Viva America

If you have never heard of the Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, GA… well today is the day.  Once the largest mental hospital in the world, it’s history is astonishing and still mostly a secret today.  Join us for a horrible dive into the past of this hospital and the history of mental health itself. The organization we are highlighting this episode is: NAMI GEORGIA NAMI Georgia strives to : advocate at the county, state and national levels for non-discriminatory access to quality healthcare, housing , education and employment for people with mental illness. educate the public about mental illness. work to eliminate the stigma of mental illness. advocate for increased funding for research into the causes and treatment of mental illness. https://namiga.org/get-involved/donate/ BECOME A PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/vivaamerica Our sources for this episode are: https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional/asylum-dark-past-relived-cycle-ends/uq2OK0dgHCeynhFUGba36O/ https://georgialibraries.omeka.net/s/central-state-hospital/page/the-beginning http://www.peteearley.com/2019/03/15/the-worlds-largest-mental-asylum-from-the-horrors-of-the-back-wards-to-todays-jails-and-prisons/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5bUS7JMU5s

Lake Tahoe has long been a playground for the rich and famous.  More often than not, wealth and fame is a close friend to crime and power.  But what really lies behind the legends that the lake is the final resting place those who dared to cross the mob back in the 50’s & 60’s?  And that the cold, dark waters have preserved those bodies to the extent that they would be recognizable today?  Let’s explore. The organization we are highlighting this episode is: Organization description:  The League to Save Lake Tahoe protects and restores the environmental health, sustainability and scenic beauty of the Lake Tahoe Basin. We focus on water quality and its clarity for the preservation of a pristine Lake for future generations. BECOME A PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/vivaamerica Our sources for this episode are: https://www.history.com/news/frank-sinatra-mob-ties-fbi-file https://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/tahoes-good-fellas/ https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jacques-Cousteau https://snowbrains.com/the-history-of-the-cal-neva-lodge-on-lake-tahoe/ https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-aug-09-la-me-missing-diver-20110809-story.html https://www.britannica.com/biography/Frank-Sinatra/The-Rat-Pack-and-the-mob https://blog.padi.com/how-deep-can-you-scuba-dive-maximum-depth/

John Brown was a man that believed he knew what was right and what was wrong.  And while his views will ultimately land on the right side of history, his methods are what led to his demise. The organization we are highlighting this episode is:  The Harpers Ferry-Bolivar Historic Town Foundation which “unites two towns with a vision of inspiring citizens and visitors alike with our history, beauty, diversity and hospitality. The Foundation’s initiatives focus on the historic preservation, promotion and beautification of our towns for the enjoyment and benefit of all. We seek to preserve the rich history of Harpers Ferry and Bolivar, learn from its people and build upon their legacies.” Organization Website: https://historicharpersferry.org/ BECOME A PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/vivaamerica Our sources for this episode are: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/john-brown-hanged https://www.britannica.com/place/Harpers-Ferry https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/harpers-ferry ​​Harper's Ferry by Charles River Editors http://theresashauntedhistoryofthetri-state.blogspot.com/2011/12/hilltop-house-hotel.html

Today it's an idilic excursion but the tracks we now ride upon came at a very high price. As many railroads in this country, they were built during a time in history where slavery had been abolished.  But the men who labored on these tracks were anything but free and ultimately the victims of a system that made sure it stayed that way.  In this episode we explore the incredibly tragic Cowee Tunnel Disaster and discuss the brokenness of the times.   The charity for this show is the Jackson County NAACP which has worked hard to ensure these stories are told and have been working towards getting a historical marker for this tragedy.  You can learn more about them at: http://jacksonncnaacp.org/ BECOME A PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/vivaamerica Our sources for this episode are: https://smokymountainnews.com/archives/item/26780-the-tears-of-these-poor-men-victims-of-cowee-tunnel-disaster-deserve-recognition https://smokymountainnews.com/archives/item/10992-1882-cowee-tunnel-disaster-comes-into-21st-century-spotlight https://www.gsmr.com/events/polar-express/ https://americansall.org/legacy-story-group/civil-war-black-codes-summary-pre-jim-crow-laws https://www.facebook.com/GaryCardenStoryteller

