https://simplecast.com UNA Talks is a bi-weekly podcast from the University of North Alabama focusing on our outstanding faculty. At UNA Talks, we seek to gain their expert insights on various professional and academic topics while learning what makes their classrooms unique. The University of North Alabama offers a massive array of high value programs on campus and online taught be these and our many other talented professors. To learn more, visit una.edu/online. 2025 University of North Alabama en Fri, 29 May 2026 16:00:00 +0000 Fri, 29 May 2026 16:00:12 +0000 https://una-talks.simplecast.com https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/b8a831ea-83dc-40a6-958f-e02cb7691c3d/eeb80f4b-2ff0-434a-ab65-5c187ecb533e/3000x3000/una-20talks-20thumb.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://una-talks.simplecast.com episodic UNA Talks is a bi-weekly podcast from the University of North Alabama focusing on our outstanding faculty. At UNA Talks, we seek to gain their expert insights on various professional and academic topics while learning what makes their classrooms unique. The University of North Alabama offers a massive array of high value programs on campus and online taught be these and our many other talented professors. To learn more, visit una.edu/online. University of North Alabama false https://feeds.simplecast.com/q2zx34kI degree, shoals, education, florence, graduate, higher education, north alabama, online learning, una, undergraduate, university University of North Alabama socialmedia@una.edu 2b4c8b33-06e6-4ed3-a873-7a3aac67bfb2 Fri, 29 May 2026 16:00:00 +0000 socialmedia@una.edu (Lee Taylor, Katie Owens-Murphy) https://una-talks.simplecast.com/episodes/katieowensmurphy1-xvGoGDe3 What Higher Education Offers Incarcerated Students (featuring Dr. Katie Owens-Murphy) Lee Taylor, Katie Owens-Murphy 01:00:16 Today, we take a closer look at one of our most outreach-oriented programs. Dr. Katie Owens-Murphy serves as UNA's "Inside-Out" coordinator, working directly with people in prison to facilitate dialogue and education across profound social differences. Katie discusses the impact of the program and offers her perspective as an English professor on how language and the way we communicate with one another shape the world in which we all live. Today, we take a closer look at one of our most outreach-oriented programs. Dr. Katie Owens-Murphy serves as UNA's "Inside-Out" coordinator, working directly with people in prison to facilitate dialogue and education across profound social differences. Katie discusses the impact of the program and offers her perspective as an English professor on how language and the way we communicate with one another shape the world in which we all live. inside-out, english, higher education, prison education false full 15 ecf4c88d-079a-46dc-ae53-e7f958e750ed Wed, 27 May 2026 17:00:00 +0000 socialmedia@una.edu (Lindsey Sherrill, Lee Taylor) https://una-talks.simplecast.com/episodes/lindseysherrill1-Uf64bUi7 Where the Arts, the Humanities, and the Business World Meet (featuring Dr. Lindsey Sherrill) Lindsey Sherrill, Lee Taylor 00:50:39 Professor, true crime podcast expert, and writer Dr. Lindsey Sherrill discusses the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to business studies. We see how she has applied these principles in her own work, as well as how she equips her students here at UNA to use language, storytelling, and perspective to conduct business that makes an impact in the world. Professor, true crime podcast expert, and writer Dr. Lindsey Sherrill discusses the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to business studies. We see how she has applied these principles in her own work, as well as how she equips her students here at UNA to use language, storytelling, and perspective to conduct business that makes an impact in the world. writing, business, sanders college of business and technology, true crime podcast false full 14 33901084-4367-4b70-87e2-d70cba5344a5 Wed, 27 May 2026 17:00:00 +0000 socialmedia@una.edu (Andrea Hunt, Lee Taylor) https://una-talks.simplecast.com/episodes/andreahunt1-4lN3LpQv When Advocacy in the Community Finds Its Way Into the Classroom (featuring Dr. Andrea Hunt) Andrea Hunt, Lee Taylor 00:54:24 Education's role