In Conversation

The Louisville Book Festival is back October 11, and at its center is local author and therapist Deedee Cummings. On this episode, Deedee talks about this year's Festival, her new children's book “Hope in the Nick of Time,” and why access to diverse stories matters now more than ever.

It's fall in Louisville—a time when arts and culture are buzzing across the city. From Halloween traditions and local folklore to Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations and music education programs, what's shaping Louisville's creative scene right now? On this episode, we check in with LPM's arts and culture reporter Giselle Rhoden about the artists, stories, and communities bringing Louisville to life this season.

Gerrymandering isn't just about drawing political maps—it's also happening in Kentucky's prisons. When incarcerated people are counted as residents of prisons instead of their hometowns, it can shift political power and representation across the state. On this episode, we talk with Mike Wessler, Communications Director with the Prison Policy Initiative, about why prison-related gerrymandering matters to democracy.

Louisville Public Media is celebrating 75 years of service to our community. As part of that celebration, we're sharing the stories of people who've helped shape Louisville, in a project called 75 and Change. Today, Michelle Tyrene Johnson from the “On Track” production team sits down with one of those changemakers, Betty Winston Bayé, for a conversation about her groundbreaking career as a Black journalist in Louisville.

Soccer pride is building in Louisville and Racing Louisville is at the center of it. From big wins on the field to growing hometown support, how is this young club shaping the city's sports identity? We'll be talking with Head Coach Bev Yanez and Team Captain Arin Wright about the team, their journey, and what's ahead this season.

What is music education, and why is it so beneficial for young people, even if they're not musicians? We're joined by vocalist, songwriter and educator Kiana Del, LPM's Engagement Manager for Music Education, to talk about teaching music to kids, how it shapes their growth, and why access and expression matter.

Louisville's tap water is award-winning and nationally recognized. But so-called “forever chemicals” are raising new questions about what's really in our drinking water. We talk with health and environmental reporter Morgan Watkins from the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting about PFAS in Louisville's water and what's being done to keep the Ohio River safe.

Your child's mental health matters, but between school pressures, social media, and life changes, it can be hard to know what kids really need. On this episode, Dr. Katy Hopkins of Norton Healthcare joins us to share what families should watch for, and how to build habits that support kids' mental health.

Everyone in Louisville knows there's a right and a wrong way to say the name of our city. So then why are there so many different ways to pronounce it? And how did it evolve this way? We're revisit our conversation about the many ways to say Louisville, and how language can become a stand-in for identity, and belonging.

Bernheim Forest and Arboretum is one of Kentucky's most beloved natural spaces, connecting people with nature in the region. It protects rare wildlife and welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. We talk with Bernheim's President and CEO, Mark Wourms, and Director of Conservation Andrew Berry, about the forest's mission, challenges, and future.

If you've been driving through downtown Louisville lately, you've probably noticed construction zones, lane closures, and shifting traffic patterns. The city is in the middle of a major transportation overhaul that could reconfigure how key streets work. So what's being done to keep traffic moving, and make our streets safer for everyone? Jennifer Caummisar-Kern, Executive Director of Metro Louisville Public Works, joins us to talk about it.

Black Louisvillians have higher rates of cancer, heart disease and stroke than their white neighbors. And men here have a lower average life expectancy than women do. On this episode, we meet Kamari Wooten, the coordinator of Black Men's Wellness Day. It's an event featuring health screenings, a 5K and more, all focused on improving the health of Black men in our city.

A new school year just started. Has your student come home with the sniffles yet? From rising measles cases to COVID-19, flu, and other bugs, what should you be watching for? And how can you set your child up for good health this year? Dr. Eva Stone, District Health Manager for JCPS, joins us to talk about vaccines, preventative care and building healthy habits for the year ahead.

Big changes are coming to how we vote in Jefferson County. Starting in 2026, local races will no longer include party labels on the ballot. What does that mean for voters, and how can you prepare now to make sure your vote still counts? On this episode, we're breaking it all down with Dee Pregliasco, former president of the League of Women Voters and Ashley Tinius, Director of Communications for the Jefferson County Clerk's Office.

The Kentucky State Fair starts later this week, and we have a look behind the scenes, with Ian Cox Executive Director of Communications for Kentucky Venues. From deep-fried foods to prize-winning livestock, we'll talk about what makes the fair so important—and fun. And we'll go over some pro tips for getting the most out of your fair experience.

Kentucky has one of the highest rates of child abuse in the country—nearly double the national average. We're looking at the factors that contribute to abuse and neglect in our state, and what's being done on the ground to make a difference. We talk with Elea Fox, President and CEO of Family & Children's Place, about what abuse can look like, what to do if you suspect a child is being mistreated, and how our systems can better support kids and families to prevent abuse in the first place.

