The Lou Review

Hosted by Rosa Hart

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116

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Jun 2026

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Highlighting the food, drinks and places to experience in Louisville, KY by interviewing the people behind the scenes making Kentuckiana great!

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60 recent

June 15, 202644 min

Weaving Louisville's Housing Safety Net ft. Ra'Shann Martin

What does it actually take to end homelessness in a city? Rosa Hart sits down with Ra'Shann Martin, Executive Director of St. John's Center for Homeless Men, to find out.Ra'Shann didn't start in homeless services — he started with young people. His work at YouthBuild showed him how quickly housing instability derails a life, and that realization sent him on a path that eventually led to leading one of Louisville's most essential nonprofits. In this conversation, he pulls back the curtain on what homelessness in Louisville really looks like, who it affects, and what's actually working.In this episode:Ra'Shann shares his journey from YouthBuild to executive leadership, including the unexpected phone call that changed everything. He breaks down how St. John's Center operates across shelter, outreach, and permanent housing — and why something as simple as a mailing address can be the difference between stability and crisis. He introduces Sheehan Landing, the new 80-unit permanent supportive housing complex, and tells the story of an 83-year-old man found living in an encampment who now has a home. He also unpacks the myths around homelessness in Louisville, explains the new Outreach Referral Tool as a compassionate alternative to calling 911 or 311, and answers the question everyone wants to ask: should you give money to someone panhandling?You'll walk away knowing:What homelessness in Louisville actually looks like — and who it affectsHow permanent supportive housing works and why it changes outcomesWhat the Outreach Referral Tool is and how to use itWhat supplies are always needed (it's not just socks)How employers, volunteers, and community members can get involved right nowConnect with St. John's Center:Website: stjohnscenter.orgOutreach Referral Tool: stjohnscenter.org (click "Referral Tool")Phone: 502-568-6758 (ask for Outreach)Connect with Ra'Shann Martin on LinkedInSupport the work:Donate, volunteer, or explore partnership opportunities at stjohnscenter.orgKnow a Louisville mover and shaker making a difference? Rosa wants to hear from you.

June 8, 202626 min

Equus Flight Academy ft. Ebony Bartee

On this episode, host Rosa Hart sits down with Ebony Bartee, co-owner and Senior VP of Equus Flight Academy, and one of fewer than 12 Black women in the U.S. to ever own a Part 141 flight school. Ebony shares how she "tripped into a Cessna" with zero aviation background and now leads a multi-location flight training company spanning Kentucky, Indiana, Oregon, New Hampshire, and Florida.But this episode is about much more than planes. Ebony is described as a "pipeline builder" on a mission to bring awareness, accessibility, and affordability to the aviation industry, starting as early as kindergarten. From co-founding an Aerospace Engineering CTE program at W.E.B. Du Bois Academy to drone certifications, discovery flights, and dual credit high school programs, she's opening doors to 200+ aviation career paths that most people never knew existed.In this episode:What Part 141 vs Part 61 flight schools actually meanHow students can earn a pilot's license before their driver's licenseWhy drone piloting is a near six-figure career at age 17Scholarships nobody is applying for — and why you shouldThe full spectrum of aviation careers (nurses, lawyers, engineers, IT, and more)How Jefferson County EMS is using drones in emergency responseConnect with Ebony on LinkedIN🌐 Equus Flight Academy — equusflightacademy.com 📱 Instagram: @Equus.FlightAcademyTo learn more about college scholarships in aviation:https://www.aviationstart.org/https://aopa.org/https://www.eaa.org/eaa/learn-to-fly/scholarshipshttps://nbaa.org/professional-development/scholarships/The Lou Review podcast highlights powerful conversations around business, branding, entrepreneurship, and community stories from Louisville and beyond. We feature inspiring founders, creatives, and leaders sharing real insights, growth strategies, and behind-the-scenes journeys.🔹 Topics Covered:- Business Growth & Marketing- Branding & Creative Strategy- Entrepreneurship & Startups- Local Louisville Stories & CultureSubscribe for weekly podcast episodes and real conversations that matter.Learn more about The Lou Review Foundation Inc at LouReview.comConnect with host, Rosa Hart:on Instagram @RosaRaveson Linkedin

