Hearts of Appalachia

There’s something about music in Appalachia that isn’t just heard… it’s lived. It’s passed down in kitchens, on porches, in church pews, and in the quiet moments in between. When Laura shared this piece about the music in her family, it settled in my heart. Not just because of how beautifully she told it, but because it reflects something so many Appalachian families carry deep in their roots. My own story is a little different. Life took us all over, and while my Granny’s roots run deep in...

I didn’t grow up thinking about family history. Most of us don’t. You assume the people who raised you will always be right there — sitting in their chairs, answering the phone, telling the same stories you’ve heard a hundred times. You assume there will always be another holiday, another Sunday visit, another chance to ask the questions you never got around to. But life has a way of proving you wrong before you’re ready. In 2023, I lost my mom. In 2024, I lost my dad. And in the last six...

Appalachian Community Cookbook Project Appalachian recipes & stories have always lived at the heart of mountain kitchens and family traditions. From cast-iron skillets on wood stoves to handwritten recipe cards tucked inside flour tins, these dishes carry the stories of our families and the communities that raised us. But across Appalachia, many of those same communities are facing a growing challenge: food insecurity . In towns and hollers throughout the region, families often rely on small...