Connections With Renee Shaw

After more than three decades in the newspaper industry, Rufus Friday talks about his new role as executive director of The Hope Center, Inc. and One Parent Scholar House, which provides comprehensive services to the homeless and those at risk. Friday is a former president and publisher of the Lexington Herald-Leader.

President Aaron Thompson of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education talks about student success and a willingness to change traditional services, budget recommendations the CPE will make to state lawmakers next year, COVID-19 and higher education and the future of Kentucky State University.

Renee Shaw talks with Whitney Austin, who narrowly survived a shooting at a Cincinnati bank three years ago. Now, she's the founder of Whitney/Strong, an organization dedicated to forging common-sense, bipartisan solutions to reducing gun violence.

Renee Shaw talks with filmmaker Sarah Burns about her new documentary Muhammad Ali, a six-year project that offers viewers a multifaceted look at Louisville's most famous son who went on to become heavyweight champion of the world as well as one of the world's most charismatic and controversial figures.

Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) get repeatedly asked, 'Where y'all really from?' Activists Charlene Buckles and Dan Wu talk about a new podcast that tackles the question, shares the experiences of AAPI community members and aims to break through barriers to understanding.

Renee Shaw speaks with Kevin Fields, president and CEO of the Louisville Central Community Centers, Inc., and pediatrician Dr. Beverly M. Gaines, president and CEO of Beverly M. Gaines M.D. and Associates, about a collaboration to enhance early childhood learning experiences.

Renee Shaw talks with Kathy Werking, executive director of On the Move Art Studio that provides free art classes to kids in underserved Central Kentucky neighborhoods. Then, Renee talks with community activist Jim Embry, who, along with others, formed a collaborative called Phoenix Rising Lex to preserve the contributions of African American horsemen like three-time Derby winner Isaac Murphy.

Renee Shaw talks with Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, about the increase in COVID-19 cases, vaccines, variants and if a change in mitigation recommendations is on the horizon.

Boone County Judge Executive Gary Moore is only the second Kentuckian to be president of the National Association of Counties. Renee talks to Judge Moore about the economic growth in Boone County, how his recent position benefitted the Commonwealth and how he has dealt with issues like improving access to high-speed internet, housing and opioid abuse.

Renee Shaw and psychologist Julie Cerel, Ph.D., a professor in the University of Kentucky College of Social Work, discuss grief and mental health challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Renee Shaw talks with early childhood education expert Sarah Taylor Vanover, Ed.D., about why America's childcare industry is on the verge of collapse and what can be done to save it. Vanover is the author of "America's Child-Care Crisis: Rethinking an Essential Business."

Renee Shaw talks with Sen. Mitch McConnell, Kentucky's Republican senior senator and minority leader in the U.S. Senate, about vaccine hesitancy, President Biden's proposed jobs and infrastructure plans, police reform, the teaching of systemic racism and more.

Renee Shaw talks with Cynthia Knapek, president of the Leadership Louisville Center about leadership, diversity and inclusion and the future of work.

Host Renee Shaw talks to community leaders and health equity experts about vaccine equity and the root causes of hesitancy in communities of color.

Host Renee Shaw talks with Kentucky State Treasurer Allison Ball about her watchdog role and ways she's empowering women to take control of their financial futures. Also, Sharon Price of the Community Action Council discusses how the social services agency is celebrating the contributions of women in the Bluegrass.

Host Renee Shaw continues her series of discussions about the increasing violence against Asian American and Pacific Islander communities with Lexington chef, restaurateur and community activist Dan Wu who frequently speaks and podcasts on social justice issues.

Renee Shaw talks with Pete Kraska, Ph.D., an Eastern Kentucky University criminology professor, author and leading scholar on police militarization. Kraska discusses a new Kentucky law that limits the use of no-knock warrants and its impact on communities of color.

Renee Shaw talks with Representative Nima Kulkarni, Kentucky's only Asian-American legislator and writer, activist, and social entrepreneur Mae Suramek about the increase of harassment and violence against Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

n honor of Women’s History Month, Renee Shaw talks to Kentucky student and author Prisha Hedau, who published her book PANDEMIC 2020 last fall, written when she was just 9 years old. Next, former social studies teachers Carly Muetterties and Maddie Shepard talk about their book Bluegrass Bold: Stories of Kentucky Women for use in Kentucky classrooms.

At the height of nationwide demonstrations for racial and social justice in 2020, Louisville native and former state representative Charles Booker emerged from an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate as the creator of a grassroots movement centered on progressive ideas. He talks about his upcoming memoir and future political plans.