in the success of its community cannot be overstated, and no one knows that better than Dr. Andrea Hunt. Andrea has dedicated her life and career to advocating for students who have inherited any disadvantage to find the education they deserve. She facilitates change and growth in classrooms as well as courtrooms, demonstrating how UNA empowers and facilitates life-changing access to opportunities. Education's role in the success of its community cannot be overstated, and no one knows that better than Dr. Andrea Hunt. Andrea has dedicated her life and career to advocating for students who have inherited any disadvantage to find the education they deserve. She facilitates change and growth in classrooms as well as courtrooms, demonstrating how UNA empowers and facilitates life-changing access to opportunities. college education, advocacy, first generation students false full 13 72896c71-6728-4f71-a8d2-73981154e634 Wed, 27 May 2026 15:56:23 +0000 socialmedia@una.edu (Lee Taylor, Shinika Byrd) https://una-talks.simplecast.com/episodes/shinikabyrd1-ra_fonHq What You Need to Know to Lead in Any Organization (featuring Dr. Shinika Byrd) Lee Taylor, Shinika Byrd 01:00:40 Dr. Shinika Byrd shares her experiences as a professional in higher education, an entrepreneur, and an accomplished professor. Shinika also shares her refreshingly practical perspective on how to develop leaders who can transfer their skills, regardless of where their career takes them. Dr. Shinika Byrd shares her experiences as a professional in higher education, an entrepreneur, and an accomplished professor. Shinika also shares her refreshingly practical perspective on how to develop leaders who can transfer their skills, regardless of where their career takes them. business, leadership, entrepreneurship false full 12 3ed87868-bf9f-4c6a-88aa-ec155bb1e58f Wed, 8 Apr 2026 21:20:00 +0000 socialmedia@una.edu (Lee Taylor, Laura Smith) https://una-talks.simplecast.com/episodes/laurasmith1-lul_L52y What Occupational Therapy Is, Isn't, and How It's Evolving Healthcare (featuring Dr. Laura Smith) Lee Taylor, Laura Smith 00:54:11 Dr. Laura Smith is an experienced occupational therapist who is bringing the field of study to the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions at UNA. Laura is here to teach us about the emerging field of OT, as well as all the ways it enriches patients' experiences in healthcare around the world. We also discuss how she is equipping students to practice safely and practically, while offering them the skills they need to find their place in this growing field. Dr. Laura Smith is an experienced occupational therapist who is bringing the field of study to the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions at UNA. Laura is here to teach us about the emerging field of OT, as well as all the ways it enriches patients' experiences in healthcare around the world. We also discuss how she is equipping students to practice safely and practically, while offering them the skills they need to find their place in this growing field. occupational therapy, nursing, healthcare, health professions false full 11 263eddc2-d50c-4064-9b7e-21d8019d7d51 Wed, 8 Apr 2026 21:00:00 +0000 socialmedia@una.edu (Lauren Killen, Lee Taylor) https://una-talks.simplecast.com/episodes/laurenkillen1-l6HYOhMX What We Are Learning About Caffeine and Kinesiology (featuring Dr. Lauren Killen) Lauren Killen, Lee Taylor 00:41:35 Today, we are talking about, of all things, caffeine — its effect on our bodies, brains, and performance. How can we still be learning about something almost all of us consume every day? That's what Dr. Killen will walk us through. We also discuss the field of Kinesiology and what studying it entails at UNA for our students and faculty. Today, we are talking about, of all things, caffeine — its effect on our bodies, brains, and performance. How can we still be learning about something almost all of us consume every day? That's what Dr. Killen will walk us through. We also discuss the field of Kinesiology and what studying it entails at UNA for our students and faculty. physical therapy, kinesiology, higher ed, higher education, education, caffeine false full 10 08e14f1e-de1d-452a-b508-b48abfc39398 Tue, 7 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000 