Host: Heather Norman-Burgdolf, PhD, Associate Extension Professor for Nutrition and Health, University of Kentucky, Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition

Guest: Courtney Luecking, PhD Assistant Extension Professor and Extension Specialist for Maternal and Child Health, Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition

Season 8, Episode 38

Join host Dr. Heather Norman Bergdorf and guest Dr. Courtney Luecking as they unpack the 2026 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, explaining what the Guidelines are, how they’re developed, and what’s changed.

They cover key takeaways: the Guidelines’ public-health (not clinical) purpose, the emphasis on overall dietary patterns and balance rather than single nutrients, continued support for whole grains and fiber, and real-world implementation issues like cost, access, and school nutrition.

Learn how Cooperative Extension translates these evidence-based recommendations into practical, community-relevant guidance.

For more information:

Dietary Guidelines for Americans

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

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

Guests: Nathan Vanderford, PhD Director, Appalachian Career Training in Oncology Program, Markey Cancer Center, Kameron Jackson and Matthew Sanders, ACTION Program student participants

Cancer Conversations Episode 72

Welcome to Cancer Conversations on Talking FACS with host Mindy McCulley. In this episode we hear from Dr. Nathan Vanderford, director of the NIH-funded ACTION (Appalachian Career Training in Oncology) program, and students Kameron Jackson and Matthew Sanders about how the program engages Eastern Kentucky high school and undergraduate students in cancer education, lab research, clinical shadowing, mentorship, and community outreach.

Topics covered include student experiences in research labs and mentorship, the program’s recruitment across the 54 Appalachian counties, and a unique writing project that produced four books of personal and realistic fictional stories about cancer in Eastern Kentucky. Kameron and Matthew describe how writing helped them process family history, spark conversations about cancer, and build communication skills alongside scientific training.

Key takeaways: ACTION provides hands‑on research and outreach opportunities that change career trajectories, creative writing can open difficult conversations about cancer in communities, and the program aims to broaden access across the region. Find the students’ stories and the full book linked in the episode show notes and visit Markey.uky.edu or the UK Markey Cancer Center Facebook page for more information.

Click the images below to hear student read excerpts from Cancer in Appalachia: A Collection of Youth Told Stories

For more information about :

Appalachian Career Training in Oncology Program

ACTION Books

Connect with the UK Markey Center

Online Markey Cancer Center

On Facebook @UKMarkey

On Twitter @UKMarkey

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 37

In this episode of Talking FACS, Dr. Monica Mundy, Assistant Extension Professor for Community and Family Health, chats with host Mindy McCulley, about what pop culture is and how it influences health.

Topics include definitions and examples of pop culture (TV, music, social media, influencers), positive influences like Let’s Move and TV story lines that open dialogue about mental health, and negative impacts such as youth vaping and fad diets. The episode highlights memorable public-health moments in pop culture and how they shape awareness and behavior.

Dr. Mundy discusses practical ways communities can harness pop culture for health promotion—partnering with local influencers, using music, art, film, salons and barbershops for outreach, and small grassroots campaigns like the Be Kind initiative.

Listeners can expect a concise, research-informed conversation with actionable ideas for using everyday culture to normalize healthy behaviors and engage communities.

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