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
May 18, 2022 • 36min
Episode 233 - Willie Carver, 2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year
On this week's episode of THINK HUMANITIES, Bill Goodman interviews Willie Carver, an English teacher who was selected to be Kentucky's 2022 Teacher of the Year. Willie talks about the human side of teaching, the foundation of the Happy Club, and how he advocates for Eastern Kentucky kids.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
May 4, 2022 • 41min
Episode 231 - Emily Bingham, Historian & Author
On this episode of THINK HUMANITIES, Bill talks to author and historian Emily Bingham about her new book "My Old Kentucky Home: the Astonishing Life and Reckoning of an Iconic American Song" and what the future looks like for Kentucky's state song.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from Spalding University's Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Apr 27, 2022 • 41min
Episode 230 - Luke Manget, Author
On this week's episode of the THINK HUMANITIES podcast, Bill Goodman talks with Luke Manget, author of the new book "Ginseng Diggers: A History of Root and Herb Gathering in Appalachia," published by the University Press of Kentucky.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from Spalding University's Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Apr 13, 2022 • 35min
Episode 228 - Marianne Worthington & David Higdon, Poets
THINK HUMANITIES continues to celebrate National Poetry Month with this week's interview with poets Marianne Worthington and David Higdon. Marianne is the author a recently released collection entitled "The Girl Singer," and David Higdon is the 2021 Kentucky State Poetry Society Grand Prix First Prize winner for his poem "The Fourth Heart Sound." Listen to their conversation here.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Apr 6, 2022 • 51min
Episode 227 - Jeremy Paden and Lynnell Edwards, Poets
On this episode of THINK HUMANITIES, Kentucky Humanities kicks off National Poetry Month with a conversation with poets Jeremy Paden and Lynnell Edwards. They talk about the role of poetry in the classroom and beyond and share about their unique documentary poetry.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from Spalding University's Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Mar 30, 2022 • 40min
Episode 226 - Jack Brammer, Journalist
On this episode of THINK HUMANITIES, host Bill Goodman sits down with Jack Brammer, a recently retired journalist from the Lexington Herald Leader. They talk about stories from his years covering Kentucky's governors and the state of journalism today.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from Spalding University's Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Mar 23, 2022 • 49min
Episode 225 - Terry Birdwhistell and Donald Ritchie, Oral Historians
To close out Women's History Month on the THINK HUMANITIES podcast, Bill Goodman talks to Terry Birdwhistell from the Nunn Center for Oral History and Donald Ritchie, Historian Emeritus of the US Senate, about their new book "Washington's Iron Butterfly: Bess Clements Abell, An Oral History."
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Mar 16, 2022 • 39min
Episode 224 - Constance Alexander, Author and Columnest
On this episode of THINK HUMANITIES host Bill Goodman talks to author, poet, columnest, and Speakers Bureau member Constance Alexander.
To learn more about her Speakers Bureau talks and to book a presentation, visit kyhumanities.org/programs/speakers-bureau.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Mar 9, 2022 • 38min
Episode 223 - Kathryn West, Professor of English at Bellarmine University
Tune in to today's THINK HUMANITIES podcast to celebrate Women's History Month. Bill Goodman talks with Dr. Kathryn West about the continued importance of Women's History today.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from the Spalding University Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
Mar 2, 2022 • 45min
Episode 222 - Scott Miller, Folk Musician
This episode of the THINK HUMANTIES podcast features F. Scott Miller, a Kentucky folk musician. Bill Goodman talks to him about how he became a folk musician and about other legends of Appalachian and Kentucky folk music.
Scott Miller is available to give talks about folk music across the Commonwealth through the Kentucky Humanities Speakers Bureau. For more information and to book a program, visit kyhumanities.org.
THINK HUMANITIES is made possible by generous support from Spalding University's Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing.
