Talking FACS

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

Special Edition Episode: MoneyWi$e

Empathy in the workplace often starts with communication.  This week on Talking FACS, Kelly May shares with Dr. Jennifer Hunter ways to be empathetic towards ones colleagues and clients.  She provides tips for improving empathy skills, as well as suggestions for enhancing communication skills.

For more information, visit:

MoneyWi$e Newsletter

MoneyWi$e Website

MoneyWi$e Facebook Page

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

Guest: Dr. Heather Norman-Burgdolf, Extension Specialist for Nutrition and Health

Episode 47, Season 3

Are you tired of preparing and serving the same meals for your family over and over again?  If the answer is YES, then this episode of Talking FACS is for YOU!  Dr. Heather Norman-Burgdolf shares great tips for changing things up a bit to add a little pizzazz to your mealtime routines!  She provides suggestions for finding new recipes and ideas for making everyday family meals a celebration. 

For additional recipe ideas visit:

Plate it up! Kentucky Proud

Plan. Eat. Move. from the KY Nutrition Education Program

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

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

Episode 46, Season 3

Week 6 - Living with Loss: Playing the Hand You are Dealt series

Getting out in nature is a great antidote to grief.  On this episode of Talking FACS, Dr. Natalie Jones discusses how physical activity is a natural way to relieve the pain of loss.  She provides tips for handling grief and loss through movement and meditation.

Living with Loss: Playing the Hand You Are Dealt

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

Guest: Dr. Julie Cerel,  UK College of Social Work, Director of Suicide Prevention and Exposure Lab and Dr. Kerri Ashurst, Extension Specialist for Family and Relationship Development

Episode 45, Season 3

Week 5 - Living with Loss: Playing the Hand You Are Dealt series

When a suicide occurs in a community, it is often difficult to talk about.  We are never sure what to say or how to approach the family and we probably never consider all the lives that are touched by the loss of that one person.  On this episode of Talking FACS, Mindy McCulley sits down with Dr. Julie Cerel and Dr. Kerri Ashurst to discuss the impacts of suicide exposure, not just on a family, but on the community as a whole.  They share the importance of talking about the significant life that was lost.

For more information:

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

Crisis Text Line 741741

To learn more about this topic, join the webinar series by clicking the link:

Living with Loss: Playing the Hand You Are Dealt

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

Guest: Raven Darko-Mensah, Oncology Social Worker, Markey Cancer Center

Special Edition Series - Cancer Conversations Episode 23

When you start talking about Advance Directives and Living Wills, people often shut down because they do not want to think about what they consider "end of life".  On this episode of Cancer Conversations on Talking FACS, Raven Darko-Mensah shares why these critical documents are simply part of the business of planning well and living life fully.  Join this conversation to learn why it is important to prepare these documents, no matter your life stage or health situation.

Click these link for additional resources:

Kentucky Living Will Document

City of Hope Advance Directives

American Cancer Society - Understanding Legal Matters

National Cancer Institute Advanced Directives

Connect with the UK Markey Center:

Online Markey Cancer Center

On Facebook @UKMarkey

On Twitter @UKMarkey

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

Guest:  Dr. Nichole Huff, Extension Specialist for Family Finance and Resource Management

Episode 44, Season 3

Week 4 - Living with Loss: Playing the Hand You Are Dealt series

Financial setbacks can create stress no matter what other situations in which you might find yourself.  On this episode of Talking FACS, Dr. Nichole Huff shares how building financial resiliency skills can help you bounce back from tough circumstances, as well as give you hope for the future.

For additional information, click these links:

Eviction Relief Flyer

Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund summary

The weekly webinars are presented live on Thursday mornings at 11 am EDT through May 27, 2021.  Join the webinar series by clicking the link below.  Recordings of the weekly sessions are available on the FACS Learning Channel.

Living with Loss: Playing the Hand You Are Dealt

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

Guest: Dr. Nichole Huff, Extension Specialist for Family Finance and Resource Management

Special Edition Episode: MoneyWi$e

There will be many graduations happening across the Commonwealth this month, but this year marks a special financial milestone for Kentucky High School students.  On this special MoneyWi$e edition of Talking FACS, Dr. Nichole Huff shares about the financial literacy standards that are now part of the required curriculum for high school students at public schools in Kentucky.  Listen and decide if you are "financially smarter" than a Kentucky High School senior.

MoneyWi$e Website

MoneyWi$e Newsletter

MoneyWi$e Facebook Page

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

Guest:  Dr. Amy Kostelic, Extension Specialist for Adult Development and Aging and Allison Smith, doctoral candidate and Marriage and Family Therapist

Episode 43, Season 3

Week 3 - Living with Loss: Playing the Hand You Are Dealt series

When you find yourself dealing with loss and grief, creatively expressing the emotions can provide release and help you handle all the feelings.  On this episode of Talking FACS, Dr. Amy Kostelic and Allison Smith, share how creativity can help us process grief in healthy ways. This episode is part of our Living with Loss series.

The weekly webinars are presented live on Thursday mornings at 11 am EDT through May 27, 2021.  Join the webinar series by clicking the link below.  Recordings of the weekly sessions are available on the FACS Learning Channel.

Living with Loss: Playing the Hand You Are Dealt

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

Guest:  Dr. Sandra Bastin, Extension Specialist for Food and Nutrition

Episode 42, Season 3

Week 2 - Living with Loss: Playing the Hand You Are Dealt series

When you find yourself cooking for one, whether that is after a loss or simply because you are on your own you might be tempted to resort to take-out or other habits that might not be budget or health friendly.  On this episode of Talking FACS, Dr. Sandra Bastin shares tips for keeping meals interesting when you are cooking for yourself, alone.

For more information, click to read the publication:

Cooking for One or Two

Or join the webinar series by clicking the link:

Living with Loss: Playing the Hand You Are Dealt

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

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

Episode 41, Season 3

Week 1 - Living with Loss: Playing the Hand You Are Dealt series

Dr. Kerri Ashurst kicks-off the podcast show to complement our Living with Loss series. On this episode, she shares important considerations when talking about loss with different members of the family.  She stresses that is crucial to understand that everyone responds to grief in different ways and to be mindful of how each person is processing the loss.

To learn more about this topic, join the webinar series by clicking the link:

Living with Loss: Playing the Hand You Are Dealt