Appalachia Matters

Thomas Susman, Producer
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Appalachia Matters is a weekly radio show highlighting life in Appalachia. Each week we have a segment on leadership from retired Major General Jim Hoyer, features highlighting agriculture in our region, health care updates from Tom Susman and our host Bo Higby each week highlights a story of community interest. The show is produced by Vandalia Media Partners. 

  1. Oct 11

    Free Health Clinic, Kendall's Kreations, Devil's Due & Prevent Getting Measles

    This week At The Leadership Table is Kendall Drobish, a senior at West Virginia University and Founder of the cake-pop business Kendall's Kreations. Throughout her years at WVU, Kendall has filled her time as an intern at both Hope Gas and the Public Interest Communication Research Lab (PIC LAB), President of the Public Relations Student Society of America, and Student Ambassador for the WVU Canady College of Creative Arts and Media. The General and Kendall discuss her background as a native West Virginian from the northern panhandle, and how she wants to serve the state moving forward. In the Eastern Panhandle of WV, there is a neat distillery called Devil's Due, we will learn about this operation in this week's Rooted in The Mountain State segment provided by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture.  Across West Virginia there are at least 10 free and charitable clinics. In most cases a number of the medical providers at these clinics, volunteer their time. The target population served are the uninsured or underinsured, An example of underinsured  person would be a person who has a $5,000 deductible and  works a minimum wage job  and  cannot afford to pay for medical care before the deductible is expired.  Without these safety net clinics  many individuals would go with out needed medical care. By far the biggest and and most established clinic is West Virginia Health Right of Charleston Each year they have a one day mega clinic called WV Day of Caring. To learn more about WV Health Right and the services they provide as well as the Day of Care I talked with Angie Settle CEO of WV Health Right. Outside of West Virginia there has been a number of Measles outbreaks. Some of those states do not have the same laws as West Virginia when it comes to mandatory school vaccines. If you are going to travel you will want to listen to our interview with Amy Haskins of the Jackson County set Virginia Health Department.

    Free Health Clinic, Kendall's Kreations, Devil's Due & Prevent Getting Measles

  2. Oct 4

    Tropopica, Keeping Coverage, Sassafras Ridge & Elderberries, and Making Economic Impact

    At The Leadership Table this week, we sit down with Erienne Olesh, CEO of the NSF Resilient Energy Technology and Infrastructure Engine (RETI), to explore innovation, commercialization, and the future of energy in Appalachia. Erienne shares her journey from a neuroscience researcher to leading major technology transfer initiatives, explaining how she helps turn lab discoveries into real-world economic impact. In the Rooted in the Mountain State segment presented by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, we will learn about Sassafras Ridge and the folks who are growing elderberries up there.  # There are about 45 to 50,000 West Virginians who rely on the Health Exchange for health insurance coverage. For lower income individuals there are some cost subsidies. For those who may have an illnesses, the product is guaranteed issue. The annual open enrollment period is coming up and we talk with Jeremy Smith an ACA Navigator about crucial dates and steps  If you are a regular listener,  you know I like to report on small business people who may sell food or other products. Today we we will hear from James Eochs from Tropopica a local food vendor who I talked with earlier this summer at the Mason County Fair.

    Tropopica, Keeping Coverage, Sassafras Ridge & Elderberries, and Making Economic Impact

  3. Sep 27

    Loving WV, Help Is Out There, and Meet the Vet!

    This week At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Evan Chapman, co-founder of Loving WV, a West Virginia brand created to showcase the state’s pride, culture, and communities. Evan and the General discuss the story behind Loving WV, how the brand has grown from an idea born out of homesickness into a statewide business, and Loving WV’s efforts to support communities impacted by this summer’s flooding. In the Rooted inn the Mountain State segment provided by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture we will meet Doctor Jim Maxwell who is the State Veterinarian He is the point person to maintain animal health in the state.  Our region, like many other regions in Appalachia have been hard hit the opioid crisis and other illegal substances, Michael Hanney works for Marshall Health Network in Huntington and he operates the ProAct Program which provides assistance to those who suffer from substance abuse. Also this month is recovery month where those who are in recovery or providing assistance to those who need help are recognized as well as bringing attention to available resources.

    Loving WV, Help Is Out There, and Meet the Vet!

  4. Sep 20

    Working the Bees, Tools to Succeed, Elections on the Horizon and Zanesville Salsa.

    Working the Bees, Tools to Succeed, Elections on the Horizon and Zanesville Salsa. This week At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with West Virginia’s 31st Secretary of State and Chief Elections Official, Kris Warner. They discuss the many responsibilities of the Secretary of State’s Office, from elections and voter registration to business administration and government transparency. They also talk about preparing for West Virginia’s upcoming General Election, what election integrity means, and why it is important for West Virginians to take part in the electoral process. In the Rooted in the Mountain State segment, we will learn about a bee supply company out of Parkersburg called Bearsville Bees.  20% of  employer companies in the USA  are women owned. many women dream of owning their own company, The Meigs County Chamber of Commerce is an example of an organization working  to give women the tools  and confidence they need to succeed. Tom Susman talks with Susan White who is Executive Director of the Meigs Chamber about their annual Women in  Business summit.  Who does not like good salsa? Steven Figiel with affiliate WJEH talks with Tom Zackney of Zanesville, Ohio about his family’s salsa business

    Working the Bees, Tools to Succeed, Elections on the Horizon and Zanesville Salsa.

