Mothman in the Bible Belt Podcast

Former Hollywood gaffer Kyle Warmack discusses his past career lighting movie and TV show sets, acting in a campy Damian Chapa movie, working a dolly on a Randy Travis music video, and the West Virginia-shot Sago Mine Disaster-inspired movie "Little Accidents". Warmack has 74 IMDB gaffing and cinematographer credits to his name. He lit "Dear White People (season 3), "Hello, My Name is Doris", "Dope", "Idiot Sitter," "Dimension 404", "The Mooring", "Tiny Commando", and "On My Block"... to just name a few TV shows and movies. Warmack is currently employed at a popular West Virginia arts and humanities organization. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Buchannon-based psychedelic rock band Acid Mind Drainage's Billy Lotion, Todd Drainage, and Vintage Fat Daddy Jay and their producer Stephen Halterman aka Steven Starr discuss their second record, upcoming shows, and a new concert venue opening in 2025 in Buchannon. The band debut new songs from their forthcoming record, and give their two cents on Timothee Chalamate playing Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown and Elton John bashing cannabis legalization. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Space Freq's Sam Mills, Alex Garcia, and Brandon Dent discuss their latest record, band history, and sound. The band chimes in on whether or not Ella Fitzgerald sold out in the '80s for hocking KFC and if they'd ever record a Diane Warren track. Space Freq is a tri-county West Virginia cosmic jazz and space funk band. In November 2024, the band dropped their LP Frequencies of the Ether. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Famed ghosthunter and documentarian Barry Conrad discusses the San Pedro Haunting, the Kelly–Hopkinsville extraterrestrial encounter, and the TV show he co-created, My Ghost Story. Conrad dishes on his documentaries Legend of the Flatwoods Monster and California's Most Haunted, and being eyed for Ghost Hunters. He also chimes in on the status of a Mothman doc he's been working on for 20 plus years. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Bluefield-based alt rocker Matt Deal dishes on his latest release "Drunken, Belligerent Forget-Me-Nots", growing up in McDowell County, and artificial intelligence in music. Deal also chimes in on Chappell Roan wanting to be seen as some "random bitch on the street" by her fans and his classic rap track "Mashed Potato Juice". --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Matt Kiser, Zach White, Scott Hinkle, and Ben Keenan of WV rock band Never Zero dish on their new music, setlist selection , and what music inspired their sound. The band give their two cents on Dave Grohl fathering a child out of wedlock, Linkin Park's new lead singer Emily Armstrong, and Jane's Addiction's onstage band drama between Perry Ferrell and Dave Navarro. The band also chime in on Cher getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a frail Franki Valli caught lipsyncing in concert. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Parkersburg, West Virginia country-western musician and singer-songwriter ⁠Roger Richards⁠ discusses his music, the Parkersburg music scene, and getting a phone call from an American Idol executive producer. Richards dishes on how losing his young brother to suicide inspired his song "Used to Be" and he chimes in on modern country music. The country crooner speaks candidly about growing up in the West Virginia foster care system. Roger Richards music can be purchased on I-tunes and Amazon Music and streamed on Spotify and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Morgantown-based rock funk jam band Intoxicated Zen's Davis Kimble, Will Oxley, and Ryan Quickel dish on their debut eponymous record, WVU axing their World Languages Department and cutting music degree program offerings, and their wild alien inspired tack "Project Serpo". The band tries to distinguish Morgantown's music scene from the rest of West Virginia's, chat it up on musical influences, and chime in on why The B-52's are not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame yet. Intoxicated Zen tracks featured: 'On the Road', 'Losing Grip', 'After Dark', and 'Dependency'. You can purhase "Intoxicated Zen" on I-tunes and Amazon Music, and stream the record on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Adam Cox, Fox Hunt, and Beth Segessenman of Independent State spill the tea on their debut record "The Wild and the Wonderful", touring, and being a unit for ten years. The Independent State players dish on their involvement in environmental causes in West Virginia and the anti-fracking track ""Save This West Virginia. The band discuss poet and activist Don West's influence and poetry being incorporated into their music collection. Plus, they sound off on modern country music, lack of ballads on the airwaves, and whether or not Fox inspired Sierra Ferrell's "Fox Hunt"!! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Black Hole Zion frontman Mark Benincosa aka Mark Zbornak dishes on upcoming Black Hole Zion music, creating video game soundtracks, and having a classical album ("Nadia Boulanger -Mademoiselle-Premiere Audience") he produced and engineered nominated for a Grammy. Benincosa also discusses the complexities of obtaining licensing rights to record cover songs and his "Running on Empty" cover. Black Hole Zion is a Fairmont-based heavy metal-electronic band that has released 8 records to date. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Ohio trans poet Barbara Marie Minney discusses her latest book of poetry "A Woman in Progress", growing up in Vienna, West Virginia, and the backlash her coming out as trans had on her and her spouse's lives. Minney dishes on the status of her canned erotic novela, using TMS therapy to treat depression, and a possible memoir. She also shares three of her poems. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Author Eliot Parker dishes on his latest book “Table for Two: A Collection of Stories” and the Ronan McCullough crime thriller novels. Parker talks about growing up in Charleston, WV and coming out gay later in life. The author speaks candidly on the West Virginia Legislature trying to remove libraries, museums and schools from criminal liability exemptions over the display or distribution of materials deemed obscene during this year's legislative session. He also chimes in on the appeal of adult children's parody books and whether or not the world should forgive Madonna for her naughty coffee table book Sex. The crime thriller novelist also breaks down the recipe for writing a good book. Author Eliot Parker was born and raised in Charleston, West Virginia. He's released seven books to date. In the Spring of 2024, Parker was inducted into the West Virginia Literary Hall of Recognition for outstanding contributions to literature and West Virginia. He's the recipient of the PenCraft and Featherd Quill book awards as well as the West Virginia Literary Merit Award. Kirkus magazine named Parker's A Final Call as one of its Great Indie Books Worth Discovering in 2022. On top of being a published author, Parker is a writing teacher at the University of Mississippi and hosts the podcast Now, Appalachia. He resides in Oxford, Mississippi. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

