Behind the Blue

University of Kentucky Public Relations / UK HealthCare
  • 4.3 (7)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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 new weekly podcast created by UK Public Relations and Marketing. 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.

  1. April 2, 2026 - Sarah Fink (UKPD Emergency Management)

    4D AGO

    April 2, 2026 - Sarah Fink (UKPD Emergency Management)

    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 Center (EOC), which serves as the central hub for incident coordination and resource management. The EOC can activate for both planned events, such as student move-in, and unplanned incidents like severe weather, helping campus partners share information quickly, prioritize life safety, and support a return to normal operations.  In the conversation, Fink also discusses the importance of training at every level, from monthly educational sessions to tabletop exercises and full-scale simulations. She reflects on a recent large-scale crisis exercise involving hundreds of participants and community partners, designed to test communication, coordination and response under realistic conditions.  The episode highlights practical steps community members can take, including downloading the SafeZone app for push notifications and direct connection to UK Police, signing up for UK Alert, reviewing the university's emergency response guide, and following the Wildcat Ready campaign, which emphasizes being informed, staying prepared and taking action.   For more information on emergency preparedness at UK, visit go.uky.edu/wildcatready. 'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts, YouTube 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 production of the University of Kentucky. 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.  To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here. This interview has been edited for time and clarity.

    47 min
  2. March 25, 2026 - UK President Eli Capilouto

    MAR 25

    March 25, 2026 - UK President Eli Capilouto

    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 evolving and rapidly changing sports industry. UK President Eli Capilouto has recently initiated a process to find new leadership for UK Athletics.  On this episode of 'Behind the Blue', he talks with UK Chief Communications Officer Jay Blanton about the process and how UK fans can stay involved in it, as well as Barnhart's new role and why it's so critical to future workforce efforts in the Commonwealth. 'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts, YouTube 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 production of the University of Kentucky. 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.  To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here. This interview has been edited for time and clarity.

    28 min
  3. March 18, 2026 - The Science of March Madness

    MAR 18

    March 18, 2026 - The Science of March Madness

    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, aging and sociology study the kinds of moments March Madness brings into focus — from performance under pressure to the effects of lost sleep, from the role of social connection in brain health to the personal and cultural identities reflected in the brackets fans fill out each spring. On this episode of 'Behind the Blue', we talk with several of those experts: Matt Moore, associate dean of academic and student affairs in the UK College of Social Work; Dr. Subhendu Rath, assistant professor of neurology with UK HealthCare's Kentucky Neuroscience Institute; Dr. Elizabeth Rhodus and Dr. Gregory Jicha of UK's Sanders-Brown Center on Aging; and Caroline Brooks, a sociology professor in the UK College of Arts and Sciences. Moore explains why athletes who appear "clutch" are often relying on preparation, repetition and the ability to focus on what they can control; Rath outlines how even modest sleep loss during tournament season can affect attention, memory, mood and reaction time; and Rhodus, Jicha and Brooks examine how March Madness can foster brain engagement, social connection and a sense of belonging — while also revealing the subtle biases fans bring to the brackets they fill out each spring. 'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts, YouTube 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 production of the University of Kentucky. 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.  To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here. This interview has been edited for time and clarity.

    35 min
  4. March 12, 2026 - Schyler Simpson (Nationally Competitive Awards)

    MAR 12

    March 12, 2026 - Schyler Simpson (Nationally Competitive Awards)

    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 helps students pursue major scholarships, fellowships and study-abroad opportunities that can shape academic careers and open doors around the world. Despite the large amount of national competition, Simpson believes UK students are just as prepared and motivated to achieve these opportunities, saying, "students should not think that maybe they're not prepared enough or not ready enough, because this office is definitely proof that they can compete on a national level and win."  On this episode of 'Behind the Blue', Simpson reflects on the path that brought her to the role, explains how her office works directly with students on everything from identifying opportunities to refining essays and application materials, and discusses the life-changing impact these awards can have on students and why building awareness of those opportunities across campus is a major priority. 'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts, YouTube 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 production of the University of Kentucky. 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.  To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here. This interview has been edited for time and clarity.

    24 min
  5. March 5, 2026 - UK President Eli Capilouto and outgoing AD Mitch Barnhart

    MAR 5

    March 5, 2026 - UK President Eli Capilouto and outgoing AD Mitch Barnhart

    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 for both Barnhart and the university. Capilouto said Barnhart's legacy is defined not only by competitive success, but by a commitment to doing things the right way — creating a culture of excellence, integrity and student support that strengthened the university and its connection to the Commonwealth. Under Barnhart's leadership, UK has won six NCAA team championships and achieved more than 60 conference or conference tournament titles, while also emphasizing academic achievement for student-athletes. Barnhart has also played a significant leadership role nationally, including service on the College Football Playoff Committee and chairing the NCAA Men's Basketball Committee during the COVID era. Following his retirement as athletics director, Barnhart will become the first executive-in-residence of the UK Sport and Workforce Initiative, a new effort designed to prepare students and professionals for leadership across the evolving sports industry. Capilouto said additional details about the initiative will be announced in the coming weeks, and he plans to conduct a listening tour as UK begins its search for the next athletics director. On this episode, Barnhart and Capilouto also discuss the personal elements of Barnhart's decision — including family, faith, and what Barnhart describes as the importance of "passing the baton" at the right time — while expressing gratitude for the people and community that shaped his years at Kentucky. 'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts, YouTube 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 production of the University of Kentucky. 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.  To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here. This interview has been edited for time and clarity.

