The Appalachian Tale Podcast, Deeper In The Holler

In this episode of The Appalachian Tale Podcast, I travel to Knoxville, Tennessee, to visit Mama Bear Sweet Treats and sit down with owner Chrissy for a conversation about cookies, community, creativity, and what it means to build a business rooted in hospitality. While baking a giant cast iron skillet cookie filled with flavors inspired by Dolly Parton, banana pudding, s'mores, and more, we talk...

What makes Appalachian hospitality different from Southern hospitality? In this heartfelt solo episode of The Appalachian Tale Podcast , Jimmy Proffitt takes listeners deeper into the holler to explore the traditions, values, and everyday moments that define hospitality in Appalachia. Drawing from personal memories, front porch conversations, family gatherings, and recent experiences helping a gri...

Podcast Description From Moonshine to the Skies: Danielle Parton’s Journey of Grit, Business, and Independence In this episode of The Appalachian Tale Podcast , host Jimmy Proffitt sits down with pilot, entrepreneur, veteran, and distillery owner Danielle Parton for a candid conversation about determination, family heritage, and building a life on your own terms. Danielle shares the remarkable sto...

If you grew up in the mountains of Virginia, you didn't just watch The Waltons — you knew them. They were your people. In this episode of The Appalachian Tale, host Jimmy Proffitt shares the unexpected story of meeting six cast members of the iconic TV series when they came to The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for breakfast during Waltons Weekend of the Smokies. What followed was a mill tour...

In this episode of The Appalachian Tale Podcast , Jimmy Proffitt sits down “on location” with longtime friend Danielle Parton for a hilarious, heartfelt, and deeply Appalachian conversation about family, heritage, hard work, and the many lives she’s lived along the way. Danielle shares stories from growing up in Sevier County as part of the Parton family — yes, that Parton family — and reflects on...

In this episode of The Appalachian Tale Podcast: Deeper In The Holler, host Jimmy Proffitt goes solo again with one of the most unforgettable characters from his Appalachian childhood — a woman named MaryAnn. With wild gray hair, a house with a hand pump at the sink, and a reputation as a fortune teller, herbalist, and granny witch, MaryAnn was unlike anyone else on that little country road in the...

The Day-Old Bread Store, Dandelion Wine & Dad's BBQ Chicken | The Appalachian Tale Podcast Ep. 4 In this episode of The Appalachian Tale Podcast: Deeper In The Holler, host Jimmy Proffitt gets real and conversational — just him, a few notes, and a whole lot of Appalachian memory. Jimmy kicks things off with a laugh about the "used bread store" — what Appalachians know as the day-old bread stor...

In this episode of The Appalachian Tale Podcast , host Jimmy Proffitt continues his conversation with Mick (known as Mick On The Porch), sharing heartfelt stories about family, simple living, travel dreams, and the traditions that shape Appalachian life. From memories of growing up without modern conveniences to reflections on caring for loved ones, this conversation explores the values of resilie...

In this special episode of The Appalachian Tale , the conversation comes a little closer to home as Jimmy welcomes his husband, Mick — known to many as Mick on the Porch — into Greenhouse Studio for a rare on-mic conversation. While Mick may describe himself as “the Carl Dean to Jimmy’s Dolly,” his story is deeply rooted in the lived traditions of rural Appalachia. Together, they explore what it m...

Welcome to the introductory episode of The Appalachian Tale Podcast, where we will go Deeper In The Holler! In this episode, I'll talk a little bit about myself and what you can expect from this podcast.