the story of why they opened up their wedding to the public, despite racial tension in the community.

Edited by Emily Siner and Anita Bugg

Music by Podington Bear and Dan Burns

Reporting by Mary Helen Montgomery

Sponsor: Yazoo Brewing Company

The High Five Revisted Nov 22, 2016

Two men walk over a mile once a week just to give each other a high five. It's a seemingly meaningless act, but one that can take on a powerful meaning over time. We examine why they do this and check back in with one of them a year later.

Editors: Rob McGinley Meyers, Tally Abecassis, and Emily Siner
Music: Podington Bear and Dan Burns AKA Dop Shrah
Sponsors: Yazoo Brewing Company

Barbershop Duet, Part Two - Stephen Nov 11, 2016

Like part one, this is a story of a barber who followed an unlikely path to the grooming profession. Stephen Mason's journey took him from 20 years on the road, playing guitar in a Grammy-winning Christian rock band, to a one-chair, one-man barbershop called The Handsomizer. Edited by Emily Siner, Mack Linebaugh (who also voiced rex the barber), and Anita Bugg Music by Podington Bear, Dan Burns, and Jars of Clay Artwork by Mack Linebaugh, photo taken by Brad Butcher Sponsors: Yazoo Brewing Company www.yazoobrew.com

**Barbershop Duet, Part One - Ronnie** Oct 21, 2016
Ronnie Clardy grew up near the barbershop he owns in Nashville, but the path that led him to his current life is anything but short and straight. He started dealing drugs at 13 and relapsed into a life of crime and prison several times, before he finally redirected his entrepreneurial spirit. Edited by: Mack Linebaugh, Emily Siner, and Anita Bugg Music by: Podington Bear and Dan Burns Sponsors: Yazoo Brewing Company www.yazoobrew.com Work In Progress a podcast by Slack www.slack.com/podcast

**The Grave of Rosa Mary Dean** Sep 09, 2016
On a rainy night in 1949, a young woman arrived by train in Franklin, Tennessee, and walked off into the night. The next morning, her body was found near an incinerator by the high school. Her throat had been cut. The murder has become a fixture of town lore, yet its victim lies in an unmarked grave. An effort to give her a headstone raises the questions: Who do we choose to remember? And why? Production assistance from Bailey Robbins Edited by Mack Linebaugh, Emily Siner, and Anita Bugg Sponsors: Yazoo Brewing Company and Baja Burrito Music by Podington Bear and Dan Burns Correction: an earlier version of this story stated the John Golden was buried at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Franklin, Tenn. He is buried at Cool Springs Cemetery in Bethesda, Tenn.

Honoring Wishes Aug 04, 2016

We want to do right by the people we care about. But sometimes, honoring someone's wishes can put us at odds with social norms, our own values, or even the law. In this episode of Neighbors, three stories where the desire to honor wishes pushes us into uncomfortable territory.

Neighbors is from Nashville Public Radio and Produced by Jakob Lewis
Production Assistance from Bailey Robbins
Edited by Mack Linebaugh and Emily Siner
Music by Podington Bear and Dan Burns
Sponsors: Yazoo Brewing Company and Magnolia Record Club
Special Thanks to Phil Kaufman

**The Fence Jumper** Jul 07, 2016
Most people might think it’s not worth the trouble to intervene in someone else's life. But in this episode of Neighbors, we get to know a woman who sees that obstacle—and will do everything she can to jump over it.

Photo provided by Beth Mathews

Neighbors is from Nashville Public Radio and Produced by Jakob Lewis
Production Assistance from Bailey Robbins
Edited by Mack Linebaugh and Emily Siner
Music by Podington Bear and Jason Goforth
Sponsors: Yazoo Brewing Company and The Crag
Special Thanks to Dan and Beth Mathews

The Genius Improviser May 19, 2016

Michael Kearney is a genius — he holds the Guinness World Record for being the youngest person to graduate from college, at age 10. Now he's 32, and he's not curing cancer or solving world hunger. He's running an improv comedy company in Nashville. Why did this child prodigy decide to use his genius in such an unconventional way? We find out in this episode on Neighbors.

This episode was edited by: Emily Siner, Mack Linebaugh, and Anita Bugg
Special thanks to Lee Hale!
Music by Podington Bear and Dan Burns
Sponsors: Yazoo Brewing Company, Baja Burrito

The Language Learner Apr 22, 2016

We meet Gin Thawng. The 66-year old is a refugee from Burma living in a Nashville apartment with his ailing wife, a baby grandson, his daughter-in-law and son. A graduate of an innovative ESL program-on-wheels, Thawng shows us something about the power that language has and how human connection is bigger than just words.

