Today we meet Dr. Blake Ball, historian and author of "Charlie Brown's America: The Popular Politics of Peanuts." We discuss Dr. Ball's use of popular culture to bridge the gap of the collective consciousness of his students and the history of our country. Dr. Ball's approach to of framing history through the lens of what's on our televisions, in our newspapers, and on our phones shows how approachable history can be for anyone, and we are lucky to see into his mind as we discuss the overlap of comic books, television, and film with politics, headlines, and healthy discourse. UNA Talks is a bi-weekly podcast from the University of North Alabama

focusing on our outstanding faculty. At UNA Talks, we seek to gain their

expert insights on various professional and academic topics while

learning what makes their classrooms unique. The University of North

Alabama offers a massive array of high value programs on campus and

online taught be these and our many other talented professors. To learn

more, visit una.edu/online.

Today, we are getting to know Dr. Rachel Winston, Director of Engagement & Access Initiatives for the Anderson College of Nursing & Health Professions. Rachel is a powerful advocate for the special needs community in the Shoals and a talented instructor. She shares her personal story of how she found her passion for working with people with special needs and how it informs her teaching every day. We also discuss the respite program at UNA, which benefits local families and nursing students alike. UNA Talks is a bi-weekly podcast from the University of North Alabama

focusing on our outstanding faculty. At UNA Talks, we seek to gain their

expert insights on various professional and academic topics while

learning what makes their classrooms unique. The University of North

Alabama offers a massive array of high value programs on campus and

online taught be these and our many other talented professors. To learn

more, visit una.edu/online.

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Alisha Horky, Associate Professor of Marketing at UNA’s Sanders College of Business and Technology. With over 15 years of professional experience spanning corporate retail, research, and higher education, Dr. Horky shares her journey from managing an outdoor retail store to shaping the next generation of marketers in the classroom. We discuss the evolution of marketing from early web development and retail management to advanced digital analytics and data-driven decision-making. Dr. Horky's passion for blending research with real-world application is on full display, and what makes UNA’s community-centered approach to education special. UNA Talks is a bi-weekly podcast from the University of North Alabama

focusing on our outstanding faculty. At UNA Talks, we seek to gain their

expert insights on various professional and academic topics while

learning what makes their classrooms unique. The University of North

Alabama offers a massive array of high value programs on campus and

online taught be these and our many other talented professors. To learn

more, visit una.edu/online.

We sit down and talk with Dr. Eric Kirkman, principal of Kilby Laboratory School and professor of instructional leadership at UNA. With more than 25 years of experience in education, Dr. Kirkman brings a wealth of insight into teaching, mentorship, and preparing the next generation of educators. Kilby Laboratory School functions as a living classroom for our aspiring teachers, offering ongoing, real-world practice. He also reflects on his full-circle journey from UNA student to campus leader, the unique culture of Kilby, and the life skills that matter just as much as academics when it comes to being an educator. UNA Talks is a bi-weekly podcast from the University of North Alabama

focusing on our outstanding faculty. At UNA Talks, we seek to gain their

expert insights on various professional and academic topics while

learning what makes their classrooms unique. The University of North

Alabama offers a massive array of high value programs on campus and

online taught be these and our many other talented professors. To learn

more, visit una.edu/online.

Dr. Will Brewer is a seasoned nurse with nearly every accolade in the profession to his name. As a UNA graduate, Dr. Brewer brings a great perspective in this episode by discussing how students learn best in nursing and the lengths he goes to help them learn. We also discuss UNA's powerful state-of-the-art simulation lab in detail and discuss the future of health care. UNA Talks is a bi-weekly podcast from the University of North Alabama

focusing on our outstanding faculty. At UNA Talks, we seek to gain their

expert insights on various professional and academic topics while

learning what makes their classrooms unique. The University of North

Alabama offers a massive array of high value programs on campus and

online taught be these and our many other talented professors. To learn

more, visit una.edu/online.

Today, we talk to Grammy-winning songwriter and recording artist, co-owner of Single Lock Records, and (most notably 😉) UNA alumni and professor, John Paul White. John is one of the many crown jewels of the Muscle Shoals music legacy, and we are so lucky to have him teaching at UNA. His wisdom gained from real-world experience is imparted to emerging artists and entertainment majors every day at UNA, so we thought we would get a glimpse of it ourselves and talk about his amazing musical journey—the highs, the lows, and (mostly) the unexpected. UNA Talks is a bi-weekly podcast from the University of North Alabama

focusing on our outstanding faculty. At UNA Talks, we seek to gain their

expert insights on various professional and academic topics while

learning what makes their classrooms unique. The University of North

Alabama offers a massive array of high value programs on campus and

online taught be these and our many other talented professors. To learn

more, visit una.edu/online.

Today, we talk to Dr. Natasha Lindsey, one of UNA's leading experts in the emerging field of instructional design. Dr. Lindsey leads both the Bachelor's and Master's in Instructional Technology and Design program and helps teachers navigate online teaching and the practice of instructional design. We discuss online accessibility, technological barriers, challenges/obstacles in online education, and more! UNA Talks is a bi-weekly podcast from the University of North Alabama

focusing on our outstanding faculty. At UNA Talks, we seek to gain their

expert insights on various professional and academic topics while

learning what makes their classrooms unique. The University of North

Alabama offers a massive array of high value programs on campus and

online taught be these and our many other talented professors. To learn

more, visit una.edu/online.

For our inaugural episode, we sat down with Dr. Justin Carter, Associate Professor of Management in our Sanders College of Business and Technology. Dr. Carter is a community leader in discussions surrounding artificial intelligence and its use in modern research as well as its place in academia. UNA Talks is a bi-weekly podcast from the University of North Alabama

focusing on our outstanding faculty. At UNA Talks, we seek to gain their

expert insights on various professional and academic topics while

learning what makes their classrooms unique. The University of North

Alabama offers a massive array of high value programs on campus and

online taught be these and our many other talented professors. To learn

more, visit una.edu/online.