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.

Glenn Jacobs — known to millions around the world as Kane from WWE — sits down with XPLR.NASH to talk about life after the ring, leadership, and what it means to serve Tennessee.

In this conversation, Glenn opens up about his 30-year wrestling career, what it was like joining the WWE Hall of Fame, his journey to becoming Mayor of Knox County, and how faith and family keep him grounded. He also shares behind-the-scenes insights into WWE’s massive logistics operation, life on the road, and how lessons from wrestling shaped his approach to leadership and community.

We also talk about his love for East Tennessee, his favorite local restaurants, and why he calls Knoxville home.

Full episode streaming on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Facebook.

https://www.instagram.com/glennjacobstn?igsh=MWVjNXhpNTluYmN1MQ==

Small Space, Huge Success: The Gold’s Deli StoryGeorge Kougias went from Boston restaurant life to launching Gold’s Deli in Columbia, Tennessee, inside a tiny 275 sq ft shop. In this episode, we get real about starting small, serving quality over quantity, and building a deli that often sells out by mid-afternoon. George shares honest lessons on staffing, menu focus, catering at scale, handling the rush, and why putting the product and the customer first still wins.Topics we cover:• How to know you are ready to open• Why a small, simple menu can beat big concepts• Catering operations from a micro space• Saying no to delivery apps and protecting the guest experience• Profit First cash flow and real peace of mind• Columbia’s growing food district and day-trip ideas• Boston food stories and a quick Beantown itineraryIf you enjoyed this convo, drop a comment with your favorite deli order and share this with a friend who is dreaming of opening their own spot.https://www.instagram.com/goldsdelicolumbia?igsh=MWwwYnQxZXczbG5tNw==https://www.goldsdelicolumbia.com/

BlackBox Ice Cream – From Food Truck to Nashville Favorite 🍦What happens when a touring musician and a Disney-trained artist team up to create Nashville’s most adventurous ice cream shop? You get BlackBox Ice Cream.In this episode of the XPLR.NASH Podcast, we sit down with Alex and Holly, the husband-and-wife team behind BlackBox. Their story is one of creativity, resilience, and community — from turning a family truck into a food truck during the pandemic to building a brick-and-mortar shop in Smyrna.We talk about:Why empathy and hospitality matter in today’s worldHow wild flavors like ube, jalapeño popper, and key lime pie come to lifeThe struggles of running a family business while raising kidsTransitioning from music and art careers into ice cream entrepreneurshipThe food truck scene in Nashville and collaborations with other chefsIf you’ve ever dreamed of starting your own business, or just love hearing the behind-the-scenes of Nashville’s food culture, this episode is packed with inspiration (and a lot of ice cream talk).📍 Follow BlackBox Ice Cream:Instagram: @theblackboxicecreamtruckEmail: blackboxicecreamtruck@gmail.com🎧 Subscribe for more Nashville stories, food, and culture:

@XPLR.NASH

Inside the Champion Mindset with Brandon Curry

On this episode of the XPLR.NASH Podcast, we sit down with Nashville native and 2019 Mr. Olympia Brandon Curry. From his early football days at MTSU to becoming one of the best bodybuilders in the world, Brandon shares how discipline, visualization, and staying present shaped his career. We dive into his training philosophy, how he balances family and business, and the lessons he’s carried from the gym to life.

Brandon opens up about overcoming doubt, the discipline behind training and diet, his rise in the bodybuilding world, and how visualization and staying present became his biggest advantages. He also shares advice on contracts, confidence, and why being true to yourself will always set you apart.

Whether you’re into fitness, entrepreneurship, or just need some motivation, Brandon’s story is packed with wisdom you can apply far beyond the gym.

https://www.instagram.com/brandon__curry/

From Cupcakes to Tequila: Ivey Childers’ Southbound Journey 🌵🥃From running one of Nashville’s most beloved bakeries to creating an award-winning tequila brand, Ivey Childers has reinvented herself in the most inspiring way. 🌟In this episode of the XPLR Podcast, Ivey shares her Southbound Journey—from Tennessee to Mexico—where she built Southbound Tequila, a brand rooted in quality, creativity, and intention.We talk about:✨ The transition from cupcakes to tequila✨ Building Southbound Tequila with authenticity and craft✨ The challenges of scaling a spirits brand✨ Balancing creativity, motherhood, and entrepreneurship✨ Why Nashville is the perfect home for launching a national tequila brandIf you’ve ever wondered what it takes to turn passion into a product, or why tequila deserves to be sipped (not just shot), this conversation is for you.Follow Southbound Tequila: https://www.drinksouthbound.comFollow Southbound on Instagram: @drinksouthboundFollow Ivey Childers on Instagram: @iveychildersSubscribe for more stories from Tennessee’s creators, entrepreneurs, and visionaries.