I’m going to admit something here and now.
I have always dreamed of hosting my own interview show ala my idols Oprah, Terry Gross, David Letterman, and Charlie Rose. Yes, I know everyone has a podcast these days – the medium of the millennium – but these were the people I grew up listening to. The great interviewers, particularly those on radio and television, are the ones I looked up to when learning my craft. Therefore, my goal when I started putting together “Nashville Conversations” after moving back to town was greater than a podcast or YouTube series. It was to produce something that felt more like a television show, even if we did it straight from Lilyland, aka my apartment.
“I want a video interview series that feels cinematic, with an intro, great guests, and dynamic conversation that flies by even before you know it,” I told my director, Kaleb Knight. “I want to create a setting where I can really dig into all the great people that make this city tick and potentially expand it to other cities.” My ambition in a nutshell was a bit more grandiose; think Anthony Bourdain more than your local business podcast. Yet my go big or go home philosophy meant a well-curated list of guests when I was still unpacking my moving boxes and financing from partners who truly believed in the idea.
Yet, I was really passionate about this idea and knew I would make it happen.
Plus, while I have always been someone to buck, rather than jump on a trend, I did like the idea of making my interviews more accessible. I am prouder than you can imagine to have written three books and one ebook, but that format can also be limiting. My philosophy became, let’s put together a series of 12 interviews with interesting Nashvillians who are also great storytellers and see what happens.
To be honest, like most of my life, once I made up my mind a cast of fascinating people started to naturally cross my path. I have always said that I was like a magnet for interesting folks, and one person after the next began to pop up in the perfect way. By opening myself up to the idea that I would curate the perfect lineup, they naturally walked into my loft.
I’m not going to spoil my love for keeping secrets by telling you who I interviewed for these first 12 episodes. (We need more mystery these days anyway.) However, I will say I was delighted to have the pleasure of my capstone interview being Mayor Freddie O’Connell, who came on to talk about issues regarding the artistic community. To be able to show the mayor around the city’s only residency dedicated solely to artists was an experience for the books and one I hope leads to other bold politicians coming on.
So, to those who have supported me from the jump, I can’t wait to share this innovation of my interviews with you. And to those I have recently met, I encourage you to follow along if you’re a fan of wisdom, inspiration, and creative energy.
I couldn’t be prouder to start releasing the first season of “Nashville Conversations,” shot entirely at the Ryman Lofts, the city’s only residency dedicated solely to artists, and hopefully inspire others to have similarly life-changing conversations. In a world that tends to separate us too often through technology, I can tell you that conversations on the couch are where it’s at. (Even Mayor O’Connell agreed.)
Look out for our first episode, dropping on Saturday, September 20, at 9, and special thanks to our sponsor, Freeman Webb.
Love, Lily
