Holler Back! is once again interviewing talented folks that dedicated their lives to bettering our Appalachian Region. Willa is the Director of the Appalachia Media Institute and she gives us an inside look as to what the program is all about, other programs Appalshop offers, and her thoughts on Hillbilly Elegy. You don't want to miss this one!

Stacie and Billy bring on Robinson Scholar and esteemed Physician's Assistant student Dakota Halbert! Dakota has considerable expertise in the field of Public Health. In this episode, we talk about health in Appalachia, COVID-19, and the coal industry!

Billy and Stacie interview Appalachian superstar Christy Boyd of the Knott County Artisan Center! Christy has devoted much of her life to service in Appalachia and spreading knowledge of our region. Christy gives our listeners a look into everything that the Artisan Center offers from their Culture of Recovery program, blacksmithing workshops, and their instrument-building programs! Help us spread the news about everything that the Knott County Artisan Center gives back to Appalachia!

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 30, 2020) — Coming from a large family in Nebraska, Mark Prendergast grew up with a desire to help others.

Prendergast, the director of the Neuroscience Bachelor of Science degree program in the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, has used that desire to find demonstrative ways to increase the number of students of color in the neuroscience field.

“We have a longstanding commitment to addressing issues of diversity, inclusivity and equity,” Prendergast said. “And one of our most important missions as…

Stacie and Billy interview American singer-songwriter Larry Cordle about his journey as an artist, being an ally to Appalachia, and his impressive instrument collection. Larry is an Eastern Kentucky native and holds many awards -- two being the 2019 and 2020 SPBGMA Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year awards. Larry also treats us and our listeners to a mini concert where he performs "Highway 40 Blues" and "Black Diamond Strings." You don't want to miss this one!

Billy and Stacie interview special guest Crystal Good! Crystal is an advocate, entrepreneur, Affrilachian poet, and all-around superstar. Join Billy and Stacie as they talk about Crystal’s current projects, challenges and opportunities of being an Appalachian poet currently in LA, and one of her earliest projects: Valley Girl!

On Oct. 17, UK at the Half aired an interview with Mark A. Prendergast, University Research Professor and director of the Neuroscience B.S. Degree Program in the College of Arts & Sciences. Prendergast discusses how neuroscience is expanding opportunities for underrepresented minorities.

Stacie Fugate and Billy Devericks welcome the first guest of Holler Back Season 2: Neomia Hagans-Flores, the Associate Director of the Center for Next Generation Leadership! This first-generation trio talks about opportunities and obstacles surrounding education for Appalachians. They also reflect on their time at UK and how the Robinson Scholars Program shaped them into who they are today.

By Kody Kiser

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 24, 2020) — Beginning Aug. 3 and running through Aug. 22, University of Kentucky offered COVID-19 testing on campus for its approximately 30,000 students — undergraduate, graduate and professional — at no cost to students. The idea was to create a baseline for university officials as plans are implemented for ongoing daily screening, contact tracing and other health measures.