How Pop Culture Shapes Health

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 

Guest: Monica Mundy, PhD Assistant Extension Professor for Family and Community Health

Season 8, Episode 37

In this episode of Talking FACS, Dr. Monica Mundy, Assistant Extension Professor for Community and Family Health, chats with host Mindy McCulley, about what pop culture is and how it influences health.

Topics include definitions and examples of pop culture (TV, music, social media, influencers), positive influences like Let’s Move and TV story lines that open dialogue about mental health, and negative impacts such as youth vaping and fad diets. The episode highlights memorable public-health moments in pop culture and how they shape awareness and behavior.

Dr. Mundy discusses practical ways communities can harness pop culture for health promotion—partnering with local influencers, using music, art, film, salons and barbershops for outreach, and small grassroots campaigns like the Be Kind initiative.

Listeners can expect a concise, research-informed conversation with actionable ideas for using everyday culture to normalize healthy behaviors and engage communities.

Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.

Kentucky Extension Offices

UK FCS Extension

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