Aaron Dowdy Draws On His Appalachian Roots In Fust

The last few years have seen a new wave of indie rock music emerging from the Mountain South. It’s distinguished by a Southern rock sound, and lyrics drawn from observations about living in the region. We’re talking about acts like Wednesday and MJ Lenderman — and Fust, a group that’s based in Durham, North Carolina with deep Appalachian roots. Fust has a new album. It’s called “Big Ugly.” Inside Appalachia Host Mason Adams recently spoke with Fust singer and songwriter Aaron Dowdy.

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Health & Science Trey Kay +, Mar. 27, 2025

Us & Them: Substance Use Disorder — Can You Recover Without A Place To Call Home?

For many grappling with substance use disorder, homelessness, and the justice system, the struggle has never been more intense. New tough-on-crime laws—like Kentucky’s “Safer Kentucky Act”—are ramping up penalties on many crime categories that include a banon public camping, deepening the crisis. On this episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay returns to Kentucky to explore the real-world consequences: urban areas face severe housing shortages and persistent substance use challenges, while small-town Appalachia remains even more isolated from essential support networks.

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Government Trey Kay +, Mar. 12, 2025

Us & Them: We The People [But Not So Much] Women

Many assume the U.S. Constitution guarantees equal rights for all, but its authors didn’t seem to envision women as part of "We the people." On the next episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay speaks with law professor Jill Hasday, whose new book We the Men argues that women are systematically forgotten in America’s founding stories—and that exclusion has powerful symbolic and emotional consequences.

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Health & Science Trey Kay +, Feb. 27, 2025

Us & Them: Black West Virginians With Substance Use Disorder Face Unique Challenges

The Trump administration’s proposed spending cuts could jeopardize Medicaid funding—a lifeline for many West Virginians who face the nation’s highest overdose rate. On this episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay explores how Medicaid dollars support recovery organizations and the unique challenges confronting Black West Virginians with substance use disorder.

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Economy Trey Kay +, Feb. 12, 2025

Us & Them: Housing Options Are Few & Far Between In Appalachia

In West Virginia, homeownership is a paradox. While the state boasts the nation’s highest homeownership rate, low incomes mean many homes are aging and in disrepair. In one county, 67% of houses are over 80 years old. Across Appalachia by one measure, there are 500,000 people living in substandard conditions. This is the hidden crisis at the heart of Appalachia's housing landscape.

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Health & Science Trey Kay +, Jan. 22, 2025

Us & Them: What’s Next For Abortion?

New legislative agendas at the state level aim to chip away at reproductive rights, even in states that recently passed constitutional protections for abortion. On this episode of Us & Them, Host Trey Kay examines how conservative state supreme courts might limit voter-approved amendments — and how abortion-friendly states are pushing back. Meanwhile, President Trump’s new administration could override all state laws through certain executive actions, including one involving a 19th century anti-vice law. Now that the election’s over, what’s next for abortion?

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Health & Science Trey Kay +, Jan. 08, 2025

Us & Them: They’ve Been Here Before

As 2025 begins, some states are poised to pass tighter abortion restrictions, building on more than 40 bans enacted since Roe v. Wade was overturned. On the next episode of “Us & Them,” host Trey Kay revisits the fight for reproductive care, talking with a retired Episcopal priest who recalls how liberal clergy helped women navigate the barriers of the pre-Roe era. Now, some of those same clergy are pulling that playbook off the shelf as anti-abortion supporters push for new federal limits.

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