Mildly Amusing

Hosted by James Spragens
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Society & Culture

Where hearsay meets heresy. James Spragens hosts Mildly Amusing, a podcast of small-town stories, unfiltered conversations, and plenty of good fun.

  1. Oct 11

    Episode 25: From Poplar Corner to Around the World with Spencer Clark

    In this episode of Mildly Amusing, James sits down with Spencer Clark, who grew up in Poplar Corner and whose family roots in the area go back generations. Spencer still owns a portion of the original 70,000 plus acres given to a Clark ancestor after the Revolutionary War. He shares stories from growing up on a dairy farm, where he learned the value of hard work, and remembers being quarantined for several months as a young child after contracting polio. From Glasscock and Lebanon High School to studying math and physics in college, Spencer's path eventually took him far beyond Marion County. Spencer spent 26 years with GE, moving to San Jose and working with nuclear power equipment while traveling extensively around the world. He later studied mechanical engineering at Berkeley and earned an MBA, which moved him from the engineering side of the business into management. After GE, he went on to work for Black & Decker, with offices and work taking him to countries around the globe. Despite all those experiences and places, Spencer says he loves Lebanon and believes we live in paradise without always recognizing it. He had a plan for what he wanted his life to look like, and that plan included coming home, being part of the community, and driving a tractor in a field. It's a fascinating conversation about family roots, an extraordinary career, and finding your way back home. Spencer's story is a reminder that you can see the world and still know exactly where you want to be. 🎶 This episode's song is Drawing Room Blues by Joe Henderson.

  2. Oct 4

    Episode 24: Hospitality, Community, and a Vision for Springfield with Harrison Miller

    In this episode of Mildly Amusing, James sits down with Harrison Miller, a Washington County native whose career has taken him through restaurants, bars, hospitality, and some familiar names throughout the area. Harrison studied business in college and went on to own a bar in Lexington, but he always knew he wanted to work in hospitality and eventually build a restaurant business of his own. After several years in Lexington, Harrison returned to the area and has since been behind several places you may know, including the Harrison-Smith House, Star Hill Provisions at Maker’s Mark, Scout and Scholar, and Mr. Tubbs. Harrison also talks about his decision to run for mayor of Springfield and what he hopes to see in the community. His priorities include creating more opportunities and activities for kids and young adults, revitalizing downtown, and bringing more jobs to the area. It’s a conversation about food, hospitality, coming home, and what it takes to build a community where people want to stay and put down roots. 🎶 This episode’s song is Rain Check by Joe Henderson.

  3. Aug 2

    Bars, Berries, and Bickett Stories: Tales from Raywick with Charlie Bickett

    In this episode of Mildly Amusing, James sits down with Charlie Bickett, author, artist, and lifelong storyteller. Charlie shares the history of Raywick, his family's deep roots in Marion County, and a few stories connected to the Cornbread Mafia. As he puts it, he was born into a family of storytellers, and that tradition shines through in his recently released fourth book, a collection of memories and anecdotes from years gone by. Charlie talks about the land his ancestors settled, originally totaling 1,300 acres, with about 500 acres still in the Bickett family today. He also reflects on Raywick's colorful past, recalling a time when the town was "a little Vegas" in the 1980s and 1990s. Along the way, you'll hear stories of a 1957 robbery, life behind the bar after more than 40 years in the business, and how three to four generations of the Bickett family have made their living as bar owners. The conversation also explores Charlie's work as a folk artist, whose hand-painted "Creek Berries" were even sold through Cracker Barrel. And be sure to stick around until the very end to hear Charlie sing a song his mother used to sing.

  4. Jul 12

    Episode 22: A Conversation with Mayoral Candidate Jasmine Hardin

    In this episode of Mildly Amusing, host James Spragens sits down with Jasmine Hardin, candidate for Lebanon mayor. A Lebanon native, Jasmine shares her journey from Georgetown College to the University of Louisville School of Law, her career in legal ethics, and what inspired her to return home in 2019 to raise a family and invest in the community she loves. Jasmine discusses her vision for Lebanon, including improving quality of life through more accessible parks, bike lanes, and welcoming third spaces. She also talks about expanding affordable housing opportunities, revitalizing downtown, modernizing city ordinances, and pursuing grants that can help move the community forward. Hear how she's been meeting with local organizations, business owners, and residents to listen to their ideas, and learn more about her community survey and the public event on August 5 at the Lebanon Sports Complex, where she'll share the survey results and continue the conversation. 🎧 Whether you're interested in local government or simply curious about the future of Lebanon, this episode offers an in-depth look at one candidate's vision for the community. This episode's song: Green Garden by Laura Mvula.

