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Rose Gilbert @rosegilbert.bsky.social · 3d

Such an honor! My podcast for @wpln.bsky.social, “The Country in Our Hearts,” has been awarded “Best Audio Storytelling.”

Thank you to @nashvillescene.com and, as always, to all the people who shared their time and stories with me ❤️

www.nashvillescene.com/bon/2025/med...

Best Audio Storytelling

Audio storytelling is distinctive in its ability to capture the emotion in the voices of people impacted by worldwide issues. WPLN reporter Rose Gilbert accomplishes that in her podcast The

www.nashvillescene.com

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WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio @wpln.bsky.social · Aug 14

WPLN's @rosegilbert.bsky.social traveled to Iraqi Kurdistan to learn about the homeland of many Nashville Kurds.

Halabja loomed large as the site of a 1988 chemical attack. Rose interviewed Mayor Nuxsha Nasih, the first woman appointed mayor there:

wpln.org/post/my-meet...

My meeting with the first female mayor of Halabja, Kurdistan

My first impression of Halabja is of narrow, mostly empty streets; I imagine everyone is inside somewhere, out of the blazing sun. I have a chance to interview Mayor Nuxsha Nasih, who made headlines i...

wpln.org

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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · Aug 13

A small town in rural Tennessee will soon be the site of a privately-run ICE detention center.

Local officials in Mason, Tennessee narrowly approved the contract at a contentious townhall.

wpln.org/post/a-regio...

A regional ICE detention center is coming to rural Tennessee

A small town in rural Tennessee will soon be the site of a privately-run Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center. The town of Mason’s 600-bed

wpln.org

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This Is Nashville @thisisnashville.bsky.social · Jul 2

When a wave of Kurdish refugees came to Nashville, they quickly got to work. They opened businesses and raised their kids. As those kids grew up, they had to figure out how to navigate the world of a first-generation Kurdish-American teenager. And in that world, a new threat was forming —

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This Is Nashville @thisisnashville.bsky.social · Jun 30

The story of how Nashville became home to the largest Kurdish diaspora in America is an epic one. But the story of the Kurdish people, no matter where they are, is a story about a country that only exists in the hearts of its people. And the lengths they’ll go to make it real.

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Rose Gilbert @rosegilbert.bsky.social · Jun 30

You can find all four episodes at WPLN.org/kurdistan

The Country In Our Hearts: two cities, three generations and 50 years of shared history

A new podcast from WPLN News The story of how Nashville became home to the largest Kurdish diaspora in America is an epic one. A tale of bloody genocide, of

WPLN.org

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Rose Gilbert @rosegilbert.bsky.social · Jun 30

The first episode of Nashville Public Radio’s new podcast, “The Country In Our Hearts,” is on the air today @thisisnashville.bsky.social 📻

Stick around after the episode for a conversation with the reporter of the podcast (yours truly).

Today at 12!

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WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio @wpln.bsky.social · Jun 27

The final episode of WPLN’s 4-part series “The Country In Our Hearts” is out now!

WPLN’s @rosegilbert.bsky.social reports that a new wave of Kurds are coming to America. But today, America is a nation in turmoil.

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Rose Gilbert @rosegilbert.bsky.social · Jun 12

The village of Chalke is a beautiful place with a beautiful story:

Freedom fighters, a hand-carved cradle, fresh walnuts and pomegranates. Family meals and harrowing escapes through the mountains.

Thank you to everyone who hosted me!

WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio @wpln.bsky.social · Jun 12

Episode 2 of WPLN’s new series “The Country In Our Hearts” is out now!

Reporter @rosegilbert.bsky.social travels deep into the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan, and deep into one family’s story.

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Rachel Iacovone @racheliacovone.bsky.social · Jun 5

I had the honor of listening to many versions of Episode 1 before today's launch, and STILL, this listen had me holding back tears in public. So tremendously proud of @wpln.bsky.social ‘s @rosegilbert.bsky.social, whose talent and heart know no bounds ♥️

The Country In Our Hearts: two cities, three generations and 50 years of shared history

A new podcast from WPLN News The story of how Nashville became home to the largest Kurdish diaspora in America is an epic one. A tale of bloody genocide, of

wpln.org

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Reposted by Rose Gilbert

Catherine Sweeney @catherinejsweeney.bsky.social · Jun 5

We had a little staff listening party for the first episode of The Country In Our Hearts today. Truly moving. Excited to hear the next episodes and so impressed by @rosegilbert.bsky.social! wpln.org/from-erbil-t...

The Country In Our Hearts: two cities, three generations and 50 years of shared history

A new podcast from WPLN News The story of how Nashville became home to the largest Kurdish diaspora in America is an epic one. A tale of bloody genocide, of

wpln.org

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Reposted by Rose Gilbert

WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio @wpln.bsky.social · Jun 5

Episode 1 of WPLN’s new series “The Country In Our Hearts” is out now!

We travel from a market in South Nashville to the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan to discover what happened on one terrible, pivotal day in 1988.

wpln.org/from-erbil-t...

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WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio @wpln.bsky.social · Jun 3

Subscribe now to The Country In Our Hearts, a new four-part series from WPLN’s @rosegilbert.bsky.social. Follow one family’s epic journey from Kurdistan to Nashville.

wpln.org/from-erbil-t...

New episodes Thursdays in June.

