Get ready for an exciting episode as we welcome today's guest, Matt Jones, founder and host of Kentucky Sports Radio. During the heart of March Madness, Matt stops by to share his heart for Appalachia. From humble beginnings in Middlesboro, KY to becoming a sports media figure featured on HBO and ESPN, Matt's journey is extraordinary. Tune in to hear how his Appalachian roots have shaped his identity, faith, and philanthropic work, making him the inspiring figure he is today.

Get ready for an electrifying episode as we go behind the scenes with Robert Daniels, the Technical Director at the Mountain Arts Center! With over 20 years of experience, Robert has been the driving force behind countless breathtaking performances. Tune in for an inspiring adventure into the world of live entertainment in Appalachia!

This week's guest is Jeremiah Parsons, Executive Director of Tourism for Paintsville, Kentucky. A native of Floyd County, Jeremiah has been involved in tourism since 2002, starting at Jenny Wiley Theatre as Sales and Marketing Director. Jeremiah is passionate about the arts and education, serving as President and Director of Main Street Players in Paintsville, KY. He shares with us the significance of the Historic SIPP Theater in downtown Paintsville and how his job is the best in the world because he gets to "talk about home."

What does it take to create real change in public health? Angela Carman—researcher, innovator, and community advocate—is on a mission to make an impact. With funding from NIH, CDC, and Robert Wood Johnson, she’s revolutionizing how we implement interventions, engage communities, and improve public health systems. Don’t miss this eye-opening conversation—because the future of public health starts NOW!

For over 35 years, Vonda has been a driving force in affordable housing and community development, connecting leaders, transforming lives, and strengthening communities across six states. As Fahe’s Senior VP of Membership, she’s not just building networks—she’s building a legacy. Get ready for an inspiring conversation that will ignite your own mission for change.

In this gripping season premiere, we sit down with Melissa Helton, Literary Arts Director at Hindman Settlement School and editor of Troublesome Rising—a raw and powerful anthology capturing the devastation of the July 2022 floods through the voices of Appalachian writers.

Today we hear from Aaron Thoms, manager of CAP's Operation Sharing program. Aaron shares his CAP journey and the origins of Operation Sharing. Over the course of 30 plus years, Operation Sharing has delivered more than $2 billion worth of donated materials to more than 1.5 million people across all 13 Appalachian states and two Ozark states, Arkansas and Missouri. The program receives gift-in-kind donations to distribute from caring partners and corporations at warehouses in Corbin and Paintsville, Kentucky. These donations often include, but are not limited to: food, office supplies, household supplies, furniture, beverages, building supplies, hygiene items, and clothing. CAP's Operation Sharing Program partners with a network of more than 1,300 nonprofit organizations, community-based agencies, schools, and churches throughout the Appalachian region to deliver hope to people in need through the distribution of essential items. 

In today's episode of The Mountain Spirit, we sit down with Tom Vicini, President and CEO of Operation UNITE, to discuss the critical work being done to combat addiction and support recovery in Appalachia. With over 17 years of leadership at UNITE and decades of community service, Vicini shares insights into the challenges and successes of prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives in the region. Learn how innovative programs and grassroots efforts are making a difference in the lives of individuals and families affected by substance use, and hear Vicini’s vision for building healthier, drug-free communities.

In this episode, we welcome Sandi Curd, Engagement Director at Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation and a trailblazer in community and economic development in Appalachia. Dr. Curd shares her wealth of experience working with local governments, nonprofits, and federal agencies to drive innovation and growth in Eastern Kentucky. Sandi discusses strategies for fostering collaboration as we address the region’s unique challenges. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about transforming Appalachia’s economic landscape and empowering its people.

Today's guest is Robyn Renner, director of Disaster Relief at CAP. Robyn shares the ways she serves God during times of disaster, leaning on her faith to help others. She has been on the ground during hurricanes from Katrina to Helene, she has mucked out homes during flooding in her home state of Kentucky, and even built homes in Haiti and El Salvador. From facing disaster of her own to traveling across the world to help people in need, Robyn continues to live out her faith every day. 

Today's guest is Matt Smith, lead pastor of Believers Church in Johnson City, TN, professor of Sociology at Big Sandy Community and Technical College, and a life-long Appalachian. Matt shares his struggle with substance use, and how God's call has been weaved throughout different moments in his journey. 

Visit Believers Church website here.

Connect with Believers Church channels here.

Jackie Collier, CAP's first female chair of the board, kicks off Season 5 of The Mountain Spirit podcast. Today we get to hear about Jackie's leadership style and her career journey which led her into many positions of influence as the first woman in various leadership roles at both CAP and Berea College.

Today's guest is Dave Harl, an award-winning filmmaker and producer. Dave has traveled the world filming documentary films from interviewing World War II veterans in Japan to exploring non-profit work in India. Dave calls Kentucky home and has also produced years of video content for Christian Appalachian Project. 

Visit Pinnacle Productions website here. 

Watch Dave's videos on Vimeo. 

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.