American mountain range along North Carolina/Tennessee border
POPULARITY
Categories
648 episodes with smoky mountains
960 episodes with smoky mountains
207 episodes with smoky mountains
133 episodes with smoky mountains
45 episodes with smoky mountains
81 episodes with smoky mountains
9 episodes with smoky mountains
28 episodes with smoky mountains
7 episodes with smoky mountains
12 episodes with smoky mountains
5 episodes with smoky mountains
28 episodes with smoky mountains
7 episodes with smoky mountains
6 episodes with smoky mountains
4 episodes with smoky mountains
4 episodes with smoky mountains
6 episodes with smoky mountains
8 episodes with smoky mountains
9 episodes with smoky mountains
6 episodes with smoky mountains
4 episodes with smoky mountains
3 episodes with smoky mountains
3 episodes with smoky mountains
8 episodes with smoky mountains
11 episodes with smoky mountains
4 episodes with smoky mountains
6 episodes with smoky mountains
3 episodes with smoky mountains
2 episodes with smoky mountains
5 episodes with smoky mountains
8 episodes with smoky mountains
7 episodes with smoky mountains
5 episodes with smoky mountains
3 episodes with smoky mountains
3 episodes with smoky mountains
2 episodes with smoky mountains
5 episodes with smoky mountains
4 episodes with smoky mountains
4 episodes with smoky mountains
4 episodes with smoky mountains
2 episodes with smoky mountains
3 episodes with smoky mountains
3 episodes with smoky mountains
2 episodes with smoky mountains
5 episodes with smoky mountains
Dolly Parton always said it costs a lot of money to look this cheap, but her impact on the world was entirely priceless. We are looking back at the incredible 80-year journey of a true Smoky Mountain diamond whose songwriting and unmatched generosity outshined even her brightest outfit. Is nobody else on her level of fame and shared love? Also on the show: Charles Barkley says it like it is by calling out the WNBA and their commissioner, an update on MLGW's progress on widespread power outages, the most iconic Dolly Parton performance, and two rounds of Impossible Trivia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
One of the best things about exploring the United States has to be visiting the National Parks! And there are some that are better during certain times of year than others! And some really just shine during certain months. From the Smoky Mountains in the fall to Yellowstone National Park in winter, these are the best national parks to visit by season! Relevant Links (may contain affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through these links, we earn a small commission-at no additional cost to you!): -Amanda From a Dangerous Business Substack on Moving to Scotland: https://dangerousbiz.substack.com/ -Romantic Things to Do in Joshua Tree: https://worldwidehoneymoon.com/romantic-things-to-do-in-joshua-tree/ -3 Days in the Smoky Mountains: https://worldwidehoneymoon.com/3-day-great-smoky-mountains-itinerary/ -Things to Do in Shenandoah National Park: https://worldwidehoneymoon.com/things-to-do-in-shenandoah-national-park/ -1 Week in Glacier National Park: https://worldwidehoneymoon.com/itinerary-for-glacier-national-park/ Want to support our work? You can buy us a coffee here: https://buymeacoffee.com/worldwidehoneymoon Need help planning your trip to France? Check out my trip consulting page: https://francevoyager.com/france-travel-consulting-custom-itineraries/ Traveling to France? Check out our Facebook Group called France Travel Tips to ask/answer questions and learn more! https://www.facebook.com/groups/francevoyager/ Don't forget to follow along! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldwidehoneymoon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldwidehoneymoon TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@worldwidehoneymoon World Wide Honeymoon Blog: https://worldwidehoneymoon.com France Voyager Blog: https://francevoyager.com Subscribe to the World Wide Honeymoon blog here for monthly updates and tips + get our FREE trip planning guide: https://www.subscribepage.com/o4e5c2
We just got back from the Smoky Mountains and I'm taking you along for the whole thing.In this episode, I'm walking you through exactly how we booked our family trip to Dollywood and Gatlinburg, Tennessee: the resort, the flights, the rental car, and yes even how we handled park tickets. If you've ever wondered what a real points trip looks like from start to finishIn this episode, I cover:How we booked our resort [which points/card, how many points, what it would have cost in cash]The flight strategy [airline, points currency, routing from ABQ]Rental CarOur favorite spots in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, where we ate, what we skippedA full day at Dollywood The takeaway: You don't need a huge income or complicated strategy to make trips like this happen. You need a system and the willingness to say yes.Links & Resources:Ready to book your own points trip? Join us inside the Travel Points Lounge Follow along → @pointstooparadiseCapital One Venture X Card
These shows are made possible by your support on Patreon.com/RapReviews. RapReviews.com and MarksOfWrestling.com share the same server for hosting so any support for either site would be appreciated. Thank you!
We're back with another edition of the Radio Sucks Radio Show, serving up ten tracks you probably won't hear during your average afternoon of corporate radio repetition. Chris has five killer cuts from Lost Circus, Blacktop Mojo, Audrey Horne, John Diva and the Rockets of Love, and Speed Stroke. Aaron digs into the archives with selections from Rose Tattoo, Quiet Riot, Jackyl, Tom Keifer, and David Lee Roth. It's another mix of brand-new music, overlooked album tracks, deep cuts, and songs deserving a bigger audience. Which picks hit the hardest? Which ones have been hiding in plain sight? You'll have to listen and find out. We'll also be at The Mountain Music Fest, happening August 21–23, 2026, at the Gatlinburg Convention Center in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Come hang out with us for a full weekend of rock in the Smoky Mountains. Get tickets and festival information here We hope you enjoy the Radio Sucks Radio Show and SHARE it with a friend! Decibel Geek is a proud member of the Pantheon Podcasts family. Contact Us! Rate, Review, and Subscribe in iTunes Join the Facebook Fan Page Follow on Twitter Follow on Instagram E-mail Us Subscribe to our Youtube channel! Support Us! Buy a T-Shirt! Donate to the show! Stream Us! Stitcher Radio Spreaker TuneIn Become a VIP Subscriber! Click HERE for more info! Comment Below Direct Download Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We're back with another edition of the Radio Sucks Radio Show, serving up ten tracks you probably won't hear during your average afternoon of corporate radio repetition. Chris has five killer cuts from Lost Circus, Blacktop Mojo, Audrey Horne, John Diva and the Rockets of Love, and Speed Stroke. Aaron digs into the archives with selections from Rose Tattoo, Quiet Riot, Jackyl, Tom Keifer, and David Lee Roth. It's another mix of brand-new music, overlooked album tracks, deep cuts, and songs deserving a bigger audience. Which picks hit the hardest? Which ones have been hiding in plain sight? You'll have to listen and find out. We'll also be at The Mountain Music Fest, happening August 21–23, 2026, at the Gatlinburg Convention Center in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Come hang out with us for a full weekend of rock in the Smoky Mountains. Get tickets and festival information here We hope you enjoy the Radio Sucks Radio Show and SHARE it with a friend! Decibel Geek is a proud member of the Pantheon Podcasts family. Contact Us! Rate, Review, and Subscribe in iTunes Join the Facebook Fan Page Follow on Twitter Follow on Instagram E-mail Us Subscribe to our Youtube channel! Support Us! Buy a T-Shirt! Donate to the show! Stream Us! Stitcher Radio Spreaker TuneIn Become a VIP Subscriber! Click HERE for more info! Comment Below Direct Download Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A subscriber from Tennessee who goes by the handle “Dr. Boggs” on Twitter X recently reached out to describe an incredible orb sighting he, his wife, and daughter had while skywatching on Mother's Day, May 12, 2024. The three family members, upon finishing work, drove to a scenic overlook outside Gatlinburg at around 4:30 a.m. to observe the stars, but saw a lot more than they had expected. Suddenly, numerous purple orbs appeared throughout the sky, all of them traveling north to south. Then, two other orbs appeared right near the vehicle, only to disappear.Support Extraterrestrial Reality/Quirk Zone on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/c/Extraterrestrial_RealityCheck out my YouTube channel:Quirk Zone - YouTubeExtraterrestrial Reality Book Recommendations:Link to ROSWELL: THE ULTIMATE COLD CASE: CLOSED: https://amzn.to/3O2loSILink to COMMUNION by Whitley Strieber: https://amzn.to/3xuPGqiLink to THE THREAT by David M. Jacobs: https://amzn.to/3Lk52njLink to TOP SECRET/MAJIC by Stanton Friedman: https://amzn.to/3xvidfvLink to NEED TO KNOW by Timothy Good: https://amzn.to/3BNftfTLink to UFOS AND THE NATIONAL SECURITY STATE, VOLUME 1: https://amzn.to/3xxJvlvLink to UFOS AND THE NATIONAL SECURITY STATE, VOLUME 2: https://amzn.to/3UhdQ1lLink to THE ALLAGASH ABDUCTIONS: https://amzn.to/3qNkLSgUFO CRASH RETRIEVALS by Leonard Stringfield: https://amzn.to/3RGEZKsFLYING SAUCERS FROM OUTER SPACE by Major Donald Keyhoe: https://amzn.to/3S7WkxvCAPTURED: THE BETTY AND BARNEY HILL UFO EXPERIENCE by Stanton Friedman and Kathleen Marden: https://amzn.to/3tKNVXn#ufos #aliens #vegas aliens #ufo podcast
