Middle of Everywhere

Have you ever heard of a sundown town?  Can you imagine fearing for your life if you were caught downtown after dark? At one point in history, there were thousands of these places all over the country, including the small Appalachian town of Corbin, Kentucky.  This week we are featuring an episode from our friends at Black in Appalachia. We’ll hear hosts Enkeshi El-Amin and Angela Dennis share wha...

How does Black history get preserved in small towns?  Who decides what sticks around from our segregated past for future generations to learn from?  In this episode we learn about how Betty Dobson saved a little known gem from being destroyed forever.  Betty embarked on a journey to save and rehabilitate the Hotel Metropolitan in Paducah, Kentucky, founded by a Black woman in 1908, to serve Black...

Did you hear the one about the gay ex-Zumba instructor from Kentucky who pursued a standup career in LA? Adario Mercadante grew up in Murray, KY and he says it’s a wonderful place to raise a family, connect with nature, and enjoy the slower pace of small town life. But it wasn’t meant for him. Even though he left his small hometown, he found many stereotypes followed him. How do Adario and other K...

Where did our podcast title, “Middle of Everywhere,” come from anyway? And what does it mean?  In this episode we talk to University of Minnesota Professor Ben Winchester about what the data really says about small town America’s prosperity. A strong advocate for rural communities, we hear Ben dispute the “rural despair” narrative and share information about how people are actually living their li...

What happens when a silly prank turns into a year-long crusade to obtain police records? In this episode, a twice-stolen Christmas display, and the records surrounding it, lead Ariel and Austin to question why the local police have withheld the full records even in the face of a ruling from Kentucky’s Attorney General. And they enlist the help of advocates for open government as they try to “solve...

Hoppy Henton is a Kentucky farmer working the land that’s been in his family for 9 generations.  His talents and passion connect him in a lifelong relationship with the Kentucky Farm Bureau.  In this episode, we learn about his 40-years-long struggle to eliminate the conservative policies in the Farm Bureau’s “secret policy book”.  We also hear from key friends, family, and acquaintances of Hoppy’...

What can a recipe be, besides just a list of ingredients? And what can it mean to the people who cook and eat it? In this episode we explore a Kentucky culinary tradition called “burgoo” and trace the history of the dish. We’ll also meet two talented cooks who weave their Kentucky traditions into their food. What story does a meaty frontier stew have to tell about the Bluegrass state and its peopl...

What happens when an atheist stands up for free speech when the government favors Christianity?  Many people in this country think that patriotism and Christianity go hand in hand,  but can a person be a patriot and non-religious? In this episode, Ariel and Austin hear from one feisty and independent man who has devoted his life to crusading for freedom of expression. His journey became world reno...

Early Kentucky settler, Joseph Perkins Ellis, carried a mystical stone which had been passed down in his family for generations. The faith of the Ellis’ in this “Mad Stone,” along with their Baptist convictions, propelled them to make a good life for themselves and their community in the face of a devastating disease like rabies which the stone was believed to heal. This stone continued to be used...

We’re excited to announce our new podcast Middle of Everywhere! Join us to hear big stories from small town America that feature vibrant characters who help us discover these places. Hosted by Ariel Lavery and Austin Carter. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts! Visit us online at middleofeverywherepod.org and follow us on social media @middleofeverywherepod.