In this era of voter suppression and rampant misinformation, we strive to present our listeners with accurate, useful, up-to-date details for making their votes count.  We do this by clarifying and critiquing the current election process; by bringing our listeners candidate forums and interviews; by discussing issues raised (or that should be raised) by candidates; and much more.

Election Connection

Discussion of the local Louisville economy, gambling trends over the decades, and the recent legalization of sports gambling in Kentucky.

Economic Impact | Episode 10 | Gambling At The Local Level

Researchers have identified seven lifestyle factors that are most correlated with depression.  We review them on this show!  And did you know that the official state 'mineral' in Kentucky (coal) is actually a 'rock', and the official state 'rock' (agate) is actually a 'mineral'?  Hear about the move in the KY Legislature to fix this geological error.  Finally, hear about the 2023 Ig Nobel Prize ceremony which humorously celebrates out-of-the-ordinary research.

‘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/pg/BenchTalkRadio/posts/?ref=page_internal 

Many thanks to Kentucky Educational Television for permission to rebroadcast a portion of their Feb. 22, 2024 episode of 'Kentucky Edition' with Renee Shaw:  https://ket.org/program/kentucky-edition/state-rock/

Many thanks to the Ig Nobel Prize folks for permission to rebroadcast part of their 2023 ceremony:  https://improbable.com/ig/2023-ceremony/#Ig-Ceremony-2023

Bench Talk | Depression & Lifestyle - State Rock & Mineral - Ig Nobel Awards | March 11, 2024

A talk with David Melton who is an advocate for Kentucky state employee pension reform.  He discusses what has gone wrong with the pension system this century and how chronically underfunded it is.  Please listen to this interesting and informative discussion.
NOTE: In this audio, a PowerPoint Presentation is discussed.  Unfortunately I am unable to post it here on SoundCloud.com, but please write me at lambertthomas@hotmail.com, and I can send you a copy.  Thanks!

Economic Impact | Episode 28 | David Melton | Ky State Pension Problems | 4-15-24

A discussion of the economic impact of Derby Week on the Louisville Metro Area and what it means for jobs, payroll, sales revenues, and tax revenues.

Economic Impact | Special Episode: The Economic Impact Of Derby Week

This week's program is truly unique - an act of street theater followed by community conversation about the greatest crisis facing humanity - global climate chaos. This week, we bring you edited highlights from "An Enemy of The People: Extinction Rebellion," a performance and dialogue that took over Times Square in New York City on a bustling Wednesday afternoon, June 12th, 2024. Listen in as Bill Murray and many other great actors perform a reading of portions of the great 1882 play by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, followed by community conversation. This event was organized by Theater of War Productions; Extinction Rebellion; Scientists Rebellion; Green Faith; The People's Senate; Climate Café; and Billion Oyster Project!

Watch a full recording of the event at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB-aoMuTDVQ

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

Truth To Power | An Enemy of The People: Extinction Rebellion | Bill Murray et al | 6-14-24

A discussion with Dr. Karl Besel of St. Joseph University on his paper "Racial Justice in the Nonprofit Sector: Addressing Nonprofit Sustainability in Diverse Communities."  Interesting findings for nonprofits at the local level.

Economic Impact | Episode 37 | Dr. Karl Besel | Racial Justice in the Nonprofit Sector | 8-12-24

In this interview, Dr. Cynthia Ganote, Founder and CEO of Ganote Consulting, offers tips on small steps we can all take to bring more kindness and inclusion into our personal and work lives, especially as it relates to the troubled times we are living in.

Election Connection | Dr. Cynthia Ganote | Creating more inclusive spaces | 12-3-24

Dr. Lawrence Lessig, Prof. of Law and Leadership at Harvard Law School, formerly professor at Stanford Law School, former clerk for Justice Antonin Scalia and author of numerous books and articles on democracy and its accelerating decline, spoke with Ruth and occasional co-host James Moore on money's corrupting influence over our democracy and what we as individuals and as a nation can do about it.