A subscriber from Tennessee who goes by the handle “Dr. Boggs” on Twitter X recently reached out to describe an incredible orb sighting he, his wife, and daughter had while skywatching on Mother's Day, May 12, 2024. The three family members, upon finishing work, drove to a scenic overlook outside Gatlinburg at around 4:30 a.m. to observe the stars, but saw a lot more than they had expected. Suddenly, numerous purple orbs appeared throughout the sky, all of them traveling north to south. Then, two other orbs appeared right near the vehicle, only to disappear.Support Extraterrestrial Reality/Quirk Zone on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/c/Extraterrestrial_RealityCheck out my YouTube channel:Quirk Zone - YouTubeExtraterrestrial Reality Book Recommendations:Link to ROSWELL: THE ULTIMATE COLD CASE: CLOSED: https://amzn.to/3O2loSILink to COMMUNION by Whitley Strieber: https://amzn.to/3xuPGqiLink to THE THREAT by David M. Jacobs: https://amzn.to/3Lk52njLink to TOP SECRET/MAJIC by Stanton Friedman: https://amzn.to/3xvidfvLink to NEED TO KNOW by Timothy Good: https://amzn.to/3BNftfTLink to UFOS AND THE NATIONAL SECURITY STATE, VOLUME 1: https://amzn.to/3xxJvlvLink to UFOS AND THE NATIONAL SECURITY STATE, VOLUME 2: https://amzn.to/3UhdQ1lLink to THE ALLAGASH ABDUCTIONS: https://amzn.to/3qNkLSgUFO CRASH RETRIEVALS by Leonard Stringfield: https://amzn.to/3RGEZKsFLYING SAUCERS FROM OUTER SPACE by Major Donald Keyhoe: https://amzn.to/3S7WkxvCAPTURED: THE BETTY AND BARNEY HILL UFO EXPERIENCE by Stanton Friedman and Kathleen Marden: https://amzn.to/3tKNVXn#ufos #aliens #vegas aliens #ufo podcast
His father rejected him. His grandmother changed everything. Brad Ryan spent seven and a half years driving across America with his 85-year-old grandmother, visiting all 63 national parks, and quietly healing the wounds his coming out left behind. What started as an adventure became something neither of them expected: a reckoning with family, identity, and the stories gay men tell themselves about who will ever truly accept them. Brad joins Rick to talk about what happens when you stop waiting for the people who hurt you and start showing up for the ones who show up for you. Key Takeaways: Why Brad didn't come out until college and what his father's reaction cost himHow a camping trip in the Smoky Mountains became the turning point with his grandmotherWhy gay men build elaborate stories about rejection that don't match realityWhat intergenerational connection offers gay men that their own community often can'tHow curiosity instead of judgment transforms even the most broken family relationshipsWhy healing doesn't always look like confrontation — sometimes it looks like a road trip About Brad Brad Ryan is a veterinarian, wildlife conservationist, social media influencer, and writer from southeastern Ohio. He earned his BA from Miami University in Ohio, an MSc in mammalian biology from the University of Pretoria in South Africa, and a DVM/MPH combined degree from The Ohio State University, specializing in wildlife medicine and veterinary public health. For Brad, storytelling is a vehicle for healing—rooted in empathy, inspired by nature, and driven by a desire to help others feel seen and connected. As a keynote speaker, he champions LGBTQ+ inclusion in the outdoors, eliminating stigma around mental health, and the protection of wildlife Connect With Brad Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you're going to do, but never do? Then it's time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community
These shows are made possible by your support on Patreon.com/RapReviews. RapReviews.com and MarksOfWrestling.com share the same server for hosting so any support for either site would be appreciated. Thank you!
Ahead of the inaugural Epson Tour's Smoky Mountain Championship presented by Food City, Phil is joined by Tournament Organizer Stan Norris, golf pro Scott Wilson & Green Meadows Country Club's Kevin Kirkland to preview the event, taking place August 6-8. They talk about some of the golfers participating, where the money raised is going, some activities happening around the tournament & more! #PhilShowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
One of the many hidden gems of the Smoky Mountains is Iron Mountain Sporting Clays. But if you're into shooting, this is a must-visit destination. But it goes beyond just a day of shooting; this experience can quickly teach you some important life lessons and have a profound impact on how we live our spiritual lives.
“Infrastructure used to be invisible. Now, it's the brand. ” - Kamila ThompsonThank you for tuning in to The CUInsight Network, with your host, Robbie Young, Vice President of Strategic Growth at CUInsight. In The CUInsight Network, we take a deeper dive with the thought leaders who support the credit union community. We discuss issues and challenges facing credit unions and identify best practices to learn and grow together.My guest on today's show is Kamila Thompson, Senior Director of Growth at Nexcess. She comes on the show to discuss the way that we think about technology, trust, and the future of digital banking. Listen as we talk about protecting a credit union's core system and why the systems surrounding it can have an even more profound impact on security, compliance, and the member experience.Throughout our conversation, Kamila explains how digital transformation has left many institutions managing vendors and integrations, creating complications that often are not understood until an examination or outage exposes the gaps. She shares some practical insights into why leaders need to explain the “why” of their technology in plain language, and we also discuss what organizations can do to better prepare for future exams while strengthening resilience behind the scenes. We explore how member expectations have changed over time—reliability is no longer defined by branch hours or friendly service alone but is measured by whether digital experiences work flawlessly when members need them. Kamila makes the case that infrastructure has become part of a credit union's brand and that trust is built via consistent and dependable technology!As we wrap up the episode, Kamila looks ahead to AI-ready infrastructure, the growing role of purpose-built cloud environments, and why credit unions shouldn't have to choose between innovation, compliance, and security. She also undergoes our usual round of rapid-fire questions, and you're going to want to tune in for her answers. Enjoy my conversation with Kamila Thompson!Connect with Kamila:Kamila Thompson, Senior Director of Growth at Nexcessnexcess.com Kamila: LinkedInNexcess: LinkedIn | YouTubeShow notes from this episode:Shout-out: Indiana JonesShout-out: Kamila's daughterShout-out: Star WarsShout-out: Kamila's grandfatherShout-out: Robbie's grandfatherPlace mentioned: CaliforniaPlace mentioned: WashingtonPlace mentioned: New YorkPlace mentioned: New JerseyPlace mentioned: Nashville, TennesseePlace mentioned: The Great Smoky MountainsBook mentioned: The MANIAC by Benjamin LabatutShout-out: John von NeumannIn this episode:[1:30] - Hear how Kamilla found an ideal fit at Nexcess, combining her passions for marketing, data, and secure infrastructure.[4:58] - Kamilla discusses how rapid digital transformation often leads to hidden compliance risks without a strong infrastructure foundation.[7:21] - It's important for leaders to understand and document their digital infrastructure to meet regulatory expectations.[9:44] - Reliable digital infrastructure has become central to member trust, satisfaction, and long-term retention.[12:32] - For the foreseeable future, Nexcess will be focusing on AI-ready infrastructure, as it enables financial institutions to scale without sacrificing speed or compliance.[13:54] - We learn why Kamilla looked up to her grandfather.[15:11] - Traveling with Nexcess has inspired Kamilla to explore Nashville and the Smoky Mountains.[15:52] - Hear why Kamilla recommends the book The MANIAC by Benjamin Labatut.[16:46] - Kamilla explains how getting up early helps her maintain balance.[17:41] - In closing, Kamilla argues that lasting digital trust depends on reliable infrastructure, not just polished apps.
