FORward Radio program archives

Linda Allewalt of Shelbyville, Kentucky, has been a church/state activist for over fifteen years, including service for three years on the National Advisory Council of Americans United for Separation of Church and State in Washington representing the Louisville American United chapter.

This week on Sustainability Now!, we bring you highlights from the Metropolitan Housing Coalition's conference held on April 7, 2026 at the Muhammad Ali Center, entitled "Beyond The Rent: Policy Driven Solutions for Housing and Utility Burdens." Today we'll hear the breakfast Keynote address by Dr. Will Bryan, Director of Research at the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, speaking on "Affordability Beyond the Rent: Utility Burdens and the True Cost of Housing in Louisville, KY.” In September 2025, MHC released this, their first housing and utility affordability report, in partnership with the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA). During his keynote address, Dr. Bryan expanded upon the findings of the report, which explores the challenges of utility affordability, reviews current Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) cases and the regulatory landscape, and provides policy recommendations to ensure consistent access to affordable housing and essential utilities for all members of our community. Learn more about the conference at https://beyondtherent.org As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at https://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at https://appalatin.com

On this week's Truth to Power, we bring you another highlight from the Metropolitan Housing Coalition's conference held on April 7, 2026 at the Muhammad Ali Center, entitled "Beyond The Rent: Policy Driven Solutions for Housing and Utility Burdens." Tune in to hear the afternoon panel: 2025 was a year of major reports on housing, energy, and water affordability. This panel brought together representatives from leading organizations (Mountain Association, Appalachian Citizens Law Center, Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, and Union of Concerned Scientists) to highlight key findings and discuss the policies needed to advance affordable utilities and housing across the commonwealth and the nation. Panelists included: 1. Dr. William Bryan, Director of Research at the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, Read Report: https://everyhomelou.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Affordability-Beyond-the-Rent-2025-Final-Report-min.pdf 2. Mary Cromer, Deputy Director, Appalachian Citizens Law Center, Read Report: https://aclc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Lights-Out-Report-Final.pdf 3. Alicia Race, Climate Resilience Policy Advocate, Union of Concerned Scientists, Read Report: https://www.ucs.org/resources/colliding-crises 4. Chris Woolery, Energy Projects Coordinator, Mountain Association, Read Report: https://kyrc.org/energy-report/ Learn more about the conference and speakers at https://beyondtherent.org Truth to Power airs every Friday at 9pm, Saturday at 11am, and Sunday at 7pm on Louisville's grassroots, community radio station, Forward Radio 106.5fm WFMP and live streams at https://www.forwardradio.org

On this week's Access Hour, we bring you a major highlight from the Metropolitan Housing Coalition's conference held on April 7, 2026 at the Muhammad Ali Center, entitled "Beyond The Rent: Policy Driven Solutions for Housing and Utility Burdens." Tune in to hear the Dinner Keynote featuring Brionté McCorkle, Executive Director of Georgia Conservation Voters speaking on "Power Play: How Data Centers Shape Our Energy Future." Data centers are rapidly expanding across the U.S., but what does that mean for local energy use and utility costs? Tune in to hear from Brionté McCorkle, a nationally recognized climate justice leader and Executive Director of Georgia Conservation Voters, for a conversation on how data centers are reshaping the energy landscape and how communities can get involved in decisions affecting rates, reliability, and energy policy. Learn more about the conference at https://beyondtherent.org The Access Hour airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Wednesday at 2pm and repeats Thursdays at 11am and Fridays at 1pm. Find us at https://forwardradio.org If you've got something you'd like to share on community radio through the Access Hour, whether it's a recording you made or a show you'd like to do on a particular topic, community, artistic creation, or program that is under-represented in Louisville's media landscape, just go to forwardradio.org, click on Participate and pitch us your idea. The Access Hour is your opportunity to take over the air waves to share your passion.

Francesco Da Vinci carries a master's degree in cosmology and social psychology. He is currently a journalist, a nonviolent activist, and a Pulitzer-nominated photographer, who lives and works in Los Angeles. He hopes to inspire today's generation to be of service to others and to explore the power of nonviolent activism for social change. Franscico Da Vinci is also the author of the book I Refuse to Kill: My Path to Nonviolence Action in the 1960s.

What is the process whereby viruses living in animals can spread to people? Are there specific genetic changes required for the shift to human hosts? Was the virus that causes COVID-19 genetically engineered in the lab? Dave Robinson discusses. Then, Amanda Fuller (Executive Director of the Kentucky Academy of Sciences) interviews Kyisha Walter (Psychology student at the University of Louisville) about her research on student learning. Kyisha explored the use of games to teach students about social dilemmas. Finally, Scott Miller (Maysville Community and Technical College, Maysville, KY) discusses the stars, planets, constellations and meteor showers we can see in the night sky in April. ‘Bench Talk: The Week in Science' is a weekly program that airs on WFMP Louisville FORward Radio 106.5 FM (forwardradio.org) every Monday at 7:30 pm, Tuesday at 11:30 am, and Wednesday at 7:30 am. Visit our Facebook page for links to the articles discussed in this episode: https://www.facebook.com/BenchTalkRadio

This week on Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, begins a mini series of interviews with candidates who will be appearing on your May 19th Kentucky Primary ballot. This week we hear from Aprile Hearn, the DSA Candidate for Metro Council District 5 in the northwest end of Jefferson Co.: Portland, Shawnee, Chickasaw, & western Russell. Aprile is a lifelong District 5 resident who has been involved in activist work since 2016. She is a mother, a published author, a mental health worker, and a proud socialist organizer, and she is running in this election to fight for the working class. In our conversation, Aprile shares views on three of her top priorities: Housing, Economic Dignity, and Harm Reduction. Learn more at https://www.aprilehearn.org/ The May 19th Primary includes six active candidates for this seat: Incumbent Democrat Donna Purvis, Wallace Garner III, Aprile Hearn, Ray Barker, Dave Duncan, and Betty Bailey. For both the Louisville Mayoral and Metro Council races, Primary voters will receive a ballot featuring all of the candidates, regardless of party registration. The top two vote-getters will move onto the general election on November 3rd. It is the civic duty of all adult U.S. citizens in Kentucky to vote in the Primary elections on Tuesday May 19th, including the Mayor's race, many Metro Council seats, Sheriff, County Clerk, County Attorney, and State Rep seats right here in Louisville. All Kentucky voters will also get to weigh in on who should replace Mitch McConnell in the U.S. Senate! Don't miss this opportunity! Get registered to vote (before the April 20th deadline for the Primary), find out where, when and how to vote, request an absentee ballot, and see a sample ballot so you can do your research on all the candidates at https://GoVote.Ky.gov In-Person Excused Absentee Voting dates: May 6, May 7, May 8, May 11, May 12 and May 13 Time: 8:30 am-4:30 pm Location: Jefferson County Election Center, 1000 E. Liberty St. In-Person No Excuse Absentee Voting dates: May 14 - May 16, 2026 Time: 8:00 am-6:00 pm Locations: TBD As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at https://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at https://appalatin.com

