My Appalachia

We’re back!!! Several travelers encounter the former owner of a little house in which they are spending the night…piece by piece. You can subscribe to the MountainLore podcast at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Audible, Spotify, IHeart Radio, RadioPublic and more. Sweet dreams, podcast listeners…

Today we tell the tale of a curious Cherokee woman who was turned into a cat-beast, doomed to wander the woods of Appalachia. You can subscribe to the MountainLore podcast at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, RadioPublic, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Audible, IHeart Radio or on your favorite podcast app. We’re also on YouTube. Please click the “Subscribe” button and give us a thumbs up, if you don’t mind. Sweet dreams, podcast listener…

What happens when a grumpy old husband and his long-suffering wife swap chores for a day?  Well, click that button and listen to our tale to find out! We’d appreciate it if you’d subscribe to the MountainLore podcast, at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Stitcher, RadioPublic, Amazon Music and pretty much anywhere you find fine podcasts. Sweet dreams, podcast listeners!

Time for another Jack tale!  In this one lazy old Jack meets a mysterious old woman who gives him three amazing gifts, if only he can keep from losing them! The MountainLore podcast is available at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, IHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Audible, and more. Sweet dreams, podcast listeners…

Another story from our MountainLore website: What happens when a raccoon gets shot with a silver bullet?  Find out on this episode of MountainLore… You can subscribe to My Appalachia/MountainLore at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, TuneIn, Amazon Music, RadioPublic and more. Check out the MountainLore YouTube channel, too. Be sure to click that “Subscribe” button and ding the bell for notification whenever we release a new episode! Sweet dreams, podcast listeners…

It’s said that if you enter one particular cave near Dungannon, Virginia, you’ll hear the most beautiful fiddle music in the world. In this week’s episode we tell you that tale. The MountainLore podcast is available on fine podcast apps like these: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, RadioPublic, PlayerFM, Deezer, IHeart Radio, TuneIn, or on our website, www.mountainlore.net. We’re also on YouTube. If you’d rather see us tell our stories, be sure to hit that “Subscribe” button and give us a... Read More Read More

Today we bring you another tale from our MountainLore podcast. The Cherokee told many stories about nature and the forces behind it.  Today we share two of those tales with you, one about how a man from the icy north controls the weather and the other about how a stone-armored monster is controlled in a most unique way.   The audio version of the MountainLore podcast can be found at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, IHeart Radio and... Read More Read More

There was once a group of Appalachian settlers who ventured into the wilderness of what’s now Southwest Virginia and found the most beautiful valley, above which was a rugged gorge. One of the men in the group had a problem with jealousy over a beautiful young woman who had fallen for another one of the settlers, so he decided to solve the problem with treachery that could have cost all in the group their lives, save him and the woman.... Read More Read More

I realize we’ve been off kilter ever since 2020 went off the rails. Gena and I will make it up to you, we promise, as soon as things get back to something close to normal. In the meantime we have a Jack tale for you, freshly recorded and produced! In today’s tale, Jack tricks an old woman into making the most delicious soup ever…made with an old cats eye marble. You can subscribe to the MountainLore podcast at Apple Podcasts,... Read More Read More

I realize we’ve been off kilter ever since 2020 went off the rails. Gena and I will make it up to you, we promise, as soon as things get back to something close to normal. In the meantime we have a Jack tale for you, freshly recorded and produced! In today’s tale, Jack tricks an old woman into making the most delicious soup ever…made with an old cats eye marble. You can subscribe to the MountainLore podcast at Apple Podcasts,... Read More Read More

A young couple’s love ends in tragedy, with the spirit of a young woman fated to roam an Appalachian mountain for eternity. You can subscribe to the MountainLore podcast at Apple Podcasts, RadioPublic, Stitcher, Deezer, Spotify, TuneIn, and lots of other podcast apps. Sweet dreams, podcast listeners… Subscribe at Apple Podcasts.

A young couple’s love ends in tragedy, with the spirit of a young woman fated to roam an Appalachian mountain for eternity. You can subscribe to the MountainLore podcast at Apple Podcasts, RadioPublic, Stitcher, Deezer, Spotify, TuneIn, and lots of other podcast apps. Sweet dreams, podcast listeners… Subscribe at Apple Podcasts.

