Talking FACS

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

Guest: Leslie Frame, MS Extension Specialist for Family and Consumer Sciences and EXCITE Health Agent 

Season 8 | Episode 51

In this episode to MoneyWi$e on Talking FACS, host Mindy McCulley talks with Leslie Frame, Extension Specialist and EXCITE health agent, about simple strategies to get the most from medical visits, avoid surprise medical bills, and protect your health and budget. They explain the EXCITE program and why vaccine confidence and health literacy matter.

Learn five practical steps for doctor appointments—what to bring (ID, insurance, assistive devices), how to prepare a two-minute health history, the importance of repeating back instructions, handling forms and tech, and tracking medications (including OTCs and supplements). The episode also covers vaccinations, when to consult your clinician, and useful resources like KYIR and VaccineFinder.org to locate records and vaccine sites.

Short, actionable, and budget-focused, this episode helps you be a better health advocate, make informed choices, and save money through preventive care and clear communication.

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

MoneyWi$e Newsletters

MoneyWi$e Website

Kentucky Immunization Registry

Find Vaccines

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: Natese Dockery, PhD Assistant Clinical Professor for Mental Health and Well-being 

Season 8 | Episode 50

Join Talking FACS host Mindy McCulley and guest Dr. Natese Dockery as they wrap up Mental Health Awareness Month with a focused conversation on reducing stigma, recognizing the signs of stress, and building simple, sustainable habits to support daily mental well‑being.

Topics include what Mental Health Awareness Month means, how language and openness can reduce stigma, common emotional, cognitive, and behavioral signs of stress, practical stress‑management strategies, and tips for caregivers navigating the challenges of summer routines. The show also highlights the weekly Mental Health Minute video series and resources from the University of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Extension.

To view the Mental Health Minute playlist on YouTube, click below.

For Mental Health support, 988 The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, every day. 

988 | The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) provides training for anyone who wants to help those experiencing mental health challenges.

For more information, click the link below:

QPR

Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any topic 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: Dr Ayman Qasrawi, Assistant Professor of Medicine, (Hematology) and Dr. Ruta Arays, Assistant Professor of Medicine (Medical Oncology), Markey Cancer Center

Cancer Conversations Episode 75

Host Mindy McCulley interviews Dr. Ayman Qasrawi (Dr. Q) and Dr. Rita Arays of the UK Markey Cancer Center about multiple‑modality management and interdisciplinary collaboration in treating advanced melanoma.

The episode explains tumor‑infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) and why this personalized immunotherapy can produce durable responses when other options fail.

Key takeaways include the multidisciplinary workflow needed to deliver TILs in Kentucky, candidate selection and timing/referral considerations, program availability at UK (and UofL), and implications for future vaccine research and community care.

Connect with the UK Markey Center

Online Markey Cancer Center

On Facebook @UKMarkey

On Twitter @UKMarkey

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

Guests: David Weisenhorn, PhD Extension Specialist for Parenting and Child Development and Katherine Jury, MS Extension Specialist for Family Health

Season 8, Episode 49

In this episode of Talking FACS, Extension specialists Dr. David Weisenhorn and Katherine Jury discuss the vital role of unstructured free play in child development.

They cover the key benefits of play—physical (muscle and bone development), cognitive (problem solving and learning by doing), social (cooperation and rule-making), and emotional health—with examples like playgrounds, outdoor exploration, and even learning from minor risks such as poison ivy. Guests emphasize outdoor play, practice-driven skill building, and why free time is children’s "work."

Listeners can expect practical takeaways on encouraging safe, unstructured play, why less-structured schedules help long-term development, and where to find University of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Extension resources for families.

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: Natese Dockery, PhD Assistant Clinical Professor for Mental Health and Well-being 

Season 8 | Episode 48

Join host Mindy McCulley and guest Dr. Natese Dockery from University of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Extension as they discuss crisis support and suicide prevention. This episode covers how to recognize signs of emotional distress, when and how to reach out, and why staying connected matters for mental health.

Listeners will learn about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline—how to call, text, or chat for immediate, confidential help—and the basics of QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) as a simple framework for supporting someone in crisis. The conversation emphasizes practical, compassionate actions community members can take, even without professional training.

Key takeaways:

Help, hope, and connection are possible.  Even small acts of presence make a big difference.

For more information, click the links below.

QPR

988 | The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

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: Kelly May, MS Senior Extension Associate for Family Finance and Resource Management 

Season 8 | Episode 47

Join host Mindy McCulley and guest Kelly May, Senior Extension Associate for Family Resource Management, as they break budgeting into simple, realistic steps to help you spend with purpose, save with confidence, and gain control of your financial future.