  5. Sep 13

    Growing Doctors In Lewisburg, Fifth Graders Learn Agriculture, Innovation @ WVU and Popcorn

    This week, At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Ryan Watson, Executive Director of the West Virginia University Office of Innovation and Commercialization. Ryan and the General discuss his unique journey from engineering and law to university leadership, and how those experiences have shaped his approach to problem-solving and innovation. They also explore WVU’s role in turning research and discoveries into real-world impact and discuss the innovations Ryan believes have the potential to help propel West Virginia toward greater prosperity. Every week we get a segment from the West Virginia Department of agriculture called Rooted in the Mountain State,  this week we will hear about a special  agriculture day held for fifth grade students in Ohio and Marshal Counties.   Located In Lewisburg West Virginia is one of the state’s three medical schools, The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. It was founded in 1974 on the campus of the former Greenbrier Military Prep School.  The school has grown in size in stature, it faced hurdles in the early on,  there was a move to close the school, and more recently during the 2016 legislative session some in the legislature wanted to privatize the school, but then Governor Jim Justice stopped that effort.  The School has flourished and produces more primary care doctors  who stay in state than any other medical school in the West Virginia. The campus has undergone several recent infrastructure improvements.  We will meet Doctor James Nemitz President of the School.  In our final segment we will talk with a popcorn vendor who was at the Jackson County Junior Fair.

    Growing Doctors In Lewisburg, Fifth Graders Learn Agriculture, Innovation @ WVU and Popcorn

  6. Sep 6

    Ground Breaking Cancer Treatment, The Source, Heritage Farm and Staying Connected

    This week At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Pastor Kevin Cain, or "Rev Kev",   founder of The SOURCE Foundation, a Morgantown-based organization dedicated to helping children and families meet their basic needs and build a stronger future. Pastor Kevin and the General talk about leadership, the experiences that shaped his commitment to serving others, and the story behind The SOURCE Foundation. In the Rooted in the Mountain State segment from the Department of Agriculture we will learn about the Farm Bureau’s Heritage Farm for 2026. Marshall Health Network at its Cabell Huntington Hospital performed the first histotripsy in the state  of West Virginia which  provides treatment for liver cancer without surgery. We will learn about histotripsy and how it works in our third segment. Going to county fairs is fun and through our radio work we covered four county fairs this year and at  each fair there are various exhibitors. At he Meigs Ohio County Fair Tom Susman  talked with a representative of the Great Bend Radio Club and we will replay his interview that was aired on affiliate WMOV.

    Ground Breaking Cancer Treatment, The Source, Heritage Farm and Staying Connected

  7. Aug 30

    Your Social Security Payment Faces 20% Cut, Great Donuts, & a Great Coffee Place

    Your Social Security Payment Faces 20% Cut, Great Donuts, & AGreat Coffee Place This week on At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Mateo Martinez, founder and owner of Jazzy’s Sweet Spot and Seb’s Donuts in Star City, West Virginia. Mateo and the General discuss his journey from creating homemade donuts as a high school student to building a successful local businesses, the role of social media in growing his brand, and the importance of entrepreneurship in strengthening communities. This month was West Virginia State Fair month and the folks with the Department  of Agriculture were a little tied up and so instead of asking them for a new Rooted in The Mountain State segment this week, we decided to replay one about Black Dog Coffee in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Social Security payments in America may be reduced by 20% in 2032 if congress does nothing and Tom Susman talks with John Hishta National Senior Vice President for Policy for AARP.

    Your Social Security Payment Faces 20% Cut, Great Donuts, & a Great Coffee Place

  8. Aug 23

    Morgan is Bringing Hope To Hope Gas

    Welcome to Appalachia Matters presented by New River Health. Today’s episode is a special . The full show is a discussion Tom Susman had with Morgan O’Brien CEO of Hope Gas. Hope is investing significant resources in West Virginia as they update 7,000 miles of natural gas distribution in the state. The company has significantly increased the number West Virginia employees and is adopting a buy West Virginian philosophy for its West Virginia operations.  Morgan and Tom  talked about a number of issues  pipeline replacement, cost of Natural Gas, and the need for energy fto power data centers that are being built in West Virginia.

    Morgan is Bringing Hope To Hope Gas
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About

Appalachia Matters is a weekly radio show highlighting life in Appalachia. Each week we have a segment on leadership from retired Major General Jim Hoyer, features highlighting agriculture in our region, health care updates from Tom Susman and our host Bo Higby each week highlights a story of community interest. The show is produced by Vandalia Media Partners. 

Information

  • Creator
    Thomas Susman, Producer
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    115
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Vandalia Media Partners II, LLC
  • Show Website
    Appalachia Matters