West Virginia psych-stoner metal band Horseburner's Adam Nohe, Jack Thomas, and Ryan Aliff dish on their upcoming 4th album "Voice of Storms, band history, stories behind the songs, and touring. The band discusses how COVID-19 impacted touring plans and how they juggle 9-5 jobs with writing, recording, and touring nationally. Guitarist Matt Stroebel was unable to participate in the interview. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Ann Magnuson reflects on her young life growing up in Charleston, West Virginia and dishes on her latest single "Ghost Cat". This lengthy interview dives into Magnuson's past, both on stage and screen, NYC nightlife, and dealing with loved ones passing from AIDS in the '80s and '90s. Magnuson discusses Making Mr. Right, landing Desperately Seeking Susan, and making out with David Bowie. The entertainer shares stories about new wave opera singer Klaus Nomi, entertainer Joey Arias, and drag legend Lady Bunny. In the interview we learn the fate of Bongwater, and is Vulcan Death Grip making a come back? Also, Magnuson dishes on how Bongwater landed David Sanborn's Night Music show. Mothman in the Bible Belt streams on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, IHeartRadio, Deezer, Amazon, Audible, YouTube, and Audacy. ©Copyright 2024 Jeremy Brannon. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Justin Johnson, Chad Fisher, and Nathan Shrewsbury of West Virginia '80s pop-rock retro band Rewind The Walkman discuss their debut show at The Blue Parrot on February 17th, '80s music, their music videos, and whether Heart singer Ann Wilson should regularly perform a song she detests, "All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You." The band also chime in on Everytime You Go Away singer Paul Young's deteriorating voice. Other topics of discussion include Sierra Ferrell performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Cher filing for conservatorship of her son, Elijah Blue Allmann, and musicians that passed away in 2023. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

