Kentucky Wesleyan College

In Episode 3 of the Barrier Breakers Podcast, host Lori Thurman, a proud 1994 graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan College, sits down with Sam Hardesty, a junior English major at KWC. Sam shares his personal journey as a student with a disability and reflects on how being different has shaped his educational experience and personal growth. Throughout the episode, Sam discusses his involvement on campus, including his work with WKWC, Student Government Association, and Prism. He speaks candidly about when he first realized he was different from other children and how that realization influenced his confidence, resilience, and advocacy. Sam highlights accomplishments he is most proud of and offers thoughtful advice he would give to his younger self, emphasizing self-acceptance and perseverance. The conversation also explores the challenges students with disabilities face in educational settings. Sam shares insights into how disability has impacted his academic journey and what he wishes educators and professors better understood about accessibility, respect, and inclusion. He addresses moments of vulnerability, including whether people have attempted to take advantage of him, and reflects on experiences that shaped his sense of independence. Sam identifies the best decision he has made at Kentucky Wesleyan College and offers meaningful advice to new students with disabilities navigating college life. He closes the episode by discussing his goals after graduation and his passion for advocacy, particularly for underrepresented and minority communities on campus. This episode highlights Sam Hardesty’s powerful voice as a student leader and advocate, reinforcing the Barrier Breakers mission of amplifying lived experiences and fostering a more inclusive campus community.

In today’s episode, we are so excited to hear from a very special person in our program, Payton Blakemore. She is our student manager and has been for the past year. You get to hear about her and learn about how awesome of a person she is. She is a sophomore at KWC and is also on the cheer team. Listen in to get to know Payton!

Join Kentucky Wesleyan College Disabilities Services and Title IX Coordinator, Lori Thurman as she sits down with 2013 KWC graduate, Lauren Goffinet. We will talk about her time as a student athlete at Kentucky Wesleyan. On the court, she was a force—Second Team All-GLVC, the team’s leading scorer with 11.8 points per game, top three-point shooter, and the player who logged more minutes than anyone else. From a 23-point performance in the NCAA Midwest Regional to a career-high 11 rebounds at Quincy, Lauren delivered again and again. She led the team in double-figure scoring games, steals, blocks, rebounds—truly an all-around competitor. We’ll also dive into some deeper issues: equity in women’s sports, her experiences as a female athlete, her coaching journey, and the advice she offers to the young women she mentors. And with two beautiful daughters of her own, we’ll ask what she hopes the world looks like by the time they become young women.

In this episode, we’re balancing the chaos of finals week with the excitement of Christmas break. We chat about end-of-semester stress, upcoming holiday plans, and the traditions we look forward to every year. Plus, we dive into a rapid-fire round of Christmas questions, laugh about our experiences with Elf on the Shelf, and share some of our favorite festive memories. It’s the perfect mix of cozy holiday vibe and college reality!

Tune in to hear from a few more freshmen, Georgia Acompanado and Hilary Shikuku. These two teammates are also roommates and they share with us their thoughts and adventures they have endured as basketball players. From overcoming injuries to moving away from home, they give us a look into their experiences here at Kentucky Wesleyan.

In this episode, we catch up on everything that’s been happening lately—starting with the excitement of being in a pageant and what that experience was really like. We also talk about celebrating my birthday, how Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving break went, and all the chaotic, funny moments that came with the holidays. Somehow we even end up talking about Twilight and why it’s still such a cultural reset. And of course, we wrap up with the stress and survival tips for finals week as we move into the end of the semester. It’s a laid-back, catch-up episode with lots of stories, laughs, and random side tangents.

Tune in to hear from a few players who also get to play with their sisters. We have three freshman joining us today to talk about their experiences as sisters and teammates. Avah Montgomery, Alexis Shehan, and Samantha Shehan talk about what it’s like having a family member along side their journey and how they have grown over the first few months here at Kentucky Wesleyan. They even disclose some behind the scenes observations of their teammates.

In today’s episode we get to learn about a couple of our Kentucky freshman, Lillian Hoagland and Ella Finley. They speak upon their adventures as freshman and their life experiences that have led them to Kentucky Wesleyan and playing college basketball.

In the debut episode of Barrier Breakers, host Lori Thurman sits down with BJ Burton, a 1989 graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan College whose life and work embody resilience, innovation, and service. Burton shares the story of his entrepreneurial journey, detailing the businesses he founded and the principles that guided him along the way. He offers an honest look at how living with a disability shaped both his personal outlook and professional path, emphasizing perseverance, self-advocacy, and the importance of building supportive communities. The conversation also highlights Burton’s deep commitment to philanthropy. He reflects on the initiatives he supports, why giving back matters to him, and how his own experiences inspired a lifelong dedication to helping others overcome obstacles. Throughout the episode, Burton fondly revisits his time at KWC—recalling formative relationships, impactful professors, and memorable campus moments that influenced his trajectory long after graduation. His reflections blend humor, gratitude, and insight, providing listeners with an inspiring portrait of the lasting value of connection and community. Barrier Breakers launches its series with a compelling, heartfelt conversation that encourages listeners to view challenges not as limitations, but as opportunities to create meaningful impact.

Tune in today to hear from two of our international players: Iratxe Amorrortu Sainz and Ricky Kapteijn. Iratxe comes to us from Tenerife, Spain which is part of the Canary Islands and Ricky hails from Amsterdam, Netherlands. We get to learn about their American adventures and first year Wesleyan experiences.

How does Gen Z experience spirituality? Raffa and Lucy are two students at Kentucky Wesleyan College. They are both involved with Campus Ministries and have done a lot of reflection in their faith.

Former co-host Brayden Jennings returns to discuss the longest shutdown in U.S. government history, the American Empire, economics, and voting rights.

Orpheus is joined by a very special guest who reached out to be on the show; Jacob Ward, who is a science and technology journalist. They discuss an overview of the difficulties of AI and how it affects us with an insight to his views on the matter as the last episode to this series covering artificial intelligence.

In this week’s episode, we are joined by our three returning sophomores: Emma Bruwer, Carson Sisk, and Lena Stinebrickner. Listen as they discuss their hopes for year 2 for them, their views on the team and they even give some lowdown on their teammates.

How does service impact your life? How can we be open and have grace with others? Today's guest is Lori Thurman! She is Title IX and disabilities coordinator at Kentucky Wesleyan College. Lori talks about her experiences as part of the Salvation Army.

In today's episode, Riley talks about the mental side of performance- anxiety, confidence, and learning how to take care of her mind. This short episode serves as a reminder that your sport (or whatever you do) doesn't define you. At the end of the day, winning starts in your head.

Welcome back to The Inside Game! Join Kentucky Wesleyan Women’s Basketball Coach, Nicole Nieman along with their three seniors: Vilborg Jonsdottir, Myah Montgomery, and Riley Neal. Together they discuss their journeys through basketball, the upcoming season, and even give some scoop on their teammates.

In this episode of Headcanon, the podcast where we psychoanalyze your favorite fictional stories until they feel a bit too real, we dive deep into the hit psychological thriller YOU and unpack the twisted perspective of Joe Goldberg and his thought processes. Why do some root for Joe even when he crosses the line of morality? How does the show mirror real-world attachment dynamics and toxic love cycles? Join us as we mix pop culture with psychology- analyzing love, control, and connection! Podcast Cover by Dime Pierson

How does community impact your life? How does trauma effect your spiritual or religious journey? In this episode Dr Jim Coleman, pastor at Wesleyan Heights United Methodist Church and professor of religion at Kentucky Wesleyan College, talks about his faith and how critical community is to his religious experiences. This is the Soul Purpose Podcast with Sam Hardesty.

This episode Orpheus covers Ai art, image and video generation. He is accompanied by a long friend who also happens to be an art major, Katie Pierce, to discuss.