Poisoned Appalachia: the Dark Side of Appalachia
This podcast explores the darker aspects of Appalachia, focusing on its folklore, mythology, and history of true crime, murders, and disasters. The host shares unsettling tales and spooky stories from the region, uncovering its eerie and mysterious side. Listeners can expect a journey into the hidden and sometimes sinister stories that have shaped this enigmatic part of the world.
Episodes
Episode 83 Bobby Joe Long
He was born in a small West Virginia town. Decades later, he became one of Florida's most feared serial killers. But one 17-year-old girl would help bring his killing spree to an end. This is the story of Bobby Joe Long and the incredible survival of Lisa McVey. 🎙️
Episode 82 Fred Zain
For years, Fred Zain was one of West Virginia’s most trusted forensic experts. Prosecutors relied on his findings, juries believed his testimony, and men were sent to prison based in part on the science he presented in court.Then DNA testing began telling a very different story.In this episode of Poisoned Appalachia, we uncover the Fred Zain scandal—questionable lab results, ignored warnings, wron
Episode 81: Fairies of Appalachia
Fairies in Appalachia?Absolutely—but forget the tiny wings, glitter, and happily-ever-afters.Long before the modern fairy tale, the Fair Folk of European folklore were mysterious, unpredictable, and sometimes dangerous beings that demanded respect. And when Scots-Irish, German, and other European settlers crossed the Atlantic, they brought those old beliefs with them into the Appalachian Mountains
Episode 80: the Death Fog
Sometimes, the darkest stories in Appalachia aren’t legends. They’re history.Five days before Halloween in 1948, a strange yellow fog settled over the Pennsylvania mill town of Donora and nearby Webster. At first, life continued beneath the haze. There was a Halloween parade. A Friday night football game. The mills kept running.Then people started struggling to breathe.As the fog thickened, doctor
Episode 79: the land between the lakes
Land Between the LakesDeep between the rivers of Kentucky and Tennessee lies a place where history, tragedy, and legend have become tangled together. In this episode, we explore the communities lost beneath the waters of Land Between the Lakes, the unsolved murders of Carla Atkins and Vickie Stout, and the chilling legend of the Beast of LBL. From haunted cemeteries and strange encounters to stori
Episode 78 Eugenics in Appalachia.
What happens when a government decides who is “fit” to have a family—and who isn’t? This is one of the darkest chapters in Virginia and Appalachian history, and the connection to Shenandoah National Park is complicated, disturbing, and often overlooked.
Episode 77 Black Eyed Children
Have you ever heard the knock?The one that comes late at night…When a child stands on your porch asking to be let inside.Their voice sounds normal.Their face looks innocent.Until you notice their eyes.Completely black.No whites.No pupils.Just darkness.Are they demons?Aliens pretending to be human?Or could they be something far older…Forgotten ghost children whose stories have survived for centurie
Episode 76: Pat Postiglione qnd the murder squad
Nashville is known for bright lights, country music, and Southern charm.But beneath the neon signs and crowded streets, another story was unfolding.A story of murder.Missing people.Cold cases.And victims whose names were slowly fading from the headlines.Then there was Detective Sergeant Patrick Postiglione.Some called it a photographic memory.Others believed he simply had an extraordinary ability
Episode 75 Corpsewood Manor
What happens when two men leave everything behind to build their dream in the Appalachian Mountains… only for that dream to end in bloodshed?This week on Poisoned Appalachia, we’re climbing the lonely ridges of northwest Georgia to uncover the haunting story of Corpsewood Manor.It was a hand-built castle hidden deep in the woods. A place without electricity… without neighbors… and surrounded by ru
episode 74 buffalo creek disaster
Appalachia has always lived with the mountains.The mountains gave people coal.They gave them work.They gave them a place to call home.But sometimes… the mountains gave something back.On the morning of February 26, 1972, after days of relentless rain, a coal waste dam high above Buffalo Creek in Logan County, West Virginia, collapsed.What followed wasn’t a flood.It was a wall of black water, coal s
Poisoned Appalachia is finally back.
I’ll be going back to our regular schedule starting tomorrow new episodes every Monday at four.
