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Appalachia Matters
by Thomas Susman, Producer
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.
Episodes
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Free Health Clinic, Kendall's Kreations, Devil's Due & Prevent Getting Measles
This week At The Leadership Table is Kendall Drobish, a senior at West Virginia University and Founder of the cake-pop business Kendall's Kreations. Throughout her years at WVU, Kendall has filled her time as an intern at both Hope Gas and the Public Interest Communication Research Lab (PIC LAB),...
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Tropopica, Keeping Coverage, Sassafras Ridge & Elderberries, and Making Economic Impact
At The Leadership Table this week, we sit down with Erienne Olesh, CEO of the NSF Resilient Energy Technology and Infrastructure Engine (RETI), to explore innovation, commercialization, and the future of energy in Appalachia. Erienne shares her journey from a neuroscience researcher to leading...
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Loving WV, Help Is Out There, and Meet the Vet!
This week At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Evan Chapman, co-founder of Loving WV, a West Virginia brand created to showcase the state’s pride, culture, and communities. Evan and the General discuss the story behind Loving WV, how the brand has grown from an idea born out of...
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Working the Bees, Tools to Succeed, Elections on the Horizon and Zanesville Salsa.
Working the Bees, Tools to Succeed, Elections on the Horizon and Zanesville Salsa. This week At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with West Virginia’s 31st Secretary of State and Chief Elections Official, Kris Warner. They discuss the many responsibilities of the Secretary of State’s...
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Growing Doctors In Lewisburg, Fifth Graders Learn Agriculture, Innovation @ WVU and Popcorn
This week, At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Ryan Watson, Executive Director of the West Virginia University Office of Innovation and Commercialization. Ryan and the General discuss his unique journey from engineering and law to university leadership, and how those experiences...
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Ground Breaking Cancer Treatment, The Source, Heritage Farm and Staying Connected
This week At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Pastor Kevin Cain, or "Rev Kev", founder of The SOURCE Foundation, a Morgantown-based organization dedicated to helping children and families meet their basic needs and build a stronger future. Pastor Kevin and the General talk about...
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Your Social Security Payment Faces 20% Cut, Great Donuts, & a Great Coffee Place
Your Social Security Payment Faces 20% Cut, Great Donuts, & AGreat Coffee Place This week on At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Mateo Martinez, founder and owner of Jazzy’s Sweet Spot and Seb’s Donuts in Star City, West Virginia. Mateo and the General discuss his journey from...
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Morgan is Bringing Hope To Hope Gas
Welcome to Appalachia Matters presented by New River Health. Today’s episode is a special . The full show is a discussion Tom Susman had with Morgan O’Brien CEO of Hope Gas. Hope is investing significant resources in West Virginia as they update 7,000 miles of natural gas distribution in the…
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New Weight Wait Loss Surgery, State Fair is Here & The Hustle Culture
This week on At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Joelle Moray, a bestselling author, licensed professional counselor, and nationally recognized advocate for transforming workplace culture. Joelle shares more about her journey and what motivates her perspective on leadership. She...
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Protecting Shrubs From Deer, Cletus on the Links, Beer from Preston & State Fair Info
This week on At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Dallas Wolfe, founder of High Ground Brewing in Terra Alta, West Virginia. Dallas is an Army veteran, member of the West Virginia National Guard, and entrepreneur. The General and Dallas share how High Ground Brewing contributes…
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Appalachia Matters: Special Episode on WV Flood Recovery
Many of our listeners were impacted by the July 2026 flood especially in central west Virginia and along the Ohio River North of Parkersburg. This episode is dedicated to providing information for those impacted and those who might want to help. Flood recovery is a long term effort. This week on…
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Local Beef, Civil Defense, Coopers Farm and the Scoop on Reverse Mortgages
This week on At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Dr. Nick Studer, an emergency physician, service member, and founding director and archivist of the National Museum of Civil Defense at Randolph Air Force Base in Randolph, Texas. Dr. Studer and the General discuss the role of…
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Sleeping with the Bees, Health Leadership, Inn for Sale, and Avoiding the Parasite
Sleeping with the Bees, Health Leadership, Inn for Sale, and Avoiding the Parasite General Hoyer sits down with Dr. Lisa Costello on At The Leadership Table. Dr. Costello is a pediatrician from West Virginia who cares for children in hospitals across the state. She is a medical leader who…
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WV Salt, Moses Talks With General & Artisans Explain Thier Craft
At the Leadership Table we are going to replay an interview General Hoyer had with Megan Moses she is a partner in the Moses Auto Group and President of the West Virginia Women's Alliance. In the Rooted in the Mountain State Segment provided by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, we will...