Election Connection | Lawrence Lessig | Money's role in democracy's decline & how to fix it |1-8-25

A conversation with Dr. John Komlos, Professor Emeritus of the University of Munich, who has edited and contributed to the book, Neoliberal Economic Policy and The Rise of Right-Wing Populism in which I have written a chapter.  Dr. Komlos discusses how past economic policies have given rise to working class discontent and the rise of far-right ideas and policies.  This book has a message and warning about the future of US democracy.  It has recently been published, and for more information on it, here is the publisher's site for the book:
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-74979-7

Economic Impact | Episode 46 | Neoliberal Economic Policy And The Rise Of Right - Wing Populism

A discourse on horse racing's current state, its competition, and how gambling is currently doing nationally and locally.  Comparisons are made between what is happening in Kentucky and Indiana on the gambling scene.

Economic Impact | Episode 52 | Horse Racing and Its Competition

An interview with Dr. Ken Chilton of Tennessee State University on his research into how large real estate firms and financial corporations, sometimes known as private equity firms, are buying up residential housing in different metro area markets throughout the US.  Many of these homes are being resold to upscale buyers or rented out to those of a middle income class.  Louisville falls into a category where most are rented due to certain characteristics that make Louisville different from cities such as Nashville or Atlanta.  In many cities, large corporations can own a substantial portion of the local housing stock.

Economic Impact | Episode 54 | Interview with Dr. Ken Chilton on Big Corporations and Housing

Dr. Lynn Pasquerella is, among her many and varied roles within the academic community, President of the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU), which put out a public statement on April 22, 2025 decrying the "unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education."  It was signed by over 600 college and university presidents and chancellors.  Her insightful and knowledgeable commentary on current threats to our institutions of higher learning, the historical context and what lies ahead offer listeners a rare, eagle-eye view of the challenges we face in restoring our democracy through the "midwifery" of our educational institutions. 

Election Connection | Dr. Lynn Pasquerella | University Presidents Push Back on Trump Admin | 6-17-25

Dr. Ricky Jones, Professor of Pan African Studies at the University of Louisville, author and political analyst, speaks his mind at the Louisville League of Women Voters Annual Meeting, held June 26, 2025, on a number of topics including what he views as race-based hypocrisy, misinformation and interference in academic affairs on the part of Kentucky local and state government.

Election Connection | Dr. Ricky Jones | League of Women Voters Annual Meeting | 6-24-25

This is a talk given by Kyle Ellison on overcrowding in Kentucky's profit-driven county jail system  and how county jails interface with ICE.  Mr. Ellison is a retired parole officer, trainer for the prison/jail system in Kentucky and prison historian.  He spoke at the St. James Episcopal Church in Oldham County on July 22, 2025.

Election Connection | Kentucky's Profit-Driven Jail System | Kyle Ellison | 8-5-25

Dee Pregliasco, former President of the Louisville League of Women Voters, former District Court Judge, attorney retired from practice and currently Mediator, explores ramifications of a rush of voter suppression measures being introduced or having passed in Republican state legislatures, as well as the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility) which, as of this recording, has yet to be voted on in the U.S. Senate.    

Election Connection | The SAVE ACT and Other Voter Suppression Measures | Dee Pregliasco | 8-11-25

Big crowds turned up at two public meetings to express their ideas, make comments and ask questions regarding what they would like to see happen at these flood-prone parks and other public areas along River Rd between the Big Four Bridge and Indian Hills.  These meetings took place August 11 and 13, 2025 and were put on by the Louisville Office of Metro Planning, Metro Parks and the Department of Transportation.  Everyone was encouraged to fill out an online survey by Googling River Road Land Use Vision Plan and clicking on the "We Want to Hear from You!" icon.

Election Connection | The Public Speaks Out at Champions Park and Beyond Public Meeting | 8-11-25

Forward Radio is independent, listener-sponsored, volunteer-powered, grassroots community radio WFMP-LP Louisville, Kentucky. We have been broadcasting at 106.5fm and live-streaming at forwardradio.org since April 9, 2017. Please donate at forwardradio.org to keep us on-air. It costs $20/day to keep this programming coming your way.

Election Connection | Lawrence Lessig | Money's role in democracy's decline & how to fix it |1-8-25

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