March 30, 202623 min

Digging for Truth: Inside the World of Private Investigation

Welcome to The Lou Review Podcast hosted by Rosa Hart 🎙️ Find out how private investigation looks nothing like the movies.Forget what you think you know from TV. Private investigation is less car chase and more courtroom strategy, and Amber Kaset has built a career doing the real thing.In this episode, Rosa Hart sits down with Amber Kaset, founder of AK Investigations and creator of the Investigative Expert Method, to pull back the curtain on what private investigators actually do, and why their work matters more than most people realize.Amber specializes in criminal defense and civil investigations, working alongside attorneys and legal teams to surface the facts that courtrooms depend on. From navigating Kentucky's licensing requirements to explaining how investigators build credibility as expert witnesses, Amber breaks down a profession that is quietly essential to how justice works.They also dig into the AI question. As artificial intelligence reshapes every industry, what happens to a field built on human judgment, source relationships, and reading between the lines? Amber shares her take on where technology helps and where it falls short.Whether you're curious about the field, considering a career change, or just ready to have your misconceptions challenged, this conversation delivers.In this episode:What private investigators actually do in criminal defense and civil cases (and what they don't do)How to get licensed in Kentucky and what career paths look likeWhy TV portrayals get it wrong and what the work really requiresHow AI is changing investigative work and what only humans can still doResources mentioned:Investigative Expert MethodAK Investigations: akinvestigations.comThis podcast highlights powerful conversations around business, branding, entrepreneurship, and community stories from Louisville and beyond.We feature inspiring founders, creatives, and leaders sharing real insights, growth strategies, and behind-the-scenes journeys.🔹 Topics Covered:- Business Growth & Marketing- Branding & Creative Strategy- Entrepreneurship & Startups- Local Louisville Stories & CultureSubscribe for weekly podcast episodes and real conversations that matter.Learn more about The Lou Review Foundation Inc at LouReview.com

March 18, 202617 min

Building Culture from the Inside Out: How CTRL Group Is Connecting Brands, Creators, and Community in Louisville

In this episode, Rosa sits down with CTRL Group co-founders Deshawndra' "Dray" Ray and Ann Hardin, two members of a bold founding team behind Louisville's newest creative agency and marketing collective. CTRL Group is redefining brand visibility through event curation, experiential media, and influencer marketing, connecting local brands, creators, and communities through experiences that are authentic, cultural, and community driven.Dray and Ann share the story behind this Louisville startup, how their community building approach is changing brand strategy for Black owned businesses and women entrepreneurs, and what the city's rising creative scene looks like from the inside.In this episode:What makes CTRL Group different from a traditional creative agencyBuilding influencer partnerships and creator storytelling that actually convertsWhy community driven marketing is the future of brand activationSupporting Louisville women in business and young professionals through intentional partnershipThe March 27 launch event at Goodwood Whiskey RowCatch CTRL Group - The Launch:RSVP here📅 March 27 | 6–9 PM📍 Goodwood Whiskey Row, 121 W Main St, Louisville, KYConnect with CTRL group on social media:InstagramFacebookTikTokAbout The Lou Review nonprofit:The Lou Review Foundation Inc. amplifies Louisville voices, stories, and changemakers, bringing together community leaders, innovators, and culture builders for honest, inspiring conversations about what it means to build something meaningful in this city.Follow host Rosa Hart @RosaRavesSubscribe to The Lou Review podcast for more conversations with Louisville entrepreneurs, culture builders, and community leaders who are changing the game.

