Talking FACS

How Civic Engagement Becomes a Health Boost

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 
Guest: Monica Mundy, PhD Assistant Extension Professor for Family and Community Health
Season 8, Episode 33
This is Talking FACS with host Mindy McCulley and guest Dr. Monica Mundy. In this episode we explore how civic engagement directly impacts individual and community health.
What comes to mind when you think of civic engagement? In this episode we will push the boundaries of what many people think civic engagement is and share the health benefits you can enjoy.
Topics include research-backed health benefits (longer life expectancy, lower rates of heart disease, depression, and even some cancers), how community involvement builds social connection, resilience, and local decision-making power, and real-world examples like community responses to public health crises.
Dr. Munday shares five simple steps to get involved:
stay informed,
join groups,
speak up,
volunteer, and
bring others along.
She pairs these steps with practical ideas such as food bank volunteering, PTAs, and neighborhood cleanups. Listeners are encouraged to pick one action and connect with local FCS Extension resources to start making a difference.
Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
          Facebook
          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel

Sharing Hope: Advancements in Breast Cancer Treatment

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 
Guest: Dr. Jessica Moss, MD Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center
Cancer Conversations Episode 71
Welcome to Cancer Conversations on Talking FACS with host Mindy McCulley and guest Dr. Jessica Moss, assistant professor of internal medicine in the division of Medical Oncology at the Markey Cancer Center. In this episode Dr. Moss reviews recent advances in breast cancer care, including the incorporation of immunotherapy for triple-negative disease and new targeted therapies for stage IV patients.
Topics include how breast cancer subtypes affect treatment and prognosis; the importance of genetic counseling and testing—especially for men, young patients, and those with triple-negative tumors; common risk factors such as obesity, alcohol use, and reproductive history; and warning signs that warrant medical attention. Dr. Moss also discusses how many patients with advanced disease are living longer with improved, less-toxic options.
Key takeaways: breast cancer is not one disease, screening and awareness matter, genetic evaluation can guide care, and recent therapies are creating more personalized, hopeful outcomes. 
Connect with the UK Markey Center
Online Markey Cancer Center
On Facebook @UKMarkey
On X @UKMarkey

MoneyWi$e: Organize Your Home on a Budget

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 
Guest: Jeanne Badgett, MS Extension Associate for Clothing, Textiles, and Household Equipment
Season 8, Episode 32
Join Talking FACS host Mindy McCulley and guest Jeanne Badgett from the University of Kentucky FCS Extension for a practical episode about organizing without breaking the bank.
Strategies include:
decluttering first
grouping like items
establishing zones
repurposing containers, and
suggestions for when to invest in uniform storage
Key takeaways: toss broken items, sort and label for visibility, try no-cost solutions first (repurpose boxes, jars, trays), enlist a friend instead of hiring help, and remember clutter has both financial and opportunity costs.
Resources mentioned: Money Wise newsletter and your local Extension office for more tips and hands-on support.
For more information about this topic and other MoneyWi$e topics, visit:
MoneyWi$e Newsletter
MoneyWi$e Website
Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
          Facebook
          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel

Family Support Groups: Helping Loved Ones with Addiction

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 
Guest: Alex Elswick, PhD Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery
Season 8, Episode 31
Join host Mindy McCulley and guest Dr. Alex Elswick from University of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Extension as they explore support options for families affected by addiction. This episode explains why addiction is a family disease and how family members are impacted emotionally and physically.
Topics include common family support groups, alternative programs, and the idea of multiple recovery pathways. Dr. Elswick emphasizes education, peer connection, grief support, and practical steps families can take.
Key takeaways: support is essential, different groups fit different values and needs, try multiple options before deciding, and family members deserve resources and care. Visit the UK FCS Extension for more information and local resources.
Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
          Facebook
          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel

Keeping Influence: How Parents Shape Teen Behavior

Host:  Mindy McCulley, MS Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky  
Guest: David Weisenhorn, PhD Extension Specialist for Parenting and Child Development  
Season 8, Episode 30
Welcome to Talking FACS with host Mindy McCauley and guest Dr. David Wiesenhorn, Extension Specialist for Parenting and Child Development. In this episode they explore how parents can continue to influence their teens through the challenges of adolescence—moodiness, identity formation, and growing independence.
David shares four evidence-based strategies:
foster open, regular communication using open-ended questions;
set clear, consistent expectations while offering choices;
model the values and behaviors you want your teen to adopt; and
show empathy by validating big emotions instead of minimizing them.
The conversation includes practical examples and parent-tested tips to apply these approaches at home.
Key takeaways: don’t take teen moodiness personally, maintain steady boundaries to help teens internalize rules, use questions to build connection and understanding, and hold space for emotions to strengthen trust and influence. 
Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
          Facebook
          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel

Don't Fail Retirement: Plan for Purpose, Health & Social Connections

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 
Guest: Caroline Francis, EdS Director of UK Alumni Career Services
Season 8, Episode 29
Talking FACS host Mindy McCulley sits down with Caroline Francis, director of the University of Kentucky Alumni Career Services Program, to discuss how to avoid failing at retirement and how retirement is being redefined for today's generations.
They explore topics beyond finances, including:
loss of identity,
shrinking social networks,
declining health, and
lack of purpose.
Sharing practical strategies that lead to successful retirement years, like starting a bucket list or curious journal, pursuing encore careers or volunteer roles, taking advantage of programs such as Donovan Scholars or the OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) program and prioritizing lifelong learning and health.
Key takeaways include starting to plan 3–5 years ahead, building social connections and purpose, improving health before retirement, and finding role models to emulate for a successful transition.
For more information visit the UK Alumni Association:
Website
Facebook
For more information about programs mentioned during this episode:
OLLI Program
If you are over 65, ask about the Donavan Scholars Program at ANY state supported college or university in Kentucky for tuition waiver.
Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
          Facebook
          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel
 

Alcohol’s Cancer Risk — What Every Kentuckian Should Know

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 
Guest: Dr. Leah Winer, MD Assistant Professor of Surgery, University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center
Cancer Conversations Episode 70
In this episode of Cancer Conversations on Talking FACS, host Mindy McCulley welcomes Dr. Leah Winer, Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Surgical Oncology at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, to unpack the Surgeon General's advisory linking alcohol consumption to increased cancer risk.
They discuss why public awareness of the alcohol–cancer connection is low, how alcohol causes harm at the cellular level, and why even small amounts may raise risk. Dr. Winer explains which cancers are most strongly connected to alcohol—mouth and throat cancers, larynx, breast, liver, esophageal, and colorectal cancers—and how alcohol may compound other risks like smoking or obesity.
The conversation covers implications of the advisory, including potential warning labels on alcoholic beverages, reassessment of drinking guidelines, and gaps in research (patterns of drinking, age of initiation, and whether risk falls after stopping). Practical advice includes: don’t start drinking if you don’t already, consider reducing or stopping intake, know your family history and screening recommendations, and seek support for dependence when needed.
Tune in for clear, research-based guidance on reducing cancer risk and how to translate the Surgeon General’s advisory into day-to-day choices for better health.
Connect with the UK Markey Center
Online Markey Cancer Center
On Facebook @UKMarkey
On X @UKMarkey

Boundaries that Protect Your Time, Energy & Relationships

Host:  Mindy McCulley, MS Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky
Guests: Natese Dockery, PhD Assistant Clinical Professor and Extension Specialist for Mental Health and Well-being
Season 8, Episode 28
In this episode of Talking FACS, Dr. Natese Dockery explores what healthy boundaries are, why they matter, and how poor boundaries can lead to burnout, resentment, and health problems. The episode defines different types of boundaries (physical, emotional, time, mental) and highlights common signs you may need stronger limits.
Dr. Dockery shares practical steps listeners can use right away:
identify needs and limits,
choose which boundaries to set,
use clear I-statements to communicate limits, and
stay consistent while prioritizing self-care.
Listeners will learn that setting boundaries is essential—not selfish—for protecting mental well-being and improving relationships.
Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
          Facebook
          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel

