Best Appalachia Rising Podcasts (2025)

1
Encore: Holiday Traditions, Inside Appalachia

Play Pause

4h ago

—

This week, we go a-wassailing in Asheville, North Carolina. It’s kind of like Christmas caroling, with a kick. Also, family recipes bring generations together. But what happens when you’ve got grandma’s potato candy recipe, and it doesn’t have exact measurements? And, a new book explores the magical dark side of nature. You'll hear these stories an…

1
Encore: Holiday Traditions, Inside Appalachia 53:27

2h ago53:27

53:27

This week, Inside Appalachia dives into the holidays. We go a-wassailing in Asheville, North Carolina. It’s kind of like Christmas caroling, with a kick. Also, family recipes bring generations together. But what happens when you’ve got grandma’s potato candy recipe, and it doesn’t have exact measurements? And, a new book explores the magical dark s…

1
Patrick County Urgent Care And Finnamon Buns, Inside Appalachia

6d ago

—

When you’re the only doctor in a rural mountain county, you’ve got to think ahead to keep your practice going. Also, a West Virginia baker draws on her Finnish heritage to make a different kind of cinnamon roll. And, if you bought a live-cut Christmas tree this year, there’s a good chance it came from Appalachia. You'll hear these stories and more …

1
Patrick County Urgent Care And Finnamon Buns, Inside Appalachia 53:45

6d ago53:45

53:45

This week, when you’re the only doctor in a rural mountain county, you’ve got to think ahead to keep your practice going. Also, a West Virginia baker draws on her Finnish heritage to make a different kind of cinnamon roll. And if you bought a live-cut Christmas tree this year, there’s a good chance it came from Appalachia.…

1
Lou Turner And Little Jimmy Dickens, Inside Appalachia 53:45

14d ago53:45

53:45

This week, a poet and musician draws inspiration from a distant family connection to the Grand Ole Opry’s Little Jimmy Dickens. Also, for 15 years, a Virginia library has been hosting a weekly Dungeons & Dragons game for teens. It can get wacky. And, a taxidermist in Yadkin County, North Carolina found her calling before she could drive a car.…

1
Lou Turner And Little Jimmy Dickens, Inside Appalachia

14d ago

—

A poet and musician draws inspiration from a distant family connection to the Grand Ole Opry’s Little Jimmy Dickens. Also, for 15 years, a Virginia library has been hosting a weekly Dungeons & Dragons game for teens. It can get wacky. And, a taxidermist in Yadkin County, North Carolina found her calling before she could drive a car. You’ll hear the…

1
Encore: The Love Of Competition, Inside Appalachia

21d ago

—

One thing about Appalachians: we can get competitive. We’re proud of our local food. Love a good hunt. And enjoy competition with friends. We learn the rules and celebrate our victories. But there’s more to competing than just winning or losing. In this show, we’ll also meet competitors who are keepers of beloved Appalachian traditions. In This Epi…

1
Encore: The Love Of Competition, Inside Appalachia 53:40

21d ago53:40

53:40

This week, one thing about Appalachians: we can get competitive. We’re proud of our local food. Love a good hunt. And enjoy competition with friends. We learn the rules and celebrate our victories. But there’s more to competing than just winning or losing. In this show, we’ll also meet competitors who are keepers of beloved Appalachian traditions.…

1
Our Common Nature With Yo-Yo Ma, Inside Appalachia 53:51

27d ago53:51

53:51

Our Common Nature is a new podcast from WNYC. It features cellist Yo-Yo Ma and producer Ana Gonzalez, as they explore America and talk to folks like West Virginia coal miners. This week, we follow Yo-Yo and his team as they venture into Appalachia. And we talk with Gonzalez about meeting people where they are.…

1
Our Common Nature With Yo-Yo Ma, Inside Appalachia

29d ago

—

Our Common Nature is a new podcast from WNYC. It features cellist Yo-Yo Ma and producer Ana González, as they explore America and talk to folks like West Virginia coal miners. We follow Yo-Yo and his team as they venture into Appalachia. And we talk with González about meeting people where they are. You'll hear these stories and more this week, Ins…

1
Rising Health Insurance Rates And Cipher, Inside Appalachia

1M ago

—

The cost of health insurance is going up in 2026. Millions of people are faced with sticker shock. Also, a mountain farmer kept an encrypted diary for years. It’s unclear whether he would have wanted that code to ever be cracked. And, a beloved West Virginia hot dog restaurant closed in 2018. An annual tribute sale gives people a chance to relive i…

1
Rising Health Insurance Rates And Cypher, Inside Appalachia 53:45

1M ago53:45

53:45

This week, the cost of health insurance is going up in 2026. Millions of people are faced with sticker shock. Also, a mountain farmer kept an encrypted diary for years. It’s unclear whether he would have wanted that code to ever be cracked. And, a beloved West Virginia hot dog restaurant closed in 2018. An annual tribute sale gives people a chance …

1
(Ep 39) I Saw God in the Anarchists 20:40

1M ago20:40

20:40

This episode is the audio edition of I Saw God in the Anarchists: On Surviving Helene, Building Heaven on Earth, and Seeing God in Each Other, an essay that was published in September of 2025. For more work by Rednecks Rising Media, and to support our work, you can find us at rednecksrising.com and on our linktree. We would love to work with you! P…

