Behind the Blue
Some stories require a little more – a little more discussion, more context, more depth and breadth. That’s the idea behind “Behind the Blue” – a weekly podcast created by UK Strategic Communications. It is designed to explore through probing interviews the in-depth the stories that make UK the university for Kentucky and that have impact across the institution, the Commonwealth and, in some cases, the world. "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 BehindTheBlue@uky.edu 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.
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November 14, 2025 - Dr. Scottie Day & Dr. Bethany Hodge (Kentucky Children's Hospital becomes Golisano Children's at UK) [ENCORE]
11/14/2025
November 14, 2025 - Dr. Scottie Day & Dr. Bethany Hodge (Kentucky Children's Hospital becomes Golisano Children's at UK) [ENCORE]
LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 14, 2025) – THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE. When we think about children’s health, we often picture checkups, vaccinations, and the day-to-day care families receive from their pediatricians. But in Kentucky, the conversation goes much deeper. From rural access to care, to systemic poverty, to the lingering effects of the opioid epidemic, children across the Commonwealth face challenges that begin long before they step into a doctor’s office. At the same time, what was known as Kentucky Children’s Hospital — now newly renamed , following a historic $50 million gift from philanthropist Tom Golisano — and the University of Kentucky are stepping up with bold strategies aimed not just at treating illness, but at building healthier communities from the ground up. The record-breaking gift, the largest in UK’s history, will expand programs, research and statewide partnerships that ensure every child in Kentucky has access to world-class care close to home. In this encore episode of “Behind the Blue”, we revisit our June conversation with Dr. Scottie Day, Physician-in-Chief of Golisano Children’s at UK, and Dr. Bethany Hodge, Vice Chair for Population Health and Strategy in the Department of Pediatrics. They discuss the evolving needs of Kentucky’s youngest patients, the original launch of the KCH Affiliate Network, and how a commitment to upstream care and community collaboration continues to shape the future of children’s health across the Commonwealth. Stay tuned after the interview for an update on the Golisano announcement and what it means for the future of pediatric care at UK HealthCare. ‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university. Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s .
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November 7, 2025 - Sarah Geegan & CC Rhein (QPR Training & Suicide Prevention)
11/07/2025
November 7, 2025 - Sarah Geegan & CC Rhein (QPR Training & Suicide Prevention)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 7, 2025) – Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among young people in Kentucky, but University of Kentucky faculty and students are working to change that through a simple, yet powerful idea: communication saves lives. Sarah Geegan, assistant professor in the Department of Integrated Strategic Communication, and C.C. Rhein, a junior ISC major and Gaines Fellow, are leading outreach and education efforts promoting QPR — Question, Persuade, Refer — a national training program that teaches anyone how to recognize warning signs, ask difficult questions, and connect people in crisis to help. Through a partnership with UK HealthCare, the QPR training is now available free of charge to all Kentuckians at . The 30-minute online session provides practical tools that can prepare anyone to offer hope and immediate support to someone in need. On this episode of “Behind the Blue”, Geegan and Rhein discuss how QPR works, why breaking stigma around mental health is essential, and how compassion and awareness can create a ripple effect of hope. Geegan reflects on her own experiences and research in suicide prevention communication, while Rhein shares how she has used her QPR training to help peers in real-life situations. Together, they highlight how every Kentuckian — student, staff, or neighbor — can be part of a lifesaving safety net. “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 .
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October 30, 2025 - Dr. Shari Meyerson & Dr. Mansi Shah (Robotic Lung Cancer Screening & Treatment)
10/30/2025
October 30, 2025 - Dr. Shari Meyerson & Dr. Mansi Shah (Robotic Lung Cancer Screening & Treatment)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 30, 2025) – Kentucky continues to face one of the highest rates of lung cancer in the nation, but new advances at UK HealthCare are helping doctors shorten the time from diagnosis to life-saving treatment. Through the use of cutting-edge robotic systems, UK surgeons can now perform same-day biopsy and surgery for certain early-stage lung cancers — turning what was once weeks of waiting and anxiety into a single, coordinated procedure. Dr. Shari Meyerson, professor of surgery and division chief of thoracic surgery, and Dr. Mansi Shah, assistant professor in the Division of Thoracic Surgery, are leading this effort at the University of Kentucky. Their team is also the first in Kentucky — and among the first in the region — to perform thoracic procedures using the new single-port da Vinci robotic system, which allows complex operations through one small incision, helping patients recover faster and with less pain. On this episode of 'Behind the Blue,' Drs. Meyerson and Shah explain how robotic technology is transforming lung-cancer care in Kentucky. They discuss the impact of same-day diagnosis and treatment, the benefits of single-port surgery for quicker recovery and reduced narcotic use, and the importance of encouraging more Kentuckians to take part in routine lung-cancer screening. “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 .
