Episodes

  • How America's First Million-Selling Novel Still Echoes in Hollywood

    How America's First Million-Selling Novel Still Echoes in Hollywood
    Jul 12 2026
    How did a novel written in Big Stone Gap, Virginia become one of America's first two-million-copy bestsellers, inspire Hollywood, launch Virginia's official outdoor drama, and even leave its mark on Emmy Award-winning television? Join us as we explore ...
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • The Lost Tribe of Appalachia: The Melungeons

    The Lost Tribe of Appalachia: The Melungeons
    Jul 11 2026
    For more than 200 years, whispers have echoed through the mountains of Appalachia about the mysterious Melungeons—dark-haired, dark-skinned families whose origins have inspired legends of the Lost Colony of Roanoke, the Lost Tribes of Israel, and Portu...
    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
  • Do Snake Handling Churches Really Exist?

    Do Snake Handling Churches Really Exist?
    Jul 11 2026
    One of the most misunderstood traditions in Appalachia has to be snake handling churches. For many people, their first exposure came through movies and TV shows like Justified, The X-Files, or documentaries that focused on the sensational side of the s...
    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
  • What Southwest Virginia Historic Museum Teaches about Appalachia

    What Southwest Virginia Historic Museum Teaches about Appalachia
    Jun 12 2026
    What makes an old desk bring visitors to tears? Why would an immigrant carry an accordion across the ocean through Ellis Island? And how do artifacts help preserve the stories of an entire region?In this fascinating conversation, Melanie Davis and John...
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins