The Wisdom Project Podcast

In this episode of The Wisdom Project, host Doug Boyd explores the life-changing journey of kidney donation and transplantation through the stories of two childhood friends, Laura Ottaviani-Chacon and Dan Becker. Through intimate interviews with both donor and recipient—before and after the surgery—this episode reveals the emotional, medical, and human dimensions of organ transplantation. It examines the realities of life on transplant waiting lists, the growing role of social media and personal networks in finding donors, and the profound bond that forms when one person gives another the gift of life. Access oral history interviews online: Interview with Dan Becker, May 27, 2023 Interview with Laura Ottaviani-Chacon, June 10, 202 Interview with Dan Becker, Laura Ottaviani-Chacon, July 21, 2023 For more information about kidney donation or about becoming an organ donor: The National Kidney Foundation Episode produced by Doug Boyd Assistant Producer: Megan Hubbard and Emma Haas Music by Doug Boyd. The Wisdom Project is a podcast produced by the Louie B Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky LIbraries.

In this episode of The Wisdom Project Podcast, host Doug Boyd interviews acclaimed actor Steve Zahn for a deeply personal and unexpected conversation that moves far beyond Hollywood. Recorded as part of the Nunn Center's From Combat to Kentucky oral history project, this episode explores Zahn's lifelong fascination with military history, his profound respect for veterans, and his transformative experience traveling to Iraq on a 2008 Ambassadors of Hollywood morale tour. Access oral history interviews online: Interview with Steve Zahn, May 29, 2013 From Combat to Kentucky Oral HIstory Project Episode produced by Doug Boyd Assistant Producer: Megan Hubbard Music by Doug Boyd. The Wisdom Project is a podcast produced by the Louie B Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky LIbraries.

In early 2021, the Nunn Center and Dr. Janice Fernheimer partnered to launch the Women in Bourbon Oral History Project. This oral history project, built in collaboration with students, documents documents of women who have played important roles in Kentucky’s bourbon industry. Doug Boyd and Janice Fernheimer reflect on this phase of the oral history project and some key themes expressed in the interviews.  Access oral history interviews online: The Women in Bourbon Oral History Project. Episode produced by Doug Boyd and Janice Fernheimer Assistant Producers: Taylor Davis, Emily Faye, Qwenton Briggs Music by Doug Boyd  

On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States legalized same sex marriage. This episode explores the stories of two Kentucky couples and one lawyer who were part of the legal fight that led to the Supreme Court–and brought marriage equality to the country. The interviews are drawn from two Nunn Center projects, OutSouth: LGBTQ+ Oral History Project and the John G. Heyburn II Initiative for Excellence in the Federal Judiciary.    Produced by Doug Boyd and Anu Kasarabada; Music by Doug Boyd.  

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was interviewed in Louisville, KY in 2013 for filmmaker Morgan C. Atkinson's documentary "The Many Storeys and Last Days of Thomas Merton" The Dalai Lama shared his memories of meeting Merton and the profound impact their friendship had on his life. Interview with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, 2013.  To learn more about Morgan Atkinson's documentaries: https://morganatkinson.com Music for this episode was composed by Doug Boyd Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries  

This episode features an interview with Mark Lyon Thornewill, interviewed on January 23, 2018. In addition to telling a story about dancing with Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret in 1947, this episode explores Thornewill's many adventures as a British naval officer during World War II, a priest, a husband, and a father. This episode features an interview with Thornewill's daughter, Joanna Hay. Interview with Mark Thornewill, January 23, 2018 Music was composed by Doug Boyd, with the exception of a licensed version of "the Blue Danube" by Johann Strauss II. 

This episode explores ghost stories about ghosts at the Wild Turkey Distillery.  The ghost stories are from an oral history interview conducted in 2014 with Olivia J. Ripy for the Kentucky Bourbon Tales Oral History Project.  This episode was produced by Doug Boyd and Maddy Williams. Music was composed and produced by Doug Boyd  

In honor of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, this episode features a powerful oral history interview conducted on September 11, 2002, with flight attendant Janet Foushee. Foushee recalls her memories of working on a flight that day. Produced by Doug Boyd; Music by Doug Boyd

This episode explores the personal story of civil rights activist Charles Neblett who was a member of the Freedom Singers.  In addition to discussing his role working for SNCC and performing as a Freedom Singer, this episode explores the role of music and singing as a powerful form of protest during the Civil Rights Movement Charles Neblett was interviewed for the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame Oral History Project, a project that records the stories of inductees to the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame.   The project is a partnership between the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History in the University of Kentucky Libraries,, the University of Kentucky's Office of Community Engagement, and the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights.   Listen/search oral history interviews here: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7prr1pk37h Episode #009 Produced by Doug Boyd and Hannah Jones. Music by Doug Boyd ©2018 Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, All Rights Reserved  