This episode we are visiting the country's most visited National Park - Great Smoky Mountain National Park.   The most accessible hike in this park, Clingman's Dome is full of beauty and history and yes... some awful things too.  This episode we explore Clingman's Dome & the disappearance of Trenny Lynn Gibson.  When a school field trip turns into a 45 year old unsolved mystery. The charity for this episode is The Charley Project.  The Charley Project profiles over 15,000 “cold case” missing people mainly from the United States.  Learn more about them at: https://charleyproject.org/ BECOME A PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/vivaamerica Sources: visitmysmokies.com Unsolved Disapperances in the Smokies by Juanitta Baldwin and Ester Grubb https://investigationsforthemissing.org/blog/f/gone-in-the-smoky-mountains-trenny-gibsons-disappearance Podcasts interviewing Laura Riste, case specialist

Mount Marathon in Seward Alaska - The triumph & heartbreak of one of our nation's oldest races. Seward Alaska is a small but mighty port town in Alaska with a small but mighty mountain which has contributed to the history, culture and even mystery of this town.  Join us to hear about the unique individuals and events that have put Seward on the map.   Our charity of the week is: https://coveycares.org/ Sources: Mount Marathon: Alaska’s Great Footrace by Millie Spezialy https://www.adn.com/crime-justice/article/seward-lemaitre-settle-case-missing-mount-marathon-runner-20000/2014/10/15/ https://www.alaskapublic.org/2021/07/09/listen-how-did-this-anchorage-runner-go-missing-in-a-popular-mountain-race/ https://mountmarathon.com/

Angel's Landing is one of the most popular hikes in Zion National Park.  It's also one of the most dangerous.  This episode tells some of the stories of those who have fallen.  At the end of the day, they are just like you or I or anyone else.  Their stories allow us to remember them, learn from them and appreciate the wonder that they no doubt also had for Zion National Park.   The organization nominated for a donation from this episode is Camp Chewonki in Maine in memory of Savannah McTague.  You can learn more about them here: https://camp.chewonki.org/ Below you can find the various resources researched to share these stories: https://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm https://utah.com/zion-national-park/angels-landing https://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/2019/11/17/lower-emerald-pools-trail-closure-zion-national-park-update/4226373002/ https://www.facebook.com/savannah.m.mctague Death in Zion National Park Stories of Accidents and Foolhardiness in Utah’s Grand Circle” by Randi Minetor https://www.downthetrail.com/exploring-utah/angels-landing-trail-guide-zion-deaths/ https://wgme.com/news/local/maine-woman-who-died-in-national-park-remembered-as-gifted-student https://www.sltrib.com/news/2018/02/06/angels-landing-trail-in-zion-national-park-is-closed-after-hiker-dies/ https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/08/angels-landing-update-1.html https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2007/06/st-louis-man-dies-fall-angels-landing https://www.deseret.com/2006/8/23/19970089/fatal-fall-at-zion-is-investigated https://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=/utah/ci_3934362 https://www.deseret.com/1989/4/5/18801559/preliminary-autopsy-shows-no-sign-of-foul-play-in-death-of-zion-hiker-br-but-park-service-officials

The Tomb Guards at Arlington National Cemetery | At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the standard remains perfection.  We've likely all at least heard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  This episode will share some absolutely fascinating information about the memorial itself and the soldiers who guard it.   The charity for this episode is Wreaths Across America which coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,500 additional locations. They note that during the holidays, In many homes, there is an empty seat for one who is serving or one who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.  Learn more about them at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org Information from this episode came from: https://tombguard.org/ https://www.oldguard.mdw.army.mil/regiment https://oldguard.mdw.army.mil/docs/recruiting/tog-recruiting-packet https://www.memorialdayfoundation.org/memorials/tomb-guard-sentinels.html https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/71005/10-facts-about-tomb-unknown-soldier Pocast: Mission Inspire - Episode Seven: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier that is an episode with Gavin McIlvenna, former tomb guard and President of the Society of the Honor Guard for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Viva America Podcast Trailer Travel | True Crime | History Hi there!  I’m Marilyn.  And welcome to the Viva America Podcast.  After traveling with my family to all 50 states, I am fascinated by the stories this country has to tell.  The good ones and the bad ones.  And people are always asking about our adventures and the places we have visited. The Viva America podcast won’t just share the morbid, terrifying and haunting stories of this nation, but the inspirational, wholesome and inspiring stories as well.  Balance is good. Join my son, Cameron, and I as we reflect on the places that we have visited and share stories that fascinate us. Or horrify us. Or inspire us. Or fill us with despair.  Or make us want to head out on another adventure.  After all, In the infamous words of Forrest Gump, Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.