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October 23, 2025 - Isabel Escobar (2025 Great Teacher)
10/23/2025
October 23, 2025 - Isabel Escobar (2025 Great Teacher)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 23, 2025) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students. To receive the award, a candidate must: Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK. Have superior knowledge of the subject matter. Have original and innovative classroom presentations. Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting. Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years. A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted. This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six Great Teacher Award winners for 2025: Isabel Escobar, the Paul W. Chellgren Endowed Chair and a professor of chemical and materials engineering in the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering. Escobar has more than 20 years of experience in water treatment using membrane separations and she has taught an array of chemical and environmental engineering courses. Her research focuses on developing and/or improving polymeric membrane materials for water treatment and water reuse operations and fabricating and scaling tailor-made green membranes for difficult separations. She was part of an innovative research collaboration that created a 3-D printed membrane-filtered face mask that could inactivate the coronavirus. ‘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 this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s .
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October 17, 2025 - Family Weekend
10/17/2025
October 17, 2025 - Family Weekend
LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 17, 2025) – Every fall, the University of Kentucky’s Family Weekend offers a chance for students, parents, and alumni to come together and celebrate what makes the Wildcat experience unique. It’s a time to reconnect, share stories, and reflect on the people who help students find their place — and their purpose — at UK. For this special edition of Behind the Blue, two students share how family and community have shaped their journeys. Isabella Frost, a pre-dental sophomore from Knox County, discusses her goal of returning home to serve her rural community after dental school — a dream inspired by her father Jeff, a longtime educator and high school principal. Ava Schatz, a Bachelor of Public Health student on UK’s accelerated master’s track, reflects on what she’s learned from her parents, both UK alumni, including her father David, an archaeologist who studies how people and communities evolve over time. On this episode of “Behind the Blue,” the Frost and Schatz families talk about the power of encouragement, the lasting bond between parents and students, and how the values of service and discovery continue to connect generations of Wildcats across Kentucky. “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 .
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October 10, 2025 - UK Police Chief Joe Monroe (Campus Safety Initiatives)
10/10/2025
October 10, 2025 - UK Police Chief Joe Monroe (Campus Safety Initiatives)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 10, 2025) – Over his nearly 32 years with UKPD, University of Kentucky Police Department Chief Joe Monroe has watched the department evolve from a small campus police force into one of the largest law enforcement agencies in Kentucky — serving what he calls a “city within a city.” Today, his team’s mission extends far beyond patrols and parking enforcement, encompassing everything from crisis management and emergency planning to healthcare security and cutting-edge technology like drones and a network of more than 5,000 cameras across campus. On this episode of "Behind the Blue," Chief Monroe talks about the department’s growth and modernization, the philosophy of safety as a shared community responsibility, and the partnerships and technologies that help protect and prepare the university every day. “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 .
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October 3, 2025 - Brian Cury (EarthCam - Hall of Distinguished Alumni)
10/03/2025
October 3, 2025 - Brian Cury (EarthCam - Hall of Distinguished Alumni)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 3, 2025) – When University of Kentucky alum Brian Cury, founder of EarthCam, placed the company’s first webcam above Times Square for the 1996 New Year’s Eve celebration, he thought it was a fad that soon would pass. Today, though, webcams are part of the culture. We watch eagles in their nests, bears in the wilderness, buildings under construction and scenes from cities around the world. This type of innocent voyeurism has “great appeal,” Cury said. and headquartered in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, has cameras all over the planet, including looking down from the torch of the Statue of Liberty, outside Chicago’s Wrigley Field and the crosswalk made famous by the Beatles on northwest London’s Abbey Road. “A lot of people actually have used our cameras as a destination,” Cury said. “They’ve traveled to London and made sure they walked in front of the (Abbey Road) camera and got a video clip of themselves. “Paul McCartney actually did it. He got in front of one of our cameras and waved.” Cury was one of 20 UK graduates inducted into the university’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni in September. On this episode of “Behind the Blue,” Cury discusses EarthCam’s beginnings, changes in technology that have helped and challenged the company’s mission and how EarthCam has expanded its business offerings into areas like ensuring safety on building construction sites. “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 .