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Sternwheeler and Regatta Time, Ascending in WV, Farmers Have Markets
This week on At the Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Danny Twilley, assistant vice president of economic, community, and asset development for the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative. The collaborative's Ascend West Virginia program is the main topic as...
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New World Screw Worm Causing Problems, Leadership at WVU and Weld's Study of Wellsburg
This week on At the Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Logan Pierce, a recent graduate of West Virginia University and former student government leader. They discuss early leadership lessons, Logan’s commitment to advancing food security on college campuses, and the importance of...
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Appalachia Matters: Ohio Hard Enduro, Classic Cars, Mon EMS and WV Farm.
This week on At the Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Dan Dushanko, Executive Director of Monongalia Emergency Medical Services (Mon EMS). They highlight technology Mon EMS has adopted to overcome logistical challenges as a primary first responder in north central West Virginia and...
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Ticks, What to Do?, Black Lung Help, Helping EMS and a White Picket Farm!
This week on At the Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Joe Statler, Delegate for West Virginia's 77th legislative district. Delegate Statler and The General discuss the challenges first responders face today and some of the recent legislation the Delegate has sponsored. In the Rooted…
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Ramsey Looks Back and Ahead, Kendrick Fellows at The Table, and Meet Tim Brown@Ag.
This week on At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Cade Kincaid and Elliana Cepeda, students and Kendrick Fellows at the Kendrick Center for Ethical Economics at WVU. They discuss leadership through the study of economics, ethics, and public service. They share the importance of...
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A Look @ Lou Gherig(ALS) Disease, Fathers Day Revisit, Senior Vouchers and Rural CEO to Watch
Although Father's Day is a couple weeks away, we are going to run a previously played AT the Leadership table with General Hoyer about how leadership begins at the home and we will hear from some dads about how fatherhood has taught them leadership lessons that have allowed them to better serve...
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Bikers Take Over, Main Street Fairmont, & Farmers Fertilizer and Cost
On At the Leadership Table with Retired Major General Jim Hoyer this week is Alex Petry, Executive Director of Main Street Fairmont. They discuss the power of partnerships, listening to community needs, and honoring history to build the future of Main Street communities. Alex also shares several...
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Get Moving, Barbour Bakery, H Stands for Hope & Sports Awards
This week on At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with West Virginia University students Joey Allinger and Andrea Cipriano to talk about their work this semester with Get Moving Inc., a nonprofit focused on promoting healthy lifestyles for West Virginia’s youth. They discuss the…
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Food Fight @ The Greenbrier, Dust Bowl Boards, Local Theater, and Main Street Part 2
At the Leadership Table General Jim Hoyer will finish his discussion with Robby Blair, head of the Min Street program in Martinsburg. If you missed part, one goto our Appalachia Matters Podcast on Spreaker. During the dust bowl in the 1930s, the federal government established conservation...
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Marinsburg Main Street, WV Grown, EMS is Getting Help, and Steven Allen Adams Sheds Light on Dark Money
This week on At the Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Robby Blair, Executive Director of Main Street Martinsburg. In part one of this two-part interview, the General and Robby discuss the Main Street philosophy, the Martinsburg community, and how Main Street Martinsburg is…
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Radio’s Future Talks with The General and Appalachian Authors
Radio’s Future Talks with The General and Appalachian Authors This week on At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Nico Caretto and Emma Domingo, two students from U92 the Moose, West Virginia University’s award-winning campus radio station. The students share how their roots in…
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WVU Student Radio, Agritourism and This Old Farm Museum is 50 years old!