socialmedia@una.edu (Lee Taylor, Ann-Marie Irons) https://una-talks.simplecast.com/episodes/annmarieirons1-sMYjk_kH How Work in Health Professions is Evolving (featuring Dr. Ann-Marie Irons) Lee Taylor, Ann-Marie Irons 00:52:50 What skills are hospitals, pharmacies, medicine, and other health practices looking for? More than you might realize. Dr. Ann-Marie Irons discusses how UNA's nursing programs are helping our graduates prepare for the evolving needs in healthcare — what's changing, what's not, and how to find your fit as a healthcare professional. What skills are hospitals, pharmacies, medicine, and other health practices looking for? More than you might realize. Dr. Ann-Marie Irons discusses how UNA's nursing programs are helping our graduates prepare for the evolving needs in healthcare — what's changing, what's not, and how to find your fit as a healthcare professional. nursing, nursing school, higher education, una nursing, health studies, health professions false full 9 19b554fb-6d11-404a-be67-29fe95e3b923 Mon, 15 Dec 2025 22:00:00 +0000 socialmedia@una.edu (Blake Ball, Lee Taylor) https://una-talks.simplecast.com/episodes/blakeball1-rulVNWaS What Pop Culture Teaches Us About Our History (featuring Dr. Blake Ball) Blake Ball, Lee Taylor 01:04:06 Today we meet Dr. Blake Ball, historian and author of "Charlie Brown's America: The Popular Politics of Peanuts." We discuss Dr. Ball's use of popular culture to bridge the gap of the collective consciousness of his students and the history of our country. Dr. Ball's approach to of framing history through the lens of what's on our televisions, in our newspapers, and on our phones shows how approachable history can be for anyone, and we are lucky to see into his mind as we discuss the overlap of comic books, television, and film with politics, headlines, and healthy discourse. Today we meet Dr. Blake Ball, historian and author of "Charlie Brown's America: The Popular Politics of Peanuts." We discuss Dr. Ball's use of popular culture to bridge the gap of the collective consciousness of his students and the history of our country. Dr. Ball's approach to of framing history through the lens of what's on our televisions, in our newspapers, and on our phones shows how approachable history can be for anyone, and we are lucky to see into his mind as we discuss the overlap of comic books, television, and film with politics, headlines, and healthy discourse. shoals, charlie brown's america: the popular politics of peanuts, case, university of north alabama, teaching, department of history, higher education, college of arts sciences and engineering, florence, history, una false full 8 752ff673-795f-45a0-9708-00fcb55185d2 Mon, 15 Dec 2025 21:10:00 +0000 socialmedia@una.edu (Lee Taylor, Rachel Winston) https://una-talks.simplecast.com/episodes/rachelwinston1-BXjYDD18 What Patients with Special Needs Can Teach Us About Ourselves (featuring Dr. Rachel Winston) Lee Taylor, Rachel Winston 00:49:14 Today, we are getting to know Dr. Rachel Winston, Director of Engagement & Access Initiatives for the Anderson College of Nursing & Health Professions. Rachel is a powerful advocate for the special needs community in the Shoals and a talented instructor. She shares her personal story of how she found her passion for working with people with special needs and how it informs her teaching every day. We also discuss the respite program at UNA, which benefits local families and nursing students alike. Today, we are getting to know Dr. Rachel Winston, Director of Engagement & Access Initiatives for the Anderson College of Nursing & Health Professions. Rachel is a powerful advocate for the special needs community in the Shoals and a talented instructor. She shares her personal story of how she found her passion for working with people with special needs and how it informs her teaching every day. We also discuss the respite program at UNA, which benefits local families and nursing students alike. una respite program, shoals, university of north alabama, teaching, higher education, anderson college of nursing & health professions, florence, special needs communities, engagement & access initiatives, una false full 7 ba8e45b3-eee4-4209-ada7-52a1e430f45d Mon, 15 Dec 2025 18:00:00 +0000 