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
Sep 22, 2021 • 35min
Episode 201 - Richard Parker, Historian & Author
On this week's episode of THINK HUMANITIES, Bill Goodman talks with Richard Parker, author, historian, and Kentucky Humanities Speakers Bureau member. Listen to them talk steamboats, Wild West shows, and bourbon.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous funding from the Spalding University School of Creative and Professional Writing.
Sep 15, 2021 • 47min
Episode 200 - Nikky Finney, Poet
This week on the THINK HUMANITIES, Bill Goodman talks to special guest Nikky Finney about her life, work, and the rerelease of her book Heartwood.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible with generous support from the Spalding University School of Writing.
Sep 8, 2021 • 39min
Episode 199 - The Appalachian Center for the Arts
This week's THINK HUMANITIES podcast features the Appalachian Center for the Arts. Host Bill Goodman talks to Robin Irwin, Erick Buckley, and Jessica Mullins from Center about their programming and Jessica's recent role as Effie Waller Smith.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University School of Writing.
Sep 1, 2021 • 31min
Episode 198 - Alan Maimon, Author & Investigative Journalist
On this week's episode of THINK HUMANITIES, Bill Goodman talks to Alan Maimon, award-winning journalist and the author of "Twilight in Hazard," a troubling account of the devastation of small Appalachian towns.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous funding from Spalding University's School of Writing.
Aug 25, 2021 • 37min
Episode 197 - Tom Stephens, Historian & Author
Today on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast, Bill Goodman talks to Tom Stephens, who is the primary author of our THINK HISTORY radio segments, short episodes which share famous and forgotten bits of Kentucky history with listeners all over the state. You can listen to any of our THINK HISTORY segments online at kyhumanities.org.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible with generous support from Spalding University.
Aug 18, 2021 • 46min
Episode 196 - Edward & Betsy Smith, Kentucky Chautauqua Actors
On this episode of the THINK HUMANITIES podcast, host Bill Goodman talks to Edward and Betsy Smith, two long-time Kentucky Chautauqua actors. Ed currently plays Adolf Rupp and Justice John Marshall Harlan. Betsy previously portrayed Emilie Todd Helm and currently plays Jemima Boone. To see all of our Kentucky Chautauqua characters and to book a performance, visit kyhumanities.org.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous funding from Spalding University.
Aug 11, 2021 • 36min
Episode 195 - Red River Historical Society and Three Forks Historical Museum
In early March 2021, Eastern Kentucky experienced catastrophic flooding. The Red River Historical Society and Museum and the Three Forks Historical Museum both flooded during this time and sustained extensive damage to their museums and exhibits. Kentucky Humanities worked with them to receive emergency funding from NEH Chair Adam Wolfson. On today's episode of THINK HUMANTIES, Bill Goodman travels to Eastern Kentucky to talk to staff and members of both museums about the impact of the flooding and how these grants from the National Endowment are helping them reopen their doors to the public.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from Spalding University.
Aug 4, 2021 • 31min
Episode 194 - Will Anderson, Executive Director Of Hindman Settlement School
This week on THINK HUMANITIES, host Bill Goodman talks to Will Anderson, new Executive Director of the Hindman Settlement School in Hindman Kentucky.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous funding from Spalding University.
Jul 28, 2021 • 30min
Episode 193 - Brian Clardy, Assistant Professor Of History At Murray State University
This week, Bill Goodman, host of the THINK HUMANITIES podcast is joined by Dr. Brian Clardy, Kentucky Humanities Board Member and Associate Professor of History at Murray State University, to talk about Critical Race Theory.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous funding from Spalding University.
Jul 21, 2021 • 35min
Episode 192 - Carrie Green, Poet
Poet Carrie Green joins host Bill Goodman for this episode of Think Humanities.
The duo discuss what inspires Green's poetry and her published collection, Studies of Familiar Birds.