This episode explores the personal story of civil rights activist Charles Neblett who was a member of the Freedom Singers.  In addition to discussing his role working for SNCC and performing as a Freedom Singer, this episode explores the role of music and singing as a powerful form of protest during the Civil Rights Movement Charles Neblett was interviewed for the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame Oral History Project, a project that records the stories of inductees to the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame.   The project is a partnership between the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History in the University of Kentucky Libraries,, the University of Kentucky's Office of Community Engagement, and the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights.   Listen/search oral history interviews here: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7prr1pk37h Episode #009 Produced by Doug Boyd and Hannah Jones. Music by Doug Boyd ©2018 Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, All Rights Reserved  

This episode explores the story of moonshine in Wayne County, Kentucky, the process of making / selling moonshine, and the experiences of agents trying to catch the moonshiners. Interviews are part of the Moonshiners and Revenuers Oral History Project at the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries and were conducted by Betty Boles Ellison and Russell Stockton between 1986-1988. Listen/search oral history interviews here: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7kd50fxr0c Ep. #008 Produced by Doug Boyd and Hannah Jones. Music by Doug Boyd ©2018 Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, All Rights Reserved    

This episode explores the story of moonshine in Wayne County, Kentucky, the process of making / selling moonshine, and the experiences of agents trying to catch the moonshiners. Interviews are part of the Moonshiners and Revenuers Oral History Project at the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries and were conducted by Betty Boles Ellison and Russell Stockton between 1986-1988. Listen/search oral history interviews here: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7kd50fxr0c Ep. #008 Produced by Doug Boyd and Hannah Jones. Music by Doug Boyd ©2018 Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, All Rights Reserved    

On November 7, 1996, the Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky experienced one of the most devastating distillery fires of all time. Seven bourbon warehouses were destroyed, 50% of the distilling building, as well the office building and several smaller buildings were severely damaged. Marking the 20th anniversary of the fire, this episode looks back from multiple perspectives, featuring Max Shapira (President), Craig Beam (Master Distiller), and Maj. Charles Montgomery (Firefighter). Interviews featured in this episode are from the Kentucky Bourbon Tales Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History in the University of Kentucky Libraries. Full interviews are searchable online: Interview with Max Shapira: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7rn872z750 Interview with Craig and Parker Beam: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7pnv998w93 Interview with Maj. Charles "Chuck" Montgomery: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7w6m335355 Interview with 6 Master Distillers (Jimmy Russell, Bill Samuels, Chris Morris, Craig Beam, Jim Rutledge, Marc Coffman) : https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7nk9315h3p View the initial news reporting (WHAS helicopter footage): https://youtu.be/v6XtnqDLC_k The Wisdom Project Podcast is Produced by Doug Boyd and Kopana Terry Assistant Producer of this episode: JD Caruthers ©2016 Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, All Rights Reserved Music by Doug Boyd

On November 7, 1996, the Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky experienced one of the most devastating distillery fires of all time. Seven bourbon warehouses were destroyed, 50% of the distilling building, as well the office building and several smaller buildings were severely damaged. Marking the 20th anniversary of the fire, this episode looks back from multiple perspectives, featuring Max Shapira (President), Craig Beam (Master Distiller), and Maj. Charles Montgomery (Firefighter). Interviews featured in this episode are from the Kentucky Bourbon Tales Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History in the University of Kentucky Libraries. Full interviews are searchable online: Interview with Max Shapira: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7rn872z750 Interview with Craig and Parker Beam: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7pnv998w93 Interview with Maj. Charles "Chuck" Montgomery: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7w6m335355 Interview with 6 Master Distillers (Jimmy Russell, Bill Samuels, Chris Morris, Craig Beam, Jim Rutledge, Marc Coffman) : https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7nk9315h3p View the initial news reporting (WHAS helicopter footage): https://youtu.be/v6XtnqDLC_k The Wisdom Project Podcast is Produced by Doug Boyd and Kopana Terry Assistant Producer of this episode: JD Caruthers ©2016 Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, All Rights Reserved Music by Doug Boyd

On November 7, 1996, the Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky experienced one of the most devastating distillery fires of all time. Seven bourbon warehouses were destroyed, 50% of the distilling building, as well the office building and several smaller buildings were severely damaged. Marking the 20th anniversary of the fire, this episode looks back from multiple perspectives, featuring Max Shapira (President), Craig Beam (Master Distiller), and Maj. Charles Montgomery (Firefighter). Interviews featured in this episode are from the Kentucky Bourbon Tales Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History in the University of Kentucky Libraries. Full interviews are searchable online: Interview with Max Shapira: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7rn872z750 Interview with Craig and Parker Beam: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7pnv998w93 Interview with Maj. Charles "Chuck" Montgomery: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7w6m335355 Interview with 6 Master Distillers (Jimmy Russell, Bill Samuels, Chris Morris, Craig Beam, Jim Rutledge, Marc Coffman) : https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7nk9315h3p View the initial news reporting (WHAS helicopter footage): https://youtu.be/v6XtnqDLC_k The Wisdom Project Podcast is Produced by Doug Boyd and Kopana Terry Assistant Producer of this episode: JD Caruthers ©2016 Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, All Rights Reserved, Music by Doug Boyd

