Nunn Center Shares Collected 'Wisdom' Via Podcast Series
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 19, 2016) — The Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, a part of the University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center, debuted a new podcast named "The Wisdom Project" in October 2015. This series of history related podcasts come from oral interviews and projects that have been carefully selected from the Nunn Center’s collection of nearly 10,000 interviews.
"With the surging popularity of podcasting, 'The Wisdom Project' seemed to be a natural progression for the Nunn Center," said Director Doug Boyd. Boyd and oral history archivist Kopana Terry have collaborated on this project in order to provide "a tremendous opportunity for people to truly listen to history in a way that is both educational as well as entertaining."
"The Wisdom Project" website will be updated frequently with changing podcast topics. There are currently three episodes published on the website, each with its own interesting story.
The first oral history interview of the series, titled "Episode #001: Interviewing Jackie O.," was conducted by current Dean of UK Libraries Terry Birdwhistell in 1981. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis reminisces on her relationship with John Sherman Cooper, a long-time U.S. senator from Kentucky, and his wife, Lorraine. She also describes numerous social engagements she attended after the election of her husband John F. Kennedy as president of the United States in this personal interview.
"Episode #002: Original Recipe for a Kentucky Startup" of the podcast features a 1977 oral interview with the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, Kentucky native Colonel Harland Sanders, and explores the roots of the company’s humble beginnings. The colonel also gives advice on the importance of hard work and integrity in the business world. The podcast also discusses the purchase of the franchise in 1964 by John Y. Brown Jr. and its transition into the global marketplace.
In the two interviews that make up "Episode #003: Veteran’s Stories: Remembering the D-Day Invasion," World War II veterans and Kentucky natives Louis Bowers and Jesse Beazley tell powerful accounts of the invasion of Normandy, France, in the summer of 1944. These interviews were conducted by William J. Marshall in 1985 and 1994, respectively. Louis Bowers, a member of the Fourth Infantry Division that spearheaded the invasion, talks about the misconceptions of D-Day alongside the impressive tact and skill of German soldiers. Jesse Beazley remembers his hopelessness of ever returning home and his intentional disconnection from fellow soldiers in light of their impending deaths. These interviews give life to the tragedy and chaos World War II soldiers faced every day.
The newest edition of the podcast features interviews with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. The two civil rights leaders spoke separately with writer Robert Penn Warren, but often referenced each other.
"Quite frankly, we’re having a great time producing 'The Wisdom Project,' so stay tuned for many more episodes to come," Boyd said. All of the podcasts are housed at the Louie B. Nunn Center in the Margaret I. King Library on the UK campus. The podcast can be found online at http://nunncenter.org/wisdomproject/ and is available on SoundCloud.
For more information regarding "The Wisdom Project," contact the Louie B. Nunn Center at 859-257-9672.
MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu