In this episode of The Appalachian Tale Podcast, I travel to Knoxville, Tennessee, to visit Mama Bear Sweet Treats and sit down with owner Chrissy for a conversation about cookies, community, creativity, and what it means to build a business rooted in hospitality.

While baking a giant cast iron skillet cookie filled with flavors inspired by Dolly Parton, banana pudding, s'mores, and more, we talk about the journey from a home kitchen fundraiser to a thriving mail-order cookie company. Along the way, we discuss Appalachian hospitality, entrepreneurship, Pride Month, finding your place in a community, and why sharing food around a table can bring people together in unexpected ways.

From cookie-making secrets and small business lessons to conversations about belonging, kindness, and the diverse voices that make Appalachia special, this episode is equal parts sweet treat and front porch conversation.

In this episode:

• The story behind Mama Bear Sweet Treats
• Building a food business from the ground up
• Appalachian hospitality vs. Southern hospitality
• Pride, community, and creating welcoming spaces
• Cookie flights, cast iron skillet cookies, and baking tips
• Dolly Parton-inspired treats and creative flavor development
• Why food remains one of our most powerful ways to connect

Pull up a chair, grab a cookie, and join us for a conversation about food, friendship, and finding common ground around the table.

#Appalachia #AppalachianCulture #KnoxvilleTN #SmallBusiness #CookieBaking #CastIronCooking #SouthernFood #PrideMonth #FoodStories #Entrepreneurship #TheAppalachianTale

What makes Appalachian hospitality different from Southern hospitality? In this heartfelt solo episode of The Appalachian Tale Podcast, Jimmy Proffitt takes listeners deeper into the holler to explore the traditions, values, and everyday moments that define hospitality in Appalachia. Drawing from personal memories, front porch conversations, family gatherings, and recent experiences helping a grieving friend, Jimmy reflects on a style of hospitality that is less about impressing guests and more about making people feel at home.

From neighbors dropping by unannounced and sharing coffee in the kitchen, to bringing food during times of loss, to giving away garden produce from a backyard harvest, this episode celebrates the simple acts of kindness that have long been woven into Appalachian culture. Jimmy also shares stories of special occasions when the "good dishes" came out of the china cabinet and how those rare moments made celebrations even more meaningful.

If you love Appalachian traditions, Southern culture, storytelling, family memories, front porch living, and the values that connect communities, this episode will feel like sitting down with an old friend for a spell.

In this episode:

• The difference between Appalachian hospitality and Southern hospitality
• Why comfort matters more than perfection
• Front porch culture and unplanned visits
• Food, grief, and showing up for neighbors
• Garden generosity and community connections
• Family traditions, china cabinets, and special occasions
• What hospitality means in Appalachia today

Keywords: Appalachian hospitality, Appalachian culture, Southern hospitality, Appalachian traditions, front porch living, Appalachian storytelling, mountain culture, Appalachian history, family traditions, rural life, community, neighbors, food traditions, Jimmy Proffitt, The Appalachian Tale Podcast.

From Moonshine to the Skies: Danielle Parton’s Journey of Grit, Business, and Independence

In this episode of The Appalachian Tale Podcast, host Jimmy Proffitt sits down with pilot, entrepreneur, veteran, and distillery owner Danielle Parton for a candid conversation about determination, family heritage, and building a life on your own terms.

Danielle shares the remarkable story behind launching Shine Girl Moonshine, from trademark battles and business setbacks to opening a distillery in the heart of East Tennessee. Along the way, she reflects on growing up in Sevier County, her family's moonshining lore, serving 20 years in the Air National Guard, flying for a major airline, and what she's learned from a lifetime of taking the long road to success.

The conversation explores Appalachian storytelling, family legends, entrepreneurship, women in traditionally male-dominated industries, lessons learned from Dolly Parton, and the resilience required to keep moving forward when life doesn't go according to plan.

If you've ever dreamed of starting something of your own, preserving your heritage, or finding the courage to chase a goal that seems impossible, this episode is for you.

