Think Humanities

Have you ever heard of "that Muhlenberg sound?" Nancy Richey, Professor and Librarian at Western Kentucky University joins the podcast to tell us about Mose Rager, a Muhlenberg county native who developed a unique thumb-picking style of playing the guitar. Learn more about Mose and his legacy by listening now. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.

Spring is finally on the way! What better way to celebrate than by listening to Master Gardener and author Doris Settles talk about gardening in Kentucky. THINK HUMANTIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University School of Creative Writing.

Have you heard of Elisha Green? Green was born a slave in Bourbon County circa 1818, became a popular preacher, bought his freedom, and won a legal case against the people who tried to get him to give up his seat on a train. Dr. Randolph Runyon is our guest on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast to talk about his two books, one that tells the story of Elisha Green and one about Madame Mentelle, who was Mary Todd Lincoln's teacher. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.

How much do you know about the Underground Railroad in Kentucky? In her new book, "The Gospel of Freedom: Black Evangelicals and the Underground Railroad," Dr. Alicestyne Turley examines the important role Kentucky played as a "pass through" territory. Alicstyne joins us on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast to talk about her new book today. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.

Marta Miranda-Straub joined us on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast two years ago just as she was starting a new position as Commissioner of the Cabinet’s Department for Community Based Services. Now that her term is done, she's joined us again to talk about how her work and activism inspired her to write a bilingual children's book "Lullaby for Maddie." THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.

The College Board has been at the center of many recent discussions about requirements for Advanced Placement classes and African American Studies classes in high schools. Dr. Teresa Reed of the University of Louisville joins Bill Goodman on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast to talk about the College Board, the process of creating AP classes, and the content of the proposed African American Studies AP course. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.

During the recent KY Governor's Awards in the Arts, each award recipient was each presented with a hand crafted Navajo flute made by Anderson County artist Fred Nez-Keams. Today on the podcast, Fred joined us to talk about how he came to be a flute maker and the process of making these beautiful instruments, and he even played a Navajo love song on the flute for us. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.

How much do you know about African American history? Tune in to this week's episode of the podcast to hear about the newly formed Association for Teaching Black History in Kentucky and how they're working on bringing forgotten stories to KY classrooms. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.

Looking for a new book recommendation? Bestselling author Margaret Verble's newest historical fiction, "Stealing," is one you won't want to miss! Check out this interview with Margaret for the THINK HUMANITIES podcast to hear more about the book and her inspirations. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.

Did you know that banned books lists have existed since at least 1529? Today the THINK HUMANITIES podcast explores the topic of banning books. Andrew Adler, the president of the Kentucky Library Association, and Mary Taylor Huntsman, a long-time academic librarian, discuss the history of book banning, current efforts to ban books, and what can be done to fight bans. THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Man Graduate School of Writing