With a quick look back at 1942, and some history of early McKee Kentucky. This episode kicks off the new format that has been laid out to give you all a better and more informed listening experience. Justin and Jason speak a little on Mr. George Felty and some of the memories of him. George was a great person and always dressed sharp when he went to town. At one time he was sheriff and part owner in the Sand Gap Theater. George Candee was a very interesting character who had part in the founding...
Mar 16, 2024•1 hr 6 min
In this episode Justin and Jason tell of some things to come with Appalachian Imagination. The interviews and stories of the fine people will continue to air on a regular basis but we want to give our listeners more! Work is already under way with the team doing research on a lot more history of the region as well as true crime stories that have taken place that will hit home for folks in the region. Stay tuned for more information! We wish Papaw Paul a Happy retirement from his job as a school ...
Mar 09, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Season 5Ep. 10
With one living on the hill and the other living in the holler, Ben Parker and Jason have been friends since childhood. They share stories of riding mules and horses, rope burns,and wrestling with them. They go on to discuss the Pigg Cemetery (a historical cemetery in Jackson County) and some of the history of it. 3 brothers died of the same disease during the Civil War. The graves are all covered with massive stones. The conversation goes into several different subjects all leading into what Be...
Mar 02, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Justin gives us a run down on his health routine. Being a self proclaimed “health and wellness nerd” Justin sits down with us to discuss a topic that is near and dear to his heart. He talks about his own health struggles in his life, what caused them, what he’s doing and what you can do to help make your health a top priority. He explains the benefit of hydrogen water, grounding, breathe work, cold and heat immersion and gene testing to have you feeling a level of wellness that you might not hav...
Feb 24, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 5Ep. 8
This is the interview as heard on the Dial and Deal show on WWAG 107.9fm. Artimus has had a full life in the music industry and shows no signs of quitting anytime soon! In the year of 1974 he was recommended by the legendary Charlie Daniels to the band Lynyrd Skynyrd to take the spot of the original drummer Bob Burns, due to health reasons. Artimus tells the story of his father being killed in a plane crash and after he signed the wrongful death papers on his dad, he put his last dollar in gas t...
Feb 17, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 7
Melissa was born in Jackson County, Florida and was moved to Jackson County, Kentucky when she was only a month old. She is currently employed at Jackson County EMS. Melissa reached out to us through Facebook and wanted to come on for an episode to talk about suicide prevention. Mental health over all is something that is hard for people to talk about but it is definitely worth discussing. Melissa is a suicide survivor and now an ambassador for the I'm Glad You Stayed Project. She is ready to "P...
Feb 03, 2024•58 min•Season 5Ep. 5
The human race all too often relies on the conveniences of modern medicines. While better, more natural remedies are often right under our noses and some of them growing in our yards. Did you know, that the cambium layer of willow bark can work as a pain reliever can help with headaches? Did you know the dreaded dandelion is edible and is really good for heart health? With some research and hiking, you will find that Mother Nature has provided us with an almost full medicine cabinet. Cures/Remed...
Jan 27, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Season 5Ep. 4
The week of January has been a cold one here in Eastern Kentucky! We have had temperatures as low as -7, snow, and wind that would chill you to the bone. As with any other time of year we have still went to work to provide for the family. The roads have been slick but thankfully we have made it safely back and forth. Jason speaks on survival and talked a little bit about the Donner party, who had a horrific experience because they weren't prepared. Caught in a blizzard on their trek across Ameri...
Jan 20, 2024•15 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Hailing from 96, South Carolina. Jennifer is an influencer who has studied hard and really honed her skills on canning as well as food preservation, tinctures, and so many other things that we are sure you will enjoy listening to! With her main platform being TikTok you can tune in and enjoy her family friendly sense of humor, and learn so many different things that are beneficial to life. https://www.tiktok.com/@jcat_2020?_t=8izFSIesaQp&_r=1 She pokes a little fun at the "Canning Karens/Pea...
Jan 13, 2024•1 hr 42 min•Season 5Ep. 2
This is a very loose episode, touching on several different topics. Flat Earth was discussed, but not saying any of us are sold on it. We also talked a little on Native Americans using turtles for calendars. Should there be 13 months in a year, with 28 days per month? Feel free to jump in the Questions and answers and tell us your opinion on any of the subjects that we discuss. All answers and comments will be posted as long as the language is clean and fit for all ages. This is the very first e...
