PODCAST · fiction
MountainLore
by Steve Gilly, Gena Gilly
Welcome to MountainLore, bringing you Appalachia's rich tradition of folk tales, ghostly whispers, and bewitching legends. Join us as we tell the timeless tales passed down through generations. From chilling encounters with restless spirits to the lore of cunning folk and mysterious witches, each episode of MountainLore invites you to lose yourself in the magic and mystery of Appalachia's captivating storytelling tradition. Tune in, and let the mountains whisper their secrets.
Episodes
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A Jack Tale: Jack and his Stepmother
This week we have a Jack Tale that had its origins in England over 500 years ago. Once upon a time, there was a boy who lived with his father and his stepmother in a little house in the woods. Jack and his stepmother did not get along, and she forced him to work every day to bring in money to the...
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The Flintville Monster: Tennessee’s Hairy Beast
In 1976, residents around Flintville, Tennessee, began reporting encounters with a huge, hairy creature that seemed to have stepped straight out of a nightmare. It broke car antennas, damaged vehicles, chased people, and was described as standing seven or eight feet tall. When a mother reported...
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The Man in the Wall
A weary doctor seeking rest in a remote mountain house finds that the creaks in the floorboards aren't just the house settling. In this tale a "rational" man is forced to confront… something… that refuses to stay in the shadows. In the process, he learned that sometimes the most terrifying things...
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Granny Weiss And The Cursed Money
In the 1820s, a man named Johnson from North Carolina fell gravely ill after stealing money from a cattle buyer. With the help of a wise granny woman, he discovered a remedy, but it came at a great cost. Discover the tale of Johnson's theft, his mysterious illness, and the supernatural wisdom of...
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The Haunting of Walsingham Manor
In Georgia, the Walsingham place, haunted by restless spirits and terrifying phenomena, drove a brave man to madness after a night of unspeakable horrors. Discover the chilling tale of the Walsingham family and their encounter with the supernatural, where eerie sounds and ghostly apparitions led…
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Andrew Jackson and the Bell Witch
In the hills of Tennessee, General Andrew Jackson's encounter with the supernatural connects that famous man with the famous entity that haunted the Bell family 200 years ago. Discover the eerie tale of the Bell Witch, the spirit that tormented the Bells and had a spine-tingling encounter with…
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The White Feather
In the mountains of Appalachia, a grieving widow named Rhodey experiences an eerie omen before her husband's tragic hunting accident, leading her to a profound belief in the supernatural. Discover the haunting tale of Rhodey and Alamander, where a white feather becomes a symbol of impending doom...
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The Seven Spirits of the Haunted Spring
In the mountains of North Carolina, tales are told of a haunted spring where, on a dark night, you might witness a chilling procession of seven possums, seven ghostly men, and seven coffins—each an eerie echo of a long-forgotten tragedy. Discover the legend of the seven spirits, believed to be…
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The Devil's Due
In the mountains of North Carolina, nearly 200 years ago, Ephraim Tucker's quest to learn witchcraft from a mysterious witch led him to a terrifying encounter with the devil himself. Desperate to escape his fate, Ephraim fled through the woods and swam across a raging river to safety. Though he...
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The Headless Dog of Cove Creek
In the mountains of western North Carolina, a headless dog was said to emerge from an old schoolhouse grave to chase travelers, fueled by his and his human's tragic end at the hands of evil men. This week, Steve and Gena tell the tale of the Headless Dog of Cove Creek, another one of the tales…
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The Tale of Phoebe Ward, The Witch of the North Carolina Mountains
In the mountains of North Carolina, the mysterious and feared witch Phoebe Ward once roamed from place to place, weaving spells and leaving a mysterious legacy in her wake. Phoebe's life was as wild and twisted as the mountain trails themselves, and her legend only grew after a chilling encounter...
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The Haunted Cowee Tunnel
One cold December day over 140 years ago, 19 shackled convicts lost their lives crossing the Tuckaseegee River in North Carolina to go work on a railroad tunnel. Ever since that day folks swear that they can still hear the ghosts of those chained prisoners inside the walls of the Cowee Tunnel,...
