Winter in West Virginia just hits different.

As January starts to close out and winter weather rolls through the Mountain State, life naturally slows down. In this episode, we lean into that quieter rhythm and talk about what winter really feels like here: from snow days and storms to comfort food, routines at home, and the way this season affects our mood.

This is a cozy, sit-with-us conversation about winter in West Virginia, finding warmth in the small things, and laughing together during the colder months.

If you’re bundled up, snowed in, or just moving a little slower right now, we’re glad you’re here.

🎧 Grab something warm and settle in.00:00 – Winter has settled in01:16 – The good, the bad, and the weird of WV Winter17:30 – Snow days, storms, and winter weather24:27 – Winter comfort food & laughing at hate mail32:16 – Winter, mental health, and hating on January37:40 – French Creek Freddie & Groundhog Day43:20 – Looking ahead & closing thoughts

In this episode of Almost Heaven, Always Us, Corey runs through 10 things that just feel like West Virginia. From deer acting like they own the road, to Dollar Generals in places you least expect, to Walmart somehow being a social event —if you know, you know.And if you’re not from West Virginia… this might sound made up.It’s not.👇 Drop a comment with the ones we missed — because you know there’s at least one more and let us know what county you represent.New episodes weekly.And when you listen, you’re part of the story too.0:00 – Just Feels Like WV2:01 – Deer Are Basically Citizens8:05 – Dollar Generals Everywhere10:05 – Snow Day Vibes12:18 – Pepperoni Roll Politics16:33 – Tudor’s Is Sacred19:19 – Walmart Is a Social Event21:30 – Holler GPS24:30 – Gas Station Food Is Elite29:17 – The WV Goodbye30:45 – Small Town Emergency Broadcast System33:33 – Final Thoughts + Your WV Stories

2026 is shaping up to be a year that quietly locks in where the state is headed next.

In this milestone Episode 50 of Almost Heaven, Always Us, we share five grounded predictions about what’s changing in West Virginia and how those changes will affect everyday life.

We talk about:
• Who’s actually moving into and out of West Virginia
• Why internet access now matters more than roads
• Which towns are quietly winning — and which ones will decline
• Why healthcare is improving, but unevenly
• And why West Virginia pride is getting louder than ever
This is an honest conversation about quiet change, churn, and what comes next.

Whether you’ve lived here your whole life, left and came back, or just care about the future of Appalachia — this episode is for you.

Chapters

00:00 Intro – Why 2026 Matters for West Virginia
03:00 Prediction 1 – Who’s Really Moving to WV
09:48 Side Quest – Wayne County Detour
13:08 Prediction 2 – Internet Over Roads
16:34 Prediction 3 – Which WV Towns Will Win (and Lose)
24:21 Prediction 4 – Healthcare Gets Better (Unevenly)
31:42 Prediction 5 – WV Pride Is Getting Louder
36:53 Call to Action
39:26 Reflecting on 50 Episodes
41:50 OutroAbout Us

Almost Heaven, Always Us is a West Virginia–based podcast hosted by a husband-and-wife team who love the Mountain State and the stories that shape it. We explore West Virginia’s people, places, history, culture, and everyday life — with honesty, curiosity, and a deep respect for where we come from.

This show isn’t about outsiders’ takes or stereotypes. It’s about telling our own story, one conversation at a time.

"And when you listen, you’re part of the story too."

Follow Along and Join the Conversation

We share bonus clips, behind-the-scenes moments, local stories, and episode updates across our socials:

Facebook: Almost Heaven, Always Us
Instagram: @almostheavenalwaysus
YouTube: Almost Heaven, Always Us
TikTok: @almostheavenalwaysus

If you enjoy the show, consider following, sharing an episode, or leaving a review — it helps more people discover stories from West Virginia, told by West Virginians.

Christmas in West Virginia isn’t just one tradition: it’s a season of life.

In this episode, we talk about what Christmas looked like for us growing up in West Virginia and what it looks like for our family now. From driving through Christmas lights, church plays, hard-to-get gifts, and favorite songs and movies… to the quieter, more intentional Christmases we’re building today.

These are our memories, but they’re the kind of moments so many West Virginians recognize — because this is what Christmas really feels like.🎄

💬 Join the Conversation

What did Christmas look like when you were growing up in West Virginia?
And what does it look like for you now?