The Country In Our Hearts: two cities, three generations and 50 years of shared history

A new podcast from WPLN News The story of how Nashville became home to the largest Kurdish diaspora in America is an epic one. A tale of bloody genocide, of

wpln.org

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Rose Gilbert @rosegilbert.bsky.social · May 29

New episodes Thursdays in June!

Learn more: WPLN.org/kurdistan

(3/3)

From Erbil to Nashville: two cities, three generations and 50 years of shared history

from NASHVILLE to ERBIL Two cities, three generations, and 50 years of shared history Nashville is home to the largest Kurdish community in the Uni

wpln.org

Rose Gilbert @rosegilbert.bsky.social · May 29

In 1988, hundreds of thousands of Kurds fled northern Iraq as Saddam Hussein’s armies hunted them down. Many ended up in Nashville, making this southern city home to the largest Kurdish community in America. (2/3)

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Rose Gilbert @rosegilbert.bsky.social · May 29

The Country In Our Hearts is a new, four-part @wpln.bsky.social
series — launching on June 5.

I follow one family’s epic journey from Kurdistan to Nashville.

Across centuries, across continents, across generations, this is a story about a people’s fight to exist. (1/3)

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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · May 1

Fewer people identify as Southern Baptists, and fewer churches are affiliated with the Nashville-based denomination, according to an annual report.

But the Southern Baptist Convention has made gains in baptisms and weekly church attendance.

wpln.org/post/souther...

Southern Baptist Convention membership declines while baptisms rise

Fewer people identify as Southern Baptists, and fewer churches are a part of the Nashville-based denomination, according to an annual report.

wpln.org

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Rose Gilbert @rosegilbert.bsky.social · Apr 16

Last fall I travelled from TN to Iraqi Kurdistan.

I kept a reporter’s journal of my trip: the centuries-old bazaars, the soaring mountains, the echoes of war, and the wonderful, generous people I met along the way.

This is where it begins.

wpln.org/post/welcome...

Welcome to the Classy Hotel Ankawa

In this first travelogue from WPLN's Rose Gilbert, we arrive with her in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, for her five-week reporting trip.

wpln.org

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WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio @wpln.bsky.social · Mar 21

Last week, WPLN told you about the Muslim-owned coffeeshops leading Nashville’s sober nightlife scene. One week later, WPLN's @racheliacovone.bsky.social followed back up with Deir Cafe’s Palestinian owner, after the news that Israel had broken its ceasefire in Gaza.

'We are survivors': This Palestinian cafe owner finds strength in his faith after airstrikes resume in Gaza

Last week, WPLN told you about the Muslim-owned coffee houses leading Nashville’s sober nightlife scene during, and after, Ramadan. One of them was Deir Cafe, a Palestinian-owned shop. One week later,...

wpln.org

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WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio @wpln.bsky.social · Mar 14

Last Ramadan, Muslim Nashvillians had one late-night cafe option, The Horn. Now, one year later, WPLN's @racheliacovone.bsky.social reports the city has two more Muslim-owned shops that want to make this sober nightlife culture a year-round thing.

A late-night spot for Ramadan and beyond: Nashville's Muslim-owned coffeeshops stay open, sans alcohol

A handful of Muslim-owned shops in Nashville want to make sober nightlife cafe culture a year-round thing.

wpln.org

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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · Feb 26

Tennessee’s drag ban will remain in effect, as the U.S. Supreme Court refuses to take up a legal challenge to the law.

But LGBTQ advocates may have another avenue to oppose the ban in East Tennessee.

wpln.org/post/tenness...

Tennessee drag ban to stay as SCOTUS refuses to hear the case

Tennessee’s ban on drag in public spaces will remain in effect, as the U.S. Supreme Court refuses to take up a legal challenge to the law. Another suit could give LGTBQ advocates another shot at chall...

wpln.org

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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · Feb 6

Tennessee Republicans are challenging a landmark SCOTUS case that established the right to public education for students without legal status — part of the same playbook that led to the reversal of Roe v. Wade.

wpln.org/post/how-tn-...

How TN Republicans could overturn a landmark SCOTUS immigration case

Tennessee schools would be able to refuse undocumented students, under a new proposal from Republican leaders in the statehouse. The measure goes against U.S. S

wpln.org

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Rose Gilbert @rosegilbert.bsky.social · Feb 4

Rêdûr is a pseudonym, one he picked out because it means “far from home” in Kurdish.

He faced prison in Turkey for a series of tweets, so he fled to Nashville. Now, his asylum case is in limbo.

We did not use his real name because he fears he could be deported.

WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio @wpln.bsky.social · Feb 4

Rêdûr, a Kurdish farmer in Turkey, fled and came to Nashville with his family as asylum seekers two years ago. Now, WPLN's @rosegilbert.bsky.social reports they are among thousands facing an uncertain future after President Trump issued an executive order suspending the asylum process.

This Nashville asylum seeker faced prison for a tweet. Trump's executive order jeopardizes his future.

I met Rêdûr, a Kurdish farmer from Turkey, for tea and kebabs at an international market in South Nashville. As we ate, he told me that he and his family fled their village and came to Nashville as as...

wpln.org

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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · Jan 30

The House has passed the governor's voucher program in a 54-44 vote.

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Marianna Bacallao @mariannabac.bsky.social · Jan 30

As the Tennessee House convenes to consider passing school voucher & immigration enforcement legislation, protestors are chanting “Don’t sell out public schools!” outside the chamber.

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