The Talk of Louisville Podcast

On this episode of the Talk of Louisville Podcast, Mike and Kellye talk with KY House Candidate Stephanie White

Meet Stephanie White

I was born and raised in New York, but life took me to several parts of the country before settling in Kentucky. After graduating from Wake Forest University in North Carolina, I moved to Texas where I started my career as a high school math teacher. After three years of teaching, I realized I wanted to do work outside of the classroom to be a positive force to support public education. I earned a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs and Policy Analysis from the University of Texas at Dallas while working on education policy and research. 

After getting married, my husband and I moved back to NC so that he could further his education. I went back to the classroom and taught for two more years before taking on my most important role - Mom. We started our family in NC. With a struggling economy in 2008, we had to make a change for work. We moved to Kentucky, where my husband is originally from, and we found our home in Oldham County. 

When we moved to Kentucky in 2009, I loved everything about the Louisville area. I was exploring every day with my young children, learning about all of the parks, libraries, and museums. I started a business by accident - Louisville Family Fun - by creating a website for moms to share events and happenings around the city. I knew nothing about websites or even how to run a business, but I quickly became the “Louisville Family Fun lady” everywhere I went. 

I was honored to be named one of Louisville Business First’s 40 under 40 in 2014. What I love most, though, about my business are the times I have been able to give back to the community through charitable events and remaining a consistent, free resource for Louisville families. The business is still successful 16 years later. 

I have always been a high-achiever. In 2019, I decided to take a leap and go back to school full-time, while also running my business and raising two children. I earned a fellowship from the University of Louisville and a graduate assistantship. During my five years at UofL, I learned so much about myself and even more about what I am most passionate about: high-quality, high-impact education for all students. I was thrilled when the department chair asked me to serve as an adjunct instructor after I graduated. 

I did not intend to go back to the high school classroom - I was not sure exactly what I would do after I graduated. Life threw me a curve ball in 2022 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Through all of the chemotherapy and surgeries, I had quite a bit of time to reflect on what was important to me. I decided that being with students everyday would be the best way to utilized everything I know and love about teaching and learning. 

For more info visit stephanieforky.com

On this episode of the Talk of Louisville Podcast, Mike and Kellye talk with U.S. Congressional Candidate Maria Rodriguez

María is running for Congress to defend the freedoms she once lived without. She believes strongly in free enterprise, safe communities, legal immigration, and protecting the constitutional rights of all Americans.

Her journey, from political persecution to public service, has instilled in her a deep respect for the American Dream and a determination to preserve it for future generations.

For more info visit mariaforuscongress.com

On this episode of the Talk of Louisville Podcast, Mike and Kellye talk with Craig Greenberg Re-Election Candidate for Mayor of Louisville

To Craig Greenberg, Louisville has always been home.

He grew up cheering for the Cards, attended Ballard High School, and has spent his life rooted in the communities that make Louisville special.

Before being elected Mayor in 2022, Craig built his career in downtown Louisville helping revitalize the city—first as an attorney at a local law firm and then as an entrepreneur building local businesses and creating good jobs.

As Mayor, Craig is focused on what matters most:

Making our city safer, stronger, and healthier for all.

Working with a sense of urgency, he prioritizes improving public safety, driving economic growth, and expanding opportunities across every neighborhood, including opening the first public pool in West Louisville in over sixty years and building a new library in Fern Creek.

For more info visit greenbergformayor.com

On this episode of the Talk of Louisville Podcast, Mike and Kellye talk with Shameka Parrish-Wright Candidate for Mayor of Louisville

ABOUT SHAMEKA

Councilwoman Parrish-Wright was elected to serve District 3 in November 2023.

In 2026, she serves as a member of the Budget, Planning & Zoning, and Public Safety Committees. She is also an appointed member of the Commission for Persons with Disabilities.

Shameka Parrish-Wright is the Executive Director of VOCAL-KY – a newly launched organization dedicated to ending AIDS, the failed drug war, mass incarceration and homelessness by building the political power of people directly impacted by those issues, which includes herself. She was driven to seek this office because she passionately believes people like herself, who have experienced poverty and homelessness, need representation the most.

She has been married nineteen years and is the mother of six and grandmother of four. With over 25 years of community organizing and social justice work, Shameka is a proven connector and bridge builder that works across lines of difference to support better progressive policies that improve and save lives. Her unshakable commitment to improving lives shapes the policies she drafts and sponsors.

Shameka has many certifications, years of consulting and training experiences. She attended the University of Louisville and has a degree in Human Services. She was the Co-Chair of the Kentucky Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression during the Justice for Breonna Taylor movement, which helped her be a valuable resource during Louisville’s most recent civil rights movement. She now serves as an advisor to KAARPR. She was appointed to the Human Relations Commission by the Mayor of Louisville in 2008 and served two terms.