socialmedia@una.edu (Alisha Horky, Lee Taylor) https://una-talks.simplecast.com/episodes/alishahorky1-Mjykwobe What the Numbers Do and Don't Tell Us in Marketing (featuring Dr. Alisha Horky) Alisha Horky, Lee Taylor 00:55:14 In this episode, we welcome Dr. Alisha Horky, Associate Professor of Marketing at UNA’s Sanders College of Business and Technology. With over 15 years of professional experience spanning corporate retail, research, and higher education, Dr. Horky shares her journey from managing an outdoor retail store to shaping the next generation of marketers in the classroom. We discuss the evolution of marketing from early web development and retail management to advanced digital analytics and data-driven decision-making. Dr. Horky's passion for blending research with real-world application is on full display, and what makes UNA’s community-centered approach to education special. In this episode, we welcome Dr. Alisha Horky, Associate Professor of Marketing at UNA’s Sanders College of Business and Technology. With over 15 years of professional experience spanning corporate retail, research, and higher education, Dr. Horky shares her journey from managing an outdoor retail store to shaping the next generation of marketers in the classroom. We discuss the evolution of marketing from early web development and retail management to advanced digital analytics and data-driven decision-making. Dr. Horky's passion for blending research with real-world application is on full display, and what makes UNA’s community-centered approach to education special. college podcast, early web development, university of north alabama, corporate retail, una podcast, advanced digital analytics, higher education, sanders college of business and technology, data-driven decision-making, marketing, seo false full 6 4eeb8eee-e378-4147-b853-d311df67e287 Thu, 13 Nov 2025 16:30:00 +0000 socialmedia@una.edu (Eric Kirkman, Lee Taylor) https://una-talks.simplecast.com/episodes/erickirkman1-TqCjEtuE What Being a Principal While Being a Professor Teaches You (featuring Dr. Eric Kirkman) Eric Kirkman, Lee Taylor 01:00:26 We sit down and talk with Dr. Eric Kirkman, principal of Kilby Laboratory School and professor of instructional leadership at UNA. With more than 25 years of experience in education, Dr. Kirkman brings a wealth of insight into teaching, mentorship, and preparing the next generation of educators. Kilby Laboratory School functions as a living classroom for our aspiring teachers, offering ongoing, real-world practice. He also reflects on his full-circle journey from UNA student to campus leader, the unique culture of Kilby, and the life skills that matter just as much as academics when it comes to being an educator. We sit down and talk with Dr. Eric Kirkman, principal of Kilby Laboratory School and professor of instructional leadership at UNA. With more than 25 years of experience in education, Dr. Kirkman brings a wealth of insight into teaching, mentorship, and preparing the next generation of educators. Kilby Laboratory School functions as a living classroom for our aspiring teachers, offering ongoing, real-world practice. He also reflects on his full-circle journey from UNA student to campus leader, the unique culture of Kilby, and the life skills that matter just as much as academics when it comes to being an educator. kilby principal, elementary education, college of education and human sciences, instructional leadership, next gen educators, higher education, aspiring teachers, kilby laboratory school false full 5 a4ed36f3-6993-49ea-9cfa-662fd20709c3 Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:15:00 +0000 socialmedia@una.edu (Will Brewer, Lee Taylor) https://una-talks.simplecast.com/episodes/willbrewer1-nA9fgfwu What We Can Only Learn by Doing (featuring Dr. Will Brewer) Will Brewer, Lee Taylor 00:57:44 Dr. Will Brewer is a seasoned nurse with nearly every accolade in the profession to his name. As a UNA graduate, Dr. Brewer brings a great perspective in this episode by discussing how students learn best in nursing and the lengths he goes to help them learn. We also discuss UNA's powerful state-of-the-art simulation lab in detail and discuss the future of health care. Dr. Will Brewer is a seasoned nurse with nearly every