• The founding of Shine Girl Moonshine
• Appalachian moonshining history and family stories
• Life as a commercial airline pilot
• Serving in the Air National Guard
• Women-owned and veteran-owned businesses
• Trademark battles and protecting your brand
• Entrepreneurship in Appalachia
• Lessons from Dolly Parton's business philosophy
• Why playing the long game matters

Appalachia, Appalachian culture, Danielle Parton, Shine Girl Moonshine, Dolly Parton family, moonshine history, East Tennessee, Sevier County, entrepreneurship, women-owned business, veteran-owned business, commercial pilot, Air National Guard, Appalachian storytelling, small business success, Appalachian heritage, Tennessee distillery, Appalachian Tale Podcast.

If you grew up in the mountains of Virginia, you didn't just watch The Waltons — you knew them. They were your people.

In this episode of The Appalachian Tale, host Jimmy Proffitt shares the unexpected story of meeting six cast members of the iconic TV series when they came to The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for breakfast during Waltons Weekend of the Smokies. What followed was a mill tour, signed copies of his debut cookbook Seasoned in Appalachia, and a conversation about popcorn, sawmills, Nelson County, and the mountains they all share.

Jimmy reflects on each member of the Walton family — the quiet wisdom of John Walton Sr., the spiritual steadiness of Olivia, John Boy's writer's heart modeled after creator Earl Hamner Jr., the fierce tenderness of Grandma Esther, and his personal favorite, Grandpa Zeb, the storytelling, fishing, remedy-knowing mountain man Jimmy admits he might be becoming. He also gives a loving nod to the Baldwin sisters and their strictly medicinal "recipe," Ike and Corabeth Godsey's country store, and the Appalachian words and phrases the show gave him — reckon, youngins, fixing to, took poorly, and mike could — that he still uses today.

He also connects the show's setting of Walton's Mountain in Nelson County, Virginia to his own roots just twenty miles away in Scottsville, and shares the moment cast member Cami Cotler, who played Elizabeth Walton, knew exactly where he was talking about.

And if the Waltons ever come to a screen porch supper? Jimmy knows exactly what he'd ask them to bring.

In this episode:

• The morning the Waltons came to The Old Mill for breakfast
• A character-by-character walk through the Walton family and their Appalachian counterparts
• Earl Hamner Jr., Schuyler, Virginia, and Walton's Mountain
• Appalachian words and phrases from the show: reckon, youngins, fixing to, took poorly, mike could
• Olivia Walton's applesauce cake — and why it's better than his grandma's (sorry, Grandma)
• A teaser for an upcoming episode with Landon Bryant

Keywords: The Waltons podcast, Appalachian culture, Waltons TV show cast, Earl Hamner Jr., Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge Tennessee, Appalachian storytelling, The Old Mill Pigeon Forge, Seasoned in Appalachia cookbook, Waltons Weekend of the Smokies, mountain heritage, Southern food podcast, Appalachian words and phrases, Nelson County Virginia

In this episode of The Appalachian Tale Podcast, Jimmy Proffitt sits down “on location” with longtime friend Danielle Parton for a hilarious, heartfelt, and deeply Appalachian conversation about family, heritage, hard work, and the many lives she’s lived along the way.

Danielle shares stories from growing up in Sevier County as part of the Parton family — yes, that Parton family — and reflects on the colorful personalities, unforgettable funeral stories, and deep roots that shaped her upbringing in East Tennessee. From childhood trips to graveyards and historical libraries with her genealogy-obsessed mother to tales of Catons Chapel Partons, Dolly Parton’s siblings, and wild family humor, the episode feels like sitting on a porch listening to stories that get better with every telling.

Jimmy and Danielle also reminisce about their years working together at The Old Mill Restaurant, swapping stories about impossible tourists, heavy serving trays, and the kind of friendship built through long shifts and nonstop laughter.

The conversation then turns to Danielle’s remarkable career journey — from working in a fudge shop at Bell’s Mall and serving tables in Pigeon Forge to becoming a Hooters waitress, flight attendant, Air National Guard pilot, and eventually an American Airlines captain flying international routes on the Boeing 787. Along the way, Danielle shares candid stories about military service, combat deployments, aviation, and the grit it took to navigate male-dominated spaces while staying unapologetically herself.

Filled with Appalachian humor, family stories, and decades of friendship, this episode is the beginning of a larger conversation Jimmy plans to continue in future episodes with Danielle.

