Music history, adventurous bus rides, mysterious foods and the niche world of kustom kulture cars — these were the subjects of some of our most joyful human interest reporting by WPLN in 2025.
As we look back at the year, it’s moments like these that we hope you’ll carry with you.
And if you want to spread joy even further, just gather family ‘round your speaker of choice and listen together.
Nashville-based comedians Rhonda Sweat and Marcus Lustig
It’s time for some laughs! Our first This Is Nashville stand-up special (This Is Nashville, Feb. 4, 2025)
Cynthia Abrams WPLN NewsReagan Harkins, a Hume Fogg High School senior, has made it his mission to ride every WeGo route before he graduates.
An audacious quest: Nashville teen tries to ride every city bus route before graduation (Cynthia Abrams, Feb. 16, 2025)
Hunter Holder Big Freedia put out a gospel album in 2025 and performed at Nashville Pride.
Big Freedia is going to take Nashville Pride to the club … and to church (Jewly Hight, June 26, 2025)
Tasha A.F. Lemley Candace Ballard in her Square Barbie — a modified 1977 Chevrolet C10
Shaved, channeled, chopped and sectioned: How old cars show off new shapes in kustom kulture (Tasha A.F. Lemley, July 9, 2025)
The Belcourt Theater has become a “third space” where people gather and share.
The Belcourt Theatre’s secret to success is good conversation (Justin Barney, June 13, 2025)
Even more fun?
Don’t miss the worldwide hunt for a song that ended in Nashville; a trip behind the scenes during Opry 100, a latenight at The Horn; and a deep dive into a traveling carnival notebook.
You can also find more joy story roundups from prior years: 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
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