On The Edge with Whitney McKnight

Whitney McKnight

Arts, culture, and interviews from the edge of Appalachia in Berea, Kentucky. Hosted by Whitney McKnight, founder of The Edge online. 

  1. May 15

    Andrew Simpson (R) Is On the Edge

    This conversation is lively because Berea native and candidate for the state's 81st District, Andrew Simpson (R), has a thorough grasp of land use issues that are most pressing to Madison County, and it was good fun to banter the policymaking possibilities for slowing growth, developing according to community needs not zones, supporting agriculture, and respecting property rights. Simpson is a life-long conservative who came to farming through his wife's family, and who is now a leader in the state's agricultural community, formerly serving as the chair of the Kentucky Farm Bureau's Young Farmers District 8 (farmers age 35 and younger). In this role, Simpson said he learned about the land use pressures facing farmers across the Commonwealth, but especially here in Madison County where two of the nation's fastest growing communities--Richmond and Berea--are located.  Reporting from The Edge of Appalachia in Berea, Kentucky.

    41 min

  2. May 14

    Jay Bowman (I) is On the Edge

    Inventor, entrepreneur, and sportsman Jay Bowman says it's time for Congress to do its job. And even though he'd rather go fishing and hunting, he believes he can go to Washington to get things done. An admitted poor student, Bowman is a skilled and accomplished inventor and holder of dozens of patents who says he has a demonstrated record of accomplishments done with cost efficiency. His priorities include addressing corporate subsidies to Amazon, Walmart, and others, who pay little taxes, receive various subsidies, but don't pay their employees a living wage.  Reporting from The Edge of Appalachia in Berea, Kentucky.

    31 min

  3. May 14

    Greg Plucinski is On the Edge

    Greg Plucinski is a successful entrepreneur who says that on an annual basis, he contributes $20 million to the state's economy with his pharmaceutical manufacturing business. The Jessamine County resident is a fan of Andy Barr, President Trump, and anyone who cuts taxes, especially on businesses. Plucinski says if he's elected, his first priority will be to lower the steep drug review fees placed on small drugmakers, which he says drives up the costs of new life-saving medicines. Candidate Plucinksi also says he would lend urgency to formalizing aspects of Trump's agenda, something he said Congress is failing to do.  Reporting from The Edge of Appalachia in Berea, Kentucky.

    36 min

  4. May 12

    Anthony Looney is On the Edge

    Anthony Looney (D), candidate for State District 81, is On the Edge.  Originally from Pike County, Looney describes the hardships he faced in order to go to and finish college, raise his standard of living, and move to Richmond where he says he loves living. In the interview, we discuss the political divisions in the state, and whether they are real or imposed. We also address smart growth--what does it mean? We also talk about Looney's platform: more funding for healthcare, higher education, primary education, and inspiring people to want to lead by volunteering and running for office.  Reporting from The Edge of Appalachia in Berea, Kentucky.

    40 min

  5. May 10

    Donna Agee is On the Edge

    Donna Agee makes her first bid for elected office as she runs for Madison County Judge Executive. A former healthcare industry executive, County Department of Health administrator, and visiting nurse, Agee says she can apply her experiences from each of her previous roles to helping create a better life of the citizens of Madison County.  In this podcast interview, Agee and I discuss traffic, the county animal shelter, and her view of how the Fiscal Court should be run.  Visit theedgebereaky dot com for more information.  Reporting from The Edge of Appalachia in Berea, Kentucky.

    33 min

  6. May 7

    Reagan Taylor is on The Edge

    Incumbent Reagan Taylor is in his 12th year as the judge executive of Madison County. In this podcast, he shares what he believes are his accomplishments so far, as well as spars with me about over a traffic remedy for Barnes Mill Rd. and exit 87 off I-75. We also discuss how 911 is run, and whether a new fire station is necessary in northern end of the County.  I want to thank Reagan for coming on the podcast and taking the heat from my questions. He promised some data, and I will share it when I get it.  Reporting from The Edge of Appalachia in Berea, Kentucky.

    59 min

  7. Apr 24

    Ryan Dotson in On the Edge with Whitney McKnight

    Ryan Dotson (R) is a former Kentucky state representative whose number one goal when in office was to impeach Gov. Andy Beshear. That initiative failed, but Dotson's other mission, to forbid mixed-sex athletics in the Commonwealth is now state law. Building on these and other experiences in Frankfort, Dotson is now seeking to represent Kentucky in the US House of Representatives by winning the 6th District seat now up for grabs as the current occupant, Andy Barr (R), runs for the Senate, hoping to replace the outgoing Mitch McConnell (R). In this episode of On the Edge, Dotson discusses what led him away from his roots in Eastern Kentucky, why he became an Evangelical-Pentecostal pastor, what he thinks might happen before the actualization of a popular American Evangelical perspective that a war in Iran is among the final steps preceding the second coming of Christ, and what matters most to him about US relations with Israel. Plus, he counters a current controversy that has been attached to his name.  It's a conversation you won't want to miss.   Reporting from The Edge of Appalachia in Berea, Kentucky.

    37 min

  8. Apr 10

    Congressional 6th District candidate Cherylnn Stevenson (D) is On the Edge!

    Cherlynn Stevenson (D) is running on the 'Mountain Democrat' platform, as she explains in this episode of On the Edge with Whitney McKnight. A former state representative in Kentucky (2019-2024), Stevenson says it's time for Congress to flip from Red to Blue, and she believes that if a Democrat wins Kentucky's 6th District then, Congress will indeed be Blue.  In this episode, Stevenson also discusses her own bad experience with healthcare in the US, and how fear of costs nearly took her husband's life. What does she see happening to change how Americans access healthcare? Thank you for listening to On the Edge! Reporting from The Edge of Appalachia in Berea, Kentucky.

    31 min
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About

Arts, culture, and interviews from the edge of Appalachia in Berea, Kentucky. Hosted by Whitney McKnight, founder of The Edge online. 

Information

  • Creator
    Whitney McKnight
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 On The Edge with Whitney McKnight
  • Show Website
    On The Edge with Whitney McKnight