We've seen headlines all summer about rodent infestations in Louisville grocery stores. What happens after a food safety issue is identified in one of our public spaces, and how do we know when it's okay to go back there? Food safety inspector Samantha Gootee from Louisville Metro's Department of Public Health talks us through how the process works, how often different types of places are evaluated, and what to watch out for when you're dining or shopping around town.

America turns 250 next year, and it's got us asking: how do you determine the birthday of a place? On this episode of “On Track,” we sit down with historian Dr. Patrick Lewis of the Filson Historical Society to unpack how a place becomes A Place, and why those dates matter. From frontier settlements to the people here long before them, we're digging into what it really means to mark the beginning of a place we call home.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is now law, and it's made sweeping cuts to Medicaid. That puts health coverage for thousands of Kentuckians at risk, and threatens the future of rural hospitals and health care providers across the state. On this episode of “On Track,” we talk with Kentucky Public Radio's Sylvia Goodman and Joe Sonka about what exactly is in the law, and who is most affected by it.

The historic Louisville Gardens is being repurposed into a soundstage complex, and Kentucky's film tax credit program is drawing increased attention from filmmakers. Could the commonwealth become a true film hub? On this episode, we talk with producer Merry-Kay Poe and financier Justin Brown to break down tax incentives, creative infrastructure, and why more filmmakers are looking beyond Hollywood.

Berea College isn't your typical school. It's been tuition-free since 1892—and was the South's first interracial and coeducational college. On this episode, we talk with Gretchen Dykstra, author of “Lessons from the Foothills: Berea College and Its Unique Role in America,” and alum Morgan Younge about what makes the school unique, and what it can teach us about education, equity, and opportunity today.

From packed summer shows to hometown discoveries, we're checking in on Louisville's local music scene. This episode, we hear from WFPK's afternoon host and local music liaison Laura Shine, and talk to artist and AMPED program manager Dave Christopher, Jr. They share their local faves, who's on their radar, and how you can support the city's artists.

Free speech and the right to protest are at the heart of the First Amendment—but how do those rights really work in practice? Bob Corn-Revere from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and Amber Duke, Executive Director of ACLU of Kentucky join us to explore what's protected, and how these issues are showing up in 2025.

People say it affects everything from how they vote to when they make big purchases or change jobs: “the economy.” But under that blanket term are so many other things, like the stock market, inflation, interest rates, consumer behavior, and they're all interconnected. On this episode, we're covering all the things you may have forgotten from your Economy 101 class and are now afraid to ask about, with Kentucky economic policy expert Jason Bailey.

Lead exposure is still affecting families across Louisville, especially in older homes and historically underserved neighborhoods. On this episode we're talking with Dr. Brian Guinn, a lead poisoning researcher at U of L, and Patrick Rich from Louisville Metro Public Health about who's most at risk—and what's being done to protect people.

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of classical music? Maybe you imagine a conductor on a podium in a fancy outfit. Maybe you remember a heart wrenching moment in your favorite movie. Or maybe it's that McDonald's commercial that's been stuck in your head since the 1980s. Whatever your access point is to classical music, there's much to explore and enjoy. On this episode, we're talking with WUOL Program Director Daniel Gilliam about his own love of the genre, and what makes classical music so relevant and vital.

Today is National Meteor Watch Day, and there's a lot happening in the sky this summer—from meteor showers to moonbows, and maybe even the Northern Lights. Tom Hayes and Aaron Hellems from the Louisville Astronomical Society join us on this episode to share some tips, prime spots for stargazing, and how we can all help protect our view of the sky.

From zoning and development to public input and approval processes, city planning shapes the neighborhoods we live in—but the process isn't always easy to follow. On this episode of “On Track,” LPM's Morgan Watkins recaps a controversial proposal at Joe Creason Park that sparked public pushback, and what the whole thing can teach us about city planning. And Jeff O'Brien from the Louisville Metro Cabinet for Economic Development explains how zoning, planning, and public input shape the neighborhoods we live in.

Louisville is heating up. The city has one of the fastest-growing urban heat islands in the country, leading to rising health risks. We're talking with Brian Stone Jr., Director of Georgia Tech's Urban Climate Lab, about what climate change looks like on the ground in Louisville, and how we can cool our city down, on this episode of “On Track.”

On this episode, we're sitting down with LPM President and CEO Kenya Young, who joined the organization last month. We'll talk about her background and hopes for LPM, and what it's like leading a public media organization in 2025. She'll also walk us through where things stand with funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, what could happen next, and what's at stake, both here and across the public media landscape.

