Talking FACS

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

Guests: Dr. Kerri Ashurst, Extension Specialist for Family and Relationship Development and Tyrone Atkinson, Program Coordinator for Family and Consumer Sciences

Episode 9, Season 4

As temperatures cool with the advent of fall, there is no better time to be outdoors.  Spending time outdoors can be rejuvenating and is good for our mental and physical health.  Dr. Kerri Ashurst and Tyrone Atkinson share tips for strengthening family relationships while boosting your mental health by spending time in the great outdoors. 

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

Guest: Dr. Paul Norrod, Extension Specialist for Rural Health and Safety

Episode 8, Season 4

National Farm Safety and Health Week

This year, we celebrate annual farm safety week from September 19-25, to raise awareness about farm safety issues across the state and country. While farm safety and mental health are important topics every day, this week serves to shed light on the unique challenges farmers experience as they produce food, fiber, and fuel for us every day. During National Farm Safety and Health Week, we want to highlight the importance of mental health by reflecting on five key goals:

• Recognize rural mental health challenges

Visit your local county Extension office or click the links below to learn more about National Farm Safety and Health Week.

Farm Life Stress

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

Crisis Text Line, Text HOPE to 741741

Host:  Dr. Jennifer Hunter, Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky

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

Episode 7, Season 4

Families with children may be finding more money in their bank accounts these days thanks to advance payments of the Child Tax Credit.  Kelly May joins Dr. Jennifer Hunter to talk about these payments, a feature of the American Recovery Act and how they will impact 2021 taxes.

For more information, visit:

IRS Advance Child Tax Credit Payments

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

Guest: Dr. Natalie Jones, Extension Specialist for Family Health

Special Edition Series - Cancer Conversations Episode 27

Blood Cancer Awareness Month is celebrated every September to raise awareness of the types of cancer that affect the vascular system.  Due to a technical issue our friends at Markey were not able to join us this month, but our own Dr. Natalie Jones, is joining the podcast to provide education about these types of cancer.

Connect with the UK Markey Center:

Online Markey Cancer Center

On Facebook @UKMarkey

On Twitter @UKMarkey

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

Guests: Dr. Nichole Huff, Extension Specialist for Family Finance and Resource Management, Joe Wilcox, KY Saves 529 Institutional Relationship Manager, with Ascensus Government Savings

No matter how old or how young your children may be, it is never too early to start saving for their future educational plans.  The KY 529 Savings Plan is an easy way to save so that when the time comes, your family is ready!

Special Edition Episode: MoneyWi$e 3, Season 4

For more information about Kentucky Saves visit:

KY Saves Website

For more information about MoneyWi$e, visit:

MoneyWi$e Newsletter

MoneyWi$e Website

MoneyWi$e Facebook Page

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

Guest: Dr. Natalie Jones, Extension Specialist for Family Health

Episode 6, Season 4

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are all around us and they affect our health, just as what we eat, how we exercise, or what health conditions we might experience.  On this episode of Talking FACS, Dr. Natalie Jones breaks down the Social Determinants of Health into smaller information chunks to make them easier to process and help us think about ways we can use the information to impact our lives.

For more information:

Explore the CDC: Social Determinants of Health: Know What Affects Health

HealthyPeople.gov. Social Determinants of Health

Healthy People 2030, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

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

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

Episode 5, Season 4

COVID-19 has impacted all facets of our lives, but those who are living with various addictions have experienced the worldwide pandemic in ways that others simply cannot imagine.  On this episode of Talking FACS, Dr. Alex Elswick shares the real implications COVID-19 has had on the lives of those living with addiction.

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

Guest: Dr. Natalie Jones, Extension Specialist for Family Health

Episode 4, Season 4

COVID-19 Infections are rising all across Kentucky.  If you have already vaccinated - we are proud of you!  Share this show with family and friends to encourage them to join you among the ranks of the vaccinated.  Together we can beat this virus!  Dr. Natalie Jones answers some frequently asked questions that people may have about the virus and the vaccines.

To see the percentage of people in your county who have been vaccinated click the link below.  Once you have accessed the website, then click on the county of your choice and the relevant statistics will pop up.

Kentucky COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard

Host: Dr. Jennifer Hunter, Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky 

Guest: Jenny DeLap, Senior Social Worker, Psych-Oncology Services, Markey Cancer Center

Special Edition Series - Cancer Conversations Episode 26

If you have just gotten a cancer diagnosis, there are many questions probably swarming through your mind.  On this episode of Cancer Conversations on Talking FACS, Jenny Delap from the Markey Cancer Center is going to talk about those questions.  She will share with Dr. Jennifer Hunter the important discussions people recently diagnosed with cancer need to have with their loved ones and with their oncology team.

Connect with the UK Markey Center:

Online Markey Cancer Center

On Facebook @UKMarkey

On Twitter @UKMarkey

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

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

Episode 3, Part 2, Season 4

Finding comfortable and durable sheets can sometimes be a challenge.  This week on Talking FACS, Jeanne Badgett shares tips for ensuring that your nightly sleep is the best that it can be when it starts with a great set of sheets.