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The Haunted Pines
This week we tell the strange tale of Silas McKean, a young man whose life took an extraordinary turn when he encountered a radiant ball of light between two ancient pine trees. This supernatural encounter led to, of all things, a profound relationship that transcended the mortal realm and…
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Haints in the Holler
In this episode of MountainLore, we share the eerie tale of a remote holler, where a widower's new wife harbored a dark secret, one that chilled the entire community to its bones as restless spirits returned to seek justice, haunting the community with bone-chilling cries and unearthly wails.…
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The Ghost Came A'Knockin'
In this episode of MountainLore, we tell the tale of a once beautiful old house nestled deep in the woods. For over a century and a half, whispers of the house's haunting have echoed through the hills, all stemming from the tragic and untimely end of its reclusive occupant, a man known simply as...
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The Ghost of Gamble's Run
Venture with us into the heart of Appalachia, to a place where the whispers of the past speak of betrayal and justice—a justice that may tarry but never falters. In this episode of MountainLore, we unearth the haunting tale of John Gamble, a master craftsman whose destiny was forever altered by…
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Old Bill Mullins and the Burning Bible
In this episode of MountainLore, we tell the tale of Old Bill Mullins and his fiery reckoning. A man known for his sinful ways and a life lived in defiance of the divine, Bill's story is a cautionary whisper among the pines and a legend that has echoed through the hills of Appalachia for many...
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The Wicked Sisters of Appalachia
Today's tale takes us deep into the mountains of Southwest Virginia, where a legend tells of two sisters whose very souls seemed woven from the darkest threads of the mountains. In this episode of MountainLore, we delve into the sinister saga of these two, whose wickedness was whispered to be the...
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A Cold Slap to the Cheek: The Tale of an Appalachian Haunting
Today we tell a tale about a mysterious and unsettling visit to an old, grand house nestled deep within the Appalachian hills—a place where ghosts laugh and taunt you when the sun goes down and long into the night. It's a story of terror that blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural,...
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The Preacher and the Ghost Of The Blackwater Farmhouse
Venture with us into the stormy hills of Southwest Virginia, where a stop on a preacher's journey brings him a ghostly plea for justice in this episode of MountainLore. As the heavens unleash a rainstorm, our man of God seeks refuge in an old farmhouse, rumored to be haunted by restless spirits....
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The Twisted Tree of the Witch's Wrath
In the dark hollows of Appalachia, a tale as twisted as the branches of an ancient oak unfolds in this episode of MountainLore. We're taking you back 150 years to a time when a grand old oak tree stood sentinel on the edge of a small town, its boughs a meeting place for a coven of witches and…
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The Haunted Tavern of the River's Bend
On this ghostly journey through the heart of Appalachia, we recount the spine-tingling tale of two brothers, Jacob and Ritchie Vail, and their fateful encounter with a haunted tavern along the Ohio River. As the brothers seek lodging one night, they stumble upon a mysterious establishment with a...
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Old Richter's Ghost
In this chilling episode of MountainLore, we delve deep into the eerie tales of western Pennsylvania as we recount a story that's lingered in the whispers of the hills for over a century. We venture to a forsaken square frame house nestled in the mountains—a house that now stands forlorn, its…
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Big Fraid and Little Fraid
Today we tell a tale from southwest Virginia about a man, his young son, and the family's cows, which the son tended during the day up in the mountains. That man tried to teach his boy a lesson in being home on time. That's NOT how things turned out, however. Don't forget to subscribe to the...
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The Hollow Branch Witch Trial
One summer, many years ago, a small community in the mountains of Kentucky suffered through the worst drought any of them had ever experienced. Searching for a cause for their misery, they found one: an older woman who lived at the head of their holler, Hollow Branch, who many had whispered had...
