Best Lydia Jean Podcasts (2026)

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Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On: The Story of Appalachian Piano Man Roy Hall 22:30

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3d ago22:30

22:30

James Faye Hall, better known as Roy Hall, was born in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, in 1921. He died in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee in 1984. Between those dates is a story about a hillbilly boogie pianist who played for Uncle Dave Macon in a traveling version of the Grand Ole Opry as a child, formed his own hillbilly/R&B band. He found success in Detroit, wo…

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The Tally War: The 1906 North Carolina Railroad Riot 13:37

11d ago13:37

13:37

We’ve told the story of labor conflicts from Harlan, Kentucky to Blair Mountain, West Virginia. This week, we tell a story that’s not set in the Kentucky or West Virginia coalfields, but in Western North Carolina. It’s the story of the 1906 “Tally War,” a violent clash between Italian railroad laborers and company officials of contractors for the S…

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The Lost Town of Mortimer, North Carolina 13:46

18d ago13:46

13:46

A once thriving lumber and mill town in the mountains of western North Carolina, Mortimer rose fast, becoming prosperous…until it was washed away twice in massive flooding events. Shortly after a 1916 wildfire burned large tracts of timberland in the mountains, two hurricanes struck the area back to back, causing historic floods not seen again in t…

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A Christmas Morning Disaster: The 1882 Millboro, Virginia Train Wreck 12:06

25d ago12:06

12:06

This week Steve and Rod tell the story of a Christmas morning that ended in heartbreak instead of celebration. In 1882, a passenger train and a freight engine collided near Millboro, Virginia, killing six crewmen and scalding the lone surviving passenger. How this tragedy occurred, the story of the men who paid the price along with that of the inju…

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The Long-Haired Red-Bearded Beast of Georgia: John Pemberton Gatewood 21:53

1M ago21:53

21:53

John Pemberton Gatewood was a notorious Confederate bushwhacker/guerrilla leader. Born in Fentress County, Tennessee, in 1844, Gatewood's life took a dark turn after a Union attack on his family led him to abandon the Confederate army and become a guerrilla fighter. Leading his own unit in north Georgia and known as the long-haired, red-bearded bea…

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Moonshine, Murder, and Legend: The Story of Lewis Redmond 17:51

1M ago17:51

17:51

Major Lewis Redmond’s story sounds like it comes from a 19th century dime novel. He was a Carolina moonshiner, an outlaw and, thanks to actually being in some of those dime novels after the Civil War, a folk hero. His killing of a U. S. Marshal led to a life on the run across North and South Carolina, making Redmond a legend. Today we tell his stor…

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Emma Gatewood's Walk in the Woods 16:55

2M ago16:55

16:55

In 1955, at the age of 67, Emma Gatewood became the first woman to solo thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, from Springer Mountain in Georgia to the top of Mt. Katahdin in Maine. In this episode, Steve and Rod tell the story of her remarkable journey from a childhood in rural Ohio, through years of hardship and abuse, to the day this grandmother stepp…

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Greed, Gold and Deception in Cocke County TN: The 1909 Murder of A. J. Slagle 14:36

2M ago14:36

14:36

In 1909, a Johnson City businessman named A.J. Slagle was lured by promises of buried Spanish gold hidden in a Cocke County house. What began as a desperate bid to recover from business losses ended in a murder, the body tossed into the French Broad River. Join Steve and Rod as they tell a true story of greed, deception, and a treasure that never e…

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The Death of Jack Allen: The Hillsville Aftermath 16:09

2M ago16:09

16:09

Four years after the Hillsville courthouse shootout shocked Virginia, another one of the Allen brothers met a violent end. Jack Allen, brother of Floyd Allen, and once a constable in that Carroll County courtroom, was shot and killed in 1916 at a roadhouse near Mt. Airy, North Carolina. His killer, 24-year-old Will McCraw, claimed self-defense and …

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The Confederate Exodus: The Story of Ezekiel Pyles And The Confederados 17:44

2M ago17:44

17:44

After the Civil War, thousands of defeated Confederates refused to live under the Union flag. Instead, they packed up their families and headed for new lives in South America in a Confederate exodus from the United States. One of them was Ezekiel B. Pyles, a young man from the mountains of north Georgia, who rode with General John Hunt Morgan’s rai…

