Kinfolk: Stories of Community and Connection

Jessica Martin is a radio personality, content creator, and community connector based in Charleston, West Virginia but at her core she's just a girl from Rand with big dreams and an even bigger heart for the people around her. In this episode of Kinfolk: Stories of Community and Connection, Jessica and I talk about how one simple restaurant video sparked a mission to uplift local businesses, w...

In this episode of Kinfolk: Stories of Community and Connection, host Daniel Means chats with Sierra Marling, Sponsorship & Fundraising Events Manager at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia. They explore the Clay Center's inspiring mission: to spark creativity, learning, and wonder through arts and sciences experiences for all West Virginians and beyond. Sierra, draw...

Summary In this episode of Kinfolk , I sit down with Derek Vance , the creative mind behind The Vintage Vances and co-founder of Charleston Vintage Fest — one of West Virginia’s fastest-growing vintage markets. Derek shares how his passion for thrifting (and a joke Instagram post) turned into a beloved community event that draws vendors and visitors from across the region. We chat about vintage fa...

Summary In this episode of Kinfolk, host Dan speaks with Nathan Barner, Education Coordinator at the West Virginia State Museum. They discuss the museum's significance, West Virginia's rich history, and the importance of community connections. Nathan shares his personal ties to the state and highlights the museum's role in educating visitors about West Virginia's diverse heritage. The conversation...

Follow Our Lead www.followourlead.dog https://www.facebook.com/k9lead/ Summary In this episode of Kinfolk: Stories of Community and Connection , Dan talks with Justin Withrow, co-owner of Follow Our Lead , a dog training and grooming business based in Charleston, West Virginia. What began as a way to stay close to family turned into a mission to help dogs and their humans thrive. Justin shares the...

The Company https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/thecompanywv/got-to-do Summary In this episode of Kinfolk, host Dan speaks with Tyler Carden, frontman of the band The Company, about their musical journey, the importance of community and music education, and their upcoming single 'Got To Do'. Tyler shares insights on the power of live music, the local music scene in West Virginia, and their efforts t...

St. Albans Historical Society https://www.stalbanshistory.com/ Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/people/St-Albans-Historical-Society-WV/100064751854315/?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=DxwyYsBbIRvYDsB1&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1BT2tfW6GB%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr Instagram https://www.instagram.com/st.albanshistoricalsocietywv/ This week on Kinfolk: Stories of Community an...

Summary In this episode of Kinfolk, host Dan engages with C.J. Mitchell, a talented musician from West Virginia, discussing his journey through music, identity, and personal growth. C.J. shares his experiences of moving from a small town to Pittsburgh, the impact of his upbringing on his music, and the significance of his songs, particularly 'Permission 2 Love' and 'To Be Yours.' T...

Erika Kikola https://www.tiktok.com/@whilefloriansleeps?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/erika.kikola/ Summary In this episode, Erica Kikola shares her journey as a budding interior designer rooted in her Appalachian heritage. She discusses her move from West Virginia to Pennsylvania, the impact of the opioid epidemic on her life, and how she channels her creativity into her designs. Erica emphas...

Hippie's Daughter https://thehippiesdaughter.com/ https://www.instagram.com/hippies_daughter/ https://www.tiktok.com/@hippies_daughter?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Summary In this episode of Kinfolk, Dan speaks with Elizabeth Elswick, the creative mind behind Hippie's Daughter. They explore Elizabeth's artistic journey, her connection to Appalachian culture, and the challenges of running...

Summary In this episode of Kinfolk, host Dan speaks with Jenna Reed Hill, an artist and educator from West Virginia. Jenna shares her journey of integrating local culture into her art, the impact of her work on the community, and her experiences as a small business owner. The conversation delves into the importance of creativity in education, tips for teachers on engaging students and the communit...

Helvetia Restoration and Development https://www.facebook.com/HelvetiaRestoration/ Calendar of Events https://www.helvetiawv.com/ Fasnacht 2025 https://www.eventcreate.com/e/fasnacht-2025 Summary In this episode of Kinfolk, Dan and Clara Lehmann discuss the rich cultural heritage of Helvetia, West Virginia, focusing on the Fasnacht festival. Clara shares her experiences growing up in Helvetia and...

Sister Witches Crafting Company Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sisterwitchescraftingcompany/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/p/Sister-Witches-Crafting-Company-100076033834938/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sisterwitchescraftingco Summary In this episode of Kinfolk: Stories of Community and Connection, Dan sits down with Shaena Crossland, owner of Sister Witches Crafting Company in Davis, W...

