Stories of Appalachia

Steve Gilly, Rod Mullins
  • 4.6 (193)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Stories of Appalachia

Welcome to "Stories of Appalachia," the podcast where hosts Steve Gilly and Rod Mullins have been unraveling the captivating history and folklore of the Appalachian region since 2015. Join them as they guide you through mist-covered mountains and winding rivers, exploring the stories that define the heart and soul of Appalachia.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    Ale 8 One, Appalachia's Homegrown Soda Legacy

    Discover the fascinating story of Kentucky's unique soft drink, "Ale 8 One," in this episode of Stories of Appalachia.   Join Steve and Rod as they tell the history of this Appalachian soda, which has been a staple in Eastern Kentucky since 1926.  From its origins in northern European ginger recipes to its modern-day variations like Cherry Ale-8 and Ale-8 Salsa, this episode uncovers the rich heritage and ongoing legacy of Kentucky's only native soft drink.   Be sure to subscribe to catch all our stories, available on your favorite podcast app.   You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support Thanks for listening, and we'll see you next time!

    15 min

  2. JAN 25

    Feud and Fury: The Dark Legacy of Bad Tom Smith

    By request of one of our listeners, this week we tell the story of Bad Tom Smith, a notorious figure at the very heart of the French-Eversole feud in Kentucky. As he grew up an orphan, he was regularly in trouble, until he crossed paths with two powerful rivals, Joseph C. Eversole and B. F. French, an encounter that would shape his life.     Be sure to subscribe to the Stories podcast on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or on your favorite podcast app. You can also help support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron of our audio podcast here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support    Thanks for listening and for sharing our stories with your friends!

    28 min

  3. JAN 18

    Chief Nimrod Jarrett Smith: How One Cherokee Leader Changed History

    Nimrod Jarrett Smith, born in 1832 near Murphy, North Carolina, was a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee who played a crucial role in shaping the tribe’s future. His life was marked by his dedication to his people during a time of immense change and challenge. As principal chief of the Eastern Band, he guided them to self-government on Western North Carolina land they themselves bought and secured a future for those Cherokee who still lived in their Appalachian home after the forced migration of the Trail of Tears.   Today we tell his story, another one of the Stories of Appalachia.   Subscribe to the Stories podcast on your favorite podcast app so you don’t miss any of our stories.  You can also help support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron of our audio podcast here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support   Thanks for listening!

    14 min

  4. JAN 11

    Philippi, West Virginia- The First Land Battle of the Civil War

    At the beginning of the Civil War, the small Appalachian town of Philippi, Virginia, now West Virginia, became the site of the first organized land action of the conflict as the Union made a move into Confederate territory.  Despite its strategic importance, the battle is sometimes humorously referred to as the "Philippi Races" due to the swift retreat of untested raw Confederate recruits. Join us as we tell the story of the Battle of Philippi, another one of the Stories of Appalachia. Subscribe to the Stories podcast on your favorite podcast platform or on our YouTube channel at Stories of Appalachia. Support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron of our audio podcast here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support Thanks for listening!

    14 min

  5. JAN 4

    Bloody Harlan: W. B. Jones and the Battle of Evarts

    In the late 1920s and early 30s, the coal fields of Harlan County, Kentucky, became the backdrop for one of the darkest chapters in labor history. Known as Bloody Harlan, this tumultuous time saw miners fighting for justice and fair treatment during a time of economic despair and corporate greed. At the heart of this struggle was William B. Jones, a determined union organizer who dared to stand up to the powerful coal operators, culminating in the battle of Evarts. Be sure to subscribe to the Stories podcast on your favorite podcast app or on our YouTube channel at Stories of Appalachia. You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron of our audio podcast here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support Thanks for listening!

    17 min

  6. 12/28/2024

    The Spruce Pine New Years Eve Blast

    On New Year's Eve 1959, the quiet town of Spruce Pine, North Carolina, became the stage for a teenage prank that would put the town in newspapers all around the country.   Join us as we tell the story of two local teenagers armed with dynamite bought at the town’s hardware store who decided to ring in the new year with a bang—literally.   Be sure to subscribe to the Stories podcast on your favorite podcast app or on our YouTube channel. You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron at Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support   Thanks for listening!

    11 min

  7. 12/21/2024

    The Frontier Trailblazer: Elisha Wallen, Longhunter

    Elisha Wallen was more than just a man of the frontier—he was a trailblazer who left an mark on the region's history.  Today we tell the story of this legendary long hunter, a man who traveled alongside Daniel Boone through Southwest Virginia and into Eastern Kentucky.  From his beginnings in Prince George County, Maryland, to his adventures across the uncharted wilderness of the Appalachian frontier, Elisha Wallen's story is one of courage, exploration, and survival in the wilderness.  Subscribe to the Stories podcast on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts,, or on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss any of our stories. You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron of our audio podcast here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support   Thanks for listening!

    14 min

  8. 12/14/2024

    The 1902 Quarter House Battle

    Nestled in Mingo Hollow, six miles west of Middlesboro, Kentucky, the Quarter House was no ordinary saloon. Its unique position on the Tennessee state line allowed patrons to evade the law by simply stepping across a painted line on the floor. Built like a fortress with heavy railroad timbers and a log stockade, it became a notorious hotspot for gambling, fights, and moonshine-fueled chaos. Over a decade, the saloon was linked to the deaths of at least 50 people.   In 1902, a property dispute escalated into a full-blown conflict, culminating in a battle that left several men dead and the saloon in flames.   Join us as we tell the story of the Quarter House saloon, another one of the Stories of Appalachia   Be sure to subscribe to the Stories podcast on your favorite podcast app so you don’t miss any of our stories.   You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron of our audio podcast here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support  Thanks for listening!

    18 min
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4.6
out of 5
193 Ratings

About

Welcome to "Stories of Appalachia," the podcast where hosts Steve Gilly and Rod Mullins have been unraveling the captivating history and folklore of the Appalachian region since 2015. Join them as they guide you through mist-covered mountains and winding rivers, exploring the stories that define the heart and soul of Appalachia.

Information

  • Creator
    Steve Gilly, Rod Mullins
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2025
  • Episodes
    525
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Steve Gilly
  • Show Website
    Stories of Appalachia

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