The Mountain Spirit

On today's finale of The Mountain Spirit Podcast, we sit down with Fr. Marc Bentley, a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington. Fr. Marc is from Pike County, Kentucky and holds the mountains close to his heart. In 2019, he became the first Roman Catholic priest known to hold an M.A. in Appalachian Studies. Listen to him speak about ministry and purpose in Appalachia. Check out work from...

May is #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth. Join us as we talk with Andrea Brooks, a counselor, educator, and leader with nearly two decades of experience shaping the future of mental health care. From her work in eastern Kentucky to national leadership roles, Andrea shares insight on counseling, advocacy, and supporting rural communities in meaningful ways. Don't miss this thoughtful and inspiring conver...

Rooted in seven generations of Appalachian lineage, author Cathy Rigg joins the podcast to talk about ancestry, storytelling, and the voices that refuse to be silenced. We explore her debut historical novel That Which Binds Us , the power of the maternal line, and why it's never too late to answer the call to write.   Visit Cathy's website .  Shop Cathy's book . 

From Plum Run, West Virginia to stages across the country, actor and playwright Cody LeRoy Wilson joins the podcast to talk art, identity, and Appalachian storytelling. We dive into his groundbreaking one-man show Did My Grandfather Kill My Grandfather? and how he's reshaping what it means to be both Appalachian and Asian American. This is a powerful conversation you don't want to miss.    Visit C...

On today's Season 10 finale of The Mountain Spirit Podcast, we are joined by Jennifer Stolo, CAP's new President & CEO. Previously leading major nonprofit organizations like Make-A-Wish, Jennifer's most recent work was with Robert Craig Films, where she produced award-winning films with inspirational storytelling. Jennifer brings a unique blend of mission-driven leadership and creative vision. Tun...

On today's episode of The Mountain Spirit, we welcome Jessica Miles. She is deeply rooted in Appalachia, where she was born and raised. Her work centers community storytelling and uplifts women's voices across the region. Jessica led the Appalachian Media Institute at Appalshop, and now hosts her own podcast, Mountain Laurels: Women of Appalachia. Join us as Jessica shares how reclaiming our narra...

On this week's episode of The Mountain Spirit, we're honored to welcome Warren Dupree, a Cherokee Tribal elder whose life and leadership are deeply rooted in Appalachian tribal land in Cherokee, North Carolina. A veteran whose service spans from Vietnam to Desert Storm, he now serves as Commander of the American Legion in Cherokee, continuing a lifetime of commitment to community, country, and cul...

Kari Gunter-Seymour joins us on The Mountain Spirit to share the heart and heritage behind her award-winning poetry and her deep Appalachian roots. Listening to her story felt like sitting at a kitchen table with an old friend, hearing the mountains speak through her words. I hope you'll tune in and find the same sense of hope and belonging that her voice brings to so many.   Learn more about Kari...

  Get ready for a powerful new episode of The Mountain Spirit featuring a lifelong Appalachian storyteller and community advocate, Willa Johnson. She leads the  Worthy Ground Project  from  Invest Appalachia . With nearly two decades of experience uplifting local voices and leading community‑driven recovery efforts, Willa shares how hope, resilience, and collaboration shape Appalachia's future. Tu...

Season 10 of The Mountain Spirit opens with journalist Buddy Forbes , whose work is rooted in making sure Appalachians can tell their own stories in their own words. Join us for a premiere that uplifts the voices, experiences, and truths of the Appalachian mountains and the people who call them home.   Visit WYMT's website. Follow Buddy.  

We're closing out Season 9 of The Mountain Spirit podcast with a powerful story of transformation and faith through a new CAP initiative called Steppingstones. Join us as we sit down with Shana Miller, whose journey spotlights why second chances matter and what it means to witness lives transformed through service. Her story reminds us that unexpected turns can lead us exactly where we're meant to...

In this episode of The Mountain Spirit , we sit down with William Isom II , the driving force behind Black in Appalachia , a nonprofit dedicated to uncovering and celebrating the overlooked history of African Americans in the region. From preserving archives to amplifying local voices, William shares how these stories reshape our understanding of Appalachian culture. Tune in for a powerful convers...

What does love in action look like in Appalachia? Meet Bill and Addie Likens, whose outreach ministry at Dunlow Community Center has transformed lives in rural West Virginia. In this episode of The Mountain Spirit podcast, they share how faith, resilience, and community partnerships are meeting critical needs and inspiring hope in their region. Visit Dunlow Community Center on Facebook . 

Episode 50 of The Mountain Spirit podcast is here! We're celebrating this milestone with an inspiring guest, Katie Carrico, who is a homesteader and sheep farmer from Eastern Kentucky. Katie is building a life deeply connected to the land with her family. Join us as we explore what it means to live out this connection with our Appalachian roots. Don't miss this special episode!  Follow Katie on in...

In this episode, Jessica Blankenship, Executive Director of the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, joins us to dive into the rich, unexpected, and ever-evolving sounds of Appalachian music. From banjos and ballads to boundary-pushing artists, discover how Kentucky's musical roots continue to inspire and surprise generations. You won't want to miss this celebration of culture, creativity, and rhythm!  Ch...

In the Season 9 premiere of The Mountain Spirit podcast, we sit down with Seth Long, Executive Director of H.O.M.E.S. Inc. From flood relief to maple syrup farming in Appalachia, Seth has many insights on how to love your neighbor and be a good steward of our land. Today's episode is one you don't want to miss! Check out H.O.M.E.S. Inc's website here . Learn more about Seth's farm.  Watch the impa...

September is  #HungerActionMonth and in this week's finale of The Mountain Spirit, we're pulling up a chair with Melonie Effler, known affectionately as "Momma Mel" . From her East Tennessee roots to her kitchen ministry, Mel's story is a reminder that food isn't just fuel. It's love, faith, and family. Come sit with us and feel the heart behind every bite. Visit Melonie's website here . Check out...

We have a special treat for you today on The Mountain Spirit podcast. Kentucky's own  Jordan Allen , who was featured on Season 27 of The Voice, joins our show to share how his Appalachian roots shaped his music and mission. From small-town stages to national spotlight, Jordan's story is one of grit, grace, and the power of community. Tune in to hear how he's lifting up the next generation of Appa...

On today's episode of The Mountain Spirit podcast, filmmaker and cultural preservationist Kelley St. Germain shares how storytelling became a mission to protect Appalachian heritage. Kelley is the founder of  Germain Media, LLC  and  Appalachian Memory Keepers . Tune in for a powerful reminder of why these stories matter—and why they must be preserved. Check out the work being done at Appalachian...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dr. Geraldine Bard, co-founder of  Project FLIGHT , a groundbreaking literacy initiative that has placed over 3 million books into the hands of children and families across the globe. From Buffalo to Micronesia, Dr. Bard shares how her mission to promote literacy as a tool for equity, peace, and opportunity has transformed lives and communities. We explo...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Robin Gabbard, President of the Mountain Association, to explore her lifelong dedication to Appalachia and her vision for building a new economy in Eastern Kentucky. From her early days at LKLP Community Action to leading one of the region's most impactful nonprofits, Robin shares stories of resilience, innovation, and community transformation. We dive i...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Tiffany Sturdivant, a former nurse turned powerhouse cultural leader and Executive Director of Appalshop. From her roots in Mississippi community activism to her current work preserving Appalachian voices, Tiffany shares her journey of transformation, resilience, and radical care. She leads with heart and heritage where art, advocacy, and voting rights i...

When the country faced a housing crisis in 2008, Kentucky was already immersed in it. Affordable and reliable housing in rural communities is facing many challenges, with countless homes needed to be built on an inadequate budget. Facing this rural housing crisis head-on is Wendy Smith, the Deputy Executive Director of Housing Programs at Kentucky Housing Corporation. Join us in this season finale...

Every culture and region are shaped by the stories told within it. Appalachia has a vast and diverse history, enriched by the unique voices of its people. Jessica Cory, editor of The Appalachian Journal, shares her research, exploring the role of literature in Appalachian identity. Jessica shares stories not often told, exploring complex themes and topics, and offering new perspectives from within...

The coal industry has a long history within the mountains of eastern Kentucky. That history is still seen today in places like the Kentucky Coal Museum in Harlan County, Kentucky. Joining our show today is the museum's curator, Amanda Hughes. We invite you to learn about the hardworking men and women who have shaped our region, the importance of preserving their stories, and the ways that Appalach...