Episode #006 of the Wisdom Project tells a story of archival discovery, linking Marshall Webb, a World War II veteran from Campbellsville, Kentucky, to the small town of Tremensuoli, Italy. This episode begins season 2 of the Wisdom Project podcast. The oral history interviews featured in this episode are available online: Marshall Webb: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt759z90c519 Opal Webb: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7ns17sqz2x Roger Webb: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7sj38kh64z Marshall Webb’s papers and photographs (including his poetry) are available online via Explore UK. View the original video story on YouTube: https://youtu.be/j5nOrByPE4U View the stories published in Minturnet: Blogzine su Minturno e Frazioni (in Italian): Tremensuoli entra negli annali della storia contemporanea del Kentucky: April 15, 2014 http://www.minturnet.it/21912/attualita/tremensuoli-entra-negli-annali-della-storia-contemporanea-del-kentucky.html Una targa in onore del soldato americano a Tremensuoli: March, 2015 (This is the story that contains the picture of the plaque) http://www.minturnet.it/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/targa-e-scritta-tremensuoli.jpg The Wisdom Project Podcast is Produced by Doug Boyd and Kopana Terry ©2016 Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, All Rights Reserved Music by Doug Boyd

Episode #006 of the Wisdom Project tells a story of archival discovery, linking Marshall Webb, a World War II veteran from Campbellsville, Kentucky, to the small town of Tremensuoli, Italy. This episode begins season 2 of the Wisdom Project podcast. The oral history interviews featured in this episode are available online: Marshall Webb: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt759z90c519 Opal Webb: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7ns17sqz2x Roger Webb: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7sj38kh64z Marshall Webb’s papers and photographs (including his poetry) are available online via Explore UK. View the original video story on YouTube: https://youtu.be/j5nOrByPE4U View the stories published in Minturnet: Blogzine su Minturno e Frazioni (in Italian): Tremensuoli entra negli annali della storia contemporanea del Kentucky: April 15, 2014 http://www.minturnet.it/21912/attualita/tremensuoli-entra-negli-annali-della-storia-contemporanea-del-kentucky.html Una targa in onore del soldato americano a Tremensuoli: March, 2015 (This is the story that contains the picture of the plaque) http://www.minturnet.it/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/targa-e-scritta-tremensuoli.jpg The Wisdom Project Podcast is Produced by Doug Boyd and Kopana Terry ©2016 Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, All Rights Reserved Music by Doug Boyd

Episode #006 of the Wisdom Project tells a story of archival discovery, linking Marshall Webb, a World War II veteran from Campbellsville, Kentucky, to the small town of Tremensuoli, Italy. This episode begins season 2 of the Wisdom Project podcast. The oral history interviews featured in this episode are available online: Marshall Webb: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt759z90c519 Opal Webb: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7ns17sqz2x Roger Webb: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7sj38kh64z Marshall Webb’s papers and photographs (including his poetry) are available online via Explore UK. View the original video story on YouTube: https://youtu.be/j5nOrByPE4U View the stories published in Minturnet: Blogzine su Minturno e Frazioni (in Italian): Tremensuoli entra negli annali della storia contemporanea del Kentucky: April 15, 2014 http://www.minturnet.it/21912/attualita/tremensuoli-entra-negli-annali-della-storia-contemporanea-del-kentucky.html Una targa in onore del soldato americano a Tremensuoli: March, 2015 (This is the story that contains the picture of the plaque) http://www.minturnet.it/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/targa-e-scritta-tremensuoli.jpg The Wisdom Project Podcast is Produced by Doug Boyd and Kopana Terry ©2016 Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, All Rights Reserved, Music by Doug Boyd

Episode #005 features an oral history interview with Effa Manley, the first African American woman to own a professional baseball team. She co-owned the Newark Eagles (Negro League) with her husband Abe Manley. In this episode Effa Manley looks back at the impact of Jackie Robinson and the integration of Major League Baseball on the Negro League. The interviews with Effa Manley and Larry Doby are housed at the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries. To listen to and search the oral history interviews from this podcast: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7nzs2k9c74 Produced by Doug Boyd and Kopana Terry Assistant Producer Charlotte Boyd ©2016 Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, All Rights Reserved. Music by Doug Boyd

Episode #005 features an oral history interview with Effa Manley, the first African American woman to own a professional baseball team. She co-owned the Newark Eagles (Negro League) with her husband Abe Manley. In this episode Effa Manley looks back at the impact of Jackie Robinson and the integration of Major League Baseball on the Negro League. The interviews with Effa Manley and Larry Doby are housed at the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries. To listen to and search the oral history interviews from this podcast: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/catalog/xt7nzs2k9c74   Produced by Doug Boyd and Kopana Terry Assistant Producer Charlotte Boyd   ©2016 Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, All Rights Reserved. Music by Doug Boyd