These shows are made possible by your support on Patreon.com/RapReviews. RapReviews.com and MarksOfWrestling.com share the same server for hosting so any support for either site would be appreciated. Thank you!
Slick City Action Park in Pigeon Forge officially celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting and presented a $20,000 check to the Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains. Slick City Action Park City: Pigeon Forge Address: 3735 Parkway Website: https://www.slickcitypigeonforge.com/ Phone: +1 865 280 3500 Email: marcuswatson@topconcepts.us
Perhaps one of the best ways to experience the Smoky Mountains is to venture into the National Park and go trout fishing. It is a great opportunity not only to be out in nature but also to learn many lessons that we can apply to our spiritual lives by learning to fish.
Another great episode from the vault. Jimmy Tipton has lived his whole life in the Smoky Mountains and has been following dogs since he was old enough to walk. He has followed many different hounds but he has found Stephens Curs to be his breed of choice. He has had a lot of luck pursuing bears and coons in the rough mountains around his home. Sponsors: https://conkeysoutdoors.com Promo Code TREETALKINTIME5 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1420083161566245 https://www.facebook.com/p/Animal-Housing-Solutions-Inc https://fullcrymag.com Merch: https://treetalkin.com/collections Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/@TreeTalkinMedia https://www.patreon.com/treetalkintime https://www.instagram.com/treetalkinmedia https://www.facebook.com/treetalkinmedia
The mountains of the South are beautiful, but can be treacherous to drive in during heavy rain. We have tips to navigate the flooded highways of Dixie. The Y'all Show is a production of Yall.com, and hosted by Jon Rawl. #smokymountains #drivinginrain #floods #severeweather
Yes, this is a NEW episode! Thanks to Eesa, Grace, and Viki for their suggestions this week. (Actual episode starts at 3 minutes 28 seconds.) Find the Backerkit campaign here! Further reading: Nix Illlustration: Esconichthys The southern hognose snake [picture by Caudatejake – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0]: A beach wolf spider [photo by Memer15151 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0]: Oviraptor may have looked kind of like this when alive [art by PaleoNeolitic – Own work, CC BY 4.0]: Two halves of an esconichthys fossil: Show transcript: Welcome to Strange Animals Podcast. I'm your host, Kate Shaw. Oh, hi! This is a brand new episode, earlier than I expected! I noticed recently that one of the Patreon episodes I'd scheduled for September is one that I'd already run in the main feed a few years ago. I decided to just make a new episode for this week and move the episode that would have run this week to that September slot, because I have an announcement! For our five-year anniversary I published the book Beyond Bigfoot & Nessie: Lesser-Known Mystery Animals from Around the World, with a lot of the entries taken from episodes but also some new topics added. I always intended to do a follow-up for our ten-year anniversary, and have even done a lot of work on it. It's called Small Mysteries, focusing on smaller mystery animals that don't get a lot of attention. It's about half the length of Beyond Bigfoot, all or almost all chapters taken from the podcast. But at this point, I don't think I have time to finish it. I'm staying very busy and happy, with a part-time job taking care of people's pets while they're on vacation, and I'm also writing fiction again. But since that book is half-done, and a lot of people might want a copy even if I don't add much more to it, I'm going to make it available as an ebook only. Do you remember last time I made a crowdfunding campaign, and the people who backed the campaign got a copy of the book as soon as it was published? I'm doing that again, but NOT for Small Mysteries. It's for a different book, called The Moonhound, a cozy fantasy set in an alternate reality Smoky Mountains. The main character is a rabbit who moves to the mountains and meets a possum, and they have adventures. Even if this doesn't interest you, there's a $1 backer tier and if you click that, you have the option to add the Small Mysteries ebook for $2. That means the book is $3. Does that make sense? I feel like it's confusing. The campaign starts on July 15, 2026 and runs through August 15, 2026. If you're listening to the episode before July 15, 2026, you can click through the link in the show notes and follow the campaign, so that you get an email when it goes live. If it's between July 15 and August 15, 2026, click the link in the show notes and there's the campaign! If it's after August 15, 2026, see if there's a link in the show notes that will take you to a place where you can buy the ebook. Okay, that took way too long, so let's get to this week's episode! We have some suggestions that have come in recently, so we'll cover a few of those animals, and we'll finish up with a small fossil mystery in honor of the book. Thanks to Eesa, Grace, and Viki for their suggestions! A quick shout-out to Remy and Julien, and Dylan, Emily, and Michelle for their suggestions too. I'll get to those in the 500th episode that will run at the end of August. We'll start with Viki's suggestion, the hognose snake. The name hognose is used for various species of snake, most of them in North and South America, but some in Madagascar. It's a common snake in many parts of North America, so since we talked about the eastern hognose back in episode 81, let's talk about the southern hognose in this episode. It's found along the coastal plain of the southeastern United States, including parts of North and South Carolina, Georgia, and northern Florida, and because it has a restricted range where people like to live too, it's vulnerable to habitat loss. It used to live in other states too but its range has shrunk considerably since it was first described in 1766. The southern hognose grows about two feet long, or 61 cm, and like other hognose snakes, its nose turns up like a little pig's snout. The shape of its nose actually may help it dig into leaf litter and dirt to hide. Some individuals are brown or gray, some are red or yellowish. It has darker blotches on its upper side and adults have white bellies. It has a big head that makes some people believe it's venomous, but it's actually harmless to humans and most animals. The only animals that really need to worry about the hognose are amphibians, like toads, frogs, and salamanders, although it will also eat lizards, small mammals like mice, and even large insects. It especially likes to eat toads, and while some toads are toxic, the hognose snake is resistant to toad toxins. A toad will frequently puff itself up to make it appear larger and make it hard for a snake to swallow, but the hognose has a solution for that too. It has big teeth at the rear of its upper jaws, like fangs in the back of its mouth. It uses those teeth to puncture puffed-up toads so they deflate, just like a horrible balloon. But the most memorable thing about the hognose is what it does when it feels threatened. Phase one is aggression. The snake will flatten its neck to look more threatening, raise its head like a cobra, and hiss and strike—but without biting. It's just trying to scare you away. If that doesn't work, the snake puts phase two into effect. It will flop down and roll onto its back like it's dead, its tongue hanging out of its mouth. It even emits a foul musky smell from its cloaca. If you call its bluff and roll drama queen snake onto its belly, it will turn onto its back again, because it's really insistent that it's dead. Since we've already scared away a lot of people who don't like snakes, let's learn about a spider next. Grace suggested we talk about the wolf spider, and also wonders if wolf spiders live in northern California. Wolf spiders are common throughout the world, and while they look scary, they bite people very rarely and their venom is weak, no worse than a bee sting. The wolf spider with the biggest legspan is Hogna ingens, with a legspan less than 5 inches across, or 12 cm. It lives on one island in the Maderia archipelago, and is a beautiful soft gray with white stripes on the legs. The Carolina wolf spider is the most common one found in North America. A big female can have a legspan of four inches, or 10 cm, but its body is not much more than an inch long, or 35 mm, and the spider actually weighs less than an ounce. That's barely 28 grams, or just a little heavier than five sheets of printer paper. The wolf spider is a hunting spider, mostly solitary, and most species don't spin webs. When a female lays her eggs, she attaches the egg case to the underside of her abdomen so she can take them with her while she hunts insects. When the eggs hatch, the teensy babies ride around on the top of her abdomen for a few weeks until they're big enough to not need their mother's protection. Some species of wolf spider will dig a burrow to rest in, and will jump out and grab any insect that happens by, while other species of wolf spider rest in rock crevices and other small spaces. Males are smaller than females and often have flashier patterns. The Carolina wolf spider is mainly gray or brown with