The Mountain Spirit

Appalachia's rich musical heritage comes alive with renowned fiddle player Callie Northern! As the Education Director at  The Living Arts & Science Center in Lexington, KY, Callie shares her inspiring journey from learning the fiddle to guiding the next generation in the arts. Don't miss this captivating conversation. Learn more about The Living Arts and Science Center. Follow Callie Northern's mu...

Get ready for an electrifying episode on The Mountain Spirit, with Marc Whitt. Not only is he a public relations guru with nearly four decades of experience, but he is a bestselling author, whose books have topped Amazon's charts and earned numerous accolades. Currently serving as the director of media and strategic relations at the University of Kentucky, Marc has deep connections with his Appala...

In the season premiere of The Mountain Spirit podcast, we are honored to hear from Dale Hamilton, a dedicated counselor at CAP's Family Life Counseling Services program. Dale shares invaluable insights on the importance of mental health and the transformative power of counseling in our Appalachian communities. Tune in to hear inspiring stories and practical advice that can help you and your loved...

[Pre-recorded] Get ready for an exciting episode as we welcome today's guest, Matt Jones, founder and host of Kentucky Sports Radio. During the heart of March Madness, Matt stops by to share his heart for Appalachia. From humble beginnings in Middlesboro, KY to becoming a sports media figure featured on HBO and ESPN, Matt's journey is extraordinary. Tune in to hear how his Appalachian roots have s...

Get ready for an electrifying episode as we go behind the scenes with Robert Daniels, the Technical Director at the  Mountain Arts Center ! With over 20 years of experience, Robert has been the driving force behind countless breathtaking performances. Tune in for an inspiring adventure into the world of live entertainment in Appalachia! Find out more about the Mountain Arts Center . Learn about th...

This week's guest is Jeremiah Parsons, Executive Director of Tourism for Paintsville, Kentucky. A native of Floyd County, Jeremiah has been involved in tourism since 2002, starting at Jenny Wiley Theatre as Sales and Marketing Director. Jeremiah is passionate about the arts and education, serving as President and Director of Main Street Players in Paintsville, KY. He shares with us the significanc...

What does it take to create real change in public health? Angela Carman—researcher, innovator, and community advocate—is on a mission to make an impact. With funding from NIH, CDC, and Robert Wood Johnson, she's revolutionizing how we implement interventions, engage communities, and improve public health systems. Don't miss this eye-opening conversation—because the future of public health starts N...

For over 35 years, Vonda has been a driving force in affordable housing and community development, connecting leaders, transforming lives, and strengthening communities across six states. As Fahe's Senior VP of Membership, she's not just building networks—she's building a legacy. But beyond the boardrooms, she's a leader, a mentor, a devoted grandmother, and a proud Appalachian. Get ready for an i...

In this gripping season premiere, we sit down with Melissa Helton, Literary Arts Director at  Hindman Settlement School and editor of Troublesome Rising—a raw and powerful anthology capturing the devastation of the July 2022 floods through the voices of Appalachian writers.  Visit the Hindman Settlement School Website . Purchase Troublesome Rising here.  

Today we hear from Aaron Thoms, manager of CAP's Operation Sharing program. Aaron shares his CAP journey and the origins of Operation Sharing. Over the course of 30 plus years, Operation Sharing has delivered more than $2 billion worth of donated materials to more than 1.5 million people across all 13 Appalachian states and two Ozark states, Arkansas and Missouri. The program receives gift-in-kind...

In today's episode of The Mountain Spirit, we sit down with Tom Vicini, President and CEO of Operation UNITE, to discuss the critical work being done to combat addiction and support recovery in Appalachia. With over 17 years of leadership at UNITE and decades of community service, Vicini shares insights into the challenges and successes of prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives in the reg...

In this episode, we welcome Sandi Curd, Engagement Director at Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation and a trailblazer in community and economic development in Appalachia. Dr. Curd shares her wealth of experience working with local governments, nonprofits, and federal agencies to drive innovation and growth in Eastern Kentucky. Sandi discusses strategies for fostering collaboration as we addre...

