Rephonic
Artwork for Inside Appalachia
Appalachia
West Virginia
Hurricane Helene
Coal Mining
Mountain Valley Pipeline
Appalachian Culture
Appalachian Music
Covid-19
Black Lung Disease
Fust
Virginia
Flooding
Hawk's Nest Tunnel Disaster
Wassailing
Foxfire
Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival
Travis Stimeling
Coal Industry
Silica Dust
Photography

Inside Appalachia tells the stories of our people, and how they live today. The show is an audio tour of our rich history, food, music and culture.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes310Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Inside Appalachia

Latest Episodes

This week, in the 1920s, Oscar Micheaux was an entrepreneur filmmaker in western Virginia. He became a world-renowned director and producer.

Also, Kentucky’s poet laureate lives down the road from what has been called the country’s most lethal crypt... more

YouTube

This week, some folks are working to preserve the memory of Bristol, Virginia’s Black Bottom, a largely African American community wiped out by urban renewal. 

Also, small food producers embrace digital technology for the humble farm stand. 

And Ku... more

YouTube

This week, ballads tell stories about all kinds of real-life events, but after Hurricane Helene, one group of ballad singers felt some topics were still too raw. 

Also, the author of a new book on ancient Ohio credits a former grad student with intr... more

YouTube

This week, we’re revisiting a show featuring storytellers out loud in front of audiences. Folks like five-time champion of the West Virginia Liars’ Contest, Bil Lepp.

Also, musicians Anna and Elizabeth, whose storytelling used something known as a c... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Tina McDaniel
Community historian and activist
Black Bottom project / Virginia Humanities
Episode: Kudzu, Farmstands And Bristol's ‘Black Bottom’ Community, Inside Appalachia
John E. Hancock
Author and professor, Traveler's Guide to Ancient Ohio
University of Cincinnati / Ohio University Press
Episode: Ohio's Ancient Earthworks And Ballad Singing After Hurricane Helene, Inside Appalachia
Bil Lepp
Five-time West Virginia Liars Contest champion; storyteller
Independent storyteller
Episode: Storytellers, Inside Appalachia
Michael Reno Harrell
Professional storyteller from North Carolina
Self-employed storyteller
Episode: Storytellers, Inside Appalachia
Anna Roberts-Givalt
Fiddler, banjo player, and storyteller
Independent musician
Episode: Storytellers, Inside Appalachia
Elizabeth Lapprell
Ballad singer and collaborator with Anna Roberts-Givalt
Independent musician
Episode: Storytellers, Inside Appalachia
Joseph Lupo
WVU Professor of Art, taught the class and inspired student prints
West Virginia University
Episode: Encore: Printmaking Inspired By Appalachian Stories, Inside Appalachia
Brenna Shelton
West Virginia University ceramics student
West Virginia University
Episode: Encore: Printmaking Inspired By Appalachian Stories, Inside Appalachia
Maisie Montanez
West Virginia University art student
West Virginia University
Episode: Encore: Printmaking Inspired By Appalachian Stories, Inside Appalachia

Host

Mason Adams
Host of Inside Appalachia; long-time presenter shaping interview and narrative style.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 330 ratings
  • Definitely not Appalachian

    Couldn’t make it through one episode. There is no place in Appalachia for woke progressivism or virtue signaling.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mayday_1988
    United States6 months ago
  • Sometimes good

    It’s good for the most part but as episodes come they seem to get more and more woke

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Sethro14
    United States2 years ago
  • Slipping

    This show is one of the few remaining NPR pods on my follow list. It’s been slipping, though. So focused now on identify politics. Like not even subtle.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Grandesid
    United States2 years ago
  • Wonderfully informative and nonbiased interviews regarding Appalachia and/or connecting to issues Appalachians are also facing. It's such a diverse and rich culture, and I love that there are all types represented on this podcast. Would absolutely recommend it. And if you think Appalachia is made entirely of toothless rednecks on the draw , I recommend it x2 for you. Ya just might learn something...

    Audible
    5
    Sara
    United States3 years ago
  • A beautiful taste of home

    Wonderfully informative and nonbiased interviews regarding Appalachia and/or connecting to issues Appalachians are also facing. It's such a diverse and rich culture, and I love that there are all types represented on this podcast. Would absolutely recommend it. And if you think Appalachia is made entirely of toothless rednecks on the draw , I recommend it x2 for you. Ya just might learn something...

    Audible
    5
    Sara
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some feedback calls out perceived political bias or 'wokeness' in topics.
Many listeners value the production quality and diverse guest roster.
Listeners praise the show's authentic regional voice and deep storytelling.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ohio's Ancient Earthworks And Ballad Singing After Hurricane Helene, Inside Appalachia
Q: What makes the Newark Octagon and the Great Circle particularly significant?
He describes them as the crown jewels, where you can physically stand in spots that reveal the builders' astronomical calibration and spatial mastery, offering a profound spatial architectural experience.
Ohio's Ancient Earthworks And Ballad Singing After Hurricane Helene, Inside Appalachia
Q: When did you first become interested in the ancient earthworks of Ohio?
Hancock recalls a graduate student's challenge that pulled him into the topic, leading him from a general architectural history focus to a dedicated study of these earthworks and their cultural meanings.
Kudzu, Farmstands And Bristol's ‘Black Bottom’ Community, Inside Appalachia
Q: How did you first become aware of Black Bottom's history, and what inspired this project?
I learned about Black Bottom through Ms. Jewel Bell, a longtime Bristol resident, whose memories and stories inspired the project and led to collaborations with Black and Appalachia.
Dungeon Fest And Kentucky's Grand March, Inside Appalachia
Q: What is the significance of the Grand March for Pineville?
The Grand March is a centuries-old tradition that marks the culmination of the Laurel Festival, tying local ceremony to broader dance history and giving the town a shared sense of pride and belonging.
Willie Carver Jr. And Marina Waters, Inside Appalachia
Q: What inspired the mosaic format of Tour All to Pieces?
Willie Carver Jr. explains that the format grew from real-life memories and the way both life and storytelling offer multiple, sometimes competing truths that can all be valid at once, which he then used to weave poetry and prose into shared texture.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Inside Appalachia

What is Inside Appalachia about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show provides an in-depth, on-the-ground look at life in Appalachia, weaving culture, history, food, music, and regional policy through interviews, field reporting, and long-form profiles. Episodes spotlight local festivals, mining heritage, healthcare challenges, foodways, and literary and artistic perspectives, often pairing intimate storytelling with data-informed context. The program stands out for its place-centered approach, diverse guest list, and emphasis on resilience, community voices, and cultural transparency in a region frequently overlooked by national coverage.

Listeners are likely drawn to nuanced regional narratives, investigative storytelling, and cultural exploration that connects everyday life with broader social a... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Inside Appalachia?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Inside Appalachia:

1. Fresh Air
2. Snap Judgment
3. 1440 Explores
4. Reveal
5. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

How many episodes of Inside Appalachia are there?

Inside Appalachia launched 13 years ago and published 310 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Inside Appalachia?

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What guests have appeared on Inside Appalachia?

Recent guests on Inside Appalachia include:

1. Tina McDaniel
2. John E. Hancock
3. Bil Lepp
4. Michael Reno Harrell
5. Anna Roberts-Givalt
6. Elizabeth Lapprell
7. Joseph Lupo
8. Brenna Shelton

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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