Appalachia Meets World

In this episode an Appalachian native shares her life journey of strength after trauma.  Brandi Cox's recently released memoir, "In Better Hands  An Appalachian Memoir of Healing and Grace," follows a story of sorrow, growth and understanding ultimately finding peace after abandonment, adoption and grief.  Hear from Brandi as she describes how Appalachia has shaped her into the person she is today, and how the resiliency she learned growing up has carried her throughout her life.  Take a listen to hear her explain what she hopes others can gain from reading her memoir and how she broke through generational curses to live her best life.  Also, don't forget about the #AppBiz of the week - Watauga Butchery!  

Brandi Cox - www.brandicoxauthor.com

App News:

ARC Ready Local Governments - www.arc.gov/ready/localgovs/ 

ARC Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy - www.arc.gov/academies-and-institutes/aea/ 

ARC Appalachian STEM Academy - www.arc.gov/academies-and-institutes/stem/ 

Opportunity Appalachia - https://appalachiancommunitycapitalcdfi.org/opportunity-appalachia/ 

Opportunity Appalachia Launch Webinar (Information) - www.arc.gov/event/opportunity-appalachia-2024-launch-webinar/ 

#AppBiz:

Watauga Butchery - www.wataugabutchery.com/ 

It's 2024 Appalachia!  In this episode Neil and Will celebrate the beginning of the new year with their favorite episode from 2023!  They also welcome a surprise guest to help them bring in the new year - a guest that won't let Neil get a word in otherwise.  Take a listen to find out who the special guest is and what episode was the guys favorite in 2023!  Here's to a Happy and Healthy 2024 Appalachia!  Wherever you may roam, remember to be "Always Appalachian!"  

Happy New Year Countdown!  In this episode, Neil and Will recap 2023 in a way you might not have thought of...it's become one of their favorite parts of the episodes, something that has taken on a life of its own.  They really just want to use this episode to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!  Take a listen, you might hear a favorite appetizer (or two)...you might even hear Neil's favorite movies of 2023, or maybe not.  It's been a good year, Neil and Will are looking forward to 2024 and what lies ahead!  Happy New Years (in a few days) Appalachia!

App News:

EDA Recompete (Pilot) Program - www.eda.gov/funding/programs/recompete-pilot-program 

Recompete Program Finalists Press Release - www.eda.gov/news/press-release/2023/12/20/biden-harris-administration-announces-22-recompete-pilot-program 

SOAR Recompete Program Finalist - https://soar-ky.org/soar-selected-as-u-s-economic-development-administration-eda-recompete-pilot-program-finalist/ 

In this episode, Neil and Will celebrate Christmas with the new and the old!  It's AI vs AMW - you choose which you prefer...from Neil and Will's perspective it's the human element that - "just means more."  Merry Christmas y'all and to y'all a good night!  Also, don't forget about #AppBiz(s) of the week - the final 4 (or 5) businesses in the final countdown to the 25 days of (an Appalachian Small Business) Christmas!  

#AppBiz:

22. Studebaker Metals (Braddock, PA) - www.studebakermetals.com 

23. Wander North Georgia (Clayton, GA) - www.wandernorthgeorgia.com 

24. Bales Farms ( Mosheim, TN) www.balesfarmstn.com 

25. Flux Bene (Pittsburgh, PA) - www.fluxbene.com 

25. Rolling Pepperoni (Pittsburgh, PA) - www.rollingpepperoni.com 

In this episode Will and Neil (or maybe not) sit down with the "Outlaw Scientist" (as coined by AMW) Dr. Savannah Thais, an expert on Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).  As a follow up, Dr. Thais defines what AI is and how it is part of our everyday life.  Her research goes beyond the data to focus on how AI impacts society and how we can use AI for social good.  Hear her talk specifically about her research in Appalachia and why she focused on the area.  Take a listen as she explains if regulation is needed in AI and what we should think about when thinking about the future of AI in Appalachia and beyond.  Also, don't forget about the #AppBiz(s) of the week - the next seven businesses in our countdown to the 25 Days of (and Appalachian Small Business) Christmas!