February 16, 202631 min

Teaching Beyond the Textbook: Trauma-Informed Literacy in Louisville

What if the key to improving health outcomes, graduation rates, and long-term economic mobility in Louisville starts with something simple: helping a child feel safe enough to read?In this episode of The Lou Review, Rosa Hart sits down with Ashley Dearinger, co-founder of I Would Rather Be Reading, a Louisville-based nonprofit advancing literacy through trauma-informed care, relationship-building, and intentional community partnerships.Born out of firsthand classroom experience, the organization began as a small summer camp designed to support children who were falling behind — not because they lacked intelligence, but because they lacked stability and consistent support. What followed was rapid, community-driven growth rooted in a powerful understanding: academic success cannot happen until emotional needs are addressed.Ashley shares how trauma-informed educational practices are reshaping literacy intervention in Louisville and why health literacy is an essential — and often overlooked — component of long-term community wellness.The conversation explores:- The link between literacy, health outcomes, and generational opportunity- Why relationship-centered education drives measurable impact- How innovative partnerships expand nonprofit reach- Smart, sustainable fundraising strategies that fuel growth- Plans to expand services into middle and high school programming- A long-term vision for community hubs that connect education to career pathwaysAt its core, I Would Rather Be Reading represents a shift in how Louisville approaches children’s education — from remediation to empowerment.This episode is a powerful reminder that when a city invests in literacy, it invests in its own future.Learn more and connect with IWRBR at: iWouldRatherBeReading.org🎧 Listen now to learn how this Louisville nonprofit is turning pages - and turning the tide - for children across our community.Learn more about The Lou Review Foundation at LouReview.comFollow host Rosa Hart on social media @RosaRaves and @NurseRosaSpeaks

January 26, 202626 min

She Turned Food Waste Into Thousands of Meals for Louisville

What if feeding people with dignity could also build a sustainable and stronger local food system?In this episode of The Lou Review Podcast, we sit down with Rhona Bowles Kamar, founder and executive director of Feed Louisville, to explore how one Louisville-based nonprofit is redefining hunger relief with creativity, dignity, and long-term vision.Born out of the food insecurity crisis revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Feed Louisville rescues surplus food and transforms it into nourishing, chef-prepared meals for unhoused and food-insecure neighbors. What started as an urgent response has grown into a vital community force—powered by former restaurant professionals who believe good food is a human right, not a luxury.Rhona also shares how Feed Louisville is thinking beyond traditional nonprofit models through its social enterprise, ZEST—a plant-forward, grab-and-go meal line created by chefs and sold locally. Available at Value Market, Rainbow Blossom, Fante’s Coffee Shop, Billion Cup Coffee, and more locations coming soon, every ZEST purchase directly supports Feed Louisville’s hunger relief work.A former chef and co-owner of the beloved Ramsi’s Café on the World, and founder of Raising Hope Organic Farm, Rhona brings decades of culinary, agricultural, and community leadership to her mission. Her work has earned widespread recognition, including being named a 2025 Partners in Philanthropy Nonprofit Visionary Leader and a Today’s Woman Magazine Most Admired Woman.This conversation dives into food rescue, nonprofit innovation, social enterprise, and what it really takes to feed people with dignity—while strengthening Louisville from the inside out.In this episode, you’ll learn:How Feed Louisville turns rescued surplus food into chef-prepared mealsWhy dignity and access matter in hunger reliefHow ZEST supports nonprofit sustainability through local retail partnershipsThe role former restaurant professionals play in community careWhat it takes to build a mission-driven organization that lasts🎧 Subscribe to The Lou Review Podcast on Spotify and YouTube for more stories spotlighting the people and organizations shaping Louisville for the better.Connect with Feed Louisville:https://www.feedlouisville.orgOn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feedlouisvi...Connect with host Rosa Hart:https://www.instagram.com/rosaraves/Learn more about The Lou Review Foundationhttps://loureview.com/

December 22, 202522 min

Blessings In A Backpack: A Louisville Nonprofit Feeding Kids Across America

Hunger doesn’t stop when the school bell rings - and in Louisville, thousands of children feel that gap every weekend.In this episode of The Lou Review Podcast, host Rosa Hart talks with Kim Holsclaw about the life-changing work of Blessings in a Backpack, a Louisville-founded nonprofit fighting child hunger and food insecurity. Kim shares how the organization began in 2005 and grew into a national program now serving children in 46 states and Washington, D.C., ensuring kids have access to shelf-stable food when school meals aren’t available.The conversation highlights why community support, volunteers, and local partnerships are essential to feeding students in need - especially in Louisville, where nearly 80,000 children qualify for free or reduced lunch. Kim explains how Blessings in a Backpack delivers food directly to children, how the nonprofit collaborates with schools and organizations, and how listeners can volunteer, donate, and get involved locally to help end childhood hunger.Learn more at: https://www.blessingsinabackpack.org/Follow on InstagramThe Lou Review podcast is made possible by the Lou Review Foundation Inc. OUR MISSION:To leverage podcast storytelling,targeted advertising, strategic networking, and grants to give Louisville’s business & nonprofit founders the visibility they need to elevate theirmissions and businesses, inspiring partnerships and lasting success.Learn more at LouReview.comConnect with host Rosa Hart