darker and lighter longitudinal stripes down the head and body. Most species of wolf spider won't come into your house, but if you do have a wolf spider in your house, you should actually consider yourself lucky. They love to eat cockroaches and ants, which are house pests. The wolf spider hunts mostly by sight and has good vision, and its eyes will even demonstrate eyeshine of various colors, depending on species, if you shine a flashlight around in the dark. Maybe don't do that if you're afraid of spiders. And yes, there are wolf spiders in northern California, because there are wolf spiders in just about every part of the world except for Antarctica! Northern California actually has at least six species of wolf spider. One species does actually build a web, and there's even a species that lives on the beach. That's the beach wolf spider, which is a pale sandy color with darker and lighter stripes to help it blend in with sand and pebbles. It's quite small but it moves really fast, and it's mostly nocturnal. It lives not just in northern California but throughout beaches in North and Central America. Next, Eesa sent a list of suggested animals, including oviraptor. I could have sworn we already covered oviraptor, but we haven't! It's a really interesting dinosaur, so let's take a look now. Oviraptor is a name that means “egg thief,” and it got this name because it was found near fossilized eggs. It lived in what is now Asia about 75 million years ago, and the first specimen was found in Mongolia (still my favorite country) back in 1923. The partial specimen was found lying across a nest of dinosaur eggs. When the dinosaur was described in 1924, it was given the name egg thief because the paleontologist Henry Fairfield Osborn assumed it died while robbing a nest to eat the eggs. But even Osborn wrote that he might be wrong about the dinosaur, and in the 1990s new discoveries of oviraptor nesting sites proved this was the case. Oviraptor wasn't stealing eggs, it was protecting them, because they were its own eggs. It probably actually ate fruit, seeds, and other plant material, along with small animals like lizards. Oviraptor was a small dinosaur that was a little more than six feet long, or about 2 meters, and was the height of a medium to large dog. It walked on its hind legs. It had feathers on its arms and tail, and probably also had feathers over much of its body. It didn't have teeth but it did have a beak that would have probablylooked a lot like a parrot's beak. Its arms had three small claws but probably looked a lot like a wing in many ways, although scientists don't think oviraptor could fly. In other words, oviraptor probably looked a lot like a big, weird chicken, and like a chicken and many other birds, scientists think it sat on its eggs to keep them warm. When a bird incubates its eggs, it's not like you dropping down to sit on a chair. The bird's feet are typically on either side of the eggs, and the bird squats down carefully so that its underside makes gentle contact with the eggs without crushing them. Female chickens and many other birds have a spot on the lower breast that doesn't have any feathers, called a brood patch, which contains extra blood vessels just under the skin. This helps keep the eggs warm and is a soft part of the hen's body, which helps cushion the eggs. We don't know, but it's possible oviraptor had something similar to a brood patch, and its feathered arms and tail also helped protect the eggs from cold air and rain. We now have numerous specimens that died while sitting on nests, probably buried in sandstorms, so we know that oviraptor basically brooded its nest the way modern birds do. Finally, let's finish with our small mystery fossil. It's called Esconichthys apopyris and it lived about 308 million years ago in what is now the state of Illinois in North America. 308 million years ago, Illinois was a tropical area and partly covered by a warm, shallow sea. In a particular place known as the Mazon Creek formation, for a few million years conditions were just right to preserve dead animals and plants in astounding detail. A river carried dead plant materials and mud into an estuary along the ocean's edge, where it sank and settled to the bottom of the sea floor. When an animal died, if it wasn't eaten by something else, its body sank into this soft muddy mess. The bacteria in the mud produced carbon dioxide that combined with iron also present in the mud, which formed a mineral called siderite. This mineral encased the dead animal and slowed decay long enough for a detailed impression of the body to form in the mud. As the centuries passed and the mud became stone, the fossilized body impression was surrounded by a protective ironstone nodule. That's why we know about the soft-bodied animals from the area, even though soft-bodied animals rarely leave fossil evidence. Mazon Creek is where the Tully monster lived, which we talked about in episode 339, but the Tully monster isn't the only mystery animal discovered there. Another one was Esconichthys. We have lots of Esconichthys fossils, partly because it seems to have been extremely common, but also because it was a vertebrate. That means it had a notochord, a type of backbone. Most of the fossils we have are body impressions, so we do know a lot about what Esconichthys looked like when it was alive. What we don't know is what it actually was. Esconichthys was named for the Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois, ESCONI, and the latter half of its name means fish. But it doesn't actually seem to have been a fish, even a larval fish. It grew up to about 3 inches long, or 8 cm, and had a pair of very obvious eyes, two pairs of feathery external gills, and a single fin on the underside of its tail. It didn't have legs or any other fins. Some individuals had wide-set eyes, others had eyes that are close together, which may indicate two separate species, but we don't know. Esconichthys fossils are sometimes referred to as ghosts, because the limbless body with two dots for eyes does kind of look like a cartoon ghost. Other people call Esconichthys fossils grasshoppers or blades. This is because the animal's gills were quite long and are often preserved pointing away from the rest of the body, or sometimes the rear of the body is folded upward. This can make it look roughly like a grasshopper or a pocket knife with one blade unfolded. Esconichthys has been proposed as a larval lungfish or a larval amphibian, but it doesn't really match either animal group. It's the most common fossil found at the Mazon Creek formation by far, preserved in amazing detail, but scientists still have no idea what it is or what it might be related to. You can find Strange Animals Podcast at strangeanimalspodcast.blubrry.net. That's blueberry without any E's. Thanks for listening!
What's up, dudes? If you're looking for the ultimate Dolly Christmas special, her 1990 NBC holiday TV event “Dolly Parton: Christmas at Home” is a heartwarming trip back to a simpler Christmas. CJ Bélanger from Rose Suchak Ladder and I have a blast with this one! The special was made to coincide with the release of her new Christmas album. It follows Dolly from a charming Christmas store to a garland-filled Nashville recording studio in the middle of July—where she records holiday classics surrounded by enough tinsel, bows, and magnificent mullets to make any child of the ‘80s smile. From there, she heads home to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, reuniting with her family for playful sibling teasing, treasured childhood memories, and unforgettable performances of Christmas favorites including “I'll Be Home for Christmas,” “Deck the Halls,” “We Three Kings,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” It's classic Dolly: equal parts laughter, storytelling, heartfelt nostalgia, and sparkling holiday magic.As the special continues, Dolly visits a nursing home, takes children through Dollywood during Christmastime, shares touching stories about homemade gifts and family traditions, and celebrates the true meaning of Christmas with performances of “Little Drummer Boy,” “Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town,” “Joy to the World,” “The First Noel,” “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” and a beautiful closing rendition of “Silent Night.” Watching today also offers a delightful time capsule of 1990 Christmas commercials, featuring Chevy, Kodak, McDonald's, Toys “R” Us, Tylenol, and other nostalgic favorites that instantly transport viewers back to the golden age of holiday television. Filled with faith, family, unforgettable music, and enough Christmas spirit to light up the Smoky Mountains, this is one Dolly Parton Christmas special that deserves a place on every retro holiday watchlist.One hundred year old carousel? Check. Wagon rides? Got it. Brothers teasing a sister's looks? Definitely! So grab your guitar, sing about the wisemen, and visit a nursing home with this episode on “Dolly Parton: Christmas at Home!”Rose Suchak LadderIG: @rosesuchakladderpodGive us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com! Later, dudes!
These shows are made possible by your support on Patreon.com/RapReviews. RapReviews.com and MarksOfWrestling.com share the same server for hosting so any support for either site would be appreciated. Thank you!
