University of Kentucky College of Arts & Sciences

The HollerBack Podcast is back from the grave. this time with new hosts, new topics, and lots of laughs. In this episode, hosts Trinity Adams and Alan Luc introduce Zachary Greene to discuss a student led cultural project called the Mountain Fiesta celebrating cultural bridges of Appalachian and LatinX traditions, music, and food. Listen to the ground work and inspiration that led to this annual festival in Cumberland Gap, TN that welcomes community members to engage in an exciting way celebrating each other.

The HollerBack Podcast is back from the grave. this time with new hosts, new topics, and lots of laughs. In this episode, hosts Trinity Adams and Alan Luc introduce Jacob Johnson and Kopana Terry to talk about personal experiences and presentations during the Appalachian Studies Association in Athens, Ohio at the Ohio University. We share thoughts and experience being students of APP399 taught by the director of Appalachian Studies Dr. Kathryn Engle.

The HollerBack Podcast is back from the grave; This time with new hosts, new topics, and lots of laughs. In this episode, hosts Trinity Adams and Alan Luc introduce Courtney Martin and Logan Turner to talk about student experiences with the AppalachiaCorps Program. AppalachiaCorps is a student internship program through the UK Appalachian Center that pairs students with opportunities for experiential learning in eastern Kentucky and the greater Appalachian region. Visit the UKY Appalachian Center page to learn more on how you can be involved!

The Holler Back! Podcast is back from the grave; This time with new hosts, new topics, and lots of laughs. In this episode, hosts Trinity Adams and Alan Luc introduce themselves and begin to lay the foundation for future podcasts to come. Join them as they reflect on the Appalachian experience, the community they have found at the University of Kentucky, and witness as they answer the age old question: What is a Holler, anyway?

Billy and Stacie speak with Co-Owner and Operator of Old Homeplace Farms – Will Bowling. In this episode, Will gives us background information on how Old Homeplace Farms came to be and shares his passion for being a local farmer and a friendly face to so many in Eastern Kentucky.

Stacie and Billy speak with special guest and long-time friend Tanner Hesterberg! Eastern Kentucky native, former WYMT news anchor, and now recent Cincinnati University Law School Graduate, Tanner talks with us about his successful journalism career and what it means to get to serve the people of Eastern Kentucky through many different facets.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 8, 2021) — Students often are figuratively encouraged to ‘reach for the stars’ — yet, there are those who actually follow this aspirational goal in a very literal way.

For example, longtime University of Kentucky Professor Gary Ferland, of the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Arts and Sciences, recently received a very rare honor for his work in blazing new trails in his chosen field.

On this episode of "Behind the Blue," UK Public Relations and Strategic Communications’ Carl Nathe talks with Ferland about his life, his career, and why he loves working with students.

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email [email protected] or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. You can watch a video version of this podcast here.

To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

The University of Kentucky is increasingly the first choice for students, faculty and staff to pursue their passions and their professional goals. In the last two years, Forbes has named UK among the best employers for diversity, and INSIGHT into Diversity recognized us as a Diversity Champion four years running. UK is ranked among the top 30 campuses in the nation for LGBTQ* inclusion and safety. UK has been judged a “Great College to Work for" three years in a row, and UK is among only 22 universities in the country on Forbes' list of "America's Best Employers." We are ranked among the top 10 percent of public institutions for research expenditures — a tangible symbol of our breadth and depth as a university focused on discovery that changes lives and communities. And our patients know and appreciate the fact that UK HealthCare has been named the state’s top hospital for five straight years. Accolades and honors are great. But they are more important for what they represent: the idea that creating a community of belonging and commitment to excellence is how we honor our mission to be not simply the University of Kentucky, but the University for Kentucky.

Crystal Wilkinson is an associate professor of English at the University of Kentucky and an award-winning author. Her novel, "The Birds of Opulence," was the winner of the 2016 Ernest J. Gaines Prize for Literary Excellence. She is also the author of "Water Street" and "Blackberries, Blackberries." She also has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and her short stories, poems and essays have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies including most recently in Oxford American and Southern Cultures.

Most recently, she was named the state’s poet laureate for 2021-2022, the first time a Black woman has been appointed to the prestigious post.

In this episode of "Behind the Blue," Wilkinson discusses growing up in Appalachian Kentucky, her love of writing and teaching, and what she is focused on now in her creative work.

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email [email protected] or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of "Behind the Blue" can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.

In this episode, Billy and Stacie speak with the Director of the UK Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability and Extension in the East Region: Daniel Wilson. Join us as we speak about all of the positive things extension services do for Eastern Kentuckians as well as our beloved UK Community!

In this episode, Stacie and Billy welcome Mandi Fugate Sheffel to the podcast. Mandi Fugate Sheffel is the owner of Read Spotted Newt in Hazard. Join us as we discuss entrepreneurship in Appalachia, discuss the impacts of COVID-19 and flooding, and the importance of Appalachian literature being available in the region for people to appreciate and learn from.

Also, be sure to check out her page @ReadSpottedNewt on Instagram and Facebook!