Every New Year's in Mannington, West Virginia, a WV Icon drops from the sky: a giant glowing pepperoni roll.In this episode of Almost Heaven Always Us, we sit down with Ben Kolb, the artist, teacher, and creative mind behind the Great West Virginia Pepperoni Roll Drop.We talk about:• How a small-town idea became one of WV’s biggest New Year’s traditions• The story behind Nativibes Studio & Art Gallery• Painting with coal, Appalachian culture, and passing creativity to the next generation• Why WV culture is so inspiring: from Green Bank to Mothman• Marion County's Famous Foods: Pepperoni Roll & HotdogsIf you love West Virginia, small-town magic, and the people who make this place shine… this is YOUR episode.📍 EVENT INFO:December 31, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - January 1, 2026 @ 1:00 amWintergarden Park , Mannington, WVhttps://marioncvb.com/wv-pepperoni-roll-trail/Follow Ben for updates:Social Media: @nativibesArt: holleredground.com🎧 Subscribe for more West Virginia stories, culture, and nostalgia.

West Virginia family gatherings are their own kind of chaos: comfort food, inside jokes, and a little drama all on the same table. 😂

We start with the funny stuff: the WV Gathering Starter Pack, the unspoken rules, and the family roles we all recognize… and then things get real.
We talk about why family gatherings are getting harder, why they still matter, and what makes WV family time feel different than anywhere else.

A mix of laughter, honesty, and West Virginia heart.

🎙️ Almost Heaven, Always Us

Special shout out to Nicholosn Logging LLC for sponsoring this episode!

West Virginia’s newest health movement has taken off, but who are the women actually promoting it?

In this episode, we sit down with Kristie Tenney, Upshur County Commissioner and small-business owner, and Lauren Winans, singer-songwriter and host of 304 TODAY, to uncover the real story behind Mountaineer Mile, the statewide initiative encouraging every West Virginian to walk just one mile a day.

We talk about:
• How the Mountaineer Mile started and the surprising moment that sparked their desire to promote it
• Why Kristie and Lauren got involved — and why it matters personally to each of them
• The big wins they’ve seen across schools, hospitals, parks, and communities
• Stories from the road: seniors line-dancing, classrooms competing, and folks reclaiming their health
• Their friendship, teamwork, and West Virginia pride
• Where this movement is headed next

If you care about West Virginia, community stories, and hearing from the people making a real difference right here at home — this one’s for you.

A happy, healthy Mountaineer makes a stronger West Virginia. Let’s walk together.

#AlmostHeavenAlwaysUs #MountaineerMile #WestVirginia #WVWELLNESS #KristieTenney #LaurenWinans #304Today

Thanks to Nicholson Logging LLC for sponsoring this episode!

What if West Virginia actually took 30 counties from Virginia and Maryland? 👀

A WV State Senator just proposed it, and we’re breaking down what that really means. From the culture, to population and income changes to how far the new borders would stretch, we explore the facts and the “what ifs” behind a Mega West Virginia.

Would “old WV” benefit more, or would the new counties gain the most?
And would they even want to join us?

This one’s part culture review, part thought experiment, and all Mountain State pride.

❤️ Almost Heaven, Always Us
#WestVirginia #SWVA #WesternMaryland #AlmostHeaven

We didn’t quit the podcast — we just got lost somewhere between Seneca Rocks and the Mason-Dixon Line.In this episode, we finally slow down and catch our breath. Corey hits the trails at Seneca Rocks, Spruce Knob, and Mason-Dixon Park while Kelsey soaks in the fall vibes at WV small towns and welcomes two new baby nephews. Somewhere between mountain views and family chaos, we both found that peace only a WV fall can give.

🍂 Stories, laughs, and the reminder that sometimes you need to get lost to find what matters again.🎧 Sit back, laugh with us, and remember — when you listen, you’re part of the story too.#WestVirginia #AlmostHeavenAlwaysUs #WVPodcast #SenecaRocks #CoopersRock #SpruceKnob #MasonDixon #WVMountains #FallInWV #WestVirginiaLife #wvfamily

Six spooky stories with WV charm — and more laughs than screams. 👻
Join Corey and Kelsey around the fire for a not-so-scary night of West Virginia ghost stories, laughter, and local legend. From the Greenbrier Ghost to the haunted tunnels, valleys, and creeks hidden deep in the mountains, these tales mix history, humor, and a little mountain magic.

🔥 A cozy campfire episode from Almost Heaven, Always Us.