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This Is Nashville logo
TuesdayAugust 15, 2023

The grind never stops: side hustle culture in Middle Tennessee

Rachel IacovoneWPLN News
Side hustles aren't just for the next country music superstar slinging drinks on Broadway.
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When you think of side hustles and Nashville, you probably imagine an aspiring country singer bartending on Broadway while he hopes one of the country legends will come in and give him his big break. That is definitely a huge part of Nashville’s culture — we are Music City, after all.

But as gas prices continue to rise, student loan repayments resume, and groceries seemingly have quadrupled in price overnight, the side hustle is no longer just for the young and hungry. Who else has side hustles? And why?

In this episode, we’ll dive into what the culture of side hustles is in Nashville for people across generations and professional fields. 

But first, WPLN general assignment reporter Rose Gilbert joins us to talk about her latest reporting on Fulbright scholars in Afghanistan.

This episode was produced by Elizabeth Burton. 

Guests: 

  • Jack Settle, country musician and pressure washer
  • Jakob Wilkomm, bass player, German translator, and dog-sitter
  • Jeff Bornstein, acclaimed magician, stuntman, and special effects artist
  • Micah Puncochar, co-owner of Compost Nashville and builder of raised flower beds
  • Kimberly Bornstein, acclaimed magician and mentalist
  • Lara Parker, restaurant manager, tarot card reader, and aspiring birth doula

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