Almost Heaven, Always Us

Most people think of Morgantown as just a college town. But what is it actually like to live here if you're not a student? In this episode, Corey and Kelsey talk about life in Morgantown after college: from raising a family and building a career to navigating game days, crowded grocery stores, and the surprising small-town feeling of a county with over 100,000 people. They also answer common q...

Winter in West Virginia just hits different. As January starts to close out and winter weather rolls through the Mountain State, life naturally slows down. In this episode, we lean into that quieter rhythm and talk about what winter really feels like here: from snow days and storms to comfort food, routines at home, and the way this season affects our mood. This is a cozy, sit-with-us conversation...

In this episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us, Corey runs through 10 things that just feel like West Virginia. From deer acting like they own the road, to Dollar Generals in places you least expect, to Walmart somehow being a social event —if you know, you know. And if you’re not from West Virginia… this might sound made up. It’s not.👇 Drop a comment with the ones we missed — because you know there...

2026 is shaping up to be a year that quietly locks in where the state is headed next . In this milestone Episode 50 of Almost Heaven, Always Us , we share five grounded predictions about what’s changing in West Virginia and how those changes will affect everyday life. We talk about: • Who’s actually moving into and out of West Virginia • Why internet access now matters more than roads • Which town...

Christmas in West Virginia isn’t just one tradition: it’s a season of life. In this episode, we talk about what Christmas looked like for us growing up in West Virginia and what it looks like for our family now. From driving through Christmas lights, church plays, hard-to-get gifts, and favorite songs and movies… to the quieter, more intentional Christmases we’re building today. These are our memo...

Every New Year's in Mannington, West Virginia, a WV Icon drops from the sky: a giant glowing pepperoni roll. In this episode of Almost Heaven Always Us, we sit down with Ben Kolb, the artist, teacher, and creative mind behind the Great West Virginia Pepperoni Roll Drop. We talk about:• How a small-town idea became one of WV’s biggest New Year’s traditions• The story behind Nativibes Studio &am...

West Virginia family gatherings are their own kind of chaos: comfort food, inside jokes, and a little drama all on the same table. 😂 We start with the funny stuff: the WV Gathering Starter Pack, the unspoken rules, and the family roles we all recognize… and then things get real. We talk about why family gatherings are getting harder, why they still matter, and what makes WV family time feel diffe...

West Virginia’s newest health movement has taken off, but who are the women actually promoting it? In this episode, we sit down with Kristie Tenney , Upshur County Commissioner and small-business owner, and Lauren Winans , singer-songwriter and host of 304 TODAY , to uncover the real story behind Mountaineer Mile , the statewide initiative encouraging every West Virginian to walk just one mile a d...

What if West Virginia actually took 30 counties from Virginia and Maryland? 👀 A WV State Senator just proposed it, and we’re breaking down what that really means. From the culture, to population and income changes to how far the new borders would stretch, we explore the facts and the “what ifs” behind a Mega West Virginia . Would “old WV” benefit more, or would the new counties gain the most? And...

We didn’t quit the podcast — we just got lost somewhere between Seneca Rocks and the Mason-Dixon Line. In this episode, we finally slow down and catch our breath. Corey hits the trails at Seneca Rocks, Spruce Knob, and Mason-Dixon Park while Kelsey soaks in the fall vibes at WV small towns and welcomes two new baby nephews. Somewhere between mountain views and family chaos, we both found that peac...

Six spooky stories with WV charm — and more laughs than screams. 👻 Join Corey and Kelsey around the fire for a not-so-scary night of West Virginia ghost stories, laughter, and local legend. From the Greenbrier Ghost to the haunted tunnels, valleys, and creeks hidden deep in the mountains, these tales mix history, humor, and a little mountain magic. 🔥 A cozy campfire episode from Almost Heaven, A...

West Virginia has stories worth telling — and Dusty Martin is one of the voices making sure the world hears them. As the Executive Director of Travel Berkeley Springs and one of the voices behind WV Travellers , Dusty sits down with Corey and Kelsey to talk about the future of West Virginia tourism , authentic storytelling in the digital age, and how small towns can shine on the big stage. From th...

Is it really illegal to whistle underwater in West Virginia? Did lawmakers ever declare the pepperoni roll our official state food? And what about the Black and Tan Coonhound — is it really the state dog? In this episode, Corey puts Kelsey to the test in a brand-new game: Almost Heaven or Almost Crazy? She has to guess True or False as we run through some of the most viral WV claims seen on TikTok...