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September 18, 2025 - Jill Smith & Tom Mathews (Alumni Association & 2025 Homecoming)
09/18/2025
September 18, 2025 - Jill Smith & Tom Mathews (Alumni Association & 2025 Homecoming)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 18, 2025) – For more than a century, beginning in 1915, the University of Kentucky has marked Homecoming Week as a celebration of tradition, spirit and community. The week brings together students, alumni, families and friends to honor what it means to be a Wildcat. , once again features the collaboration of the UK Alumni Association, Student Organizations and Activities, Black Student Union, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Student Activities Board, the Office for Student Success and other campus partners. This year, the Alumni Association will also welcome the Golden Wildcats from the Class of 1975 for a series of reunion activities, including their formal induction into the Golden Wildcat Society. A full schedule of events and registration details can be found on the UK Alumni Association’s website. From the National Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show to the Lyman T. Johnson Awards Luncheon, Big Blue Day at Keeneland, the Alumni Commons Block Party, and the Homecoming Tailgate at the Tobacco Research and Development Center, the week offers opportunities for alumni of all ages to reconnect. The celebration culminates in the Homecoming football game against Texas on Saturday, Oct. 18. On this episode of Behind the Blue, UK Alumni Association Executive Director Jill Smith and incoming Alumni Association President Tom Mathews reflect on the importance of alumni engagement and the worldwide reach of the Wildcat community. Mathews, a 1993 chemistry graduate and Louisville native, shares his UK journey and career path, while Smith highlights the role of the Alumni Association in keeping alumni connected, supporting signature programs like the Hall of Distinguished Alumni and the Great Teacher Awards, and preparing for the future of a growing alumni base. “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 .
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September 11, 2025 - Savannah Robin, Seth DeBolt, Aslihan Spaulding (Kentucky Signature Industries Career Fair)
09/11/2025
September 11, 2025 - Savannah Robin, Seth DeBolt, Aslihan Spaulding (Kentucky Signature Industries Career Fair)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 11, 2025) – What began as a happy accident between two separate career fairs has grown into one of the most impactful workforce development events at the University of Kentucky. Now in its fourth year, the Kentucky Signature Industries Career Fair is welcoming a new major player — agribusiness — to its collaborative showcase of opportunity. Hosted by the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the career fair was originally born from a coincidental overlap in scheduling between the college’s Ag Equine Programs and the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits. Rather than competing, they joined forces to highlight two of Kentucky’s most iconic industries — equine and distillation — for a single event that connects students with employers and opportunities they might never have previously considered. This year, the Department of Agricultural Economics is officially joining the fair to represent Kentucky’s dynamic agribusiness sector, offering students an even broader view of potential careers across the state’s signature industries. “Kentucky is very rich in agricultural history,” said Savannah Robin, a lecturer in career and professional development for Ag Equine Programs. “Being able to bring on our agribusiness employers is really important. Many of them overlap and cross collaborate…so that just seemed like a really natural fit to bring them all together.” Last year’s fair drew job-seekers from 12 universities and over 80 different majors, including fields like engineering, business, communication, horticulture, data analytics, and computer science. “I think you’re crazy as a student if you don’t go to every one of these career fairs you can possibly go to,” joked Seth DeBolt, director of the Beam Institute. “You never really know what you don’t know. You think, “I might not be interested in that career, but…you find yourself in front of a future employer saying “this, this might just change my mind, broaden my horizons…” In addition to job opportunities, the fair helps students explore internships, mentorships, and career readiness tools — with a new Student Resource Room debuting this year, including resume printing, wardrobe prep, and free professional headshots. The fair is also a reunion space for alumni now representing their companies — often returning just a year or two after attending as students. “One of my favorite things [is seeing our graduates] now on the other side of the table,” said Aslihan Spaulding, Department Chair and Professor of Agricultural Economics. “They can see, you know somebody that was in their shoes…I think that’s validating for them.” On this episode of "Behind the Blue", Robin, DeBolt and Spaulding discuss the evolution of the fair, the strategic workforce development happening inside UK’s signature industries programs, and how UK is helping students discover unexpected career paths while building a strong future for the Commonwealth. For more information on the Kentucky Signature Industries Career Fair, including student and employer registration, visit Handshake. “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 .
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September 5, 2025 - Dr. Lindsey Jasinski and Dr. Marc Woods (EmPATH - World Suicide Prevention Day)
09/05/2025
September 5, 2025 - Dr. Lindsey Jasinski and Dr. Marc Woods (EmPATH - World Suicide Prevention Day)
LEXINGTON, 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 . If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. 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, — a one-hour course that could help you save a life.