Dr. Savannah Thais - https://datascience.columbia.edu/people/savannah-thais/ 

App News:

ARC Ready Non-Profits - www.arc.gov/news/more-than-995000-awarded-to-40-appalachian-organizations-via-arcs-ready-nonprofits-initiative/ 

ARC Appalachian STEM Academy - www.arc.gov/academies-and-institutes/stem/ 

ARC Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy - www.arc.gov/academies-and-institutes/aea/ 

#AppBiz(s) of the Week (and the next 7 of the countdown to (Appalachian Small Business) Christmas:

15. East Wheeling Clay Works (Wheeling, WV) - www.eastwheelingclayworks.com 

16. Cottonwood Handmade (Boone, NC) - www.cottonwoodhandmade.com 

17. Bloom (Garrison, KY) - www.bloom-candles.com 

18. ZZZ Box Mattress (Hickory, NC) - www.zboxmattress.com 

19. Dresden and Company (Dresden, OH) - www.dresdenandcompany.com 

20. Appalachian Botanical Company (Ashford, WV) - www.appalachianbotanical.com 

21. Pollinates Honeyworks (Belmonst, OH) - www.pollinateshoneyworks.com 

In this episode Neil and Will sit down with Rachael Rankin, a lifelong educator in the Appalachian region and current Junior High and High School Principal of the Newton Falls Exempted Village School District in Trumbull County, OH.  As an educator passionate about innovation in the classroom, Principal Rankin discusses the integration of Artificial Intelligence, or AI, in her own school system and what it has meant for her District and the Teacher's that serve the school system there.  Take a listen as she talks about how fast moving the world of AI in education is and how important it was for her to implement AI policies.  With ChatGPT being only the tip of the iceberg, there are many AI technologies that can be used by not only students but specific for teachers as well.  Hear how she navigates the ethical dilemmas with AI in the classroom and what she recommends for school districts that are dealing with the ever changing AI environment in education.  You might even hear Neil's stellar performance in predicting the winner's from last week and how he might use ChatGPT going forward.  Also, don't forget the #AppBiz(s) of the week - the next seven businesses in our countdown to the 25 Days of (an Appalachian Small Business) Christmas!

Newton Falls Exempted Village Schools - www.nfschool.org 

App News:

The Santa Train (CSX) - www.csx.com/index.cfm/community-investment/csx-in-service/events/santa-train-2023/ 

The Santa Train (Facebook Page) - www.facebook.com/santatrain/ 

Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative (ACRI) - www.arc.gov/news/arc-hosts-130-appalachian-college-and-university-students-at-community-research-symposium/ 

#AppBiz(s) of the Week (and the next 7 of the countdown to (Appalachian Small Business) Christmas:

8. Charis Winery (Cumberland, MD) - www.chariswinery.com/ 

9. Hill and Holler (Cumberland, KY) - www.hollernothollow.com 

10. Blenko Glass Company (Milton, WV) - www.blenko.com 

11. Holl's Chocolate (Vienna, WV) - www.holls.com 

12. Thomas Spake Studio (Chattanooga, TN) - www.thomasspakestudios.com 

13. Boomstown and Company (Johnson City, TN) - www.boomstownandco.com 

14. Base Camp Printing Company (Charleston, WV) - www.basecampprinting.co 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Extras/Tools/Apps:

FOR STUDENTS AND ALL

ChatGPT - www.openai.com 

Photomath - www.photmatch.com 

Tome - www.tome.app 

Readwise - www.readwise.io 

Ghost Write - www.ghostwrite.rip 

FOR TEACHERS:

Diffit - www.diffit.me 

Magic School - www.magicschool.ai 

Eduaide - www.eduaide.ai 

Class Companion - www.classcompanion.com 

In this episode Neil and Will talk about their respective Turkey Days and how this year compared to Turkey Days of old.  They also recognize three past guests who are at the pinnacle of their respective sport...football in the mountains!  Take a listen as Neil gives a preview of the mountains traveling to the flatlands and his predictions all around...you might be surprised as his predictions aren't always from the heart.  In recognition of the advent season and twenty five days till Christmas, they guys also start the countdown of twenty five small businesses in Appalachia to check out...check out the AMW IG for more detailed information on the #AppBiz of the day as the countdown starts on December 1st leading up to the holiday!  

