University of Kentucky family and consumer science extension specialists are bringing practical consumer information into the lives of thousands of new clientele.

Through the Talking Family and Consumer Sciences podcast, UK Cooperative Extension specialists are positively impacting thousands and reaching beyond the state’s borders. Since the specialists began hosting the Talking FACS podcasts in June, they have had more than 63,000 hits and nearly 3,000 regular followers from 41 states and 18 countries.

Hosted by Jennifer Hunter, assistant director of family and consumer sciences extension, the podcasts feature UK specialists answering questions on timely consumer-based topics. Topics have included everything from meal kit delivery services to kids playing sports to understanding substance abuse. Hunter and Mindy McCulley, extension specialist for instructional support, release new podcasts each week.

“One of our goals of the podcast is to answer everyday questions that consumers have,” Hunter said. “We are excited that we are stepping into new extension programming possibilities and engaging new clientele through the podcasts.”

Hunter and McCulley have found that people continue to access the podcasts long after their release date.

“We have not had any podcast that has fallen off in terms of listeners,” McCulley said. “It’s exciting that people are coming and listening and finding the podcasts useful.”

Talking FACS podcasts are available at https://ukfcsext.podbean.com/.

The Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service is a land-grant partnership between the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and Kentucky State University that takes the university to the people in their local communities, addressing issues of importance to all Kentuckians.