Season 3 is here, and we’re kicking it off with a story we’ll be talking about for a long time.

In this episode, we recap our trip to SXSW in Austin, where we were invited to the screening of Self Custody by producer Royal Malloy. We’re sharing the full experience — from travel mishaps and red carpet nerves to celebrity interviews, unforgettable conversations, Adrian Grenier’s house party, and our thoughts on the film itself.

Along the way, we met Garrett Patton, Henry Cejudo, Sean “Poopies” McInerney, Michael Monk, Thomas Malloy, and Ema Redden, and came home with stories we couldn’t wait to tell.

It’s a fun, behind-the-scenes look at an experience that took us far outside Kentucky — while somehow feeling exactly like us.

This week on Finding Friends, we’re joined by Kentucky theatre artist, filmmaker, and arts educator Taylor Greatbatch—aka “Great Batch of Cookies.” From Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts to New York City stages and big creative dreams, Taylor shares the stories behind the sparkle: culture shock, learning to stop being “too nice,” building community, and navigating mental health with honesty (and humor).

Expect laugh-out-loud moments, real talk, and the kind of energy that makes you want to put on a wig and book a karaoke room immediately.

Highlights:
• The “Great Batch of Cookies” origin story 🍪
• Kentucky vs NYC: what the city teaches you fast
• Being unapologetically yourself (even when it’s messy)
• Mental health + movement as medicine
• Rapid fire fun: bourbon vs tequila + Grinch impression
• Tokyo Kitty karaoke dreams 🎤

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend who needs a laugh and a little hope.

This week on Finding Friends, we’re joined by Dustin Busler, Assistant Principal at Great Crossing High School in Georgetown, Kentucky—aka “The Bus.” 🚍

We talk about the reality of school leadership today, including how Kentucky’s restrictions on phones during instructional time have changed focus, attendance, and hallway behavior. Dustin shares the creative solutions Great Crossing uses in classrooms—and why it’s made a noticeable difference for students and teachers.

We also dive into Great Crossing’s career pathways—from welding and 3D printing to CAD drafting, family & consumer science, and medical assisting—and how students can graduate with valuable skills, certifications, and a head start whether they choose college or the trades.

Plus, Dustin shares a school story that proves educators could write a sitcom and never run out of material.