24-year-old pornstar Adam Awbride dishes on the Israel-Hamas War, immigration, and the 2024 Election. Awbride gives his opinion on porn mogul Michael Lucas slapping his name on an IDF missile headed towards Gaza and former scene partner Sergeant Miles's arrest for his involvement in the January 6th insurrection. And of course, Awbride speaks frankly about his career in porn. Awbride also talks about Only Fans scenes with Max Konnor and Dante Cole, what he wanted to do when he grew up, and aging in the porn industry. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Crown the Witch dishes on their EP "This Curse", the status of DeadFaceDown, the West Virginia music scene, and their love of rock band Morbid Angel. The rockers also name who they want in the 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and if Cher is worthy of induction. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Hair Supply rockers Philthy Trenches and Weedles Von Frankenberry discuss their rock band, their music and several scandals they've been involved in. Philthy Trenches discusses his relationship with Tina Turner and Weedles Von Frankenberry dishes on his wild sex life. Also discussed, their current lead singer Pipes allegedly appearing in sex tape with a Wilson Phillips singer. Past Hair Supply singer Tyler Stevens' gruesome death is discussed in great detail. Hair Supply is a West Virginia-based rock band. They are currently playing dates in Appalachia. For tour dates, visit http://hairsupply.live. ***Legal Disclaimer: This specific podcast episode is for entertainment purposes only. Allegations and accusations pertaining to any and all music celebrities discussed in this specific podcast episode (#32: Rockin' the Mountain State)is purely fictitious. No slander or libel is intended. Previous and future podcast episodes are 100% factual. Hair Supply is a satirical rock band in the vein of Spinal Tap. When in Rome do as the Romans do. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

West Virginia Explorer Magazine editor-in-chief David Sibray dishes on popular West Virginia tourist attractions, Mountain State cuisine, and his encounter with a sasquatch in Mount Hope. Sibray also discusses West Virginia folklore and John Sayle's "Matewan." On top of being editor-in-chief of WV Explorer, Sibray is also a historian, realtor, public relations specialist and Preservation Aliance of West Virginia board member. He's been a journalist for 36-years. Sibray resides in Beckley, West Virginia. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

The Undeniable Comedy Tour featuring comedians Lee Mays, Jeromy Moore and Jason Evans is playing the Mountain Roots Community Theatre in Belle, West Virginia on April 1st at 8pm. The comedy trio dish on their Belle gig, political correctness in comedy, Roseanne Barr's Fox Nation comedy special, and lack of comedy club venues in West Virginia. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

West Virginia Black Pride Foundation president and CEO Kasha Snyder-McDonald discusses the black trans experience in West Virginia, violence against black trans women and dishes on her newish LGBTQ advocacy organization. Snyder-McDonald also talks about drag performers Coti Collins and Michelle St. James, no West Virginia representation on Rupaul's Drag Race and her ten time trophy snatching drag alter ego Akasha Karmichael. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

The West Virginia music scene: What dominates it, rock or country-western music? Dog Soldier and Goldtown singer Justin Johnson and DeadFaceDown guitarist Chad Fisher chime in on that and the music scene of years gone by. Johnson and Fisher also discuss their latest musical collaboration “Hungry Eyes”, recording 80s covers, this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees, and Madonna's appearance at the Grammys. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Kentucky native Jeromy Moore dishes on his 16-year career as a stand-up comedian. Moore talks about being out in improve, Appalachian comedians, political correctness, the difference between bullying and comedy, and opening for Gallagher, Michael Winslow and Golden Globes award winning actress Jennifer Coolidge. Moore also chimes in on Dave Chappelle's controversial Netflix special. Moore is touring the tri-state this year with Undeniable Comedy Tour comedians Lee Mays and Jason Evans. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Retired public school teacher and actress, Cathy Deobler, discusses what brought her to West Virginia from Los Angeles, California; Riverside High's lack of theater, and her arts non-profit the Mountain Roots Community Theatre. Deobler also dishes on past and upcoming Mountain Roots Community Theatre shows. Mountain Roots Community Theatre is located in the old Magic Mart/Fastenal building in the Quincy Shopping Center in Belle, West Virginia. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

