Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 

Guest: Monica Mundy, PhD Assistant Extension Professor for Family and Community Health

Season 8, Episode 24

In the episode of  Talking FACS host Mindy McCulley sits down with guest Dr. Monica Mundy, Extension Specialist for Family and Community Health. They explore the eight dimensions of wellness — emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual — and discuss why balance across these areas matters for overall quality of life.

Dr. Mundy explains the "wellness wheel" metaphor and offers practical, research-based strategies listeners can use: mindfulness and journaling for emotional health; decluttering and accessing green spaces for environmental wellness; budgeting and small savings for financial security; puzzles and lifelong learning for intellectual wellness; setting boundaries and finding satisfaction for occupational wellness; daily movement, better sleep, and nutrition for physical wellness; nurturing supportive relationships for social wellness; and meditation, prayer, or gratitude practices for spiritual wellness.

The episode emphasizes starting small: take an inventory of the eight areas, pick one realistic step, and build habits over time to create lasting balance and improved wellbeing.

Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.

Kentucky Extension Offices

UK FCS Extension

          Website

          Facebook

          Instagram

          FCS Learning Channel

Host:  Mindy McCulley, MS Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky

Guests: Kristen Jowers, MS Extension Specialist for One Op and Barbara Breutinger, Family Financial Counseling Intern

Season 8, Episode 23

Welcome to MoneyWi$e on Talking FACS. In this episode Kristen Jowers (OneOp Extension Specialist) and Barbara Breutinger (Family Resource Management Intern) explore the realities of the Sandwich Generation — adults simultaneously raising children and supporting aging parents.

They define who fits this group, share key statistics about prevalence and caregiving hours, and outline the unique financial and emotional pressures these caregivers face, including costs for education, housing, healthcare, and lost work opportunities.

The episode presents four practical steps:

Special attention is given to military families, highlighting relocation and deployment challenges and resources such as VA caregiver programs, Military OneSource counseling, and OneOp Medicaid guidance.

Listeners will find actionable tips, resource links in the show notes, and encouragement to start family conversations and create a sustainable plan that protects both loved ones and their own financial future.

For more information about this topic and other MoneyWi$e topics, visit:

MoneyWi$e Newsletter

How Can We Communicate Without Conflict?

VA Caregiver Support Program

Medicaid and Military Connected Families

UK Elder Care Resources

For more information about other MoneyWi$e topics, visit:

MoneyWi$e Website

Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.

Kentucky Extension Offices

UK FCS Extension

          Website

          Facebook

          Instagram

          FCS Learning Channel

Host:  Mindy McCulley, MS Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky  

Guest: LaToya Drake, MS Communications Director, The Food Connection

Season 8, Episode 22

As we wrap up  our self-proclaimed Stretching Your Food Budget Week, host Mindy McCulley and guest LaToya Drake from The Food Connection share a compact guide to planning holiday meals without blowing your budget. They discuss practical strategies for saving money on traditional dishes, including choosing smaller cuts of meat, using seasonal or sale produce, ingredient substitutions, and inviting guests to help.

The episode explains a five-trip shopping strategy to spread spending and reduce last-minute stress, plus tips for shopping your pantry and freezer first, rotating older items, and stretching meals with staples like potatoes, rice, and beans.

Expect actionable, research-based advice for keeping holiday traditions while trimming costs and time in the kitchen so you can focus on gathering with loved ones.

For more information:

Planning Holiday Meals on A Thrifty Budget

To connect with Nutrition Education Program resources, visit:

PlanEatMove.com

Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about this topic or any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.

Kentucky Extension Offices

UK FCS Extension

          Website

          Facebook

          Instagram

          FCS Learning Channel

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky  

Guest: Heather Norman-Burgdolf, PhD, Associate Extension Professor for Nutrition and Health

Season 8, Episode 21

Join Mindy McCulley and Dr. Heather Norman-Burgdolf as they explore how everyday pantry staples can stretch your food budget while keeping meals nutritious and satisfying. This episode of Talking FACS covers practical, research-based ideas focusing on making your pantry work for you.

Topics include:

They discuss cost-saving tips like buying canned and dried goods in bulk, simple meal-building techniques, and the nutritional benefits of legumes and whole-grain or legume-based pastas.

Key takeaways: assemble meals from pantry basics, add small twists to avoid meal ruts, and use Extension resources  for recipes and step-by-step guides to save money and feed your family well.

For recipe ideas, visit:

Plate it up! Kentucky Proud 

Plan Eat Move

Daily Meal Ideas (30 days of meal ideas using pantry staples)

Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.

Kentucky Extension Offices

UK FCS Extension

          Website

          Facebook

          Instagram

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Kentucky

Guest: Courtney Luecking, PhD Extension Specialist for Maternal and Child Health

Season 8, Episode 20

Welcome to Talking FACS, where host Mindy McCulley is joined by Dr. Courtney Luecking, Extension Specialist for Food and Nutrition, to discuss how communities can respond when families face food insecurity.

They cover what immediate support looks like — sharing information about local food banks and pantries, soup kitchens, school breakfast and lunch programs, Meals on Wheels and congregate meals for older adults, WIC, SNAP, and food recovery efforts like Glean Kentucky — and explain how eligibility, schedules, and program changes affect access.

The conversation highlights ways neighbors and community members can help:

They emphasize the importance of coordinating with existing local efforts so help is efficient and sustained.  Also recognizing long-term solutions and practical resources — including the University of Kentucky Extension offices for meal planning, budgeting, gardening, and cooking classes — and encouraging listeners to take one small step this week to support someone in need.

Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.