On this week's show, we bring you highlights from "Women Who Shape the Landscape," an event held at the Women's Club of Louisville on Monday, March 30, 2026. In recognition of Women's History Month, Olmsted Parks Conservancy and the Women's Club of Louisville presented an exciting evening that featured a panel discussion with four Olmsted Parks Conservancy past and present CEO's, Susan Rademacher, Mimi Zinniel, Layla George and Mary Grissom. Hosted by Rachel Platt, VP of Mission at the Frazier History Museum. The special guest for the evening was Sue Breitkopf, President and CEO of the national Olmsted Network. This engaging panel reflected on the leadership, stewardship, and long view of caring for public landscapes. Set within the Woman's Club of Louisville, this event celebrated women who have shaped not only an organization, but he enduring green spaces that shape Louisville itself. Learn more at https://www.olmstedparks.org/events/women-who-shape-the-landscape/ Truth to Power airs every Friday at 9pm, Saturday at 11am, and Sunday at 7pm on Louisville's grassroots, community radio station, Forward Radio 106.5fm WFMP and live streams at https://www.forwardradio.org

Patty and Brian discuss the concept of the "hoax" and what critical thinkers might do to avoid being taken in by them.

Can Medicaid survive The Big Beautiful Bill cuts? Paul welcomes Drs. Michael Flynn, Gene Shively, and Barbara Casper along with Medicaid recipient Amber. It's situation critical for Amber as she struggles to maintain her eligibility along with thousands of others in Kentucky.

Jim Holderman has taught court ordered and company ordered clients for 28 years in anger and conflict management. He is certified with the National Curriculum Training Institute, and the leader in the field of Cognitive Behavioral Change Programs. College brought studies in science, music, and philosophy. For five years he taught anger management and life skills in prisons. He has trained extensively in public speaking and communication skills in many venues. Attending classes at a local University in neuroscience added a deeper understanding of the brain and human interaction. Jim Holderman is the author of the book, Wizard Brain or Monkey Mind: Which is in Control? His background also includes many successful years in the retail industry, along with an avocation in music and theatre. Jim has been a Rotarian since 1991 and serves as the Ombudsman for District 5450. He was one of 300 around the world to be trained in the new peace endeavor of Rotary International and the Institute for Economics and Peace. Jim Holderman is the recipient of Rotary International's Service Above Self Award. His passion is to work with Rotarian's effort to bring peace to all.

This week on Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, is excited to once again, bring you another vital youth voice in sustainability! Tune in to meet Keionna Spalding, a Purdue Global University S.T.E.M. Sustainability Major based right here in Louisville. She is 27, and in year 3 of her BS in Environmental Science with a focus on Sustainability. Keionna has volunteered with organizations like Louisville Metro Urban Forestry and the Louisville Nature Center. She's also a member of the Louisville Climate Action Network and Kentucky Waterways Alliance, and is an Environmental Educator with our Louisville Metro Solid Waste Department through AmeriCorps. In this free flowing conversation, we take a deep dive into Zero Waste strategies and the Circular Economy concept; the insanity of landfills and how we can mitigate the use of landfills in our society; and the meaning behind her personal motto, “Mitigating Human Behavior in Favor of the Planet.” Keionna will be speaking on zero waste as part of a student panel at the April 14th Bluegrass Greensource 2026 Sustainability Summit at the University of Kentucky. Learn more at https://bggreensource.org/sustainability-summit/
 As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at https://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at https://appalatin.com

This week, we bring you highlights from the Wednesday, March 25, 2026 Mayoral Candidate Forum on Clean Energy organized by the Renewable Energy Alliance of Louisville (REAL). The moderator for the evening was Tom Fitzgerald (Kentucky Resources Council), and we were joined by four Mayoral Candidates: Shameka Parrish-Wright, Jody Hurt, Lisa Holliday Harris, and Matthew Bailey. Listen in as Louisville candidates for Mayor answer questions about achieving the city's resolution to reach 100% clean energy by 2040. All candidates were invited to attend. Brought to you by the Renewable Energy Alliance of Louisville (https://renewableenergylouisville.org/) and co-sponsored by: Interfaith Environmental Action Network, Kentucky Conservation Committee, Kentucky Interfaith Power & Light, Kentucky Resources Council, Kentuckians for Energy Democracy, Louisville Climate Action Network, Kentucky Chapter of the Sierra Club, Kentucky Chapter of the Sierra Club-Greater Louisville Group. There are 11 registered candidates for Louisville Mayor who will appear on your non-partisan ballot on the May 19, 2026 Primary: Matthew Bailey, Tina Burnell, S. Dattilo, Bob DeVore, Craig Greenberg, Lisa Holliday Harris, Jody Hurt, Douglas Edward Lattimore, Shameka Parrish-Wright, Bill Wells, and Jeffrey Yocum. Learn more about the May 19th Primary, get registered to vote at your current address before the Registration Deadline on April 20th, find out when and where you can vote, and access a sample ballot so you can research all the candidates beforehand at govote.ky.gov Watch a full recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_V1qIFnS_4&list=PLu1P1So1_KZe1BWYi167uEImKGIZqDnok&index=14&t=4s Truth to Power airs every Friday at 9pm, Saturday at 11am, and Sunday at 7pm on Louisville's grassroots, community radio station, Forward Radio 106.5fm WFMP and live streams at http://forwardradio.org

Dave Robinson finishes his report on Monsanto and its herbicide, Roundup. Hear how Monsanto teams up with an Israeli company to produce White Phosphorus, a toxic, incendiary tool used by the military. Find out how the Trump administration has changed the way the EPA calculates the value of a human life. And, which Supreme Court justice worked for Monsanto in the past, and has been called to recuse himself on coming decisions about Roundup? Then, Mary Williams tells us about Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey, who single-handedly prevented the FDA from approving the teratogenic drug thalidomide, for use in the US. This drug caused thousands of miscarriages and birth defects in Europe, but not in the US, thanks to Dr. Kelsey. ‘Bench Talk: The Week in Science' is a weekly program that airs on WFMP Louisville FORward Radio 106.5 FM (forwardradio.org) every Monday at 7:30 pm, Tuesday at 11:30 am, and Wednesday at 7:30 am. Visit our Facebook page for links to the articles discussed in this episode: https://www.facebook.com/BenchTalkRadio

Barbara Boyd is a retired Rank I elementary teacher from Jefferson County Public Schools. She was appointed to one and one-half terms to the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) as well as serving two elected terms as a Regional Director with Jefferson County Teacher's Association (JCTA). She has served as a co-chair of the Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and Chairs the Community Education Coalition and Kentucky Mobilization under the umbrella of the Kentucky Alliance against Racist and Political Repression. Barbara Boyd is currently the director of the Louisville Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Barbara was the keynote speaker March 19, 2026, Third Thursday Lunch sponsored by the Fellowship of Reconciliation, Louisville Branch.

