On Duty with Amy McGrath

“Every voice heard and every life empowered,” powerful and providential words from this week’s guest, Colonel Pamela Stevenson, JD. In this episode, Colonel Stevenson reveals how life in the Air Force prepared her for her role in Kentucky's Legislature, why it’s so important to provide health care for all Kentuckians and her favorite place for takeout in Louisville (hint: it’s BBQ!). Episode show notes: * https://www.stevensonforky.com/ [https://www.stevensonforky.com/] * https://www.facebook.com/Stevie-Js-269693556506785/ [https://www.facebook.com/Stevie-Js-269693556506785/]

Retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden served as administrator of NASA under President Obama, traveled into orbit four times aboard space shuttle missions and broke barriers in his 34-year career with the Marine Corps. In this episode, he reflects on leading in times of unpredictability, facing discrimination in his earliest days at the Naval Academy, and what this moment in history means for our country’s movement toward racial justice. Plus: The former NASA administrator shares his insights on UFOs and life on other planets. Episode show notes: * https://www.astronautscholarship.org/Astronauts/charles-bolden/ [https://www.astronautscholarship.org/Astronauts/charles-bolden/]

The mass demonstrations against police violence and racism have highlighted the need for fundamental change in our country and a new generation of leaders to step up and listen. First, we speak to Christian Motley about running for city council in these transformational times. Then, Denise Gray, a member of the Kentucky Governor’s Office of Early Childhood, speaks about the changes she would like to see out of the new generation of leaders. Episode show notes: * https://christianmotley.com/ [https://christianmotley.com/]

A long road to economic recovery is ahead of us. This episode, we attempt to answer, “What’s Next?” for Kentucky. What will a post-COVID economy look like? And how do we prevent this from happening again? Former state auditor and Lt. Gov. Crit Luallen touches on the similarities between now and the economic crisis of 2008-09. And over 48 Kentucky groups have called on Congress to provide states fiscal relief; we talk to one of those groups’ executive director, Jason Bailey. Episode show notes: * https://kypolicy.org/lessons-from-the-great-recession-kentucky-and-other-states-need-more-federal-relief/ [https://kypolicy.org/lessons-from-the-great-recession-kentucky-and-other-states-need-more-federal-relief/] * https://kypolicy.org/48-kentucky-groups-call-on-congress-for-robust-federal-fiscal-relief-to-states/ [https://kypolicy.org/48-kentucky-groups-call-on-congress-for-robust-federal-fiscal-relief-to-states/]

Gov. Andy Beshear’s win last November can be partially attributed to the army of teachers behind him. Funding our schools and taking care of teachers are central parts of this campaign too. Amy’s Educator's Council is made up of current and retired teachers and advises her on the issues in our school systems. First on the podcast, a teacher at Wayne County High School talks with Amy about the widening opportunity gap during COVID-19. Then, a retired teacher takes us back to marching at the state capitol and how Mitch McConnell's comments are just as incendiary to educators as Bevin’s in 2018. Episode show notes: * https://amymcgrath.com/get-involved/ [https://amymcgrath.com/get-involved/]