Today's guest is Robyn Renner, director of Disaster Relief at CAP. Robyn shares the ways she serves God during times of disaster, leaning on her faith to help others. She has been on the ground during hurricanes from Katrina to Helene, she has mucked out homes during flooding in her home state of Kentucky, and even built homes in Haiti and El Salvador. From facing disaster of her own to traveling...

Today's guest is Matt Smith, lead pastor of Believers Church in Johnson City, TN, professor of Sociology at Big Sandy Community and Technical College, and a life-long Appalachian. Matt shares his struggle with substance use, and how God's call has been weaved throughout different moments in his journey.  Visit Believers Church website here . Connect with Believers Church channels here .

Jackie Collier, CAP's first female chair of the board, kicks off Season 5 of The Mountain Spirit podcast. Today we get to hear about Jackie's leadership style and her career journey which led her into many positions of influence as the first woman in various leadership roles at both CAP and Berea College.

Today's guest is Dave Harl, an award-winning filmmaker and producer. Dave has traveled the world filming documentary films from interviewing World War II veterans in Japan to exploring non-profit work in India. Dave calls Kentucky home and has also produced years of video content for Christian Appalachian Project.  Visit Pinnacle Productions website here .  Watch Dave's videos on Vimeo . 

Our guest this week is Nate Clark, who works in the accounting department of Texas Roadhouse restaurants. Texas Roadhouse is a corporate sponsor of CAP's Hunger Walk event each September and has been sending corporate mission groups to volunteer in Appalachia every year since 2008. Having been on many of these service trips, Nate reflects on the impacts of volunteerism and his passion for taking c...

Our guest this week on The Mountain Spirit is renowned photographer, Warren Brunner. Warren moved to Appalachia and captured important photographs of people and their struggles. He is known for his celebrated work documenting the War on Poverty in the 1960's. Listen to Warren describe his time in Appalachia photographing everything from coal mines to Mother Teresa, following Fr. Beiting as he work...

This week's episode continues our Anniversary season of The Mountain Spirit with special guest Joyce Marks. Joyce is the director of the Jackson County Food Bank in McKee, KY. She and her husband came to Appalachia to work for Christian Appalachian Project during its earlier days, leading them to be instrumental in the construction of Camp AJ, and other early CAP initiatives. Together, they raised...

August 2024, Christian Appalachian Project turns 60 years old We are celebrating our anniversary with a special season of the podcast. Join us as we kick off season four with CAP's president and CEO, Guy Adams. Throughout his early adult life, Guy discovered the Appalachian heritage of his family and began to feel God equipping him for work in philanthropy, making a difference for people in need....

Our guest today is Pastor Chris Kimbro, lead pastor of King's River Worship Center and director of Community Bridge. Originally from Kentucky, Chris moved to West Viriginia, where he would become a pastor and start a family. Now Chris and his church have been transforming the lives of people in need in their community.  King's River Worship Center website Community Bridge website

Our guest is Jared Arnett, Pastor of Teaching and Leadership at New Beginnings Fellowship Church. Jared is a lifelong Appalachian who lives in the region by choice. He has been involved in several initiatives and has rarely had a job that existed prior to him stepping into it. Listen to Jared as he shares his journey as a leader in Appalachia, constantly creating new possibilities in the region. ...

Michaela Fisher grew up in Appalachia, attending camp at CAP's Camp Shawnee, and cultivating a deep commitment to serving others. Now, she helps children and families in need as a mental health counselor with CAP's Family Life Counseling Services. Join us on this special episode as Michaela articulates the stigma surrounding mental health in Appalachia and how she is working to break the cycle of...

On today's episode of The Mountain Spirit, we hear from Lauren McCoart, Director of  Prestonsburg Tourism in Prestonsburg, KY. Lauren is a lifelong Appalachian with a desire to expose others to the rich beauty of her region. Learn more about the attractions in Prestonsburg, KY and the larger Appalachian region.  Prestonsburg Tourism. Pikeville Tourism. Paintsville Tourism.  

Today's episode of The Mountain Spirit podcast features Elmer Whitaker, President/CEO of Whitaker Bank. Elmer talks with us about his family's legacy and how he is equipping leaders in Appalachia through Leadership Kentucky. Learn more about Leadership Kentucky here .