Host: Heather Norman-Burgdolf, PhD, Associate Extension Professor for Nutrition and Health, University of Kentucky, Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition

Guest: Courtney Luecking, PhD Assistant Extension Professor and Extension Specialist for Maternal and Child Health, Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition

Season 8, Episode 38

Join host Dr. Heather Norman-Burgdolf and guest Dr. Courtney Luecking as they unpack the 2026 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), explaining what the guidelines are, how they are developed, and what has changed.

They cover key takeaways: the DGA public-health (not clinical) purpose, the emphasis on overall dietary patterns and balance rather than single nutrients, continued support for whole grains and fiber, and real-world implementation issues like cost, access, and school nutrition.

Learn how Cooperative Extension translates these evidence-based recommendations into practical, community-relevant guidance.

For more information:

Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Connect with FCS Extension through the links below for more information about 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: Nathan Vanderford, PhD Director, Appalachian Career Training in Oncology Program, Markey Cancer Center, Kameron Jackson and Matthew Sanders, ACTION Program student participants

Cancer Conversations Episode 72

Welcome to Cancer Conversations on Talking FACS with host Mindy McCulley. In this episode we hear from Dr. Nathan Vanderford, director of the NIH-funded ACTION (Appalachian Career Training in Oncology) program, and students Kameron Jackson and Matthew Sanders about how the program engages Eastern Kentucky high school and undergraduate students in cancer education, lab research, clinical shadowing, mentorship, and community outreach.

Topics covered include student experiences in research labs and mentorship, the program’s recruitment across the 54 Appalachian counties, and a unique writing project that produced four books of personal and realistic fictional stories about cancer in Eastern Kentucky. Kameron and Matthew describe how writing helped them process family history, spark conversations about cancer, and build communication skills alongside scientific training.

Key takeaways: ACTION provides hands‑on research and outreach opportunities that change career trajectories, creative writing can open difficult conversations about cancer in communities, and the program aims to broaden access across the region. Find the students’ stories and the full book linked in the episode show notes and visit Markey.uky.edu or the UK Markey Cancer Center Facebook page for more information.

Click the images below to hear student read excerpts from Cancer in Appalachia: A Collection of Youth Told Stories

For more information about :

Appalachian Career Training in Oncology Program

ACTION Books

Connect with the UK Markey Center

Online Markey Cancer Center

On Facebook @UKMarkey

On Twitter @UKMarkey

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 37

In this episode of Talking FACS, Dr. Monica Mundy, Assistant Extension Professor for Community and Family Health, chats with host Mindy McCulley, about what pop culture is and how it influences health.

Topics include definitions and examples of pop culture (TV, music, social media, influencers), positive influences like Let’s Move and TV story lines that open dialogue about mental health, and negative impacts such as youth vaping and fad diets. The episode highlights memorable public-health moments in pop culture and how they shape awareness and behavior.

Dr. Mundy discusses practical ways communities can harness pop culture for health promotion—partnering with local influencers, using music, art, film, salons and barbershops for outreach, and small grassroots campaigns like the Be Kind initiative.

Listeners can expect a concise, research-informed conversation with actionable ideas for using everyday culture to normalize healthy behaviors and engage communities.

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: David Weisenhorn, PhD Extension Specialist for Parenting and Child Development  

Season 8, Episode 36

Talking FACS host Mindy McCulley and guest Dr. David Weisenhorn discuss what to teach children about getting lost, drawing on personal stories and research. They cover how early to start, the importance of kids knowing their full name and parents' names, and other identifying strategies.

Key safety tips include staying put so an adult can find the child, yelling or making noise to attract help, seeking out other parents or uniformed staff, and using identifiable clothing or bright colors for the family in crowded places. The episode also shares practical examples and encouragement for parents to practice these skills with their children.

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

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

Host: Nichole Huff, PhD, Assistant Extension Professor and Extension Specialist for Family Resource Management, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky 

Guest: Rick Sellnow, Digital Literacy Extension Agent, Blueprint Kentucky

Season 8, Episode 35

Join host Dr. Nichole Huff and guest Rick Sellnow for MoneyWi$e on Talking FACS as they explain what digital wallets are, how they work, and why they can be safer than traditional payment methods.

