Open Ninth

The numbers are staggering – there are around 100,000 children in the foster care system, of which, each year, nearly 38,000 age out and are ineligible to remain in foster care. These children long to find a forever family where welcoming parents provide the love and attention they so desperately need. The rewards are twofold: Adopted children receive stability, nurture, and security while their new parents experience unconditional love and the satisfaction of being a transformative force in a young child’s life.  Judge Alicia Latimore discusses these topics and so much more in our latest podcast.  For decades Judge Latimore has been a vocal adoption proponent. Before taking the Circuit bench in 2006, she practiced for 15 years in the family division where she became intimately acquainted with the plight of children in the foster care system. She received a degree in psychology from Duke University and later received her juris doctor from the University of Florida.  She will preside over this year’s National Adoption Day Ceremony which will take place on Friday, November 18, 2016 at the Orange County Courthouse – an event she considers the happiest day in Court.    Let us know what you think about the podcast.

The numbers are staggering – there are around 100,000 children in the foster care system, of which, each year, nearly 38,000 age out and are ineligible to remain in foster care. These children long to find a forever family where welcoming parents provide the love and attention they so desperately need. The rewards are twofold: Adopted children receive stability, nurture, and security while their new parents experience unconditional love and the satisfaction of being a transformative force in a young child’s life.  Judge Alicia Latimore discusses these topics and so much more in our latest podcast.  For decades Judge Latimore has been a vocal adoption proponent. Before taking the Circuit bench in 2006, she practiced for 15 years in the family division where she became intimately acquainted with the plight of children in the foster care system. She received a degree in psychology from Duke University and later received her juris doctor from the University of Florida.  She will preside over this year’s National Adoption Day Ceremony which will take place on Friday, November 18, 2016 at the Orange County Courthouse – an event she considers the happiest day in Court.    Let us know what you think about the podcast.

To say that this year’s presidential election was unpredictable would be a gross understatement. With all eyes on Florida’s 29 electoral votes, the largest among the battleground states, reporters flocked to the I-4 corridor trying to gauge the populace’s pulse so they could report on the ever-shifting electoral trends.   Chief Judge Frederick Lauten sat down with Kerry Sanders, a Peabody Journalism and Emmy Award winner, to discuss the media’s role during this past election cycle. Kerry shares some interesting takeaways from this election, including how reporters’ coverage of unreliable polls continue to shape the public’s opinion of the media. The veteran reporter also provides an insider’s perspective on the delicate relationship between the media and the candidates. Let us know what you think about the podcast.

Servicemen and women place their lives on the line to protect and defend our country, the United States Constitution, and our way of life. Yet many of these brave soldiers return from wars overseas a shell of their former selves, falling victim to drug and alcohol abuse and haunting mental health issues. Enter Veteran's Court. In this podcast, you’ll learn of the Circuit’s efforts to help rehabilitate our veterans so they can once again be productive members of society – and you’ll meet the judge who got the program started. Judge Jerry Brewer was tapped as the obvious choice to preside over Veteran's Court – after all, he is one of their own. An Oklahoma native raised by a single mom, Judge Brewer’s career service spanned decades, beginning as a 17-year-old marine enlistee, then transitioning to a 4-year stint as a firefighter/EMT, and culminating with 21 years of service on the Orange County bench. Before retiring at year’s end, we sat down with the plainspoken judge to discuss his fascinating journey. Let us know what you think about the podcast.

Breast Cancer indiscriminately strikes 1 in 8 women, regardless of race or social status. After a routine mammogram in April of 2003, Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente discovered she too was among its targets. Now 13 years cancer-free, in this podcast she recounts her brave journey of survival and hope, while providing insightful tips on how to fight back and defeat this dreadful disease.  Justice Pariente has served on the Supreme Court for nearly 20 years. She is a staunch advocate of family law system reform, having chaired and served on various Supreme Court committees that looked into the current system. She is the proud grandmother of 10. An exercise enthusiast and proponent of healthy living, she loves to travel with her husband around the world whenever her busy work schedule permits her. Let us know what you think about the podcast.

Breast Cancer indiscriminately strikes 1 in 8 women, regardless of race or social status. After a routine mammogram in April of 2003, Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente discovered she too was among its targets. Now 13 years cancer-free, in this podcast she recounts her brave journey of survival and hope, while providing insightful tips on how to fight back and defeat this dreadful disease.  Justice Pariente has served on the Supreme Court for nearly 20 years. She is a staunch advocate of family law system reform, having chaired and served on various Supreme Court committees that looked into the current system. She is the proud grandmother of 10. An exercise enthusiast and proponent of healthy living, she loves to travel with her husband around the world whenever her busy work schedule permits her. Let us know what you think about the podcast.

Two Judges.  One household.  Meet the Kests - John and Sally. His and Her Honors but also Mr. and Mrs. Kest.  Both are Circuit Judges for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court and are currently the only married judicial couple. They are Florida State law school sweethearts who fell in love, married and raised a family.  They also built very successful legal careers in Orlando and now are both Judges.  Learn how they met, what life is like in a two judge household,  who gets the final say in the Kest household and if there is an appellate process.  Let us know what you think about the podcast.

Two Judges.  One household.  Meet the Kests - John and Sally. His and Her Honors but also Mr. and Mrs. Kest.  Both are Circuit Judges for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court and are currently the only married judicial couple. They are Florida State law school sweethearts who fell in love, married and raised a family.  They also built very successful legal careers in Orlando and now are both Judges.  Learn how they met, what life is like in a two judge household,  who gets the final say in the Kest household and if there is an appellate process.  Let us know what you think about the podcast.

