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.”

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.

From tornadoes to floods to fires, Kentuckiana has been hit hard by emergencies in recent months. On this episode, we talk about how to be prepared when disaster strikes—what to pack, where to go, and how to stay informed. We also talk about how you can help your community bounce back after disaster strikes.

Guests:

• Jody Meiman, Executive Director of Louisville Metro Emergency Services
• Amber Youngblood, the Regional Director of Communications for the American Red Cross in Kentucky

ADHD is a term we’re hearing more often on social media, in everyday conversation, and in how we talk about focus and distraction. So what is ADHD, exactly? What are the signs, and why might more people be wondering if it applies to them? On this episode, we speak with Dr. F. Allen Walker, a Louisville psychiatrist who’s spent over 20 years helping people better understand the condition, clinically and personally.

Prom season is here—think limos, corsages, and photo ops. But the tradition is evolving. From gender-inclusive fashion to teens going with friends instead of dates, today’s prom is more personal, more creative, and more inclusive than ever. So how is this rite of passage changing, and what does it say about the culture young people are shaping?

Guests:

• Jill Nissen, The Proof Photography
• Jessica Couch, XO by Sophia’s