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August 28, 2025 - Douglas Klein (2025 Great Teacher)
08/28/2025
August 28, 2025 - Douglas Klein (2025 Great Teacher)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 28, 2025) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students. To receive the award, a candidate must: Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK. Have superior knowledge of the subject matter. Have original and innovative classroom presentations. Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting. Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years. A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted. This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six Great Teacher Award winners for 2025: Douglas Klein, a First-Year Engineering senior lecturer and director of the Innovation Center at the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering. Klein teaches courses including engineering exploration, which introduces students to the innovation, design and problem solving involved in engineering and computer science. He is director of the College of Engineering’s Innovation Center, a makerspace that offers tools to help students bring their designs to life for class assignments, team competitions and their businesses. ‘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 this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s .
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August 21, 2025 - UK President Eli Capilouto (2025 Fall Semester)
08/22/2025
August 21, 2025 - UK President Eli Capilouto (2025 Fall Semester)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 21, 2025) – Now in his 15th academic year leading the University of Kentucky, President Eli Capilouto prepares for the start of the fall 2025 semester — a moment he often describes as among his favorite of the year. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Capilouto reflects on the renewed energy and momentum across campus as students, faculty, and staff begin a new year. He shares how UK continues to fulfill its mission of advancing Kentucky through education, research, service, and care; discusses key challenges and opportunities on the horizon for 2025–26; and outlines how UK’s culture of innovation is being shaped by those who call the Commonwealth home. ‘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 this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s . This episode has been edited for time and clarity.
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August 14, 2025 - Dr. Larry Goldstein (60 Years of Neurology at UK)
08/14/2025
August 14, 2025 - Dr. Larry Goldstein (60 Years of Neurology at UK)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 14, 2025) – The University of Kentucky College of Medicine’s Department of Neurology is marking its 60th anniversary, celebrating a legacy that began in 1965 with a single faculty member and has grown into a nationally respected center for neurological care, research, and education. The department, led by chair Larry Goldstein, M.D., has expanded to more than 70 faculty and built a reputation for advancing clinical care across numerous subspecialties — from general neurology, stroke, epilepsy, and movement disorders to neuromuscular diseases, multiple sclerosis/neuroimmunology, child neurology, neuro-ophthalmology, neuro-oncology and memory disorders. With a strong commitment to serving the Commonwealth, the department partners with hospitals and clinics statewide, including outreach to rural communities through its stroke care network and traveling pediatric clinics, ensuring Kentuckians have access to specialized care without leaving the state. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Dr. Goldstein talks about the department’s origins and its evolution into a leader in patient care, education, and research; highlights some of its most impactful programs, including clinical trials and the neuroscience research priority area; and reflects on what lies ahead as the department looks toward its next six decades of innovation and service. ‘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 this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s .
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August 7, 2025 - Hannah Pittard ('If You Love It, Let It Kill You')
08/07/2025
August 7, 2025 - Hannah Pittard ('If You Love It, Let It Kill You')
LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 7, 2025) – Fiction has long offered writers a veil—an opportunity to tell deeply personal stories while maintaining a layer of narrative distance. But what happens when that veil is intentionally thin? When the boundaries between memory and imagination, fact and fiction, are not just blurred but teased and twisted? That’s the space explored in If You Love It, Let It Kill You, the latest novel from Hannah Pittard, acclaimed author and professor in the University of Kentucky’s Department of English. Drawing from autobiographical threads, Pittard uses fiction to explore truths that might feel too complex—or too personal—for straightforward memoir. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Pittard talks about the freedom and risk of writing autobiographical fiction, the influence of teaching and mentorship on her work, and the role that humor and discomfort play in crafting emotionally resonant stories. ‘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 this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s .
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July 31, 2025 - Sahar Alameh (2025 Great Teacher)
07/31/2025
July 31, 2025 - Sahar Alameh (2025 Great Teacher)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 31, 2025) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students. To receive the award, a candidate must: Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK. Have superior knowledge of the subject matter. Have original and innovative classroom presentations. Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting. Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years. A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted. This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six Great Teacher Award winners for 2025: Sahar Alameh, an assistant professor of STEM education in the UK College of Education. Alameh’s research encompasses two areas: supporting teachers and students in the construction and evaluation of scientific explanations within K-12 science classrooms and developing informed views of science and its nature, particularly within the context of socio-scientific issues. She is part of a UK research team developing curricula to help students better understand diseases, pandemics and viruses using wastewater through wastewater surveillance. ‘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 this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s .
