Our 2023 season at Mountaineer Media is drawing to a close, and we're preparing one final podcast. This last episode will recap our eventful year, from several community events and ATV tours to the first Almost Heaven Classic, music festivals, and the launch of the 2024 AHC. But first, we want to acknowledge the impressive lineup of guests who have made our show truly special.

As you may know, we’re a storytelling agency that centers conversations around West Virginia, but not every piece will be a “feel good” story. While we mostly skew positive & upbeat, it would be unrealistic and honestly unfair for us to paint the image that everything is perfectly fine in the state.

So instead, we focus on being transparent, authentic, and pragmatic about the stories we share. Every issue has its nuances and complexities, and we try appreciate and explore those with each podcast episode.

Each guest brought their distinct perspectives and innovative ideas, delving into the essence of being a West Virginian. Their contributions have sparked conversations about enhancing the place we all cherish deeply.

Below, you’ll find every single episode we recorded in 2023!

#136 — Jason Tartt: Appalachian Gold Foods, McDowell County's potential, nutritious food, living a healthier lifestyle

#135 — The boys: discuss taking a small break, Mountaineers in Mexico, the 2024 Almost Heaven Classic, DJEJ, and more general nonsense

#134 — Bugs Stover: Paranormal storytelling, ghosts and monsters of Southern West Virginia, the power of storytelling

#133 — Cheryl Laws: Pollen8, Cafe Appalachia, innovative recovery solutions, empowering women, mending West Virginia's epidemic

#132 — David Sibray: WV Explorer Magazine, digital storytelling, WV's cryptids

#131 — Darrell Utt: Special Forces, Medal of Honor Museum, Woody Williams, West Virginia values and the military

#130 — Kelsey Riggi: Libera, combating societal pressures, mental health, addressing foster care crisis

#129 — Justin Williams and Ashley Stinnett: Film Futures Foundation, bringing movies to Appalachia, empowering local filmmakers and storytellers

#128 — Matt Ballard: WV Regional Tech Park, national weather service, creating innovation ecosystem, Hatfield-McCoy Trails

#127 — Ginny Thrasher: 2016 Gold Medal, preparing for Paris Olympics, why she calls West Virginia home

#126 — John Kruk: Love for WV, the Phillies, Arnold Palmer, Bill Mazeroski, embracing his roots

#125 — Hollis Lewis: Soft skills, leadership, HBCU resurgence, the Bayou Classic

#124 — Mike Costello: Lost Creek Farm, reviving Appalachian cuisine, another story from Bourdain's trip to West Virginia

#123 — Frank Vitale: Economic diversity, veteran entrepreneurship, knowledge-based workers, adapt and survive

#122 – Charles Wesley Godwin: Launching career at an Estonian fashion show, touring with Zach Bryan, collab'ing with Phil Bowen, why he doesn't plan on leaving WV

#121 – Cooper & CJ: Preview of the Almost Heaven Classic, a trip to the Palace of Gold

#120 – Lauren Hunt: Charleston CVB, West Virginia's tourism boom, the importance of introducing people to Almost Heaven

#119 – Rusty Hutson: Diversified Energy, the global state of energy, how his WV roots shaped the company

#118 – George Patterson: Hernshaw Farms, exotic mushrooms, revitalizing old mines to farms

#117 – Curtis Fleming: Fly Rod Chronicles, fishing with Jerry West Sir Nick Faldo, and Bob Huggins, storytelling in West Virginia

#116 – Lori McKinney: RiffRaff Arts Collective, How music and art can heal, Celebrating creativity in Mercer County

#115 — Audy Perry: Heritage Farm and Museum, inspiring future West Virginia problem solvers

#114 — Brandon Shaw: New River ATV, traveling the country on motorcycle, giveaway announcement

#113 — Peter Wilson: 30 years in the White House, surprising the Obamas, performing for Presidents, the Queen, the Pope and many others

#112 — Tara St. Clair & Amber Ravenscroft: Bridging Innovation, making your side hustle a full-time gig, small business resources

#111 — Greg Corio: Outdoor economic development, showing off the state, Ascend West Virginia

#110 — Kassia Lilly: Goodwill, job training and placement, recycling in West Virginia

#109 - Venu Menon: Coffee, small business, partnerships

#108 - Junior Walk: Coal River Mountain Watch, Impact of Big Coal in WV

#107 - Brandon Dennison: Coalfield Development and rebuilding Appalachia through community investment

#106 - Nikki Izzo-Brown: WVU Women’s Soccer, leadership, NIL impact on collegiate sports

#105 - Jessica Greathouse: West Virginia Housing Development Fund, home financing programs available to West Virginians

#104 - Tammy Jordan: Fruits of Labor, substance abuse recovery and how her Cafe in WV helps

Thank you to each and every one of you who tuned into the Mountaineer Media podcast in 2023 and enjoyed the stories from the folks above.

We’re building a 2024 lineup now; please reach out if you have guest recommendations. Contact us here!