Bluegrass Region Voices and Views

Episode 58 Stagefright, or even a little relunctance to stand up in a meeting and express ourselves, can be inhibit our growth and advancement in our jobs. Toastmaster is a perfect place to overcome that anxiety. I'll tell you about a great place to overcome all that here in Lexington, Kentucky. Bluegrass Region Voices and Views...hosting conversations with creative and inspiring people and spotlighting engaging activities, organizations, and places around the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. You can find complete show notes, links, and photographs on my website at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/club Thanks for listening. -Tom Hailey    

Episode 57 Greg Horn, Executive Director at Hope is Here in Lexington, Kentucky talks with me about overcoming desperation and some resources that are available to help. Links are in the show notes on my website. Bluegrass Region Voices and Views...hosting conversations with creative and inspiring people and spotlighting engaging activities, organizations, and places around the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. You can find complete show notes, links, and photographs on my website at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/hope Thanks for listening. -Tom Hailey      

Episode 56 Let's talk about the blue in The Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. Bluegrass Region Voices and Views...hosting conversations with creative and inspiring people and spotlighting engaging activities, organizations, and places around the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. You can find complete show notes, links, and photographs on my website at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/bluegrass Thanks for listening. -Tom Hailey            

Episode 55 If you're new around here Ramsey's Diners in Lexington Kentucky are a must experience for you. I'll tell you about it in this episode. Shownotes including pictures and links are at:  https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/ramsey Bluegrass Region Voices and Views...hosting conversations with creative and inspiring people and spotlighting engaging activities, organizations, and places around the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. You can find complete show notes, links, and photographs on my website at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com Thanks for listening. -Tom Hailey    

Episode 54 Happy New Year! I'll wind down 2024 and gear up for 2025. In under five minutes. Bluegrass Region Voices and Views...hosting conversations with creative and inspiring people and spotlighting engaging activities, organizations, and places around the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. You can find complete show notes, links, and photographs on my website at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/2025 Thanks for listening. -Tom Hailey    

Episode 53 You can get your I'm A Local card punched in Lexington, Kentucky by having lunch at Butch's Grill inside Critchfield Meats Family Market on Southland Drive. Hear about it here. Show notes including links and pictures are on my Bluegrass Region Voices and Views website here: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/grill/ Bluegrass Region Voices and Views...hosting conversations with creative and inspiring people and spotlighting engaging activities, organizations, and places around the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. Thanks for listening. -Tom Hailey  

Episode 52 Dad's Favorites Deli in Lexington Kentucky is a hidden gem you need to know about when you're looking for a lunch spot. I'll tell you about it in under five minutes. Bluegrass Region Voices and Views...hosting conversations with creative and inspiring people and spotlighting engaging activities, organizations, and places around the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. You can find complete show notes, links, and photographs on my website at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/dads Thanks for listening. -Tom Hailey My website is HERE        

Episode 51 The WEKU 88.9 radio segment titled Off the Beaten Path with Sam Dick is a must listen for anyone interested in the people and places around here that are very interesting and inspiring but that you likely don't know about. I'll tell you about it here and how you can listen. Bluegrass Region Voices and Views...hosting conversations with creative and inspiring people and spotlighting engaging activities, organizations, and places around the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. You can find complete show notes, links, and photographs on my website at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/path Thanks for listening. -Tom Hailey  My website homepage is HERE      

Episode 50 The Toyota Bluegrass Miracle League Fall 2024 season begins in September 2024. Listen as Rock Newman, a coach and board member, talks about how there are no barriers to playing baseball here in Lexington, Kentucky. From age 5 on, there are ways a person can play in spite of a special needs situation. Listen in under twelve minutes and possibly learn something that could change a life for the better. Bluegrass Region Voices and Views...hosting conversations with creative and inspiring people and spotlighting engaging activities, organizations, and places around the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. You can find complete show notes, links, and photographs on my website at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/miracle Thanks for listening. -Tom Hailey My website is HERE            

Episode 49 The DV8 Kitchen in Lexington, Kentucky is an amazing example of practical and effective love and support for people in recovery. Of course, this is also a blessing for their friends and families, and the entire community. And customers of these two restaurants get to enjoy truly excellent food and atmosphere. Listen as I outline the basics about this amazing locally owned business. Bluegrass Region Voices and Views...hosting conversations with creative and inspiring people and spotlighting engaging activities, organizations, and places around the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. You can find complete show notes, links, and photographs on my website at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/dv8 Thanks for listening. -Tom Hailey  