Editing by: Emily Siner and Mack Linebaugh
Photo by: Brad Butcher
Production Assistance by: Bailey Robbins
Music by: Podington Bear and Dan Burns
Sponsors: Yazoo Brewing Company and Magnolia Record Club
Leave a rating or review in iTunes
Neighbors is a member of The Heard
Neighbors is from Nashville Public Radio

This is Not a Love Song Mar 29, 2016

What keeps you up at night? For some, it's the shape-shifting song of a mockingbird outside the bedroom window. It turns out, not everyone is amazed by this bird's musical feats. What is a wonder of nature to some, to others is the sound of torture. This time on Neighbors, a guest episode from our friends at Nocturne. Special thanks to Vanessa Lowe who produced this story and originally aired it on Nocturne. www.nocturnepodcast.org episode art by Christopher Stewart Sponsors: Yazoo Brewing Company www.yazoobrew.com and Magnolia Record Company www.magnoliarecord.club Neighbors is a member of The Heard. www.theheardradio.com

The Tuba Man Mar 15, 2016

It's an odd scene: A man, playing a sousaphone, stands inside a tunnel on a busy Nashville road during rush hour. Is he crazy, divinely inspired or something else entirely? In this episode of Neighbors, we go inside the world of "tuba man" Joe Hunter and discover what brings him and his instrument to the tunnel.

Some music by: Podington Bear
Editing help from: Emily Siner, and Mack Linebaugh
Production Assistance: Bailey Robbins
Artwork: Christopher Stewart
Sponsors: Yazoo Brewing Company, Magnolia Record Club

Neighbors is a part of The Heard

If you like the show leave a review in iTunes. It goes a long way to helping others discover the show.

The Baker's Son Mar 01, 2016

Sam Tucker is a gifted baker, but the one thing that is his greatest passion just might put his family in danger. With the premiere of Season 3, I am thrilled to announce Neighbors' partnership with Nashville Public Radio. Some music by: Podington Bear Editing help from: Rob McGinley Myers, Emily Siner, and Mack Linebaugh Production Assistance: Bailey Robbins Artwork: Christopher Stewart Sponsors: Yazoo Brewing Company, Magnolia Record Club Neighbors is a part of The Heard If you like the story consider leave a review in iTunes. It goes a long way to helping others discover the show.

Grinching Dec 24, 2015

This is a small bonus story about how the Christmas tree from your curb disappeared.

The Fool Dec 17, 2015

A story of how one clown turns his sorrow into connection. Some music by Podington Bear Editors: Tally Abecassis and Rob McGinley Meyers Production Help: Bailey Robbins Sponsors: Yazoo Brewing Company www.yazoobrew.com Baja Burrito Neighbors is a part of The Heard www.theheardradio.com

The High Five Oct 16, 2015

Why do two grown men walk a mile and a half every week, rain or shine, to give each other a high five?

Editors: Bailey Robbins, Rob McGinley Meyers, Tally Abecassis
Music: Podington Bear and Dan Burns AKA Dop Shrah
Sponsors: Yazoo Brewing Company and Baja Burrito

These Things Is Miracles Sep 10, 2015

Today we feature a story from the podcast Anxious Machine called "These Things Is Miracles." What happens when a woman refuses to admit she can't hear, and what happens when she finally does?

Music in this episode: Seaside by Jelsonic

Other music in Rob's piece can be found at a nxiousmachine.com

Sans Houses - Going To Church Aug 13, 2015

"I guess they can't go to no church or whatever and ask to lick their preacher's armpits...so they come around the mission."

Two stories of people going to church for two very different reasons.

Do you have a going to church story? Tell it to us at 818-927-2346. It can be holy, sad, funny, abusive. Whatever the truth is for you we want you to tell it.

Music in this episode by Dan Burns of Dop Shrah https://soundcloud.com/dop-shrah

and Fuzzmuzz http://www.fuzzmuzzmusic.com/

At Home In Music City Jul 31, 2015

It’s an unwritten rule in Nashville. If you see a famous musician who lives in town, you let them be. Your heart might skip a beat when you see Robert Plant, Jack White, Emmylou Harris or whoever it is for you, but you let them be. “Music City” has always been a safe haven for musicians. It’s where they raise their kids and buy their groceries. It’s their home and people generally want to protect that. Today we explore that idea of home by going into the houses of two very different Nashville musicians. The first is Roger Weismeyer, a classically trained English horn and piano player who plays for the Nashville Symphony. The second, the introverted indie rocker, Ben Elkins of the band El El. To get to know what our musical neighbors and their spaces are like we have come up with a format that includes a bit of music. We go to their house and ask them to play two songs: One, an original, played in the space in which they often create, write, and practice. The second, a cover of a song that for them is the pinnacle of what they want to achieve in music. Since they create not only music but their lives in these houses, we ask them to tell us about a meaningful object in their home and see where that takes us.

