Storytelling > Stereotypes: Shining a Light on the Rich History of Appalachia with Ashley York

Do you feel misunderstood? Judged by others? Often this leads to a deep sense of hurt, shame, and loneliness. If you have a desire to be seen, heard, and understood, this episode is here to bring assurance that you are not alone. The longing for understanding and connection is a very basic, very innate need within us all!

In this episode, Mary is joined by filmmaker and star of the internationally award winning film Hillbilly - Ashley York! Motivated by the desire to give voice to people who have been under-served, unheard, or misrepresented, Hillbilly introduces audiences to a nuanced, authentic Appalachia that is quite conscious of how it has been portrayed and the impacts of those portrayals.

In today’s episode, Ashley and Mary reflect on their own experiences of growing up in the Appalachian region, deconstruct mainstream representations, and address critical questions such as: Where did the hillbilly archetype come from and why has it endured on-screen for more than a hundred years? How does it relate to the exploitation of the land and people who live there? How do Appalachian and rural people view themselves as a result of these negative portrayals, and what is the impact on the rest of America?

This is an eye opening episode that addresses our innate human desires while shining a spotlight on the region dear to Mary's and Ashley’s heart. After listening, you will have a deep understanding of the rich history of Appalachia and where it's headed; how and why the media portrays the people of this region as two dimensional stereotypes; and why it is so important that we find the commonalities among ourselves while also celebrating our differences.

If you are ready to broaden your knowledge, challenge your thinking, and examine the social and cultural underpinnings of stereotypes- you will not want to miss today’s episode! There is so much to be learned from the incredible region and people of Appalachia.

Check out Hillbilly the movie! http://hillbillymovie.com/