Appalachia Meets World

Continuing Recovery Month! In this episode Neil and Will sit down with the Director of Reentry and Employment Services Branch of the Commonwealth of Kentucky - Mr. Aaron Poynter.  Led by Aaron, Kentucky’s Reentry program is getting national attention for its success and rapid adoption.  From a Police Officer to Workforce Development, Aaron has built his career on the backs of Giants who have guide...

It's a Rocky Mountain High with the monthly Economic Recovery Corps Fellows "Spin and Chat!" In this episode, Neil and Will sit down with ERC Fellow Sasha Nelson and Hosts John Bristol with the Routt County Economic Development Partnership and Christine Rambo with the Northwest Colorado Development Council.  As a region that has a history of coal production, there's no surprise they speak about th...

It's National Recovery Month! In this episode, Neil and Will sit down with Dr. Daniel Moore and Sarah Laurel, two experts on chronic hepatitis C (HCV) and the link to injection drug use.  While not from the region, they speak specifically about the health effects of this in Appalachia.  Leading into National Recovery Month in September, the numbers of this disease are staggering.  Approximately 2....

It's the most wonderful time of the year...it's football time in the Mountains!  You can smell it in the air! In our annual kickoff to football episode, Neil and Will sit down with an icon in High School Mountain Football lore - Coach John Hines.  In a turn of events of the past year, Coach Hines left a storied tradition he built in one small community in Appalachia to now lead another mountain co...

In this episode - it's totally different! (Sorry for the hiatus last week - a bit of a reprieve for the end of summer) This episode is not like the others...Neil and Will get the tables turned and become the interviewees.  Mick flips the script and allows the listeners to get to know Neil and Will a little better and see how they think in general, and about each other.  Being on the other side of...

This episode is a throwback in honor of the last "Country Music Highway Tribute Show" of the year (put on by Shaping Our Appalachian Region - or SOAR)!!  The final CMH Tribute Show is taking place in Ashland, KY on August 2nd and 3rd!  One of the headliners is an old guest of ours - Corduroy Brown!  If you didn't listen to the episode previously, we got you covered with this throwback!  His style...

In this special episode Neil and Will reveal a story published by West Virginia Public Broadcasting.  Immigrants were a major part of forming what we now know as Appalachia.  The guys venture into Wheeling West Virginia to bring a story to life that has been part of the culture in Wheeling for over 100 years. Take a listen as they describe the twist on the Appalachian Dumpling - "The Pierogi!"  Yo...

It's the monthly Economic Recovery Corps Fellow "Spin and Chat!" In this episode, Neil and Will sit down with the ERC Fellow Gaby Seltzer and surprise guest Bret Sweet of the City of Antioch, CA.  This is the first interview with a Fellow and their Host!  Hear them both describe the ERC process and their reasoning behind deciding to pursue the path of Fellowship...from both perspectives.  You'll h...

In this episode Neil and Will sit down with Claudean Oakley a past nursing director, naturalist and wellness expert that has written a book "Pastology", about not letting your past predict your future.  More specifically, it was an opportunity for her to remind Appalachians, they are becoming highly esteemed; they appreciate their surroundings, culture, past history and embrace opportunities to gr...

In this episode Neil and Will sit down with Lynn Faust a self trained expert on Fireflies...or Lightning Bugs as she prefers to keep it - some would even say she's the "Lightning Bug Lady."  From caring for her children in her 30's in a cabin in Elkmont Tennessee to being one of the most reputable firefly experts in the world, Lynn's passion has taken her throughout the Appalachians and beyond.  I...

In this episode we're having a throwback Friday (while Neil's on vacation) to commemorate the Juneteenth holiday.  It's a throwback with DeJuana Thompson as she talks about the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute that enlightens each generation about civil and human rights in Appalachia and beyond.  It works to explore our common past and work together in the present to build a better future.  They...

In this monthly Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) Fellow "Spin and Chat," Neil and Will sit down with George Williams - someone who calls overseas home just as much as the states and current Fellow in Cleveland Ohio.  Hear from George as he describes his role with the Fund for our Economic Future - a creative space for philanthropic funders and civic leaders to explore what matters and implement what...

