Almost Heaven, Always Us

Join us on an unforgettable journey to Bramwell, West Virginia — once home to more millionaires per capita than anywhere else in America! In this episode, we explore what makes this tiny Appalachia town one of the Mountain State’s most fascinating hidden gems. From Gilded Age mansions to ATV culture, peaceful streets to deep coal heritage, Bramwell offers a blend of history and adventure that feel...

In this episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us, we share our personal journey across five West Virginia towns—Petersburg, Scherr, Keyser, Huntington, and Morgantown (twice)—and how each one helped shape our relationship, our identity, and eventually this podcast. Whether you're from the Mountain State or just curious about what it's like to live in West Virginia, this is a real, heartfelt loo...

We’re tackling the question that’s divided West Virginians for decades:Is the Eastern Panhandle really part of West Virginia? 🤔 Spoiler: We say yes! We risk it all and visit Reddit 🤯 to try to figure out if the Eastern Panhandle really belongs to WV 🏔️ or if it’s basically Maryland in disguise 👀. And Reddit responds with Big opinions, wild comments😤 and one mysterious troll who might know us p...

If you know, you know!...You ever been personally victimized by a WV pothole? Or judged a stranger based solely on where they get their pepperoni rolls? Or played cornhole at a wedding, while wearing camo and singing country roads? Then this list is for you. In our 25th episode, we’re counting down 25 things only true West Virginians understand—the inside jokes, funny habits, and hometown truths t...

Big Ugly. Booger Hole. Odd. Yes, these are real places in West Virginia—and they’re just the beginning. In this episode, we rank the strangest, funniest, and most head-scratching community names in the Mountain State. From the haunted hills of Booger Hole to the tasty tale behind Pie, WV, we’re exploring the wild side of West Virginia geography. This episode will have you laughing, cringing, and g...

Don’t let summer slip away — this is your ultimate West Virginia bucket list. From mountain festivals to river floats, pepperoni rolls to porch sittin’ — we’re giving you 10 unforgettable ways to make the most of Almost Heaven this summer. Whether you're a lifelong local or just passing through, this guide is packed with real places, real dates, and real WV charm.✅ Festivals you can’t miss✅...

What do people REALLY want to know about West Virginia? From moonshine and Mothman to pepperoni rolls and country roads, this episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us is your one-stop-shop for the most Googled, misunderstood, and downright hilarious questions people ask about life in the Mountain State. We brought in our Montana-born friend to read off real questions from outsiders — and we answered th...

Chad Nicholson is on a mission to visit all 55 counties in West Virginia—with his wife and kids in tow. In this episode, we sit down with Chad, a Morgantown dad and logger, who’s already explored 47 counties and uncovered some of the Mountain State’s best-kept secrets. From backroad gems to unforgettable food spots, Chad shares the stories, laughs, and lessons learned from the road. Whether you&#3...

🔥 “You Might Be From WV If…” | 20 Hilarious Signs You’re a True West Virginian 🔥Are you a Mountain State native or just passing through? In our 20th episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us, we’re counting down 20 unmistakable signs you were born and raised in West Virginia. From floating the river in a tube to swearing sweet tea is a human right—this one’s packed with laughs, nostalgia, and all the...

We’re putting WV’s strangest legends head-to-head! In this episode, we draft our teams from the state’s most famous (and infamous) monsters, then simulate a battle to find out who comes out on top. Who gets Mothman? Who drafts Sheepsquatch? Will Bigfoot carry the squad, or does Flatwoods Monster float to victory? Grab a snack and join us for this hilarious, over-the-top showdown—then cast your vot...

They Swear It Happened Five stories from the hills of West Virginia. Three are absolutely true. Two are completely made up. In this special episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us , I present five wild, mysterious, and dramatic stories pulled from West Virginia’s folklore, history, and imagination. My wife has to guess which ones are real — and which ones I cooked up. We’ve got: • A woman who came bac...

55 Counties, 55 Voice Series: Monongalia CountyWhat happens when someone follows a calling to a place they barely know? In this episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us, we sit down with Pastor Jason Sheffstall, who moved to Monongalia County over 20 years ago and founded more than just a church — he found purpose, community, and a home in the hills of West Virginia. We talk about what makes Mon County...

