Best Wvpb Podcasts (2025)

1
Appalachia’s Population Problem, Inside Appalachia

7h ago

—

Central Appalachia is known for exporting coal. But it’s losing people, too. Also, folk singer Ginny Hawker grew up singing the hymns of the Primitive Baptist Church, but she didn’t think of performing until she got a little boost from Appalachian icon Hazel Dickens. And, the chef of an award-winning Asheville restaurant was shaped by memories of g…

1
Five Faves: Kathy Mattea Edition (Special Episode) 1:57:45

6d ago1:57:45

1:57:45

This week’s broadcast of Mountain Stage is a Five Favorites edition featuring a collection of favorite sets from 2023, chosen by our host Kathy Mattea. This special episode includes performances by Jason Isbell, Catherine Russell, Karla Bonoff, The High Kings, and Jennifer Hartswick Band. https://bit.ly/3LokYcs…

2
Encore: Halloween, Inside Appalachia

11d ago

—

Just in time for Halloween, a suite of spooky tales to make your skin crawl. Also, tales of the supernatural. And, ghost stories galore. You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia. In This Episode: Mike Allen And “The Button Bin” Molly Born And The Spooky Old Tunnel A Ghost Story Another Ghost Story Spiritualism And Mediums Pum…

1
1,065 - The Baseball Project, The Minus 5, Bob Mould, Chris Stamey, Loose Cattle 2:18:03

9d ago2:18:03

2:18:03

This episode was recorded on September 28th, 2025 at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, WV. The lineup includes The Baseball Project, The Minus 5, Bob Mould, Chris Stamey, Loose Cattle. https://bit.ly/4hvWHNnBy West Virginia Public Broadcasting

1
The Secret Astronomers And Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, Inside Appalachia

14d ago

—

A new novel about two girls and an astronomy textbook draws inspiration from one of the quietest places in West Virginia. Also, author Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle talks about growing up as part of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. And, a Kentucky tattoo artist practices traditional tattooing and traditional music. He says they’re not too differ…

1
Us & Them Encore: The Housing Struggle 52:00

15d ago52:00

52:00

America’s housing shortage continues to put affordable homes out of reach for people across the country — from small towns to big cities. While West Virginia has the nation’s highest level of homeownership overall, many residents still struggle to find something that works for their budget. In fact, nearly 140,000 West Virginians spend more than 30…

1
1,064 - Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Shoes, The SteelDrivers, Basia Bulat, The Wildwoods, and Taylor Rae 2:24:56

20d ago2:24:56

2:24:56

This episode was recorded on September 21st , 2025 at the Canady Creative Arts Center in Morgantown, WV. The lineup includes Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Shoes, The SteelDrivers, Basia Bulat, The Wildwoods, and Taylor Rae. https://bit.ly/3Wmpn1EBy West Virginia Public Broadcasting

1
Mothman, Bridge Day And Washboards, Inside Appalachia

20d ago

—

We explore the story of the first Mothman sightings, as written by a small-town journalist in 1966. Also, every year, hundreds of people celebrate Bridge Day by parachuting from the 876-foot-tall New River Gorge bridge. But not just anyone can do it. And, the Columbus Washboard Company used to make washboards for laundry. Now, people use them to ma…

1
1,063 - Robert Randolph, Carolyn Wonderland, Patty Larkin, and Nellie McKay 2:27:28

22d ago2:27:28

2:27:28

This episode was recorded on August 24th, 2025 at the Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center in Clarksburg, WV. The lineup includes Robert Randolph, Carolyn Wonderland, Patty Larkin, and Nellie McKay. https://bit.ly/472AlQdBy West Virginia Public Broadcasting

1
The Year After Hurricane Helene, Inside Appalachia

27d ago

—

It’s been a year since Hurricane Helene barreled into central Appalachia. The storm caused floods and landslides. The disaster changed the shape of rivers. It also took lives and upended entire communities, but from the beginning, the recovery brought people together. Also, country music’s Rob McNurlin grew up with traditional music in Eastern Kent…

1
Us & Them Encore: The Fight For The Youth Vote 37:32

1M ago37:32

37:32

This episode first aired in 2023, focusing on the strategies to motivate young voters and we’re sharing it again in the wake of the Sept. 10, 2025, assassination of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA. Kirk, a renowned conservative youth organizer, was shot and killed during a campus event at Utah Valley University. Nothing divides Americans…

1
1,062 -Vanessa Collier, Margaret Glaspy, Matt Andersen, Amythyst Kiah, and Ron Sowell 2:35:02

30d ago2:35:02

2:35:02

By West Virginia Public Broadcasting

1
‘Disposable,’ Accessible Climbing And Memes, Inside Appalachia

1M ago

—

1
1,061 - Rhonda Vincent, Neal Francis, Otis Gibbs, Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer, Chao Tian: From China to Appalachia, and Dawn Landes 2:33:22

1M ago2:33:22

2:33:22

This episode was recorded on July 20th, 2025 at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, WV. The lineup includes Rhonda Vincent, Neal Francis, Otis Gibbs, Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer, Chao Tian: From China to Appalachia, and Dawn Landes. https://bit.ly/4nPfG8dBy West Virginia Public Broadcasting

1
Encore: The Grand March And A Year After A Denied Abortion, Inside Appalachia

2M ago

—

For nearly a century, the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival has staged a formal dance. Organizers rely on a manual that’s been passed down for generations. Also, abortion is illegal in most cases in Tennessee. So, what happens after a birth? A photographer followed one mother for a year. And, new prisons are touted as a way to bring jobs to former …

1
1,060 - Kelly Willis, Sierra Green & The Giants, John Doyle & Michael McGoldrick, Sarah Klang, Craig Bickhardt & Michael G. Ronstadt 2:21:10

1M ago2:21:10

2:21:10

This episode was recorded on June 22nd, 2025 at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, WV. The lineup includes Kelly Willis, Sierra Green & The Giants, John Doyle & Michael McGoldrick, Sarah Klang, Craig Bickhardt & Michael G. Ronstadt. http://bit.ly/3KE3tUQBy West Virginia Public Broadcasting

1
Us & Them: A Fresh Look At America’s Origin Story 52:00

2M ago52:00

52:00

As the United States prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, attention is focused on the relevance of the American Revolution to our country today. The new episode of Us & Them spotlights a recent community event at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.Va with host Trey Kay and three top historians to talk abou…

1
Scenic Railway, Wild Mushrooms And Italian Sausage, Fall Favorites Inside Appalachia

2M ago

—

Hop aboard the Cass Scenic Railroad for a visit with the people who keep the steam trains running. Also, we head to the woods and take a master class in foraging for wild mushrooms. And, the makers of Angelo's Old World Italian Sausage still use a century-old family recipe. Customers love it. You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside App…

1
1,059 - Shemekia Copeland, Tab Benoit, Charlie Musselwhite, Harlem Gospel Travelers, and Abby Posner 2:37:49

2M ago2:37:49

2:37:49

This episode was recorded on June 15th, 2025 at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, WV. The lineup includes Shemekia Copeland, Tab Benoit, Charlie Musselwhite, Harlem Gospel Travelers, and Abby Posner. https://bit.ly/4gua8wQBy West Virginia Public Broadcasting

1
The Wakefields And Remembering Rex Stephenson, Inside Appalachia

2M ago

—

We remember Rex Stephenson. He’s known for his stage performances of the Jack Tales, which have captivated school kids since the ‘70s. Also, keeping the family farm going after six generations can be rough. And, some parts of southern Appalachia still practice the tradition of keeping up community gravesites for Decoration Day. You’ll hear these st…

1
Us & Them: Rebuilding Justice In A Divided America 37:11

2M ago37:11

37:11

Just as America faces some of its most critical political divides, our criminal justice system suffers from a lack of public trust. How are these dual crises interwoven? In this episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay talks with legal scholar David Sklansky, a Stanford professor who co-directs the school’s Criminal Justice Center. In his new book “Crim…

1
A Rural Radio Station’s Fight To Stay On Air, Inside Appalachia

2M ago

—

The federal government has taken back millions of dollars set aside for public radio stations. Allegheny Mountain Radio is among those fighting to stay on the air. Also, a book by a West Virginia artist illustrates the tiny worlds of mountain critters, like a lizard that changes color. And, geocaching gets folks outside to play detective and find h…

