
Appodlachia
A progressive podcast providing a counter-narrative to the negative portrayal and harmful stereotypes of Appalachia.
Latest episodes

Jun 12, 2025 • 1h 19min
#248: Barbara Kingsolver and the house that Demon built
Today, I had the privilege of speaking with Barbara Kingsolver — Appalachian literary icon and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Demon Copperhead. We talk about how she incorporates Appalachia into her writing, and what she did with her Demon Copperhead royalties to help Appalachians in need. Support the Higher Ground Women's Recovery Residence! https://hgwrr.org/And make sure to subscribe to Appodlachia on Youtube, where I'll be uploading a lot more long-form video content starting in July https://www.youtube.com/@Appodlachia -----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA! patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------The views and opinions expressed on this show are the personal opinions of the host, Chuck Corra, and do not represent the opinions of his employer. This show is an opinion and commentary show, NOT a news show. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only. Send us a textSupport the show

Jun 6, 2025 • 56min
#247: Big John's Second Swan Song
Today, Chuck and Big John shoot the sh*t for one last time, with John in the co-hosting chair. We bid farewell to BJ's second stint as co-host and talk about whatever we feel like, including what the plan is for the future of the show (spoiler: Chuck is still doing it, and we have a HEAVY HITTER interview next week!You can follow Big John's card stuff here: https://www.instagram.com/bigjohnscards24/https://www.youtube.com/@bigjohnscards24And make sure to subscribe to Appodlachia on Youtube, where I'll be uploading a lot more long-form video content starting in July https://www.youtube.com/@Appodlachia -----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA! patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------The views and opinions expressed on this show are the personal opinions of the hosts, Chuck Corra and Big John Isner, and do not represent the opinions of either of their employers. This show is an opinion and commentary show, NOT a news show. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only. Send us a textSupport the show

May 6, 2025 • 49min
#246: Former MSHA head sounds the alarm on RFK's cuts at NIOSH
Today, Chuck talks with former Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health, Joe Main, on how the recent federal spending cuts targeting NIOSH have put miners safety and lives at risk. You can follow Joe on LinkedIn, where he posts regular updates on what is happening with NIOSH and other critical mine safety regulatory challenges. https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-main-965a15159/TimestampsContext setting/Gingrich cuts on mine safety — 6:30NIOSH History — 9:30How NIOSH got breathing apparatuses in mines — 12:00Silicon/ventilation issues and safety — 21:10UBB — 22:15What will be lost with NIOSH cuts— 24:50Joe's experience dealing with the consequences of MSHA cuts — 33:00Fears over long term consequences of cuts — 42:30Some additional context on NIOSH Gazette Mail ArticleCBS NIOSH Layoffs articleTransition Music: “Leave it to Me” by Corduroy Brown https://corduroy-brown.com/-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA! patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------The views and opinions expressed on this show are the personal opinions of the hosts, Chuck Corra and Big John Isner, and do not represent the opinions of either of their employers. This show is an opinion and commentary show, NOT a news show. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only. Send us a textSupport the show

Apr 18, 2025 • 50min
#245: Hurricane Helene: 7 months later
Hello friends! We're back after a bit of a break :) Today, we're joined by Dalton George, Mayor Pro-Tem of Boone, NC. Dalton and Chuck talk about the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and how recovery is looking in the 7 months since the storm. (Edit: One slight factual error. It is a grey area to say that Kilmar Abrego Garcia was legally living in Maryland at the time he was illegally deported due to the fact that he entered the country illegally. He was not technically lawfully present, but he still was not able to be lawfully deported to El Salvador without a hearing and DHS proving changed circumstances).HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code “DOLLY” for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code “BANJO” for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/The views and opinions expressed on this show are the personal opinions of the hosts, Chuck Corra and Big John Isner, and do not represent the opinions of either of their employers. This show is an opinion and commentary show, NOT a news show. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only. Send us a textSupport the show