    32 min
  6. February 27, 2026 - Kristine Yohe & Frank X Walker (Reckoning with the Past: The Historical Poetry of Frank X Walker)

    FEB 27

    February 27, 2026 - Kristine Yohe & Frank X Walker (Reckoning with the Past: The Historical Poetry of Frank X Walker)

    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 history with honesty, empathy and deeper context.   Walker, a UK professor, poet, and the first African American writer to be named Kentucky Poet Laureate, says historical persona poetry can put readers "on the inside of the story," bringing an emotional truth that traditional accounts often can't capture. And while most people won't sit down with "the 300-page version" of history, he belives poetry can invite them in — because "the truth is the grand sum of all those points of view where everybody gets heard." On this episode of 'Behind the Blue', Yohe and Walker discuss the book, what it means to "reckon" with the past, and why literature can help communities confront both the good and the painful realities that shape the American story. The conversation also explores how Yohe and Walker bring this work into the classroom — what surprises students most when they encounter these histories for the first time, and how research, imagination and craft can help students build empathy, sharpen critical thinking and better understand the relationship between past and present. 'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts, YouTube 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 production of the University of Kentucky. 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.   To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here. This interview has been edited for time and clarity.

    1h 13m
  7. February 20, 2026 - Craig Collins (The Business of UK - Episode 005)

    FEB 20

    February 20, 2026 - Craig Collins (The Business of UK - Episode 005)

    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 Dr. Eric Monday, the University of Kentucky's executive vice president for finance and administration, and Co-executive vice president for health administration.  In this conversation, Dr. Monday talks with Craig Collins, senior vice president and chief financial officer of UK HealthCare, and CEO of Beyond Blue — the affiliated organization that helps support and expand UK's work across the Commonwealth. Together, they break down what Beyond Blue is, why it exists, and how major initiatives like Project Blue-Connect and Integrate Blue are designed to strengthen systems, reduce risk, improve security, and ultimately help UK HealthCare serve more patients — closer to home. Listeners are encouraged to submit questions and ideas for future 'Business of UK' episodes by emailing businessofUK@uky.edu. Upcoming installments will focus on the university's $8.7 billion enterprise budget, how it is structured, and how resources are allocated across education, research, health care and service throughout the Commonwealth. 'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts, YouTube 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 production of the University of Kentucky. Transcripts for this or other episodes of 'Behind the Blue' can be downloaded from the show's blog page.  To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

    32 min
  8. February 13, 2026 - Ky State Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe (UK, Kentucky, and responsible AI development)

    FEB 12

    February 13, 2026 - Ky State Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe (UK, Kentucky, and responsible AI development)

    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 Commonwealth.  Bledsoe represents parts of Fayette County along with Woodford, Mercer and Boyle counties. In the conversation, she points to infrastructure — including roads and aging water and wastewater systems — as a major concern for the region, while also highlighting the role higher education, signature industries and health care play in central Kentucky's future.  The interview also explores Bledsoe's emerging leadership on technology policy, including Kentucky Senate Bill 4, which she describes as a framework for "responsible AI governance" within state government. Bledsoe explains that the goal is not to regulate every minor use of technology, but to establish guardrails for higher-risk, decision-making tools — including creating transparency around where and how AI is used, and building oversight to ensure accountability.   "AI is not spellcheck," Bledsoe said, emphasizing the need for stronger scrutiny when government systems generate new outputs or influence decisions. She also discusses concerns around deceptive AI-generated political content and the importance of ensuring voters can trust what they see — particularly in the final days leading up to an election.  Looking ahead, Bledsoe points to a wide range of challenges and opportunities — from consumer protection and privacy to safeguarding minors online — and says Kentucky will likely need to keep refining its approach as the technology evolves. She also describes how institutions like UK can help shape the state's AI future through research, workforce preparation and teaching students to be critical, responsible users of these tools. 'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts, YouTube 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 production of the University of Kentucky. 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.  To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here. This interview has been edited for time and clarity.

    28 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

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 new weekly podcast created by UK Public Relations and Marketing. 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.

Information

  • Creator
    University of Kentucky Public Relations / UK HealthCare
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ©2016 University of Kentucky
  • Show Website
    Behind the Blue

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