This week on Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, is thrilled to be in conversation with Kennedy Little, the Lexington-based Youth Advocacy Team Member at the Food Empowerment Project (https://foodispower.org). Tune in to learn about the Food Empowerment Project's (F.E.P.'s) history, mission, and the four core issue areas they address: 1. Chocolate F.E.P. works to inform consumers globally about the worst forms of child labor, including slavery, that occur in the chocolate industry. 2. Farm workers: F.E.P. supports corporate, legislative, and regulatory changes to advance the rights and well-being of farm workers. 3. Food Access F.E.P. collaborates with community members who invite them to help increase access to healthy foods where they live. This includes conducting surveys and providing support based on community needs. 4. Veganism F.E.P. promotes ethical veganism through education, outreach, and providing practical tools to help individuals transition to a vegan lifestyle. Learn more about these four areas at https://foodispower.org/our-work/ You'll also learn about F.E.P.'s Youth Advocacy Work, specifically their youth engagement and resources. Check out their new printed resource guide, Eating Vegan in College: https://foodispower.org/eating-vegan-in-college/ And learn more about the Youth Scholarship Contest: https://foodispower.org/youth-contest-2025/ Check out the New F.E.P. zine for youth, Envision: https://foodispower.org/envision-youth-zine/ Featured New F.E.P. Blog: “The Learning Curve: Why Vegan Cafeteria Meals Matter for Students,” a collaboration with Kennedy Little and VersyTalks co-founder, Antonin Laferrière: https://foodispower.org/the-learning-curve-why-vegan-cafeteria-meals-matter-for-students/ Debate Collaboration with F.E.P. and VersyTalks: https://www.versytalks.com/debate/should-vegan-meals-be-required-options-in-all-k-12-schools-and-college-cafeterias More information about F.E.P.'s mission and values can be found at https://foodispower.org/about-f-e-p/ Socials: @foodempowermentproject. Email: kennedy@foodispower.org As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at https://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at https://appalatin.com

Tune in for a virtual Town Hall held on March 16, 2026: Our Common Health, Our Commonwealth: Who Decides What's Safe? hosted by Kentucky Waterways Alliance, Kentucky Resources Council, Kentucky Conservation Committee, and Sierra Club Kentucky Chapter. Connecting Legislation, Pollution, and Our Health. Environmental health, public health, and civic health are deeply intertwined. The condition of our air, water, and land shapes the wellbeing of our communities and the strength of our democracy. Who shows up, who speaks, and who votes determines whether decisions reflect the public's best interests or the priorities of corporate lobbyists. Kentucky Waterways Alliance, Kentucky Resources Council, Kentucky Conservation Committee, and Sierra Club Kentucky Chapter hosted this discussion on how environmental decisions affect public health and how current proposed legislation would prioritize polluter profits over the health and safety of every day Kentuckians — making it nearly impossible for communities to hold corporations accountable when our most basic necessities are at risk. Additionally, the League of Women Voters of Kentucky shared findings from their report How Can They Do That?, which examines how legislation can advance through the process with limited public visibility. The Town Hall starts out with testimony from Calvert City, Kentucky resident Joshua Tabor sharing his family's experience with angiosarcoma, a rare cancer linked to environmental exposures, and why these environmental protections are deeply personal for many Kentucky families. Together, we examined how decisions made in Frankfort affect Kentucky's natural resources and communities, and what Kentuckians can do to shape a healthier future. Speakers include: KWA's Michael Washburn, Joshua Tabor, KRC's Audrey Ernstberger, KWA's Nick Hart, KCC's Lane Boldman, LWA's Jeanie Lindel, and SC's Julia Finch. Watch full recording: https://vimeo.com/1174496139 Connect with the organizers: Kentucky Waterways Alliance: https://www.kwalliance.org/ Kentucky Resources Council: https://kyrc.org/ Kentucky Conservation Committee: https://kyconservation.org/ Sierra Club Kentucky Chapter: https://www.sierraclub.org/kentucky

Patty and Brian interview Dr. Robert Friedland about his second book, 99 Lessons in Critical Thinking.

Luther Adams – Free Man of Color is an Associate Professor at the University of Washington Tacoma. He earned his B.A. in history at the University of Louisville (1994), and a Ph.D. in history at the University of Pennsylvania (2002). He has published in a variety of forums including the Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, Ohio Valley History Journal, the Journal of Social History and the Journal of Urban History. His book, Way Up North in Louisville: African American Migration in the Urban South, 1930-1970 was published by the University of North Carolina Press in 2010. Additionally Luther Adams is the author of “Bayard Rustin: The Man Behind MLK,” published in All About History Magazine, No. 136. Luther Adams is currently working on a book called No Justice, No Peace