Mar 13, 2025 • 40min
#244: Party-grass with Addie Levy
Chuck talks with Appalachian bluegrass musician and member of the Brothers Comatose, Addie Levy, on today's episode!LinksDarlin Please - https://open.spotify.com/track/0L7wq3e7GWe8AaspEt7vZthttps://www.instagram.com/addielevymusic/https://www.addielevy.com/Brothers Comatose - https://open.spotify.com/artist/7oKVYDiVZxglvgEW2zHcADFlood Relief! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/1/d/1Hg8OYokIiZN-cs7CiE8ECMj9t1Ubf45_u7oRH3Jqeww/editInterview starts at 17:41HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code “DOLLY” for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code “BANJO” for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/The views and opinions expressed on this show are the personal opinions of the hosts, Chuck Corra and Big John Isner, and do not represent the opinions of either of their employers. This show is an opinion and commentary show, NOT a news show. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only. Send us a textSupport the show

Feb 28, 2025 • 43min
#243: Palmyra
Chuck and Big John talk to the folks from the band Palmyra! Check out their song “Shape I'm In” https://ohboy.lnk.to/shapeiminhttps://www.palmyratheband.com/Flood Relief! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/1/d/1Hg8OYokIiZN-cs7CiE8ECMj9t1Ubf45_u7oRH3Jqeww/editHELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA! patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code “DOLLY” for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code “BANJO” for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/The views and opinions expressed on this show are the personal opinions of the hosts, Chuck Corra and Big John Isner, and do not represent the opinions of either of their employers. This show is an opinion and commentary show, NOT a news show. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only. Send us a textSupport the show

Feb 20, 2025 • 47min
#242: Discussing the recent Soft White Underbelly controversy
It's been a minute since we talked about Soft White Underbelly, and a LOT has happened! We break down some recent controversy and give our takes on the whole situation with the West Virginia family known as the Whittakers. Flood Relief! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/1/d/1Hg8OYokIiZN-cs7CiE8ECMj9t1Ubf45_u7oRH3Jqeww/editJ Aubrey video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4hzs3cNmYw HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA! Join our Patreon, for as little as $5/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code “DOLLY” for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code “BANJO” for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/The views and opinions expressed on this show are the personal opinions of the hosts, Chuck Corra and Big John Isner, and do not represent the opinions of either of their employers. This show is an opinion and commentary show, NOT a news show. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only. Send us a textSupport the show

Feb 14, 2025 • 30min
#241: 18 Husky Brownie Bites
Big John's out sick so we've unearthed an interview from the vaultCheck out our substack, where Chuck (tries to) writes weekly http://appodlachia.substack.com Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code “DOLLY” for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code “BANJO” for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA! Join our Patreon, for as little as $5/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------The views and opinions expressed on this show are the personal opinions of the hosts, Chuck Corra and Big John Isner, and do not represent the opinions of either of their employers. This show is an opinion and commentary show, NOT a news show. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only. Send us a textSupport the show

Feb 6, 2025 • 1h 11min
#240: Emily Calandrelli is the 100th Woman in Space
Today, Chuck and Big John talk with one of our favorite West Virginians — Emily Calandrelli — about how she became the 100th woman EVER to fly to space! Also, Chuck explains why Punxsutawney Phil is a fraud, the boys talk about the Mingo County Water crisis, and more!Check out Emilys space flight video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PenTzO3t2T8&t=137sTimestamps:Punxsutawney Fraud — 03:30The water crisis in Mingo County — 23:45Interview with Emily Calandrelli — 35:20Check out our substack, where Chuck (tries to) writes weekly http://appodlachia.substack.com Transition Music: “Leave it to Me” by Corduroy Brown https://corduroy-brown.com/-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA! Join our Patreon, for as little as $5/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------The views and opinions expressed on this show are the personal opinions of the hosts, Chuck Corra and Big John Isner, and do not represent the opinions of either of their employers. This show is an opinion and commentary show, NOT a news show. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only. Send us a textSupport the show

Jan 31, 2025 • 35min
#239: The Appalachian Accent Project and 2025 soft launch
We're soft launching 2025, people! We dropped our Appalachian accent project with over 1,500 accents! You can check it out here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPnF5Q4eCv4Check out our substack, where Chuck (tries to) writes weekly http://appodlachia.substack.com -----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA! Join our Patreon, for as little as $5/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------The views and opinions expressed on this show are the personal opinions of the hosts, Chuck Corra and Big John Isner, and do not represent the opinions of either of their employers. This show is an opinion and commentary show, NOT a news show. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only. Send us a textSupport the show