Episode 48 This episode shines a spotlight on The Keeneland Track Kitchen in Lexington, Kentucky. It's a perfect place to visit on your first day in Lexington. Have breakfast and then walk around the grounds. I'll tell you about it here. Show notes are at https://bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/track-kitchen Bluegrass Region Voices and Views...hosting conversations with creative and inspiring people and spotlighting engaging activities, organizations, and places around the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. You can find complete show notes, links, and photographs on my website at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com Thanks for listening. -Tom Hailey          

Episode 47 The Lexington Distillery District is a venue near downtown Lexington Kentucky that is well worth your time to visit. I'll tell you about it in this episode. Bluegrass Region Voices and Views...hosting conversations with creative and inspiring people and spotlighting engaging activities, organizations, and places around the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. You can find complete show notes, links, and photographs on my website at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/district Thanks for listening. -Tom Hailey        

Episode 46 The Arboretum is the State Botanical Garden of Kentucky. Learn about this local treasure that you'll enjoy experiencing and taking an out-of-town guest to see. Located in Lexington, Kentucky on the UK campus off of Alumni Drive. See the show notes at https://bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/arboretum/ Bluegrass Region Voices and Views...hosting conversations with creative and inspiring people and spotlighting engaging activities, organizations, and places around the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. The website with this and other podcasts, photographs, videos, and blog posts is at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com Thanks for listening. -Tom Hailey      

Episode 45 Let's take a break and a walk around the McConnell Springs Park and see where Lexington, Kentucky began. This twenty-six acre park on the NW side of Lexington inside New Circle Road off of Old Frankfort Pike is a beautiful place to visit and relax, and especially to take an out of town guest. Visit their website at https://mcconnellsprings.org/ for more information. Shownotes, links, and photographs for this episode #45 McConnell Springs Park - My Thoughts are on my website at:  https://bluegrassvoicesandviews.com/mcconnell/ Bluegrass Region Voices and Views...hosting conversations with creative and inspiring people and spotlighting engaging activities, organizations, and places around the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. You can find all my podcasts, photographs, videos, and blog posts on my website at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com Thanks for listening. -Tom Hailey      

Episode 44 McLeod's Coffee House on Southland Drive in Lexington, Kentucky is a wonderful "third space" to add to your list of special places to visit to hang out and get away from home and work for a little while.  Bluegrass Region Voices and Views...hosting conversations with creative and inspiring people and spotlighting engaging activities, organizations, and places around the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. You can find complete show notes, links, and photographs on my website at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/vip My website is HERE  Thanks for listening. -Tom Hailey  

Episode 43 I enjoy learning more about the Central Kentucky region and Eastern Kentucky by listening to the Eastern Standard radio program hosted by Tom Martin. You will probably enjoy it too. I'll tell you about it in this six minute episode. Bluegrass Region Voices and Views...hosting conversations with creative and inspiring people and spotlighting engaging activities, organizations, and places around the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. You can find complete show notes, links, and photographs on my website at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/eastern Thanks for listening. -Tom Hailey    

Episode 42 Instead of doing an interview show this busy month, I'm putting the spotlight on my favorite magazine. Kentucky Monthly. I think it is a Kentucky treasure. The show notes and links to more information are on my website at the link below. https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/kentucky-monthly/  

Episode 41 I enjoy being introduced to activities and cultures that I know little about and I'll bet you do too. I'm Tom Hailey and I have conversations with creative and inspiring people around the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. My guest is Kali Mattheus. She is the creator, host, and producer of the Foodies Reviewing Movies Podcast. Kali introduced me to things going on around Central Kentucky that I was not familiar with but that are now on my to do list for 2024. Drop in on our conversation as Kali is telling us where she was born and raised. You can find the complete show notes, photographs, and links to things we discussed on my webite by clicking HERE. or https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/kali  

Episode 40 We are surrounded by talent, creativity, and inspiration. Barbershop Harmony singing speaks to all of those traits. Here I talk with Kris Olson and Chase Miller about The Kentuckians Chorus Barbershop Harmony singing and especially about The Youth in Harmony Festival coming up on Saturday, November 18, 2023 in Lexington, Kentucky. Kris is the music director and Chase is an eighteen year old member of the group. We begin by getting to know a little about their backgrounds. Drop in on our conversation after I've asked Kris to tell us where he was born and raised. For complete show notes including pictures and links, go to my website by clicking HERE.