Burnt House, West Virginia, is one of those places in Appalachia with an interesting name. Yes, it’s named for a house that burned to the ground, but there’s much more to the story than that. Today on the MountainLore podcast we share that tale with you. You can subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Radio.com, TuneIn and many other podcast apps. Sweet dreams, y’all…

Rotherwood Mansion is an imposing site, sitting at the top of a large hill next to the Holston River in Tennessee.  At one time, it’s been told, the mansion and its slaves were under the thumb of a vicious master, who met his eternal fate on his deathbed.  Today we tell that tale. The MountainLore podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, RadioPublic, IHeart Radio, Spotify, and many other podcast apps. Sweet dreams, podcast listeners…

Long, long ago the Cherokee faced a terrible witch named Skee-lih, who had a habit of killing the elderly and taking their brains to feast upon.  Today we tell that tale. The MountainLore podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, RadioPublic, Google Play, TuneIn, Spotify and more. Til next we meet, sweet dreams, podcast listener…

Nearly 140 years ago a farmer lived in the mountains of Pennsylvania.  His closest neighbor was an old woman reputed to be a very powerful witch.  Today we tell the tale of what happened when this farmer and his neighbor crossed paths. The MountainLore podcast is available at our website, www.mountainlore.net; also at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, IHeart Radio and on many other podcast apps. Take care of yourselves, folks, and, as always, we wish you sweet dreams…

Today we share another episode from our MountainLore podcast. We hope you enjoy it; if you’d like to subscribe, go to the MountainLore website, or to your favorite podcast app. Back at the turn of the 20th century lived a man in East Tennessee to whom God revealed visions of the future.  Most folks called him crazy…until 1945.  Today we tell a tale that’s part history and part folklore, the story of John Hendrix. You can subscribe to the MountainLore... Read More Read More

It’s said that a fortune in pure silver lies hidden somewhere in Appalachia, just waiting for someone to find it. Today we tell the tale of Swift’s Silver Mine. If you like the podcast, be sure to go to our MountainLore website at mountainlore.net and subscribe. The MountainLore podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, IHeart Radio, Stitcher, Tune In and many other podcast apps. Thanks for listening and for sharing our tales of Appalachian folklore. Sweet dreams, podcast... Read More Read More

It’s said that a fortune in pure silver lies hidden somewhere in Appalachia, just waiting for someone to find it. Today we tell the tale of Swift’s Silver Mine. If you like the podcast, be sure to go to our MountainLore website at mountainlore.net and subscribe. The MountainLore podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, IHeart Radio, Stitcher, Tune In and many other podcast apps. Thanks for listening and for sharing our tales of Appalachian folklore. Sweet dreams, podcast... Read More Read More

Many years ago a woman killed herself rather than leave her Appalachian home.  It’s said she remains, though, in another form.  Today we share that tale from the MountainLore website. The My Appalachia podcast is available at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, RadioPublic, IHeart Radio and on many other podcast apps, all for free. Sweet dreams podcast listeners…

Many years ago a woman killed herself rather than leave her Appalachian home.  It’s said she remains, though, in another form.  Today we share her tale from our MountainLore website. The My Appalachia podcast is available at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, RadioPublic, IHeart Radio and on many other podcast apps, all for free. Sweet dreams podcast listeners…

A young couple found the perfect house for rent in Bristol, Tennessee.  They loved it…until their previously unknown ghostly roommate made a bloody appearance. The MountainLore podcast is available at www.mountainlore.net, Apple Podcasts, RadioPublic, Stitcher, Spotify as well as on many other podcast apps. Sweet dreams, podcast listeners…

Today we’re going to share, from our MountainLore website, a tale of ghosts, spirit possession and evil that happened to a young radio disc jockey and his girlfriend in a house they were renting in Knoxville, Tennessee, in the early 1990’s. This is a true Appalachian horror story, told by one of the people who lived through it. Thanks for listening.

Today we’re going to share, from our MountainLore website, a tale of ghosts, spirit possession and evil that happened to a young radio disc jockey and his girlfriend in a house they were renting in Knoxville, Tennessee, in the early 1990’s. This is a true Appalachian horror story, told by one of the people who lived through it. Thanks for listening.

This month we talk about the Highlander fire; then we discuss the connection between Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Appalachia; that leads us to politicians in general; finally, there’s apparently another ghost loose in the podcast studio. We appreciate you listening. You can subscribe to the My Appalachia podcast at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play or on any number of other podcast apps. Our new web address is www.myappalachia.org. Be sure to bookmark it!