Sans Houses - Music Jul 09, 2015

Our newest addition to our Sans Houses series has the theme of music. Producer Tasha A F Lemley takes us along to glimpse into the lives of three men living on the street. You'll hear beautiful, funny, and tragic moments from our homeless neighbors in Nashville. Neighbors is a member of the audio collective The Heard. www.theheardradio.com

Highbrow Lowbrow Jun 26, 2015

Find out the meaning behind the words highbrow and lowbrow through the construct of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You'll visit a man who is currently homeless and learn how he brews his coffee by the interstate. Enter into the home kitchen of a barista at the high end Nashville coffee shop CREMA. Let Neighbors food reviewer Chance Perdue take you from Italy to Nolensville, Tennessee, to try the holy grail of all bologna sandwiches at Martin's BBQ Joint. You'll get to go inside the mind of Josh Habiger, the chef who set up one of the classiest restaurants in Nashville, The Catbird Seat. You'll end up in Rwanda being exposed to a form of high art that most Westerners don't want to even touch.

Sans Houses - Purpose May 21, 2015

Since 2006, Neighbors producer Tasha A F Lemley has interviewed men and women who are homeless on the streets of Nashville. We've grouped these interviews by theme in a series called Sans Houses. This episode's theme is "purpose." Listen to Cowboy and Debbie talk about the purpose they find in living on the street. Music: Jason Goforth and Fuzzmuzz

The Silver Cord: A Year After Bringing Wes Home May 07, 2015

It's been almost a year since I reported the story "Bringing Wes Home." It was a story about a family losing their son, Wes Vose, in a car crash two-and-a-half years ago. Instead of leaving it to the funeral home to take care of arrangements, they took the role upon themselves. The women cleaned his body. The men built his casket. A community dug the hole. In honor of Mother's Day, I am rebroadcasting this story with an addendum. I see where Jane, the mother who lost her child, is one year later.

Sans Houses - David Apr 23, 2015

This story is the first in a new series called "Sans Houses." After more than 40 years on the street, David has a place to call home. Neighbors photographer and producer Tasha A F Lemley captures David beautifully in both picture and sound.

Quit Playin' Games With My Heart Apr 09, 2015

Todd Michael Rogers got married young, and it was bad. It was the kind of bad that Todd describes as "Lifetime movie bad." He became unhappy and isolated. It was in that space where he started pouring his energy into creating a one-player card game called Spell Saga. When your life is in shambles, what happens when you follow your creativity honestly?

A Ritual of Hospitality Feb 20, 2015

This is a story about a ritual. A Chinese tea ceremony. It's used as a means to connect — with the past, with people, with another land. Joshua Drake Wu invited me into his home to experience the joy of Chinese tea. I learned a lot of surprising things about tea, hospitality, and my neighbor. Make yourself a cup of your favorite leaf and listen. Also in this episode are the rituals of two of my podcasting colleagues, Jonathan Hirsch of ARRVLS and Vannessa Lowe of Nocturne. They are two great shows you should check out. Special thanks to Jason Goforth and Dan Burns for some of the music in this episode.

I'm Just Trying To Help Jan 17, 2015

What happens when you try to help someone out, it goes well, but then they end up right back where they started? Jakob channels his inner Sisyphus and goes to the Parthenon to interview strangers about when helping seems futile. Neighbors contributor Tasha A F Lemley brings us a story of a street chaplain who helps one man recover from addiction and injury only to find that he's back to his old ways.

The Pace Of Wonder Dec 05, 2014

This episode is more of a meditation than a story. When Barclay was 25, he traveled the country in a van. Out under the open sky he bought an astronomy book, looked up, and had his sky stolen from him. He wasn't ready for what he saw. Close your eyes and soak up this very meditative edition of Neighbors.

Runnin' Down a Dream Oct 22, 2014

Bobby Hopkins wakes up one day and decides to change his life. Within two years, he's entering his first 100-mile ultramarathon. I go along as part of his crew to help him along the way. Will Bobby finish? Will I do a good job crewing? Also, a special release of Service Unicorn's "Water Color War Paint."

Lost and Found - Neighbors Live Sep 25, 2014

Neighbors is once again live from my backyard. 10 storytellers poured their hearts out. 5 of them are featured in this episode. In this episode: Blake Farmer, reporter at WPLN in Nashville, tells a story of being a rockstar in the Philippines. Hal Humphreys, private investigator, talks about what it feels like to lose your freedom. Tasha Lemley, co-founder of the street newspaper The Contributor, reminisces about an encounter with fame. Josh Spilker, writer and across-the-street neighbor from me, reads from his e-book about our neighborhood.

Bringing Wes Home Jul 20, 2014

After a five-week road trip across beautiful America, I'm back. I'm bringing you a story I did from before I was gone. It's called "Bringing Wes Home": The tale of a family who took their son's body and prepared it themselves. If you've never heard of a home funeral, this will enlighten you and bring tears to your eyes at the beauty that this process can provide.

Fear - Neighbors Live Apr 06, 2014

On March 22, 2014, I held Neighbors Live! in my backyard. It was a very neighborly time. Neighbors favorite Thomas McKenzie told a story that will blow you away.

Taking On Water Mar 26, 2014

If you live in Nashville you've probably heard a lot of flood stories from the May 2010 flood. This one stood out to me as a true example of neighbors being neighbors. Jeff Jones the owner of the local Dairy King shares his story about surviving the flood and quite literally moving further down the road.

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