Be Kind Ceramics Website https://www.bekindceramics.com/?srsltid=AfmBOor28MT7hTvnbTZ7Arklni8evHmhF1NMnsur5wV3P2NXtX3ntLYe Facebook https://www.facebook.com/p/Be-Kind-Ceramics-100087669111278/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bekindceramics/ Summary In this episode, Liz Raber shares her journey with Be Kind Ceramics, emphasizing the importance of kindness in community building. She discusses her...

Mountain State Mysteries https://www.mountainstatemysteriespodcast.com/ Appalachian Ghost Tours https://www.instagram.com/appalachianghosttours/?igsh=MWdpb20wdzF3eWxibg%3D%3D# Summary This week on Kinfolk: Stories of Community and Connection, I sit down with Mark, the creator and host of Mountain State Mysteries and co-founder of Appalachian Ghost Tours. We dive into his passion for uncovering Wes...

Summary In this episode of Kinfolk, Dan speaks with Jeanne Stevenson, co-founder of Echo Lit and author of Lost Moon Holler. They discuss Jeanne's journey in preserving Appalachian heritage through art and literature, the influence of her grandmother on her life and work, and the importance of educating the younger generation about local flora and fauna. The conversation highlights the role of com...

Summary In this engaging conversation, Dan speaks with Jordan and Steven from Botany Tropicals, a unique plant shop in Hinton, West Virginia. They share their journey of moving to West Virginia, their love for plants, and the challenges they faced in creating a safe space for the queer community. The discussion highlights their commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs, hosting community events...

Summary In this episode, we dive into the world of Artefaktual Comics with Gretch Corley, the self-proclaimed menace of Barbour County. Gretch shares her journey from jewelry making to running a comic shop in Philippi, discusses her passion for comics as a tool for literacy, and gives us a glimpse into her upcoming fantasy con event. We also explore the mysteries of the Philippi Mummies. Join us f...

Siren Pottery https://www.instagram.com/siren_pottery/?hl=en Summary In this engaging conversation, Kyrstin Riggs shares her journey as a potter and artist, discussing her roots in West Virginia, her passion for art festivals, and the importance of community in the Appalachian region. She reflects on her evolution as an artist, the significance of whimsy in her work, and the story behind her busin...

Snug Hollow https://www.instagram.com/snughollowfarm.bnb/?igsh=anM2cjdpNDBrczZm Hurricane Helene Relief (credit to native.yards) https://tr.ee/QszQ7UasFf Summary Join Dan as he chats with Ryan Joseph Allen, the innkeeper of Snug Hollow Bed & Breakfast in Irvine, Kentucky. Hear Ryan’s inspiring journey, from navigating life’s challenges to creating a space for connection, nature, and community....

Connect with KD https://www.instagram.com/campbellscreekmarketseries/ Summary In this episode, Dan talks with KD Jones, a chef in Charleston, WV, and the driving force behind the Campbell’s Creek Farmers Market. KD shares his journey as a chef, the roots of the market, its impact on fostering community, and tips on creating local initiatives. The episode also highlights unique vendors, local partn...

Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of mental health, suicide, and PTSD Armor Up WV https://www.facebook.com/ARMORUP.WV/ Safe Call Now https://www.safecallnowusa.org/ Responder Health https://responderhealth.com/ Register For the Drive https://www.redcrossblood.org/ Summary In this episode, Dan speaks with Vanessa Stapleton Riley from Armor Up West Virginia about the critical suppor...

Connect With Her Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/3creekWalkers?mibextid=LQQJ4d&rdid=l4FboQvhbK7YHgSh&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2FdPwUXomkvHStqQNe%2F%3Fmibextid%3DLQQJ4d TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heathercreekwalker?_t=8pxSzjwEVqw&_r=1 Summary In this conversation, Heather Walker shares her journey of creek walking and glass crafting, discussing how she fi...

Connect With Her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bashfulbeepress/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bashfulbeepress/ Website: https://www.bashfulbeepress.com/ Summary Lindsay Emmite, the artist behind Bashful Bee Press, shares her story of starting her own business and participating in events and pop-ups. She discusses her inspiration, including her creative family and childhood experi...

Join host Dan in the debut episode of Kinfolk: Stories of Community and Connection as he shares the journey that led to the creation of this podcast. Dan reflects on his love for Appalachia, the inspiring local business owners he’s met, and how his vision of spotlighting these incredible people evolved into this show.