Episode 39 We have a real treasure here in Lexington. It's the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Kentucky. This conversation is with Lee Edgerton. Lee is serving as the Chair for the OLLI Lexington Advisory Board for the 2023 through 2024 term. We talk about its history and then the programming it offers such as the Donovan Scholarship Series, the Donovan Forum Series, and how the teachers are selected. We also talk a little about Toastmasters and Storytelling. There are links to the things and places we talk about on the website at https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/olli

Episode 38 Have you cosidered participating in a Mastermind Group? Or have you thought about organizing one yourself? Or maybe you've never heard of this concept, but you'd like to enhance your performance in some area of your work or personal life. My guest is Doug Semenick. Doug is a consultant, professional speaker, and workshop leader. He works out of Shelbyville, Kentucky. His primary focus is guiding companies in developing their leaders. One of his tools or processes involves forming Mastermind Groups. This conversation focuses on defining Mastermind Groups and the details about setting one up and participating in its operation. Drop in on our conversation after I've asked Doug to define a Mastermind Group. Show notes with pictures, video, and links are on my website at: Bluegrass Region Voices and Views / Mastermind https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/mastermind/    

Episode 37 As a suburban dweller with little experience in the wilderness, I'm fascinated by the story Buck Creacy tells in his new novel, AUI, an abbreviation for Almost Useless Information. It was a priviledge to get an advanced copy. Buck woke up one morning last December inspired to create this story that is set in the Smokey Mountains. In this episode we talk about story telling, the creative process, and some details from his life. The show notes including links and photographs are at: www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/aui/

Episode 36 Sylvia Lovely leads programs helping people learn to share the stories of their lives. She does this with events such as workshops and retreats, writing groups, listening sessions, focus groups, and book clubs. And she has a fascinating and inspiring story. We get into all of that in this episode taped in the Community Room at the Good Foods Co-op on Southland Drive in Lexington, Kentucky. The show notes including photographs and links are on my website HERE or at https://bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/sylvia/  

Episode 35 This is a conversation with Dr. Paschal Baute. He is a 93 year old blind veteran preparing to  launch a podcast named Grace, Grit, Hope. We talk about the aspects of his life that have led up to his interest in interviewing people who exemplify those three traits. Some of those activities are serving in the military, being a monk and Catholic Priest for sixteen years, being married for fifty-four years, raising a family, becoming a psycologist, and many other fascinating activties. Show notes are on my website at https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/paschal/

Episode 34 How wonderful would it be to hear your great grand parents voices telling stories about their lives? What about your grandparents? How neat would it be to have a recording of your own parents that you could listen to and share with your grandkids someday? In this episode I talk about how you can make sure that opportunity exists for your family to hear your voice and the voices of other family members for generations to come. https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/announcement  

Episode 33 This is a conversation with a HERO here in the Bluegrass Region. He is Orville Cook. Orville is the most senior firefighter in this area. We will celebrate his 93rd birthday in June 2023. We taped this conversation in his home in Georgetown Kentucky. Listen and be inspired and thankfull for the firefighters, and their spouses and familes. Shownotes and photographs are on my website at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/orville

Episode 32 I decided to not book a guest for November and December and to attempt a couple brief solo shows. In this episode I answer a few of the question I've gotten about my podcast. Show notes are on my Bluegrass Region Voices and Views website HERE.

Episode 31 Happy Thanksgiving! In this brief solo episode I list some reasons I'm thankful in the podcast space.  