To say that this year’s presidential election was unpredictable would be a gross understatement. With all eyes on Florida’s 29 electoral votes, the largest among the battleground states, reporters flocked to the I-4 corridor trying to gauge the populace’s pulse so they could report on the ever-shifting electoral trends.   Chief Judge Frederick Lauten sat down with Kerry Sanders, a Peabody Journalism and Emmy Award winner, to discuss the media’s role during this past election cycle. Kerry shares some interesting takeaways from this election, including how reporters’ coverage of unreliable polls continue to shape the public’s opinion of the media. The veteran reporter also provides an insider’s perspective on the delicate relationship between the media and the candidates. Let us know what you think about the podcast.

Technology is transforming the way courts do business and the way they interact with litigants and their judicial partners. With this growing trend, what will the courts of the future look like?  In “What’s Next......Is Happening Now,” Chief Judge Frederick J. Lauten speaks with Sam Chon, from Cisco Systems, about the challenges courts face in purchasing high-tech products and incorporating them in the workplace. After an eye-opening discussion, you’ll find that technology’s potential applications are limitless and the obstacles to its implementation not as difficult for the courts to overcome.  Sam Chon, a UCLA graduate, began working for Cisco as a systems engineer since 1998 and has been a critical part of  Cisco's Connected Justice initiative.  Sam has utilized his expertise in unified communications to help Courts apply technological solutions in order to bridge time and distance to bring people together.    Let us know what you think about the podcast.

As a child, the young Faye Allen grew up in the small town of Quincy, Florida, where she would sit along with her four brothers and sisters to watch the only TV show their parents would allow them to see – Star Trek. Out of that experience, she learned to dream big and to boldly pursue her goals. During “Live Long and Prosper,” Judge Allen shares with listeners her passion for the avante garde series, which featured a diverse cast uncharacteristic of that era. The show’s characters and themes ignited an interest in Allen that led her to law school and to eventually become the second female African-American judge in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Judge Allen was appointed to the Orange County bench in 2005. She has served in both the criminal and civil divisions. The experience she has gained in her life journey, along with her diverse background, enable her to understand complex issues and to equitably dispense justice to those persons who come before her. Let us know what you think about the podcast.

As a child, the young Faye Allen grew up in the small town of Quincy, Florida, where she would sit along with her four brothers and sisters to watch the only TV show their parents would allow them to see – Star Trek. Out of that experience, she learned to dream big and to boldly pursue her goals. During “Live Long and Prosper,” Judge Allen shares with listeners her passion for the avante garde series, which featured a diverse cast uncharacteristic of that era. The show’s characters and themes ignited an interest in Allen that led her to law school and to eventually become the second female African-American judge in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Judge Allen was appointed to the Orange County bench in 2005. She has served in both the criminal and civil divisions. The experience she has gained in her life journey, along with her diverse background, enable her to understand complex issues and to equitably dispense justice to those persons who come before her. Let us know what you think about the podcast.

“Stuck in the 80’s with DJ Rufus” features an early morning visit by Chief Judge Lauten to WPRK (The Best in Basement Radio & Voice of Rollins College) where DJ Rufus (aka:  Circuit Judge Bob Leblanc) tells listeners about his love of 80’s music and the pleasure of serving as a Circuit Judge.  He is DJ Rufus when he is playing his favorite 80’s music for listeners of WPRK but a few hours later he is Circuit Judge Bob LeBlanc.  DJ Rufus wakes up early every Wednesday morning to play 80’s music for WPRK (91.5 FM) from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.  By 9:00 a.m., he is on the bench hearing domestic relations matters. Listen to him talk about both roles and hear some of his playlist that includes, Modern English’s “I Melt with You.”  He shares with Chief Judge Lauten that he chose the early morning show so it wouldn’t impact his day job.  Learn the significance of the song “Always Something There to Remind Me” by Naked Eyes.   Let us know what you think about the podcast.

“Stuck in the 80’s with DJ Rufus” features an early morning visit by Chief Judge Lauten to WPRK (The Best in Basement Radio & Voice of Rollins College) where DJ Rufus (aka:  Circuit Judge Bob Leblanc) tells listeners about his love of 80’s music and the pleasure of serving as a Circuit Judge.  He is DJ Rufus when he is playing his favorite 80’s music for listeners of WPRK but a few hours later he is Circuit Judge Bob LeBlanc.  DJ Rufus wakes up early every Wednesday morning to play 80’s music for WPRK (91.5 FM) from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.  By 9:00 a.m., he is on the bench hearing domestic relations matters. Listen to him talk about both roles and hear some of his playlist that includes, Modern English’s “I Melt with You.”  He shares with Chief Judge Lauten that he chose the early morning show so it wouldn’t impact his day job.  Learn the significance of the song “Always Something There to Remind Me” by Naked Eyes.   Let us know what you think about the podcast.

What do you say when a news reporter requests to interview you? Well, say yes and then flip the script. “Inside the Podcast” features a two-way conversation between Orlando Sentinel reporter Elyssa Cherney and Chief Judge Frederick J. Lauten, wherein each takes their turn at moderating. Elyssa talks about her life journey, growing up in a Midwestern town and then covering the local courts on behalf of a well-established newspaper. Judge Lauten highlights some of the challenges and rewards of developing a court podcast. Their exchange is dynamic and informative. Elyssa Cherney graduated summa cum laude from Northwestern University. After a brief stint in the Orlando Sentinel’s Lake County bureau, she was tasked with covering a larger market – the Ninth Circuit Court beat. She utilizes a blend of meticulous reporting and youthful insightfulness to “unpackage” difficult legal concepts to everyday readers. Let us know what you think about the podcast.