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The 1925 Asheville Sessions: The Spark Before the Bang 20:46

2M ago20:46

20:46

In August 1925, two years before the famed Bristol Sessions, Ralph Peer and Okeh Records set up a temporary studio on the rooftop of Asheville’s brand-new Vanderbilt Hotel. Over ten sweltering days, local musicians cut sixty test records, capturing the raw sounds of traditional Appalachian ballads, banjo tunes, and old songs. Though often overlooke…

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Tenth Anniversary Special: Two Tales from the Dark Side of Appalachia 20:33

3M ago20:33

20:33

This Halloween marks 10 years of stories from Rod and Steve; to mark the holiday and our tenth anniversary, we’re going to take you deep into the dark side of Appalachia with two chilling tales from southwest Virginia. First, Steve tells the story of three strange sisters who ran girls’ schools in Murfreesboro and Christiansburg—women whispered to …

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Two Men and a Plane: The Drug Smuggler Who Fell Out Of The Sky 17:54

3M ago17:54

17:54

We’ve told hundreds of stories about Appalachia, but few are as bizarre as the night a Kentucky drug smuggler named Andrew Thornton II fell to his death during a smuggling run over south Knoxville, Tennessee back in 1985. Join Steve and Rod as they tell the incredible story of a decorated police officer and practicing lawyer who led a double life a…

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The 1912 Ligonier Valley Train Crash 15:48

3M ago15:48

15:48

In July, 1912, a joyful Fourth of July outing on a mountain turned into a tragedy when a crowded passenger coach collided head-on with a massive coal train on the Wilpen Branch of the Ligonier Valley Railroad in Pennsylvania. The wooden coach was crushed between engines, killing 27 and injuring over 30, many of them young children. This week, Steve…

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The Bridge Burners of East Tennessee 22:19

3M ago22:19

22:19

In November 1861, a secret band of East Tennessee Unionists struck at the heart of Confederate supply lines by burning railroad bridges across the region. They believed the Union army would soon march in to liberate them, but it didn’t happen. Instead, Confederate authorities unleashed brutal retaliation, hanging several of the men, while others ba…

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Stories of Helene: David Biddix, Spruce Pine, North Carolina 46:19

3M ago46:19

46:19

This week, we wrap up our commemoration of the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene by talking with Mitchell County’s David Biddix, who documented the effects of the storm and its aftermath in that hard-hit part of North Carolina. From his home in Spruce Pine to small communities like Poplar, and along the Nolichucky where CSX rail lines were wash…

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Stories of Helene: Kevin Behm, Marion, North Carolina 12:49

4M ago12:49

12:49

When Hurricane Helene tore through western North Carolina a year ago, it left behind washed-out roads, flooded homes, and communities cut off from each other. For first responders, the storm was more than just a headline, it was a fight to save lives. In this episode of Stories of Appalachia, we sit down with Kevin Behm, a firefighter and first res…

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Stories of Helene: Maria True, Erwin, Tennessee 20:54

4M ago20:54

20:54

On the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene’s flooding in Appalachia, Rod and Steve share the story of Maria True, general manager of Jet Broadcasting in Erwin, Tennessee. When the Nolichucky River overflowed, it destroyed the studios and AM tower of WEMB and WXIS, along with family belongings tied to her and her late father and former station own…

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The Jellico Troop Train Disaster of 1944 18:27

4M ago18:27

18:27

In July 1944, a troop train packed with new Army recruits derailed near Jellico, Tennessee, plunging into Clear Fork River. Thirty-five soldiers died and ninety-one were injured. In this episode, Steve and Rod tell the story of how Tennessee prepared for World War II and the one tragic night that brought the war home to Appalachia. You can subscrib…

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The 1919 Torrent, Kentucky Nitro Explosion 19:09

4M ago19:09

19:09

In 1919, a nitroglycerin explosion near Torrent, Kentucky, killed four men and leveled a factory. Today we tell the story of that tragedy and the explosive history of oil well “torpedoes” in Appalachia. It’s another one of the Stories of Appalachia. Be sure to subscribe to the Stories podcast if you haven’t done so already. You’ll find us wherever …

