Mountaineer Media Podcast

For the last four years, Mountaineer Media has been a space to share compelling stories, voices, and perspectives about West Virginia—a way to celebrate what it means to be from the Mountain State. From the podcast to our social media and the Almost Heaven Classic, our platform has been a tribute to our roots and the pride we share. We're incredibly grateful for every story we've had the privilege...

In the final episode of our three-part series, The Golden Bear Way, we dive deep into WVU Tech’s impact and future, specifically through the lens of their Construction Management program. We're joined by Dr. Kase Poling, assistant professor and expert in disaster response and infrastructure recovery, to discuss how communities rebuild after natural disasters—an especially timely topic following th...

Welcome to Part Two of The Golden Bear Way , a special three-part series exploring the past, present, and future of West Virginia University Tech. Situated in the heart of the New River Gorge, WVU Tech is quickly becoming one of the state's most dynamic institutions. In this episode, we highlight how Tech combines academic excellence with the natural beauty and abundant opportunities of the re...

Welcome to Mountaineer Media's special three-part storytelling series, "The Golden Bear Way." This series explores WVU Tech's past, present, and future, highlighting the program's most important initiatives and how it's using the breathtaking backdrop of the New River Gorge to tell its story. To kick off the series, we speak with President T. Ramon Stuart, the program&#39...

In this episode of the Mountaineer Media Podcast, CJ and Cooper look ahead to the Almost Heaven Classic, our highly anticipated two-day event set in the New River Gorge Region. Plus, we share updates on our recent experiences, including Cooper's major move to Colorado.  We primarily discuss the details of the AHC, which is set for June 7th and 8th. At this event, we'll blend professional n...

Kate Boytek is a singer, songwriter from Logan who's made a name for herself as one of the country's standout independent female country artists. In the last year, she's headlined her first sold-out theater show, played numerous casino gigs, and performed on the main stage at several fairs and festivals, including appearances at the Down N' Dirty Fest, The Summer Shindig, Live On T...

Olubunmi “Bunmi” Kusimo-Frazier is a distinguished trial lawyer and public speaker. In this episode, we discuss: How the art of storytelling is a necessity in the courtroom Advocating for underrepresented members of society Differences between what you see on TV versus real life How she found the spiritual practice of Hoodoo Black Empire Productions, which showcases diverse theatre and video exper...

Tiffany Crum is a Supportive Counselor at WVU Medicine Thomas Hospital, where she aids patients battling substance use disorder. She is an example of the power of recovery and is celebrating two years of sobriety—but the journey was far from easy. In this episode, we discuss how she overcame the most difficult challenges, including beating addiction and regaining custody of her three kids. Her pas...

Beverly White is the Mayor of Lewisburg and a lifelong resident of Greenbrier County.  Her election as mayor in 2019 marked a historic moment, as she was the first Black Mayor in the City of Lewisburg. This underlined the city's progress towards inclusivity, which, along with many other initiatives, was highlighted by its recognition as West Virginia's most inclusive city by WV Living in 2...

J.D. Belcher is the producer of a new podcast mini-series titled "UBB: A Coal Miner's Story," which offers a detailed exploration of the tragic Upper Big Branch Mine disaster in April 2010. The three-chapter series examines the event, its investigation, and its lasting effects on the community and the mining industry. You can listen to it here. Previously a miner, Belcher has transit...

James Carnes is the co-founder of Iconic Air, a software company using artificial intelligence to monitor oil and gas companies' emissions reporting, cutting down on redundant operations and helping meet emissions targets. Carnes and his partner, Kyle Gillis, have since drawn accolades for their groundbreaking work, having been named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list as energy innovators for 2021...

EJ Price is a prominent DJ renowned throughout West Virginia for his expertise and proficiency behind the turntables.  We have grown a close bond with DJEJ , who was instrumental (no pun intended) in the success of our inaugural Almost Heaven Classic at Canaan Valley. We highly recommend engaging with his work and following his social media presence for updates and insights: Facebook: @playdjej In...

Josh Lewis is the founder of Grind Time Creative and Grind Time Training, both based in Charleston. Although not born in West Virginia, Josh is deeply rooted in Mountain State culture and has become a beloved community member through his decades of creative and passionate storytelling. Many people throughout the Kanawha Valley and beyond will recognize Josh as a former Sports Anchor at WCHS-TV, wh...