1
Encore: A Mine Wars Graphic Novel, Storytelling And W.Va. Life, Inside Appalachia

2M ago

—

We speak with the author of a new graphic novel about the West Virginia Mine Wars. The labor struggle culminated in the largest armed uprising since the Civil War. Also, professional storyteller James Froemel invents quirky characters, like a sign maker who can’t spell. Froemel’s stories are drawn from small town life. And, one of the most common a…

1
Us & Them: Caregiving In West Virginia 51:59

2M ago51:59

51:59

Every day, 10,000 people turn 65 as America’s Baby Boom generation ages. By 2040, the number of people 85 or older will more than double and the need for caregivers will grow dramatically. In this episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay moderates a community conversation focused on some of the unique caregiving needs in West Virginia where nearly 21% o…

1
Maximumrocknroll, Yama And Clifftop, Inside Appalachia

3M ago

—

A Tennessee DJ takes us on a tour of Appalachian punk and metal. Also, Appalachian culture is enriched by its immigrants. We explore the fusion of West Virginia and Japan. And, Appalachia isn’t all punk rock and Japanese food. There’s also string band music. You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia. In This Episode: Maximumro…

1
Sheila McEntee, Ancient Kilns And Amythyst Kiah, Inside Appalachia

3M ago

—

In troubled times, the outdoors can offer peace. We talk with a West Virginia writer about her new collection of essays. Also, modern technology makes firing pottery a lot easier, but some potters in North Carolina still do it the old way. And, East Tennessee’s Amythyst Kiah’s latest album contemplates the cosmos. You'll hear these stories and more…

1
Us & Them: West Virginia’s News Deserts — With No Government Watchdog Civic Engagement Plummets 34:38

3M ago34:38

34:38

Every week across the U.S. more than two newspapers go out of business. In the past two decades more than 3,000 papers have shut down operations. That’s left more than 1,500 counties so-called news deserts. Forty-three of West Virginia’s 55 counties have just one local news source and that limited access gives the state a ranking of 46th out of all…

1
The Appalachian Comics Project, Inside Appalachia

3M ago

—

After a disaster, can comics help set the record straight? Also, in Western North Carolina, a new generation of Cherokee potters are keeping old traditions, while shaping a modern practice all their own. And, schoolyard games come and go, but for kids in one community, marbles still rule. You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalac…

1
Encore: Looking Back At 2020, Inside Appalachia

3M ago

—

During a pandemic, where do you give birth? Also, we’ll have the story of a family that cultivated an heirloom tomato in West Virginia. It took a lot of work. And, a musical tradition brought people together — even when they couldn’t gather in person. You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia. In This Episode: Become A Dad In …

1
Ella Hanshaw, Wild Clay And The Homewrecker, Inside Appalachia

4M ago

—

The music of West Virginia songwriter Ella Hanshaw and, thanks in part to her grandchildren, the discovery of some old tapes that led to a new release. Also, a pair of potters in western North Carolina forego commercial clay to work with clay that’s wild. And, we make a trip to West Virginia’s Hillbilly Hotdogs for its infamous "Homewrecker Hotdog …

1
Us & Them: Three Strikes 2.0 — But Is Kentucky Any Safer? 52:00

4M ago52:00

52:00

The perception of crime in our nation shows an enormous divide. One recent poll reports 90% of Republicans say crime is up while 60% of Democrats say crime is down. The result has been a wave of ‘tough on crime’ laws from states across the political spectrum that expand the definition of violent crimes and their penalties. The 2024 Safer Kentucky A…

1
Pictures From Alleghania And Remembering Travis Stimeling, Inside Appalachia

4M ago

—

An international photographer turns his lens toward home. Also, after Hurricane Helene, whitewater rafting guides are adapting to diminished business and changed rivers. And, we remember Travis Stimeling. The author, musician and educator left a mark on mountain culture and the people who practice and document it. You'll hear these stories and more…

1
Dinosaur Kingdom, Roadside Weeds And The Bus On The Rock, Inside Appalachia

4M ago

—

Dinos fight Civil War soldiers at a theme park throwback — Dinosaur Kingdom II in Natural Bridge, Virginia. Also, one person’s roadside weed is another’s “golden” treasure. So says a North Carolina fiber artist. And, the backstory of a bus that sits at the confluence of the New and Gauley rivers — and the man who put it there. You’ll hear these sto…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Wvpb Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide