Andrea Tudhope is the newest member of WPLN News. As Executive Producer of the station’s first-ever daily show, Andrea will craft the vision for This Is Nashville and make it a reality with a brand new team of six. Get to know her.
Andrea’s pronouns: she/her
1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A spy! You can probably see the pipeline… I’m curious and endlessly drawn to people. I also wanted to be a marine biologist at one point. One thing about me — I have a wide swath of interests, and a genuine commitment to keeping those interests alive and thriving.
2. What made you want to work for WPLN News?
Last year I had the privilege of creating and launching a national talk show around the election, in partnership with public media journalists across the country, called America Amplified: Election 2020. Our challenge was to create something that would sound different, provide new insights in a time when our airwaves were crowded with politicians and pundits. We crafted a show that focused on the rest of us — one that was truly driven by community, and pivoted away from the traditional “experts” to make space for the expertise of lived experience. My goal after that was to do the same thing at a local level.
So when I found that WPLN News was launching a new daily show, I jumped at the opportunity. Right off the bat, I was impressed by the station’s dedication of time and resources to the show. A live daily show is no small feat, and I could see that Nashville Public Radio leadership takes that seriously. WPLN’s substantial investment in starting a live daily news show is an investment in the community, and that speaks volumes to me. When I got to meet the WPLN News team, I was moved by how eager, thoughtful and talented they are. Getting to know more about the staff and their hopes for the daily show sealed the deal for me.
3. What can listeners expect from This Is Nashville?
This Is Nashville will not only showcase the high-quality journalism this newsroom creates on a daily basis, but also fill in the gaps. Our show will bring listeners along as we get to know communities all around Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. I envision the show as a gathering place, where we invite diverse perspectives we don’t hear often enough, and prioritize the people most impacted by the latest developments in our city and state, whether it’s a natural disaster or a new law or ordinance.
My goal is to bring folks from all walks of life together to talk across their differences and find their shared values. In the show, we’ll have the news you need on a daily basis… but beyond that, you can expect to be surprised and delighted.
4. a) Do you consider yourself to be a foodie? b) Any favorite Nashville restaurants so far? c) Any places on your “must try” list?
If I say I’ll eat anything, do I still qualify as a foodie? I’m indiscriminate. I already love Prince’s — personally recommended to me by WPLN’s own Ambriehl Crutchfield — and am definitely eyeing that XXX hot… On my list right now: Bolton’s, La Juquilita, Slim and Husky’s, and a bunch of places on Nolensville Pike, like Panca and Edessa.
5. What do you like to do for fun outside the office?
Though this may be stretching the definition of “fun,” I love to run and am currently training for my first marathon. Beyond that, fun for me is meeting strangers and going on spontaneous adventures.
BONUS: Where else have you lived besides Middle Tennessee?
Kansas City, Missouri, is my hometown. Growing up, I lived mostly in a small suburb in Kansas until I went to college in Colorado Springs. I had an extended jaunt in Dublin, Ireland, interviewing people for a book I’m writing. I’ve lived in Denver and New York City. From there, I felt drawn back to my hometown. I wanted to get to know it better, and I’m glad I did. That’s where I spent the last seven years of my life.
On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM