Forward Radio podcasts

This week on Sustainability Now!, we turn the microphone on your host, Justin Mog, as he sits down for another conversation with Barry Zalph, a retired engineer, environmental advocate, and fellow Quaker. Barry suggests that listeners to Sustainability Now! Would be curious to learn more about Justin’s childhood experiences that connected him with the natural world; what he studied at Oberlin College, and how his college experience influenced his career choices; what he studied in graduate school and as a Fulbright Scholar to the southern Philippines; and what his experience was like serving three years in the U.S. Peace Corps in Paraguay.

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

Listen to our LIVE broadcast from Louisville VegFest on Saturday, September 12, 2026 from noon-6pm at the Mellwood Art Center (1860 Mellwood Ave)! Learn more at https://vegkentucky.org

Forward Radio was a proud media sponsor of Kentucky’s premier celebration of all things vegan! Our booth showed how you can turn all that plant-power into community radio! Participants enjoyed music, performances, craft beer, cocktails, a plant-based marketplace, and inspiring speakers, including:

12:15pm Dominick Thompson, Activist, Athlete, Creator & Author

We’re incredibly grateful to welcome @domzthompson back to Louisville VegFest, speaking on: “Beyond the Walls: Masculinity, Compassion, and Becoming Human.” An Ironman triathlete, social entrepreneur, author, and animal rights activist whose story and work have inspired hundreds of thousands of people around the world. After choosing vegetarianism while incarcerated 25 years ago, Dom went on to become a leader in the No-Meat Athlete movement and build a life centered around compassion, wellness, and advocacy. He is the creator of Eat What Elephants Eat, his wellness brand and cookbook, and the real-life inspiration behind the upcoming film Land of Wolves.

1:15pm Kim Giovacco, founder of Veg Jaunts and Journeys

“Creating Community through Vegan Travel.” As vegans, one of our favorite parts of traveling is researching the vegan food scene before we even get there. Kim has built an entire business around exactly that - making vegan travel easier, more meaningful, and a whole lot more fun. An experienced world traveler herself, Kim founded Veg Jaunts and Journeys to create the kind of travel experiences she wished existed. Her small-group tours have taken vegan travelers on adventures both in the U.S. and around the world, while creating something just as important along the way: community. She’ll share how a community-led initiative inspired the creation of Veg Jaunts and Journeys, how travel has helped build connections and friendships around the world, and plenty of practical tips for traveling while vegan.

2:15pm Reya Andrews presents The Plant-Based Nutrition Prescription!

Reya is a licensed nutritionist and Assistant Professor of Food and Nutrition at Eastern Kentucky University, with more than two decades of experience spanning nutrition science, holistic health, sustainable food systems, research, and health education. Her work explores one of the most powerful -and practical- questions in nutrition: If the scientific evidence for food as medicine is so strong, why isn’t your doctor talking about it? Reya will share realistic, practical ways to use nutrition to take a more active role in your health.

3:15pm Marilyn Almonte, a master teacher, intuitive food therapist, energy healer, and co-owner of Sri Mantra, a family-owned Sri Lankan restaurant. Her work is rooted in the belief that healthy, plant-powered food can be delicious, accessible, simple, and deeply satisfying, and that the right spices can completely transform the way we experience food. Whether you’ve ever dreamed about opening a vegan restaurant or food business, love supporting local businesses, or are simply curious about what happens behind the scenes, this is a conversation you’ll want to hear.

4:15pm Lakisha Morris, award-winning cake artist, educator, and founder of Pink Batter Cake Studio

Lakisha presented a live vegan cake decorating demonstration in which Lakisha will show us some of the creativity and technique behind cake decorating, all while sharing her belief that cake can be about so much more than dessert. Lakisha is a three-time KY State Fair ribbon winner, graduate of the SBA THRIVE Emerging Leaders program, and nominee for Today’s Woman’s Most Admired Woman in Hospitality. She’s also currently serving as the September Chef-in-Residence at the Northeast Regional Library. Through Pink Batter Cake Studio, Lakisha creates guided, hands-on cake decorating experiences.

This week on Truth to Power, we bring you a vital community conversation called "Theater of War - On the Radio: A.I. Is About to Solve Loneliness. That’s a Problem"

From the stage of the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Harvey Theater in Brooklyn, NYC, on May 27, 2026, actors Bill Murray (Lost in Translation, Rushmore), Oscar Isaac (Frankenstein, Beef), and Lois Smith (East of Eden, Five Easy Pieces) perform Paul Bloom’s article 'A.I. Is About to Solve Loneliness. That’s a Problem' published in 2025 by The New Yorker, to start a conversation with listeners about how loneliness shapes us and the human need for connection in our digital age. Listeners share stories about the upsides and downsides of loneliness and A.I. companionship. Organized by Theater of War and WNYC.