Kentucky Extension Offices

UK FCS Extension

          Website

          Facebook

          Instagram

Host:  Mindy McCulley, Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky  

Guest: Kerri Ashurst, PhD, Extension Specialist for Family and Relationship Development

Season 8, Episode 19 

Host Mindy McCauley visits with Dr. Kerri Ashurst, Senior Extension Specialist for Family and Relationship Development, about National Military Family Month (the month of November), what it means, and how communities can honor and support military families.

Topics include practical recognition ideas (care packages, community events, discounts, flying the flag), volunteer opportunities, sharing and preserving military family stories, and ways to support military children and spouses. Local resources such as care-package organizations and extension programs are highlighted.

Listeners will learn simple, actionable ways to show gratitude—from writing cards and offering practical help to creating events and listening to service stories—and where to find more information through the University of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Program.

Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about this topic or any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.

Kentucky Extension Offices

UK FCS Extension

          Website

          Facebook

          Instagram

          FCS Learning Channel

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Kentucky

Guest: Courtney Luecking, PhD Extension Specialist for Maternal and Child Health

Season 8, Episode 18

During this episode of Talking FACS, host Mindy McCulley chats with Dr. Courtney Luecking, Extension Specialist for Maternal and Child Health, about artificial and natural food dyes: what they are, the many places they are found, and how they are regulated.

They discuss the findings that link synthetic dye exposure to behavioral and brain development effects in some children (including those with and without ADHD), the FDA’s January 2025 ban on Red Dye No. 3 and its phase-out deadline, and why ongoing research matters.

Practical takeaways include checking ingredient labels for FD&C and dye numbers, favoring whole foods, using natural color sources and infused water, and staying informed as regulations evolve.

For more information:

Food Dyes: What should we know?

Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.

Kentucky Extension Offices

UK FCS Extension

          Website

          Facebook

          Instagram

          FCS Learning Channel

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky  

Guest: Heather Norman-Burgdolf, PhD, Associate Extension Professor for Nutrition and Health

Season 8, Episode 17

In this episode of Talking FACS, host Mindy McCulley and guest Dr. Heather Norman Bergdorf from the University of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, explore how to make healthier choices at convenience stores. This episode covers why convenience store choices matter, what to look for on the shelves, and how to assemble balanced snacks and quick meals.

Learn practical tips for prioritizing refrigerated items, protein, whole grains, and produce; spotting high sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar; and smart drink choices. Take special note of easy swaps and pairings—like pairing sugary treats with fiber or protein—and how to use Nutrition Facts labels and serving sizes to make better decisions.

Whether you are on a road trip or grabbing a quick bite between errands, this episode gives straightforward, research-based advice to help you save money and eat more nutritiously at your next convenience store stop.

Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.

Kentucky Extension Offices

UK FCS Extension

          Website

          Facebook

          Instagram

          FCS Learning Channel

Host:  Mindy McCulley, MS Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky

Guests: Matt Dixon, Senior Meteorologist, UK Ag Weather Center and Natese Dockery, PhD Assistant Clinical Professor and Extension Specialist for Mental Health and Well-being

Season 8, Episode 16

In this episode of Talking FACS from the University of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Program, host Mindy McCulley visits with Matt Dixon, Senior Meteorologist at the Ag Weather Center, and Dr. Natese Dockery, Assistant Clinical Professor and Extension Specialist for Mental Health and Well-Being. They discuss recent shifts in Kentucky’s weather patterns, rising disaster frequency and costs, and notable events like the 2021 EF4 tornadoes and major flooding the following spring.

The conversation covers how extreme and changing weather affects mental health — from immediate fear, anxiety, and sleep problems to longer-term issues like PTSD and survivor’s guilt — and highlights vulnerable groups such as children and older adults. Matt shares climate and rainfall trends, while Natese outlines emotional responses and lasting impacts after disasters.

Key takeaways include practical coping strategies (acknowledging feelings, staying connected, mindfulness, limiting media exposure), preparedness tips (knowing watch vs. warning, sheltering, evacuation planning, multiple ways to receive alerts), and resources including a recommended weather app and extensions’ disaster-response materials available in the show notes.

For more information about the Weather Alert App, click on the image. To download the app, scan the appropriate QR code for your device (links for devices are available in the article linked in the image.):

For more information about Extension's weather resources, reach out to your local Extension office.

Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.

Kentucky Extension Offices

UK FCS Extension

          Website

          Facebook

          Instagram

          FCS Learning Channel

Host:  Mindy McCulley, MS Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky

Guests: Kristen Jowers, MS Extension Specialist for One Op

Season 8, Episode 15

Join host Mindy McCulley and guest Kristen Jowers as they explore the world of financial technology on this episode of MoneyWi$e on Talking FACS. They explain FinTech and how common tools—mobile banking, peer-to-peer payment apps, budgeting and debt-tracking tools, and credit monitoring—can simplify everyday money management.

Kristen and Mindy discuss security and privacy concerns, fees and tax reporting for payment apps, how to choose the right tools (features, testing, and costs), and practical tips for incorporating FinTech into family budgets. They highlight free and trusted resources like PowerPay and the Sense app for military families, and remind listeners to use FDIC-insured accounts and review credit reports regularly.

Expect clear, actionable advice for using FinTech responsibly, questions to ask when selecting apps, and links to Extension resources to help you get started managing money more confidently.

For more information about this topic and other MoneyWi$e topics, visit:

PowerPay

Sen$e

MoneyWi$e Newsletter

MoneyWi$e Website

Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.

Kentucky Extension Offices

UK FCS Extension

          Website

          Facebook

          Instagram

          FCS Learning Channel