On the latest Celiac Project Podcast: Cam shares highlights from a spring road trip to Asheville, NC, and the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. From dedicated gluten free restaurants and incredible comfort food to mountain golf and scenic views, he recounts a memorable gluten free travel experience packed with great eats, fun adventures, and plenty of tips for anyone planning a visit to the area.Listen to the full episode here: celiacprojectpodcast.libsyn.comI would love to hear from you! Leave your messages for Andrea at contact@baltimoreglutenfree.com and check out www.baltimoreglutenfree.comInstagramFacebookGluten Free College 101Website: www.glutenfreecollege.comFacebook: http://www.Facebook.com/Glutenfreecollege Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Our Summer in the Cities tour follows the highway south to Nashville, where neon honky tonks, studio doors and back porches blur the line between everyday life and song. Don and Dude drop the needle on two Nashville born records that carry the city's twang, storytelling swagger and late night barroom heart in every riff and chorus.The AlbumsDolly Parton – Coat of Many Colors (1971)Dolly Parton turns early 70s Nashville country into a warm, story driven set about childhood, family, faith and finding dignity when money is scarce. Live band arrangements, clear melodies and her unmistakable voice keep the focus on intimate narratives, from the patchwork pride of the title track to gentle hymns to nature and community that show how a Smoky Mountain girl became one of Nashville's defining storytellers.Kings of Leon – Youth and Young Manhood (2003)Kings of Leon crash the early 2000s garage rock revival with a scruffy Southern slant, bashing out raw guitar tunes steeped in bar band grit and Pentecostal raised intensity. Close mic'd guitars, crowded room sonics and loose, unpolished performances make Youth and Young Manhood feel like a small club set, the sound of a Nashville family band kicking the doors open on the wider rock conversation.Diggin AlbumsThe Pretty Reckless – Dear God (2026)Taylor Momsen and company lean into heavy, grunge tinged hard rock on Dear God, pairing towering choruses and dark, faith questioning lyrics with modern arena ready production for a cathartic, emotionally charged listen.Jeff the Brotherhood – We Are The Champions (2011)Nashville duo Jeff the Brotherhood sharpen their fuzzed out garage attack into hooky, punk driven rock, mixing crunchy riffs, DIY spirit and oddball humor on a set that helped cement their cult favorite status.Muse – The Wow! Signal (2026)English trio Muse return to cosmic, sci fi soaked rock on The Wow! Signal, blending big riffs, industrial textures and sleek electronics while folding in outside voices like Ellie Goulding without losing their maximalist identity.Pixies – Complete B Sides: 1988–97 (remastered 2026)Pixies' remastered collection of non album cuts and single flips brings their loud quiet dynamics and surreal storytelling back into focus, with fresh vinyl sound and extra live material underscoring how deep their alt rock influence runs.Follow & Support Follow the show on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and Bluesky @albumnerds, and support the podcast by subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing it with another music obsessive who still loves hearing whole albums front to back.“I belonged to Nashville before I belonged to anyone.” – Brandi Carlile
These shows are made possible by your support on Patreon.com/RapReviews. RapReviews.com and MarksOfWrestling.com share the same server for hosting so any support for either site would be appreciated. Thank you!
Cam shares highlights from a spring road trip to Asheville, NC, and the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. From dedicated gluten free restaurants and incredible comfort food to mountain golf and scenic views, he recounts a memorable gluten free travel experience packed with great eats, fun adventures, and plenty of tips for anyone planning a visit to the area.
Henry Barajas (Gil Thorp Comic Strip) has two new comic stories coming in August under the Good Trouble Lable. We discuss them with GT Publisher Andrew Ayden (March) and Editor Lauren Sankovich (Ultimate Spider-Man) .We discuss Huelga which documents the plight of migrants and underprivilaged hispanics in 1960s california, and Islands In The Sky about the real stories of the Smoky Mountain peopele. Good Trouble works with communities to provide educational entertainment to raise awareness about social issues.
The Dirt Reporters Episode 268: Smoky Mountain review by DirtonDirt.com
Father Koys takes us on another “brain wrinkling” walk as he returns to St. James Parish in Lemont from sabbatical in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Today after sharing with us some of his experiences while away at sabbatical, from shows watched to art projects worked on, Father Koys dives into the Voter ID requirements for voting being discussed and his amazement as to why anyone would be against it. Afterwards he discusses the idea that the “US does not have a strong sense of identity” wondering if this is strictly tied to ethnic identity. He also discusses the war with Iran, the possible implications of its aftermath, expressing hope for the Christians in Iran to have a better outcome and that any US govt. funding be controlled by the Christians in Iran, in efforts to keep that money from possibly funding the nuclear program. He ends the program discussing an interesting article he read on the Catholic population in Iran. St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish
When most people think about the Smoky Mountains, they picture Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. We've spent time in both, but lately we've found ourselves drawn to places that move at a different pace. We just returned from a couples' getaway to Bryson City, NC and we're sharing the best itinerary for your fun, relaxing, and unique time spent from the Great Smoky Mountain Music Train, dinner at The Fryemont Inn, treetop soaking experience at Lakeview at Fontana, waterfall hikes, elk viewing, and more!
What would you do if four hours of your life simply disappeared? What if you woke up in the middle of the night and saw a woman standing in your hallway—only to discover nobody was there? Or watched a massive black triangle glide silently across the sky? Or received a phone call from a loved one who had already passed away? In this special edition of ParaReality, the spotlight turns to you. Join Sandman as he opens the inbox and answers calls from listeners who have experienced the strange, the mysterious, and the unexplained. Some are searching for answers. Others simply want to share a story they've carried for years. From missing time and UFO sightings to ghostly encounters and possible cryptid activity deep in the Smoky Mountains, each account offers a glimpse into the unknown. Are these experiences evidence of something beyond our understanding? Misidentified events? Tricks of memory and perception? Or something else entirely? We don't claim to have all the answers—but together, we'll explore the questions. Tonight's stories are real. The witnesses are real. The mystery remains. Welcome to Ask Sandman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Campsite That Wasn't Empty — Part One Campfire Files: True Stories That Followed Them Home On this episode of The Devil Within, we begin our summer series with a story that feels familiar enough to lower your guard. A late-summer camping trip in the Smoky Mountains. A family of four. A quiet campsite just far enough off the main trail to feel private—but not isolated. The kind of trip thousands of families take every year. Until something shifts. At first, it's subtle. Easy to dismiss. A sound in the woods. Movement that could belong to anything—wind, animals, the natural rhythm of a forest at night. But then the patterns begin to break. The sounds don't move the way they should. The silence arrives at the wrong moments. And then— A voice. Calling from just beyond the firelight. Using a name it shouldn't know. Sounding exactly like someone already inside the tent. Not similar. Not close. Exact. As the Carter family settles into their tent for the night, what waits outside doesn't rush. It doesn't reveal itself. It listens. It studies. It repeats. And slowly, the realization sets in: This isn't something passing through. This is something paying attention. Part One builds toward a moment that changes everything—the understanding that whatever is outside the tent isn't just making noise… It's communicating. And it knows exactly who it's talking to. What You'll Hear in Part One • A real-world report of voice mimicry in a wilderness setting • How environmental “patterns” help identify when something is wrong • The psychological shift from dismissal to awareness • The moment a familiar voice becomes something else entirely Listen & Follow Follow The Devil Within wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. If you're enjoying the show, take a moment to rate and review—it helps more people find the stories. Watch & Subscribe Full episodes and video content are available on the Evio Creative YouTube channel. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss what's next. Join the Conversation Have a story? A tip? Something we should cover?