Additionally, Shameka has held, and still holds, leadership positions with many organizations such as: Kentucky Jobs with Justice, La Casita Center Board, The Coalition for The Homeless, The Anne & Carl Braden Memorial Center, Louisville Books to Prisoners Program, Justice Now, The Sowers of Justice Network, Feed Louisville and The Louisville Family Justice Advocates, the Kentucky Reproductive Freedom PAC and the Anne Braden Institute for Social Justice Research. All of her work is dedicated to ending racist practices and dismantling poverty.  

For more info visit shamekaforlouisville.com

On this episode of the Talk of Louisville Podcast, Mike and Kellye talk with Jeff Yocum Candidate for Mayor of Louisville

A Leader Forged by Service

Jeff Yocum is a proud Louisville native whose family has called this city home for generations. After serving his country honorably in the United States Navy, Jeff returned to Louisville — the city he loves — to raise his family and continue serving his community.

As a retired Navy veteran and Vice Post Commander at the VFW, Jeff has never stopped serving. He knows what it means to put others first, to lead with integrity, and to fight for the people beside him — values he will bring to every decision as Mayor of Louisville.

As a husband and father of four JCPS students, Jeff understands what Louisville families face every day — rising crime, failing schools, crumbling roads, and a City Hall that has stopped listening. He is not a career politician. He is a neighbor, a veteran, and a problem-solver with deep roots in this community.

Jeff believes Louisville has the people, the spirit, and the talent to be one of the great cities in America. It just needs a Mayor willing to make the tough calls and deliver real results.

For more info visit yocumforlouisville.com

#louisville #louisvillemayor

On this episode of the Talk of Louisville Podcast, Mike and Kellye talk with Bill Stangel from Read Foundation

THE READ FOUNDATION WAS CREATED FOR A FEW REASONS

First and foremost is to give underprivileged children the opportunity to see or do something they would not normally have the opportunity to do.

Next is finding something to promote a chance to be successful in life. I chose reading because being a teacher in Title 1 schools I saw the impact these opportunities make in their lives.

Combining the two, Rewards with reading it is a win-win opportunity. They improve their reading skills they also feel a sense of accomplishment through reading and earning a reward. More than just a ticket they also gain a new experience.

Like the poem Starfish Story, I know I can't take or make a difference in every child's life, but it doesn't stop me from trying.

For more info visit thereadfoundationusa.org

On this episode of the Talk of Louisville Podcast, Mike and Kellye talk with Lori Meredith & Lori Shannonhouse from Southwest Community Festival

The Southwest Community Festival is the largest one-day event in Southwest Jefferson County. To highlight a few of the wonderful all-volunteer committee plans are: 

KIDS' CITY: Inflatables, arts & crafts, and games that speak to all energetic pre-teens

TEEN TOWN: Feautures games and entertainment that young adults will enjoy

SENIOR TENT: Full of resources and activites for our senior population 

And for the entire family... LIVE Entertainment, Car Show, arts & crafts booths, along with food vendors round out this beautiful fall Saturday filled with fun for all ages! Please come out and support your local community - it's all about you!

For more info visit swcf-ky.com

On this episode of the Talk of Louisville Podcast, Mike and Kellye talk with David Beumer from Adapt Lou

AdaptLou makes movement possible for people with disabilities in the greater Louisville region. By providing programming and education that remove the equipment, coaching, and cost barriers keeping disabled athletes and their support teams on the sidelines.AdaptLou makes movement possible for people with disabilities in the greater Louisville region. By providing programming and education that remove the equipment, coaching, and cost barriers keeping disabled athletes and their support teams on the sidelines.

For more info visit adaptlou.org

On this episode of the Talk of Louisville Podcast, Mike and Kellye talk with Jennifer Outlaw from The Tony Bennett Memorial Foundation

The Tony Bennett Memorial Foundation has three primary initiatives. First, we provide financial assistance to families who survive the death of a loved one by suicide. Resources include financial assistance for things such as funeral expenses, grief counseling, and other needs specific to each family. Second, we support suicide prevention and awareness activities in our community and schools. Our third initiative is awarding scholarships to graduating seniors at area high schools. We focus our awards on students who have overcome all types of adversities such as the loss of a loved one to suicide, significant injuries or disabilities, or other life-altering events. This work is made possible through our various fundraisers throughout the year and the support of our community.

We would also like to bring attention to why we chose to use the symbol of a semicolon as an accent across our website. We believe that the semicolon represents a message of affirmation and solidarity against the stigma of all mental health issues. We hope that it inspires you to continue telling your story like it does ours.

For more info visit tonybennettmemorialfoundation.org

On this episode of the Talk of Louisville Podcast, Mike and Kellye talk with Julie Roederer from Cameron Ponder Cycling Classic

JOSEPH CAMERON PONDER

Trooper Cameron Ponder was shot and killed on patrol on September 13, 2015, while conducting a vehicle stop in Western Kentucky.

Trooper Ponder was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Kentucky State Police for nine months. He was assigned to the Mayfield Station. He is survived by his fiancee, parents, three siblings, and grandparents.

For more info visit bikesignup.com/Race/KY/Elizabethtown/CameronPonderCyclingClassic