In this episode of The Appalachian Tale Podcast: Deeper In The Holler, host Jimmy Proffitt goes solo again with one of the most unforgettable characters from his Appalachian childhood — a woman named MaryAnn. With wild gray hair, a house with a hand pump at the sink, and a reputation as a fortune teller, herbalist, and granny witch, MaryAnn was unlike anyone else on that little country road in the Shenandoah Valley. Jimmy remembers helping her make lye soap over an open fire, pumping water from the well, and drinking his very first cup of coffee — mostly milk and sugar — at about five years old. He also shares the behind-the-scenes story of writing and photographing Seasoned In Appalachia — including a very memorable morning involving a straw, two cans of beer, and a catfish photo shoot. Plus, the Appalachian Word of the Week, Grandma's untested Milk Chocolate Walnut Bars recipe, a preview of Book Two, and news about an upcoming bluegrass festival book signing.

Topics covered: Appalachian granny witches, mountain folk magic, fortune telling in Appalachia, lye soap making, Shenandoah Valley childhood memories, Seasoned In Appalachia cookbook behind the scenes, Appalachian dialect, milk chocolate walnut bars recipe, bluegrass festivals, Appalachian storytelling and culture.

Here is a link to the playlist https://suno.com/playlist/606530f3-c68d-4f2e-aad2-424be182bc7d

The Day-Old Bread Store, Dandelion Wine & Dad's BBQ Chicken | The Appalachian Tale Podcast Ep. 4

In this episode of The Appalachian Tale Podcast: Deeper In The Holler, host Jimmy Proffitt gets real and conversational — just him, a few notes, and a whole lot of Appalachian memory. Jimmy kicks things off with a laugh about the "used bread store" — what Appalachians know as the day-old bread store — and what it meant to stretch a dollar growing up in the mountains. He goes deeper in the holler with more stories about his beloved neighbors Mary and Charlie: dandelion wine fermenting on the back porch, the cool earthy smell of a root cellar on a summer afternoon, geraniums by the front door, and sweet iced tea in nubby green glasses. Jimmy also introduces the Screen Porch Supper — his favorite warm-weather tradition — and teases his most-requested recipe: Dad's BBQ Chicken, the legendary Shenandoah Valley pit-style chicken that defined every church fundraiser and fire hall cookout in the Valley. Plus the Appalachian Word of the Week: cattle bat. You'll never look at a moth the same way again.

Topics covered: Appalachian food memories, day-old bread stores, dandelion wine, root cellars, Shenandoah Valley BBQ chicken, screen porch suppers, gardening updates, Appalachian dialect, and growing up in the mountains of Virginia.

In this episode of The Appalachian Tale Podcast, host Jimmy Proffitt continues his conversation with Mick (known as Mick On The Porch), sharing heartfelt stories about family, simple living, travel dreams, and the traditions that shape Appalachian life. From memories of growing up without modern conveniences to reflections on caring for loved ones, this conversation explores the values of resilience, patience, and appreciation for life’s quieter moments.

Jimmy and Mick also discuss favorite travel destinations, including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and the Smoky Mountains, along with the joys of planning meaningful journeys rooted in curiosity and connection. Along the way, listeners hear about gardening traditions, screen porch suppers, beloved pets, and the everyday rhythms that make a house feel like home.

As part of the show’s recurring segments, Jimmy introduces Appalachian expressions and explores the idea of the Screen Porch Supper Club, where food, storytelling, and hospitality bring people together. This episode celebrates the beauty of simple living, Appalachian vocabulary, and the stories passed down through generations.

If you enjoy conversations about Appalachian culture, food traditions, storytelling, gardening, simple living, and meaningful travel, this episode invites you to pull up a chair, grab something to drink, and listen a spell.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Appalachian storytelling and family traditions
• Growing up with simple living values
• Travel inspiration in New England and the American South
• Gardening memories and heirloom growing practices
• Screen Porch Supper Club traditions
• Appalachian vocabulary and sayings
• Caring for family and navigating life transitions
• Creating meaningful routines and seasonal rhythms

Subscribe for more conversations exploring Appalachian foodways, traditions, and culture through the stories of the people who live them.