This week on At The Leadership Table, General James Hoyer sits down with Eric Nuttall, Broadcast Advisor for WVU Student Media and Program Coordinator for U92 The Moose, WVU’s award-winning campus radio station. They discuss shaping the next generation of broadcasters, and why radio continues to…
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Appalachia Matters: Inside Look at WVSSAC, WV Wine and Help for Small Business
In our rooted in the Mountain State segment, we will highlight West Virginia Grown Member of the Month April Urnst with Old World Libations a winery in Monroe County West Virginia. There are over 80,000 secondary school student athletes in West Virginia, these sports that they compete in is...
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Improving Education with Rural Health, Vahala Ranch, Women Leaders, & Matewan Museum
This week on At the Leadership Table, is Part 2 of the two-part series honoring International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. General Hoyer revisits and reflects on the insights and perspectives from women leaders across the Mountain State who were featured in past segments. Today you’ll...
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Walking Over Water, Good Greens, Vetoes, Citizen Legislators, Women Leaders
This week on At the Leadership Table, General Hoyer revisits insights and perspectives from women leaders featured in past segments. This lookback is in honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month in March. In this two-part series, the General explores the great contributions of...
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Appalachia Matters: Best WV Hot Dog, Alpacas, Business Ethics, Groundbreaking Rotarian
On At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Dr. Cate Johnson from the Chambers College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University. Dr. Johnson shares insights into her work with the Kendrick Educators and Fellows Programs, initiatives designed to expand opportunities for...
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Appalachia Matters: Arthritis Relief, Possible School Consolidation, Jobs and Hope and Ag. Development
This week on At the Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Deb Harris from Jobs & Hope West Virginia. Deb shares her powerful personal journey to where she is today and explains how Jobs & Hope connects West Virginians in recovery with family-sustaining careers right here at home. In the...
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Appalachia Matters-Pitching In, Keeping the Lights On, Maple Day, and Preserving Wheeling
At the Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Scott Schenerlein, Executive Director of Wheeling Heritage. Scott and the General discuss revitalizing Wheeling, a town known for its history as an economic engine for the nation, a cultural hub, and its legacy as a community that thrives in...
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Where's Jim, Warhol Exhibit at Clay Center, Justin Talks with The General and Winter Farmer's Market
This week on At the Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Justin Williams, Director of the West Virginia Affiliated Construction Trades. They discuss local jobs for local workers and the high-quality career paths available in the state's construction industry. Williams shares that...
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Build It Up, WV Maple Syrup, Blue Envelopes, and The Dean of Skiing
This week on At the Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Jason Pizatella, CEO of the Contractors Association of West Virginia. Pizatella emphasizes that construction is essential to life and discusses various ways the association is working to "Build It Up" by fortifying the state's...
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Off-Roading, Fighting Hunger, Black Dog Coffee and Ice Fising in WV
At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer welcomes back Wally Hatfield, Vice President of Training and Experimentation at CMI2 and Vice President of the Mountaineer Food Bank Board of Directors. Together, they dive into perspectives and initiatives addressing veteran food security and highlight the...
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Quality Care, Agriculture Working the EPA, WV History, and Medical Leadership
This week At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Dr. Larry Rhodes, a pediatric cardiologist, Associate Professor in the WVU School of Medicine, and Executive Director for Rural Programs at the WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health. Larry started life in Nitro, West Virginia,...
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Meet Tony the Tailor, Hunting and Fishing Entrepreneurs, and Business Leadership
This week At the Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Brian Dayton, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Brian and the General Brian talk about leadership lessons, share perspectives on economic and workforce development opportunities, and…
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Appalachia Matters: Mary’s Table, Mountain Juice, Selling Ideas and Hospital Concerns
This week on At the Leadership Table, we’re turning the mic over to the next generation of leaders in a special student-led takeover. Mary Roush, “Retired" WVU Mountaineer Mascot, takes the host seat to interview Retired Major General Jim Hoyer with questions that she and the WVU PIC Lab student...
