From West Virginia, with Love: Mountaineer Media’s Parting Message
Dear Mountaineer Media Fans,
After months of thoughtful reflection, we’re announcing the closure of Mountaineer Media with deep gratitude for this incredible journey.
Over the past four years, we've had the privilege of interviewing hundreds of inspiring West Virginians and creating impactful content that encouraged all of us to reflect on our state’s unique challenges, opportunities, and our personal ties to this place we proudly call Almost Heaven.
We invite you for a final time to listen to the Mountaineer Media Podcast with Cooper and CJ.
“Telling the stories of West Virginians and promoting my home state has been the greatest honor of my life. I’m incredibly proud of the meaningful work Mountaineer Media achieved, made possible by the love, support, and collaboration of hundreds of remarkable individuals, along with tens of thousands of devoted listeners and online followers. I know the legacy of this project will continue to resonate in the lives of the extraordinary West Virginians who live, work, and thrive in the hills of the Mountain State” — Cooper
“Mountaineer Media has been the most rewarding project of our lives, and closing this chapter is bittersweet. Over the past four years, Mountaineer Media has grown into something bigger than Cooper and I ever expected—it evolved into something everyone could share and enjoy. It became a platform for anyone who wanted to root for West Virginia and celebrate the incredible people that make this state so special. So, as we bring things to a close, I’m grateful for the countless friends, memories and connections we made along the way. Thank you to everyone who believed in our vision and helped us share the best of Almost Heaven with the world.” — C.J.
Through the Mountaineer Media podcast, social media platforms, and live events, we were fortunate to become a unifying force for people from all walks of life, gathering millions of views and a community of over 100,000 passionate followers. Working alongside more than 50 small businesses, we took pride in contributing to the growth of local economies.
Together, we shared countless stories that celebrated the resilience, values, and unique spirit of West Virginians. We laughed and cried. We felt inspired by the progress unfolding and committed to the work that still lies ahead.
Though this chapter of Mountaineer Media comes to a close, the spirit of what we’ve built together will live on within each of us. The fight to uplift West Virginia’s stories and values continues, carried forward by the incredible community and connections we’ve created together.
In just two years, the Almost Heaven Classic welcomed over 500 West Virginians, contributed $300,000 to the economies of Tucker and Fayette counties, and raised over $10,000 for the Almost Heaven Scholarship Fund.
We’re leaving the door open to bringing back the Almost Heaven Classic in some form in the future and will share more on that when the time is right.
For now, our deepest gratitude goes out to our listeners and fans. Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey—your support, engagement, and passion have made a lasting impact on West Virginia’s path to prosperity.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Cooper Simmerman and C.J. Harvey