Old Gods of Appalachia - Part 1 episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 2, 2026 · 57 MIN

Old Gods of Appalachia - Part 1

from Spooked · host KQED and Snap Studios

In the early decades of the 20th century, unions are on the rise in coal country. Those who toil beneath the dark earth balk under the yoke of the Barrow family’s rule, and something must be done... It's our pleasure to introduce you to Old Gods of Appalachia! Old Gods of Appalachia is an eldritch horror fiction podcast set in an Alternate Appalachia, a world where these mountains were never meant to be inhabited. This Appalachia feels eerily similar to the hills and hollers folks remember from childhood, but there are some tell-tale differences. Towns and counties may be known by other names, or simply not exist. Historical events slide forward or backward in time. And then, of course, there are the monsters.  This is part one of our three episode introduction to Old Gods of Appalachia. This episode contains references to occult phenomena, unnatural means of reproduction, human sacrifice, ghosts, mutilation, beheading and maiming human beings, monster sounds. Sensitive listeners please be advised. Today’s episode encompassed episodes 32 and 33 from season three of Old Gods. If you like what you heard, you can listen to the complete podcast — currently in its sixth season here in 2026 — on your favorite podcast app. Old Gods of Appalachia is a production of DeepNerd Media, written and produced by Cam Collins and Steve Shell and narrated by Steve Shell. The voice of Polly Barrow was Tracey Johnston Crum.  Intro Music: “The Land Unknown (The Pound of Flesh Verses)” written and performed by Landon Blood Outro Music: "Pretty Polly” as performed by Landon Blood and John Lee Bullard To learn more about the show, visit oldgodsofappalachia.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the early decades of the 20th century, unions are on the rise in coal country. Those who toil beneath the dark earth balk under the yoke of the Barrow family’s rule, and something must be done.

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Old Gods of Appalachia - Part 1

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In the early decades of the 20th century, unions are on the rise in coal country. Those who toil beneath the dark earth balk under the yoke of the Barrow family’s rule, and something must be done... It's our pleasure to introduce you to Old Gods of...

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