Think Humanities

Host Bill Goodman is joined by professional actress and comedian Debra Faulk. A native of Lexington, Debra earned her MFA from California State University, Los Angeles. Debra discusses her experience developing her career in California before returning home to Kentucky. Debra has taught theatre at the University of Kentucky and served as an instructor at the LFCUG Family Care Center. She currently...

George McGee joins host Bill Goodman on this week’s episode of THINK HUMANITIES highlighting our Kentucky Chautauqua program. George McGee is a professor of theatre at Georgetown College and has been a Chautauqua actor since the program was created in 1992. McGee’s two roles include Elijah Craig and his current portrayal of Kentucky's Great Statesman, Henry Clay. He has performed Henry Clay over 9...

Host Bill Goodman is joined by Dr. Eli Capilouto, President of the University of Kentucky. Dr. Capilouto explains the shifting landscape of higher education; the value of a humanities-based liberal arts education in developing critical thinking, deep reading, and the articulation of thoughts and ideas; and the physical transformation that the University is undergoing in its academic, research, res...

Host Bill Goodman is joined by actress, graphic designer, and writer Kelly Brengelman. Kelly has been a Chautauqua actress at Kentucky Humanities for fourteen years, portraying four influential women of Kentucky’s past. Kelly currently portrays two roles: “Madeline McDowell Breckinridge: Votes for Women!” and “Rose Leigh: Rosie the Riveter.” Kelly discusses the importance of preserving Kentucky's...

Host Bill Goodman is joined by author Hannah Pittard. She is an associate professor of English at the University of Kentucky and is the director of creative writing in the MFA program. Pittard has written four novels, including "Listen to Me" (a New York Times Editors' Choice) and the forthcoming "Visible Empire" which will be available this June.

Host Bill Goodman is joined by author David King for a second installment on THINK HUMANITIES. A native of Woodford County, King earned a Masters from Cambridge, was a Fulbright scholar in Sweden, and taught European History at the University of Kentucky. This week, King provides insight to his other works including “Finding Atlantis: A True Story of Genius, Madness, and the Extraordinary Quest fo...

Host Bill Goodman is joined by Kentucky author David King for Part I of this week's episode of THINK HUMANITIES. King is the author of four books, including the 2017 best-seller "The Trial of Adolf Hitler: The Beer Hall Putsch and the Rise of Nazi Germany." A former professor of European History at the University of Kentucky, King now writes full-time due to the success of his career as an author....

Host Bill Goodman is joined by Mark Matics on this week’s episode of THINK HUMANITIES. Matics leads the selection of new books at Joseph-Beth Booksellers. Beyond his sheer love of literature, he enjoys serving and connecting with readers to make his selections. Matics provides a thoughtful discussion of the bestselling books in a variety of genres.

Host Bill Goodman is joined by actress Rachel Rogers who portrays beloved Kentucky folk musician Jean Ritchie. Rogers discusses her background in theatre and English, her experience sharing the fascinating life of Jean Ritchie across the state, and the importance of building upon the arts community in Kentucky. Rogers also plays the dulcimer in renditions of her favorite Jean Ritchie songs.

Dr. Richard Taylor joins host Bill Goodman on this episode of THINK HUMANITIES. Dr. Taylor discusses his early life growing up in Louisville, his career as a lawyer, writer, and professor, his collection of work about Kentucky history, and his scholarship on Robert Penn Warren.

Dr. Gwynn Henderson joins host Bill Goodman on this episode of THINK HUMANITIES. An archaeology educator and public archaeologist, Henderson discusses life as an archaeologist, how she became interested in old things, her love of dinosaurs, and how she has been inspired by Prime Time Family Reading Time.