This week on Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, is thrilled to be in conversation with our city's new Sustainability Director! In January, Jake Medley was named as the new Executive Director of the Louisville Mayor's Office of Sustainability (OS). Learn more about the Office of Sustainability and access tons of great resources at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/office-sustainability Jake first joined the OS in February 2024 and has been driving efforts to expand its programs. He filled in as interim director back in September, and has kept busy: • Reorganizing the office budget and allocating funding for a new energy efficiency & weatherization program for Louisville residents to be deployed this year. • Helping deliver a record $11.5M in green economic development in 2025 between the Solarize, Cool Roof, and EPAD programs. • Helping secure residential solar net metering protections for Louisville ratepayers, including over 300 Solarize participants. Read more: https://louisvilleky.gov/news/mayor-greenberg-names-new-executive-director-office-sustainability Don't miss Earth Fest on Saturday, March 28th, from 1:00 - 5:00pm, at Alberta O. Jones Park, 744 S 23rd St. OS, Parks Alliance of Louisville, and partners are bringing back this Louisville Earth Month kickoff event. This community festival will feature free local burritos on compostable diningware, music, performances, art, sustainability activities, a park tour, green business displays, and local resources - all in celebration of our planet. Learn more at https://bit.ly/EarthFest2026 Currently, Jake is helping launch the Louisville Green Bank - the first of its kind in Louisville. The Mayor's Sustainability Office houses a collection of programs that serve as the foundation of the budding Louisville Green Bank: * The Solarize Louisville Program provides a 12-18% discount on residential and small commercial solar panel installations. The program is in its 5th year of operation and has produced over 300 projects. Solarize Louisville had a record year in 2025, likely due to the sunset of residential clean energy tax credits. Credits are still available, however, to commercial projects so long as they are in service by the end of 2027, so the program will be catering outreach to non-profits interested going solar. * The Cool Roof rebate program is an initiative in which Louisville is a national leader. Cool Roof products reflect sunlight and keep properties cooler, requiring less work from AC systems in warm weather. Since 2017, Metro has delivered over 400 Cool Roof projects to residents, non-profits, and businesses covering a total of 1.4M sq ft of Louisville roof top. Louisville Metro has deployed over $800K in rebates and every dollar returns an estimated $5-6 in avoided energy costs over the lifetime of a cool roof. * EPAD – The Energy Project Assessment District is a property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing tool that structures sustainability upgrades for commercial projects in end of year property tax bills. We had two EPAD projects downtown last year totaling $7.5 million worth of energy upgrades (Derby City Lofts and Zen NuLu). Metro is working through a grant process now that will unveil the Green Bank in an official manner while setting us up for additional phase of funding. As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at https://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at https://appalatin.com

K.A. Owens interviews writer Michael L. Jones, author of "Soulful Sounds of Derbytown". Recorded Sunday March 15, 2026, 6PM.

This week on Truth To Power, we bring you an important conversation in the face of the 2026 mid-term elections. On January 15th, 120 Oberlin College alumni and friends participated in a widely anticipated online program called "What is the Democratic Party?" Professor Larry Jacobs of the University of Minnesota served as moderator for an energetic conversation that featured Holly Fechner and John Lawrence, both of whom worked for Democratic members of Congress and have decades of experience working in politics. Comments by Holly and John reflected optimism for the Democrats to take control of the House, but they considered prospects for the Democrats to take the Senate to be not so promising but possible. Historical trends favoring the opposition party in midterm elections, the unpopularity of Trump, and negative perceptions of the economy are among the key factors now favoring the Democrats. Wildcards that could trip the Democrats include disenfranchisement of Democratic-leaning voters through redistricting, restricting mail-in and early voting options, and deployments of military and other security forces to intimidate voters. It was posited that the Democrats still needed to change their approach and widen their appeal across class lines, because of perceptions that the Party is too West/East Coastal, too old, and too beholden to donors and the educated elite. Alternatively, it was argued that the Democrats have been pursuing policies that advance the welfare of “regular” Americans by pursuing policy initiatives that address “affordability,” health care, educational opportunities, and the environment, but the Party's messaging can get sidetracked by “cultural” issues that are important, but are distracting to the general populace. To wit, the priority of selecting candidates who could win elections was illustrated by a quote from former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi who said that Democrats on the Hill would be merely resigned to having “a conversation” if they lacked majority control of the House. Panelists highlighted examples across America's history in which the forces of “illiberalism” were overcome, and they maintained that public protests are important to build solidarity and demonstrate the resilience of the opposition. Watch recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BE3WfkcWhg It is the civic duty of all adult U.S. citizens in Kentucky to vote in the Primary elections on Tuesday May 19th, including the Mayor's race, many Metro Council seats, Sheriff, County Clerk, County Attorney, and State Rep seats right here in Louisville. All Kentucky voters will also get to weigh in on who should replace Mitch McConnell in the U.S. Senate! Don't miss this opportunity! Find out where, when and how to vote, request an absentee ballot, and see a sample ballot so you can do your research on all the candidates at https://GoVote.Ky.gov On Truth to Power each week, we gather people from around the community to discuss the state of the world, the nation, the state, and the city! It's a community conversation like you won't hear anywhere else! Truth to Power airs every Friday at 9pm, Saturday at 11am, and Sunday at 4pm on Louisville's grassroots, community radio station, Forward Radio 106.5fm WFMP and live streams at https://forwardradio.org

On this week's Access Hour, long-time community activist, Terrell Holder, speaks with host Bob Cline about the unique opportunities before us with the May 19th Primary Election in Kentucky. This is the first time ALL Louisville voters will be able to participate in the Primary, including independents and those registered for third parties because of the new state law the made our local races non-partisan. It is the civic duty of all adult U.S. citizens to vote in the Kentucky Primary elections on Tuesday May 19th, including the Mayor's race, many Metro Council seats, Sheriff, County Clerk, County Attorney, and State Rep seats right here in Louisville. All Kentucky voters will also get to weigh in on who should replace Mitch McConnell in the U.S. Senate! Don't miss this opportunity! Find out where, when and how to vote, request an absentee ballot, and see a sample ballot so you can do your research on all the candidates at https://GoVote.Ky.gov In-Person Excused Absentee Voting Primary Election dates: May 6, May 7, May 8, May 11, May 12 and May 13 General Election dates: October 21, October 22, October 23, October 26, October 27 and October 28 Time: 8:30 am-4:30 pm Location: Jefferson County Election Center, 1000 E. Liberty St. Who qualifies for an in-person excused absentee ballot: Voter is a resident of Kentucky who is a covered voter as defined in KRS 117A.010,who will be absent from the county of his or her residence on the day of an election and during the days of no-excuse in-person absentee voting. Voter, or spouse of voter, who has surgery scheduled that will require hospitalization on the day of an election and during the days of no-excuse in-person absentee voting. Voter who temporarily resides outside the state but is still eligible to vote in this state and will be absent from the county of his or her residence on the day of an election and during the days of no-excuse in-person absentee voting. Voter is a resident of Kentucky who is a uniformed-service voter as defined in KRS 117A.010 confined to a military base on election day and during the days of no-excuse in-person absentee voting. Voter who is in her last trimester of pregnancy. Voter who has not been declared mentally disabled by a court of competent jurisdiction and, due to age, disability, or illness, is not able to appear at the polls on election day and during the days of no-excuse in-person absentee voting. Voter who is a student who temporarily resides outside the county of his or her residence and will be absent from the county of his or her residence on the day of an election and during the days of no-excuse in-person absentee voting. Voter who is employed in an occupation that is scheduled to work during all days and all hours, which shall include commute time, the polls are open on election day and during the days of no-excuse in-person absentee voting. Voter who is an election officer tasked with election administration for the current election cycle. Voter who is a person prevented from voting in-person at the polls on election day and from casting a no-excuse in-person absentee ballot on all days no-excuse in-person absentee voting is conducted because he or she will be absent from the county of his or her residence during all days and hours no excuse in-person absentee voting is conducted. Voter who is a caregiver who is providing medical or healthcare assistance to a voter who is qualified to cast an in-person absentee ballot. In-Person No Excuse Absentee Voting Primary Election dates: May 14 - May 16, 2026 General Election dates: October 29 - 31, 2026 Time: 8:00 am-6:00 pm Locations: TBD

