Think Humanities
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 19, 2022 • 42min
Episode 255 - Kentucky Book Festival Preview
This week on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast - the 41st Kentucky Book Festival. Host Bill Goodman talks to KBF Director Sara Woods, who is joined by incoming KBF Director Hap Houlihan. Sara and Hap talk all things Book Festival, preview some of the great authors who will be there, and let you know what to expect on October 29.
The Kentucky Book Festival will take place on October 29 at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit kybookfestival.org.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Oct 12, 2022 • 38min
Episode 254 - Heather Henson, Author
This week on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast, Bill Goodman talks to author Heather Henson about her new book "Wrecked," a young adult novel about three teens caught in the middle of the opioid crisis in rural Appalachia.
You will be able to find "Wrecked" and visit with Heather at the 2022 Kentucky Book Festival in Lexington. For more information, visit kybookfestival.org.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Oct 5, 2022 • 37min
Episode 253 - Frank X Walker, Poet
This week on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast, Bill Goodman talks to poet Frank X Walker about his newly expanded and rereleased book "Buffalo Dance: The Journey of York." Buffalo Dance tells the story of the infamous Lewis and Clark expedition from the point of view of York, who was enslaved to Clark and became the first African American man to traverse the continent.
You will be able to find Walker's book and visit with him at the 2022 Kentucky Book Festival in Lexington. For more information, visit kybookfestival.org.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Sep 28, 2022 • 43min
Episode 252 - Foster Ockerman, Jr, Historian & Author
On this episode of the THINK HUMANITIES podcast, Bill Goodman talks with Foster Ockerman, Jr. Ockerman is a seventh-generation Kentuckian and a native Lexingtonian and has a new book out entitled "A New History of Lexington, Kentucky." Listen in to hear some unique stories from the city's history.
You will be able to find Ockerman's book and visit with him at the 2022 Kentucky Book Festival in Lexington. For more information, visit kybookfestival.org.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Sep 21, 2022 • 48min
Episode 251 - Raymond, McLain, Folk Musician
On this episode of the THINK HUMANITIES podcast, Bill Goodman interviews a very special guest, Raymond McLain of the McLain Family Band. Listen to Raymond talk about his beginnings in music and the importance of traditional Bluegrass music and hear him play a couple tunes!
On October 22nd, Hermitage Farm will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Kentucky Humanities with some of the best food and drink in the Bluegrass. Following dinner, the McLain Family Band will give a special performance. Find out more and reserve your tickets at hermitagefarm.com.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Sep 14, 2022 • 41min
Episode 250 - William Hinkebein, Author
On this episode of the THINK HUMANITIES podcast, host Bill Goodman talks to Kentucky Book Festival author William Hinkebein about his upcoming book, "A Brief History of Baitcasting Bass Fishing & the Kentucky Reel." The first widely popular multiplying fishing reels were hand made in Kentucky in the nineteenth century. William talks about the fascinating history the Kentucky Reel and hobby of collecting fishing reels.
You will be able to find Hinkebein's book and visit with him at the 2022 Kentucky Book Festival in Lexington. For more information, visit kybookfestival.org.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Gradutate School of Writing.
Aug 31, 2022 • 39min
Episode 248 - The SEEK Museum in Russellville, KY
On the THINK HUMANITIES podcast this week, host Bill Goodman travelled to Russellville to visit the SEEK Museum, a collection of buildings that tell the stories of enslaved peoples in Russellville. Dr. Selena Doss, a historian at Western Kentucky University, and Michael Morrow, the director of the SEEK Museum, tell us a little about some of those stories.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Aug 24, 2022 • 30min
Episode 247 - The Frazier Museum, The Commonwealth Exhibit
This week on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast, host Bill Goodman goes on a walking tour of the Frazier Kentucky History Museum's new exhibit: "The Commonwealth: Divided We Fall". Andy Treinen, President of the Frazier, gives listeners a preview of what they can expect from this engaging exhibit when they visit.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Aug 17, 2022 • 33min
Episode 246 - Ada Limon, Poet
Kentucky's own Ada Limón was recently named the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate. Back in in 2018, Bill Goodman, host of the THINK HUMANITIES podcast, spoke to Limón about her work, her life, and her move to Lexington. Listen to that interview now.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Aug 10, 2022 • 39min
Episode 245 - Recovery Efforts at Hindman Settlement School and the Appalachian Artisan Center
In late July 2022, Eastern Kentucky experienced historic and devastating flooding. On today's episode of THINK HUMANITIES, Bill Goodman hit the road to talk to staff and volunteers at the Hindman Settlement School and the Appalachian Artisan Center about their efforts to save invaluable archive and museum materials and what resources they will need in the near future.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
