Continuing our journey across the region as we document and discuss the sights to see and places to be in Appalachia, this week we're traveling to the great state of North Carolina, and visiting the North Carolina Arboretum. This more than 400-acre public space is filled with some of the most beautiful flora found throughout the region, and across the world. On your visit, you can take a serene stroll through the breathtaking gardens to learn about these plants and flowers, go for a great hike on one of many trails to choose from, or you can even take a mountain biking trip! While you're at it, learn about the great American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead, listen to a musical performance by local artists during ArborEvenings, or view some magnificent artwork by the Vorhees family of noted regional artists. There really is something here for everyone, and I hope that you all get a chance to visit the North Carolina Arboretum!  North Carolina Arboretum Website: https://www.ncarboretum.org/

I'm joined on the podcast this week by one of my favorite authors, Jonathan Alter, who wrote my most favorite book on Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal (and that's saying something, because I've read A LOT of those). He and I have a wonderful conversation about his book, The Defining Moment: FDR's Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope, the history behind the book and his process of writing it, the importance of FDR's legacy to the country, and his impact on Appalachia. We also discuss the importance of the idea behind Roosevelt's Presidency, and the New Deal: that the federal government has a responsibility to improve economic and material well-being. That idea was not only powerful then, but as we continue to face severe economic inequality, vanishing opportunity for the working poor, and a moment of great division, that idea of good and active government is important to us today. I hope you all enjoy this episode, and be on the lookout for more material on the New Deal coming soon!

And just like that, summer vacation has come to a close. Between work, the LSAT, and much more podcasting than I was doing this time last year, this summer sure has flown by. By the time you all hear this, I will have moved in to my dorm at college, and have begun my senior year. I hope you all have enjoyed season three so far, and I very much hope that you all enjoy the content to come! This week, for our next installment of the Sights to See and Places to Be in Appalachia, we're traveling to the state of Ohio to highlight Wayne National Forest! This is the only National Forest located in Ohio, and offers a ton of great attractions and activities for any visitor. You can find all of the information you need to plan your visit to Wayne National by visiting the website links below. I hope you all enjoy the episode, and I hope you get a chance to visit! Also, HAPPY BELATED (by nine days as of today) ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF APPALACHIAN FIRESIDES!  Wayne National Forest Website (US Forest Service): https://www.fs.usda.gov/wayne Wayne National Forest Website: https://www.waynenationalforest.com/

This week on Appalachian Firesides, we're covering just one of the many sagas that are part of #HotLaborSummer. I'm joined this week by Ayla Gokton, a doctoral student in Counseling Psychology and an organizer with the United Campus Workers Union at the University of Louisville. This is a wall-to-wall union comprised of workers from different backgrounds at the University — UCW has several chapters located in Kentucky and across the country. Ayla and I discuss her experiences organizing with UCW, the initiatives that Louisville's Chapter will be pushing for in the coming semester, and we discuss how the power of organizing is such a powerful tool for workers and everyday people to band together, and advocate for real change that will improve our lives. ALSO, if you are a worker at the University of Louisville (whether you are a student or not), be sure o stick around until the end of the episode to hear Ayla talk about how you can look into joining the UCW at Louisville. And be on the lookout for more great content coming soon! Hope y'all enjoy!

EASTERN KENTUCKY FLOOD RELIEF FUNDS AND RESOURCES: https://secure.kentucky.gov/FormServices/Finance/EKYFloodRelief https://governor.ky.gov/disaster-response/flood-resources https://appalachianky.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1924 https://appalshop.org/news/appalachian-flood-support-resources Firstly, I'm sure that many of you have been seeing the heartbreaking news coming out of eastern Kentucky over the past few days with the recent flooding. So many communities in our region have been utterly devastated by these disasters; at least 28 people are confirmed dead, and we likely won't know the full extent of the damage for some time. But people from all across the region, the state, and indeed the country, are stepping up to help relieve, rescue, and rebuild. I've posted a few links above to relief and mutual aid funds and other resources to find out how you can help the victims of these floods, and if you are able, I ask that you would consider donating to these efforts. Thank you all so very much for the support and solidarity that you all are showing eastern Kentucky. For this week's series episode, we're visiting the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee. I hope you all enjoy.