This week on Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, plows the fertile soil of sustainable food systems with Joe Trigg, co-founder of My Farm Exchange (https://www.myfarmexchange.com/), a farm management platform designed to help farmers and gardeners reduce waste and operate more efficiently. The platform includes integrated management tools as well as a built-in virtual farmers market. Joe has extensive experience in urban agriculture and small-farm sustainability, and ran the Farmers2City Connection (F2CC) CSA from a farm in Glasgow, KY (Barren Co.). He is also a former candidate for Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner. Tune in for a rich conversation about the current state of farming and the agricultural landscape, particularly in light of the potential ripple effects of tariffs on our food supply. Then we dive into sustainable urban farming and the silver-lining possibilities of the urban heat island effect and microclimates in the city. You'll be inspired by the tremendous potential we have to meet both household food needs, and to generate much-needed income for urban growers. Learn about local street market days, and the importance of local commercial kitchens and packaging facilities to add value and ensure year-round access to local food. As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at https://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at https://appalatin.com

Hear the third installment of our report on the controversial herbicide glyphosate, manufactured as Roundup by the agrichemical company Monsanto/Bayer. What did the 'Monsanto Papers' reveal about the role of university professors in promoting this commercial product? How does Monsanto influence academia? How common is 'ghostwriting' in the scientific literature, and what can be done to reduce the amount of ghostwriting in the future? Finally, hear what stars, planets, and constellations we can see in the night sky during the month of March. ‘Bench Talk: The Week in Science' is a weekly program that airs on WFMP Louisville FORward Radio 106.5 FM (forwardradio.org) every Monday at 7:30 pm, Tuesday at 11:30 am, and Wednesday at 7:30 am. Visit our Facebook page for links to the articles discussed in this episode: https://www.facebook.com/BenchTalkRadio

March 9th, 10th and 11th Solutions to Violence features Marc Murphy. Mark Murphy Is a Law Professor at the University of Louisville Brandis School of Law and the Louisville Courier Journal editorial cartoonist. His analysis provides extraordinary insights concerning issues all of us are facing during these extraordinary times. Solutions to Violence airs on Mondays at 5 pm, Tuesdays at 8 am and Wednesdays at 6 am. You can listen livestream if you visit us at forwardradio.org. I'm Jim Johnson

The last West Jefferson County Community Task Force monthly Community Meeting on February 17, 2026 featured Donovan Taylor, JD on HB 377, the Utility Disconnection Protection Law and the collaborative effort to get it passed in order to protect our vulnerable neighbors during extreme weather. The companion bill in the Senate is SB 88. Donovan Taylor is a West Louisville native and graduate of Central high school. He's enthusiast of local history and culture who has led walking tours of all nine West Louisville neighborhoods. He's an activist with over 20 years of experience in community and business development, as well as a legal professional with a Law degree from the University of Kentucky. Learn more about HB 377 at https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb377.html Learn more about SB 88 at https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/sb88.html This bill also got some great coverage in the Kentucky Lantern: "Kentucky lawmakers renew push to establish statewide residential utility disconnection protections. Republican lawmaker says disconnection protections are a part of housing affordability" https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/02/02/kentucky-lawmakers-renew-push-to-establish-statewide-residential-utility-disconnection-protections Learn more about the West Jefferson County Community Task Force, find excellent resources, get involved, and learn about their next monthly meeting topic and guests at https://www.facebook.com/WJCCTF. They meet every month of the year on third Tuesdays at 5:30pm online. Watch a full recording of the meeting at https://cardmaillouisville-my.sharepoint.com/personal/jlhart01_louisville_edu/_layouts/15/stream.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Fjlhart01%5Flouisville%5Fedu%2FDocuments%2FAttachments%2FWJCCTF%2D20260217%5F185525%2DMeeting%20Recording%2Emp4&nav=eyJyZWZlcnJhbEluZm8iOnsicmVmZXJyYWxBcHAiOiJTdHJlYW1XZWJBcHAiLCJyZWZlcnJhbFZpZXciOiJTaGFyZURpYWxvZy1MaW5rIiwicmVmZXJyYWxBcHBQbGF0Zm9ybSI6IldlYiIsInJlZmVycmFsTW9kZSI6InZpZXcifX0&ga=1&referrer=StreamWebApp%2EWeb&referrerScenario=AddressBarCopied%2Eview%2E34bfd59e%2D99c0%2D4133%2D8999%2D65ce2c8ca2b4

K.A. Owens interviews Activist, Playwright, Actor Michael T. Topics: The legacy of Jesse Jackson and the War in Iran (the United States and Israel attack Iran). Recorded Thursday March 5, 2026, 3PM.

Patty and Brian discuss artificial intelligence, self-driving cars, and related topics.

Sam Daley-Harris is an esteemed pioneer in citizen advocacy with over four decades of experience in empowering individuals to become impactful changemakers. Through his work starting and supporting organizations, he has been instrumental in mobilizing efforts to eradicate global hunger and poverty. Sam Daily-Harris is the author of two books, Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen's Guide to Transformational Advocacy and New Pathways Out of Poverty.

This week on Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, tackles the issue of artificial intelligence (AI) and how we might just be able to use it to reclaim our humanity. This week, we are in conversation with Jason Delambre, a Kentucky entrepreneur, sustainability consultant, and Owner of Midwest Clean Energy Enterprise. Jason is a Certified Energy Manager who holds bachelors degrees in History and Architecture, and a Masters of Community Planning. Jason lives in Frankfort, Kentucky and works with clients to maximize profitability through effective utilization of natural resources and the development of ground‐breaking energy efficiency and carbon reducing solutions. Throughout his career, Jason has developed a unique vision of the economic and energy efficiency synergies possible through innovative business, infrastructural, financial, policy, and community organizing strategies. On January 30th, we brought Jason back to campus at UofL for another conversation about AI and Sustainability, this one called "Escaping the Grind: How AI Helped Me Reclaim My Humanity." We are often told AI will replace us. But what if it can liberate us? After 20 years of "grinding" through professional obligations and administrative exhaustion, Jason took a one-year sabbatical to see if he could rebuild his life. He shared the story of how he used AI to build a "digital scaffold" around his day-to-day life—handling the organization, the planning, and the details—so he could recover the bandwidth to focus on what matters: deep connection, creativity, and being present. Shifting the "robotic" work of our modern responsibilities to a machine allowed Jason to become a more grounded human. Jason recommends these recent articles on the impacts of AI: "Researchers Studied What Happens When Workplaces Seriously Embrace AI, and the Results May Make You Nervous" (Futurism): https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/what-happens-workplaces-embrace-ai "Something big is happening in AI — and most people will be blindsided" (Fortune): https://fortune.com/2026/02/11/something-big-is-happening-ai-february-2020-moment-matt-shumer/ As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at https://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at https://appalatin.com

K.A. Owens interviews activist Howard Owens about the legacy of the Rainbow Coalition and the late Rev. Jesse Jackson. Recorded Thursday February 26, 2026, 7PM.

