My Old Kentucky Podcast

Pegasus Institute's Jordan Harris & Pat Smith

We try to avoid a filter bubble at My Old Kentucky Podcast.  In this episode, we brought together two people with very different perspectives.  Jordan Harris is the founder of Pegasus Institute, a "millenial-led, state-based think-tank" based in Kentucky.  Pat Smith is a community researcher who has been one of the most outspoken critics of the legitimacy of Pegasus Institute.  We brought them together for a conversation.
We won't lie, this episode gets pretty dicey!  We hope that this discussion brought forth more "light" than "heat", and that people come away from this episode with more information about what Pegasus Institute is, and how they conceptualize what they do.

Ben Carter on Tax Leins, the 6th Congressional District, UofL Scandal, and Bevin/Beshear

This week, Ben Carter (the landlord!) joins Robert to talk about Reggie Thomas' new campaign video, Andy Beshears' refusal to go along with revenue cuts, the newest scandal at UofL, and then a nice long segment about Kentucky cities' policies around tax leins.

Counties Sue Opioid Distributors & Pension Reset

In this episode, Jazmin brings a court case to our attention in which several counties are suing opioid distributors, and Robert resets the pension issue: he talks through the recent history of the pension problem and what has happened in the past year around the issue.

Abortion Lawsuit and Budget Cuts

This week, Jazmin explains the lawsuit facing EMW Women's Center, the only abortion provider left in Kentucky, and Robert discusses the very large cuts being requested by the Bevin administration.  Plus, as always, QUICK HITS.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer

This week, Robert interviews Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer.  They discussed his background and why he became involved in electoral politics, the interplay between city and state governments (including a discussion of the War on Louisville bills), the city's commitment to Open Data, the impacts of the events on Charlottesville, VA on Louisville (we talked for a while about the Castleman statue), and a short discussion about the mayor's relationship with the Metro Council.
We stick to state politics mostly on this show, but we couldn't pass up the opportunity to ask the Mayor about some city-level stuff.  Thanks to our listeners in other parts of the state for hanging with us!  Many thank-yous to the mayor for coming onto our show, we hope that you guys enjoy the episode!

Dr. William Barber, Bevin and Beshear in Court, Pension Reform, and Catch Up

This week on the show, Jazmin and Robert speak with Rev. Chris Hughes about Dr. William Barber's trip to Louisville to launch the "Poor People's Campaign".  Jazmin then brings the knowledge about two major topics: the next chapter in the ongoing saga of Gov. Bevin and Attorney General Beshear in the courts, plus a new report from the government's advisors about what pension reform will require.  Finally, Robert catches us up on several stories that we've been tracking.

Erik Jarboe of the New Kentucky Project

This week, Robert sat down with Erik Jarboe of the New Kentucky Project, the group led by Matt Jones and Adam Edelen.  They talked about the first year of the organization and it's plans for the future.

Kentucky & Charlottesville, VA, UofL's request for more money rejected, & the end of Gov. Bevin's house issue

On this episode, Jazmin discusses Kentucky's connection to the violence and unrest due to white nationalist protests in Charlottesville, VA and the impacts on policy in Kentucky.  Then, Robert and Jazmin discuss the state's refusal to give UofL more money to pay outside law firms, and the end of the saga of Gov. Matt Bevin's house

Joe Sonka & Answers In Genesis

Joe Sonka of Insider Louisville joins Robert and Jazmin this week to talk about the history of the Creation Museum and the Ark Experience, two attractions managed by Answers in Genesis in Northern Kentucky.  The group discusses what the attractions are, what the group believes, and how they interact with public policy in Kentucky

Gov. Bevin's House Gets Inspected, Gov. Bevin gets sued, and the Curious Case of Eric C. Conn

This week on My Old Kentucky Podcast, Jazmin and Robert talk about Governor Bevin's house inspection by the Jefferson County Board of Assessment Adjustment, and the media circus that ensued.  Then, they talk about a suit from the ACLU against Governor Bevin, which seeks to unblock all the people has blocked on social media.  Finally, Robert brings us up to date with a wild story out of Eastern Kentucky about a Social Security lawyer who is on the lam after pleading guilty to a $550 million social security fraud.