Read the article at https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/kKl1CVOkX5Ijkm5kUGfBUEYL_B

Learn more at https://theaterofwarproductions.substack.com/p/bill-murray-oscar-isaac-and-lois

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, Brian, and Justin Mog come to you with a live remote broadcast from UofL's Center for Engaged Learning at the conclusion of Patty's retirement party! This special LIVE Critical Thinking for Everyone during Give For Good Louisville, encouraged YOU to donate to Forward Radio AND to all the other wonderful non-profits in our community! Donate through midnight to support Forward Radio at https://www.giveforgoodlouisville.org/organization/wfmp-low-power-radio-inc

Today (Thursday, 9/10/26), Justin Mog hosted this special LIVE Access Hour for Give For Good Louisville, encouraging YOU to donate to Forward Radio AND to all the other wonderful non-profits in our community! Donate through midnight to support Forward Radio at https://www.giveforgoodlouisville.org/organization/wfmp-low-power-radio-inc

On the show today were representatives from two other non-profits participating in Give For Good Louisville:

1. Art Sanctuary, which is moving into its new home at 2012 Northwestern Parkway, https://www.art-sanctuary.org Joining us were Lisa Frye, Executive Director/ Founder, Bethan Kannapell, Board Secretary, and Cynthia Gorsick, Associate Director.

2. The Food Literacy Project, which is settling into its new forever home at 4606 East Manslick Rd, https://foodliteracyproject.org We were joined by Grace Mican, Director of Impact and Resource Cultivation & Lindsay Duncan, Advancement Manager.

Support these and other non-profits throughout the day today at https://giveforgoodlouisville.org

The Food Literacy Project is celebrating their 20th anniversary and is hosting a birthday party this Saturday, September 12th from 2–4 PM, 4606 E Manslick Rd - an afternoon filled with live music by Ryan Anderson, chef-curated small bites featuring youth-grown produce, cake, family farm fun, and opportunities to celebrate two decades of growing food, youth leadership, and community. Free, but Registration required at https://bit.ly/FLPbday

They are also hosting a weekly produce pop-up table for neighbors to pick up fresh food free of charge every Tuesday 4:30-6:30PM.

FLP runs many different programs, including the Youth Community Agriculture Program – an employment opportunity for youth ages 16-24 based at the farm where they develop skills in growing and cooking food, community engagement, and leadership; Field-to-Fork programs – implemented for elementary age students in partnership with schools and other community orgs as in-class and after school programs that connect students to where their food comes from as they care for their school gardens, prepare veggie-centered recipes, and explore the power of youth leadership; and Food Access and Community Engagement initiatives are also central to their work – so far this year they’ve distributed over 5,000lbs of youth-grown produce, 1,000+ recipe cards, 500+ seeds and seedlings.

Art Sanctuary's mission is to build a thriving, inclusive community by supporting creators of every genre and background while making the arts accessible to all. They do this by providing affordable artist studio space and paid work for artists, hosting and producing free and low-cost community events, and collaborating with other art organizations. After having to move out of the space they'd called home for over 13 years, Art Sanctuary has found a new home in the Portland neighborhood. They are so excited for this new chapter of building community around art and they are busy renovating and getting the space ready. They've accomplished a lot in a few months, but there are a few expensive projects ahead that they must complete before they can re-open like bathrooms, fire safety infrastructure, HVAC, and accessible entrances. And don't miss out on their Costume Kickball Tournament Fundraiser on October 11th. Sign up with a team to play by 9/30 or just come for free to watch, explore the vendors, and enjoy the event.

Hear about a hallucinogenic mushroom that causes the user to see little people, called the 'Lilliputian Mushroom'. Then, we discuss a species of Strangler Fig that not only kills other trees, but also serves as a community latrine for up to 17 animal species. Finally, hear about what planets, stars, and constellations can be seen in the night sky during the month of September.

If you enjoy this show, and other shows on Forward Radio, WFMP, 106.5 FM in Louisville, Kentucky, please donate to our semiannual fundraising effort at https://www.giveforgoodlouisville.org/organization/wfmp-low-power-radio-inc. Every little donation helps!

‘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

On this Labor Day edition of Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, sits down with Dr. Phillip Kuan for a conversation about how the healthcare industry can reduce its environmental footprint without compromising patient care. Dr. Kuan is a quadruple board-certified anesthesiologist whose career reflects a deep commitment to the art and science of aesthetics. With a foundation of rigorous training from prestigious institutions like UT-Southwestern, UC-San Francisco, and Harvard, Dr. Kuan has honed his clinical acumen to deliver outstanding patient care. His journey through these top-tier programs has been complemented by mentorship from some of the most pioneering figures in the aesthetic industry, providing him with invaluable insights into the latest techniques and advancements in the field.