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The Tell Tale Lilac Bush
Bill and Elie had a long life together, made even longer by their utter dislike for each other. One day Elie disappeared and Bill became a man set free. All was grand, until that cursed lilac bush came along. Be sure to subscribe to the MountainLore podcast. We're on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker,...
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Ghosts of Days Gone By
We have reached a milestone: 200 episodes! To celebrate, we bring you a folktale from the mountains of western North Carolina... A hunter resting one evening at a historic mountain pass in North Carolina happens to see a ghostly sight: three indistinct soldiers at the edge of a clearing, staring…
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The Tragedy of Octavia Hatcher
On May 2, 1891, Octavia Hatcher of Pikeville, Kentucky, died from a strange, new illness. Well, no she didn't, but nobody knew that at the time. You see, that illness caused her to go into a coma so deep that doctors at the time assumed she was dead and pronounced her so. Then she was buried in a...
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The Ghost Stalker
Bobby and Clara, together since high school, lived in a small Appalachian town, leading normal lives...until Bobby broke off their relationship to marry another woman. There followed a chain of events that led to Bobby being tormented by a spirit from the afterworld. That, dear listeners, is our...
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A Ghostly Run of Likker
Many years ago, it's said, a moonshiner running his still had a supernatural encounter that changed his life, another bit of MountainLore for you! Be sure to subscribe to the MountainLore podcast so you don't miss any of our stories. We're on Spotify, Spreaker, Apple Podcasts, Audible, or on your...
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The Water Witch
There are those in these mountains who have an ability to find good underground water with nothing more than two sticks or wires to guide them. Years ago a good dowser was worth his weight in gold. Some of these folks had other abilities, which you'll find out about in today's tale... Be sure to...
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Marrying on Horseback
Today we tell a tale about a superstition, once widely believed, that it was bad luck for a couple to get married while on horseback. One young couple did that many years ago, resulting in one bad thing after another happening to them, each one worse than the last. You can subscribe to the...
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The Tale of The Bunnyman
Bunnies are cute and fluffy. The Bunny Man is not; in fact the Bunny Man can and will kill you. This week we tell a tale about a man in a rabbit suit with killer instincts. And in this case some of the story is definitely true. You can subscribe to the MountainLore podcast on Spreaker, Apple...
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Ghostly Redemption: A Coal Miner's Tale
A tragic accident in the mines brings profound grief and anguish to a coal miner until one day, while working his shift, he finds the peace he had been missing for so long. Be sure to subscribe to the MountainLore podcast so you don't miss any of our tales from Appalachia; we're on your favorite...
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Appalachian Christmas Traditions and Folklore
Christmas is upon us, so we thought we'd share not a tale this week, but a story about how Christmas was celebrated in Appalachia over the years, along with some holiday folklore. We hope you enjoy! Be sure to subscribe to the MountainLore podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Goodpods, Audible,...
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The Devil Dog and the Broken Toe
Many years ago, it's said, a man who lived up between Norton and Pound, Virginia, was surprised by a strange dog standing in his kitchen when he returned home one night. That encounter led to not only a broken toe but to a neverending search which consumed this man for the rest of his life. Don't...
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Krampus: The Dark Side of Christmas
Did you know that Christmas has a dark side? It does, at least in some parts of not just Appalachia but around the world, in the form of a shaggy, horned man-goat named Krampus! If you want to catch all our tale from Appalachia, be sure to subscribe to the MountainLore podcast. We're on your...
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You Can't Take It With You
In Franklin County, Virginia, a man is buried along with all his money, apparently with the intent of paving his path to the afterlife with gold. Only problem was that the money soon went missing, and therein lies our bit of MountainLore today! Be sure to subscribe to the MountainLore podcast at...