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Christopher Gist and the Opening of Appalachia 12:33

5M ago12:33

12:33

In 1750, surveyor Christopher Gist set out to explore the wilderness of what’s now Southwest Virginia, Eastern Kentucky, and West Virginia. Hired by the Ohio Company, Gist mapped the Appalachian frontier and discovered coal. He also guided a young George Washington, becoming an important figure in the French and Indian War. Join us as we tell the s…

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Bloody Vengeance in Appalachia: The Battle of Dug Hill/The Officer House Massacre 17:26

5M ago17:26

17:26

In March 1864, Union Colonel William B. Stokes and his cavalry were ambushed at Dug Hill, in Tennessee, leaving dozens of his men dead. Enraged, Stokes led a brutal raid on William and Cynthia Officer’s home, where Confederate soldiers, including their son John, were staying. Six were killed, and the family narrowly escaped destruction thanks to th…

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The Rhea County Spartans: The South's All-Female Cavalry Unit 15:30

5M ago15:30

15:30

In the final years of the Civil War, a group of young women in Rhea County, Tennessee, made American history as the only known all-female cavalry unit: the Rhea County Spartans. Born from loyalty to their Confederate fathers, brothers, and sweethearts, they rode sidesaddle into history, carrying supplies, letters, and, according to some accounts, i…

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The Kentucky Longhunter, Henry Skaggs 15:54

5M ago15:54

15:54

In this episode, we tell the story of Henry Skaggs, one of the legendary Kentucky longhunters of the 18th century and his remarkable journey from his early days in Maryland to his time as an explorer and hunter on the Appalachian frontier. Discover how Henry explored the wilderness, including his encounter with the infamous Harpes, America's first …

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Mountains, Moonshine and Mutiny: WW1 Desertion in North Carolina 14:41

5M ago14:41

14:41

In 1918, the mountains of North Carolina erupted in quiet rebellion. Dozens of young men dodged the World War I draft, hiding in the backcountry with help from friends and family. When a deadly shootout left two men dead on a remote mountain road, Governor Thomas Bickett launched an unprecedented campaign to bring the deserters in, using not just r…

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Michael Stoner, Legendary Longhunter of Appalachia 26:34

6M ago26:34

26:34

In this episode we tell the story of Michael Stoner, a German-born frontiersman, longhunter, and close companion of Daniel Boone. From his early days in Pennsylvania to brutal battles like Blue Licks and Boonesborough, to his final expedition up the Missouri River, Michael Stoner was the definition of Appalachian exploration and settlement, making …

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The Assassination of William Taulbee 12:50

6M ago12:50

12:50

On February 28, 1890, a long-simmering feud turned deadly in the halls of the U.S. Capitol. Former Kentucky Congressman William P. Taulbee was shot on the marble stairs by journalist Charles Kincaid after years of personal and political conflict. In this episode, Steve and Rod tell the story of the events that led to the murder and the ghostly lege…

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The Shinnston Tornado 17:14

6M ago17:14

17:14

On June 23, 1944, a massive F4 tornado struck Shinnston, West Virginia, the deadliest tornado in the state’s history. This week we tell the story of the terrifying twister that tore through seven counties and its aftermath. It’s the story of the Shinnston tornado, another one of the Stories of Appalachia. If you’ve not done so already, subscribe to…

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The Harrison Gang's Last Train Robbery: The West Virginia Heist of 1915 17:05

6M ago17:05

17:05

In this episode, we tell the dramatic true story of Charles Jefferson Harrison, a respected San Antonio businessman who became one of Appalachia's most elusive train robbers. Caught when an employee tried to deposit some of the loot from a 1915 robbery, Harrison and his partners in crime were tried in Martinsburg, West Virginia in 1916, where the g…

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The Greeno Mine Disaster: Tacoma, Virginia 14:57

7M ago14:57

14:57

On December 14, 1910, a deadly explosion rocked the Greeno Mine in Tacoma, Virginia, claiming 14 lives and leaving a lasting mark on the Appalachian coalfields. Today we tell the story of Irish immigrant Patrick Hagan, who once owned the land on which the mine was located, and the dangerous conditions that led to this tragedy. It’s another one of t…