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Painting the Raven, Covering Politics, Meet the Deputy Comish, and a Special Look Back
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...
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Christmas in the Past, Scout Leadership, Getting Your Affairs in Order and an Ag Update
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...
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Holiday Stress, Goats in Wayne, Helping Those With No Health Insurance and Federal Help for Farmers
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...
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Christmas Trees, Lavender Products, Deer and Banking
At The Leadership Table with Retired Major General Jim Hoyer this week, David Thomas, President & CEO of Clear Mountain Bank joins the general. He is this year’s chair for the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties. They discuss the importance of building a great team, the role of…
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Best of Episode- Healthy Kids, Winning Farm & Harness Racing
Being Thanksgiving week this is best of episode. This week At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Mandy Curry, co-founder of Healthy Kids Inc. In this segment, Mandy shares the family and community mission behind their company and explains why it's about more than food security —...
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Goodbye Hemp, Making Success with Freeze Dried Food, Feeding the Hungry and a County Singer Making the Big Time
Goodbye Hemp, Making Success with Freeze Dried Food, Feeding the Hungry and a County Singer Making the Big Time This week on At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer hosts veteran and entrepreneur Coleman Erwin of Harvest Trails Company. They discuss Coleman's military journey to West Virginia, how...
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Ohio Limits Deer, Salute to Veterans, Helping Those in Need & Becoming an Auctioneer
This week, At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Liz Vitullo, Assistant Vice President for Economic Innovation at West Virginia University. She is co-founder of the WV Grant Resource Centers, program director for the Chambers Elite Climbers, and director of strategic initiatives…
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Veterans Day 2024 Special Episode Revisted
This is a previously aired episode from Veterans Day week last year. This week’s podcast is dedicated to Veterans and Veterans Day. At the Leadership Table with Retired Major General Jim Hoyer talks with guests Mara and Ken Boggs, both veterans. Mara is an army veteran and former state director…
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Christmas in The Mountain State, Open Enrollment, and Leadership in Aerospace
This week, At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Josh Walsh, Vice President of Programs for Sierra Nevada Corporation, where he focuses on mission solutions, technologies, and operations. Josh was born and raised in southern West Virginia and is a proud graduate of Marshall...
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Pumpkins, Looking to Ski Season, Colonoscopy Replacement, Leadership from Logan County
This week At The Leadership, Table, General Hoyer sits down with David McCormick, owner of the Morgantown-based business Omega Commercial Interiors, and a Representative for the 82nd District in the West Virginia House of Delegates. They discuss David's journey from growing up sweeping floors and...
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Cash May Be Waiting for You, Spotted Lantern Fly Primer, Get Your Mammogram & Leadership
Cash May Be Waiting for You, Spotted Lantern Fly Primer, Get Your Mammogram & Leadership At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Jason Ashworth, Chief Safety Officer, and Nurse Practitioner for Valley Health Network. They discuss Jason’s meaningful career path, marked by a deep...
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Child Care Shortage, EHD Update, Hutson Talks Leadership and School to Farm
Child Care Shortage, EHD Update, Hutson Talks Leadership and School to Farm This week’s Appalachia Matter: At The Leadership Table, General Hoyer sits down with Rusty Hutson, Co-Founder and CEO of Diversified Energy Company and current Chair of the West Virginia University Board of Governors.…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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.
HOSTED BY
Thomas Susman, Producer
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Appalachia Matters have?
Appalachia Matters currently has 114 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Appalachia Matters about?
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...
How often does Appalachia Matters release new episodes?
Appalachia Matters publishes regularly with 114 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Appalachia Matters?
You can listen to Appalachia Matters on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Appalachia Matters?
Appalachia Matters is created and hosted by Thomas Susman, Producer.
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