Winner of a regional Emmy Award and two Telly Awards!
Bridging the past to present, we celebrate the rich culture and history of Virginia's Appalachia by seeing how treasured traditions are kept alive and are thriving today.
This series takes you on a journey exploring the multitude of Appalachian traditions.
Season Two Episodes:
201 - Folklore
We delve into the mysterious folklore of Virginia, focusing on the legendary Woodbooger—a Bigfoot-like creature said to roam the forests near Norton, Virginia. Folklore expert Ricky Cox sheds light on folklore in Appalachian culture, exploring how stories of cryptids like this shape local identity and connect people to the wild landscapes around them.
202 - Old Time Music
We dive into the rich sounds of old-time music in Appalachia with a visit to the Floyd Country Store, a cherished hub for Virginia’s traditional tunes. We also connect with the Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM), an organization dedicated to teaching the next generation of musicians.
203 - Coal Miners
Explore the legacy of coal and its enduring influence on culture, industry, and identity of Appalachia.
204 - Biscuits and Cornbread
What is Appalachia without some biscuits and cornbread?! We talk with historian and expert, Leni Sorenson, all about cornbread and its roots in Appalachian culture. We also visit a couple of restaurants in SWVA to see their success with biscuits and cornbread.
205 - Farming
We explore the rich agricultural traditions of Virginia’s Appalachia. We visit Scott Sink at Riner Ridge Farm and Hethwood Market to see modern farming in action, chat with the mother-daughter team behind Stormbrew Farm about the power of family and resilience in farming and sit down with Dixie Dalton at her family’s tobacco farm to uncover the deep-rooted history of agriculture in the region.
206 - Flatfooting
Lace up your dancing shoes as we experience the energy and tradition of flatfooting up close! Learn about the roots, rhythms, and stories behind flatfooting. Come along as we dive into the heart of Appalachian culture through music, movement, and conversation.
207 - Storytelling
We explore the rich and enduring tradition of storytelling in Appalachia. Lee Hunsaker, creator of Hoot and Holler, discusses the heart and craft behind curating true stories from our region. Hear some classic Jack Tales from storyteller Rex Stevenson and Appalachian scholar Ricky Cox shares a fascinating history lesson on the roots and evolution of storytelling in the mountains.
208 - Foraging
We step off the beaten path and into the woods for a deep dive into the world of foraging in Appalachia. We join the NRV Mushroom Club on a foraging walk, chat with Appalachian Sustainable Development about the deep cultural roots of herbal traditions and visit Reeds Valley Farm to see how herbs are being cultivated. Plus, we get a flavorful glimpse of the annual Whitetop Ramp Festival.
THANK YOU TO OUR SEASON TWO PROGRAM SPONSOR!
Season One Epsiodes:
101 - Moonshine
We explore Franklin County, Moonshine capital of the world, to get a better look at the history of white liquor. We travel the backroads with Henry Lee Law, Roddy Moore and Bethany Worley as they share their expertise and stories of the past and the economic outlook for this now legal favorite of Virginia’s Appalachia.
102 - Food
Appalachian cuisine is a great cultivation of different cultures; so, we travel to Bristol, Abingdon, Cedar Bluff and Castlewood Virginia to get a taste for what’s cooking in Virginia’s Appalachia. From food trucks, a BBQ joint, fine dining, and Grandmas kitchen – we cover it all.
103 - Logging
We spend time with Jason Rutledge at Ridgewind Suffolk Farm in Floyd County, Virginia to dig deep into the old practice of logging with horses. We also learn about restorative forestry and bridge past to present with a visit to a logging mill.
104 - Quilting
You might have a cherished one on your bed or know someone who’s made one or maybe made one yourself- it’s all about quilting as we visit quilting bees, meetings, shows, and talk with a quilt historian along with other local quilters about the art of quilt making.
105 - Canning
Canning has been and continues to be an important part of living in Appalachia, either in the home or now industrialized. Join us on a visit to local canneries to learn about the history and see the way the time-honored tradition is thriving today.
106 - Hunting & Fishing
Hunting and fishing have always been a big part in Appalachian culture. We learn more about the history of hunting in SWVA, along with going on a coon hunt in Boones Mill, a turkey hunt out in Wytheville, fishing a creek in the same area, and learning more about how Elk were re-introduced to Southwest Virginia.