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July 17, 2025 - Dr. Shaun Mohan (Project ADAM & AEDs)
07/18/2025
July 17, 2025 - Dr. Shaun Mohan (Project ADAM & AEDs)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 18, 2025) – Each year in the U.S., more than 350,000 people experience sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital. Survival in these moments depends on two critical factors: immediate bystander response and access to life-saving technology. Yet in many communities—especially in rural or under-resourced areas—those tools remain out of reach. At the heart of the solution is the automated external defibrillator, or AED. Small, portable, and easy to use, AEDs can drastically increase the odds of surviving cardiac arrest when paired with prompt CPR. But despite their effectiveness, these devices are still missing in far too many schools, offices, churches, and public spaces across Kentucky and the nation. On this episode of Behind the Blue, we speak with Dr. Shaun Mohan, an electrophysiologist and medical director of Project ADAM at Kentucky Children’s Hospital. Dr. Mohan discusses the mission to expand AED access through education and grassroots community partnerships, and how programs like Project ADAM are working to certify schools as "Heart Safe"—ensuring that faculty, staff, and even students are trained and ready to respond in the moments that matter most. ‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university. Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s .
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July 1, 2025 - Matthew Kim (2025 Great Teacher)
07/01/2025
July 1, 2025 - Matthew Kim (2025 Great Teacher)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 1, 2025) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students. To receive the award, a candidate must: Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK. Have superior knowledge of the subject matter. Have original and innovative classroom presentations. Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting. Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years. A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted. This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six Great Teacher Award winners for 2025: Matthew Kim, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences. Kim leads the Developing Minds Lab where his research, funded by the National Science Foundation, examines the nature and development of motivation and self-regulation skills in K-12 and postsecondary students. ‘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 this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s .
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June 26, 2025 - Dr. Scottie Day & Dr. Bethany Hodge (Kentucky Children's Hospital)
06/26/2025
June 26, 2025 - Dr. Scottie Day & Dr. Bethany Hodge (Kentucky Children's Hospital)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 26, 2025) – When we think about children's health, we often picture check-ups, vaccinations, and the day-to-day care families receive from their pediatricians. But in Kentucky, the conversation goes much deeper. From rural access to care, to systemic poverty, to the lingering effects of the opioid epidemic, children across the Commonwealth face challenges that begin long before they step into a doctor’s office. At the same time, Kentucky Children's Hospital and the University of Kentucky are stepping up with bold strategies aimed not just at treating illness, but at building healthier communities—starting from the ground up. Through statewide partnerships, data-driven interventions, and a renewed focus on population health, leaders are rethinking what pediatric care can and should be. On this episode of Behind the Blue, we speak with Dr. Scottie Day, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Physician-in-Chief of Kentucky Children's Hospital, and Dr. Bethany Hodge, Vice Chair for Population Health and Strategy in the Department of Pediatrics. They discuss the evolving needs of Kentucky’s youngest patients, the launch of the KCH Affiliate Network, and how a commitment to upstream care and community collaboration is shaping the future of children’s health across the state. ‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university. Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s .
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June 19, 2025 - Anastasia Curwood (Juneteenth) [ENCORE]
06/19/2025
June 19, 2025 - Anastasia Curwood (Juneteenth) [ENCORE]
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 19, 2025) – THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE. On January 1st, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the ‘Emancipation Proclamation’, but it wasn’t until June 19th, 1865 that the last remaining enslaved African Americans – men and women in Galveston, Texas – learned they were free. Since that time, June 19th, or “Juneteenth”, has been celebrated annually in various parts of the United States to commemorate emancipation as well as celebrate African-American culture. Still, it took until June 17th of 2021 for the day to be recognized as a federal holiday, after becoming more widely celebrated among African-American communities and gaining more and more mainstream attention in the US. On this episode of Behind the Blue, we’re presenting an encore interview with Dr. Anastasia Curwood, director of The Commonwealth Institute for Black Studies (CIBS) and African American and Africana Studies (AAAS) at UK. In this conversation, originally from June of 2022, Dr. Curwood discusses the Juneteenth holiday, from her personal feelings and reflections on the significance of the day, to the importance of observance of the holiday by the university, and more. Behind the Blue is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university. Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s . For more information about CIBS, including ways you can support, visit .