Tom Joseph, business owner, social activist and innovator, believes he has come up with a legal and user-friendly method for removing money and outside influence from the candidate selection process. In this interview, Mr. Joseph explains his model for using the Internet to offer a "free and equal system for nominating members to Congress."

We continue our story on Roundup, the Monsanto company's best-selling herbicide. We discuss the evidence linking Roundup exposure with cancer (Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma). In 2017, the 'Monsanto Papers' were released showing that the company was trying to conceal the real health risks of their flagship product, Roundup. We discuss ghostwriting, and how corporate-written research papers about the drug Vioxx contributed to the death of at least 38,000 people. And when it comes to the health risks of Roundup, why do some research papers emphasize its safety, while others highlight its risks of cancer? ‘Bench Talk: The Week in Science' is a weekly program that airs on WFMP Louisville FORward Radio 106.5 FM (forwardradio.org) every Monday at 7:30 pm, Tuesday at 11:30 am, and Wednesday at 7:30 am. Visit our Facebook page for links to the articles discussed in this episode: https://www.facebook.com/BenchTalkRadio

Our guest today is Kay Tillow, Kay Tillow is currently the chair for Kentuckians for Single Payer Healthcare Insurance. Kay Tillow was the keynote speaker at the Louisville Fellowship of Reconciliation “Third Thursday Lunch event. The Third Thursday Lunch event that featured Kay Tillow occurred February 19th, 2026, at Hotel Louisville before a live audience. We would like to thank the Louisville Fellowship of Reconciliation for helping to produce today's presentation that features Kay Tillow

This week on Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, mounts up for a rolling conversation with Taylor Nichols & Nick Richert, co-hosts of the national program on the Pacifica Network, Bike Talk, now airing on Forward Radio on Thursdays at 12am (premiered 1/29/26). https://biketalk.org/ Nick Richert founded Bike Talk in 2008 on Killradio.org to amplify the growing bike movement in Los Angeles. The show moved to KPFK and has expanded along with the movement. Taylor Nichols became a bicycle advocate when his two daughters started to roam the neighborhood on two wheels. He was appointed to the West Hollywood Bicycle Task Force in 2011. Since then he has worked as the co-chair of the Mid City West Neighborhood council's Transportation committee where he has been responsible for promoting safe streets in and around West Hollywood. Currently he serves as the CD-5 Representative to the Los Angeles Bicycle Advisory Committee. He has a Bachelors degree from the University of Michigan and a degree in Journalism from the UCLA specializing in Broadcast Journalism. In Taylor's real life he is an actor, having recently starred in the Emmy nominated Pen 15 and Perry Mason for HBO as well as many other films and tv shows. Taylor's whole family is from Louisville. https://www.instagram.com/taylor.nichols7/ As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at https://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at https://appalatin.com

Join psychotherapist Dr. Michael Eiden as he explores the critical issue of screen addiction in this insightful episode. He examines how viewers are intentionally manipulated through revenue-driven business models that employ advanced algorithms. Dr. Eiden discusses the significant effects of screen addiction on young, developing brains, particularly concerning socialization skills, while highlighting potential risks. He also provides valuable insights for navigating the digital landscape and addresses the implications of screen addiction for adults.

Forward Radio's proud community partner, the Greater Louisville Sierra Club (https://sierraclub.org/kentucky)organized this February program, focused on Central Appalachia as a central site of mass incarceration. Called "Cages in the Coalfields: Development, Criminalization, and Incarceration in Central Appalachia," it was held Feb 17, 2026 at 7:00pm at Crescent Hill Community Ministries (150 State St.) Central Appalachia is home to 16 prisons; there are 8 prisons alone in Eastern Kentucky, where full and overcrowded jails extend the expansive carceral geography to the local level. While these institutions reflect our national and state investment in criminalization and punitive sentencing policies, they also serve as rural development projects bound in various ways to the decline of coal. From calls for rural jobs in corrections to prisons built on mountaintop removal sites to jails as revenue strategies, the carceral expansion in the region must be understood as a response to multiple crises. This talk, by justice studies scholar and Sierra Club Executive Committee member Judah Schept, examines both the crises and the ways that prisons and jails have responded, as well as the work of the "Building Community Not Prisons" coalition to stop the construction of FCI Letcher (Federal Correctional Institution), the newest prison planned for the region. Judah Schept is a Professor in the School of Justice Studies at Eastern Kentucky University. He is the author of Coal, Cages, Crisis: The Rise of the Prison Economy in Central Appalachia (New York University Press, 2022) and Progressive Punishment: Job Loss, Jail Growth, and the Neoliberal Logic of Carceral Expansion (New York University Press, 2015). He is co-editor of The Jail is Everywhere: Fighting the New Geography of Mass Incarceration (Verso Books, 2024). On Truth to Power each week, we gather people from around the community to discuss the state of the world, the nation, the state, and the city! It's a community conversation like you won't hear anywhere else! Truth to Power airs every Friday at 9pm, Saturday at 11am, and Sunday at 4pm on Louisville's grassroots, community radio station, Forward Radio 106.5fm WFMP and live streams at https://www.forwardradio.org

Patty and Brian discuss the concept of climate anxiety.

Dustin Pugel is Policy Director at the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, where he focuses on economic security, health policy and safety net programs while providing strategic support for all of the organization's policy campaigns. He joined the staff in 2015. Dustin previously worked for BUILD in Lexington, Kentucky where he trained congregations to identify, research and advocate for policy solutions on a local level. He also spent two years providing policy research assistance for the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities. He has a BA in History from Asbury University and a master's in public administration from the University of Kentucky.