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An Appalachian Preacher’s Fall: Bigamy, Abduction and Deceit 14:18

7M ago14:18

14:18

A preacher with five wives, a kidnapped teenage girl, and a cross-country manhunt. This isn’t fiction, it’s the unbelievable true story of Joseph Herman Johnson, a Primitive Baptist minister whose lies and crimes unraveled in an East Tennessee courtroom in 1927. From bigamy to abduction to a bizarre promise of Hollywood stardom to his victim, this …

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Beyond Bristol: The Legacy of the Johnson City Sessions 12:39

7M ago12:39

12:39

In this episode we explore the lesser-known but historically rich Johnson City Sessions of 1928 and 1929. While the Bristol Sessions are often credited as the “Birthplace of Country Music,” Johnson City played a vital follow-up role in capturing the authentic sounds of Appalachia. Frank Buckley Walker, a Columbia Records talent scout, recorded loca…

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Appalachia’s Iron Lady: The Story of Nannie Kelly Wright 15:50

7M ago15:50

15:50

Nannie Kelly Wright ran an iron furnace at a time when most women weren’t even allowed near one. Born in Kentucky, raised on the Ohio River, and later married into the iron industry, Nannie became one of the few women in American history to manage a furnace operation herself — traveling weekly, overseeing workers, and building a fortune. Once rumor…

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08: So You Need Management, Now What? 12:16

8M ago12:16

12:16

Thinking about management? Feeling overwhelmed by your inbox? Or just wondering if an agency is worth it? This episode is for YOU. Today, I’m diving into behind-the-scenes of what management actually looks like as a content creator, how to know when you’re ready, and the major green and red flags to look out for when choosing an agency. After nearl…

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The Lumber King of Appalachia 16:58

8M ago16:58

16:58

William McClellan Ritter didn’t just cut down trees, he built an empire. In this week’s episode, we tell his story, from Pennsylvania farm boy to head of one of the world’s largest lumber companies. He built railroads, ran coal mines, advised the U.S. war effort in World War I and once gifted $3 million to his workers. But that story also includes …

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Tragedy on the Frontier: The Corbly Family Massacre 13:16

8M ago13:16

13:16

On a quiet Sunday morning in the spring of 1782, Pastor John Corbly and his family were headed for church when he realized he’d forgotten his Bible and turned back alone to get it. That action saved his life when his family was ambushed by Indians. In this episode of the Stories podcast, Steve and Rod tell the chilling true story of the Corbly fami…

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07: Can’t Post, Too Sad 10:19

8M ago10:19

10:19

For the girlies who are creatively cooked - this one’s for you. If the thought of making another reel makes you want to vomit, or you’ve been staring at your phone thinking “I literally can’t post, I’m too tired,” welcome. You’re not lazy, you’re not unmotivated… you’re probably just burnt out. And yes, it happens to everyone – myself included. In …

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The Story of Gus McCoig, Appalachia's Little Dillinger 22:42

8M ago22:42

22:42

On this episode of the Stories podcast, we tell the dramatic tale of Gus McCoig, a Jefferson County boy who became one of East Tennessee’s most notorious Depression-era outlaws. McCoig’s story starts with his chance encounter with outlaw Clarence Bunch in a jail cell, followed by their escape and his later capture and conviction for crimes he commi…

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Tennessee’s Gilded Getaway: The Rise and Fall of the Tate Springs Hotel 12:30

8M ago12:30

12:30

Step back in time to the golden era of Appalachian luxury as we explore the rise and fall of Tate Springs, a once-famous resort in Bean Station, Tennessee. Known for its healing mineral spring, lush golf course, and elite clientele, including the Rockefellers and Fords, Tate Springs was the South's hidden gem. Discover how this jewel of East Tennes…

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06: The Overachiever’s Guide to Doing Less with Ashley Henson 43:44

8M ago43:44

43:44

What happens when the girl who does it all decides to slow down? Her brain screams “Wait, this feels wrong!” Take it from Ashley Henson. She’s been there, but she’s glad she pushed through. Ashley is a former HR exec, full-time mom of five(yes, triplets included), and content creator who managed to build a platform and become a full-time influencer…