#AppBiz(s) of the Week (and the first 7 of the countdown):

1: Grazeful LLC (Martinsburg, WV) - www.grazefulwv.com 

2: Kinship Goods (Charleston, WV) - www.kinshipgoods.com 

3: Holtz Leather Company (Huntsville, AL) - www.holtzleather.com 

4: New Frontier (Morehead, KY) - www.newfrontierbrand.com 

5: Knotzland (Pittsburgh, PA) - www.knotzland.com 

6: Scavenger Forge (Brasstown, NC) - www.scavengerforge.bigcartel.com 

7: Coal Country Candles (Hindman, KY) - www.coalcountrycandles.com 

Our annual Thanksgiving episode around the dinner table - a place where many stories are told in Appalachia.  Take a listen as we give you a little glimpse into our family and the thanks we have this holiday season.  Have a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!  

In this episode Neil and Will sit down with Barb Ewing the CEO of the Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI) - the #1 University Affiliated Incubator in the World!  Incubators are used to give startup businesses and entrepreneurs needed support in order to drive innovation.  With a streamlined focus and a dedication to becoming sustainable, YBI has become one of the most accomplished incubators in the world.  Hear from Barb as she describes how it all started and the benefits YBI provides not only to its portfolio companies but to the community and the region as a whole.  Take a listen to find out the secrets to success (or the "magic fairy dust") and how other regions can replicate the success of this Appalachian incubator - that dispels misconceptions some might have in regard to tech in Appalachia.  Also, you might hear Neil explain the reasoning for having a tree up BEFORE Thanksgiving - and why he was seen as a clown.  

Youngstown Business Incubator - https://ybi.org/ 

App News:

Tech Hubs (Appalachian Focus) - www.arc.gov/news/biden-harris-administration-designates-nine-tech-hubs-and-grant-recipients-in-appalachian-region/ 

Global Entrepreneurship Week - www.state.gov/global-entrepreneurship-week/ 

2023 National (Appalachian) Christmas Tree - www.uscapitolchristmastree.com/2023/09/06/monongahela-national-forest-announces2023-u-s-capitol-christmas-tree-tour-schedule/ 

From China to Appalachia - www.floydcountrystore.com/event/from-china-to-appalachia-2023-11-18 

Floyd Country Store (Home) - www.floydcountrystore.com/  

#AppBiz:

Fitz Frames - https://fitzframes.com/ 

YBI Portfolio Companies - https://ybi.org/entrepreneurs/portfolio/  

Extra:

Inventors Network KY - www.kyinventors.org/ 

America Makes - www.americamakes.us/ 

In this episode Neil and Will just want to honor the men and women who have served - on this Veteran's Day weekend.  Thank you for your service and duty to country.  Take a listen to hear about some news (or two links) regarding some innovative work regarding Veterans. 

Also, the guys wanted to replay how it all started for Appalachia Meets World.  A throwback to Episode #1 - "Where You From?"  If you have never heard it before, it just gives you a feel for who we are and why we started this whole thing in the first place.  Till next time....

Honor Flight - www.honorflight.org

"Soldier's of the Coalfields..." - https://artsandculture.google.com/story/soldiers-of-the-coalfields-the-hidden-stories-of-black-appalachians-in-wwi-reed-college-of-media-innovation-center-at-west-virginia-university/iAWx-LnPzeKWKw?hl=en 

Reed College of Media Innovation Center: West Virginia University - https://mediainnovation.wvu.edu/