West Virginia filmmakers Calvin Grimm and Herbert Gardner discuss their 2022 scifi-horror-thriller "Return of the Mothman", the infamous cryptid behind it and the newly revamped and reinstated West Virginia film tax credit. Grimm also discusses his doc "37 Fallen" and West Virginia State University historical drama "River of Hope." "Return of the Mothman" is based on Logan County, West Virginia native Michael Knost's book of the same name. Grimm and Gardner are co-founders of the Vandalia Filmworx Foundation and its co-directors --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Legendary parapsychologist Dr. Barry E. Taff dishes on how he got into researching ESP, poltergeists and hauntings at UCLA's famed parapsychology lab and his parapsychology work following the lab's closure. The Entity case, San Pedro Haunting, alien abductions, Zak Bagans, and stories from Taff's debut 2010 book "Aliens Above, Ghosts Below" are discussed in depth. ***Disclaimer: This podcast episode is about dispelling myths about ghosts and poltergeists and searching for rational explanations to these things verses blaming demons and devils for potential paranormal phenomena. I do not claim to have any in-depth knowledge about extraterrestrials nor have I encountered any. People should be more concerned with the U.S. potentially getting into a nuclear war with Russia verses worrying about extraterrestrials abducting them. Dr. Barry E. Taff investigated and researched paranormal phenomena for over 50-years. Taff got his start at UCLA's famed parapsychology lab first helping with ESP (a.k.a. remote viewing) research and later researching poltergeists and hauntings. Taff was the lead researcher on The Entity(Doris Bither) case in 1974 and in 1989, investigated the San Pedro Haunting. Taff has appeared on numerous TV shows, docs and radio programs including Sightings, NBC's The Otherside, California's Most Haunted, Ghost Adventures, Zak Bagans' Demon House, and Art Bell's Coast to Coast. In 2010, Taff released a book about his work investigating and researching the things that go bump in the night titled "Aliens Above, Ghosts Below." Copyright © 2022 Jeremy Brannon. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

First time author Brian Cochran talks about his debut book "The Spring House", growing up gay in Georgia, real life ghosts, and seeing the B-52s and REM live in Athens before they made it big. Cochran lives in Charleston, West Virginia with his husband Stephen and their three dogs. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

George Patterson started Hernshaw Farms on an old strip mine in Hernshaw, West Virginia in 2018. They raise nearly 20 varieties of gourmet mushrooms and sell a host of ag products to consumers in West Virginia and beyond. Patterson discusses his mushroom enterprise, and gives his two cents on the State of West Virginia possibly decriminalizing magic mushrooms in the future and also West Virginia's astringent opportunity blocking financial requirements for medical cannabis growers and processors. You can purchase Hernshaw Farms gourmet mushrooms, mushroom kits and more at www.HernshawFarms.com. Copyright © 2022 Jeremy Brannon. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Trans activist, educator, entrepreneur and former pornstar Buck Angel discusses his life, career, fatherhood, controversial statements and legacy. Angel also gives his thoughts on the doc "What is a Woman?", Rachel Dolezal being "trans racial", Kate Pierson's "Mr. Sister", and where he stands politically. Buck Angel is the subject of the 2013 documentary "Mr. Angel." Copyright © 2022 Jeremy Brannon. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Out entertainer Ted Brightwell is a legend in West Virginia. He's resided in the Mountain State since the mid-70s. Brightwell is a hair stylist, actor, drag performer, emcee, and LGBT rights advocate. Brightwell is the man behind drag diva Vicki Williams. Brightwell discusses his life, Rupaul's Drag Race, the gay scene in Charleston in the '70s and '80s, acting, pageants, Cher, Barbra Streisand, and legendary Charleston drag queens of long ago. He also discusses the state of LGBT rights in West Virginia and his concerns over the U.S. Supreme Court recently overturning Roe V. Wade. Copyright © 2022 Jeremy Brannon. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Journalist and documentary filmmaker Amanda Page discusses her debut doc "Peerless City" about the "pill mill capitol of America" Portsmouth, Ohio. Page also chimes in on poverty and drug addiction in Portsmouth and in West Virginia. Page's articles have been featured in Belt Magazine, The Daily Yonder, 100 Days in Appalachia, Literary Hub and Yes! Magazine. Copyright © 2022 Jeremy Brannon. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Homelessness and unaffordable housing are two problems that many Americans face. Openly gay homeless rights activist, social media influencer and New Yorker Karim Walker experienced both while living in the Big Apple. Walker shares his story of survival and talks candidly about homelessness, poverty, unaffordable housing, race in America, and corporate America using Pride Month to make a buck off of LGBT folks while giving to anti-LGBT candidates. Copyright © 2022 Jeremy Brannon. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict is an enigma to most Americans. Many Americans think the so-called "conflict" is simply a Jews verses Muslims thing. It's not. It's about land grabbing and keeping the promise of statehood to Palestinians. Guest Philip Weiss discusses his online publication Mondoweiss, the Israeli Occupation of Palestine, BDS, Zionism, and the role U.S. Zionist organizations are playing in the Occupation and their influence in U.S. politics. Also discussed, the Israeli Defense Forces recently murdering journalists Shireen Abu Akleh and Ghufran Harun Warasneh. Weiss is the founder of Mondoweiss, where he serves as senior editor and journalist. Mondoweiss is an online news and analysis publication aimed at bringing the Palestinian perspective of the Occupation to the United States. Copyright © 2022 Jeremy Brannon. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

