XPLR.NASH Podcast

Go behind the scenes with Anas, the creator of Nashville Hidden Gems, as he shares the real story of how he built one of Nashville’s most unique food and culture accounts. In this episode, we talk about:

• How Nashville Hidden Gems started with local food tours and grew during a massive wave of new Nashvillians.

• The importance of community, authenticity, and telling YOUR story as a business or creator.

• What it’s like running a page ...

Join us on the XPLR.NASH podcast for an inspiring conversation with Kalani, the creator behind “Kalani Ghost Hunter,” as he shares his incredible journey from a Tennessee state job to building a viral platform with millions of followers. Discover how Kalani went from living out of his car and filming in haunted locations across the U.S. and UK, to reviewing food, exploring local culture, and telling powerful stories about history a...

Welcome to the XPLR.NASH Podcast! In this special episode, we sit down with Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton to reveal the real secrets behind Tennessee’s ongoing success.

Discover what truly sets Tennessee apart—from the Volunteer spirit and thriving communities to booming business, authentic local stories, and one-of-a-kind travel experiences. We dive deep into the people, places, and policies shaping Tennessee’s futu...

Welcome to the XPLR.NASH Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Rey Bello—a Venezuelan immigrant whose journey from starting over in Nashville to hosting some of the city’s most exclusive culinary events is nothing short of incredible.Rey’s story goes way beyond food and live events. He opens up about the tough lessons he’s learned in business, why emotional resilience is everything, and how building genuine relationships—not j...

In this episode of the XPLR.NASH Podcast, we sit down with Chris Blair, the founder of The Listening Room — one of Nashville’s most beloved venues and songwriter stages. Chris opens up about why prioritizing artists and guests over profits helped him survive 19 years and four relocations in an ever-changing city. We talk through the challenges of operating a fast-paced restaurant + music venue, Nashville’s explosive growth, and wha...

In this episode, we sit down with Akki Grover — the owner and operating partner behind Sindoore and Jashan in Nashville, Tennessee. Both restaurants have earned coveted spots on Yelp’s 2025 Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S., with Jashan ranked #49 and Sindoore at #55 Akki walks us through his journey from India to Music City, detailing how he combined tradition with creativity to build two standout concepts. We discuss the unique c...

Jam-Packed Success: The Story of Farmstead Nashville w/ Gary BaronJoin us on the XPLR.NASH Podcast as we sit down with Gary Baron, the mastermind behind Farmstead Nashville and the former Nashville Jam Company. Discover how a humble jar of strawberry jalapeño jam sparked a journey from farmer's markets to co-packing for some of Nashville's top restaurants. Gary shares his entrepreneurial insights, from navigating food scien...

Twenty-five musicians. One stairwell. One chaotic take. That’s where the journey began for Chris Ruediger and the now-viral 615 House. In this episode, Chris sits down to unpack the wild story behind their most iconic shoot, the strategy behind standing out in a saturated digital world, and the founding of Fort Nash—a growing media empire rooted in country culture and collaboration.

We talk about:

• The importance of defining your ...

Tech, Beards, and Laughs: Joel Beasley’s Journey from CTO to Comedy

Join us on this fascinating journey with Joel Beasley, the mind behind Modern CTO, a podcast that dives deep into the tech world, leadership, and innovation. In this episode, we get to know Joel beyond the microphone—from his unexpected leap into comedy to his passion for growing the perfect beard. We explore how AI is shaping the future of cities, his personal jour...

In this episode of the XPLR.NASH10 podcast, we sit down with filmmaker and creative mastermind Jordan. From his first time shooting out of a helicopter to working on WWE documentaries and navigating the wild world of Hollywood, Jordan shares his unique journey through filmmaking, creativity, and storytelling.

We also dive into his thoughts on Nashville's growth, the evolution of content creation, the future of wrestling in ...

In this episode of the Explore Nash Podcast, Stuart Deming sits down with Nashville native and longtime collaborator Joe Penna for one of our most honest and personal conversations yet.

From growing up across Middle Tennessee to living in cities like Houston and New Orleans, Joe has seen the best and worst of what Nashville was—and what it’s becoming. Together, Stuart and Joe explore the controversial idea that southern hospitality ...

In this episode of the XPLR NASH Podcast, we sit down with Matt Burrill, co-owner of Raised Rowdy — one of Nashville’s rowdiest country music brands. From hosting Bailey Zimmerman’s first-ever performance to helping artists like Josh Ross and Ole 60 before they blew up, Matt shares how Raised Rowdy has built a powerful live music community in the heart of Music City.

🎤 What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How Raised Rowdy became th...

Tennessee is losing 60,000 acres of farmland and natural spaces every year — that's like losing a state park annually. In this episode of the XPLR.NASH Podcast, we sit down with Jon D. B. from TennGreen Land Conservancy to uncover why this is happening and what’s being done to protect Tennessee’s incredible natural landscapes. 🌲🌄From the Cumberland Trail, a 300-mile trail in the making, to the hidden caves beneath Nashville a...

Join us as we sit down with Charles Hatcher of Hatcher Family Dairy to discuss the deep-rooted history, challenges, and innovations of running a multi-generational dairy farm in Middle Tennessee. From the impact of real estate on farming to the rise of local food movements and cutting-edge technology like robotic milking, Charles shares insights on the evolving world of agriculture.

We also dive into:

• The importance of passion o...

In this episode, we sit down with Giovanna and Jared, the passionate owners behind Tutti Da Gio, one of the top-rated Sicilian restaurants in the U.S. according to Yelp! They share their incredible journey, from Giovanna’s upbringing in Sicily and her deep-rooted love for cooking to the challenges of opening a restaurant in Nashville and going viral overnight.We dive into what makes Sicilian cuisine so unique, the importance of slo...

👉 What REALLY goes on in Nashville’s top restaurants? From the rise of French cuisine, to the truth about culinary school, and the hustle of running a top-tier food business in Nashville, this episode is packed with insider secrets you won’t hear anywhere else!Featuring:Brian Morris – Executive Chef of Hattie B’sAndy Little – Culinary Director at Strategic Hospitality (formerly of Josephine)What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ The ...

🍕 Is this the BEST Chicago deep dish pizza in Nashville?

🍕In this episode, we sit down with the owners of 312 Pizza Company, the family-owned and operated hotspot serving up authentic Chicago-style deep dish right here in Nashville!

We dive into:

✅ What makes their deep dish pizza so legendary 🍕🔥

✅ How quality ingredients set them apart from the rest

✅ The challenges & pivots of surviving in Nashville’s evolving food sce...

Rebranding Las Vegas & Building Personal Brands w/ John Mediana | XPLR.NASH Podcast In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of city branding, personal identity, and business growth with John Mediana—a brand expert who played a key role in rebranding Las Vegas and has worked with major names like Gary Vee, Alex Hormozi, and John Crist.https://www.executivebrandgrowth.com/🔥 What You’ll Learn:🔹 The behind-the-scenes ...

Get ready for a hilarious and inspiring chat with Luke White, the internet sensation redefining country music satire! With over 100 million views, Luke has won over audiences by poking fun at country music and small-town life in a way that’s both relatable and laugh-out-loud funny. In this episode, Luke takes us behind the scenes of his incredible journey—from traveling the world with a nonprofit to meeting his future business par...