1
Encore: True Stories Behind Folk Heroes, Runaway Trains And Murder Ballads, Inside Appalachia 53:51

1M ago53:51

53:51

This week Inside Appalachia, we’re talking about traditional ballads - how they tell stories and connect us to the past. These old tunes can mean so much. They can tap into difficult emotions and give feelings space to be heard. Some songs may even be too uncomfortable to sing. In this special episode with guest co-host, ballad singer Saro Lynch-Th…

1
Encore: True Stories Behind Folk Heroes, Runaway Trains And Murder Ballads, Inside Appalachia

1M ago

—

This week Inside Appalachia, we’re talking about traditional ballads - how they tell stories and connect us to the past. These old tunes can mean so much. They can tap into difficult emotions and give feelings space to be heard. Some songs may even be too uncomfortable to sing. In this special episode with guest co-host, ballad singer Saro Lynch-Th…

1
Appalachia’s Population Problem, Inside Appalachia

2M ago

—

Central Appalachia is known for exporting coal. But it’s losing people, too. Also, folk singer Ginny Hawker grew up singing the hymns of the Primitive Baptist Church, but she didn’t think of performing until she got a little boost from Appalachian icon Hazel Dickens. And, the chef of an award-winning Asheville restaurant was shaped by memories of g…

1
Appalachia's Population Problem, Inside Appalachia 53:52

2M ago53:52

53:52

This week, central Appalachia is known for exporting coal. But it's losing people, too. Also, folk singer Ginny Hawker grew up singing the hymns of the Primitive Baptist Church, but she didn’t think of performing until she got a little boost from Appalachian icon Hazel Dickens. And, the chef of an award-winning Asheville restaurant was shaped by me…

1
Encore: Halloween, Inside Appalachia

2M ago

—

Just in time for Halloween, a suite of spooky tales to make your skin crawl. Also, tales of the supernatural. And, ghost stories galore. You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia. In This Episode: Mike Allen And “The Button Bin” Molly Born And The Spooky Old Tunnel A Ghost Story Another Ghost Story Spiritualism And Mediums Pum…

1
Encore: Halloween, Inside Appalachia 53:41

2M ago53:41

53:41

Just in time for Halloween, a suite of spooky tales to make your skin crawl. Also, tales of the supernatural. And, ghost stories galore. You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.By West Virginia Public Broadcasting

1
The Secret Astronomers And Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, Inside Appalachia 53:46

2M ago53:46

53:46

This week, a new novel about two girls and an astronomy textbook draws inspiration from one of the quietest places in West Virginia. Also, author Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle talks about growing up as part of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. And, a Kentucky tattoo artist practices traditional tattooing and traditional music. He says they’re not…

1
The Secret Astronomers And Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, Inside Appalachia

2M ago

—

A new novel about two girls and an astronomy textbook draws inspiration from one of the quietest places in West Virginia. Also, author Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle talks about growing up as part of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. And, a Kentucky tattoo artist practices traditional tattooing and traditional music. He says they’re not too differ…

1
(Ep 38) Live Community Convo for Transformation Thursday 45:44

2M ago45:44

45:44

Get full access to Rednecks Rising Media at rednecksrising.substack.com/subscribeBy Rednecks Rising Media

1
Mothman, Bridge Day And Washboards, Inside Appalachia

2M ago

—

We explore the story of the first Mothman sightings, as written by a small-town journalist in 1966. Also, every year, hundreds of people celebrate Bridge Day by parachuting from the 876-foot-tall New River Gorge bridge. But not just anyone can do it. And, the Columbus Washboard Company used to make washboards for laundry. Now, people use them to ma…

1
Mothman, Bridge Day And Washboards, Inside Appalachia 52:39

2M ago52:39

52:39

We explore the story of the first Mothman sightings, as written by a small-town journalist in 1966. Also, every year, hundreds of people celebrate Bridge Day by parachuting from the 876-foot-tall New River Gorge bridge. But not just anyone can do it. And, the Columbus Washboard Company used to make washboards for laundry. Now, people use them to ma…

1
The Year After Hurricane Helene, Inside Appalachia

3M ago

—

It’s been a year since Hurricane Helene barreled into central Appalachia. The storm caused floods and landslides. The disaster changed the shape of rivers. It also took lives and upended entire communities, but from the beginning, the recovery brought people together. Also, country music’s Rob McNurlin grew up with traditional music in Eastern Kent…

1
The Year After Hurricane Helene, Inside Appalachia 53:07

3M ago53:07

53:07

This week, it’s been a year since Hurricane Helene barreled into central Appalachia. The storm caused floods and landslides. The disaster changed the shape of rivers. It also took lives and upended entire communities, but from the beginning, the recovery brought people together. Also, country music’s Rob McNurlin grew up with traditional music in E…

4M ago53:45

53:45

This week, we remember Rex Stephenson. He’s known for his stage performances of the Jack Tales, which have captivated school kids since the 70s. Also, keeping the family farm going after six generations can be rough. And, some parts of southern Appalachia still practice the tradition of keeping up community gravesites for Decoration Day.…