For the past several years, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension has sought innovative ways to retain our established audiences with timely and relevant information while reaching new and unique audiences at the same time.  The Talking FACS (Family And Consumer Sciences) podcast has accomplished both these goals.  Fifty-two regular episodes were produced and broadcast during the year, along with eight special edition episodes, for a total release of 60 shows. Show topics address family and consumer sciences issues related to family, food, finances, and fitness.  The show is broadcast from our host site on Podbean to all the major podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify and SoundCloud.

Our Assistant Director is the host and our specialists serve as the guest contributors for each show providing researched based information on a given topic.  In addition to Family and Consumer Sciences specialists, we have utilized a couple of Agriculture and Natural Resource Specialists with information relevant to the show, such as genetically modified foods and water conservation and quality episodes.  Partnering with Alumni and Career Services has given us the opportunity to provide a series of shows based on job searches for a variety of situations.  Finally, we have partnered across campus with the Markey Cancer Center to provide special edition episodes related to cancer research, prevention, treatment, and survivorship.

During FY2019 The Talking FACS podcast was accessed nearly 153,000 times. Listeners have the opportunity to download a particular episode or subscribe to the show.  Once listeners subscribe, they receive each episode upon release directly on their personal device.  With more than 6,000 regular subscribers, the downloads continue to increase with the release of each new episode.

Extension agents have access to the entire library of episodes and can publish a particular episode on their social media channels at any time.  This gives them the freedom to share an episode in advance of a related program to generate interest or to encourage further study after a program has been presented.