Think Humanities

We talk about Appalachia a lot on THINK HUMANITIES, and today we're going to be talking about ballet in Appalachia with Dr. Edwina Pendarvis, who shares stories from her childhood and her research about the impact of ballet on girls in Appalachian communities. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing...

Our guest on THINK HUMANITIES is Christian Marnon. Marnon is a journalist with an interest in the traditional, spiritual, and eclectic music of the Appalachian region. An avid record collector, Marnon has spent years documenting the small-town record studios and the artists who cut records there, many of whom existed in relative obscurity as coal miners, circuit preachers, and more. THINK HUMANITE...

How much do you know about Kentucky's first senator? Historian Steven Walker joins THINK HUMANITIES to share about John Brown and how he came to be Kentucky first senator. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.

Our guest on the podcast today is Sarah Hoskins. Sarah is a documentary photographer who is known for her photography project at The Homeplace where she has spent over twenty years photographing historic African American communities in Kentucky’s Inner Bluegrass Region. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School...

How much do you know about Juneteeth? Dr. Alicestyne Turley joins the podcast to talk about the history of Juneteenth and the less-known Emancipation Saturday, celebrated on August 8th. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.

Did you know that the first African-American to win a Pulitzer Prize was born in Owensboro, Kentucky? Moneta Sleet, Jr, was the photographer and close friend of Martin Luther King, Jr, and won the Pulitzer for a photo of Coretta from King's funeral. Today on THINK HUMANITIES you'll hear from Drew Hardesty and Emmy Woosley about their work to produce the documentary "A Fine Remembrance" that recogn...

Lou Anna Red Corn recently retired from a pretigious career in law. Since 2016 she served as Commonwealth's Attorney for Fayette County. She is also a member of the Osage nation and a Kentucky Humanities board member. Tune in to hear from Lou Anna about her background, advocacy work, and her plans going forward. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sen...

Dr. Keith McCutchen is a composer, conductor, pianist and an associate professor of music at Kentucky State University. He also happens to be one of our newest board members! Dr. McCutchen joins THINK HUMANITIES to share about his background, how he got into music, and what music tells us about African American history. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Sena Jeter Nasl...

It's been almost a year since historic floods devastated Eastern Kentucky. Joining Bill Goodman on THINK HUMANITIES today are Tom Martin, of Eastern Standard, and Dee Davis, president of the Center for Rural Strategies. Tom and Dee discuss the ongoing recovery efforts and the challenges being faced in the area. Think Humanities is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena...

"Gay Poems for Red States" is the title of a new collection of verse from Willie Edward Taylor Carver, Jr. Willie joins the THINK HUMANITIES podcast to talk about the challenges he's faced as a gay teacher in Appalachia and how he hopes this new collection of verse will show that a life full of beauty and pride is possible for everyone. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from th...

Sometimes it's hard to find the right words to describe the importance of the humanities in everyday life. But one person who knows has no problem with this is Dr. Brian Clardy. Clardy joins Bill on the podcast to talk about his humanities background and how the humanities help us make sense of history and the world around us. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding...

To wrap up our Poetry Month celebrations on the THINK HUMANTIES podcast you get to hear from two astounding poets today. Doug Manuel is the author of a new collection entitled "Trouble Funk," and he is interviewed by special guest host Lynnell Edwards, who is Associate Director of Programs at Spalding University's School of Writing. Lynnell talks to Doug about the concept behind "Trouble Funk" and...

Next up in our poetry lineup is Katerina Stoykova. Katerina joins us on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast to talk about writing short poems and the editing and publishing side of poetry. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.

Welcome to Poetry Month! Do you ever find yourself wondering how to find poetry that speaks to you? Or find yourself wondering how much you need to analyze the poetry you read? Richard Taylor is on the podcast today to talk to us all about poetry: how to find it and how to learn to appreciate it. Stay tuned for more poet interviews coming up this month! THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generou...

Are you looking forward to getting out in nature as the weather gets warmer? Join Valerie Askren, author, hiker, and flyfisher, to learn more about Kentucky scenic arches and waterfalls, as well as other must-see local flora and fauna. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.

Have you ever heard of "that Muhlenberg sound?" Nancy Richey, Professor and Librarian at Western Kentucky University joins the podcast to tell us about Mose Rager, a Muhlenberg county native who developed a unique thumb-picking style of playing the guitar. Learn more about Mose and his legacy by listening now. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena...

Spring is finally on the way! What better way to celebrate than by listening to Master Gardener and author Doris Settles talk about gardening in Kentucky. THINK HUMANTIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University School of Creative Writing.

Have you heard of Elisha Green? Green was born a slave in Bourbon County circa 1818, became a popular preacher, bought his freedom, and won a legal case against the people who tried to get him to give up his seat on a train. Dr. Randolph Runyon is our guest on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast to talk about his two books, one that tells the story of Elisha Green and one about Madame Mentelle, who was M...

How much do you know about the Underground Railroad in Kentucky? In her new book, "The Gospel of Freedom: Black Evangelicals and the Underground Railroad," Dr. Alicestyne Turley examines the important role Kentucky played as a "pass through" territory. Alicstyne joins us on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast to talk about her new book today. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the...

Marta Miranda-Straub joined us on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast two years ago just as she was starting a new position as Commissioner of the Cabinet’s Department for Community Based Services. Now that her term is done, she's joined us again to talk about how her work and activism inspired her to write a bilingual children's book "Lullaby for Maddie." THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous su...

The College Board has been at the center of many recent discussions about requirements for Advanced Placement classes and African American Studies classes in high schools. Dr. Teresa Reed of the University of Louisville joins Bill Goodman on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast to talk about the College Board, the process of creating AP classes, and the content of the proposed African American Studies AP...

During the recent KY Governor's Awards in the Arts, each award recipient was each presented with a hand crafted Navajo flute made by Anderson County artist Fred Nez-Keams. Today on the podcast, Fred joined us to talk about how he came to be a flute maker and the process of making these beautiful instruments, and he even played a Navajo love song on the flute for us. THINK HUMANITIES is made possib...

How much do you know about African American history? Tune in to this week's episode of the podcast to hear about the newly formed Association for Teaching Black History in Kentucky and how they're working on bringing forgotten stories to KY classrooms. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.

Looking for a new book recommendation? Bestselling author Margaret Verble's newest historical fiction, "Stealing," is one you won't want to miss! Check out this interview with Margaret for the THINK HUMANITIES podcast to hear more about the book and her inspirations. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of...

Did you know that banned books lists have existed since at least 1529? Today the THINK HUMANITIES podcast explores the topic of banning books. Andrew Adler, the president of the Kentucky Library Association, and Mary Taylor Huntsman, a long-time academic librarian, discuss the history of book banning, current efforts to ban books, and what can be done to fight bans. THINK HUMANITIES is made possib...