Topics include:

Key takeaways and practical tips include: most smartphones already include a digital wallet, prefer major providers for stronger security, read terms and conditions to understand data use, keep backup payment methods in case of dead phones or outages, and practice digital literacy to make informed spending choices.

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

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

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

Guests: Natese Dockery, PhD Assistant Clinical Professor for Mental Health and Well-being and Amy Rodquist-Kodet, Health Coach, UK Health and Wellness

Season 8, Episode 34

Welcome to Talking FACS with host Mindy McCauley from the University of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Extension. In this episode Mindy speaks with Dr. Natese Dockery, Assistant Clinical Professor for Mental Health and Well-Being, and Amy Rodquist-Kodet, a health coach with UK Health and Wellness, about what self-compassion really means and why it matters for overall well-being.

The conversation covers personal stories and research-backed benefits such as reduced anxiety and depression, and how self-kindness fosters resilience and healthier coping.

Guests share practical strategies listeners can try right away: positive affirmations, loving-kindness meditation, journaling, noticing and naming the inner critic, and simple self-soothing gestures to calm the nervous system.

Key takeaways: self-compassion isn’t selfish, it’s about being present with pain rather than erasing it, and regular practice helps cultivate greater peace and emotional growth. 

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 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 33

This is Talking FACS with host Mindy McCulley and guest Dr. Monica Mundy. In this episode we explore how civic engagement directly impacts individual and community health.

What comes to mind when you think of civic engagement? In this episode we will push the boundaries of what many people think civic engagement is and share the health benefits you can enjoy.

Topics include research-backed health benefits (longer life expectancy, lower rates of heart disease, depression, and even some cancers), how community involvement builds social connection, resilience, and local decision-making power, and real-world examples like community responses to public health crises.

Dr. Munday shares five simple steps to get involved:

She pairs these steps with practical ideas such as food bank volunteering, PTAs, and neighborhood cleanups. Listeners are encouraged to pick one action and connect with local FCS Extension resources to start making a difference.

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 Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 

Guest: Dr. Jessica Moss, MD Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center

Cancer Conversations Episode 71

Welcome to Cancer Conversations on Talking FACS with host Mindy McCulley and guest Dr. Jessica Moss, assistant professor of internal medicine in the division of Medical Oncology at the Markey Cancer Center. In this episode Dr. Moss reviews recent advances in breast cancer care, including the incorporation of immunotherapy for triple-negative disease and new targeted therapies for stage IV patients.

Topics include how breast cancer subtypes affect treatment and prognosis; the importance of genetic counseling and testing—especially for men, young patients, and those with triple-negative tumors; common risk factors such as obesity, alcohol use, and reproductive history; and warning signs that warrant medical attention. Dr. Moss also discusses how many patients with advanced disease are living longer with improved, less-toxic options.

Key takeaways: breast cancer is not one disease, screening and awareness matter, genetic evaluation can guide care, and recent therapies are creating more personalized, hopeful outcomes. 

Connect with the UK Markey Center

Online Markey Cancer Center

On Facebook @UKMarkey

On X @UKMarkey

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

Guest: Jeanne Badgett, MS Extension Associate for Clothing, Textiles, and Household Equipment

Season 8, Episode 32

Join Talking FACS host Mindy McCulley and guest Jeanne Badgett from the University of Kentucky FCS Extension for a practical episode about organizing without breaking the bank.

Strategies include:

Key takeaways: toss broken items, sort and label for visibility, try no-cost solutions first (repurpose boxes, jars, trays), enlist a friend instead of hiring help, and remember clutter has both financial and opportunity costs.

Resources mentioned: Money Wise newsletter and your local Extension office for more tips and hands-on support.

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

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

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

Guest: Alex Elswick, PhD Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery

Season 8, Episode 31

Join host Mindy McCulley and guest Dr. Alex Elswick from University of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Extension as they explore support options for families affected by addiction. This episode explains why addiction is a family disease and how family members are impacted emotionally and physically.

Topics include common family support groups, alternative programs, and the idea of multiple recovery pathways. Dr. Elswick emphasizes education, peer connection, grief support, and practical steps families can take.

Key takeaways: support is essential, different groups fit different values and needs, try multiple options before deciding, and family members deserve resources and care. Visit the UK FCS Extension for more information and local resources.

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