In this episode, we sit down with Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell for a wide-ranging conversation on what it’s really like leading one of America’s fastest-growing cities.We talk candidly about the challenges of modern politics, building and maintaining public trust, and what Mayor O’Connell has learned during his time in office. The conversation dives deep into Nashville’s transit future, East Bank development, neighborhood investments, public safety response times, and how infrastructure decisions made today shape the next generation of the city.We also touch on small business concerns, property taxes, permitting delays, technology-forward transit planning, and what Nashville’s long-term identity could look like if housing, transportation, and neighborhoods grow together the right way.This episode was recorded a few weeks before release, so some details may have shifted, but the vision, strategy, and philosophy behind Nashville’s growth are fully on display.

What happens when a Philly native runs track at TSU, falls in love with Nashville, and decides the city deserves a real cheesesteak?

On this episode of The XPLR.NASH Podcast, we sit down with Z, owner of It’z a Philly Thing, to talk about how he turned a single food trailer into one of Nashville’s most talked-about spots for authentic Philadelphia cheesesteaks — now serving daily from a permanent setup in Bellevue.

Z shares:

🍽️ How It’z a Philly Thing started from a college dorm freezer and evolved into a staple in Nashville’s food scene

🚚 What it’s like running a food trailer full-time with a permanent home base

💡 Lessons in patience, focus, and knowing your worth in the food business

📈 How an XPLR.NASH video helped boost sales overnight

🌆 Why Nashville still needs Philly classics like stromboli and real breakfast sandwiches

If you love authentic food stories, small-business hustle, and Nashville culture — this episode is for you.

📍 Guest: Z, Owner of It’z a Philly Thing (Bellevue, TN)🎧

Podcast: The XPLR.NASH Podcast

🌐 Website: itsaphillything.com

📲 Follow: @itzaphillything on Instagram and Facebook.👇

Comment below: What’s your go-to Philly order — cheesesteak, hoagie, or stromboli?

They built one of Tennessee’s best barbecue spots out of pure grit, faith, and heart ❤️

Nick and Kendra from Brazen Q in Livingston, TN, share their incredible story — from being house parents helping at-risk kids to surviving cancer, building a restaurant from the ground up, and learning how to keep their dream alive through community, consistency, and good food.

They talk about:

🔥 The difference between Texas and Memphis-style barbecue🔥 Overcoming throat cancer while opening their restaurant

🔥 What it means to run a small-town BBQ joint with big-city flavor

🔥 The impact of our XPLR.NASH video that helped grow their business 300%

🔥 Their three pillars: undeniably good food, top-notch hospitality, and consistencyIf you love real stories of Tennessee grit, entrepreneurship, and amazing food — this one will hit home.

https://www.brazenque.com/

🎧 Listen on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Facebook.📍

Visit Brazen Q in Livingston, Tennessee — it’s worth the drive.