Joe Woodard shares how his passion for hiking started with childhood trips to the Smoky Mountains, where the beauty of nature left a lasting impression. His most memorable hike was trekking from the rim of the Grand Canyon down to the Colorado River, an eight-hour adventure in intense heat. For Joe, hiking is a way to unplug from work, practice mindfulness, and be fully present in the moment, especially when hiking with his wife. He emphasizes that hiking intentionally has no connection to his professional life and serves as his way to sever and recharge. Occasionally, hiking leads to spontaneous work ideas, which he records and sets aside to stay focused on the experience. He believes nurturing one's "And" makes us more human and essential in an increasingly AI-driven world. Episode Highlights · Hiking provides a way to disconnect from work and clear the mind, allowing for mental rest and rejuvenation. · Mindfulness is about focusing fully on the present moment, like observing a tree while hiking, to allow for true mental clarity and severance from work. . Even though hiking is separate from work, new ideas often come during hikes; recording them quickly helps maintain separation and return to enjoying the hike. . Building relationships in business is about genuine human connection and shared interests like hiking can organically strengthen those client and colleague relationships.
I veckans avsnitt av ”Så in i Själen” har jag bjudit in coachen, yogaläraren och författaren Louise Strömberg. Numera ägnar hon större tiden åt att omfamna sin allra största yrkesdröm - att skriva romaner, i vilka hon sår frön av insikter, kunskap och inspiration. Genren räknas ofta som historisk feelgood och healing fiction. Och att få bjuda in läsarna i sin fantasivärld medan hon inspirerar till livskraft planerar Louise att göra livet ut! Arkösundserien har för närvarande tio planerade fristående delar. Och Louise är aktuell med den tredje - Där vinden dansar. berättelsen utspelar sig både i nutida Sverige och år 1899 i den Amerikanska vildmarken, vidare till Smoky Mountains, North Carolina där delar av cherokee-stammen lyckades fly upp i bergen och undkomma den stora tvångsförflyttningen (Trail of tears) på 1800-talet. Romanen skildrar deras kultur , tro och levnadssätt. Varmt välkomna till ”Så in i Själen”.Ni hittar Louise Strömberg på Instagram och hennes hemsida: https://www.louisestromberg.seFå reklamfria avsnitt tidigare på Supercast: https://sainisjalen.supercast.comProducerat av Silverdrake Förlagwww.silverdrakeforlag.seRedaktör: Marcus Tigerdraakemarcus@silverdrakeforlag.seKlipp: Victoria Tigerdraakevictoria.tigerdraake@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Quill Rose was a Confederate veteran, bear hunter, blacksmith, storyteller, and moonshiner who lived deep in the Smoky Mountains along Eagle Creek. In this episode of Stories of Appalachia, we tell his story, from Cades Cove in the 1840s through war, family life, isolation, to his illegal whiskey-making in the mountains.Along the way, Quill became a figure known not just for survival, but also for his loyalty to family, his reputation with Plott hounds, his run-ins with the law, and the many colorful stories told about him, many of which he told himself.Subscribe to the Stories podcast so you don't miss any of our Stories of Appalachia.Thanks for listening!
Want more exclusive content?! http://prometheuslens.supercast.com to sign up for the "All Access Pass" and get early access to episodes, private community, members only episodes, private Q & A's, and coming documentaries. We also have a $4 dollar a month package that gets you early access and an ad free listening experience!==================== Summary:Join me as I sit down with Bigfoot Society podcast and tyalk about my Bigfoot adventure in the Smoky Mountains of east Tennessee and my book The Epic of Esau. Enjoy!====================
These shows are made possible by your support on Patreon.com/RapReviews. RapReviews.com and MarksOfWrestling.com share the same server for hosting so any support for either site would be appreciated. Thank you!
Head on down to Rocky Top with Randy, Caly, and Visit Knoxville Director of Communications Kristen Combs as they explore the Sunsphere, Market Square, Southern cuisine, outdoor adventures, and other top things to do in Knoxville, Tennessee—a unique city at the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains.Plan your next trip to Knoxville at https://VisitKnoxville.comSubscribe to RV Destinations Magazine at https://RVDestinationsMagazine.com and use code PODCAST20 to save 20% on your subscription today!
The Mother's Plea,Heartland Stories, Appalachian folklore, ghost story, Tennessee legends, Appalachian mystery, haunted Appalachia, paranormal podcast, Otis Dixon, ghost mother, cemetery mystery, mountain legends, supernatural story, Appalachian history, haunted cemetery, folklore documentary, paranormal 411, East Tennessee, spooky stories, unexplained mystery, ghost encounter, Appalachian culture, Southern folklore, haunted history, Smoky Mountain legends, chilling tale, true folklore, paranormal documentary, ghost legend, miracle story, folklore podcastBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/paranormal-411--4218639/support.
Great Smoky Mountains' Katie Liming joins Bob Thomas to talk about the synchronous fireflies events taking place this summer, the lottery process to win tickets, hiking in the Smoky Mountains & more! #PhilShowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tonight, let's take a trip to the Smoky Mountains as we let the imagery of nature guide us to sleep.Thank you for being here tonight.Sleep well!
Subscribe to This Week in Hospitality wherever you get you podcasts: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5oPExA0txHMjEI5Ye13IUy Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-hospitality/id1849637233 Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWeekinHospitality Mews embeds Uber directly into its PMS, promising seamless guest transportation and a cut of ancillary revenue hotels have long been leaving on the table. The guys are skeptical — cool concept, questionable adoption, and the real winner might just be Uber's data team. Then Expedia announces B2A — a marketing function built not for humans, but for AI agents. Scott doesn't mince words: AI is about to expose how hollow most hotel marketing actually is. Ben connects the dots to the accelerating rise of independent, story-driven properties that LLMs will increasingly favor over generic flag brands. Americans aren't canceling travel — they're shortening trips, going domestic, and scrutinizing every dollar. Scott just did seven hotel site visits in Tuscany. Not one was at capacity. The Smoky Mountains are not having the same problem. Finally, a sharp op-ed on the structural dysfunction between hotel owners and operators sparks a broader debate about why the aligned owner-operator model is the decade's single biggest competitive advantage — and why capital still hasn't caught up. This Week in Hospitality is presented to you by Journey. Journey is a loyalty platform built specifically for independent boutique hotels and high-touch hospitality brands. Our mission is to give operators the same powerful rewards engine, data intelligence, and guest insights that major chains rely on — without asking them to give up the individuality, soul, or story that makes their property extraordinary. If you're an owner or operator of an extraordinary, independently owned and operated hotel or residence — and you want to see whether your property is a fit for the Journey Alliance — you can learn more and apply at https://www.journey.com/alliance Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — Intro 02:28 — Story #1: Mews embeds Uber into the PMS 15:28 — Story #2: Expedia's B2A strategy for AI agents 37:17 — Story #3: Travelers trade down, not out 50:04 — Story #4: The owner-operator information gap 56:36 — Spice of the Week Your Hosts: Zach Busekrus — Journey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachbusekrus/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthestays/ Scott Eddy — Global Travel & Hospitality Expert @MrScottEddy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrscotteddy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrscotteddy/ Ben Wolff — Founder of Onera & Oasi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wolff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambenwolff/ Edwin Kramer — Luxury Hotelier Consultant & Former GM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinckramer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwinkramer/
A weekend deep in the Smoky Mountains turns into one of the most unsettling investigations ever discussed on Bigfoot Society.Doc Brown from the Prometheus Lens Podcast shares firsthand experiences from a remote East Tennessee research area tied to Harley Owens, Robbie Ferrell, and legendary investigator Scott Carpenter.Investigators document massive humanoid tracks, three-toed prints, strange screams in the darkness, glowing orbs moving through the trees, and infrared sightings of towering figures surrounding camp. Multiple experienced outdoorsmen report overwhelming fear while deep in the woods near an abandoned graveyard and hidden hog pen in the mountains.The conversation dives into Bigfoot encounters, Dogman reports, ancient giant traditions, Nephilim theories, paranormal activity in Appalachia, and why certain locations seem to carry generations of unexplained phenomena.This episode includes:Sasquatch encounters in East TennesseeEx-military investigators fleeing the woodsStrange vocalizations recorded near campReports of orbs and shadow-like entitiesStories connected to Scott Carpenter's research areasBiblical giant and Nephilim theories tied to Bigfoot loreAppalachian paranormal activity and cryptid encountersIf you enjoy serious witness interviews, deep Bigfoot lore, Appalachian mysteries, and unexplained encounters in remote wilderness areas, this is an episode you'll want to hear from beginning to end.Resources:https://www.youtube.com/@Prometheus_Lenshttps://www.prometheuslenspodcast.com/podcasthttps://www.amazon.com/Epic-Esau-Birthright-Seed-War/dp/B0DV8VKKP4/
In this hilarious and heartfelt episode of Backstage Pass with Gentry Thomas, comedian Nate Bargatze joins Gentry to talk about his new family comedy movie, The Breadwinner. The film stars Nate as a salesman and father who suddenly has to hold down the household after his wife, played by Mandy Moore, lands a major business opportunity that takes her away from home. The result is a funny, relatable story about parenting, chaos, and learning how to do things your own way. The Breadwinner opens exclusively in theaters on May 29, 2026. Fans can watch the trailer and get tickets here:The Breadwinner Nate and Gentry also connect over something pretty unique: both of them grew up with magicians for dads. They talk about what that kind of childhood was like, how it shaped their sense of humor, and how growing up around entertainment can quietly prepare you for life on stage. The conversation also takes a trip through Tennessee, including the Smoky Mountains, Dollywood, and Nate’s big dream of building his own theme park called Nate Land. Nate opens up about being a girl dad, what touring life is really like, and how his stand-up career has grown from comedy clubs to arenas. Gentry and Nate also talk about what it was like hosting Saturday Night Live twice, how acting in a movie compares to doing stand-up, and why comedy continues to be the thing he loves most. From family stories and fatherhood to SNL, movies, Tennessee, and the future of Nate Land, this episode is packed with laughs, heart, and classic Nate Bargatze charm.
