Behind the Blue

About 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 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.

Publisher

University of Kentucky Public Relations / UK HealthCare

Category

education · news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

24 Sept 2019

Latest episode

22 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

353 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 Oct 2026

   October 22, 2026 - Ky House Speaker David Osborne

   LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 22, 2026) – From his days as a University of Kentucky student to his current role as speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives, David Osborne has gained a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing the Commonwealth. On this episode of 'Behind the Blue,' Osborne reflects on his journey from growing up in Oldham County to attending UK, building a career in business and eventually entering public service. A UK graduate with a degree in agricultural economics, Osborne discusses how his college experience introduced him to people and communities from across Kentucky, broadening his understanding of the state he would one day help lead. He also shares his perspective on the university's land-grant mission, including the impact of agricultural research, Cooperative Extension, UK HealthCare and emerging opportunities in aerospace and technology. The conversation explores the importance of partnerships between higher education and state government, as well as preparing students with the critical thinking and communication skills needed to navigate a changing workforce. Looking ahead, Osborne expresses optimism about Kentucky's future and encourages students to remain curious and committed to lifelong learning. "The greatest learning experiences of my life have come post-college, but I think that college prepares you for learning how to learn," Osborne said. "So try to not lose sight of learning how to learn." '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.

2. 

   15 Oct 2026

   October 15, 2026 - Mark Prendergast (2026 Great Teacher Award Winner)

   LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 15, 2026) – 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: Mark Prendergast, an endowed professor and director of the Neuroscience Bachelor of Science degree program in the UK College of Arts and Sciences. Prendergast's research is focused on examining biochemical mechanisms involved with the development of alcohol and drug dependence. In addition, his lab research efforts include the study of novel drug targets, such as stress hormone receptor systems, which might be targeted in the treatment of those dependencies. Prendergast is the faculty advisor of NeuroCATS, a 600-member student organization dedicated to expanding neuroscience education. He is a well-published researcher in the study of substance use disorder. '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.

3. 

   8 Oct 2026

   October 8, 2026 - Joey Conrad & Sue Oatey (UK's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) [ENCORE]

   LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 8, 2026) – THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE PRESENTATION. Each spring, the University of Kentucky celebrates a new class of graduates stepping into the next chapter of their lives. But at UK, learning doesn't end at commencement. On this episode of Behind the Blue, host Kody Kiser talks with Joey Conrad, director of the University of Kentucky's Office of Lifelong Learning, and Sue Oatey, an OLLI class participant, about the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UK and the community it creates for adults ages 50 and older. OLLI at UK offers educational and enrichment courses, forums, shared interest groups, trips, events and more for adult learners. Conrad says the program is designed for engagement and connection, with opportunities that encourage participants to explore new interests, revisit long-held passions, and build friendships through shared learning. Oatey, who moved to Lexington after retiring nine years ago, shares how she discovered OLLI through a friend and quickly found it became a gateway to learning and community. She describes taking courses ranging from bourbon and wine appreciation to geology and constitutional topics, and says the program helped her build a network of friends and ongoing experiences in a place that was once new to her. The conversation also highlights the Office of Lifelong Learning's Donovan Scholarship program, which helps Kentucky residents ages 65 and older take University of Kentucky academic courses. Conrad explains how participants can audit courses or pursue degrees, and how the office helps adult learners navigate the enrollment process and connect with campus resources. OLLI at UK has sites in Lexington and Morehead and supports a growing community of learners. Conrad notes the program continues to expand course offerings and access, including online options that allow participants to learn from across Kentucky and beyond. To learn more about OLLI at UK, visit olliatuk.uky.edu (http://www.olliatuk.uky.edu/). '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 (http://behindtheblue.libsyn.com/). To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here. This interview has been edited for time and clarity.

Who has been a guest on Behind the Blue

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Hannah Pittard
• Sahar Alameh
• Dr Shaun Mohan
• Matthew Kim
• Dr Scottie Day

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.3 / 5

7 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 61 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

91

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

77

Contact Behind the Blue

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.