Episode 30 My guest is Lexington based illustrator, artist, writer, poet, photographer, dramatist, pastor, missionary, and amazing Dad, Timothy Pack. This summer he published a children's book which he wrote and illustrated named Skacky - Adventures in Imagination. An autistic boy finds his voice. It's about the creative outlet his son, Josiah, developed that helped him communicate and interact with the world through his autism. We talk about autism, creativity, adventure, love, and living with purpose. Drop in on our conversation after I've asked Timothy to tell us where he was born and raised. Show notes, pictures, and links are on my website at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/pack/    

Episode 29 Here are a few interesting, and important, questions. How do you see yourself? What do you imagine, or dream, your life to be like? What do you want to accomplish? What impact do you want to have on your community, friends, and family? What would you do if you knew you could not fail? Do you know how to plan to succeed at making your dreams come true? My guest is Conway Stone from Louisville. He writes and presents on the topic of dreaming high and making those dreams come true. We get into many of the details of his process in this conversation.  We'll begin by warming up with some questions about his early years. Drop in our our conversation after I've asked Conway about where he was born and raised. Shownotes with links and photographs are on my website at Bluegrass Region Voices and Views

Episode 28 Retiring from a long and successful career can be challenging. We move from structured meaningful activities to, well, what? We can feel bored and restless. One solution is to volunteer at an organization serving the community and reinstate some structure and meaning into our lives. My guest is Rick Sebree and that is what he has done since retiring. In this conversation we focus on the Helping Through Him program and what Rick does there. By listening in on our conversation you might be inspired to find a volunteer activity in your community. For show notes including pictures, links, and contact information, visit my website at https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/sebree  

Episode 27 My guest is Jim Rogers of Unbridled Revenue. If you're a professional such as an architect, engineer, or construction executive, this conversation is definitely for you. You'll get ideas about steps you can take to move your career, and your firm, to the next level, and you'll learn that the earlier you start, the better. The clock is ticking, but it's never too late. Jim focuses on the A/E/C community however, other professional service providers such as attorneys and accountants can benefit as well. Show notes and links are on my website at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/rogers

Harley Cannon was born blind and blessed with musical talent and insight that is likewise a blessing to all who meet him and hear his story and his music. Shownotes are on my website HERE.

Episode 25 An important task for a leader is to identify and develop new leaders. My guest teaches how to do that. He is Doug Semenick. We talk about the principles involved with leaders developing leaders. I like to know a little about a person before getting into their subject matter, so we'll begin with me asking Doug about his early years. Links to his contact information and show notes are on my website at:  https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/semenick/

Episode 24 Some of our most important decisions are related to our jobs, careers, and retirement planning. In this episode I talk with Caroline Francis, Director of the University of Kentucky Alumni Career Services and a founder of the Central Kentucky Job Club. Drop in on our conversation as I ask her about her early years. Complete show notes are at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/careers  

Episode 23 F J Messina has published a new novel titled Imagine, A Tale of Faith and Courage in a Dangerous World. He is also working on book 6 in the Bluegrass Files mystery novel series which we discussed in Episode 7. In this conversation, we talk about his new novel, how it came about, and how you might benefit from reading it and passing it on to others. Show notes are on my website HERE.

Episode 22 Bobby Ricks has a deep background in law, law enforcement, teaching, training, and coaching that has led him to be an expert on critical thinking and decision-making. You'll be entertained, informed, and inspired. Show notes are on my website HERE.

Episode 21 Jenny Smith was paralyzed from the chest down in High School. In this episode, we talk about her life before the accident, what happened, and how she has rolled on since that morning to build a life that is making a difference around the world. Show notes at Bluegrass Region Voices and Views.

Episode 20 This is a tough episode to produce. It's in honor and memory of my great friend, Jerry Young. Jerry died this month, December 2021, from Covid. We met at Lexington Toastmasters in 1979 and enjoyed many adventures, lunches, and conversations over these 42 years. Jerry was the first guest on this podcast with Episode #1 posted on February 8, 2020. It was about storytelling. Jerry and I taped this conversation in January 2018. It's about his life including the accident that blinded him, lessons learned, and a life well-lived. You can see pictures and videos on my website at: Bluegrass Region Voices and Views Search for Episode #20 dated December 31, 2021.      

Episode 19 The right words make all the difference in a video or radio promotion as well as in a print advertisement or website landing page. Leo York of Leo York Copywriting, LLC is the guest on this episode. We talked about writing, and his hobbies which include exotic pets and studying paranormal stuff. For full show notes go to my website page and search for Episode 19 dated October 30, 2021. Bluegrass Region Voices and Views WEBSITE

Episode 18 "We exist to offer dignity to those with special needs, to offer inclusion to those often excluded, and to improve the community in which we serve." That is the Mission Statement for Mcleods Coffee House in Lexington, Kentucky. In this episode, I talk with Brewster Mcleod about how this beautiful and inspiring space came to be. Shownotes, photographs, and links are on my website at https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/ Search for Episode #18 dated 30 September 2021.

