Appalachia Matters cover art

Appalachia Matters

Appalachia Matters

Written by: Thomas Susman Producer
Listen for free

About this listen

 Appalachia Matters is a weekly radio show highlighting life in Appalachia. Each week we have a segment on leadership from retired Major General Jim Hoyer, features highlighting agriculture in our region, health care updates from Tom Susman and our host Bo Higby each week highlights a story of community interest.

The show is produced by Vandalia Media Partners.
Vandalia Media Partners II, LLC Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Painting the Raven, Covering Politics, Meet the Deputy Comish, and a Special Look Back

    Painting the Raven, Covering Politics, Meet the Deputy Comish, and a Special Look Back
    Jan 11 2026
    On At the Leadership Table, General Jim Hoyer looks back at some stand out moments for the segment from 2025 and looks forward to 2026.

    In the Rooted in the Mountain State from the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, we meet Amy Minor Richards the Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture.

    The West Virginia Legislature convenes in January most years. The main way citizens find out what is happening under the dome is through the reporting of journalists. Steven Allen Adams is one of the deans of the West Virginia Press Corp and he talks about how he reports on the legislature. Steven is the statewide political correspondent for Ogden Newspapers.

    Ravenswood Downtown Partners has embarked on a public art project to paint a mural. Unlike other organizations this allows for residents to actually pitch in a paint the mural. We talk with Molly Washburn who is coordinating the effort.
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Christmas in the Past, Scout Leadership, Getting Your Affairs in Order and an Ag Update

    Christmas in the Past, Scout Leadership, Getting Your Affairs in Order and an Ag Update
    Dec 21 2025
    This week At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Sarah Fox, an Air Force veteran and current Director of Fundraising and Marketing for Scouting America’s Mountaineer Area Council. Sarah reflects on her service as an Air Force medic and discusses how that experience and her civilian career drive her commitment to serving and mentoring the next generation of leaders.

    As we come to the end of the year in the Rooted in the Mountain provided by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt provides a year-end review of what his department has been involved in 2025

    In our third segment Tom Susman sits down with lawyer Ceason Ranson of Ripley to talk about estate planning. As we end the year it makes sense to take stock in of your estate planning. It’s not difficult but there are some matters you want to address before you get sick or pass away. It only fair that you provide a roadmap for your family.

    In our final segment Tom Susman talks with David Sibray of the online magazine WV Explorer about what Christmas was like in our region in days gone by. Our conversation then went to holiday traditions and with bothTom and David growing up in Beckley they both remember a community holiday tradition from thier childhood.
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Holiday Stress, Goats in Wayne, Helping Those With No Health Insurance and Federal Help for Farmers

    Holiday Stress, Goats in Wayne, Helping Those With No Health Insurance and Federal Help for Farmers
    Dec 14 2025
    At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Angie Settle, CEO at West Virginia Health Right. Angie has served thousands of West Virginians as a nurse practitioner, care coordinator and leader. They discuss Angie’s perspectives on the role West Virginia Health Right plays in providing local communities with health-based services, and how listeners like you can support the health of all West Virginians.

    When we think of farming we may think of crops like corn or soybeans with livestock it may be cattle or swine. Many in our region raise goats and do well with them. In The Rooted in the Mountain State segment provided by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture we will learn about a goat farm on Wayne County.

    Christmas is upon us now; we have certain expectations for the holiday season. Many times, those expectations exceed reality. Life is not a Hallmark Movie. To better help us all manage our feelings, expectations and maybe depression this season I reached out to Doctor Jessica Bradley who is a professor at the Marshall University of School of Medicine and practices with Marshall Health, for advice and tools to cope with holiday stress and expectations.

    In our final segment West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt talks about a one-time federal bailout for farmers impacted by President Trump’s Tariffs. The president and other recently announced the program.
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
No reviews yet