Dustin Pugel is Policy Director at the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, where he focuses on economic security, health policy and safety net programs while providing strategic support for all of the organization's policy campaigns. He joined the staff in 2015. Dustin previously worked for BUILD in Lexington, Kentucky where he trained congregations to identify, research and advocate for policy solutions on a local level. He also spent two years providing policy research assistance for the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities. He has a BA in History from Asbury University and a master's in public administration from the University of Kentucky.

This week on Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, fills the studio with Green for a discussion about parenting in the age of climate chaos! Our guests this week are Megan Green, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Woven Nest Counseling and Coaching; and longtime local sustainability advocate, Jackie Green. Though unrelated, they are co-facilitators of a new free monthly workshop series coming up called “The Parent, Child and Climate Change.” It kicks off this weekend and will be held on third Saturdays, beginning February 21, 2026 from 2pm til 3pm at Highlands Community Ministries, 1228 E Breckinridge St (at Barret). Earth Home 40202, an initiative you heard about on this program back in October, is launching this supportive, empowering, health based, community building program for parents and older children. The program is free, but please let us know if you plan to attend by emailing earth.home.40202@gmail.com. Learn more about Earth Home 40202 at https://www.bikecourier.org/earth-home-40202/ or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/people/Deep-Ecology-Louisville/61581836699217/ Parenting today happens in the context of constant uncertainty—climate change, social instability, economic stress—and our nervous systems are taking that in whether we name it or not. Climate anxiety isn't a disorder; it's a nervous system response to ongoing, unresolved threat. Our bodies are designed to detect danger, and climate change is a chronic, future-oriented stressor. Many parents are quietly carrying fear and grief about the world their children are inheriting. That often shows up as burnout, urgency, irritability, or feeling like they're never doing enough. Children sense the state of the adults around them. They don't need all the information, but they feel the regulation—or dysregulation—of the nervous systems caring for them. From a nervous-system lens, anxiety and behavioral struggles aren't signs of weakness or bad parenting; they're signals that the system is overwhelmed. Our mental and emotional health are deeply connected to our environment. Humans regulate better with access to nature, sunlight, rhythm, and sensory safety—we are not separate from the natural world. Environmental degradation impacts mental health not just psychologically, but physiologically. When the environment feels unsafe, nervous systems stay on high alert. A nervous-system perspective shifts the question from “What's wrong with parents or kids?” to “What has their nervous system been asked to carry?” Regulation and connection are foundational—not luxuries. When nervous systems are supported, people have more capacity for hope, care, and meaningful action. Slowing down, repairing relationships, and spending time in nature are not passive responses; they are stabilizing acts that support both individual well-being and collective resilience. Hope doesn't come from denying reality. It comes from feeling safe enough to face hard truths while staying connected to one another. Supporting parents' nervous systems is a form of future care—for children, communities, and the planet. Learn more about Megan at https://www.wovennest.net/woven-nest-therapy-team-louisville/megan-green-meyerhoffer As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at https://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at https://appalatin.com

Kay Tillow, Chairperson of Kentuckians for Single Payer Healthcare and Guest Dare Cima, Social Justice Activist and a member of DSA, on Medicaid Cuts impact on Eastern Kentucky. Dare hails from the foothills of Appalachia in Southeastern Kentucky and still has family there. Dare is uniquely qualified to speak on the state of healthcare while growing up in the region.

This week we bring you a very important community conversation about environmental justice and addressing historical injustices. It took place on at the History & Science Forum on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 5th, at Roots 101 African-American Museum in downtown Louisville. This incredible line-up of discussants constituted the third installment of the “& Science” Forums organized by UofL's Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute. The panel discussed historic infrastructure affecting environmental health disparities; examined the policy and legal frameworks that shape local climate and environmental conditions; and encouraged widespread participation in strengthening Louisville's environment. The evening featured: • Dr. John Chenault (Associate Professor, Director of Anti-Racism Initiatives, UofL) • Ms. Hannah Drake (Cultural Strategist; Co-Executive Director, IDEAS xLab; Co-Founder, (Un)Known Project) • Dr. Swannie Jett (Chief Executive Officer, Park DuValle Community Health Center) • Dr. Lynn Pohl (Archivist, The Filson Historical Society) • The Honorable Attica Scott (Former Kentucky State Representative for District 41; Director of Special Projects, Forward Justice Action Network) • Dr. Monica Unseld (Founder and Executive Director, Until Justice Data Partners) Moderator: • Dr. Natasha DeJarnett (Assistant Professor, Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, UofL) About the Series: The Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute is hosting this quarterly health forum called “& Science". This third installment of the series focused on History & Science, featuring leaders from different historical and scientific backgrounds. The “& Science” series provides a community forum for conversations at the intersection of health, the environment & science. Watch a full recording of the evening at https://youtu.be/oxo8KT_3cBA On Truth to Power each week, we gather people from around the community to discuss the state of the world, the nation, the state, and the city! It's a community conversation like you won't hear anywhere else! Truth to Power airs every Friday at 9pm, Saturday at 11am, and Sunday at 4pm on Louisville's grassroots, community radio station, Forward Radio 106.5fm WFMP and live streams at https://www.forwardradio.org

K.A. Owens interviews Artist Bart Galloway. Bart shares with the audience his life in art. Recorded Thursday February 12, 2026, 7PM.

Only two years after the release of the herbicide 'Roundup', the FDA accused it's manufacturer, Monsanto, of falsifying data about the chemical's safety. In December of 2025, a review of the scientific literature on the safety of 'Roundup' was retracted by the journal that published it, over the issue of 'ghostwriting'. This week we present the first part of a comprehensive history of this effective, put potentially carcinogenic herbicide. At the end of the show, we review the cosmic sights that are visible in the night sky in February. ‘Bench Talk: The Week in Science' is a weekly program that airs on WFMP Louisville FORward Radio 106.5 FM (forwardradio.org) every Monday at 7:30 pm, Tuesday at 11:30 am, and Wednesday at 7:30 am. Visit our Facebook page for links to the articles discussed in this episode: https://www.facebook.com/BenchTalkRadio . Public-domain music heard on this show is by Mad Gravity Studio ('Into the Umbra Loop') courtesy of freesound.org.