accolade in the profession to his name. As a UNA graduate, Dr. Brewer brings a great perspective in this episode by discussing how students learn best in nursing and the lengths he goes to help them learn. We also discuss UNA's powerful state-of-the-art simulation lab in detail and discuss the future of health care. nursing, simulation, anderson college of nursing, una nursing, nursing simulation false full 4 dd2f77fc-3b29-44ad-84c1-c4a9271f04c4 Fri, 17 Oct 2025 15:00:00 +0000 socialmedia@una.edu (john paul white) https://una-talks.simplecast.com/episodes/johnpaulwhite1-7ZGswvRt What it's Really Like to Work in the Music Industry (featuring John Paul White) john paul white 01:08:18 Today, we talk to Grammy-winning songwriter and recording artist, co-owner of Single Lock Records, and (most notably 😉) UNA alumni and professor, John Paul White. John is one of the many crown jewels of the Muscle Shoals music legacy, and we are so lucky to have him teaching at UNA. His wisdom gained from real-world experience is imparted to emerging artists and entertainment majors every day at UNA, so we thought we would get a glimpse of it ourselves and talk about his amazing musical journey—the highs, the lows, and (mostly) the unexpected. Today, we talk to Grammy-winning songwriter and recording artist, co-owner of Single Lock Records, and (most notably 😉) UNA alumni and professor, John Paul White. John is one of the many crown jewels of the Muscle Shoals music legacy, and we are so lucky to have him teaching at UNA. His wisdom gained from real-world experience is imparted to emerging artists and entertainment majors every day at UNA, so we thought we would get a glimpse of it ourselves and talk about his amazing musical journey—the highs, the lows, and (mostly) the unexpected. entertainment industry degree, entertainment industry programs, entertainment industry una, john paul white, music publishing, the civil wars, entertainment industry, grammy, songwriting, music industry false full 3 876b7a18-f1c9-4624-931d-d060dc961834 Fri, 19 Sep 2025 20:30:00 +0000 socialmedia@una.edu (Lee Taylor, Natasha Lindsey) https://una-talks.simplecast.com/episodes/natashalindsey1-Y8KrvtQS What’s Changing About Online Education (featuring Dr. Natasha Lindsey) Lee Taylor, Natasha Lindsey 00:59:28 Today, we talk to Dr. Natasha Lindsey, one of UNA's leading experts in the emerging field of instructional design. Dr. Lindsey leads both the Bachelor's and Master's in Instructional Technology and Design program and helps teachers navigate online teaching and the practice of instructional design. We discuss online accessibility, technological barriers, challenges/obstacles in online education, and more! Today, we talk to Dr. Natasha Lindsey, one of UNA's leading experts in the emerging field of instructional design. Dr. Lindsey leads both the Bachelor's and Master's in Instructional Technology and Design program and helps teachers navigate online teaching and the practice of instructional design. We discuss online accessibility, technological barriers, challenges/obstacles in online education, and more! instructional design, corporate training, online teaching false full 2 da4bfdf4-423f-4dda-88e2-ad1b3b2913d8 Wed, 3 Sep 2025 20:00:00 +0000 socialmedia@una.edu (Justin Carter, University of North Alabama) https://una-talks.simplecast.com/episodes/justincarter1-WGvMZTKI What AI is Actually Good For (featuring Dr. Justin Carter) Justin Carter, University of North Alabama 00:51:40 For our inaugural episode, we sat down with Dr. Justin Carter, Associate Professor of Management in our Sanders College of Business and Technology. Dr. Carter is a community leader in discussions surrounding artificial intelligence and its use in modern research as well as its place in academia. For our inaugural episode, we sat down with Dr. Justin Carter, Associate Professor of Management in our Sanders College of Business and Technology. Dr. Carter is a community leader in discussions surrounding artificial intelligence and its use in modern research as well as its place in academia. ai, shoals, university of north alabama, online learning, business, higher ed, higher education, sanders college of business and technology, florence, management, artificial intelligence, academia, una false full 1