Jan 06, 2024•55 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Ryan (Tater) Johnson has lived the dream of being a Rockstar. In this episode he tells of the highs and lows of being in a band that has toured the world and sold over 1 million copies,and how it all got him reconnected to God. After leaving 10 Years, he tells of some struggles in life that he has been through, how the Lord has blessed him, and now he has his own record company called Tater Vision Records. Be sure to check out his work at tatervisionrecords.com and follow him on Facebook https:/...
Dec 30, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 4Ep. 13
This is an ad free episode, with clips from previous episodes. We here at Appalachian Imagination truly appreciate all of our people and are truly grateful for all of the folks who have shared their stories with us. If you have a friend or family member that you would like to interview, reach out to us and we will do what we can to make it happen. The preservation of stories, and uplifting the Appalachian people is our goal and we will continue to move forward. We thank God for Appalachia! Email...
Dec 23, 2023•1 hr 42 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Chris made it back in to chew the fat with Papaw Paul, Justin, and Jason. This episode is in no way treated like an interview, instead it is four friends just hanging out and letting the conversation go where it will. As you will see it goes all over the place. You will hear what is going on in Chris's life and the sharing of stories. We hope it brings you as many laughs as it did us recording and just maybe spark a fond memory of something in your life. We thank God for good friends! We thank Y...
Dec 16, 2023•2 hr 18 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Nate is a returning guest to the podcast. He is currently finishing his senior year of high school and has already joined the National Guard. We truly appreciate him stepping forward to serve our country! Nathan has been an active member of the ROTC program through school and encourages other students to join and tells a little about what the program has to offer. We thank God for his kindness and mercy! We thank You for listening! We thank our Sponsors- Farm Bureau of McKee 606-287-7124. Living...
Dec 09, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Justin and Jason, met up with Josh and Mike in the Life Is Purpose studio for this episode. Josh and Mike give us full detail on what L.I.P is all about. https://youtube.com/@LifeIsPurpose?si=yOZIFbEEx05OI_DW It is a Youtube channel created to help get you closer to God and deal with every day struggles of life. Coming from two completely different backgrounds they make a good team with the ability to reach a lot of people. As you will hear the episode is less like an interview and more of a con...
Dec 02, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Justin turned the tables in this episode and interviewed Jason to unravel the mystery. Jason grew up on a farm as a share cropper,and has had several jobs through his life's journey. You will find out a little about his way of thinking and what keeps him motivated in life. In his words of wisdom he suggests that folks from all walks in life should weigh out what matters. We thank GOD for supplying ours needs! We thank YOU for listening and your continuing support! We thank our SPONSORS~Farm Bure...
Nov 25, 2023•56 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Jory returns to share some more info on plant medicines, making moonshine, and speaks a little about being on the Netflix series The Heist. Making whiskey has been a part of Appalachian culture since the first settlers came in, so we thought it would be fitting to include an episode on it. Please keep in mind that we in no way promote drinking, but it is definitely part of our history as a people. We thank God for his wonderful lessons in life! We thank You for listening and your ongoing support...
Nov 18, 2023•50 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Jory sits down with Justin and Jason and gives a fantastic run down on foraging, medicinal plants, and edible fungi, that all grow naturally in the Appalachian mountains. Spending the first years of life in the Buckhorn area of Leslie County, he bounced back and forth between Clay and Jackson County. He served six years in the United States Army. We should also mention that he is a phenomenal singer/songwriter/musician! You can find his album Confluence Shoals on Spotify https://open.spotify.com...
Nov 11, 2023•1 hr 33 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Papaw Paul heads this interview with Mike! This episode will hold you captive as Mike tells of his success as a songwriter and writing the Mommy Goose series of children's books. One of Papaw Paul and Jason's favorite parts was Mr. Norris reciting a poem of his about One Eyed Jack. Growing up in McKee Kentucky, Mike was an only child born with the need to be a creative. We Thank God always above anything! We thank You for listening and your continuing support! We thank our great sponsors~ WWAG 1...
Nov 04, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Justin leads this interview and you will see,Cierra is a great person who loves her family, and the community she lives in. Most of her time is spent working to make the region a better place. She is currently holding a bachelor's degree in chemical and substance abuse counseling, while working towards three different master's degrees, clinical psychology, general psychology, and chemical and substance abuse counseling. Her only hobby that she mentions is singing in church and if you were to hea...