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The Witch's Revenge
One of life's lessons is "respect your elders." A lot of folks ignore that advice, earning them not much more than a scolding or a shake of the head from folks. If the elder in question, though, has the power of witchcraft at their disposal, you'd best remember that life lesson...unless you want…
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A Ghostly Reckoning
A tragic tale of two young women, best friends, who were divided by their desire for the attentions of a young man. Jealousy turned to murder which itself turned into the ghost story we have for you today. Be sure to subscribe to the MountainLore podcast at Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or…
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The House of the Vanishing Chains
We are back after a couple of weeks of being under the weather, but that time was put to good use in gathering up the story we have for you this week! A home renovation project a hundred years ago went well, not disturbing the neighbors. It did, however, disturb someone, or should we say…
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The Haunted Door
Once upon a time an Appalachian preacher had a son who loved to swing back and forth on the front door of his farmhouse. We'll tell you the rest in today's tale. Be sure to subscribe to the MountainLore podcast on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss any of our stories. We're on TikTok...
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The Log Cabin Ghosts
There's nothing like a rustic log cabin nestled in a picturesque Appalachian valley. Folks dream of having such a place in which to live. What they don't realize is that in some cases those dreams can become nightmares. Today we tell that tale. Be sure to subscribe to the MountainLore podcast at...
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The Mysterious Ghost Rider of Southwest Virginia
Today's story comes from a listener, who remembered the bare bones of this tale but not the entire story. We've taken that "ghost" of a story (about a ghost) and put together the tale you'll hear in this episode. It's the story of the mysterious ghost rider of southwest Virginia, another tale…
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The Mysterious Tale of the Headless Hobo
During the Great Depression, times were hard. Many men were forced to take to the road to find any kind of work or handout they could get, just to survive. These men, or "hobos," as they were called, road the rails across the country and were a common sight in Appalachia. Today, in a repeat of a...
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The Bewitched Chestnut Tree
There's an old story from the mountains of southwest Virginia about a witch named Bill Boggs. It was said that Boggs got his powers from a chestnut tree on top of a ridge, and around this tree was a zone of death in which no plant nor animal could live. One old farmer decided to rid that ridge of...
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The Hand of Justice
The Civil War came to East Tennessee in the form of Confederate raids against the mostly Union sympathizers who lived there. Today's tale recounts a story told about one such raid which cost the life of a resident of Carter's Valley. His spirit demanded justice and got it...through his hand,...
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Haunted Droop Mountain
The final battle of the Civil War in West Virginia was fought at Droop Mountain. Apparently, the spirits of many of the fallen soldiers, North and South, remain on that beautiful mountain to this day, as we'll tell you in today's podcast episode. Be sure to subscribe to the MountainLore podcast…
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The Running Rattlesnake of Bear Creek
Once upon a time a man, Brother Johnny as he was known, decided to throw a party, with moonshine being part of the festivities. Brother Johnny invited several friends to this get together, including a young man and his wife from over the mountain. This couple took off for Brother Johnny's place…
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Sheepsquatch
What, dear listeners, has wooly fur, goat horns and a naked possum tail? A critter/cryptid known as the White Thing, or, as we'd prefer to call it, the Sheepsquatch. Join us as we tell the tale of this mysterious being! Don't miss any of our tales...subscribe to the MountainLore podcast on your...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to MountainLore, bringing you Appalachia's rich tradition of folk tales, ghostly whispers, and bewitching legends. Join us as we tell the timeless tales passed down through generations. From chilling encounters with restless spirits to the lore of cunning folk and mysterious witches, each episode of MountainLore invites you to lose yourself in the magic and mystery of Appalachia's captivating storytelling tradition. Tune in, and let the mountains whisper their secrets.
HOSTED BY
Steve Gilly, Gena Gilly
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does MountainLore have?
MountainLore currently has 202 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is MountainLore about?
Welcome to MountainLore, bringing you Appalachia's rich tradition of folk tales, ghostly whispers, and bewitching legends. Join us as we tell the timeless tales passed down through generations. From chilling encounters with restless spirits to the lore of cunning folk and mysterious witches, each...
How often does MountainLore release new episodes?
MountainLore publishes regularly with 202 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to MountainLore?
You can listen to MountainLore 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 MountainLore?
MountainLore is created and hosted by Steve Gilly, Gena Gilly.
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