Bill Goodman is joined by Kentucky Humanities board chair Elaine Wilson in this episode of THINK HUMANITIES. The Director of Cultural Diversity for Somerset College, Wilson discusses the value of education, integration of schools, her work at Somerset Community College, and her love for the University of Kentucky

Bill Goodman is joined by Kentucky Humanities board member Tom Appleton in this episode of THINK HUMANITIES. A recently retired professor of history at Eastern Kentucky University, Appleton worked at the Kentucky Historical Society for 21 years before beginning his teaching career. The two discuss the importance of teaching Kentucky history to Kentucky students, Kentucky Women, and Appleton’s rela...

Author Carol Boggess joins host Bill Goodman at the 36th Annual Kentucky Book Fair on this episode of THINK HUMANITIES. Boggess has written the first biography of James Still, one of the most beloved and important writers in Appalachian literature. James Still: A Life offers an important perspective on Sill’s work and art, while also celebrating his legacy.

Author Jesse Donaldson joins host Bill Goodman at the 36th Annual Kentucky Book Fair on this episode of THINK HUMANITIES. Donaldson discusses his new book, On Homesickness: A Plea; his visits to all 120 Kentucky counties; why he is homesick for his native Kentucky; and meeting complete strangers throughout the Commonwealth.

Recording at the 36th Annual Kentucky Book Fair, author Holly Goddard Jones is featured on this episode of THINK HUMANITIES. Jones discusses growing up in Kentucky, the road to earning her MFA, and her new novel, The Salt Line.

Kentucky Book Fair Manager Brooke Raby and Carnegie Center Executive Director Neil Chethik join host Bill Goodman in this episode of THINK HUMANITIES to discuss Holly Goddard Jones’ new book The Salt Line. Holly Goddard Jones will be one of more than 180 authors at the Kentucky Book Fair, Saturday, November 18th.

National bestselling author John Grisham joins host Bill Goodman in this episode of THINK HUMANITIES. The duo discusses a bevy of topics including reading, writing, independent bookstores, and rare books.

Author, actress, producer, and playwright Erin Chandler joins host Bill Goodman in this episode of THINK HUMANITIES. Chandler discusses her memoir, June Bug Versus Hurricane, a candid account of her life-long difficulties with her father, her challenges with her charming but self-destructive brother, and her own relentless demons. Chandler is one of the more than 180 authors that will be at the 20...

Host Bill Goodman is joined by Robert Lawson, faculty member of the University of Kentucky College of Law since 1966, with two periods of service as Dean. Lawson discusses one of Kentucky’s most famous cold cases. On October 26, 1961, 19-year-old Transylvania student Betty Gail Brown left a study session, getting in her car around midnight. Three hours later, she was found dead, strangled with her...

Host Bill Goodman is joined by Julia Johnson, a professor of English and instructor in the University of Kentucky’s MFA program. In addition to three earlier collections of poetry, she is the editor of The New and Collected Poems of Jane Gentry, available now. Johnson will be at the Kentucky Book Fair on November 18th.

Kentucky Book Fair authors George Ella Lyon and Shawn Pryor join host Bill Goodman to talk about reading and writing in the Commonwealth, the Kentucky Book Fair, and their work with young readers and writers.

Author Jamie Ford and Kentucky Book Fair Manager Brooke Raby join host Bill Goodman to discuss Ford’s newest novel, Love and Other Consolation Prizes and the 2017 Kentucky Book Fair. Ford will be the featured speaker for the Kentucky Book Fair’s Literary Luncheon on Saturday, November 18th. Tickets for the Literary Luncheon can be purchased at kyhumanities.org.

Mack McCormick from the University Press of Kentucky joins host Bill Goodman. They discuss the history of the University Press of Kentucky, the publishing process, the Kentucky Book Fair, and new UPK books coming out soon.

Host Bill Goodman is joined by Judge John Schrader, a practicing attorney and former family court judge. Judge Schrader will be a panelist for the upcoming community conversation hosted by Kentucky Humanities. The event, titled “Aunt Jemima and the Complexities of Race” will be held on Thursday, September 21st at 6:30 p.m. at the Lyric Theatre in Lexington. The event is free and open to the public...