The Himlerville Experiment: Appalachia's Only Miner-Owned Coal Town
There was once a coal company in Appalachia that was owned not by wealthy investors but by its employees, in a cooperative enterprise. And the houses in the company’s coal camp were owned by the mine...
23 Nov 202412min
Appalachia's Ginseng King
Ginseng is a plant with a rich history and high demand in Asia, which brought buyers to Appalachia, home to an American version of this much desired root. This week, Rod and Steve tell the story of ...
16 Nov 202416min
The Legend of John Henry, The Steel Drivin' Man
In this episode, we tell the fascinating tale of John Henry, the legendary steel-driving man of Appalachia. Join Steve and Rod as they explore the story of this American folk hero, a man of strength a...
9 Nov 202412min
Pop Kramer: The Appalachian Daredevil on Two Wheels
Harry "Pop" Kramer, was a vaudeville trick cyclist whose story is filled with circus flair, daring feats, and personal tragedy. Born in 1875 in Alexandria, Virginia, Harry's journey from a disciplined...
2 Nov 202417min
When the Mountains Drowned: The Great Flood of 1916
In this episode, we revisit the catastrophic summer of 1916, when two hurricanes unleashed unprecedented destruction on the mountains of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, an event with eer...
26 Okt 202414min
The Moonshine Roots of NASCAR
This week we explore the fascinating connection between moonshining and NASCAR racing, a tale that combines the rugged spirit of Appalachia with the high-speed world of motorsports. Discover how the n...
19 Okt 202427min
Fiddlin' John Carson: Mountain Melodies and Dark Shadows
Today we tell the story of Fiddlin' John Carson, a man who was not only an early pioneer of country music but also a master storyteller with a controversial past. Discover how Carson, born in the A...
12 Okt 202421min
The Great Locomotive Chase: A Daring Civil War Raid
Today we tell the story of one of the boldest raids of the Civil War—the Great Locomotive Chase, also known as Andrews' Raid.We tell of the daring plan to steal a Confederate train, the high-speed cha...
5 Okt 202414min
