Episodes

  • Season 7 Episode 1: Fresh Expressions as Communities of Justice

    Season 7 Episode 1: Fresh Expressions as Communities of Justice
    21 Sep 2026

    Live from the 2026 Wild Goose Festival, Joe talks with United Methodist pastor/church planter/educator/author/entrepreneur Michael Beck about how the Fresh Expressions movement is spawning contextual communities of justice and liberation-oriented folks in sometimes surprising places. *PLEASE NOTE: This episode was recorded in an outdoor venue with lots of activity all around, so please accept our apologies for the less-than-studio sound quality.
    Show more Show less
    45 min
  • Season 6 Episode 1: How is it with the soul of Central Appalachia?

    Season 6 Episode 1: How is it with the soul of Central Appalachia?
    5 Sep 2025

    Live from the 2025 Wild Goose Festival, we kick off Season 6 as Joe sits down with Rev. Brad Davis of From Below: Rising Together for Coalfield Justice to ask the question "How is it with your soul?" in regards to the work of justice in one of the poorest regions of the country. (Special thanks to our friend Charles Bretan of A Jew and a Gentile Walk Into a Bar...Mitzvah for producing this episode!)
    Show more Show less
    43 min
  • Season 5 Episode 10: Spilling the Black Girl Tea Part 4 - Spaces and Places

    Season 5 Episode 10: Spilling the Black Girl Tea Part 4 - Spaces and Places
    30 Sep 2024

    “Spilling the Black Girl Tea: Unfiltered Stories from the Heart of Appalachia” is a multimedia project built on the fundamental belief that the people who are the least heard have the most important things to say. The storytellers in the project are Black girls and women who call West Virginia home — part of a vibrant but often overlooked group that comprises less than 2.5% of the entire Mountain State’s population. Their stories are those of the challenges and joys of Black identity. In the series, seventeen Black girls and women, ranging in ages from 16 to 80, candidly share their experiences in intimate conversations. The participants are students, community leaders, educators, advocates, activists and entrepreneurs who are talking about what matters to them most.

    Part 4: Spaces and Places

    Four Black women creatives from West Virginia share their experiences of using art as a powerful tool for self-expression and identity exploration. In a conversation facilitated by Royce Lyden, they delve into the challenges they experience as straight and queer folx navigating both the Black community and predominantly white spaces. In the face of pressure to conform to competing societal expectations for Black women, they highlight the importance of safe spaces, setting boundaries, and the need for self care. Participants: Tiara Brown, Ilene Evans, Kasha Snyder McDonald, Oceanna Smith Guest Host: Royce Lyden

    Episode videos and more: https://wvfaith.org/spilling-the-black-girl-tea/
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 11 min
  • Season 5 Episode 9: Spilling the Black Girl Tea Part 3 - Health and Healers

    Season 5 Episode 9: Spilling the Black Girl Tea Part 3 - Health and Healers
    23 Sep 2024
    “Spilling the Black Girl Tea: Unfiltered Stories from the Heart of Appalachia” is a multimedia project built on the fundamental belief that the people who are the least heard have the most important things to say. The storytellers in the project are Black girls and women who call West Virginia home — part of a vibrant but often overlooked group that comprises less than 2.5% of the entire Mountain State’s population. Their stories are those of the challenges and joys of Black identity. In the series, seventeen Black girls and women, ranging in ages from 16 to 80, candidly share their experiences in intimate conversations. The participants are students, community leaders, educators, advocates, activists and entrepreneurs who are talking about what matters to them most. Part 3: Health and Healers West Virginia journalist and Black by God founder Crystal Good facilitates a conversation among three women about healing practices and mental health in Black Appalachian communities. Together they explore the places from which healing originates, the liberation inherent in art and creativity, the unique mental health challenges faced by Black women, and the significance of food in community gatherings and healing practices. To everyone’s delight, there’s even a spontaneous ode to the air fryer. Participants: Dr. Octavia Cordon, Dr. Shanequa Smith, A. Toni Young Guest Host: Royce Lyden Episode videos and more: https://wvfaith.org/spilling-the-black-girl-tea/
    Show more Show less
    35 min
  • Season 5 Episode 8: Spilling the Black Girl Tea Part 2: Girls and Curls

    Season 5 Episode 8: Spilling the Black Girl Tea Part 2: Girls and Curls
    16 Sep 2024
    “Spilling the Black Girl Tea: Unfiltered Stories from the Heart of Appalachia” is a multimedia project built on the fundamental belief that the people who are the least heard have the most important things to say. The storytellers in the project are Black girls and women who call West Virginia home — part of a vibrant but often overlooked group that comprises less than 2.5% of the entire Mountain State’s population. Their stories are those of the challenges and joys of Black identity. In the series, seventeen Black girls and women, ranging in ages from 16 to 80, candidly share their experiences in intimate conversations. The participants are students, community leaders, educators, advocates, activists and entrepreneurs who are talking about what matters to them most. Part 2: Girls and Curls With a focus on hair, beauty, makeup, and style, four students from 16 to 25 years old explore the experiences of Black women and girls in schools and society. Jennifer Wells facilitates a conversation highlighting the importance of holding space for young black girls and women and acknowledging the impact of comments and judgments on their self-esteem and style choices. They share with one another personal stories about styling Black hair, the influence of societal beauty norms, and the challenges they’ve faced, such as colorism, bullying, and discrimination against natural hair. Participants: Jaidyn Carter, Camryn Pressley, Freda Reaves, Myya Williams Guest Host: Royce Lyden Episode videos and more: https://wvfaith.org/spilling-the-black-girl-tea/
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 17 min
  • Episode 99: Spilling the Black Girl Tea Part 1 - Learning and Leading

    Episode 99: Spilling the Black Girl Tea Part 1 - Learning and Leading
    9 Sep 2024
    “Spilling the Black Girl Tea: Unfiltered Stories from the Heart of Appalachia” is a multimedia project built on the fundamental belief that the people who are the least heard have the most important things to say. The storytellers in the project are Black girls and women who call West Virginia home — part of a vibrant but often overlooked group that comprises less than 2.5% of the entire Mountain State’s population. Their stories are those of the challenges and joys of Black identity. In the series, seventeen Black girls and women, ranging in ages from 16 to 80, candidly share their experiences in intimate conversations. The participants are students, community leaders, educators, advocates, activists and entrepreneurs who are talking about what matters to them most. Part 1: Learning and Leading In a conversation facilitated by Anitra Hamilton, two educators explore their personal stories of growing up in different cities, confronting racism and segregation, and the profound impact that community support and Black teachers had on their lives. Together these three women of different generations share their journeys navigating the education system and rising to leadership positions, highlighting the significance of Black sororities, the values of sisterhood and service, and the enduring importance of collective action in the fight for social justice and equality. Participants: Dr. Amena Anderson, Dr. Florita Montgomery Guest Host: Royce Lyden Episode videos and more: https://wvfaith.org/spilling-the-black-girl-tea/
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 23 min
  • Season 5 Episode 6: Wild Goose '24: The West Virginia Water Crisis in Theological Perspective

    Season 5 Episode 6: Wild Goose '24: The West Virginia Water Crisis in Theological Perspective
    16 Jul 2024

    Joe talks with Brad Davis and Josh Scott about how colonialist interpretations of the Bible have helped contribute to the social, economic, political, and spiritual exploitation of Central Appalachia, including the WV water crisis, at the 2024 Wild Goose Festival. (Our apologies for the extra bit of background noise...this episode was recorded live in an open area without studio controls.)

    Learn more about From Below here --> https://www.facebook.com/groups/629075958675198

    Check out Josh Scott's work here --> https://www.joshscott.online/
    Show more Show less
    48 min
  • Season 5 Episode 5: A renewed focus on justice for WV United Methodists

    Season 5 Episode 5: A renewed focus on justice for WV United Methodists
    14 Jun 2024

    Fresh off the 2024 Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in West Virginia, Heather and Joe take a look at two resolutions that signal a renewed focus on social justice for the denomination in the Mountain State and beyond. Show links: Hope for McDowell: https://hopeinthemountains.com/donate/ (please specify “Hope for McDowell” on the donation page) From Below: Rising Together for Coalfield Justice: https://www.facebook.com/groups/629075958675198 [Cover image courtesy of From Below: Rising Together for Coalfield Justice]
    Show more Show less
    40 min