Today we're checking in on what's happening in Southern Indiana. From local governance and criminal investigations to nature trails and community identity, the stories unfolding in this corner of the state help paint a fuller picture of life in our region. LPM's Southern Indiana reporter Aprile Rickert helps us break down what's happening and why it matters on both sides of the bridge, on this episode of “On Track.”

Louisville just got a failing grade for the air we breathe. So what's in our air, how bad is it really, and what's being done to clean it up? On this episode, we talk with Rachael Hamilton, Director of the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District about our air quality—and what it'll take to clear the air.

Louisville's proposed $1.2 billion city budget is now in the hands of the Metro Council, and it could shape everything from public safety to housing to city services. On this episode, we check in with LPM's city government reporter Roberto Roldan to understand how the city's priorities are showing up in the proposal, and where the money might be headed.

Louisville Public Media is celebrating 75 years of service to our community. As part of that celebration, we're sharing the stories of 75 people who've helped shape Louisville, in a project called 75 and Change. On this episode of “On Track,” we sit down with one of those changemakers, The Fairness Campaign's Chris Hartman, to talk about his work, the current state of LBGTQ rights, and the importance of community.

It's cicada season, and things are getting louder already. We're experiencing a major emergence of Brood XIV cicadas in Kentucky this year. What makes these bugs so fascinating? Why do they spend 17 years underground? And how do they affect Kentucky's ecosystem? On this episode of “On Track,” we get the buzz from Dr. Ric Bessin, an extension entomologist and professor at the University of Kentucky.

Every child in foster care has their own story, their own needs, and their own set of circumstances. What they all have in common is the need for a family to open a door to them and give them a soft place to land. May is Foster Care Awareness Month, and we're learning from folks doing the work right here in Kentucky. On this episode, we talk about how the placement process works, what support is available for foster children and families, and how to step up if you think you might have room in your own life to welcome a child who needs help. Guests: - Robby Gulick, Vice President of Foster Care and Adoption at Home of the Innocents - Christy Lucas, Home of the Innocents foster parent

Every child in foster care has their own story, their own needs, and their own set of circumstances. What they all have in common is the need for a family to open a door to them and give them a soft place to land. May is Foster Care Awareness Month, and we're learning from folks doing the work right here in Kentucky. On this episode, we talk about how the placement process works, what support is available for foster children and families, and how to step up if you think you might have room in your own life to welcome a child who needs help. Guests: Robby Gulick, Vice President of Foster Care and Adoption at Home of the Innocents Christy Lucas, Home of the Innocents foster parent

The 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee is happening this week, and Meyzeek Middle School eighth grader Zachary Luke Rara is heading to Washington D.C. to compete. He's part of a legacy; the very first Scripps winner was from Louisville, and the Courier Journal was a big part of the Bee's origins. We'll hear from Zachary about why he loves language, and how he prepares to compete on the national stage. And Corrie Loeffler, the Scripps National Spelling Bee's executive director, joins us to talk about what's changed in a century of spelling, and what the Bee means to its competitors and alums. We spell it all out for you on this episode of “On Track.”

The U.S. Department of Justice has moved to dismiss Louisville's proposed consent decree with LMPD. What does that mean for oversight, accountability, and the future of policing in our city? We sit down with LPM's Assistant News Director Amina Elahi and KyCIR's Managing Editor Jake Ryan to hash it out, in this special edition.

Summer is the perfect time to lose yourself in a good book—and it's just around the corner. So as the days get longer and warmer, we're getting our summer reading plans in order. On this episode, two guests from the Louisville Free Public Library help us update our to-read list with this season's big titles, and some old favorites that are perfect for vacation (or staycation!). Guests: - Jenny Lewis, Branch, Branch Manager, LFPL Middletown - Jody Hampton, LFPL Content Manager

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and we're looking at the state of these communities here in Kentucky. What does representation look like today? How are recent cuts and changes to DEI policies affecting daily life? And what's often left out of the conversation? On this episode, we talk with two leaders who bring both policy and lived experience to the table: Kentucky State Representative Nima Kulkarni, and Charlene Buckles, Development Director of the ACLU of Kentucky.

Louisville Public Media is celebrating 75 years of service to our community. As part of that celebration, we're sharing the stories of 75 people who've helped shape Louisville, in a project called 75 and Change. On this episode, we sit down with one of those changemakers, Kentucky Poet Laureate Kathleen Driskell, for a conversation about the power of poetry, the role of a laureate, and what it means to represent Kentucky's literary voice.