Rose Gilbert
@rosegilbert.bsky.social
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...
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
October 9, 2025 at 4:21 PM
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...
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...
Reposted by Rose Gilbert
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...
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
August 14, 2025 at 2:29 PM
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...
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...
Reposted by Rose Gilbert
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...
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
August 13, 2025 at 2:09 PM
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...
Local officials in Mason, Tennessee narrowly approved the contract at a contentious townhall.
wpln.org/post/a-regio...
Reposted by Rose Gilbert
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 —
July 2, 2025 at 3:09 PM
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 —
Reposted by Rose Gilbert
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.
June 30, 2025 at 4:31 PM
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.
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!
Stick around after the episode for a conversation with the reporter of the podcast (yours truly).
Today at 12!
June 30, 2025 at 3:48 PM
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!
Stick around after the episode for a conversation with the reporter of the podcast (yours truly).
Today at 12!
Reposted by Rose Gilbert
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.
WPLN’s @rosegilbert.bsky.social reports that a new wave of Kurds are coming to America. But today, America is a nation in turmoil.
June 27, 2025 at 7:12 PM
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.
WPLN’s @rosegilbert.bsky.social reports that a new wave of Kurds are coming to America. But today, America is a nation in turmoil.
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!
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!
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.
Reporter @rosegilbert.bsky.social travels deep into the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan, and deep into one family’s story.
June 12, 2025 at 5:36 PM
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!
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!
Reposted by Rose Gilbert
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
June 5, 2025 at 2:04 PM
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 ♥️
Reposted by Rose Gilbert
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
June 5, 2025 at 4:24 PM
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...
Reposted by Rose Gilbert
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...
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...
June 5, 2025 at 6:03 PM
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...
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...
Reposted by Rose Gilbert
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.
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
June 3, 2025 at 4:54 PM
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.
wpln.org/from-erbil-t...
New episodes Thursdays in June.
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)
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)
May 29, 2025 at 5:28 PM
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)
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)
Reposted by Rose Gilbert
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...
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
May 1, 2025 at 1:05 AM
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...
But the Southern Baptist Convention has made gains in baptisms and weekly church attendance.
wpln.org/post/souther...
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...
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
April 16, 2025 at 5:08 PM
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...
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...
Reposted by Rose Gilbert
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
March 21, 2025 at 2:48 PM
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.
Reposted by Rose Gilbert
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
March 14, 2025 at 2:30 PM
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.
Reposted by Rose Gilbert
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...
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
February 26, 2025 at 12:36 AM
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...
But LGBTQ advocates may have another avenue to oppose the ban in East Tennessee.
wpln.org/post/tenness...
Reposted by Rose Gilbert
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-...
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
February 6, 2025 at 11:14 PM
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-...
wpln.org/post/how-tn-...
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.
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.
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
February 4, 2025 at 5:17 PM
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.
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.
Reposted by Rose Gilbert
The House has passed the governor's voucher program in a 54-44 vote.
January 30, 2025 at 7:48 PM
The House has passed the governor's voucher program in a 54-44 vote.
Reposted by Rose Gilbert
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.
January 30, 2025 at 3:36 PM
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.
“Everything has been canceled across the country, every flight,” said Max Rykov with the Nashville International Center for Empowerment (NICE), a local refugee resettlement nonprofit.
“We’re in this state of limbo.”
“We’re in this state of limbo.”
Flights for more than 10,000 refugees who were cleared to come to the United States have been canceled following an executive order from President Donald Trump. WPLN's @rosegilbert.bsky.social reports that includes dozens of people who had been approved to travel to Middle Tennessee.
Refugees approved to resettle in Tennessee are now blocked by Trump order
A refugee resettlement nonprofit says dozens of people were expected in coming weeks, including some who had worked with the U.S. military, and many who had waited years to reunite with their families...
wpln.org
January 27, 2025 at 5:03 PM
“Everything has been canceled across the country, every flight,” said Max Rykov with the Nashville International Center for Empowerment (NICE), a local refugee resettlement nonprofit.
“We’re in this state of limbo.”
“We’re in this state of limbo.”
The Kurdish forces in Syria have been the United States’ main partner in the fight against ISIS. However, the United States and Turkey are also allies — which makes things complicated.
Members of Nashville’s Kurdish community showed concern and outrage following Turkish attacks on Syrian Kurds. WPLN’s @rosegilbert.bsky.social reports from the crowd that was chanting, singing and holding signs with slogans like “U.S.A., Defend Your Kurdish Allies!”
'USA, defend your Kurdish allies!' Nashville's Kurdish community outraged following Turkish attacks on Syrian Kurds
A crowd of about 60 gathered in front of the Christmas tree by Nashville’s downtown courthouse, chanting, singing and holding signs with slogans including "D
wpln.org
December 12, 2024 at 7:09 PM
The Kurdish forces in Syria have been the United States’ main partner in the fight against ISIS. However, the United States and Turkey are also allies — which makes things complicated.
“Even if the devil himself ruled Syria, it’s going to be better than what we had,” said Saleh Sbenaty, who is a professor at MTSU.
After 13 years of civil war, Syrian rebel forces have taken the capital Damascus, and President Bashar al-Assad has fled the country. WPLN's @rosegilbert.bsky.social reports many in Middle Tennessee’s Syrian community are celebrating Assad's fall from power.
Middle Tennessee's Syrian community celebrates after rebels oust Assad regime
In Murfreesboro, members of the local Syrian community sing, dance, pray and play the drums. The room is filled with Syrian flags: Some are cloth, some are hand
wpln.org
December 10, 2024 at 6:19 PM
“Even if the devil himself ruled Syria, it’s going to be better than what we had,” said Saleh Sbenaty, who is a professor at MTSU.