Episode 73: the battle of Blair Mountain
In 1921, the mountains of West Virginia became a battlefield.Tens of thousands of coal miners took up arms against coal companies, private detectives, and state power in what became the largest labor uprising—and the largest armed conflict on U.S. soil since the Civil War.This episode of Poisoned Appalachia explores the forces that led to the Battle of Blair Mountain: company towns, union busting,
Episode 72: Haunted Virginia
In this episode, we step inside St. Albans Sanatorium, one of Virginia’s most haunted locations. Once a psychiatric hospital, its walls witnessed electroshock therapy, lobotomies, and brutal treatments that left countless patients broken—or dead. From extreme overcrowding to the infamous Suicide Bathroom, we explore how suffering, neglect, and despair may have left something behind. This is not ju
Episode 71 : centenniql Olympic park bombing
The centennial Olympic park bobbing occurred on July 27, 1996 in Atlanta Georgia during the summer Olympics. The blast directly killed one person and injured 111 others. This is that story.
Episode 70: the Lawson Fanily murders
A Christmas photograph. A hollow full of silence. A mystery that never left the mountains.
Episode 68: the silver bridge collapse
December 15, 1967.On this day, we remember the Silver Bridge Disaster, when the bridge spanning the Ohio River between Point Pleasant, West Virginia, and Gallipolis, Ohio, collapsed during the evening rush hour. Forty-six lives were lost, and countless families and communities were forever changed.
Episode 68: haunted Kentucky
Find out about some of the most haunted places in Kentucky in this weeks episode.
Episode 67: the colonial parkway murders
A quiet Virginia road.Four double homicides.No suspects. No answers.The Colonial Parkway Murders remain one of America’s most chilling unsolved cases…and my next podcast episode dives into the darkness.
Wholesome Appalachia episode 10: Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone is an Appalachian folk hero. A larger than life character. Find out his story on this episode.
Episode 66: Oak Ridge, Tennessee and the Manhattan Project
During World War II, Oak Ridge, Tennessee was a vital part of the war effort in of the Manhattan Project. No one in the town knew what they were working on until after Japan was bombed.
Episode 65: southern airways flight 932 (the Marshall university football team plane crash)
On November 14, 1970, southern airways flight 932 crashed at the Huntington airport, killing all on board. Most of the Marshall university football team was on board as well as several prominent boosters.
Episode 64: Haunted Tennessee
Discover some of the most haunted places in Tennessee in this episode.
Bonus episode: Halloween history and traditions
Happy Halloween y’all A little bonus episode on the history or Halloween and how it’s celebrated around the world. My treat to you!
Episode 63: Appalachia’s Most Haunted
Take a little road trip through Appalachia as I cover some of the most haunted places in Appalachia. Some of these I’ve done prior episodes on but there are some new places to discover.
Episode 62 Appalachian Rural Legends
Find out about some Appalachian legends like Skinned Tom, giants in Appalachia, the vampire of big stone gap and more.
Episode 61 The Greenbrier Ghost
The greenbrier ghost resulted in the only murder case solved by a ghost. Find out the story in this weeks episode.
Episode 60 Haunted North Carolina
Every month I do a different hunted state episode. In today’s episode is haunted North Carolina.
Episode 59: Shawnee myths and legends
Shawnee myths and legends. I’ve did the Cherokee myths and legends already, but the Shawnee are a big part of my part of Appalachia, so I thought I would cover them here.
Episode 58 Georgia Tann
Georgia Tann was an American child trafficker and social worker who operated the Tennessee Children's Home Society, an unlicensed adoption agency in Memphis, Tennessee. Tann used the home as a front for her black market baby adoption scheme from the 1920s to 1950. Over 5000 children were trafficked in her time.
Wholesome Appalachia episode 9: John Brown
John Brown was a man of action -- a man who would not be deterred from his mission of abolishing slavery. On October 16, 1859, he led 21 men on a raid of the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia.
Episode 57: Fraterville mining disaster.
The Fraterville mine disaster was a combine explosion that occurred on May 19, 1902 near the community of Fraterville in the US state of Tennessee
Episode 56: Haunted South Carolina
Join my in the 4th haunted Appalachian states series and find out what makes south Carolina so haunted.
Episode 55: Donald Harvey, the angel of death
Donald Harvey killed over 70 people in the 1970s and 1980s. He said it was mercy killings but find out how this sadistic monster went on as long as he did e.
Bonus episode Bigfoot creatures
My happy anniversary gift to Y’all. I had so much info on Bigfoot , I thought I would include a bonus episode of all the Bigfoot type creatures out there.
Episode 54 Bigfoot
It’s my one year anniversary episode! I thought I’d do it on Bigfoot since the legend is one of the biggest in the cryptid world. Let’s find out more about Bigfoot and what it could be.
Episode 53: haunted Georgia
Next in the haunted state series is haunted Georgia. From haunted battlefields to haunted cemeteries to haunted lake m, find out why Georgia is full of haunted places.
