Talking FACS

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: Financial Literacy Month

Just as it is important to understand your health numbers, financial literacy involves understanding your financial wellness.  On this special edition episode of Talking FACS, Dr. Nichole Huff comes back to discuss Financial Literacy Month and the importance of developing an understanding of the numbers that make up your financial picture.  Listen and learn ways to improve your financial literacy and financial wellness.

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

Guest: Dr. Courtney Luecking, Extension Specialist for Nutrition and Health

Episode 40, Season 3

What's the DGA 2020-2025, you ask?  Well it is the Dietary Guidelines for Americans in its newly released format for the next five years!  On this episode of Talking FACS, Dr. Courtney Luecking breaks down the guidelines and how they are similar to and different from previous versions.  She also share tips for how you can use the Dietary Guidelines to help shape the eating patterns for your family to ensure that you are getting nutrients to sustain healthy lifestyles.  She also suggests great resources for new meal ideas.

For more information visit:

My Plate

Plate it up! Kentucky Proud

Plan Eat Move

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

Guest: Dr. Frederick Ueland, Director Oncology Clinical Operations and Vice Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Markey Cancer Center

Special Edition Series - Cancer Conversations Episode 22

COVID-19 has affected every aspect of life, including how we receive medical care.  On this episode of Cancer Conversations on Talking FACS, Dr. Fred Ueland shares with Dr. Jennifer Hunter how medical care and oncology care specifically, has changed and will be forever changed and what aspects will return when life starts to take on a more normal appearance.

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. 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 39, Season 3

This week is National Public Health Week and as mental health is a critical component of public health, Dr. Julie Cerel and Dr. Kerri Ashurst are discussing farmer suicide.  When suicide occurs it is often difficult for the family and community to understand why, but in farming and agricultural communities it seems to hit particularly hard and is hard to know how to help.  As we tackle this important discussion, think about when this situation might occur in your community and how you can help.

For more assistance:

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

Crisis Text Line 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 38, Season 3

Last week we wrapped up a virtual estate planning series through our state FCS team, but many of the principals of estate planning are available through extension resources at your fingertips.  Listen in as Kelly May and Dr. Jennifer Hunter discuss how to get started in the estate planning process and visit your local extension office for more resources on this very important topic.

MoneyWi$e Website

MoneyWi$e Newsletter

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 37, Season 3

Just like that we have flipped the seasons from winter into spring.  Dr. Natalie Jones returns to share great ideas for switching our mindsets from winter blues to spring renewal.  She chats with Mindy McCulley about everything from increasing outdoor physical activity (even if you have to do some puddle jumping) to spring cleaning your refrigerator!  So don't miss this fun discussion so you too, can "spring into health"!

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

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

Episode 36, Season 3

As COVID-19 vaccination opportunities are rolling out across the nation, Natalie Jones sits down with Mindy McCulley to discuss exactly what the vaccination is, how it works and how it can help us all return to a new normal.  Don't get discouraged as the discussion gets a bit technical, as it is important to get the facts and stay informed so that we can all work together to protect each other.

For more information visit the Find-A-Vaccine Website at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

COVID-19 Vaccines

Sign up for KY Alerts

KY's COVID-19 Hotline 1-855-598-2246 or TTY 1-855-326-4654

COVID-19 Appointment Transportation Assistance

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

Guest: Dr. Thomas Tucker, Director of Cancer Surveillance, Markey Cancer Center and Professor of Microbiology, Department of Epidemiology

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, so it is a great time to talk to Dr. Thomas Tucker about Colorectal Cancer in Kentucky.  Join us as he shares the alarming statistics about where Kentucky ranks related to incidence of colorectal cancers and mortality rates, as well as the genetic factors that have impacted all of Kentucky but especially the Appalachian region.  He also discusses the importance of screening for early detection and how that relates to survival rates.

Special Edition Series - Cancer Conversations Episode 21

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

Episode 35, Season 3

Have an emergency kit on hand with a flashlight and first aid supplies and other emergency supplies has been something we have been recommending for a long time, but maybe you have not put time into the same preparation for getting your finances organized for a natural disaster.  On this episode of Talking FACS, Kelly May discusses the importance of gathering the crucial financial documents and storing them in an easily accessible location so that you can quickly grab them in the event of a weather event or other disaster.

For more information:

MoneyWi$e Website

MoneyWi$e Newsletter

MoneyWi$e Facebook Page

FEMA: Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK)

The Kentucky Department of Insurance:Household Inventory

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

Guest: Dr. Courtney Luecking, Extension Specialist for Nutrition and Health

Episode 34, Season 3

As children across the Commonwealth are returning to the classroom today, it is especially important to consider the implications of nutrition on their overall health and well-being.  On this episode of Talking FACS, Dr. Courtney Luecking sits down with Dr. Jennifer Hunter to discuss how nutrition supports childhood immunity and steps parents and caregivers can take to ensure that children are eating a wide range of nutrients daily.

For more information:

Plan. Eat. Move.