Inside Politics - NewsChannel 5 Plus Nashville cover art

Inside Politics - NewsChannel 5 Plus Nashville

Inside Politics - NewsChannel 5 Plus Nashville

By: NewsChannel 5+ Nashville
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Inside Politics is a weekly, half-hour show televised by NewsChannel 5+ in Nashville, Tennessee. It premieres on Fridays at 7PM Central Time (Comcast Channel 250, Charter 182). This audio-only format of the show is identical to what is televised and is available anywhere you get your podcasts so you can listen outside of the viewing area or available for download in case you miss the televised broadcast.

The show features numerous high-profile guests as well as historical and political subject matter experts including professors from Vanderbilt University, reporters from other Nashville news outlets, and household name politicians like Representative Jim Cooper, former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, Congressman John Rose, Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, and more.

Pat Nolan serves as the show's host. Pat has worked as a political analyst and reporter in and around Nashville for almost fifty years. He has worked in television, radio, and for the Office of the Mayor in Nashville. He has covered breaking news stories, live election updates, and for many years served as announcer for Nashville Metro Council meetings.

Political Science Politics & Government World
Episodes
  • Strategy for Democrats for Mid-terms
    Jun 27 2026

    TN State Democratic Chair Rachel Campbell presents Democratic candidates in the Aug. 6, 2027 primary election saying all their platforms address real TN problems, not mean-spirited rhetoric.

    Five Democratic Candidates are running to be Tennessee's governor. Campbell presents a brief introduction to Carnita Atwater from Memphis, Tim Cyr from Gallatin, Jerri Green from Memphis, Adam "Ditch" Kurtz from Nashville, and Kevin Lee McCants from Murfreesboro.

    Campbell says, "We see rising gas prices, energy prices, unaffordable housing everywhere. The cost of education is too high. People can't afford to put their kids in daycare anymore. The Republicans aren't trying to solve these problems. They are trying to solve made-up problems to stay in the culture war. We are doing the real work trying to make it more affordable to live in Tennessee and elect candidates that believe in human rights, believe in affordability, and believe all our neighbors deserve a fair shot. The next generation deserves more than what they are getting."

    NewsChannel 5+ programs can be seen on Comcast/Xfinity Ch 1028 and over the air on Ch. 28. Inside Politics also streams live Fridays at 7pm and on our website: https://www.newschannel5.com/live3 as well as the NewsChannel 5 Now app on Connected TVs through Roku, AppleTV, AndroidTV, etc.

    You can view episodes of Inside Politics on https://www.newschannel5.com/plus

    Support the show: https://www.newschannel5.com/plus/inside-politics

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    22 mins
  • A Conversation with Lamar Alexander
    Jun 20 2026

    Former U.S. Senator and Governor of Tennessee Lamar Alexander says the reason he went into politics was to help the most people he could. He believed he could do more and help more in the public sector than in the private sector.

    In his new book, "The Education of a Senator: From JFK to Trump", Alexander gives detailed stories and insight from working with 10 presidents during some of the most important moments in US History.

    A traditional Republican, Alexander doesn't agree with the extreme right point of view, but he doesn't like being called a moderate. Alexander says, "Conservatism properly understood includes flexibility and patience... If you're elected, there will likely be people who disagree with you, so if you want a result, you have to adjust your position to deal with them. One of my principles is flexibility... How are you ever going to do anything unless you compromise? How did we get Medicaid? How did we get Medicare? How did we get the National Park System? How did we get this country?... The whole political process is to take principles we mostly agree with and try to fit them together in a way most people can live with the result. That's what you do in public life."

    As governor, Alexander worked to build a strong two-party system when Tennessee was a Democratic supermajority, but today he thinks the Democrats need to learn how to get elected.

    Other topics include President Obama, January 6 and rebuking the Far-Right, Education and Policy Reform, and the loss of a strong two party system in Tennessee.

    Watch full shows Fridays 7pm on NewsChannel 5.2, Comcast 250, Spectrum/Charter 182 or stream it live on newschannel5.com/live3, or through NewsChannel 5 Now app through Roku, AppleTV, AndroidTV, etc.
    Available Fridays at 7:30pm Central Time at:
    https://www.newschannel5.com/plus/inside-politics

    Support the show: https://www.newschannel5.com/plus/inside-politics

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • Chaz Molder's Race for TN-05 Congressional District
    Jun 13 2026

    Democratic candidate for Congressional District 5, Chaz Molder, is determined to keep his promise to defeat Andy Ogles in November. Molder, the current mayor of Columbia, remains committed to the race despite a recent redistricting that sliced around his home and removed him from the district. As a former coach, Molder says he wants to lead by example: "Certainly I was disappointed, certainly it's created some additional challenges that were not present to begin with, but my 3 kids watch every move I make and I wasn't about to give up on this race because I want them to know their dad is not a quitter."Born and raised in Columbia, Tennessee, Molder attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and earned his law degree from the University of Memphis in Memphis. He says his focus will always be on putting Tennesseans first: "I love this state and no matter what the maps may be, we're gonna be a champion for everyone in the district."Traveling across the state — from Memphis through the western border counties, up to the northern border, and deep into Middle Tennessee — Molder says he hears the people’s needs and their frustration with Andy Ogles loud and clear." Andy Oogles has betrayed us. He has not done what he said he would do. He spends more time on social media than he does helping the people back home. He's more concerned about making national headlines for the wrong reasons instead of local headlines for the right reasons. It's a serious time and we need serious people around the table for serious conversations. "Molder doesn’t hold back on his assessment of his opponent: "Tennessee is known for sending statesmen to D.C., Andy Oogles a statesman he is not!"

    NewsChannel 5+ can be seen on Comcast/Xfinity Ch. 250, Spectrum/Charter Ch. 182 and over the air on Ch. 5.2. Inside Politics also streams live Fridays at 7pm and Saturdays at 3pm on our website: https://www.newschannel5.com/live3 as well as the NewsChannel 5 Now app on Connected TVs through Roku, AppleTV, AndroidTV, etc. This episode will air throughout the weekend on NewsChannel 5+ Sat. at 5:30am, 3pm, Sun. at 1am, 9am, 7pm, Mon. at 2:30pm and Tues., 3pm unless pre-empted and will be posted at: https://www.newschannel5.com/plus/inside-politics

    Support the show: https://www.newschannel5.com/plus/inside-politics

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
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