From Bridge Day to pepperoni rolls, haunted prisons to glowing pumpkin houses — fall in West Virginia is packed with adventure. In this episode, we share 10 must-do activities that capture the best of the season. Add in small-town festivals, WVU football traditions, cozy cabin getaways, and of course — West Virginia’s iconic fall eats like pepperoni rolls, apple butter, and chili nights. Whether y...

What else defines West Virginia? In Part 2 of West Virginia Unpacked: 100 Things That Define Us , Corey and Kelsey share 50 more traditions, places, and stories that make the Mountain State unique. This episode dives into the outdoors, symbols, and legends that shape WV culture — from the New River Gorge Bridge and Dolly Sods to deer season, coal mining pride, WVU spirit, and even cryptids like th...

👽🎉 Seventy-three years ago, the Flatwoods Monster terrified a small West Virginia town. Today, “Braxxie” is a cultural icon with her own museum, roadside chairs, and even a birthday convention. In this episode, Corey and Kelsey explore how one night of panic in 1952 turned into decades of pride, tourism, and folklore. From the original sighting to Braxxie’s modern-day celebrity status, this is t...

What defines West Virginia? Is it the food, the music, the mountains, or the faith? In this episode of West Virginia Unpacked , Corey and Kelsey break down 100 things that define WV culture — from pepperoni rolls, coal mining, and small-town football to church potlucks, Appalachian music, and even ghost stories. This first half of the list explores the roots, identity, community traditions, and fo...

Mel Street had one of the most unforgettable voices in country music — gritty, emotional, and real. He was rising fast, topping charts, and becoming a honky-tonk icon. But behind the music was a deeper pain that too many people never saw coming. On his 43rd birthday, Mel Street took his life — just as his career was peaking. In this powerful episode, we sit down with his great-nephew, Joshua Stree...

Take a walk on the wild side with us at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center in French Creek! 🦬🐻 In this episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us, Corey and Kelsey share their visit to one of the Mountain State’s most affordable and family-friendly attractions. From spotting black bears and bison up close, to exploring the trails, and even tracking down what might be the best pepperoni roll in Wes...

The West Virginia State Fair 2025 just celebrated its 100th anniversary , and we went all-in to see if it really lives up to the hype. From fried food favorites like cinnamon rolls, strawberry shortcake, donuts, pizza, funnel cakes, nachos, and the famous corn on the cob… to midway rides that’ll test your stomach, adorable farm animals , and one-of-a-kind shows like Sea Lion Splash and the Moogici...

Join Corey and Kelsey as they uncover one of West Virginia’s best kept secrets — Audra State Park . Tucked away in the rolling hills of Barbour County, Audra offers a mix of adventure, history, and natural beauty that few places can match. In this episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us : We set up camp right on the Middle Fork River , with the kids riding bikes and scooters through the campground lik...

What will West Virginia look like 20 years from now? In this brutally honest episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us , Corey and Kelsey Kimble explore the future of West Virginia and what life could look like in 2045. From shrinking populations and aging communities to disappearing jobs and struggling small towns, we take a clear-eyed look at the challenges ahead — and where we still see hope. You’ll...

Ep31: West Virginia's Weirdest Toy Craze + “Am I the Jackwagon?” + Cryptids Write In To Reddit? We kick things off with a heated Appalachian family debate — Elkins' man writes in wondering if he’s the Jackwagon for refusing to lend his prized smoker to his sister-in-law. Selfish… or safeguarding the brisket? Then we dive into the creepiest-cute collectible craze sweeping West Virginia — La...

🎥 West Virginia Is AMAZING For These 30 Reasons! Welcome to the ultimate love letter to the Mountain State! Whether you’re a proud West Virginian or just caught feelings for Appalachia… this video breaks down 30 jaw-dropping, hilarious, heartfelt, and underrated reasons why West Virginia is one of the most unique places in America. From wild festivals and haunted asylums to towns of millionaires,...

What if the key to restoring your hometown… isn’t reinvention, but remembrance? In this episode, we visit Bramwell, West Virginia — once a coal boomtown, now a living example of what happens when people refuse to let their past be forgotten. At the heart of it all is Betty Goins, a lifelong resident who’s spent decades preserving the town’s beauty, history, and spirit. From millionaire mansions to...