This week, I'm joined on the podcast by Peter Canellos, Managing Editor for Enterprise at POLITICO and author of "The Great Dissenter: The Story of John Marshall Harlan, America's Judicial Hero". This book is a page-turner, from start to finish, and Peter tells the fascinating story of John, who was born and raised in Kentucky and served on the U.S. Supreme Court from 1877 to 1911, and Robert Harlan—widely believed to be the son of John's father and an enslaved Black woman—who made a career for himself as a successful businessman and politician. Peter and I discuss a few of the major cases Justice Harlan heard during his time on the Bench, the importance of dissent in the American judicial system, and how Justice Harlan's dissents show that, although we have not always lived up to our ideals of equality and liberty for all, we can make progress towards those goals, and that often times, it only takes one person with the courage of their convictions, to set real change into motion. I hope y'all enjoy! Peter's Website: https://peterscanellos.com/

Welcome to the fourth installment of the Sights to See and Places to Be in Appalachia series, where I highlight some of the many fantastic attractions, businesses, and landmarks that Appalachia has to offer, and are worthy of a visit from anyone and everyone. This week, we're once again venturing outside of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and over to the Commonwealth of Virginia, to highlight Natural Tunnel State Park! Tune in to hear all of the info you need to get your visit to this beautifully inspiring location started. Also, follow the link below to keep up to date on all of the events happening at Natural Tunnel in the near-future. Hope y'all enjoy! Natural Tunnel State Park Website: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/natural-tunnel

Welcome back y'all! If you celebrated Independence Day in the U.S. this past week, I hope everything went well. If you haven't yet, be sure to watch both "National Treasure" moves—if not in celebration of the 4th of July, just because they're both amazing films. This week, I am joined by Dr. Stephen Voss, Professor of Political Science at the University of Kentucky. He and I go into a lot of topics: voter turnout in poorer counties, and how that could be addressed, reforms that could make elections more competitive and open to more people, as well as how Democrats could potentially win in eastern Kentucky, and other areas where they haven't faired as well. But at the heart of this episode is the heartbeat of our country itself: democracy. It's abundantly clear that our political system does not work for everyone, but the fact is that we, the people, are the only ones who can change that. If we're really going to call ourselves a democracy, then everyone has to have an equal place at the table. Dr. Voss tells us about different ways of how we can achieve this, but the truth is that our conversation on this episode is just a starting point, the only place that real change can come from is where it has always started, with the people. Hope y'all enjoy!

For our first installment of Sights to See and Places to Be for Season 3 (man, I am killing it with these rhymes, huh?), we're venturing outside of Kentucky and to the great state of West Virginia! This week, I had a chat with Evan, he and his wife own and operate an online business called "Loving West Virginia". They have got some awesome products for sale, from t-shirts and stickers to hats, magnets, and even maps that you can use to track your own adventure across West Virginia. Tune in this week to hear Evan tell you all about how Loving WV got its start, the different products that they feature, some exciting news for Loving WV in the coming year, and about how each of these products are meant to advocate for Appalachia, and the people who love it. This is such a great business to support, and the work that Evan and his wife do for their community is so important,  so I hope that y'all will support Loving WV in any way that you can! And for your convenience, I've included the link to their websites and social media pages below! I hope y'all enjoy! Shop Loving West Virginia: https://lovingwv.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/lovingwv/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovingwv/?hl=en

Welcome back friends, this one is a doozy. I'm joined once again in this season three opening act by my very good friend, Andy. In our conversation, we have something for just about everyone: our thoughts on the debate surrounding gun policy in the U.S., UFOs and extraterrestrial life, the Atlantis movie from Disney and the enduring legacy of Phil Collins. I have quite a few ideas for the show going forward, and I'm excited to see where things take us over the course of season three. Most of all, I'm glad y'all are along for the ride! Hope y'all enjoy!