May's Full Episode: Rabbits Don't Climb Trees (The Smoky Mountains)Story: A sneezy rabbit, cheeky snail, and slightly overbearing possum learn a thing or two about setting boundaries…and manage to get animals with no climbing skills whatsoever up a giant tree. Region: The Smoky Mountains (Southeastern United States)Sticky Situation: What do you do when a friend is being rude? Unstick Tricks by: Vivienne (Age 8), Lena (Age 6), and Jayna (Age 6)Feelings Focus: Speaking up; empathy; setting boundaries; managing with bullies; standing up for yourselfKnow a kid with great advice for Sticky Situations? Tell us! Details at www.storypillar.com/unsticktricks. Make a donation! Support Storypillar!https://ko-fi.com/storypillar Info/Get in Touch: Website: www.storypillar.com Instagram: @storypillar Join our mailing list Story by:Meg LewisCreated, Written, and Produced by: Meg Lewis Sound Design/Audio Editing: Meg Lewis and Nate BlaweissStorypillar Theme Song: Lyrics by Meg Lewis Music by Meg Lewis, Andy Jobe, and Suzanna Bridges Produced by Andy Jobe Episode Cover Art Mackenzie AllisonSound Effects and Additional Music: -Freesound.org-Hawaii Nature Ambient Sound-Suzanna Bridges (As Sparky) -Pixabay Artists: NightCityTunes; AlanaJordan; Music_for_Creators; Caffeine_Creek_Band; Grumpynora; Folk_Acoustic© 2026 PowerMouse Press, LLC
Natalie Spearman joins Brian to share the strange path that led her from Florida to the forests of the UK, the wilds of West Virginia, and some of the most active paranormal and cryptid locations in the country. She talks about the experiences that first sparked her interest in Bigfoot, including an Ocala National Forest report, her time at major Bigfoot conferences, and a terrifying solo campout in the Everglades that turned out to have a very real explanation.The conversation then moves into Natalie's work with Adam Davis and Relic Films, including intense investigations at Land Between the Lakes, the Emmaus Asylum in Missouri, the Smoky Mountains, and other high-strangeness locations. Natalie describes unsettling activity involving lights, orbs, possible crawler-like entities, equipment failures, physical effects, base-camp encounters, and a massive Bigfoot sighting that left a lasting impression.Brian and Natalie also discuss the upcoming Relic Films project The Vanished, where viewers can stream it, and where fans can follow Natalie's work and catch future festival appearances.Relic Films YouTube Channel Email BrianGet Our FREE NewsletterGet Brian's Books Leave Us A VoicemailVisit Our WebsiteBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sasquatch-odyssey--4839697/support.Have you had a Bigfoot encounter, Sasquatch sighting, Dogman experience, or other cryptid or paranormal encounter? We'd love to hear your story. Email brian@paranormalworldproductions.com to be featured on a future episode of Sasquatch Odyssey.Sasquatch Odyssey is a leading Bigfoot and cryptid podcast exploring real encounters, field research, and scientific analysis of the Sasquatch phenomenon.Follow the show and turn on automatic downloads so you never miss an episode.
I took this episode from an article I wrote for Flying Snake magazine, which was published in December 2020 (Vol. 6, #18). Show transcript: Welcome to Strange Animals Podcast. I'm your host, Kate Shaw. The Great Smoky Mountains is a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains, which stretches from the middle of Alabama in the United States north into southeastern Canada. The Appalachians formed when the world's continents crunched together to form the supercontinent Pangaea. The southern Appalachians formed separately and later than the northern Appalachians, around 270 million years ago. The Appalachians were once as high as the Rockies or Himalayas, but by the time the dinosaurs went extinct, they had eroded down to the mountain cores. Sediment weathered from the peaks and filled in valleys. But during the Pleistocene, when massive glaciers covered the northern parts of North America, the weight of the ice pushed the North American plate down, causing the southern part of the plate to rise. Eventually the ancient mountains' roots were a thousand feet (300 m) above sea level again. Rivers that once flowed east into the Atlantic Ocean or west into the remains of the shallow Western Interior Seaway shifted their courses to flow northward. Streams that once meandered across the land now plunged down steep slopes and dug gorges into the rock. And over thousands of years, animals and plants retreating from the ice migrated southward along the mountain range. When the climate warmed some 11,000 years ago and the ice age glaciers melted, many cold-adapted species were trapped in the peaks of the southern Appalachians. One of the highest peaks is Mount LeConte, with its highest point, High Top, measured at 6,593 ft, or 2,010 meters. I hiked Mount LeConte on 7 May, 2016 when the weather in nearby Knoxville, Tennessee was a warm 82 Fahrenheit, or 27.8 Celcius, but there was snow on the mountain that morning. I wrote my name in it. A spruce-fir forest grows on the upper slopes, a remnant of forest that grew throughout the mountains during the last ice age. The climate at the peak of Mount LeConte is more like that of southern Canada than the warm, humid southeastern United States. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established in 1934 to protect the mountains along the Tennessee/North Carolina border. No one lives in the park's 800 square miles (2,072 square km), which receives up to 90 inches [2.29 m] of rain a year, some of it from hurricanes that sweep up from the southern Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico. Large tracts of old-growth forest still remain in the park too. So as you can see, the Smokies are a biodiversity hotspot. In 2018, the park announced its 1,000th species discovered that is new to science, which by July 2020 had grown to 1,025. Overall, 20,000 known species live in the park as of 2019 and scientists estimate that up to 100,000 more are yet to be discovered. The Smokies are heavily forested, of course, but some mountain summits and crests have no trees. Instead, native grasses and shrubs grow. They're called grassy balds and no one is sure why they exist. The prevailing theory is that Pleistocene megaherbivores opened the forests for grazing, and after their extinction, the balds remained open due to bison, elk (wapiti), and deer. When white settlers moved into the area, they used the balds to graze cattle and other livestock. Remains of mammoth and mastodon, musk ox, ground sloth, and other megaherbivores have been excavated from various balds throughout the park. Amphibian enthusiasts call the Smokies the Salamander Capital of the World, with 30 known species. Largest of these is the hellbender, which we talked about in episode 14, a giant salamander that can grow nearly 2 ½ feet long, or 74 cm, and which lives in swift-moving mountain streams. It's most closely related to the Chinese and Japanese giant salamanders, which can grow over twice as long as the hellbender. Twenty-seven of the salamanders found in the Smokies are lungless, in the family Plethodontidae. Instead of breathing with lungs or gills, the lungless salamanders absorb oxygen through their skin. Of these, the red-cheeked salamander is endemic to the Smokies—that is, it's found nowhere else in the world. The red-cheeked salamander lives in forests in high elevations. It can grow up to seven inches long, or 18 cm, and is gray or black with bright red patches on its face. It spends the day in a burrow, then comes out at night to find insects in the leaf litter. But it's hard to tell apart from the imitator salamander, although the imitator only grows a little over four inches long, or 11 cm. The imitator has red cheeks but its body is patterned black and brown instead of solid gray or black. Sometimes its cheeks are yellow, too, while the red-cheeked salamander only ever has red cheeks. Another animal found only in the Smoky Mountains, although it may also be present in mountains outside of the park, is a species of jeweled spider fly called Mary-Alice's emerald (Eulonchus marialiciae). Mary-Alice's emerald has a metallic-green body and yellow legs, and the adults eat nectar. But the larvae eat spiders. Specifically, they parasitize spiders. After hatching, the larva goes in search of a spider, especially trapdoor spiders that live in burrows. When it finds one, it works its way into the spider's body and eats it from the inside out, eventually killing it. Then it pupates in the burrow and emerges as an adult spider fly. It prefers high elevations that are