If you love Brandi Carlile and Stephen Wilson, Jr. make room on your playlists for your new obsession, Bre Kennedy.

I was lucky enough to hear Bre Kennedy when she was opening for Stephen Wilson, Jr. at The Pageant in St. Louis. I turned to my friend and said, "I have to have her on my podcast!" Fast forward a week, and she was sitting across from me. We were instant friends. We were kindred spirits. We were bonded by our love of lyrics, artistry, and something we all know -- grief.

In this episode, we talk about all of it:

* What it feels like to walk out on stage with just a guitar
* How to keep going when you lose someone so close that they are your "North Star"
* Opening for Stephen Wilson, Jr (and having him open for you)
* and my moment of clarity when I realize why I was so instantly obsessed with Bre's voice

You'll watch this one on the edge of your seat -- and somehow still feel completely comfortable. That's how I felt sitting with Bre Kennedy.

And then you'll go download her music, including her new album The Alchemist, while checking her tour dates because you'll know you can't miss a show.

Trust me when I tell you that this is one to watch...you'll be able to say you knew her before the entire world was talking about her.

Follow Bre on Instagram: @iambrekennedy

Tour dates and more: www.iambrekennedy.com

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Connect with Amanda on The Nashville Insider Instagram, Amanda's Instagram, and YouTube.

In this episode, I sit down with Nashville photographer James Wolf -- the talent behind my podcast cover photos -- for a conversation about confidence, identity, and what it really means to be seen.

We talk about why photos can feel so vulnerable, how the right photographer can change the way you see yourself, and what it takes to capture real, honest moments.

James also shares parts of his personal story and how it shaped the way he approaches his work and connects with people.

If you’ve ever struggled to feel confident in photos, this episode will hit.

Best advice: Know your vices.

Follow James on Instagram: @jameswolfphotography

Follow Amanda & The Nashville Insider: @askamandaadams & @thenashvilleinsider

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Don't forget: new episodes drop every Tuesday! Like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to make sure you never miss a minute!

Connect with Amanda on The Nashville Insider Instagram, Amanda's Instagram, and YouTube.

In this episode, I sit down with entrepreneur Adam Tanaka to talk about burnout, identity, and what it means to start over.

After years of building a successful business, Adam realized he had lost himself in the process. What followed was a shift toward a more intentional, creative, and fulfilling way of living—including selling everything and starting fresh in a new place.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your life or unsure what’s next, this conversation will resonate.

Best advice: Lead with curiosity.

Follow Adam on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamtanaka/

Support the show

Don't forget: new episodes drop every Tuesday! Like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to make sure you never miss a minute!

Connect with Amanda on The Nashville Insider Instagram, Amanda's Instagram, and YouTube.

Inside the Mind: A Nashville Therapist on Relationships, Identity & What We Don’t Talk About

In this episode, I sit down with Nashville therapist Valerie Martin for a wide-ranging conversation about relationships, identity, and the things we don’t talk about enough.

We get into why problems are rarely what they seem, how culture shapes the way we see ourselves, and what therapy actually looks like when it works.

It’s honest, thoughtful, and the kind of conversation that makes you think about your own life a little differently.

Best advice: Honor your spark.

Follow Valerie on Instagram: @existentiallyval & thegaiacenter

Follow Amanda & The Nashville Insider on Instagram: @askamandaadams & thenashvilleinsider

Support the show

Don't forget: new episodes drop every Tuesday! Like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to make sure you never miss a minute!

Connect with Amanda on The Nashville Insider Instagram, Amanda's Instagram, and YouTube.

Inside the Mind: A Nashville Therapist Explains Why We Are the Way We Are

In this episode, I sit down with Nashville therapist and Enneagram expert Katie Gustafson to explore what actually shapes our behavior, decisions, and identity.

We talk about the patterns we pick up early in life, how they follow us into adulthood, and why understanding them can change everything -- from your career to your relationships.

It’s not about putting yourself in a box. It’s about seeing yourself more clearly.

Best advice: Live the question.

Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiegustafson.co

Follow Amanda & The Nashville Insider: @askamandaadams & @thenashvilleinsider

Support the show

Don't forget: new episodes drop every Tuesday! Like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to make sure you never miss a minute!

Connect with Amanda on The Nashville Insider Instagram, Amanda's Instagram, and YouTube.

Chef Jenn McWhorter has spent years cooking behind the scenes as a private chef for Nashville clients who want healthy, chef-prepared meals without the restaurant hassle.

Now she’s bringing that same cooking style to a new space in the city.

Jenn is the founder of The Prepped Palate, a commercial kitchen in Wedgewood-Houston where people can stop by and grab fresh meals that are already prepped and ready to go.

On this episode of The Nashville Insider, Amanda and Jenn talk about:

• Life as a private chef
• What Nashville clients really want to eat
• Why grab-and-go meals don’t have to be boring
• And how Jenn built The Prepped Palate into one of Nashville’s most exciting new kitchens

If you love Nashville food and the people behind it, you’ll love this conversation.

Support the show

Don't forget: new episodes drop every Tuesday! Like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to make sure you never miss a minute!

Connect with Amanda on The Nashville Insider Instagram, Amanda's Instagram, and YouTube.

The bob is bobbing… and yes—this is where I get it done. ✂️✨

This week on The Nashville Insider, I’m sitting down with Eric Marshall Wright, Nashville native and owner of Eric Marshall Salon.

I’ve been going to this salon for years—long before Eric took it over from my friend Mandy (who I’ve known since I moved to Nashville in 2006). It’s always been one of those places… and now it’s his. Same people, same feel, just his eye for it.

If you’ve ever asked me about my hair, this is where it happens.

We get into:

• why Eric always knew he’d end up in hair -- and how fashion played a role early on
• what it takes to build and run a go-to salon in Nashville right now
• why “Southern blonde” is actually a thing -- and why Nashville does it better
• the kind of clients, conversations, and energy that make this industry what it is
• trusting your instincts, taking risks, and building something people keep coming back to

Eric has built something really special here -- and once you see it, you’ll understand why people book their next appointment before they even leave.

🎧 New episodes weekly
✨ Welcome to The Nashville Insider

Follow the salon @ericmarshallsalon

Follow Eric @ericmarshallwright

Support the show

Don't forget: new episodes drop every Tuesday! Like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to make sure you never miss a minute!

Connect with Amanda on The Nashville Insider Instagram, Amanda's Instagram, and YouTube.

ABC canceled The Bachelorette this season. The Christian Bachelorette, however, has entered the chat.

Jayme Vayner is a Nashville-based Christian dating coach, wedding planner, and the woman behind the upcoming book The Christian Bachelorette — and she has been living this story for real, no cameras required. She dated 77 men over three years, documented every date, gave every guy a nickname, and came out the other side with actual answers. In this conversation, we talk about why she went no-kiss for the entire three years, how to stop attaching too quickly, what it looks like to really honor your yes, and why every rejection might just be God's rescue in disguise. Whether you're actively dating, swearing it off, or somewhere in the middle — this one's for you.

Follow Jayme on Instagram @jaymevaynеr and @thechristianbachelorette.

Support the show

Don't forget: new episodes drop every Tuesday! Like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to make sure you never miss a minute!

Connect with Amanda on The Nashville Insider Instagram, Amanda's Instagram, and YouTube.