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 17, 2019 • 34min
Episode 91 - Appalshop 50th Anniversary
On this week’s episode, we welcome Alex Gibson and Alexandra Werner-Winslow of Appalashop in Whitesburg, KY. Alex serves as the Executive Director and Alexandra is the Communications Director. Founded in 1969, Appalshop has often been said to be the voice and vision of the people of Appalachia. It “houses media production and training facilities in film and video, a community radio station, a 150-seat theater, art gallery, and regional archive of over 4,000 hours of film, audio recordings, and still images.” In October, Appalshop will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Jul 10, 2019 • 35min
Episode 90 - Katy Yocom, Author
Host Bill Goodman is joined by author Katy Yocom. She is the Associate Director of Spalding University’s MFA Writing program and is a board member of the Kentucky Women Writer’s Conference. Her knowledge of and fascination with tigers influenced her most recent novel, "Three Ways to Disappear." Today, she treats us by reading an excerpt of the novel. Learn more and pre-order your copy today at www.katyyocom.com
Jul 3, 2019 • 34min
Episode 89 - Geoff Baggett: American Revolution Author, Speaker, and Living Historian
In celebration of Independence Day, we’re joined by author, speaker, and living historian, Geoff Baggett. A genealogist and Revolutionary War history buff, Baggett has written numerous historical fiction books based on his own ancestors. He is also a member of the Kentucky Humanities Speakers Bureau, featuring a popular and interactive talk, “Revolutionary War in a Trunk.” Today, he joins us to discuss the American Revolution in Kentucky.
Jun 26, 2019 • 38min
Episode 88 - Summer Reads With Joseph - Beth Booksellers
Are you heading on vacation and still searching for that perfect summer read? We’ve got you covered! Jillian and Maggie of Joseph-Beth Booksellers join us to discuss the buzz surrounding the most popular fiction and nonfiction books of the summer, including works by Jon Meacham & Tim McGraw, Ocean Vuong, Helen Ellis, Delia Owens, John Larison, and many more.
Jun 17, 2019 • 27min
Episode 87 - Chef David Danielson, Executive Chef of Churchill Downs
Host Bill Goodman is joined by Chef David Danielson, Executive Chef of Churchill Downs and Owner of The Old Stone Inn & Tavern in Simpsonville. Join Kentucky Humanities for an evening with three culinary stars of Kentucky: Tim Laird, Chef Edward Lee, and Chef David Danielson at The Old Stone Inn & Tavern. $100 ticket includes two books; cocktails & appetizers; family style meal, including one drink ticket for beer or wine; dessert; and remarks by the Chefs. Seats are limited, so get your ticket now at https://www.kyhumanities.org/eveningofculinarystars.html and be sure to tell your friends!
Jun 13, 2019 • 36min
Episode 86 - Savannah Sipple, Kentucky Writer
Host Bill Goodman is joined by writer Savannah Sipple. Her latest work, WWJD & Other Poems, was released this spring. A writer from east Kentucky, her writing has recently been published in Southern Cultures, Split This Rock, Salon, Appalachian Heritage, Waxwing, among others. Sipple discusses how her Appalachian roots have influenced her writing. Listen to Sipple share one of her poems on today’s episode.
Jun 5, 2019 • 17min
Episode 85 - Dr. Tammy Horn Potter - State Apiarist, Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Host Bill Goodman is joined by Dr. Tammy Horn Potter, state apiarist and member of the Kentucky Humanities Speakers Bureau. As the state's apiarist and leading expert in beekeeping, Dr. Potter’s duties include identifying and eradicating infectious diseases in honeybee colonies; helping educate the non-beekeeping public about the importance of honeybees; and offering best practice advice to the beekeeping community.
May 29, 2019 • 31min
Episode 84 - Councilman Jake Gibbs, District 3, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
Host Bill Goodman is joined by Councilman Jake Gibbs of District 3 in Lexington. Councilman Gibbs taught history and logic at the Bluegrass Community and Technical College from 1988-2014. He is a leading expert on the Haldeman-Julius Little Blue Book series. The Little Blue Books were published from 1919 through 1978 by the Haldeman-Julius Publishing Company. In 2007, Councilman Gibbs was awarded a fellowship by the Bibliographical Society of America to facilitate research for his descriptive bibliography of the 2300 titles in the series.
May 15, 2019 • 34min
Episode 83 - Dr. James Claypool, Professor Emeritus of History at NKU
Host Bill Goodman is joined by Dr. James Claypool on this week’s episode of THINK HUMANITIES. Claypool is a Professor Emeritus of History at Northern Kentucky University and is a member of the Kentucky Humanities Speakers Bureau. Claypool is a founding member of NKU, where he served for 34 years.
May 1, 2019 • 31min
Episode 82 - Eddie Price, Kentucky Chautauqua Actor (Roscoe Tarleton Goose)
In the spirit of the Kentucky Derby, host Bill Goodman is joined by Kentucky Chautauqua actor, Eddie Price. Price portrays Roscoe Tarleton Goose, the jockey who won the 1913 Kentucky Derby with horse Donerail with the odds set against them at 91:1 -- the longest odds ever for a Derby winner and a record that still stands.
