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
Aug 3, 2022 • 42min
Episode 244 - In Memoriam: Frederick Smock, Poet Laureate Emeritus of Kentucky
Former Kentucky Poet Laureate Frederick Smock passed away at the end of July. On this episode of THINK HUMANITIES, Bill Goodman collects remembrances from some of Smock's friends and fellow authors, including Richard Taylor, Sena Jeter Naslund, Keith Runyon, and Nana Lampton.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Jul 26, 2022 • 36min
Episode 243 - Benjamin Fitzpatrick, Professor of History at Morehead State University
On this week's episode of the THINK HUMANITIES podcast, Bill Goodman talks to Dr. Benjamin Fitzpatrick, Professor of History at Morehead State University and a new member of Kentucky Humanities' Board of Directors. They talk about Fitzpatrick's background, years teaching, and the importance of history for all ages.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support form the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Jul 20, 2022 • 47min
Episode 242 - George Humphreys, Historian
On this episode of THINK HUMANITIES podcast, host Bill Goodman talks to George Humphreys, historian and author of the new book "The Fall of Kentucky's Rock: Western Kentucky Democratic Politics since the New Deal."
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Jul 13, 2022 • 51min
Episode 241 - Andrew Reed, Associate Professor of Film & Media Arts at the University Of Pikeville
This week's guest on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast is Andrew Reed. who is a professor of film at the University of Pikeville and also one of the newest members of the Kentucky Humanities Board of Directors. Host Bill Goodman talks to him about film studies and the humanities.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Jul 6, 2022 • 49min
Episode 240 - Dan Gediman, Radio Producer
This week on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast, Bill Goodman talks to Dan Gediman, a noted radio producer. He talks about his newest project, the Kentucky U.S. Colored Troops Project, which uses historical documents to identify African American soldiers from Kentucky who fought in the Civil War.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Jun 21, 2022 • 31min
Episode 238 - George Wright, Historian
On this episode the THINK HUMANITIES podcast is celebrating Juneteenth. Host Bill Goodman talks to Dr. George Wright, Professor of History at the University of Kentucky, about the the history and importance of Juneteenth.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Jun 15, 2022 • 37min
Episode 237 - William Turner, Author, part 2
This week on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast, Bill Goodman continues his discussion with William H. Turner, author of "The Harlan Renaissance: Stories of Black Life in Appalachian Coal Towns." They talk about Turner's book, which was recently nominated for the "Book of the Year" Award from the Museum of African American History and about the process of integration in Kentucky.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible with generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslun-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Jun 8, 2022 • 47min
Episode 236 - William Turner, Author, part 1
On this episode of THINK HUMANITIES, host Bill Goodman talks with William H. Turner, author of "The Harlan Renaissance: Stories of Black Life in Appalachian Coal Towns." They talk about Turner's book and assumptions and myths about Appalachian African Americans. Tune in next week for part two of their conversation.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible with generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslun-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Listen at: kyhumanities.org/programs/think-humanities-podcast
May 31, 2022 • 44min
Episode 235 - Georgia Green Stamper, Author
On this week's episode of THINK HUMANITIES, host Bill Goodman talks to Georgia Green Stamper. They talk about her new collection of essay, "Small Acreages," writing, and more.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
May 25, 2022 • 37min
Episode 234 - Robert Cornett, A Trip To Ukraine
At the end of April, Bill Goodman, host of the THINK HUMANITIES podcast, sat down with Robert Cornett, a Georgetown, Kentucky attorney to talk about the human side of the humanities. After learning about the desperate needs of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war, Cornett spent several weeks in Poland to aid refugees crossing the border. Listen to their full conversation here.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