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June 12, 2025 - Lance Broeking (Transportation & Parking Updates)
06/12/2025
June 12, 2025 - Lance Broeking (Transportation & Parking Updates)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 12, 2025) – As the University of Kentucky continues to evolve – whether through expanding student housing, major medical center construction, or increased sustainability initiatives – so too must the systems that help people navigate it all. With summer offering a brief window for more intensive work, University of Kentucky Transportation Services is executing projects ranging from garage expansions and surface lot renovations to shuttle route adjustments. “The worst thing to do is wait until [something] hits you and then be reactive. [We] always try to be proactive,” says Lance Broeking, Director of Transportation Services at UK. Among the more major updates are: A significant expansion of Sports Center Garage, adding over 1,200 spaces through both vertical and horizontal expansion The transition of the Prall Street lot into visitor-only parking, which Broeking hopes will reduce confusion and citation rates The introduction of flexible permit zones to help alleviate overcrowding and adapt to fluctuating parking demand around Kroger Field, especially during game day relocations A new Wildcat Wheels bike shop location, further enhancing UK’s alternative transportation options The upcoming switch to virtual parking permits in fall 2026, allowing users to manage their parking entirely through license plate recognition and mobile technology On this episode of Behind the Blue, Broeking returns to provide insight into the planning and decision-making that affects how students, faculty, staff and visitors get to, from and around campus. He also discusses how his team stays proactive, responds to feedback, and prepares for a more connected, sustainable future. ‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university. Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s .
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June 4, 2025 - Gosia Chwatko (2025 Great Teacher)
06/04/2025
June 4, 2025 - Gosia Chwatko (2025 Great Teacher)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 4, 2025) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students. To receive the award, a candidate must: Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK. Have superior knowledge of the subject matter. Have original and innovative classroom presentations. Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting. Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years. A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted. This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six Great Teacher Award winners for 2025: Gosia Chwatko, an assistant professor in the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering. Chwatko’s research lab focuses on understanding and developing sustainable separation processes and polymeric materials considering cradle-to-grave design. ‘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 this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s .
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May 29, 2025 - Rob Edwards (Advancing Kentucky Together Network)
05/29/2025
May 29, 2025 - Rob Edwards (Advancing Kentucky Together Network)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 29, 2025) – Health isn’t just about treating illness – it’s about access. It’s about education. It’s about the quality of life in every community across Kentucky. In October 2024, the University of Kentucky’s Board of Trustees made a bold statement: that UK should become the university that does more than any other in the country to improve the health of the state it serves. The creation of a new initiative, the Advancing Kentucky Together Network, is the next step in UK’s long-standing work to tackle health disparities, boost regional economies, and build a stronger, more resilient workforce—all through deep and sustained community partnerships. The Network “builds upon years of work we’ve done on the healthcare side,” said Rob Edwards, UK’s Vice President and Chief Strategy & Growth Officer for UK HealthCare, “building networks of healthcare providers and working together to improve clinical care for patients and to provide that care close to the patient’s home.” The vision is rooted in Kentucky’s land-grant mission and UK’s history of stepping into real-world challenges with statewide impact. For Edwards, the concept is straightforward: “I would say we’re taking a lot of long-time relationships that are built on trust…and so we’ve been able to find a model that works from both an expense standpoint and a health outcomes standpoint.” On this episode of Behind the Blue, Edwards discusses the decades of partnership-building that laid the groundwork for this network, how strategic collaborations can meet local and statewide needs, and why UK is uniquely positioned to lead this effort. ‘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 this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s .
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May 22, 2025 - Mark Birdwhistell (UK & Medicaid)
05/22/2025
May 22, 2025 - Mark Birdwhistell (UK & Medicaid)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 22, 2025) – As federal lawmakers continue to examine the future of Medicaid, universities and health systems across the country are monitoring potential policy shifts that could influence how care is delivered—especially in states like Kentucky, where Medicaid plays a foundational role in supporting healthcare access. At the University of Kentucky, Medicaid is more than a funding stream—it helps fuel a wide range of clinical services, community outreach programs, and care for underserved populations. Nearly 35% of patients served by UK HealthCare are Medicaid recipients, and many of them live in rural areas or face chronic health challenges that require consistent, high-quality care. Helping to lead the university’s strategic and policy response is Mark Birdwhistell, UK’s Senior Vice President for Health and Public Policy. With more than 45 years of experience in healthcare policy and administration, Birdwhistell has played a central role in shaping UK’s efforts to communicate the value of Medicaid—not just in dollars, but in lives improved. UK’s participation in Kentucky’s Medicaid Directed Payment program, which links funding to quality outcomes, has allowed the university to expand hospital access, reach patients in remote areas, and strengthen partnerships with providers across the Commonwealth. “We’re using this opportunity to show accountability, improve outcomes, and demonstrate how a teaching hospital model can work,” Birdwhistell said. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Birdwhistell discusses how the university and its health system are adapting to a rapidly evolving Medicaid landscape, and why federal support remains essential to serving the state’s most vulnerable. ‘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 this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s .
