Nashville Public Radio

Today, what Stewart and I have been discussing for the past two years, is now public! I'm so grateful for the career journey I took, and beyond excited to "refire" and travel the world. Seeing and experiencing new places fills our souls and to do it on our timeline, at whatever pace we decide, on any given day! Here's the official announcement! NASHVILLE PUBLIC RADIO CEO STEVE SWENSON ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT     NASHVILLE, Tenn., January 22, 2025 —  Nashville Public Radio announced today that Steve Swenson, President and Chief Executive Officer, intends to retire from the company in late spring or early summer of this year. A search is underway for his successor. Swenson joined Nashville Public Radio in April of 2019 and led the organization through significant growth. Prior to joining Nashville Public Radio, Swenson worked for CBS Radio for nearly four decades as a broadcast journalist and then in station leadership as a News Director, Program Director, and SVP/General Manager. "It has been an incredible privilege to lead Nashville Public Radio as it has enhanced its public service to this community," said Swenson. "I'm excited to watch the company's next chapter and its continued growth." "Steve was exactly what we needed six years ago to transform Nashville Public Radio into the trusted public news and music source that Nashville deserves," said Neil Thorne, Chairman of Board. "With his team, he has positioned the organization to continue to grow and serve the city in exciting new ways. We wish him the very best in his retirement." During Swenson's tenure, Nashville Public Radio launched a new music discovery station, WNXP; added a daily, live one-hour news show, This Is Nashville; tripled the number of reporting beats; added editorial staff; and partnered with multiple national news organizations including ProPublica, New York Times, Serial, and NPR's Embedded. WPLN News also garnered accolades, including the prestigious Peabody and Edward R. Murrow Awards. ABOUT NASHVILLE PUBLIC RADIO  Nashville Public Radio is celebrating its 62nd year as a civic and cultural institution serving Middle Tennessee. Since 2020 the organization has launched a new music discovery station, 91.1, WNXP; doubled the size of WPLN's news team; and created its first ever one-hour daily news show, This Is Nashville. In addition, the public service nonprofit launched a weekday morning news and information email newsletter and podcast, the NashVillager. The organization also broadcasts and streams a classical music service on 90.3 HD-2 and 91Classical.org; plus WPLN International provides the BBC World Service with 24 hours a day broadcasting on 90.3 HD-3 and streaming on WPLN.org.