December 14, 202538 min

Louisville's Comedy Scene is No Joke featuring Peter Swanz

In this episode of The Lou Review Podcast, Rosa Hart interviews Dr. Peter Swanz, a naturopathic doctor who also pursues stand-up comedy. Peter shares his journey into comedy, what drew him to the stage, and how humor serves as a powerful tool for connection, creativity, and personal growth. The conversation highlights the courage it takes to step into creative spaces and the unexpected ways different passions can complement one another.Rosa and Peter also explore Louisville’s vibrant comedy scene, the importance of networking, and the behind-the-scenes work of writing and refining jokes. Peter discusses the challenges of building a sustainable comedy career, the value of flexibility, and the unique “flow state” performers experience on stage, offering insight into the discipline and dedication that comedy requires.Connect with Dr. Peter SwanzFind a place to laugh in Louisville: Louisville LaughsLearn more about The Lou Review Foundation IncConnect with Rosa Hart

December 1, 202522 min

Confronting Kentucky's Health Crisis - Matt Hall of Clean Eatz

In this eye-opening episode, Rosa sits down with Matt Hall of Clean Eats to unpack one of Kentucky’s most urgent public health challenges: skyrocketing diabetes and pre-diabetes rates. With 28% of Kentuckians now at least borderline type two diabetic, the conversation dives into how healthier food access, community awareness, and simple habit changes can make a life-saving difference.Get yours at: https://locations.cleaneatz.com/Connect with them on socials @cleaneatzlouisvilleRosa also connects these issues to statewide public health efforts through the Our Healthy Kentucky Home initiative—because real health starts where we live, work, worship, and grow. 14% of Kentuckians are pre-diabetic.14% of Kentuckians are type two diabetic.28% of the state is at least borderline type two diabetic.Diabetes in Kentucky has become a growing pandemic.Childhood obesity rates continue to rise.Clean Eats is stepping in with healthier, convenient meal options.Health awareness and education are crucial in combating diabetes.Convenience + affordability = essential for real community health solutions.Changing eating habits is vital for long-term health improvement.Community-driven initiatives can help reverse the crisis.Kentucky ranks 41st for overall health according to America’s Health Rankings (2023).According to the 2024 Kentucky BRFSS:33% of adults are obese21% get no physical activity outside work17% smoke29% report depression16% have diabetes18% have heart diseaseThese factors reduce quality of life and shorten lifespan.Explore local public health programs and resources at:OurHealthyKyHome.ky.govJoin the movement: #OurHealthyKyHomeConfronting Kentucky’s Diabetes CrisisHealth Solutions for a Healthier KentuckyIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow your host Rosa Hart @RosaRaves on your favorite social platforms and follow The Lou Review Podcast wherever you listen.Join us on Facebook at facebook.com/loufoodreviews.Made possible by The Lou Review Foundation Inc.LouReview.com

November 24, 202518 min

Surprises at the Louisville Water Tower - with Megan Jones

What does it feel like to walk into a place with 165 years of history, yet smells as fresh as clean water? This episode with Megan Jones at the Louisville Water Tower uncovers the sensory details and future vision behind one of Louisville’s most quietly remarkable spaces.Visitors are often surprised the moment they step inside: a crisp, water-like scent, an atmosphere reminiscent of a clean swimming pool, and an instant sense of curiosity. Kids especially give the most authentic reactions, describing the space as fresh, welcoming, and exciting to explore.As Louisville Water celebrates its 165th anniversary, they're also looking toward 2026 with an elevated focus on education. In this episode, we talk about upcoming plans to enhance experiences for students, teachers, and special groups through expanded learning opportunities and more immersive programming designed to bring this historic landmark to life in new ways.Plan your own visit and learn more:Louisville Water Tower: https://louisvillewater.com/louisville-water-tower/Follow Louisville Water:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LouisvilleWater/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisvillewater/And don’t forget to connect with the show:Follow host Rosa Hart (@RosaRaves) on all social platforms.Follow The Lou Review Podcast on your favorite listening platform.Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loufoodreviews