On this West Virginia Morning, an experimental apple orchard in the state is helping to fight pollution, improve food scarcity and some hope even heal veterans. Briana Heaney has the story.
Silas House Talks Climate Calamity With “Lark Ascending”
“Lark Ascending” is a post-apocalyptic story about the ravages of climate change.
Written by Kentucky’s Silas House, the novel racked up several awards including the 2023 Southern Book Prize and the 2023 Nautilus Book Award.
Mason Adams spoke with House following the release of “Lark Ascending,” last fall.
Barbara Kingsolver’s Appalachia Explored In “Demon Copperhead”
A Pulitzer Prize winning novel is typically considered “a solid read,” and even before it took the honor, Barbara Kingsolver’s “Demon Copperhead” was attracting attention.
In 2022, Kingsolver was the Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence at Shepherd University in West Virginia.
WVPB’s Liz McCormick sat down with Kingsolver to talk about Appalachia and the book.
Frank X. Walker Talks Poetry and Affricachia
Thirty years ago, Kentucky poet Frank X. Walker rebelled against the definition of Appalachians as, “the white residents of the Appalachian mountains” and coined the phrase “Affrilachia.”
Walker’s latest is “A is for Affrilachia,” a children’s book.
It’s been called “an ode to Affrilachia.”
WVPB’s Eric Douglas spoke with Walker.
Hotdogs In the Hills With Emily Hilliard
One of our favorite recent non-fiction books has been “Making Our Future: Visionary Folklore and Everyday Culture in Appalachia,” by folklorist Emily Hilliard.
It’s chock full of quirky Appalachian culture – from indie pro wrestling to the video game “Fallout 76” and more.
Folkways Reporter and resident foodie Zack Harold talked West Virginia hotdogs with Hilliard.
Women Speak In Appalachia
For a sampling of women writers, especially poets, you might check out any of the eight volumes of “Women Speak,” an anthology series collecting the work of Appalachian women.
The books are edited by Kari Gunter-Seymour, Ohio’s poet laureate.
Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Gunter-Seymour about poetry, getting published, and Appalachian Ohio.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Del Mcoury, The Appalachian Road Show, Little Sparrow, Buck Owens and Tim Bing.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
On this West Virginia Week, Earth Day was Monday. We’ll hear from a hydrologist about the state’s rivers. We’ll learn more about why two leading candidates for governor are trading accusations in ads over transgender youth. And we’ll visit a community in southern West Virginia affected by contaminated water.
On this West Virginia Morning, an experimental apple orchard in the state is helping to fight pollution, improve food scarcity and some hope even heal veterans. Briana Heaney has the story.
On this West Virginia Morning, health care services for nearly 30 percent of West Virginia’s population may be difficult to access if lawmakers don’t fully fund the Medicaid program in an expected special session. Emily Rice has more.
On this West Virginia Morning, drinking water in Wyoming County is making people sick but it’s unclear who is responsible. Also, a look at voter concerns ahead of May's primary election.