Andrew Caridi is the Director of Broadcasting for West Virginia University Athletics. In this role, he hosts pre- and postgame shows for Mountaineer football and serves as the lead play-by-play personality for baseball and women's basketball. In this episode, we discuss the current state of WVU athletics, the recent turmoil surrounding a few of the program's coaches, and the largest differ...

Kevin Sizemore is a well-known actor who has appeared in numerous popular TV shows and Hollywood movies. The Princeton, West Virginia native's impressive resume includes appearances in several hit shows, such as Fear the Walking Dead, Resurrection, Under the Dome, and NCIS: Los Angeles. He has also starred in movies like Woodlawn, Miracle at Gate 213, and A Christmas Tree Miracle, filmed in We...

Peyton Ballard is the founder of Ballard Consulting Group and the Chief Executive Officer for Bluebirding, an innovative mobile application designed to empower private landowners to monetize their properties for outdoor recreation. The app, when in the entire operation, will be similar to Airbnb but for outdoor recreation. In 2020, Peyton was brought on by the New River Gorge Regional Development...

In this final episode of the Mountaineer Media Podcast for 2023, we review this season's fantastic list of West Virginia guests and share some behind-the-scenes stories about the podcast's production. Plus, we look back at some of our biggest accomplishments, including hosting the inaugural Almost Heaven Classic at Canaan Valley and how our digital footprint exceeded our expectations. Tune...

Jason Tartt is the founder of Appalachian Gold Foods, a name that nods to the region's agricultural potential because of its fertile soil and loving people. Dedicated to boosting the economy, Tartt sees McDowell County as a potential economic powerhouse for food, agriculture, clean energy, tourism, and community health. As an entrepreneur and farmer, Tartt creates training programs for those a...

Hola everybody! C.J. and Cooper here—Just wanted to let you know we're taking a small break from the podcast as Cooper prepares to get married in Mexico! If you see our socials using #MountaineersInMexico, at least you'll understand the joke. However, there's still plenty of bubbling nonsense and housekeeping items to discuss, so strap in for another fun episode. We'll have a few m...

Bugs Stover is a celebrated paranormal storyteller in Southern West Virginia, which is exactly what we dive into during this episode of the podcast. Buggs shares several of his favorite ghost stories, mostly related to Twin Falls Resort State Park in Wyoming County. He also shares his thoughts on the power of traditional storytelling, sitting around a campfire and telling stories—somewhat of a los...

Cheryl Laws is the Founder and CEO of Pollen8 , a nonprofit dedicated to assisting women on their journey to recovery from substance use disorder. Her unwavering commitment to empowering women in West Virginia is exemplified through various initiatives, such as the Appalachian Behavioral Healthcare Center and innovative social enterprises like Cafe Appalachia. Pollen8 programs and social enterpris...

David Sibray is the publisher and editor-in-chief of West Virginia Explorer Magazine and has dedicated his life to promoting the great things happening around West Virginia. He first developed the magazine in the late 90s and has since built it into one of the top digital publications in the state, sharing stories and news headlines, while also guiding people to many of the unique locations hidden...

Darrell Utt is the Chief of Operations for the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation and a distinguished Special Forces and Green Berets veteran. Check it out here: https://mohmuseum.org/ He retired from the Army with 26 years of service and now dedicates his days to promoting the legacy of Medal of Honor recipients—a distinction earned by less than 0.01% of service members. Since leaving the...

Kelsey Riggi is the Director of Special Projects and Strategic Growth at Libera , a nonprofit addressing the societal pressures that prevent women and teens from reaching their full potential, specifically in West Virginia. Libera's programs promote connection, provide resources, and change lives through listening groups, care packs for kids, and visitations to schools, foster homes, detention...

Justin Williams and Ashley Stinnett are the founders of the Film Futures Foundation, a nonprofit connecting the movie industry to Appalachia. Their work provides access to filmmaking resources, education, and opportunities, fostering a vibrant and inclusive film community in an underserved region. With the reestablishment of the West Virginia Film Tax Credit in 2022, the Mountain State is one of t...