This is a "Fall Back Friday" episode celebrating the Laurel Cove Music Festival that is happening this weekend (June 7th and 8th)...if you're near Pineville, KY definitely check it out (although it's sold out this year)!  This episode is from last year with Jon Grace, the Bell County Tourism Director and Organizer of the Festival.  Take a listen (it you didn't last year) to hear more about the fes...

In this (different) episode you'll hear a piece from "Inside Appalachia" about the Grand March of the 2023 Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival.  You'll also hear an acceptance speech from an "Honorary Director" of the 2024 Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival - it might give you an idea of just how people from the community feel about the KMLF.    We've spoken before about the importance of festivals i...

Readin, Rightin, Route 23!! THE COUNTRY MUSIC HIGHWAY! In this episode Neil and Will sit down with Kirsten Wilburn and Kristin Brown Norman of Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) to talk about the Country Music Highway - or Route 23!  Kentucky's Country Music  Highway has produced more stars per square mile than any stretch of roadway in the world.  These two individuals are in charge of putting...

It's almost FESTIVAL SEASON in Appalachia!!! In this episode Will and (sans) Neil sit down with Pineville Schools.  Through the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) Program Samantha North and Shannon Elliott applied for a grant through the Smithsonian Institute to allow a group of students to produce a documentary about the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival (the oldest festival on record in the...

In this inaugural (and monthly)  Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) Fellow "Spin and Chat," Neil and Will sit down with Mick Thornton - a self described builder of things and current Fellow in San Juan County, Utah.  In a previous episode (episode 139) Nathan Ohle, President and CEO of the International Economic Development Council, explained the purpose of the ERC - as described on the website - "a ne...

In this episode Will and (minus) Neil sit down with the "Beattyville Hillbillies!"  Donnie Benton and Teresa Mays are the founders of the Backwoods Moonshine Museum in Appalachia Kentucky - a stop on the "Moonshine Trail."  While the Bourbon Trail is often thought of when thinking Kentucky, the Moonshine Trail is more on the Appalachian side of the state and speaks to the rich heritage and history...

Sorry for missing last week...we had a few technical (and timing) difficulties...but, like BBN (and poltergeist) - WE'RE BACK!! In this episode, Neil and Will throw it back to their favorite Appalachian Food episode of all time, with the "King of Country Ham" - Allan Benton!  We also discuss the Appalachian Appetizer Final Four and who was crowned the 2024 Champion - definitely "one shining moment...

In this episode Neil and Will throwback to a previous "food" episode with Melissa Booth Hall of the Southern Foodways Alliance (SFA).   First though, they spend some time breaking down the Sweet Sixteen of Appalachian Appetizers!  The Final Four has been set, take a listen to find out what has made the list.  The guys also talk about how food is a uniter among people, not just in Appalachia but in...

In this episode, AMW sits down with Mark Hendricks a photo journalist who recently completed a stunning book dedicated to the Appalachian Mountains.  In the book - "The Central Appalachians - Mountains of the Chesapeake", Mark dedicates almost a decade of his life to document the amazing aspects of one of the most diverse mountain ranges in the world.  Take a listen as he describes his journey, hi...

In this episode, Neil and Will sit down with Molly Hemstreet the Co-Executive Director of the Industrial Commons - reviving the historic textile district in North Carolina one social enterprise at a time.  The Industrial Commons founds and scales employee owned social enterprises and industrial cooperatives, and support frontline workers to build a new southern working class that erases the inequi...

In this episode Neil and Will sit down with Dana Kuhnline, a senior program director for Reimagine Appalachia - a broad and inclusive coalition of individuals and organizations based in Appalachia.  Hear from Dana as she describes what Reimagine Appalachia is all about and how there efforts are making an impact on the region.  While the word "reimagine" could be taken a number of ways, she describ...

It's Cookie Season Ya'll! In this episode and in celebration of Women's History Month, Neil and Will sit down with Lynne Fugate the CEO of the Girl Scouts of the Appalachians.  It's not just about the cookies - hear her talk about the impact the organization makes on young girls and communities.  Then take some time and try all the cookies and figure out which one is your favorite, then go vote!  ...

It's March, so that means one thing - no, it's not the start of spring - no, it's not daylight savings time (spring forward) - it's getting into "March Madness."  In light of the upcoming tournament we are just having a throwback episode this week - with an Appalachian born coaching phenom that came from the mountains and has been on the career college coaching path for a while now.  Take a listen...