This month we talk about the Highlander fire; then we discuss the connection between Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Appalachia; that leads us to politicians in general; finally, there’s apparently another ghost loose in the podcast studio. We appreciate you listening. You can subscribe to the My Appalachia podcast at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play or on any number of other podcast apps. Our new web address is www.myappalachia.org. Be sure to bookmark it!

Today we thought we’d share with you another MountainLore tale. This one is a traditional Jack tale, in which Jack overcomes his brothers’ treachery, animal attacks and a witch’s guile to end up with a beautiful wife and a fortune. Jack has all the luck! We hope you enjoy. Subscribe at Apple Podcasts.

Hello podcast listeners! Today we talk to an author who currently lives in East Tennessee and has a new semi-autobiographical book out that deals with addiction, treatment and recovery, all from the point of view of the subject’s dog. Jeff gives a fascinating interview in which he opens up about his own struggles and work toward recovery. Please take the time to listen and share with your friends. You can subscribe to the My Appalachia podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher,... Read More Read More

Hello podcast listeners! Today we talk to an author who currently lives in East Tennessee and has a new semi-autobiographical book out that deals with addiction, treatment and recovery, all from the point of view of the subject’s dog. Jeff gives a fascinating interview in which he opens up about his own struggles and work toward recovery. Please take the time to listen and share with your friends. You can subscribe to the My Appalachia podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher,... Read More Read More

We’re working on our March episode of the My Appalachia podcast, in which we’ll be discussing the written word and interviewing an author with roots in Appalachia about his new book. We’ll also be jumping into the controversy around Hillbilly Elegy and the response to it, Appalachian Reckoning. Look for that in the next week or two. In the meantime, we wanted to share with y’all the latest MountainLore tale, “Joash and the Woodbooger.” Enjoy!

Hello folks…for our February episode, Steve and Gena take a look at some, shall we say, offbeat things in Appalachia, including petrified witches, mummies, and other assorted things. You can subscribe to the My Appalachia podcast at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher or on your favorite podcast app. We're on Twitter and Facebook @myappalachia

Hello folks…for our February episode, Steve and Gena take a look at some, shall we say, offbeat things in Appalachia, including petrified witches, mummies, and other assorted things. You can subscribe to the My Appalachia podcast at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher or on your favorite podcast app. We’re on Twitter and Facebook @myappalachia. Thanks for listening, y’all!

We thought we’d share the latest bit of MountainLore with you today. There’ve been told stories of a big, black dog with glowing red eyes that mysteriously shows up at odd times and places here in Appalachia, leaving nothing good behind. Today we tell one of these stories. The MountainLore podcast is available on RadioPublic, Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, Google Play and a host of other podcast apps. We’re on Facebook and Twitter @myappalachia. Sweet dreams, podcast listeners…

Hello folks… Today we share with you our Christmas episode, which we recorded during a Facebook Live Audio session on our Facebook page @myappalachia.   We talk about Christmas traditions, food, and we share some interesting letters to Old St. Nick that were written in years gone by.  Give us a listen. You can subscribe to […]

Hello folks… Today we share with you our Christmas episode, which we recorded during a Facebook Live Audio session on our Facebook page @myappalachia. We talk about Christmas traditions, food, and we share some interesting letters to Old St. Nick that were written in years gone by. Give us a listen. You can subscribe to the My Appalachia podcast at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play or on your favorite podcast app. We’re on Twitter and Facebook @myappalachia.

We're back with our November podcast, and this week we continue our conversations with folks from Appalachia.  We spoke with Johnson City, Tennessee, private investigator Steve St. John, who tells us about the “glamorous” life of a P.I., and also shares a funny story about a squirrel in Mountain City, Tennessee.  You can subcribe to […]

We’re back with our November podcast, and this week we continue our conversations with folks from Appalachia.  We spoke with Johnson City, Tennessee, private investigator Steve St. John, who tells us about the “glamorous” life of a P.I., and also shares a funny story about a squirrel in Mountain City, Tennessee.  You can subcribe to My Appalachia at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play or on your favorite podcast app. We’re on Facebook and Twitter @myappalachia. Have a happy Thanksgiving, folks!