  5. Jun 14

    Episode 20: Politics, Journalism, and the Cornbread Mafia with Al Cross

    In this episode of Mildly Amusing, James sits down with Al Cross, longtime political journalist and former reporter for the Courier Journal. Al shares how he got his start in journalism, beginning at the Southern Kentucky Bureau in Somerset before it was relocated to Bardstown in 1979 and became the Central Kentucky Bureau. Assigned to a region he knew little about, Al recalls his brother's description of the area as the "land of priests and whiskey." During his years covering Central Kentucky, Al found himself reporting on one of the most fascinating chapters in local history, the Cornbread Mafia. He reflects on what it was like covering the story and why this area became such an interesting place for a young journalist. The conversation also explores Kentucky politics, Al's 26 years as a political reporter for the Courier Journal, and his belief that journalism should provide voters with the authoritative information they need to make informed decisions. Al spent 20 years directing the Program for Rural Journalism and Community Issues at the University of Kentucky, which was built on the idea that rural communities deserve the same quality of journalism as anyone else. James and Al discuss how newspapers and journalism have changed over the years, the challenges facing local news, and what the future may hold for the profession. It's a fascinating conversation about Kentucky history, politics, media, and the vital role journalism plays in our communities. 🎶 This episode's song is Cornbread by Lee Morgan.

  6. Jun 7

    Episode 20: Dust and Flour with Stephen Goodin

    In this episode of Mildly Amusing, James sits down with Stephen Goodin, owner of Dust and Flour, a manufacturing bakery and pizza food truck serving central Kentucky. Stephen shares how his journey began at Harrison-Smith House in 2015 with no plans of working in a kitchen, only to find himself climbing the ladder and discovering a passion for baking. Along the way, he also spent time cooking at Maker's Mark. Stephen explains how Dust and Flour evolved from making yeast rolls and pies for the holidays into a manufacturing bakery that supplies restaurants, small grocery stores, and other businesses throughout the region. Unlike a traditional bakery, they produce only what is ordered, allowing them to focus on quality while minimizing waste. The conversation dives into the art and science of baking, from sourdough and milk bread to Texas toast and beyond. Stephen also shares some of his favorite places to eat and offers insight into what makes great bread great. Food lovers won't want to miss this episode. It's packed with stories, baking knowledge, restaurant recommendations, and enough talk of fresh bread and pizza to leave you hungry. You can find Dust and Flour products at IGA, Loretto Foodland, the Springfield Farmers Market, and various restaurants throughout the area. 🎶 This episode's song is Big Night Theme by Gary DeMichele.

  7. May 17

    Episode 19: Choosing Lebanon with John Turner, Plus a Special Segment with U.S. Senate Candidate Dale Romans

    In this episode of Mildly Amusing, James sits down with John Turner, who has called Lebanon home for the past 37 years. Born and raised in New Jersey, John shares some of his earliest memories of accompanying his father into the family business, which manufactured tubes for major companies such as Crest and Johnson & Johnson. John later moved to Kentucky in the 1980s to serve as plant manager of a facility in Carrollton before eventually being tasked with building and leading Teledyne Portland Forge in Lebanon. After traveling throughout the South in search of the right location, he chose Lebanon as the place to build the plant. He talks about why he and his wife fell in love with the community and why they decided to stay after retirement. John also shares his perspective on Lebanon’s strengths, its future, and the remarkable concentration of manufacturing industries that have helped shape the local economy. In a second segment, James talks with Dale Romans, the well-known thoroughbred trainer who is running as a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Mitch McConnell. He shares his thoughts on immigration and other issues facing the country. It’s a wide-ranging episode that moves from Lebanon’s industrial growth to national politics, offering two thoughtful conversations with leaders who care about the future. 🎶 This episode’s song is Johnny Come Lately by Joe Henderson.

  8. Apr 6

    Episode 18: One Conversation at a Time with Carrie Truitt

    In this episode of Mildly Amusing, James sits down with Carrie Truitt, who is running for the Democratic nomination for Kentucky’s 14th District State Senate seat. Raised in Bradfordsville on a dairy and tobacco farm, Carrie brings a background in agriculture, education, and community service. She has served on the local school board since 2016 and currently works with Leadership Kentucky, a statewide program that brings leaders together to gain a full view of the Commonwealth. Prior to that, she worked with Hosparus Health. Carrie shares how running for this office has been on her radar for several years and how she carefully considered the responsibility before making the decision to step forward. Carrie talks about her approach to leadership, built on listening, transparency, and staying connected to the community. She believes in solving problems one conversation at a time and emphasizes the importance of understanding the full picture when tackling issues. From school funding to income tax, she walks through how decisions affect both sides of the equation and why it’s important to find solutions people can stand behind. This conversation offers a thoughtful look at leadership, service, and what it means to stay engaged with the people you represent. Whether you follow politics closely or just want to better understand the people stepping up to serve, this is one worth a listen.

See All (25)

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Where hearsay meets heresy. James Spragens hosts Mildly Amusing, a podcast of small-town stories, unfiltered conversations, and plenty of good fun.

Information

  • Creator
    Hosted by James Spragens
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Mildly Amusing
  • Show Website
    Mildly Amusing

You Might Also Like