West Virginia author Matt Browning dishes on his latest book "The Definitive Golden Girls Cultural Reference Guide". Browning also discusses the Golden-Con: Thank You for Being a Fan Convention, life growing up in the Southern Coalfields, and whether or not coal mining is sexy. Browning's other literary works include "Bookstore Explorer: West Virginia" and the children's book "Chicks and the City." You can purchase Browning's books at www.MattBrowningBooks.com. Copyright © 2022 Jeremy Brannon. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

The Primary Election in West Virginia is May 10th. Early voting is on its final week. Many West Virginia voters are unaware of how their elected reps in the West Virginia Legislature vote. Activist/blogger Jeremy Brannon recently wrote a scathing article on how candidates endorsed by West Virginia "Progressive" political organizations WV Working Families Party and WV Can't Wait voted titled "W.Va. 'Progressives' Sticky Situation: The 2022 Election". In the blog, Brannon details voting records pertaining to the environment, civil liberties, taxes and worker rights. Most of the Progressive political organizations endorsed candidates' voting records don't align with the organization's supposed Progressive ideals and values. This podcast episode breaks down Brannon's 2-year critique of the "Progressives" voting record on top of self-destructive Republican votes. WV Can't Wait's claim that none of their candidates took corporate money is debunked as well. Also discussed, the Charleston mayoral race. WV Democratic Party Indigenous Caucus co-chair Seth "Thunder" Sturm is the guest. He gives his thoughts on the endorsed candidates votes. Sturm is currently running for the WV Democratic Executive Committee. Sturm's presence on this podcast episode is not an endorsement of the Democratic Party. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