Today the podcast is a bit of a free form, inspired by all the insane things going on across our country, culminating in today's attack on a synagogue in Pittsburgh.  As the title of this episode says, vote or we all end up in hell.  Thanks for giving us a listen.   We can be found […]

Today the podcast is a bit of a free form, inspired by all the insane things going on across our country, culminating in today’s attack on a synagogue in Pittsburgh. As the title of this episode says, vote or we all end up in hell. Thanks for giving us a listen. We can be found on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, TuneIn or on your favorite podcast app. We’re on Twitter and Facebook @myappalachia. We love all y’all…

East Tennessee was the focus of the world this past Monday as Donald Trump brought his traveling campaign rally to Johnson City.  My Appalachia was there to talk with both Trump supporters and Trump protesters, and hear both sides.  And, as part of this, we are pleased to introduce our guest host this week, broadcaster […]

East Tennessee was the focus of the world this past Monday as Donald Trump brought his traveling campaign rally to Johnson City. My Appalachia was there to talk with both Trump supporters and Trump protesters, and hear both sides. And, as part of this, we are pleased to introduce our guest host this week, broadcaster and author Jeffrey Alan Payne, who made the interviews you’ll hear on this episode possible. You can subscribe to the My Appalachia podcast at Apple... Read More Read More

We're baccckkkk!!! Hello folks, it's good to be back on the internet. On this episode Steve and Gena talk a bit about the Tennessee election; then it's on to a discussion of Appalachian folklore spurred by a story about a series of ghostly incidents in the building in which the podcast is recorded; then we […]

Were baccckkkk!!! Hello folks, its good to be back on the internet. On this episode Steve and Gena talk a bit about the Tennessee election, then it’s on to a discussion of Appalachian folklore, spurred by a story about a series of ghostly incidents in the building in which the podcast is recorded. Then we talk to Rod Mullins, coordinator of the Tales of the Cumberlands event coming in late August at the Breaks Interstate Park in Dickenson County. Thanks... Read More Read More

Here’s a sample of this week’s MountainLore podcast! If you like what you hear, you can go to www.mountainlore.net, or subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn or on your favorite podcast app. To make it even easier, just click the links below: Subscribe at Apple Podcasts.

There are many places in Appalachia with strange stories told about them. One of these places is Roan Mountain, on the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. Today Steve and Gena tell the tale of a ghostly choir that some say originates in hell that’s supposedly found on the top of the mountain. MountainLore is found on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play or on your very own favorite podcast app. You can follow us on Facebook and Twitter @myappalachia. Thanks... Read More Read More

Once again we bring you another episode of the MountainLore podcast. Today, Steve and Gena tell the story of how an innocent man’s execution cast a long shadow, literally, across an Appalachian community. If you’d like to subscribe to MountainLore, go to our website at mountainlore.net where you can do just that. It’s also available on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play or on your favorite podcast app.

Hello folks, welcome to our new podcast! Today we get things started with a ghost story. The Reed Gold Mine was opened during the first gold rush, in Western North Carolina, back in the first part of the 19th century. And the mine needed workers, one of whom was Eugene Mills, whose wife, Eleanor, was more enthusiastic about his working there than he was. And that led to some really bad trouble, which we’ll tell you about on today’s episode.... Read More Read More

No, we're not necessarily advocating arming the teachers; we talk today about the West Virginia teachers strike that's going on. Then we move on to the third rail of guns, where we talk about the spontaneous movement led by teens who were at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and what to do about the continuing […]

No, we’re not necessarily advocating arming the teachers; we talk today about the West Virginia teachers strike that’s going on. Then we move on to the third rail of guns, where we talk about the spontaneous movement led by teens who were at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and what to do about the continuing string of school shootings in this country. We’re also taking a break from the podcast, but don’t worry because we plan on coming back soon... Read More Read More

Hello podcast listeners! Today, it's just Gena and Steve, since Rod has lost his voice and is under the weather, but even with 1/3 of the crew missing, we carry on. We talk about the Appalachian tradition of planting by the signs, then look ahead to this spring to give some hints on when to […]

Hello podcast listeners! Today, it’s just Gena and Steve, since Rod has lost his voice and is under the weather, but even with 1/3 of the crew missing, we carry on. We talk about the Appalachian tradition of planting by the signs, then look ahead to this spring to give some hints on when to plant, courtesy of the Old Farmer’s Almanac; We then talk about a new venture in Pike County, Kentucky, that aims to start growing food commercially... Read More Read More