Tales from the Hearth Podcast

Have you ever heard of the tales of an Appalachian moonshiner and outlaw who was shot many times and still lived to be put on trial? How about a moonshiner who was pardoned by a U.S. president, then hired to run a federal distillery? Join us for today’s episode on the legend of the outlaw Lewis Redmond. 

Have you ever thought, “Dealing with my house is so overwhelming, that maybe I should just burn it down”? Today’s featured lady did just that when she found her home filled with enemy soldiers. Join us for today’s episode on South Carolina Patriot Rebecca Brewton Motte. 

Did you hear about an African American folk musician who was invited to play in multiple presidential inaugurations in a time when this was considered unacceptable? How about a man who influenced many generations through his blues and folk songs? Join us for today’s episode on the remarkable feats of South Carolinian Josh White.

Did you hear about the female chief of the wealthy kingdom of Cofitachequi located in South Carolina? She defied Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto as he tried to rip apart her kingdom in search of riches. Join us for today’s episode on the Lady Chief of Cofitachequi.

Have you ever heard of the legend about a woman who fell in love with her family’s greatest enemy? How about the legend of a woman who walked underneath the water to be reunited with her lost lover? Join us for today’s episode on the legend of Jocassee.  

Did you hear of a legend about a woman who rode 96 miles to warn her lover of a surprise attack upon his town? How about the legend of a woman who leapt nearly 100 feet from a waterfall—and lived? Join us for today’s episode on the legend of Issaqueena Falls, South Carolina.

Did you hear about the woman known as the “Grandmother of the Civil  Rights Movement”? How about one of the few people Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. invited to Norway for the acceptance of his Nobel Peace Prize in 1964? Join us for today’s episode on the incredible strength of educator and civil rights activist, South Carolinian Septima Poinsette Clark.

Did you hear about the first licensed African American female physician in South Carolina? She worked tirelessly to advocate for better health in her home state, changing the lives of thousands—if not millions—through her compounding efforts. Join us for today’s episode on the incredible service of physician Dr. Matilda Evans.

Did you hear about a man who could dance better with one leg than many could with two? How about a man who appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show more than twenty times, and performed for Queen Elizabeth II of England—twice? Join us for today’s episode on the remarkable feats of South Carolinian Clayton “Peg Leg” Bates.

Have you heard of a highwayman who traversed the East Coast, peddled “snake oil” in medicine shows, and whose Piedmont blues influenced thousands? And he did it playing two harmonicas at the same time? You perhaps haven’t heard of anyone like Arthur “Peg Leg Sam” Jackson from Jonesville, South Carolina.

George Moses Horton defied remarkable odds to become the ONLY poet to publish a book before he had learned how to write, and the first enslaved person to publish a book in the South (he went on to publish two while enslaved). George learned what he could and when he could from scraps of discarded paper and a Wesley hymnal. He lived in slavery for sixty-eight years in North Carolina until he was liberated after the Civil War in 1865. 

Lucy Holcombe Pickens. Southern belle—and the rumored model for Gone with the Wind's Scarlett O'Hara, the "Queen of the Confederacy,” and if the Confederate States are included, the very first woman to be featured on U.S. currency. Stories are that her young daughter helped light the fuse for the first shots of the Civil War. She was the rumored mistress of Tsar Alexander II of Russia, and even bore his child. Fact or fiction? We're going to sort through the life of Lucy Holcombe Pickens in today's episode.

Catharine "Caty" Littlefield Greene Miller was a remarkable woman—the vivacious wife of Revolutionary War Major General Nathanael Greene, friend to the Washingtons, and business partner of Eli Whitney. She battled many issues: gossip, criticism, fighting with her husband, losing children, depression, drinking, and financial instability.  She could also be the uncredited co-inventor of the cotton gin! She participated in many love triangles and even braved rumors of adultery. Join us for Part 2 of her tale.

Catharine "Caty" Littlefield Greene Miller was a remarkable woman—the vivacious wife of Revolutionary War Major General Nathanael Greene, friend to the Washingtons, and business partner of Eli Whitney. She battled many issues: gossip, criticism, fighting with her husband, losing children, depression, drinking, and financial instability.  She could also be the uncredited co-inventor of the cotton gin! She participated in many love triangles and even braved rumors of adultery. Join us for Part 1 of her tale

You think you've heard this one before, but we're taking this a step farther to challenge your perceived limits. Often referred to as "The Starfish Story,” an anecdote based on "The Star Thrower" by Loren Eiseley, we're going to talk through a new perspective on both the popular and original tales.  Are you ready to hear the truth about compounding your efforts? 

Did you hear about that time a Native American tribe defeated the Ku Klux Klan at the height of the Klan’s power on Jan. 18, 1958? This episode is about  a remarkable story of how the Lumbee tribe came together to stand up and send a message against hate. Their resolve and success would inspire an entire community—and the nation—to stand up against hate as well. Sometimes it takes a "devil" to defeat a dragon...

He's got a secret—now she has the key... Have you ever heard of the term being "Bluebearded"? Probably not! Today's episode is titled, "Bluebeard," about a mysteriously wealthy widower—with a blue beard and an even more checkered past. Rumors abound—what ever happened to all of his former wives? Shownotes located at http://www.alishactaylor.com/bluebeard

What is the largest snake you’ve ever seen? I saw the largest black snake I’ve ever seen–in the wild (and at my place of work). And I thought, “A snake that large must have one a heck of a story”. I named him "Big Snake" and  created a wild fictional "tall tale" story for him and combined it with the real history of the Savannah River Site located near Aiken, South Carolina. Refer to our show notes at http://www.alishactaylor.com/bigsnake for the history and photos of this amazing facility. 

Have you ever received an unexpected gift? Were you surprised and overjoyed to receive it? Perhaps it was not a physical gift at all? Today's episode is titled "The Unexpected Gift", about the gift of story, understanding, and giving during the holiday season. *Warning* this story has some pretty detailed information about Santa's plans this holiday season, so it's not for our young listeners. 

Have you ever truly experienced the magic of the holiday traditions? I hope you and your loved ones enjoy this short holiday poem and free eBook at http://www.talesfromthehearth.com. My mother told me this story of Santa's Christmas Scout, who would drive his horse and buggy down the road every Christmas Eve to announce that Santa was coming. The scout spent most of the year making everything (and everyone) ready for Santa’s big night. So what happens when a small child is too nervous to sleep?

What do you think you know about this stunning holiday plant? Its tale is intertwined with that of a Mexican Christmas folktale, the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Hollywood, and rumors of toxicity. Join as we discuss the tales and facts behind the highest selling potted plant in the United States.

Do you recall great times with family and friends trading stories around a fire? Do you love the feeling of a story that inspires long after the fire has gone out? Come join us every week as the Tales from the Hearth Podcast narrates stories of everyday people, places, ancestors, and events that instill a simple takeaway message. We believe that sharing our stories allows us to learn from and celebrate our past--all while inspiring our future. We can't wait to hear you from you! Email us with your story at hello@talesfromthehearth.com  You can also find us at talesfromthehearth.com with links to our social media.  I'm your host, Alisha C. Taylor. Gather 'round, cozy up--we can't wait for you to share Tales from the Hearth.