That West Virginia Music Show host Nathaniel James dishes on his new show and the West Virginia music scene. James also gives his two cents on Dolly Parton asking to have her Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination rescinded, Wheeler Walker Jr., and Madonna using sex to sell her music in her sixties. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Self-Injury Awareness educator Sarah Fox discusses her life in and out of the foster care system and experiencing homelessness as an adult. Fox also dishes on slumlords, unaffordable housing, and her experiences with homeless service providers in West Virginia. Copyright © 2022 Jeremy Brannon. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Charleston, West Virginia is a dead zone when it comes to readily available good paying opportunities. Poverty, drug addiction and crime thrive in Charleston. Police brutality geared towards black people and the homeless are common occurrences. Homeless encampments and panhandling have become the norm in Downtown Charleston and on the West Side. HIV rates among IV injection users are rising. Last year Charleston City Council moved to make it a misdemeanor crime for anyone to operate a harm reduction program without having it first licensed with the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health. The issue at hand is needs-based verses one-for-one harm reduction programs. Charleston Mayor Amy Goodwin isn't doing much to address these societal ills. She's more concerned with beautifying the city and painting over the ugliness that exists here than taking bold corrective action to make Charleston a thriving city for all. Democratic mayoral candidate Martec Washington shares his vision for Charleston and how he will reverse these trends if elected. Copyright © 2022 Jeremy Brannon. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Nuclear Power is a controversial subject. After incidents at nuclear power plants at Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima the public has greatly frowned upon nuclear energy. Nuclear energy is costly, not as clean as nuclear advocates claim and there are serious safety concerns about it. Some quasi-environmentalists/climate change activists are advocating for nuclear energy to be used as an alternative to fossil fuels while others are questioning whether or not these people have lost their god damn minds. On the 11th episode of the Mothman in the Bible Belt Podcast Nuclear Information and Resource Service's Radioactive Waste Project Director Diane D'Arrigo discusses the ins and outs of nuclear energy and nuclear power plants, including proposed small modular nuclear reactors. The West Virginia Legislature's proposed repeal of the state's nuclear power plant ban is also discussed. Two so-called “environmentalists” spoke in favor of HB 2882(one of two bills that would repeal West Virginia's nuclear power plant ban) at a recent public hearing at the West Virginia State Capitol. Snippets of this public hearing are intertwined in the podcast episode. The interview with Diane D'Arrigo took place on January 21st, 2022. The public hearing on HB 2882 took place on January 28th, 2022. HB 2882's sister bill, SB 4, passed the WV House of Delegates on January 31st, 3-days after the public hearing took place. SB 4 currently sits on Gov. Jim Justice's desk. Copyright © 2022 Jeremy Brannon. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Ever wonder how billionaires like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Michael Bloomberg got away with paying no federal income taxes for a few years and you didn't? ProPublica senior editor and reporter Jesse Eisinger discusses the popular article he co-authored in June 2021, “The Secret IRS Files: Trove of Never-Before-Seen Records Reveal How the Wealthiest Avoid Income Tax” and how the current tax system is rigged for the ultra-wealthy. We also discuss Julian Assange, the Build Back Better Act, the Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster, Donald Trump's tax returns, and how federal COVID-19 relief money was spent. In 2011, Eisinger won a Pulitzer Prize award for National Reporting for his and Jake Bernstein's reporting on questionable Wall Street practices that contributed to the 2008 United States financial crisis. In 2017, Eisinger released his book “The Chicken Sh*t Club” about how the U.S. Justice Department went light on corporate criminals after Enron. Copyright © 2021 Jeremy Brannon. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Affordable housing is a problem many Americans face. Millions of Americans work two or more low-wage paying jobs to simply survive. Affordable housing expert Flora Valdes-Depena discusses affordable housing options being deployed across the country such as inclusionary zoning, community land trusts, source of income discrimination laws and rent control. Valdes-Depena works for an affordable housing research and policy organization in Richmond, Virginia. Copyright © 2021 Jeremy Brannon. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Environmental freelance journalist Justin Nobel takes Mothman in the Bible Belt Podcast listeners on a scary journey through the oil and gas industry. Nobel discusses in great length the workplace safety and public health threats that both fracking and conventional oil and natural gas extraction poses to Americans. Nobel wrote a popular Rolling Stone article on fracking last year titled "America's Radioactive Secret." We talk about the article, fracking in West Virginia and across the United States, and his upcoming book on the podcast. Besides Rolling Stone, Nobel's work has been featured in Desmog, Audubon, National Geographic, Time, and Newsweek. Copyright © 2021 Jeremy Brannon. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Native American activist, podcaster and co-chair of the West Virginia Democratic Party's Indigenous Caucus, Seth Sturm, alleges there's racists in the West Virginia Democratic Party... and he names names and the alleged racist acts committed. Sturm is also a member of the WVDP Affirmative Action Caucus. Sturm discusses the Affirmative Action caucus being booted from the West Virginia Democratic Party's June 3rd, 2021 Zoom meeting where the affirmative action plan was being debated with no input from the AAC, and how WV Can't Wait endorsed WV House candidate Selina Vickers is allegedly using BIPOC folks to further her own political agenda in the party and whether or not that's a good thing. This podcast interview is important because it highlights that racism and racist attitudes are not only prevalent in the Republican Party but also in the Democratic Party as well. Copyright © Jeremy Brannon 2021. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

