Our guest this week is Nate Clark, who works in the accounting department of Texas Roadhouse restaurants. Texas Roadhouse is a corporate sponsor of CAP's Hunger Walk event each September and has been sending corporate mission groups to volunteer in Appalachia every year since 2008. Having been on many of these service trips, Nate reflects on the impacts of volunteerism and his passion for taking care of others who are in need.  

Our guest this week on The Mountain Spirit is a renowned photographer named Warren Brunner. Warren moved to Appalachia and captured important photographs of people and their struggles. He is known for his celebrated work documenting the War on Poverty in the 1960's. Listen to Warren describe his time in Appalachia photographing everything from coal mines to Mother Teresa, following Fr. Beiting as he worked on early CAP programing, and capturing different places of worship across the entire region. 

This week's episode continues our Anniversary season of The Mountain Spirit with special guest Joyce Marks. Joyce is the director of the Jackson County Food Bank in McKee, KY. She and her husband came to Appalachia to work for Christian Appalachian Project during its earlier days, leading them to be instrumental in the construction of Camp AJ, and other early CAP initiatives. Together, they raised nine kids in Eastern Kentucky. Listen as Joyce shares what has sustained her passion for serving people in need in Appalachia. 

August 2024, Christian Appalachian Project turns 60 years old We are celebrating our anniversary with a special season of the podcast. Join us as we kick off season four with CAP's president and CEO, Guy Adams. Throughout his early adult life, Guy discovered the Appalachian heritage of his family and began to feel God equipping him for work in philanthropy, making a difference for people in need. Guy's journey came full circle when he was asked to become CAP's president, bringing hope to people in need through service. Hear more of his incredible journey and listen to the insight he has to share about leading in difficult times and remaining focused on service to others. 

Our guest today is Pastor Chris Kimbro, lead pastor of King’s River Worship Center and director of Community Bridge. Originally from Kentucky, Chris moved to West Viriginia, where he would become a pastor and start a family. Now Chris and his church have been transforming the lives of people in need in their community.

Our guest is Jared Arnett, Pastor of Teaching and Leadership at New Beginnings Fellowship Church. Jared is a lifelong Appalachian who lives in the region by choice. He has been involved in several initiatives and has rarely had a job that existed prior to him stepping into it. Listen to Jared as he shares his journey as a leader in Appalachia, constantly creating new possibilities in the region.

Michaela Fisher grew up in Appalachia, attending camp at CAP's Camp Shawnee, and cultivating a deep commitment to serving others. Now, she helps children and families in need as a mental health counselor with CAP's Family Life Counseling Services. Join us on this special episode as Michaela articulates the stigma surrounding mental health in Appalachia and how she is working to break the cycle of generational trauma in our region.

On today's episode of The Mountain Spirit, we hear from Lauren McCoart, Director of Prestonsburg Tourism in Prestonsburg, KY. Lauren is a lifelong Appalachian with a desire to expose others to the rich beauty of her region.

Today's episode of The Mountain Spirit podcast features Elmer Whitaker, President/CEO of Whitaker Bank. Elmer talks with us about his family's legacy and how he is equipping leaders in Appalachia through Leadership Kentucky.

Today's guest is Nicky Stacy. Nicky works at the Hazel Green Food Project in Hazel Green, KY. The Hazel Green Food Project serves countless participants who come to their facility from the immediate and surrounding counties. Listen to Nicky's stories of hope as she explains why she is here to serve.

On this final episode of Season Two, our guest is Octavia Sexton, an Appalachian writer and storyteller. Octavia is an educator and advocate for preserving Appalachian culture, who challenges stereotypes of what it means to be Appalachian.

This week's episode of The Mountain Spirit podcast features Chrysta Ghent from the East Kentucky Science Center and Varia Planetarium. Chrysta shares how her love of science propels her to provide science education to people in Appalachia. Join us in discovering the wonder of science taking place at this hidden gem in Eastern Kentucky.

Our guest this week is Ethan Forhetz, Vice President of Public Engagement with Convey of Hope. Convoy of Hope is a faith-based organization based in Springfield, MO, dedicated to feeding children, helping communities through outreach, and offering disaster relief services. Learn about the impact that Convoy of Hope is having on the world as they strive to do the next kind thing for people in need.

Today's guest is April Points, a Philanthropy Support Specialist with Christian Appalachian Project. April grew up in Harlan County hearing about the hardships of natural disaster, and jumped at the opportunity to help people in need when floods affected Eastern Kentucky in 2022. Volunteering with her church, April served her Appalachian neighbors in need. Volunteering led April to find even more opportunities to make a difference every single day.

Today's guest is J.D. Bussell, principal of Rockcastle County High School in Mount Vernon, KY. J.D. was born and raised in Rockcastle County where he would eventually settle down to teach chemistry at Rockcastle County High School. Located in one of our primary service areas, the school partners with CAP to address poverty and food insecurity in the area. Now as principal of Rockcastle County High School, JD shares the deep connections he has built with CAP throughout his life, beginning when he was baptized as an infant by Rev. Ralph W. Beiting, CAP's founder.

Season two of The Mountain Spirit begins with John Oliva, a mechanical engineer who also serves as an ambassador for Christian Appalachian Project (CAP). John helps recruit students from around the country to attend our annual WorkFest/YouthFest (an alternative Spring break program). Each Spring, John travels to Appalachia with these students and works to ensure that Eastern Kentucky homes are safe, warm, and dry. John has a love for serving, and his work does not end with CAP. Find out more about John's story and how he navigates the world in service to people in need.

CAP's Operation Sharing program partners with over 1,300 nonprofit organizations, community-based agencies, churches, and schools across all 13 Appalachian states, as well two Ozark states, Missouri and Arkansas, to collect and deliver donated goods to 1.5 million people. One of the partners is New St. Hurricane Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. On today's episode we hear from the pastor of New St. Hurricane Church, Derick Easter. Pastor Easter shares the history of their congregation, how he came to serve there, and what it means for their community to partner with CAP’s Operation Sharing, as they expand their reach.

Join us today for a conversation with Rev. Dwayne Mills. Rev. Mills is the executive director of Appalachia Reach Out (ARO) in Martin County, KY. You heard from Rev. Mills earlier this season on one of our show promotional episodes. That teaser was so well received that we brought him back for a full episode. In this episode, Rev. Mills shares God's radical call on his life. When he answered God's call to pastor his childhood church, he soon realized God had even greater plans. Listen to Rev. Mills' story of putting his faith into action.

As the world moves forward from tragic events, the people who are victims don't have that same luxury. Meet Brenda. She is a survivor of the July 2022 floods. She lives in Eastern Kentucky with her granddaughter, trying to piece her life back together following a series of tragedies. Brenda's home is the 100th house repaired by CAP after the floods. Listen to Brenda's story and learn what it means to cling to gratitude despite losing everything.

Today is Giving Tuesday. On this Global Day of Giving, your gift gets MATCHED up to $75,000, thanks to a generous group of CAP friends. It is because of generous doners that CAP is able to help in times of disaster and make sure homes are safe, warm, and dry. On this week's bonus episode, we revisit a conversation with CAP's Bryan Byrd and Melissa Eckenrode from the University of Scranton, following initial disaster recovery efforts earlier this year. Hear how the spirit of generosity brought student volunteers to Appalachia to serve people in need during CAP's annual WorkFest alternative spring break program.