This week on Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, is delighted to welcome back into the studio Sarah Pierce, Metropolitan Housing Coalition's Housing & Energy Affordability Program Coordinator with the EveryHome program (https://everyhomelou.org). Tune in to learn what the EveryHome program does to investigate and advocate for affordable housing, including all of the “hidden costs” to housing like utilities. Sarah shares some of the findings from EveryHome's latest report on how utility burdens can lead to unaffordability of housing, and can create negative health and mental health impacts. We also discuss some of the current cases before the Public Service Commission and how MHC has intervened. And we share the inspiring story of the grassroots state-wide effort for a Moratorium on Utility Disconnections over the past couple of months with the Leave The Heat On Collective. Finally, we discuss MHC's upcoming conference: Beyond the Rent: Policy Driven Solutions for Housing and Utility Burdens Tuesday, April 7th, 9am-7:30pm at the Muhammad Ali Center Early-Bird Registration Deadline (10% off): Feb. 13th The Metropolitan Housing Coalition's EveryHome Program is hosting this all-day conference to bring together national and local speakers, policymakers, nonprofits, advocates, and community members to strengthen dialogue and collaboration on housing and utility affordability. MHC will also be sharing key findings from their 2025 Housing and Utility Affordability Report to ensure that data and lived experience guide future policies and solutions. The Beyond the Rent Conference will include 3 keynote speakers, 2 breakout sessions, a panel of experts, networking opportunities, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner from Mayan Cafe. Half-day tickets are available for either the morning or afternoon. Learn more about the conference and find the link to register at https://beyondtherent.org Learn more about MHC at https://metropolitanhousing.org
 Get in touch with Sarah at sarah@metropolitanhousing.org As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at https://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at https://appalatin.com

On this week's show, we wrap up our highlights from the 2026 Kentucky Conservation Committee's Legislative Summit held on January 25th. Learn more about it and find links to all the great materials referenced at https://kyconservation.org/legislative-summit-2026 On today's show, we take a deep dive into Kentucky's energy past and potential energy future. Specifically, we respond to all the hype around nuclear as a supposedly rational response to the climate crisis and the exploding demand for electricity coming from data center development. Tune in to hear from Lane Boldman, Executive Director of the Kentucky Conservation Committee on Kentucky's troubling nuclear history and the proposals for new nuclear developments being pushed today. Then Sarah Lynn Cunningham, Executive Director of the Louisville Climate Action Network, shares her personal stories of successful local resistance to the nuclear build-out back in the 1970s. View Lane's Presentation Slides: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mz-CL7BiqstWzOoHWvHzK1_guQqODVNL/view?usp=sharing Backgrounder on Nuclear Players in Kentucky: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bo5aGpCGauEQZaeChH5vT8VPrlWCrSkOwM_4TSLcJ8I/edit?usp=sharing KCC's Nuclear Energy Webpage: https://kyconservation.org/nuclear-energy We conclude with Byron Gary, Program Attorney, from the Kentucky Resource Council, about their new study released on December 11th, which evaluates Kentucky's electricity needs, and demonstrates how new state laws are hindering a transition to a cheaper, cleaner, and more dependable energy portfolio — at a time when many Kentuckians are struggling to afford their utility bills. The independent report, commissioned by KRC, Mountain Association, Metropolitan Housing Coalition, and Earthjustice, compares multiple energy pathways through 2050 and concludes that replacing aging coal-fired power plants with a mix of renewable energy, battery storage, and efficiency investments could save Kentuckians billions while maintaining reliability. Read the report at https://kyrc.org/energy-report/ The report investigates whether continued reliance on fossil-fuels is necessary to assure affordable and reliable electricity service in Kentucky. The report found that Kentucky Senate Bills 4 (2023) and 349 (2024) hinder the development of cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable alternatives to serve Kentucky's electricity needs. The most affordable and reliable option to serve Kentuckians' electricity needs is a modern and diverse energy supply that includes much more renewable energy, battery storage, and demand-side resources than are currently planned by Kentucky's regulated utilities. Kentucky Senate Bills 4 (2023) and 349 (2024) put up hurdles to retiring aging, uneconomic coal-fired power plants. The independent report explains that continued reliance on coal is not necessary, and it's more expensive. There are cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable alternatives for Kentucky's ratepayers. Kentucky could save upwards of 4 billion dollars by 2050 with a more diverse portfolio that includes less fossil fuels and more renewables – but these laws must be amended now. This report highlights costs and risks to ratepayers across the nation as other states, including Alaska, Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Utah and Wyoming, have also considered or passed legislation that would slow closures of an aging fleet of coal-fired power plants. On Truth to Power each week, we bring you in-depth community conversations like you won't hear anywhere else! Truth to Power airs every Friday at 9pm, Saturday at 11am, and Sunday at 4pm on Louisville's grassroots, community radio station, Forward Radio 106.5fm WFMP and live streams at https://www.forwardradio.org

An enlightening discussion with Dr. Hendrik Van den Berg of the University of Massachusetts on his paper from the 2026 American Economics Association Meeting. Instead of looking for new ways or new technology to solve or fix environmental problems, the solutions are already in our hands and within our means. It is mostly a political and not technological question of how we solve our environmental problems as we sometimes step forward but then backward in trying to address environmental concerns.

Get ready for the most gambling we've ever seen around this year's Super Bowl! This week on Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, is delighted to welcome back into the studio Dr. Christopher Tuell, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience in the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and clinical director of addiction services at University of Cincinnati Health's Lindner Center of HOPE in Mason, OH (https://lindnercenterofhope.org/). Chris was last on the program a year ago, talking about problem gambling - an issue still relevant today as we look forward to the Super Bowl on Sunday Feb. 8th. For help, call the National Problem Gambling Hotline 1-800-GAMBLER or the Suicide Prevention Hotline 9-8-8. This year, we take a deeper dive into the complex and often intertwined relationship between substance use—both chemical and behavioral—and mental health. Through clinical insight and real-world examples, the discussion aims to increase understanding of how mental health conditions can influence addictive behaviors and how addiction, in turn, impacts emotional wellbeing. Our goal is to educate and empower you by reducing stigma, increasing awareness, and offering hope through accessible information, compassion, and evidence-based perspectives. Ultimately, we seeks to help listeners feel less alone while encouraging healthier conversations about recovery, resilience, and mental wellness. As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at https://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at https://appalatin.com

Rev. Dean W. Bucalos is the former executive director of Mission Behind Bars and Beyond, an ecumenical re-entry program that trains faith-based groups to work with returning citizens upon their release from prison. In addition, he is the founding pastor of New Life in Christ Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a congregation he began inside Dismas Charities-Diersen, a women's re-entry facility in Louisville, Kentucky. He served as a part-time mission specialist for prison and jail ministries with the National Benevolent Association of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Rev. Bucalos was ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1994. He has served as the pastor of congregations in Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, The University of Kentucky College of Law and Lexington Theological Seminary. Prior to his ordination, Rev. Bucalos practiced law in Ashland and Lexington, Kentucky. He has served as an adjunct professor at Bellarmine University in Louisville, where he taught classes on Christianity and Social Justice. In retirement, he has continued his ministry by facilitating several contemplative dialogue groups, both on-line and in person.