Stories of Appalachia

By: Steve Gilly Rod Mullins
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  • Summary

  • Welcome to "Stories of Appalachia," the podcast where hosts Steve Gilly and Rod Mullins have been unraveling the captivating history and folklore of the Appalachian region since 2015. Join them as they guide you through mist-covered mountains and winding rivers, exploring the stories that define the heart and soul of Appalachia.
    Copyright Steve Gilly
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Social Sciences World
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Episodes
  • The Thousand Mile Yoyage: The Appalachian Roots of Nashville, Tennessee

    The Thousand Mile Yoyage: The Appalachian Roots of Nashville, Tennessee
    May 3 2025
    In the winter of 1779, a determined group of Appalachian settlers set out on a thousand-mile journey by river, led by Virginia surveyor John Donelson.

    Battling disease, starvation, ambushes, and the raw forces of nature, they pushed westward down the Holston River, into the Tennessee River, the Ohio and then up the Cumberland River, all through hostile and unknown lands.

    Their goal? A place called French Lick—later known as Nashville.

    In this episode, Steve and Rod trace the expedition that carried Appalachian grit to Middle Tennessee, laying the foundations for the city many call “The Athens of the South.”

    Be sure to subcribe to the Stories podcast if you haven’t done so already. You’ll find us on your favorite podcast app and our YouTube channel.

    Thanks for listening!
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    20 mins
  • Land, Power and a Little Fish: The Tellico Dam Story

    Land, Power and a Little Fish: The Tellico Dam Story
    Apr 26 2025
    Today we tell the story of the battle over the Tellico Dam, the last major project of the Tennessee Valley Authority. TVA's ambitious plans for the Tellico project included not only a dam and lake but also the development of a brand-new city to be called Timberlake.

    However, the project faced fierce resistance from landowners who were being forced to sell their land, the Cherokee, whose most important Overhill towns were going to be flooded by the dam, and environmentalists trying to save the habitat of the endangered snail darter fish.

    A lawsuit over the fish won a victory in the Supreme Court for those wanting to stop the Tellico Dam, but that wasn’t the end of the story, as you’ll find out in this episode.

    If you like our stories, be sure to subscribe to the Stories of Appalachia podcast on your favorite podcast app or on our YouTube channel.

    Thanks for listening!
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    14 mins
  • The First Tennesseans: William and Lydia Bean

    The First Tennesseans: William and Lydia Bean
    Apr 19 2025
    Nearly twenty years before Tennessee was a state, William Bean built a cabin along the Watagua River and planted roots. In this episode, we tell the story of his journey from longhunter to settler, his friendship with Daniel Boone, and his wife Lydia’s dramatic rescue from execution by Cherokee Beloved Woman Nancy Ward.

    It’s the story of Tennessee’s first settlement, the founding of Bean Station, and a life that helped shape the Appalachian frontier.

    Like what you hear? Subscribe to the Stories podcast on your favorite podcast app and on our YouTube channel so you never miss an episode.

    Thanks for listening!
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    14 mins
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