West Virginia-raised actor, comedian and writer Sam Pancake dishes on his early life in West Virginia, film and television roles, famous friends, getting sober, and how he got from point A to point B in life. Sam Pancake appeared in 109 television and movie roles and counting, and numerous commercials and theatrical productions. Pancake is a WVU alum. He currently stars as Carter Nash on ABC's 'A Million Little Things.' Pancake is best known for his roles on Kitchen Confidential, Lovespring International, Arrested Development, Pretty and Will and Grace. He also had parts in movies like Legally Blonde 2, Dumplin, Out West, the Hungover Games and Gia. Copyright © Jeremy Brannon 2021. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

This week's podcast episode is dedicated to child homelessness in West Virginia. It's my most controversial podcast episode to date. Why is it controversial? My guests' answers on how to alleviate homelessness. Hint: having a college degree or vocational/technical certification does not guarantee any West Virginian a living wage paying job. My guests are Beth Scohy, the Director of Training at Daymark, and Dr. Perry Blankenship the former Attendance Director and Homeless Liaison for McDowell County Schools. Copyright © Jeremy Brannon 2021. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

West Virginia public school teacher and union activist, Nicole McCormick, dishes on the anti-teacher and anti-union legislation that passed the West Virginia Legislature this past session and why teachers and their unions let it happen. McCormick also discusses how COVID-19 impacted teachers and students, the 2016 Jim Justice endorsement, and children impacted by the Opioid Epidemic. McCormick ran for VP of West Virginia Education Association in 2020 and serves on the WV United Caucus steering committee. Copyright (c) Jeremy Brannon 2021. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

University of Charleston medicinal chemistry professor Dr. Rebecca Linger discusses plant medicine and her debut book "A Guide to the Toxicology of Select Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern North America." Copyright(c) Jeremy Brannon 2021. All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

Three time West Virginia gubernatorial candidate and former WV legislator, Charlotte Pritt, discusses her career in public service, activism and politics. Pritt recounts what drove her to seek out a seat in the WV House of Delegates and run for governor. She discloses dirty going ons at the WV state capitol, a miscarriage she had while on the campaign trial while running for governor in 1996, her fight to get insurance companies to cover AIDS sufferers, and her disdain for Sen. Joe Manchin. Also, Pritt shares her opinions of the WV Democratic Party, Belinda Biafore, Gaston Caperton, Robert C. Byrd, Ken Hechler and the West Virginia Progressive movement. This podcast is too juicy to pass up! You can listen to this podcast and more on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and SoundCloud. Check out mothmaninthebiblebelt.com for updates on new podcast outlets where you can stream and download the Mothman in the Bible Belt Podcast. *Note: this podcast was done via telephone. Listeners may encounter some slight static in the audio but the podcast is completely audible. (c)Copyright Jeremy Brannon 2021, All Rights Reserved. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support

My 1st guest on the inaugural episode of the Mothman in the Bible Belt Podcast is medicine historian Dr. John M. Riddle. Dr. Riddle was the History Department chair and Alumni Distinguished Professor at North Carolina State University. He's authored numerous books on plant-based birth control, medicine and human sexuality such as "Contraception and Abortion from the Ancient World to the Renaissance", "Eve's Herbs: A History of Contraception and Abortion in the West", "Dioscorides on Pharmacy and Medicine", and "Goddesses, Elixirs, and Witches: Plants and Sexuality throughout Human History". Dr. Riddle joins me to discuss plant-based birth control and abortifacients used before abortion was "banned" in the 19th century in the United States. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mothmaninthebiblebelt/support