Episode: 52 Mary Ingles
In the 1700s, Mary ingles was kidnapped in her town and n Virginia by the Shawnee Indians I. The French and Indian war. She was taken to southern Ohio. Hear about her story and escape in this weeks episode.
Episode 51: Samuel Mason
Samuel Mason’s story is an interesting one. He went from being a military leader, to Justice of the Peace and ended up as a river pirate. Find out his story in this weeks episode.
Wholesome Appalachia episode 8: Sergeant York
Sergeant York was an American soldier who was one of the most decorated United States Army soldier of World War I and he was a pacifist who was almost a conscientious objector
Episode 50: mad butcher of Fayette County
Between 1962 to 1964 in Fayette County West Virginia, seven men vanished. Although they were all assumed to have been deceased, only a few of their bodies are found or parts of their bodies at least. Was there a serial killer, stocking and killing victims in the area? Find out in this episode.
Episode 49: Haunted Alabama
Continuing our haunted states, today’s episode is on Alabama. From land to sea, Alabama is full of haunted places. Check out this episode to learn more.
Episode 48: the Monongah Mining disaster
Find out about americas worst mining disaster. It occurred in 1907 and was the catalyst for the creation of the bureau of mines.
Episode 47 Moon Eyed People
Find out about the Moon Eyed people of Cherokee Legends. Were they European explorers who came over many centuries before Columbus? Were they an unknown tribe? Were they aliens? Let’s delve into it in this episode.
Wholesome Appalachia episode 7: John Glenn
This month’s Wholesome Appalachia Episode is about John Glenn. American astronaut, senator, and Appalachian.
Episode 46: the Great Train Wreck of 1918 (and others)
In 1918 there were three very deadly train wrecks. The deadliest of the three was the Great Train Wreck of 1918, as the Dutchman’s Curve Wreck, killed over 100 people and led to major changes in railroad safety.
Episode 45: America’s First Serial Killers
Find out about the Harpe brothers, America’s first serial killers, and their murderous rampage through Kentucky and Tennessee.
Episode 44: Haunted Mississippi
Haunted Mississippi. Mosissippi is parrt of Appalachia; part of Mississippi anyhow. Find our more about the haunted places in Mississippi in this weeks episode.
Episode 43 The Trail of Tears
The Trail of Tears was the forced displacement of about 60,000 people of the "Five Civilized Tribes" between 1830 and 1850,
Episode 42: diseases in Appalachia
Episode 42: diseases of Appalachia. Find out what has been killing appalachians from the native Americans to appalchuans in the 19th century and even in Appalachia today. #podcast #podcasting
Episode 41: the national forest killer
Find out about Gary Michael Hilton, the national Forest serial killer. In here about his victims and their murders.
Episode 40: Waverly Hills Sanatorium
Louisville, Kentucky was hit hard by tuberculosis in the lat 19th and early 20th century. Wavery Hills sanatorium was built to house the patients. Find out about its history and why it’s one of the most haunted places in the United States in this weeks episode.
Episode 39: Circleville Letter Writer
In Circleville, Ohio in 1977 an anonymous individual began sending threatening letters out to the people of the town They contain threats of violence and supposed to blackmail and cursing the recipients into complying with the writer’s wishes
Episode 38 Willow island disaster.
In 1978, the biggest construction disaster in the United States happened at the pleasants power station in Willow island l, West Virginia. Find out more on today’s episode.
Wholesome Appalachia episode 6: Mother Jones
Mary Harris Jones “Mother Jones” was essential to the labor strikes of the early 20th century. Especially vital to the mine workers in Appalachia, she fought for reform for the labor unions and workers. Learn her story today.
Episode 37: cryptids of Appalachia part 2
In October I did cryptids of Appalachia part one and there were plenty more to cover. So join me today for part 2 of cryptids of Appalachia and find out what’s lurking in your neck of the woods.
Episode 36: the Cult of the Unknown Tongues
In 1933 in Kentucky, the only known ritual killing in Appalachia occurred. Find out about the death of Lucinda Mills and the Cult of the unknown tongues.
Episode 35: the history of moonshine
What’s more Appalachian than moonshine? Find out the history of moonshine on this week’s episode.
Episode 34: the West Virginia State Penitentiary
West Virginia state Penitentiary. Learn the history of the prison and find out why a prison built near a Native American burial ground may be one of the most haunted prisons in America.