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The Thousand Mile Yoyage: The Appalachian Roots of Nashville, Tennessee 19:39

9M ago19:39

19:39

In the winter of 1779, a determined group of Appalachian settlers set out on a thousand-mile journey by river, led by Virginia surveyor John Donelson. Battling disease, starvation, ambushes, and the raw forces of nature, they pushed westward down the Holston River, into the Tennessee River, the Ohio and then up the Cumberland River, all through hos…

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Land, Power and a Little Fish: The Tellico Dam Story 14:26

9M ago14:26

14:26

Today we tell the story of the battle over the Tellico Dam, the last major project of the Tennessee Valley Authority. TVA's ambitious plans for the Tellico project included not only a dam and lake but also the development of a brand-new city to be called Timberlake. However, the project faced fierce resistance from landowners who were being forced …

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05. Influencer Myths and Other Lies the Internet Told Us 18:22

9M ago18:22

18:22

Let’s bust some myths, shall we? After 10+ years in the influencer game, I’ve heard it all. Things like: “You have to post 24/7.” “You can’t grow unless you’re everywhere at once.” And honestly? That advice is exhausting. Especially for mom creators trying to juggle it all. Here’s what I wish more motherhood influencers knew: You don’t have to do e…

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The First Tennesseans: William and Lydia Bean 13:44

9M ago13:44

13:44

Nearly twenty years before Tennessee was a state, William Bean built a cabin along the Watagua River and planted roots. In this episode, we tell the story of his journey from longhunter to settler, his friendship with Daniel Boone, and his wife Lydia’s dramatic rescue from execution by Cherokee Beloved Woman Nancy Ward. It’s the story of Tennessee’…

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The Story of Isaac Cline, Appalachia's Weather Man 14:08

9M ago14:08

14:08

This week, Steve and Rod bring you the remarkable story of Isaac Cline, a Tennessee-born son of Appalachia who rose to become one of America’s most respected meteorologists. From his humble beginnings in a two-room log cabin near the Great Smoky Mountains to his fateful role during the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, Cline’s life was marked by groundb…

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04. Can You Be a Mom Influencer Without Posting Your Kids? Emily Vondy Says Yes 54:35

9M ago54:35

54:35

This week, I’m chatting with my girl Emily Vondy, and we’re getting into the messy, honest, sometimes hilarious reality of being a mom on the internet (without relying on your kids for content). Emily’s built an audience of over a million by being wildly relatable and hilarious, but she’s also chosen to stop showing her kids’ faces online. We talk …

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Standoff in Jefferson County: The Haunting Case of W. B. Johnson 16:20

9M ago16:20

16:20

In this episode of Stories of Appalachia, we tell the story of a shocking event in January 1927 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. That was when a prominent county businessman named W.B. Johnson turned from respected community member to notorious outlaw. This tale unfolds with a fateful meeting involving Johnson, two women, and a tragic dispute that e…

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Jellico's Darkest Day: The Explosion That Rocked Appalachia 17:53

10M ago17:53

17:53

In this episode, we tell the harrowing story of the Jellico explosion, a catastrophic event that shook the town of Jellico, Tennessee, on September 21, 1906. What began as a normal morning quickly turned into chaos when a shipment of 11 tons of dynamite detonated, leveling the downtown area and leaving the community in ruins. Join Steve Gilly and R…

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Kentucky's Packhorse Librarians 23:06

10M ago23:06

23:06

In this episode, we tell the inspiring story of the packhorse librarians, a group of determined women who brought literacy and hope to the remote hollers of Eastern Kentucky during the Great Depression. As families struggled to survive, these brave librarians on horses (and mules) navigated rugged terrain to deliver books and educational materials …

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03. The Eve-olution: Getting to Know Our Head of Talent, Eve Hlavatovic 38:10

10M ago38:10

38:10

Tired of fighting to secure brand deals (and to get paid GOOD money for the work you put in)? Say less. Today, I’m bringing in our resident Queen of Negotiation here at ItGirl Agency, Eve, on the show to break down: How to stand on business with brands: Why lowball offers from brands don’t fly at IGA Eve’s secret to badass negotiation (and why she …