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
Nov 21, 2017 • 24min
Episode 21 - Holly Goddard Jones . Author
Recording at the 36th Annual Kentucky Book Fair, author Holly Goddard Jones is featured on this episode of THINK HUMANITIES. Jones discusses growing up in Kentucky, the road to earning her MFA, and her new novel, The Salt Line.
Nov 15, 2017 • 30min
Episode 20 - The Salt Line, A Book Discussion
Kentucky Book Fair Manager Brooke Raby and Carnegie Center Executive Director Neil Chethik join host Bill Goodman in this episode of THINK HUMANITIES to discuss Holly Goddard Jones’ new book The Salt Line. Holly Goddard Jones will be one of more than 180 authors at the Kentucky Book Fair, Saturday, November 18th.
Nov 7, 2017 • 20min
Episode 19 John Grisham, National Bestselling Author
National bestselling author John Grisham joins host Bill Goodman in this episode of THINK HUMANITIES. The duo discusses a bevy of topics including reading, writing, independent bookstores, and rare books.
Oct 31, 2017 • 27min
Episode 18 Erin Chandler, Author
Author, actress, producer, and playwright Erin Chandler joins host Bill Goodman in this episode of THINK HUMANITIES. Chandler discusses her memoir, June Bug Versus Hurricane, a candid account of her life-long difficulties with her father, her challenges with her charming but self-destructive brother, and her own relentless demons. Chandler is one of the more than 180 authors that will be at the 2017 Kentucky Book Fair, Saturday, November 18th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Alltech Arena in Lexington.
Oct 24, 2017 • 39min
Episode 17 - Robert Lawson, Author & Professor Emeritus, UK College of Law
Host Bill Goodman is joined by Robert Lawson, faculty member of the University of Kentucky College of Law since 1966, with two periods of service as Dean. Lawson discusses one of Kentucky’s most famous cold cases. On October 26, 1961, 19-year-old Transylvania student Betty Gail Brown left a study session, getting in her car around midnight. Three hours later, she was found dead, strangled with her own bra. Her murder remains unsolved. Lawson will be at the Kentucky Book Fair on November 18th with his new book, Who Killed Betty Gail Brown? Murder, Mistrial, and Mystery.
Oct 17, 2017 • 35min
Episode 16 Julia Johnson, UK Professor of English
Host Bill Goodman is joined by Julia Johnson, a professor of English and instructor in the University of Kentucky’s MFA program. In addition to three earlier collections of poetry, she is the editor of The New and Collected Poems of Jane Gentry, available now. Johnson will be at the Kentucky Book Fair on November 18th.
Oct 11, 2017 • 32min
Episode 15 George Ella Lyon And Shawn Pryor
Kentucky Book Fair authors George Ella Lyon and Shawn Pryor join host Bill Goodman to talk about reading and writing in the Commonwealth, the Kentucky Book Fair, and their work with young readers and writers.
Oct 3, 2017 • 25min
Episode 14 - Author Jamie Ford & KBF Manager Brooke Raby
Author Jamie Ford and Kentucky Book Fair Manager Brooke Raby join host Bill Goodman to discuss Ford’s newest novel, Love and Other Consolation Prizes and the 2017 Kentucky Book Fair. Ford will be the featured speaker for the Kentucky Book Fair’s Literary Luncheon on Saturday, November 18th. Tickets for the Literary Luncheon can be purchased at kyhumanities.org.
Sep 27, 2017 • 30min
Episode 13 - Mack McCormick, University Press of Kentucky
Mack McCormick from the University Press of Kentucky joins host Bill Goodman. They discuss the history of the University Press of Kentucky, the publishing process, the Kentucky Book Fair, and new UPK books coming out soon.
Sep 20, 2017 • 23min
Episode 12 - Judge John Schrader, Practicing Attorney and Former Family Court Judge
Host Bill Goodman is joined by Judge John Schrader, a practicing attorney and former family court judge. Judge Schrader will be a panelist for the upcoming community conversation hosted by Kentucky Humanities. The event, titled “Aunt Jemima and the Complexities of Race” will be held on Thursday, September 21st at 6:30 p.m. at the Lyric Theatre in Lexington. The event is free and open to the public and was funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