Oct 28, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Strap on your aluminum foil hats and brace yourselves! In the episode Justin, Jason, and returning guest Jesy Sparks cover several conspiracy theories, ghost stories and so much more. The Mandela effect, The possum conspiracy, the Beatles, aliens, and several cryptids. There are some wild conversations to say the least in this episode, we hope you enjoy! Be sure to chime in with your thoughts on the Q&A on Spotify, and engage in the poll. We thank God for all things! We thank You for listeni...
Oct 21, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Just in time for Halloween, Evan returns again to talk with Jason about some classic horror movies and books that he enjoys reading. Evan is still at it, driving for Daniel Boone Transit and raising his family. He looks like Luke Combs, but is a very down to Earth guy, who is a blast to hang out with. By the end of this episode you will feel like you have known him forever. The team here at Appalachian Imagination hope to make it a tradition of bringing him back every year in October. We thank G...
Oct 14, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Mules- The mule, a hybrid animal, being a cross between a horse and donkey, was the backbone of civilization for centuries. Pulling traits and physical characteristics from each parent, the mule was made for work. They are a sure footed animal,that are good on the trails, and are really strong, which made them good in the fields, pulling plows and tilling land. In the early days of America they were used to pull wagon trains,logging,pack animals,mining coal,borax,salt and almost any job when pow...
Oct 11, 2023•23 min
Rain, snow, sleet, or hail, Jesy Sparks hauls the mail! Jesy is a hometown guy that absolutely loves where he lives! He is a very funny individual who can tell a story that will pull a chuckle from anyone. Overcoming complications from birth and suffering terrible injuries from a car wreck, Jesy counts himself fortunate, but at the same time finds a way to bring out something funny from almost any situation. He loves his family, community and the job he has as a mail carrier. We thank God for al...
Oct 07, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Hailing from Livingston Kentucky, Donovan is a musician, who sidelines as a bus driver. This episode gives you a glimpse behind the scenes and the life of Donovan and his musical career. Though you can't wash the country off of this old boy, he has a song for most anyone who enjoys music. If you are one who enjoys gospel check out his 2022 album ALL FOR MY KING https://spotify.link/WjYlez0jmDb or if you like bluegrass/acoustic music Made in the USA https://spotify.link/w4bvxe2jmDb from 2018 ,If ...
Sep 30, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Season 3Ep. 27
Delaney being the middle child of five and growing up in Somerset Kentucky, has experienced a little farm life as her folks headed a rescue farm in her youth. Being the creative type, she is the perfect fit for her job as Jackson County's Family Consumer Science Agent. Headquartered in the Jackson County Extension Office, she is doing a lot to help the local folks! http://jackson.ca.uky.edu The Christmas Bazaar will be taking place November 17th-18th, 10am-4pm both days at the Extension Office C...
Sep 23, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 26
Justin tells a little of his life growing up and shares his story of dealing with anxiety and suffering panic attacks. If you are someone who suffers with either of these issues, you should listen to this episode and hear how Justin overcame this with out the use of medication. In no way does he say that if you need medicine don't take them. But if you can get past it without meds, why not do it? https://youtu.be/kUCPVx3hieg?si=N3EwKwlaGv5XQbwF Justin is an employee of PRTC and works as a camera...
Sep 16, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Season 3Ep. 25
This episode will turn you on to a lot of Kentucky musicians, that you may or may not have heard of! Anthony and Zack, are the hosts and founders of Holler N Kentucky podcast. Neither of the two are musicians, but are both avid listeners, and have some really cool connections with the music scene in Central and Eastern Kentucky. Music is a large part of Appalachian culture and is still going strong. If you are on the hunt for something new and different to listen to, this episode is one that you...
Sep 09, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Season 3Ep. 24
Working in the coal industry for most of his adult life, Kyle shares stories and touches on the history of mining. Born and raised in Harlan Kentucky,he is now safety director of the mining outfit that he works for. Coal has been one of the biggest parts of Appalachia throughout modern history. Kyle is also a very well respected songwriter and plays bass and sings background vocals in the Outlaw Country band DM and the 1601's. Be sure to check them out on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DMandt...
Sep 02, 2023•1 hr 32 min•Season 3Ep. 23
This was a really fun interview! Traci shares lots of stories of growing up in Eastern Kentucky. We talk about gardening, canning, Snake Handling, and the great cat incident of 2023, just to name a few. One that really stands out is the story of her grandmother stripping tobacco, until her fingers bled. Traci is now a realtor, who makes friends, while making a living. Her and her husband have played a big hand, with New Zion Food Pantry https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089219048772&...
Aug 26, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 22