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May 8, 2025 - Linda Van Eldik (Sanders-Brown Center on Aging) [ENCORE]
05/08/2025
May 8, 2025 - Linda Van Eldik (Sanders-Brown Center on Aging) [ENCORE]
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 8, 2025) – THIS IS AN ENCORE PRESENTATION. The University of Kentucky Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging is celebrating 40 years of research and community impact. The center is world-renowned for its significant contributions to the field through the decades. As the UK-ADRC celebrates this milestone, we reflect on how the Center has evolved over the years and highlight some of its notable achievements. This episode of Behind the Blue features a conversation with Dr. Linda Van Eldik, Director of the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Van Eldik highlights the 40-year journey of the Center, focusing on its origins, community engagement, and the evolution of Alzheimer's research. The discussion covers the importance of understanding dementia through biomarkers, the significance of translational research, and the center's commitment to preventative strategies and lifestyle interventions. She emphasizes the need for community outreach, education, and the role of philanthropy in advancing research efforts. 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 this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s .
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May 1, 2025 - Sophia Goodin & Sophie Ciaverelli (Spring Graduate Spotlight)
05/01/2025
May 1, 2025 - Sophia Goodin & Sophie Ciaverelli (Spring Graduate Spotlight)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 1, 2025) – As the University of Kentucky prepares to celebrate its newest alumni during Commencement ceremonies on May 9th and 10th, each student walking across the stage carries a unique story of transformation and impact shaped by their time on campus. Earning a degree in any field demands dedication, perseverance and countless hours of study, but the experience of UK often provides much more, equipping students with skills and perspectives gained through community engagement, hands-on research opportunities and impactful experiences with the wider world, allowing them to go on to lead lives of meaning and purpose. Two such students are graduating this spring from the UK College of Public Health, with journeys that show how UK’s supportive environment, coupled with their own initiative, has prepared them to tackle complex health challenges on a broad, even global, scale. Sophia Goodin, a Lexington native, and Sophie Ciaverelli, who grew up partly in Texas and Germany, were drawn to public health for its focus on making a difference at a population level, rather than through solely individual patient care. They both held a desire to use their skills to help entire communities and appreciated the unique viewpoint Public Health provided in getting to the root causes and solutions of certain problems. Another cornerstone of their UK experience has been the supportive and close-knit community within the college, along with the accessibility and passion of the faculty and staff. Goodin describes the community as “super welcoming,” and noted the ease of having “personal conversations” due to the college’s smaller size. Ciaverelli added that the college made strong impressions on them by helping students feel “they want me here, I belong here, and they are celebrating the fact that that I'm here” right from the start. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Goodin and Ciaverelli reflect on their time at UK, their unique research and international experiences, and what's next as they prepare for graduation and embark on their future paths in public health. ‘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 this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s .
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April 24, 2025 - Molly Reynolds & Anne Marie Bickel (UK's Weekly Retention Meetings)
04/24/2025
April 24, 2025 - Molly Reynolds & Anne Marie Bickel (UK's Weekly Retention Meetings)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 24, 2025) – University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto often talks about the university’s overarching mission to advance the state of Kentucky. A key part of that mission is educating more and more students to help expand the workforce across the Commonwealth. Recent enrollment figures reflect this mission with record enrollment, as well as retention and graduation rates. A team from the University of Kentucky recently earned the National Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) Excellence Award. The presenting team — made up Dr. Kirsten Turner, Vice President for Student Success…Chief Analytics Officer Todd Brann…Dr. Molly Reynolds, Associate Vice President for Student Excellence…and Anne Marie Bickel, Student Analytics Team Lead, Institutional Research, Analytics & Decision Support (IRADS) — won the “Gold in 2025 Assessment, Persistence, Data Analytics and related category” for their Weekly Retention Meetings. In this episode of Behind the Blue, two of those leaders, Molly Reynolds and Anne Marie Bickel, are taking a deeper dive into this unique strategy to explore how it works and why it’s helping University of Kentucky students succeed. 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 this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s .
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April 17, 2025 - Lance Broeking (UK Transportation Services) [ENCORE]
04/17/2025
April 17, 2025 - Lance Broeking (UK Transportation Services) [ENCORE]
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 17, 2025) – THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE. For those who live and work in urban areas, transportation is often among the top challenges in their daily routines. For Lance Broeking, Director of Transportation Services at the University of Kentucky, addressing these challenges is a constant focus. He leads a department responsible for managing campus parking, transit, and alternative transportation options, working to navigate the complexities of a growing and evolving university environment. In this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Broeking delves into the impact of campus growth and ongoing construction, the importance of collaborating with the city of Lexington, and the vital role communication and education play in addressing parking regulations, fees, and citations. He also explores the integration of new technologies within transportation services and the university’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. 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 this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s .