Topics include understanding gross vs. net income, categorizing expenses (fixed, flexible, occasional), planning for surprise costs, handling surpluses and deficits, avoiding lifestyle creep, and using side gigs or resources to improve your balance.

Listeners will come away with practical actions: plan with take-home pay, track all food and small cash purchases, build an emergency fund, prioritize or trim flexible expenses when needed, and reach out to local Extension resources for help.

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, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension

Guest: Heather Norman-Burgdolf, PhD, Assistant Extension Director for Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Kentucky  

Season 8 | Special Edition Episode 1

Mindy McCulley sits down with guest Dr. Heather Norman-Burgdolf, the new Assistant Extension Director for Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Kentucky, for a conversation about the future of Extension. Heather shares her Kentucky roots, long history with Extension and 4‑H, and the path that led her from Extension specialist to administrative leadership.

Topics include Heather’s top priorities—alignment, clear roles, strengthened communication, and intentional partnerships—plus how FCS can protect proven programs while exploring new ways to deliver research‑based education. They discuss supporting county agents, specialists, and staff, reaching communities with greatest need, and keeping community impact central to the mission.

Key takeaways:

Expect insights on work–life balance, motivations on tough days, and a relatable look at how personal experience shapes public service.

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: Courtney Luecking, PhD, MPH, RDN Extension Specialist for Maternal and Child Health, Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition

Guest: Hayden Meza, APRN, Certified Nurse Midwife, UK Healthcare

Season 8 | Episode 46

Join guest host Dr. Courtney Luecking in a conversation with Hayden Meza, a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) at the University of Kentucky, as they explore the history and modern practice of midwifery. Topics include Kentucky’s midwifery roots with Mary Breckenridge and the Frontier Nursing Service, the role of CNMs within the healthcare system, differences between midwives and OB‑GYNs, and common myths about midwifery and birth settings.

Hayden shares patient‑centered examples of midwifery care, evidence on outcomes, guidance on choosing the right care model for individual risk and preferences, and tips for finding midwives locally.

For more information:

About Midwifery | American College of Nurse Midwives

Find a Midwife | Midwives of Kentucky

Core Competencies | American College of Nurse Midwives 

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

Guest: Alex Johansen, UK Harm Reduction Hub Intern

Season 8, Episode 45

Welcome to Talking FACS. In this episode guest-host Alex Elswick speaks with Alex Johansson, an intern with the UK Harm Reduction Hub, about harm reduction and a newer practice called syringe residue testing. They define harm reduction as both a philosophy grounded in respect and dignity and a set of practical strategies to reduce harms from substance use.

Topics include everyday examples of harm reduction, practical interventions like naloxone distribution and syringe service programs, drug checking methods (including single-use test strips and syringe residue testing), and how the Harm Reduction Hub analyzes syringe residue to monitor Kentucky’s drug supply.

Key findings discussed from recent Kentucky testing (February 2026) include widespread fentanyl and methamphetamine detection across five partnered counties (Fayette, Jefferson, Jessamine, Perry, and Rowan), notable county-level differences (e.g., high meth detection in Rowan County and higher fentanyl presence in Fayette/Jefferson), and the identification of additives such as metatomidine. The conversation highlights how timely, local data help target naloxone distribution, inform outreach and treatment providers, and guide public health responses.

Tune in to learn what syringe residue testing reveals about local risks, how harm reduction agencies communicate alerts, and why this information matters for people who use drugs, families, healthcare providers, and the broader community.

UK Harm Reduction Hub

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: Laurie McClouth, PhD, Assistant Professor, Behavioral Science, Markey Cancer Center

Cancer Conversations Episode 74

On Cancer Conversations, Dr. Laurie McLouth, assistant professor of behavioral science at UK and researcher at the Markey Cancer Center, discusses cancer survivorship: who is considered a survivor, how survivorship is evolving, and what it means to live with and beyond cancer.

Topics include the NCI definition of survivorship, national statistics (more than 18 million survivors in the U.S.), advances that extend life with cancer, physical and psychosocial domains of survivorship (late effects, mental health, financial toxicity, work and social roles), the new national survivorship care standards, and Markey’s Cancer Survivorship Research Initiative focused on survivors and caregivers.

Expect practical insights on care coordination between oncology and primary care, the importance of planning long-term follow-up (including for childhood survivors), and growing attention to caregiver needs and community-based support—plus where to find resources from the Markey Cancer Center and UK Cooperative Extension.

Connect with the UK Markey Center

Online Markey Cancer Center

On Facebook @UKMarkey

On Twitter @UKMarkey