Wholesome Appalachia episode 5: Sequoyah
Wholesome Appalachia episode 5: SequoyahFind out about Sequoyah and how he created a written language (syllabary) for the Cherokee people to help them communicate with each other.
Episode 33: the Hatchet Slayers
In the 1800s, two serial killers came together and killed a man in Wheeling, West Virginia. Find out their stories in this weeks episode.
Episode 32: the dark history of the Ku Klux Klan
I’ve debated doing this one since I started. I really don’t want to give any time to them. But also, I feel it needs talked about. It’s definitely a dark side of Appalachia thing. But we need to learn from our history so we don’t repeat it and I feel like there is a lot of hate in this world and it’s sometimes easy to get pulled into that. That’s why I’m doing this episode on the dark history of t
Episode 31: alien invasion of 1973
Was the us invaded by aliens in 1973? Or was it something explainable. Listen to this episode to find out about all of the ufo sightings in October 1973.
Episode 30: Hillsville Massacre
On March 14, 1912, there was a shooting at the Carrol county courthouse in Hillaville, Virginia. Five people were killed and 7 injured in a barrage of bullets that lasted about 90 seconds. Find out the story on this weeks episode.
Wholesome Appalachia episode 4: Ida B Wells
On today’s episode, find out about Ida B Wells. Ida is a strong African American figure who fought for rights and freedoms for all African Americans during the reconstruction era and in the early 20th century.
Episode 29 Appalachian weather disasters
Find out about the different weather calamities that have hit the Appalachian mountains through the years and how we Appalachians always seem to persevere.
Bonus episode: Valentine’s Day
Uncover the traditions and history of Valentine’s Day and take a walk down the dark side of the holiday.
Episode 28 Brown Mountain Lights
Find out about Brown Mountain lights and other ghost lights phenomena in Appalachia and around the country. Learn what may be the cause and what they could be.
Episode 27: the Battle of Matewan
In West Virginia in the 1900s, coal miners were fighting for fundamental worker rights. Find out what happened in Matewan, West Virginia, when the mines hired goons and the miners came head to head on the city streets of Matewan.
Episode 26: Murders on the Appalachian Trail
Discover the people that were murdered on the Appalachian trail and who murdered then. The odds of getting killed on the trail are super rare. But there is always a chance.
Episode 25: John Henry
Was John Henry a real man or a myth? Either way his legend is known by most people. Find out his story on this episode.
Wholesome Appalachia bonus episode 3 : Chuck Yeager
West Virginia’s one and only Chuck Yeager who was the first pilot to break the sound barrier among many other things. He was a somewhat flawed individual but his contributions to aviation are remarkable.
Episode 24: the many minds of Billy Milligan
In the 1970s, Billy Milligan was charged with raping three women at the Ohio State University. He was the first person diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder to identify it as a defense for his crimes. He also was the first acquitted of a major crime for this reason, instead spending a decade in psychiatric hospitals.
Episode 23: Wendigos in Appalachia
Learn about Wendigos and skinwalkers in this episode. Their differences and their similarities. Are either in Appalachia? Find out by listening.
Episode 22: the Fast Food Killer
In the late 1990s, Paul Dennis Reid went on a killing spree in Nashville, Tennessee. He ended up hitting three restaurants in 3 months, killing 7 people.
Bonus episode: Christmas traditions
Merry Christmas and happy holidays. Since I can’t afford to buy y’all a gift, this is the best I can do. ABonus episode on Christmas traditions around the world.
Episode 21: the Sodder Family Disappearance
On Christmas Eve in 1945, the Sodder family in Fayetteville, WV, house caught fire. Before the night was over, 5 of their children were declared dead, but no remains were found. What really happened to the children?
Wholesome Appalachia episode 2: Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton is a country music, actress, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. She’s practically the definition of wholesome Appalachia. Find out her story and what makes her an absolute gem of a person.
Episode 20 the Curse of Lake Lanier
This 20th episode is about Lake Lanier or Lake Sidney Lanier in Georgia. Find out why people think this lake is haunted. Over 700 deaths since its inception on the 1950s, it’s considered America’s most deadly lake. Thanks for helping me make it to episode 20. I couldn’t have done it without you all.
Episode 19: the Ghosts of Gettysburg
The battle of Gettysburg, was the bloodiest battle of the civil war. Today the battlefield and surrounding area, is one of the most haunted places in America. Find out more about Gettysburg and its ghosts in today’s episode.
Episode 18: the Hatfields and McCoys
Listen to this episode about the Hatfields and McCoys. A feud that went on for over 30 years and people still talk about to this day.
