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
Jul 14, 2021 • 28min
Episode 191 - The Loretto Heritage Center
The Smithsonian Museum on Main Street exhibit "Crossroads: Change in Rural America" is at its final stop in Kentucky. The exhibit will be at the Loretto Heritage Center until July 31st. Bill Goodman, host of the THINK HUMANITIES podcast, visits the exhibit in today's episode to talk to Susanna Pyatt and Ayla Toussaint at the Heritage Center about the exhibit.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from Spalding University.
Jul 7, 2021 • 41min
Episode 190 - Dr. John Ernst, Professor at Morehead State University
Dr. John Ernst, history professor at Morehead State University, is our guest on this week's episode of Think Humanities.
Dr. Ernst joins host Bill Goodman for a lively discussion about the Vietnam War, Eleanor Roosevelt, Watergate, and so much more.
Jun 30, 2021 • 29min
Episode 189 - Joseph Anthony, Author and English Professor
Author and English Professor Joseph Anthony joins us for this week's episode of Think Humanities. Anthony and host Bill Goodman discuss his writing, including a recent article that appeared in the Spring 2021 issue of Kentucky Humanities magazine.
Jun 23, 2021 • 27min
Episode 188 - Community Inspired Solutions
Community Inspired Solutions seeks to provide educational and recreational activities and experiences to youth to promote education and deter youth violence in our community of Lexington, KY and support families to help them become productive members of society. Community Inspired Solutions strives to provide youth with educational opportunities such as STEM, mentoring, tutoring, the arts and cultural education.
Co-Founder and President Rebecca Webb is our guest on this week's episode of Think Humanities. She discusses how the program got started and activities the students participate in with host Bill Goodman.
Jun 16, 2021 • 32min
Episode 187 - i was here
i was here synthesizes a wealth of humanities and historical scholarship into a set of iconic Ancestor Spirit Portraits that create a comprehensive visual history bringing the past into view.
On today's episode of Think Humanities, artist Marjorie Guyon and Corporate Facilitator & Community Liaison Marshall Fields join host Bill Goodman to talk about I was here and an event coming up on June 26th.
Jun 9, 2021 • 31min
Episode 186 - Dr. Matthew Smith, Author & Professor
Miami (Ohio) University Professor and Author Dr. Matthew Smith is our guest on this week's episode of THINK HUMANITIES. Smith joins host Bill Goodman to discuss his recent writing about the controversy surrounding the burial of Daniel Boone that appears in the Spring 2021 issue of Kentucky Humanities magazine.
Jun 2, 2021 • 34min
Episode 185 - Nancy Grant, Field Naturalist and Author
Field naturalist, journalist, author, and bird lover Nancy Grant is our guest on this week's episode of THINK HUMANITIES. Grant joins host Bill Goodman to discuss her travels and adventures while studying nature.
May 26, 2021 • 35min
Episode 184 - Dr. Nicholas Hartlep, Berea College
Dr. Nicholas Hartlep, Associate Professor of Education Studies and
Robert Charles Billings Chair in Education, of Berea College is our guest on this week's episode of Think Humanities. Dr. Hartlep joins host Bill Goodman to discuss Berea College, his teaching, and the recent racial violence across the country.
May 19, 2021 • 51min
Episode 183 - Dr. Joyce Hamilton Berry, Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Joyce Hamilton Berry, a prominent clinical psychologist, was the first female African-American to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky. Dr. Berry joins host Bill Goodman on this episode of THINK HUMANITIES.
May 12, 2021 • 33min
Episode 182 - Dwight Garner, Book Critic for The New York Times
Join Dwight Garner, a prominent book critic for The New York Times, as he shares insights from his literary journey. He discusses the historical significance of commonplace books and their impact on readers. Garner navigates the challenges of promoting his new quotes compilation during the pandemic and explores the unique book structure resembling poetry. He reflects on the art of book criticism, emphasizing its depth and cultural importance, while also inviting listeners to the upcoming Kentucky Book Festival.
