September 5, 2025 - Dr. Lindsey Jasinski and Dr. Marc Woods (EmPATH - World Suicide Prevention Day)
Release Date: 09/05/2025
April 9, 2026 - UK's Annual Budget (The Business of UK)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 9, 2026) – When people hear that the University of Kentucky has an $8.6 billion budget, it can sound like a single pot of money. In reality, that figure represents an “all-in” financial plan that supports everything from patient care and research to student success, facilities, and the daily operations that keep a major public university running. On this week’s episode of Behind the Blue, UK Strategic Communications’ Kody Kiser is joined by Dr. Eric Monday, the University of Kentucky’s executive vice president for finance and administration, for another...
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April 2, 2026 - Sarah Fink (UKPD Emergency Management)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 2, 2026) – When an emergency happens on a college campus, a coordinated response doesn’t begin in the moment — it begins long before, through planning, training and practice. On this episode of Behind the Blue, UK Strategic Communications’ Dani Jaffe talks with Sarah Fink, Director of Emergency Management for the University of Kentucky Police Department, about how UK prepares for natural, technological and human-caused incidents, and how faculty, staff, students and families can stay informed and ready. Fink oversees the university’s Emergency Operations...
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March 25, 2026 - UK President Eli Capilouto
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 25, 2026) – For the first time in nearly a quarter century, the University of Kentucky is searching for new leadership in UK Athletics. Mitch Barnhart is stepping down after more than two decades of incredible success across a 23-sport program that has won multiple national championships, while experiencing unprecedented success in student performance in the classroom as well. At the end of June, Barnhart will leave UK Athletics, but stay at the university to help lead an initiative around workforce development, specifically growing and supporting careers in an...
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March 18, 2026 - The Science of March Madness
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 18, 2026) – March Madness is built on split-second decisions, emotional swings and the thrill of uncertainty. From game-winning shots and busted brackets to late-night tip-offs and watch parties with friends, the NCAA tournament offers more than drama on the court — it also creates a window into how people think, react, connect and make meaning through sports. Using the science and humanity behind those moments, the tournament can serve as a lens to explore pressure, sleep, brain health and identity. Across UK’s campus, experts in social work, neurology,...
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March 12, 2026 - Schyler Simpson (Nationally Competitive Awards)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 12, 2026) – Schyler Simpson, PhD, is no stranger to the University of Kentucky. A three-degree UK alum, she has spent years serving students in a variety of roles across campus, including teaching, advising, recruiting, and retention and engagement work in the College of Communication and Information. In her new role as director of Nationally Competitive Awards, she now helps students explore prestigious opportunities such as the Rhodes, Fulbright, Goldwater, Marshall and Truman awards. The University of Kentucky’s Office of Nationally Competitive Awards...
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March 5, 2026 - UK President Eli Capilouto and outgoing AD Mitch Barnhart
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 5, 2026) – University of Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart will retire from his role at the end of June after nearly 24 years leading Kentucky Athletics, UK President Eli Capilouto announced Tuesday. Barnhart will remain at UK in a new role focused on the future of sports and workforce development. This week’s episode of ‘Behind the Blue’ features a conversation with Capilouto and Barnhart, recorded just before the announcement. The two reflect on Barnhart’s leadership, the transformation of Kentucky Athletics during his tenure, and what comes next...
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February 27, 2026 - Kristine Yohe & Frank X Walker (Reckoning with the Past: The Historical Poetry of Frank X Walker)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 27, 2026) – What does it mean to “reckon” with the past — not as a distant record, but as a living force that still shapes our communities, our classrooms and our shared civic life? Kristine Yohe, a professor of English at Northern Kentucky University, explores that question in her new book, “Reckoning with the Past: The Historical Poetry of Frank X Walker” — a thoughtful, book-length study of Walker’s historical persona poetry. In that work, Walker gives voice to pivotal figures such as York, Isaac Murphy and Medgar Evers, inviting readers to engage...
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February 20, 2026 - Craig Collins (The Business of UK - Episode 005)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 20, 2026) – UK HealthCare is an academic health system made up of the University of Kentucky’s hospitals and clinics — about 9,000 team members, more than 80 specialized clinics and 140-plus outreach programs — in fiscal year 2023 alone, it served Kentuckians through roughly 1.4 million outpatient visits. Suffice it to say, UK HealthCare is a driver for positive healthcare outcomes in the Commonwealth. On this week’s episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, we’re bringing you another installment of ‘The Business of UK’ — a special feature hosted by...
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February 13, 2026 - Ky State Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe (UK, Kentucky, and responsible AI development)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 13, 2026) – Artificial intelligence is moving fast — and Kentucky lawmakers are working to make sure the state can take advantage of new tools without sacrificing transparency, privacy or public trust. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Kentucky State Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe — a Lexington native and University of Kentucky alum — joins host Kody Kiser to talk about her path into public service, what she’s hearing from constituents in Senate District 12, and how she views UK’s land-grant mission of service to communities across the...
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February 5, 2026 - Dr. Lindsay Ragsdale (AHA 'Woman of Impact' nominee)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 5, 2026) – From research labs to the halls of Lindsay Ragsdale, M.D., has spent much of her career here at the University of Kentucky. Now the chief medical officer for , she oversees a growing team of specialists and subspecialists dedicated to providing the most complex care for the children of Kentucky. In this episode of “Behind the Blue,” Ragsdale discusses her career at UK, the role of palliative care, the growth of the children’s hospital and her own son’s experience as a pediatric cardiology patient. As a for the American Heart...
info_outlineLEXINGTON, Ky. (September 5, 2025) – September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and September 10th marks World Suicide Prevention Day — a moment to highlight the importance of open, honest conversations about mental health and the resources available to help those in crisis.
On this episode of “Behind the Blue”, Dr. Lindsey Jasinski and Dr. Marc Woods, two of the key leaders behind the EmPATH program at Eastern State Hospital, discuss their decades of experience in behavioral health and suicide prevention, and share how their team is helping Kentuckians find hope during some of their most vulnerable moments.
They discuss the alarming prevalence of suicide—particularly among young people in Kentucky—and offer actionable insight on how to support someone who may be struggling. They also explain how EmPATH, a low-barrier, 24/7 mental crisis emergency unit, is changing the way patients receive immediate, compassionate mental health care—and why that model is quickly gaining national attention.
“Behind the Blue” is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes 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.
“Behind the Blue” is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for most episodes are now embedded in the audio file and can be accessed in many podcast apps during playback. Transcripts for older episodes remain available on the show’s blog page.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available.
UK HealthCare's EmPATH unit (Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing) is a new emergency unit dedicated to the treatment of patients experiencing a mental health crisis. Located on the campus of Eastern State Hospital at 1350 Bull Lea Road in Lexington, this unit is open 24/7, 365 days a year and is designed to provide immediate access to mental health care and resources. Referrals are not needed to come to EmPATH.
You can also call or text 988, the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, to speak with a trained counselor — free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
And for Kentuckians, free QPR training (Question, Persuade, Refer) is available at kyqpr.ukhc.org — a one-hour course that could help you save a life.
To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.