The U.S. healthcare sector is responsible for an estimated 8.5% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions, yet sustainability is rarely part of the broader conversation around environmental impact. While many industries are facing growing pressure to reduce their footprint, healthcare providers face a unique challenge: balancing environmental responsibility with patient safety.

One area drawing increased attention is nitrous oxide. Commonly used in medical and dental settings, nitrous oxide is also a potent greenhouse gas with a long-lasting environmental impact. Despite growing awareness, many healthcare facilities continue to use it because it is familiar, cost-effective, and deeply integrated into existing workflows. At New Look New Life in NYC (https://www.newlooknewlife.com/), Dr. Phillip Kuan and his team made the decision to eliminate nitrous oxide entirely, opting instead for propofol-based anesthesia protocols.

The decision is part of a broader effort to reduce waste where possible. New Look New Life has transitioned to largely paperless operations and has replaced select single-use materials with reusable alternatives where appropriate. At the same time, Dr. Kuan emphasizes that sustainability in medicine has limits. Many products and procedures must remain disposable to protect patients, prevent infection, and comply with regulatory requirements. Hospitals generate more than 5 million tons of waste each year, and operating rooms can account for a significant portion of that waste (https://practicegreenhealth.org/topics/waste/waste-0). While no healthcare organization can eliminate waste entirely, some providers are finding practical ways to reduce their environmental impact without compromising quality of care.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Kuan leads a life rich in cultural pursuits and personal passions. An avid hiker and backpacker, he finds solace in the great outdoors, relishing the tranquility and challenge of nature’s trails. His love for the arts is equally profound, as he immerses himself in opera, theater, and Broadway productions, celebrating the vast spectrum of human expression. More than an appreciative audience member, Dr. Kuan is also a musician, bringing his own creativity to life through the piano and violin. Learn more at https://www.newlooknewlife.com/who-is-dr-phillip-kuan

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 on Truth to Power, we bring you a vital community conversation hosted by the Family Farm Defenders podcast focused on the issue of Land Access in Sustainable Agriculture. The conversation was recorded about six months ago and features the voices of:

Louisville's own, Stephen Bartlett, a farmer, community organizer, and food sovereignty advocate. A father of three, he resides in Louisville, and in rural Dominican Republic. A multilingual speaker, he works alongside urban and rural growers, immigrants, and farmworkers. He integrates cultural sociodramas as a form of popular education, fostering collective learning and community empowerment. Stephen is the Executive Director of Forward Radio's proud community partner, Sustainable Agriculture of Louisville.

Nathan M. Galaviz is Commons Manager at Agrarian Trust, a national farmland trust focused on community-led, non-extractive models of land tenure. He supports Agrarian Commons projects across the country with strategic guidance on real estate, governance, conservation, and capital structure, integrating blended finance tools with long-term stewardship. Rooted in land stewardship and ecological agriculture, Nathan also manages a pastured sheep farm in western North Carolina, where he is working to restore riparian habitat. A licensed commercial real estate broker specializing in farm and ranch properties, he works to sustain creative pathways for farmland transition and secure tenure for the next generation. Nathan brings to NFFC both practical farming experience and deep expertise in land access, advancing strategies that center community control, ecological resilience, and rematriation.

Annette Hiatt is a Senior Staff Attorney with the Land Loss Prevention Project. She enjoys working one on one with clients to retain and preserve the connection of family to the ownership and retention of land. Ms. Hiatt received her Bachelor of Social Work from UNC-Charlotte and her J.D. from Case Western Reserve University. She is a North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission Certified Superior Court mediator, achieving that status in 2015. Ms. Hiatt is a legal fellow with the Sustainable Economies Law Center, a member of the North Carolina Local Food Council and the mother to two kiddos who lead her on many adventures.

Learn more about Family Farm Defenders, support the work, and find their other podcasts at https://familyfarmers.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

#265 Critical Thinking for Everyone! | Retirement | September 3, 2026 by Forward Radio

This hour is devoted to VOCAL (Voices of Community Activists and Leaders), an organization whose membership consists of low income, unhoused, former (some current) drug addicts and people formerly incarcerated. These are folks whose struggles are monstrous, but who have joined together under this umbrella to tell their stories, help each other and advocate for better policies, more resources and for more of a voice in problem solving. Representing VOCAL on this program are Jennifer Twyman, Drug Policy Organizer for VOCAL and members Anthony and Marcus. Part of this conversation was about the Overdose Awareness Day demonstration that took place Monday, August 31, 2026 in downtown Louisville.