We discuss Part 2 of our Toxic Tour where we went to Holly Grove Cemetery, the place where Mother Jones spoke to striking Miners before the Battle of Blair Mountain. Then off to Pax, WV, where there is an active Mountain Top Removal Mine, Strip Mine, or Surface Mine. This coal has been traced as being the same coal sitting in Curtis Bay, MD, where a part of our tour crew originated. We then tell our personal stories, and all types of conversations in between. We touch on a little bit of everything! Enjoy!

We took a group of organizers, college students and effected residents from various industrial complexes. We attempt to narrate the events of the weekend in order and express our perspectives and feelings of everything. It was a very powerful weekend so we need to do this one in 2 parts. This episode is the first half of the trip and where we went on the first day, Friday, April 5, 2025.

Elise, Lindsay and Tom sit down with Rusty Williams to discuss how he became the badass Appalachian Advocate that he is. Our initial intentions for this episode took a slight turn when we discovered that Tom and Rusty seem to have more in common than we had bargained for. We can't wait to have Rusty back so we can discuss so much more.

Lindsay and Elise discuss the importance of unions. Lindsay relives her experience as a coal miner's daughter, whose dad was a union miner that rallied and fought for his right to work.

This episode discusses drug use and addiction in a detailed manner. Listener discretion is advised.

Everyone in Appalachia has been impacted by addiction. Every single person has been addicted, knows an addict or is related to someone who has struggled with, or succumbed to addiction.

On this episode Lindsay shares her addiction story as an opening to this important topic.

Elise shares her stories with Lindsay and Tom about Larry Gibson, and how he managed to save 50 acres of Kayford Mountain, WV from being blown apart from Mountain Top Removal!

Lindsay and Tom express their feelings on their trip to Kayford nearly a decade ago and how we need to go back to see how the landscape has changed.

Welcome to the first episode of Appalachian Livin'!

Our hosts Lindsay Riser and Elise Keaton are joined by Tom Riser and University of Pittsburgh student Isabell Darrow for a "getting to know you" chat to kick off the podcast. Ms. Darrow contacted Lindsay and Elise and wanted to do an interview with them after they spoke to her class earlier this year. Since this visit with the class inspired this podcast, we thought it would be fitting to have Ms. Darrow be the first guest!