CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 02/23/21

UGA Extension podcast offers useful tips, entertaining conversations

By Maria M. Lameiras

Listening to University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agents Leslie Weaver and Carrie Vanderver on their new podcast, Two Agents and the FACS, is like sitting around chatting with friends — with the added benefit of learning something along the way.

The Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) agents — Weaver in Chatham County and Vanderver in Ware County — connected through Lisa Jordan, FACS program development coordinator for UGA Extension in the Southeast District.

“We’re in the same district and our PDC had meetings with us individually to see where we wanted to go with our programming,” said Weaver, who joined UGA Extension in September from Fort Valley State University Extension. “I talked about wanting to do a podcast and she said we should do one together.”

Although Vanderver, who has been with UGA Extension for about two and half years, credits Weaver with the podcast idea, the rapport between the women is genuine and apparent when they are holding “friendly discussions on reliable, relatable and research-based topics on real-life issues,” the tagline for the bimonthly podcast.

Posted on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, the podcast covers three related topics each episode, which so far have ranged from managing stress and saving money to self-care and keeping relationships healthy.

“We try to focus on basic FACS topics and we base it on the month to make them relatable for the time of year,” said Vanderver.

“We try to stay in our program areas, using our curriculum and the knowledge specialists we have access to, to give the public good information,” Weaver said.

The agents trade off each episode, with one taking the lead on the topic of discussion and the other playing the supporting role, chiming in with personal experiences and anecdotes that lend a conversational feel to the life lessons.

In a recent episode on saving money, Vanderver was discussing strategies for putting money aside while not feeling deprived, including treating yourself to something special on occasion while also putting away an equal amount in a savings account.

“I am not the best saver, so this is was a great topic for me to study up on,” Vanderver admitted at the opening of the episode. After listening to a number of strategies offered by her co-host, Weaver exclaimed, “We are changing lives with this podcast, mine included!”

Episodes range from 30 to 45 minutes — long enough to cover the topics, but not too long to listen to during a commute or while getting some exercise — another topic they’ve discussed. The tone is upbeat and the agents often share a laugh over their personal experiences.

“It’s something to listen to before work or to give you a quick boost for the day,” Weaver said.

Vanderver has created a Facebook page for the podcast that has so far garnered more than 300 followers, and the podcast is available on a range of platforms including Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic and Spotify.  

“People have been sharing the page and doing a lot of marketing for us,” said Vanderver. “We create a teaser post for each episode that we put on the Facebook page.”

While the agents each record the podcasts from their own counties, they spend a lot of time together virtually planning upcoming episodes and they have a full slate of episodes they look forward to producing for 2021.

“We like each other — that helps us enjoy it more,” Vanderver said.

For upcoming episodes and more, visit facebook.com/2AgentstheFACS. To get advice from UGA Extension agents in your county, visit extension.uga.edu/county-offices.

Maria M. Lameiras is a managing editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Authors:
Maria M. Lameiras
Experts/Sources:
Leslie Thomas
Carrie Vanderver
UGA Extension Family and Consumer Sciences agents Leslie Weaver (left) and Carrie Vanderver produce the bimonthly podcast Two Agents and the FACS to deliver "reliable, relatable and research-based" information to listeners.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Download Image
HurricaneHeleneGreenhouseDamageCropped CAES News
UGA Extension supports resilience in Georgia farm communities after Hurricane Helene 12/19/24 Emily Cabrera
Hurricane Helene wrought sweeping devastation across Georgia’s agricultural sector in late September, leaving an indelible mark on both the land and the people who tend it, bringing focus to vulnerabilities in Georgia’s farming industry and the need for more robust safety nets. In addition to the physical destruction, the hurricane took an emotional toll on Georgia’s farmers. In response, UGA Extension has prioritized mental health support.
Holidaydinner CAES News
Holiday food safety 101: Tips to avoid foodborne illness from UGA Extension experts 12/04/24 Jordan Powers
The holiday table: For many, it is the highlight of the season, packed with roast turkey, savory stuffing, homemade pies and perhaps a cold glass of eggnog. It is also a place where bacteria can linger, turning a holiday gathering into a very different type of party. As holiday menus are planned and grocery lists assembled, Carla Schwan, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension food safety specialist, urges home cooks to remember one key rule. Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
BabyEating CAES News
Early start, healthy futures: UGA Extension leads peanut allergy education 11/25/24 Emily Cabrera
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing peanut-containing products to infants as early as 4 to 6 months old, especially for children at high risk for allergies. But this information isn't reaching the public as it should. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Nutrition and Health Specialist Ali Berg is leading efforts to close this information gap.
The holiday season can be a time of anticipation and joy, but balancing multiple commitments and personalities across families and friends can be a source of stress for hosts and visitors alike. Like preparing parts of the meal ahead of time to spend more of the holiday with guests, taking time ahead of the day to set expectations can go a long way to ensuring enjoyable gatherings, said Ted Futris, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension specialist and professor of human development and family science in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. CAES News
Need help managing stress this holiday season? Try these 3 tips from UGA Extension 11/21/24 Maria M. Lameiras
The holiday season can be a time of anticipation and joy, but balancing multiple commitments and personalities across families and friends can be a source of stress for hosts and visitors alike. Much like preparing parts of the meal ahead of time allows you to spend more of the holiday with guests, setting expectations ahead of the celebration can go a long way to ensuring enjoyable gatherings, said Ted Futris, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension specialist and professor of human development and family science.
Women play a vital role in rural American farming, but much of that work is "invisible," like raising children or household chores, according to a new UGA study. (Getty Images) CAES News
The women and stress behind rural farming in America 11/19/24 Leigh Hataway
Recent research from the University of Georgia suggests the unique stresses from farm life may be taking a toll on one of the pillars of the families that make your dinners possible: the women who keep farming families running. “If we don’t control our food sources, we don’t control our health and safety,” said Anna Scheyett, lead author of the study and a professor in UGA’s School of Social Work. “It’s a matter of national security that farmers survive in the United States. And one of the big factors in helping farms survive is women.”
LiceCheck CAES News
A back-to-school guide to the nitty-gritty on head lice 08/12/24 Allison Johnson
As students return to school, head lice often become a common concern for administrators and parents. Understanding how to prevent and manage head lice infestations is crucial for maintaining healthy environments in schools and at home. Allison Johnson, the Pesticide Safety Education Program coordinator for the University of Georgia, provides essential information and advice to help mitigate the spread of this pesky pest.