We taste-tested some of the wildest West Virginia chip flavors ever created — and yes, one of them is literally MOTHMAN flavored. 🦇From Biscuits & Gravy to Pepperoni Roll, and even mysterious flavors like "304 Style" and "1951 Recipe", we put these legendary Mister Bee chips to the test and tier-ranked them for all of WV to judge. Things got heated, our taste buds got conf...

🎶West Virginia has a rich musical heritage, and few capture its soul quite like Joe Crites. A singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Petersburg, WV, Joe weaves the stories of the Mountain State into his songs, making every lyric feel like home. In this episode, we dive into Joe’s journey—from his early days in music to performing on local stages and writing songs that embody the heart of West Vir...

The first county in our 55 Counties, 55 Voices Series! Pendleton County: Interview with Annie HumesWelcome to the first stop on our journey across West Virginia! In this episode of 'Almost Heaven, Always Us' we visit Pendleton County and sit down with Annie Humes, a passionate community advocate dedicated to organizing festivals and helping small businesses thrive. From bringing people together th...

WV's Capital City – Why It Should Be on Your Travel List! 🏛️🎶Thinking about visiting Charleston, West Virginia? We took a deep dive into the state's capital, exploring the WV State Museum, the iconic Capitol building, and wrapped up the day with an unforgettable concert experience! 🎸🎭In this episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us, we break down:✅ The must-see exhibits at the West Virginia...

In this episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us, we are uncovering the state’s favorite pop....or is it soda? We embrace a true West Virginia classic—debating pop vs. soda, and we reminisce about birthday parties. Inspired by the legendary words of my father-in-law, who always said, “All I want is a red pop and a hog sandwich,” we lean into nostalgia, humor, and local culture. We also dive into listen...

"Think West Virginia is just mountains, coal mines, and country accents? Think again! In this episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us, we’re busting the funniest and most ridiculous misconceptions people have about West Virginia. From the classic ‘Is West Virginia part of Virginia?’ to ‘Does everyone work in a coal mine?’—we’re breaking it all down with humor, personal stories, and a whole lot of...

Growing up in West Virginia meant finding creative ways to entertain ourselves—like finding old cars deep in the woods and... destroying them. In this episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us, we take a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the chaos and mischief of our childhood. We also share secret confessions that we have never told publicly...like the time Corey's car got towed while sneaking i...

🔴 WV’s Last Trip to the Gallows: From Crime to Carnival | Almost Heaven, Always Us Podcast (Episode 9) 🎙️West Virginia’s last public hanging wasn’t just an execution—it was a spectacle. Thousands of people gathered in Ripley, WV, on December 16, 1897, to witness the execution of John F. Morgan, a convicted murderer whose crimes shocked the state. But what was meant to be justice turned into a car...

🚨 West Virginia: Fact or Fiction? 🚨 In this episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us, we put each other to the test with a fun and competitive round of West Virginia Fact or Fiction! 🤔💭 From legendary cryptids like the Mothman and Flatwoods Monster to wild WV laws and historical trivia, we challenge each other on what’s real and what’s just a tall tale. 🏔️ Do you know your West Virginia history as...

From Montana to Mountaineer Country | Almost Heaven, Always Us Podcast In this episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us, we sit down with our good friend Jared, who made the exciting move from Montana to West Virginia. Join us as we dive into his story of why he chose the Mountain State, what he loves about it, and how the culture and people won him over. We keep things lighthearted and fun as we chat...

Step into the world of West Virginia's most mysterious legends and folklore as we sit down with the owner of The Thrifty Mountaineer! In this special episode, we take you inside his one-of-a-kind shop, filled with unique cryptid merchandise, from Mothman plushies and Flatwoods Monster tees to all kinds of exciting thrift store finds. Join us as we chat about: 👽 The origins of The Thrifty Moun...

Step into the misty hills of Greenbrier County, West Virginia, as we unravel one of the most chilling and fascinating tales in Appalachian folklore, the story of the Greenbrier Ghost. In this episode, we dive into the mysterious death of Zona Heaster Shue in 1897 and the supernatural testimony that helped convict her murderer. Was it truly her ghost that appeared to her mother, or was it a mother'...

We talk about WV's Taj Mahal, the palace of Gold near Moundsville, WV. Kelsey tells the backstory of how New Vrindaban and the beautiful Prabhupada's Palace of Gold were created. And we wonder if the kids will ever return to school as the winter storms extend their Christmas break.