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. 6d ago

    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.

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Aug 16

    New Weight Wait Loss Surgery, State Fair is Here & The Hustle Culture

    This week on At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Joelle Moray, a bestselling author, licensed professional counselor, and nationally recognized advocate for transforming workplace culture. Joelle shares more about her journey and what motivates her perspective on leadership. She and the General also define and discuss the term "hustle culture" and how this culture can present challenges in individual and organizational contexts.  The 2026 State Fair of West Virginia has started and runs through August 22. In the Rooted in the Mountain State segment provided by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture we will hear from Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt. In our final segment I have an extended interview with Doctor Semeret Munie from the Marshall School of Medicine and Marshal Health Network, she specializes in weight loss surgery and she will tell us about a new weight loss procedure being performed by the Marshall Health Network.

    New Weight Wait Loss Surgery, State Fair is Here & The Hustle Culture

  7. Aug 9

    Protecting Shrubs From Deer, Cletus on the Links, Beer from Preston & State Fair Info

    This week on At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Dallas Wolfe, founder of High Ground Brewing in Terra Alta, West Virginia. Dallas is an Army veteran, member of the West Virginia National Guard, and entrepreneur. The General and Dallas share how High Ground Brewing contributes to strengthening community, tourism, and economic development in Preston County. They also explore opportunities for entrepreneurship in West Virginia and discuss the important role local business plays in building united and resilient communities. The State Fair of West Virginia kicks off on August 13 and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture is a big part of the fair and today we will have a double Rooted in the Mountain State the first part discusses the Country Store and the second the Read Tent. Both are operated by the Ag Department.  Many of us have had issues with the deer eating our shrubs, floors and trees. One West Virginian James Stanton of Charleston has done something about it, he created a product that repels deer and it is not poisonous. We hear form James.  One of the funniest people on the earth is Cletus T Judd. If you listen to country music you know him if not google him.He lives near Portsmouth and he entered the West Virginia Golf Open. Michael Susman of affiliate WJEH caught up with him at the tournament.

    Protecting Shrubs From Deer, Cletus on the Links, Beer from Preston & State Fair Info

  8. Aug 2

    Appalachia Matters: Special Episode on WV Flood Recovery

    Many of our listeners were impacted by the July 2026 flood especially in central west Virginia and along the Ohio River North of Parkersburg. This episode is dedicated to providing information for those impacted and those who might want to help. Flood recovery is a long term effort.  This week on At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer comments on the recent flooding in north-central West Virginia and re-plays a previous interview with David Lumsden, Chair of the Board of Directors for West Virginia VOAD - that's Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. Then the General and Tom Susman sit down to further discuss resources available to those in need and how you might be able to help with long term recovery.  Flood victims face many challenges and the recovery is not a week or two it can take years, and Tom Susman talks with Brad Story who is CEO of the West Virginia Behavioral Health Providers Association on safety-net mental health resources for flood victims.  In our final interview we talk with Kent Leonhardt Commissioner of Agriculture about how this flood is impacting agriculture and what steps  impacted farmers take next. If you have garden that’s flooded you will want to listen,  because you probably will have to plow it under.

    Appalachia Matters: Special Episode on WV Flood Recovery
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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
    112
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Vandalia Media Partners II, LLC
  • Show Website
    Appalachia Matters