Episode 17 Sometimes we find ourselves at a crossroads and going off on a tangent is the best direction. How do we balance family and business for meaningful engagement, service, and income? What can you do when you have family that you love and customers and business associates that you value and who are in different states? Can you successfully have a "split living" arrangement? My guest is Z Newell and he has successfully navigated this issue. Show Notes are at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/

Episode 16 What would you do if your body was crushed and splintered, and your back was fried, after being slammed from your expensive high-tech racing wheelchair by a truck? Would you be able to recover and continue to race in a marathon in Japan?  My guest could and did. He is Paul Erway from Shelbyville, Kentucky. Next, he organized and endured a challenge to race in 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 weeks. Complete show notes including super photographs are on my website at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/

Episode 15 Radio Eye serves visually and print-impaired people by providing audio readings of a wide variety of publications. My guests on this episode are Amy Hatter, Executive Director, along with board member and volunteer, Alice Dehner. Show notes, links, and photographs are on our website at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/    

Episode 14 Where can you have the fun experience of playing baseball when you're in a wheelchair, use crutches, or have other special needs? The Toyota Bluegrass Miracle League might be what you're looking for. In this conversation with board member and coach, Rock Newman, we dive into the details about this life-changing program located in Lexington, Kentucky. For complete show notes along with photographs of the field and a Let's Drive video through Shillito Park, go to the show's website at bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com. Look for Episode 14 posted on May 31, 2021.    

Episode 13 If you enjoy the performing arts in person, you are in luck. The Lexington Opera House is now open. In this episode, I talk with their operations manager Tom Habermann. We get into the history, present, and future of this premier performing arts center that is registered on the National Register of Historic Places. Drop-in on our conversation as we talk about how Tom came to be the Operations Manager. To read the complete show notes and see some amazing 360 Google Photos, visit the show website at:  https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/

Episode 12 How does one go from being an introverted boy tinkering with farm equipment to creating an organization that helps science, technology, and engineering companies find their markets and sell their products and services? We'll find out in this conversation with Lexington entrepreneur Dwayne Buckles. Developing a STEM business growth coaching and consulting business has been an interesting and inspiring journey for Dwayne that contains lessons for all of us. Drop-in on our conversation as we talk about meeting at 6:30 a.m. in 2009 during the recession. More show notes are on my website at https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/    

Episode 11 Do you want to make a significant impact at work and in your personal life, or just sleepwalk through it all and check off some boxes? Our guest has given much thought and practice to living with purpose and being in alignment with his values. This practice begins with identifying what your values are. He includes the lessons learned in his workshops, books, recruiting business, and work as a Vistage Chair, along with his community, and family life. He is Michael Duke from Shelbyville, Kentucky. We’ll begin by talking about Michael’s background and then get into how we can understand our values and lead a significant life.

Episode 10 Have you wondered what you were thinking? Less than desirable results can be due to bad decisions. I’m talking with a decision performance expert who can guide us in ways to transform our thinking to get better results. He is Steve Haffner. We talk about his journey in becoming a magician, then a mentalist, and now a consultant, trainer, coach, and speaker helping individuals and organizations improve their performance results. Shownotes including pertinent links and photos are at: https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/

I Believe that the Toastmasters International club experience is THE BEST personal development program available today to learn and practice communications and leadership skills. I talk with three dedicated life-long Toastmasters leaders here in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky about the Toastmasters experience. They are Cynthia Lanham DTM, Steve Lanham DTM, and Rick Sebree DTM. Show notes and links are on my website at Bluegrass Region Voices and Views Join us as I ask them about the program and why they joined.

Episode 8 The HOPE is Here Today program was created to help people who are losing hope. Greg Horn created this non-profit program in 2017 after the suicide of a friend caused Greg to search for a way he could help people who are feeling life-threatening despair. We talk about how he himself suffered bankruptcy, loss of his business, loss of his home, and loss of his marriage in one day in 1997 and how he found hope to carry on. Complete show notes, links, and pictures are on my website at https://www.bluegrassregionvoicesandviews.com/