WiN-WiN: Turning Food Waste into Community Meals

Host: Heather Norman-Burgdolf, PhD, Associate Extension Professor for Nutrition and Health, University of Kentucky Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment
Guest: Dawn Brewer, PhD, RD, Associate Professor, Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition
Season 8, Episode 27
Guest host Dr. Heather Norman-Burgdolf talks with Dr. Dawn Brewer, Associate Professor and Registered Dietitian at the University of Kentucky, about the WiN-WiN (Waste Not, Want Not) pilot program that redirects surplus produce to feed food-insecure residents in Jessamine County. They discuss how the program connects farmers, gardeners, markets, and local feeding partners to reduce landfill waste and increase availability to nutritious food.
The episode outlines WiN-WiN’s local partners — including Revived Life House, the Man of Meals program at Nicholasville Methodist Church, the Jesmond County Food Pantry, the Kentucky United Methodist Children’s independent living program, and Bethel Harvest — and explains the program’s focus on logistics, food safety, recipes, toolkits, and training to help organizations use and preserve donated foods.
Listeners also hear national food-waste facts, practical tips to reduce waste at home (meal planning, proper storage, using “ugly” produce, freezing, and repurposing leftovers), and ways to get involved: donate produce, volunteer with transport or partner organizations, and access WiN-WiN resources online and on social media.
For more information:
WiN-WiN Pilot Program Website
Follow WiN-WiN on Social Media
Facebook
Instagram
Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
          Facebook
          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel
 

MoneyWi$e Vision Boards for Financial Freedom

Host:  Mindy McCulley, MS Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky
Guests: Kelly May, MS Senior Extension Associate for Family Finance and Resource Management 
Season 8, Episode 26
In this episode of MoneyWi$e on Talking FACS, host Mindy McCulley talks with Kelly May, Senior Extension Associate for Family Resource Management, about using vision boards to support financial goals. They explain what a vision board is and why visualizing goals can motivate change.
The conversation covers how to set SMART financial goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound), an example focused on retirement and travel, and practical ways to create a vision board—digital or paper—plus tips for displaying it where you will see it daily to keep goals top of mind.
Listeners learn simple, actionable steps to turn dreams into plans and are invited to use this technique for short- or long-term goals. 
For more information about this topic and other MoneyWi$e topics, visit:
MoneyWi$e Newsletter
MoneyWi$e Website
Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
          Facebook
          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel

Raising Thankful Kids: Simple Habits That Build Gratitude

Host:  Mindy McCulley, MS Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky  
Guest: David Weisenhorn, PhD Extension Specialist for Parenting and Child Development  
Season 8, Episode 25
In this episode of Talking FACS, Host Mindy McCulley speaks with Dr. David Weisenhorn, Extension Specialist for Parenting and Child Development, about how to raise thankful kids and why gratitude matters.
They review research showing grateful children experience higher well-being, stronger relationships, better academics, increased resilience, optimism, and social connection.
The episode offers practical strategies parents can use:
modeling gratitude,
regular conversations,
a simple “three things” practice,
drawing or journaling with young children,
writing thank-you notes,
acts of service (like baking and sharing), and
using a gratitude jar.
They emphasize starting early, making practices consistent but not forced, and building intrinsic motivation over time.
Listeners can expect short, research-backed tips and ready-to-use family rituals to help children grow more grateful, empathetic, and resilient.
Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
          Facebook
          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel
 

Hope in Tailored Care: Personalized Vaccines for Pancreatic Cancer

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 
Guest: Dr. Joseph Kim, MD Professor and Chief of Surgical Oncology, University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center
Cancer Conversations Episode 69
Cancer Conversations on Talking FACS welcomes Dr. Joseph Kim, Professor and Chief of Surgical Oncology at the University of Kentucky, to discuss pancreatic cancer — a rising and deadly disease. They cover why pancreatic cancer is often detected late, common symptoms such as jaundice, the role of family history, and the single most important modifiable risk factor: smoking.
The episode highlights an exciting individualized vaccine approach using tumor sequencing to create patient-specific vaccines sent from Europe after surgical removal of resectable tumors — intended to prevent or delay recurrence rather than prevent the initial disease. Eligibility, limitations (must be surgically removable), and the broader potential for vaccine technology in other cancers are explained.
Listeners will learn practical takeaways:
seek medical attention for persistent or new symptoms,
discuss family history and risk with providers, and
learn about ongoing clinical trials and resources at UK Markey Cancer Center for patients in Kentucky and surrounding areas.
Connect with the UK Markey Center
Online Markey Cancer Center
On Facebook @UKMarkey
On X @UKMarkey