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April 10, 2025 - JJ Weaver, Nicole Breazeale, & Emily Johnson (Perfect Fit Peer Grief Support) [ENCORE]
04/10/2025
April 10, 2025 - JJ Weaver, Nicole Breazeale, & Emily Johnson (Perfect Fit Peer Grief Support) [ENCORE]
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 10, 2025) – [THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE] In the summer of 2020, UK Football player JJ Weaver lost both his father and high school football coach in successive months. Weaver, a graduate who plays outside linebacker, says he channeled his emotions into football until an injury later that fall sidelined him and left him with no outlet. Struggling with anger and grief, JJ began falling behind in class and regressing from his teammates, until the UK coaching staff pulled him aside to try and understand what was happening. From there, Weaver’s path eventually led him to a senior capstone class with Nicole Breazeale, an associate professor of community and leadership development in the UK College of Agriculture, Food & Environment, where he shared his journey with fellow students. As a final project in the class, Breazeale connected Weaver and two other students with Emily Johnson, the clinical programs manager at the Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families, where they developed a student-led peer support group, first with fellow athletes, and now moving out into pilot programs within the greater university community. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Breazeale, Weaver, and Johnson discuss the beginnings of the program, the overwhelming need for these types of groups on campus, and the legacy they hope build by serving students in need. This episode contains discussions of loss and grief. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with grief, or facing mental and/or substance use disorders, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit . ‘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. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s . To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click .
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April 3, 2025 - Natalie Tate & Lenzi Dodgen (Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month)
04/03/2025
April 3, 2025 - Natalie Tate & Lenzi Dodgen (Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 3, 2025) – The following episode deals with sensitive subject material involving sexual assault, rape, stalking, and intimate partner violence. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know needs assistance, contact the VIP Center at 859-257-3574 or email . April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, a time dedicated to education, advocacy, and support for survivors. At the University of Kentucky, the Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Center serves as a confidential resource for students, faculty, and staff impacted by interpersonal violence—including sexual assault, rape, stalking, and intimate partner violence. The VIP Center provides a welcoming space for survivors, advocates, and anyone seeking to learn more about prevention and intervention. On this episode of Behind the Blue, two professionals dedicated to supporting survivors and preventing violence on campus discuss the work of the VIP Center and the vital role of advocacy in the campus community. Natalie Tate is the Victim Advocate for the University of Kentucky Police Department’s Special Victims Unit (SVU). A mental health professional pursuing her M.S. in Family Sciences with an emphasis in Couple and Family Therapy, Natalie brings extensive experience in crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and community engagement. She works closely with survivors, providing support and guidance if and when they choose to navigate the criminal justice system. Natalie also collaborates with the VIP Center to ensure survivors receive holistic care, connecting them with advocacy, counseling, and other essential resources. Lenzi Dodgen works with the VIP Center, where she helps survivors navigate their healing journeys and engages the campus community in education and prevention efforts. With both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from UK, Lenzi has devoted her career to advocacy and considers her work at UK a “dream job.” Together, they discuss the resources available at UK, the importance of trauma-informed care, and how we can all contribute to a safer and more supportive community. If you or someone you know has experienced interpersonal violence, know that help is available. The VIP Center is here to provide confidential support, advocacy, and education. 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 this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s .
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March 27, 2025 - Laura Stephenson (Dean of Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment)
03/27/2025
March 27, 2025 - Laura Stephenson (Dean of Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 27, 2025) – In December of 2024, long-time agricultural and extension services leader Laura Stephenson was named vice president for land-grant engagement and dean of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Martin-Gatton CAFE). With a career spanning decades in Cooperative Extension leadership in both Kentucky and Tennessee, Stephenson has worked at every level of the system—from county agent to state director—helping to connect research with real-world solutions for farmers, businesses, and communities. Now, as Dean, she’s leading the college through a period of transformation, overseeing major facility upgrades, expanding workforce development programs, and strengthening partnerships that bridge agriculture, education, and public health. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Stephenson discusses her vision for the college, the evolving role of UK Extension in supporting producers of all sizes, and how agriculture touches every aspect of life in the Commonwealth—from farm to table, rural to urban, and beyond. 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 this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s .
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