Think Humanities
Kentucky Humanities is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, D.C. The Council is supported by the National Endowment and by private contributions. We are not a state agency, and we receive no state funds, but we are proud partners with Kentucky's cultural, heritage, arts, and tourism agencies.
Why are we Telling Kentucky's Story?
More than just history, by Kentucky's story we mean Kentucky's writers, inventors, judges, musicians, architects, doctors – in short, the contributions from every walk of life to the quality of life in Kentucky. We recognize a need to build civic engagement as well as literacy, and we want to involve all ages and all places from Pine Knot to Princeton. Everyone has a story to tell, and everyone can learn from the stories of others. These stories, taken together, are the stories of our communities, our counties, our regions, and our unique Kentucky culture and heritage. They are the basis of our pride and the basic premise of community.
What are the Humanities?
Humanity in all its forms. The humanities are the values by which we live, the ideas that organize our thinking, and all of the ways we communicate with each other. The humanities include the ways of knowing found in the academic disciplines of history, literature, and philosophy, as well as anthropology, sociology and psychology. But they encompass much more: religion, culture, the origins of Bluegrass music, the archaeology of landfills, Kentuckians' love for their counties, what they teach their children, why they make burgoo. All these things are the humanities.
Latest episodes
Dec 8, 2021 • 35min
Episode 211 - Berry Craig, Historian
This week the THINK HUMANITIES podcast is commemorating the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Host Bill Goodman talks to Berry Craig about Kentucky's connection to Pearl Harbor. Berry Craig is available for presentations through our Speakers Bureau. Visit kyhumanities.org for more information.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding School of Creative and Professional Writing.
Dec 1, 2021 • 37min
Episode 210 - Remembering Novelist Ed McClanahan
This week on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast we remember novelist Ed McClanahan, who passed away recently. Listen to a 2019 interview with Ed in his home writing room and hear journalist Tom Eblen's memories of his friendship with the writer.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University School for Creative and Professional Writing.
Nov 17, 2021 • 36min
Episode 209 - Cynthia Resor, Professor of Social Studies Education at Eastern Kentucky University
On this episode of THINK HUMANITIES, Bill Goodman is joined by Cynthia Resor, who talks about her research into 19th century cooking and mourning in Kentucky.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University School of Creative and Professional Writing.
Nov 10, 2021 • 41min
Episode 208 - Jacqueline Hamilton, Kentucky Chautauqua Actor
This week on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast, Bill Goodman talks to Jacqueline Hamilton about her new Kentucky Chautauqua role as Sue Grafton.
To learn more about Kentucky Chautauqua and to book a program, visit kyhumanities.org/programs/chautauqua.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University School of Creative and Professional Writing.
Nov 3, 2021 • 46min
Episode 207 - Gurney Norman, Novelist and Poet
On the THINK HUMANITIES podcast today Bill Goodman talks to novelist and poet Gurney Norman about his new book "Allegiance."
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University School of Creative and Professional Writing.
Oct 27, 2021 • 56min
Episode 206 - Kentucky Book Festival Preview
It's time to celebrate all things books! This week's episode of THINK HUMANITIES features a preview of the 40th Kentucky Book Festival from Sara Woods. On the second half of the episode, Bill Goodman talks to Donald Whitfield about what makes a good book club.
For more information about Kentucky Book Festival events, visit kybookfestival.org.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by the Spalding School of Creative and Professional Writing.
Oct 20, 2021 • 33min
Episode 205 - Ellen Birkett Morris, Author
On this week's episode of the THINK HUMANITIES podcast, host Bill Goodman talks to author Ellen Birkett Morris, author of "Lost Girls," a collection of short stories that explores the experiences of women and girls as they grieve, find love, face uncertainty, take a stand, find their future, and say goodbye to the past.
THINK HUMANITIES is make possible by generous support from the Spalding University School of Creative and Professional Writing.
Oct 12, 2021 • 45min
Episode 204 - Jeffrey Matthews, Historian & Author
This week on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast, host Bill Goodman talks to Dr. Jeffrey Matthews, a professor of business and leadership at the University of Puget Sound. They talk about his varied career and his books about Colin Powell and the U.S. Military.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible with generous funding from the Spalding School of Creative and Professional Writing
Oct 6, 2021 • 45min
Episode 203 - Bo List, Scriptwriter
On this week's THINK HUMANITIES episode, Bill Goodman talks to Bo List, a native Lexingtonian and scriptwriter! Bo talks about what he does as a scriptwriter and about some of the historical work that he's done while working on the scripts for several of Kentucky Humanities' Kentucky Chautauqua programs.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible with generous funding from the Spalding School of Creative and Professional Writing.
Sep 29, 2021 • 42min
Episode 202 - Tracy Campbell, Professor of History at the University of Kentucky
This week on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast, Bill Goodman talks to Dr. Tracy Campbell, the E. Vernon Smith and Eloise C. Smith Professor of American History at University of Kentucky.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible with generous support from Spalding University.
