Banner & Company

Nashville Banner
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Banner & Company is a weekly interview podcast from the Nashville Banner hosted by Nashville media legend Demetria Kalodimos.

  1. 1H AGO

    Morgxn: 'Make It Out Alive' Singer, Songwriter and Advocate

    Back in his hometown after stints in New York and Los Angeles, Morgxn has a new album, Heartland, and will be performing at Freely Fest — a celebration of the First Amendment featuring The Killers, Janelle Monae and more — on April 8. He's honored to use his music to stand up for free speech. It's something he deeply believes in, as his regular presence at the state legislature goes to show. A third-generation Nashvillian, Morgxn — né Morgan Karr — says he always wanted to create a refuge. And he's made his dream come true with a place called Fruity Farm. It's literally a fruit farm but has also served as an impromptu Pride Festival venue — and we've got some exclusive news about that in this episode. He also talks about his experience with bullying and the Nashville high school that helped him believe in his own story. Guest: Morgxn, singer and songwriter Host: Demetria Kalodimos Producer: Steve Haruch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    41 min

  2. 2D AGO ·  BONUS

    Bonus: Cooperative Housing and Community at Drakes Creek

    Banner reporters Steven Hale and Eden Turner sit down to talk about Eden's reporting on the Cottages at Drakes Creek, Nashville's first publicly funded housing co-op. They discuss what makes a housing cooperative unique as a response to the affordable housing crisis and the tight community that has formed as Drakes Creek tries to establish one. Eden also talks about her latest story on Vanderbilt University Medical Center's decision to stop performing gender-affirming surgeries for adults. Finally, they briefly share their thoughts on Netflix's K-Pop Demon Hunters and the movie-themed Happy Meals they had for lunch. Produced by Andrea Tudhope. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    18 min

  3. MAR 29

    Robert Churchwell Jr.: Son of 'The Jackie Robinson of Journalism'

    Robert Churchwell Sr. made history when he joined the original Nashville Banner as the city's first African American reporter. The paper's owner at the time, James Stahlman, opposed integration, but Churchwell made a name for himself anyway — even if he didn't have a desk in the newsroom at first. Last week, a historical marker commemorating his accomplishments was unveiled outside the North Nashville magnet school that bears his name. In this special episode, Robert Churchwell Jr. shares his memories of his trailblazing father's career and life outside of work — where "he was always dad." This interview was originally recorded as part of our premier episode. Guest: Robert Churchwell Jr., son of Robert Churchwell Sr., Nashville's first African American staff reporter Host: Demetria Kalodimos Producer: Andrea Tudhope Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    35 min

  4. MAR 22

    Dr. Sekou Franklin: Executive Director, John Lewis Center for Social Justice

    When he took over as executive director Fisk University's John Lewis Center for Social Justice last year, Dr. Sekou Franklin knew he was stepping into a big role, and one steeped in history. "He has demonstrated a deep commitment to social justice, education and community — values deeply ingrained in Fisk's mission and legacy," the university's president, Agenia Clark, said when he was hired in July 2025. The longtime political science professor hopes to carry forward that legacy as he works to connect students, faculty and Nashvillians from across the city. A veteran of social justice activism, including a key role in getting a community oversight board on the ballot in Nashville, Sekou says he is impressed every day by the talent he sees in the students on campus, and young people around the city. Guest: Sekou Franklin, executive director, John Lewis Center for Social Justice at Fisk University Host: Demetria Kalodimos Producer: Steve Haruch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    43 min

  5. MAR 19 ·  BONUS

    Bonus: The Case of Estefany Rodríguez

    Banner reporters Steven Hale and Mikeie Honda Reiland sit down to talk about Mikeie's reporting on the case of Estefany Rodríguez, the Nashville Noticias reporter who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on March 5. After our recording, Estefany was released on bond on Thursday, March 19. In this episode, we talk about her background as an immigrant and a reporter as well as the disputed circumstances surrounding her arrest and detention. Mikeie shares his experience visiting her home to talk to her husband and what we've learned about the mass deportation regime by following her case closely.  Produced by Andrea Tudhope Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    25 min

  6. MAR 15

    Mo Sabri: Muslim Country Musician

    Growing up in Johnson City, Tenn., Mo Sabri could look out the window of his parents' house and see cows. He grew up listening to Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. He played baseball and football. It was an all-American childhood in many ways. Add a guitar, and all of this sounds like the perfect backstory for a country music singer — except for a detail or two. Mo's parents immigrated from Pakistan, and he grew up Muslim. Neither of those facts can take away his love for country music, or his pride in being raised just down the road from the hallowed ground of Bristol. Still, after nearly a decade in Nashville and an international following, Mo still finds that for many, just being Muslim is, as he describes it, "radioactive." But that's not stopping him from writing songs or finding new connections between the traditions he embodies. And now, those connections are coming to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, where Mo will perform a special Eid concert on May 31 with musicians of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, combining Appalachian country with South Asian qawwali. This episode was first broadcast in April 2025. Guest: Mo Sabri, musician Host: Demetria Kalodimos Producer: Steve Haruch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    39 min

  7. MAR 13 ·  BONUS

    Bonus: Soccer Stadium CBA Update, Plus a Brief History of the Fairgrounds

    Banner reporters Steven Hale and Stephen Elliott sit down to talk about the fairgrounds, the property's fascinating role in Nashville politics over the past 15 years and Stephen's story about the latest tensions surrounding its development. They also discuss last week's Metro Council meeting and Oscar-nominated movies. Produced by Andrea Tudhope Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    26 min

  8. MAR 8

    Rev. Margie Quinn: Senior Minister, Vine Street Christian Church

    "Is God really a boy?" That's a question that the Rev. Margie Quinn says she found written in her very first diary. Growing up in Nashville — and eventually taking up Ultimate Frisbee, which she still plays seriously — it took many years before she began to see herself as pastor material. But early questions like this showed her eagerness to wrestle with the messy workings of the world and search for deeper truths within. Vine Street Christian Church is more than 200 years old. Recently, the congregation voted to call Rev. Quinn to be their senior minister. At 35, she is young for the position, but the vote was unanimous. Being installed as a pastor in her hometown was a moment she once could not have imagined — having fled the South for nonprofit work on the West Coast — but also the kind of homecoming she later came to realize she needed. Guest: Rev. Margie Quinn, senior minister, Vine Street Christian Church Host: Demetria Kalodimos Producer: Steve Haruch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    40 min
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4.9
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

Banner & Company is a weekly interview podcast from the Nashville Banner hosted by Nashville media legend Demetria Kalodimos.

Information

  • Creator
    Nashville Banner
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    117
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Banner & Company

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