cool and moist. A less horrific animal found in the Smokies is the Carolina northern flying squirrel. It was one of the species whose ancestors migrated south along the Appalachians during the Pleistocene. Then, after temperatures started to warm, the cold-adapted flying squirrel migrated north again. Some populations remained on mountaintops in the Smoky Mountains and have been isolated for thousands of years, evolving into a subspecies of flying squirrel found only in high elevations of the Smokies. It's much rarer than the southern flying squirrel that lives throughout the southeastern United States, and prefers spruce forests instead of the hardwood forests that southern flying squirrels like. But the spruce forests are threatened by climate change, the introduced woolly adelgid insect that kills fir trees, and pollution in the form of acid rain and pesticides that travel to the mountains from other states and even other countries. The Carolina northern flying squirrel has a patagium of furry skin that connects its front and back legs. When it jumps from a branch, it stretches its legs out and uses the patagia to glide to a new perch. It's clumsy on the ground, though, and spends most of its time in trees. It mostly eats fungi, mushrooms, and lichens, but will also eat nuts, insects, bird eggs and even baby birds, and other plant material like tree sap and buds. Bobcats still live in the Smokies, but the cougar, or mountain lion, was supposedly killed off in the area by the end of the 19th century. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the eastern cougar subspecies from the endangered species list in 2018, since it is supposed to be extinct. The last cougar in what is now the park was supposedly killed in 1920. But sightings continue in the Smokies, close to a dozen a year, and some sightings are compelling, like the 2002 report of a cougar crossing a road in the park, spotted by a veterinarian who treated captive cougars in his practice. Considering how seldom seen the bobcat is despite it being relatively abundant, it's possible that a small number of cougars still live in the park—either animals that have moved back into the mountains from elsewhere, or a relict population. The red wolf is native to the eastern United States and was once common in the Smoky Mountains, but was killed off by white settlers throughout most of its range. Where it remained in the wild, it interbred with closely related coyotes, until it was declared extinct in the wild in 1980. Fortunately, by then a captive breeding program was in place. Starting in 1991, 37 red wolves were released in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, following the release of 63 red wolves into the Alligator River Natural Area in North Carolina a few years earlier. But the release didn't go well in the Smokies. Wolves are shy and need enormous territories with lots of game. Before long some wolves were leaving the park and attacking livestock. Others died of parvo virus, especially wolf pups. Worse, this was about the same time that coyotes moved into the area from the west. The wolves started interbreeding with the coyotes, and the coyotes also competed with the wolves for food. In 1998, the Fish and Wildlife Service ended the program and recaptured all but one of the wolves originally released into the park. The North Carolina release went better, with a population peak in 2006 estimated at nearly 130 wolves. But that program was suspended in 2015, and without management of the wild population, the number has dwindled. As of 2019, only 14 wolves remain in North Carolina—and that's the entire population of red wolves in the wild. But sightings of red wolves continue in the Smokies. The trouble is that the red wolf looks very similar to the coyote. It's taller and larger, with a more pronounced reddish shade to its coat, but even experts can have trouble telling the two species apart if they can't get a good look at the animal. Most likely people are seeing coyotes, possibly ones descended from red wolf/coyote hybrids born during the reintroduction program. The biggest mystery in the park is the occasional sighting of a Bigfoot-type creature. Most sightings are probably bears, though. An estimated 1,500 American black bears live in the Smokies, and while some bears get used to hikers and tourists, most are shy and seldom seen. A black bear keeping an eye on hikers or cars will sometimes stand on its hind legs for a better view, and would naturally look like a hulking humanoid if glimpsed. But other sightings aren't so easy to explain. In February of 2009, a photographer named Deb Campbell was hiking the Middle Prong Trail in the snow. The Middle Prong Trail passes three major waterfalls and many smaller ones as it follows along a tributary of the Little River. She had the trail almost completely to herself—she says she only saw one person the whole time. Later she reported, “[A]t some point I am photographing along the stream and I start to smell a gawd awful stench. Not really like anything I had ever smelled before. I look around, see nothing, listen intently…nothing. So I finish up at that spot and go further up the trail.” The smell receded behind her but the snow increased, so finally she turned around to hike out. Around the area where she smelled the stink earlier, she started feeling watched. She stopped long enough to secure her camera gear for much faster hiking in slick conditions, when she heard a deep growl that she described as “very low, not like a cat, almost guttural.” Needless to say, she got off the mountain as quickly as possible. The black bear doesn't truly hibernate since its body temperature remains normal instead of dropping, but it does find a den in cold weather and will sleep for long stretches. It may emerge from its den occasionally during the winter during warm spells, but for the most part it's asleep in its den from around November through March in the Smoky Mountains. But Campbell was hiking in February during a snowfall, with snow already on the ground. A bear would most likely not be out of its den in that weather unless it had been disturbed. And bears don't actually smell bad. During the winter hibernation most bears don't defecate at all. Any feces left in a bear's digestive tract harden to form a fecal plug. If it does feel the need to defecate near the end of the winter, it will do so just outside its den, but the fecal plug has very little odor. Even under ordinary conditions, unless a bear has been eating carrion, it will smell no worse than a dog that needs a bath. Not only that, black bears don't actually growl. They make grunty, huffing noises when warning people away or when males fight in the summer, and a frightened bear will moan, but they don't growl like a dog. It's possible that Campbell hiked past a bear that had emerged from its den early and had found and eaten carrion, possibly roadkill, and that she was so close to the bear without seeing it that she smelled its breath. That's almost more frightening than the thought of passing near a Bigfoot. The growl might have come from a different animal, a coyote or who knows, maybe even a red wolf. Or Campbell might have encountered a creature sometimes called a skunk ape due to its foul odor. The skunk ape is most commonly reported in Florida swamps, but sightings—or smellings—have come from many other states. The smell is sometimes described as that of rotting food and roadkill on a hot day. A bear or other animal that has been rooting around in garbage bins can pick up this odor, especially in hot weather, but it's hard to believe that a bear would be actively foraging so much in winter that it would smell like trash. January and February are the depths of winter in East Tennessee. The bears are hibernating, not foraging. Thanks for your support, and thanks for listening! This is what a couple of fighting bears sound like: [bear sounds]
When a gun-wielding man emerges from the Smoky Mountains and menaces visitors on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, a dedicated park ranger responds… Only to discover he will have to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect innocent lives and the parkland he swore an oath to. View source material and photos for this episode at: parkpredators.com/the-overlook Park Predators is an Audiochuck production. Connect with us on social media: Instagram: @parkpredators | @audiochuck Twitter: @ParkPredators | @audiochuck Facebook: /ParkPredators | /audiochuckllc TikTok: @audiochuck Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
© 2020-2026 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
